scorpion509

Good morning! First, before I despense any advice.....my two cents worth.....look back on what you have accomplished so far!! On average, 14 lbs since mid January is approx 5 lbs per month. That said.....I will tell you my story.
I've lost about 83 lbs total, 23 prior to surgery. That leaves 60 lbs I lost post op. I reached MY goal (5 lbs under Dr. D's) in six months. Dr. Davidson's nurse said I was a little rigid - but it worked or me. I was very strict with myself until I reached goal. I still WORRY about gaining it all back, but in reality, I am eating like a naturally thin person. At least I think I am. I don't ever want to get complacient and stop worrying, not crazy worry, but it keeps me aware of everything I put in my mouth. It is a choice, I do not mindlessly eat now days.
For the first six months nothing sweet or fried passed my lips, not one time, NOTHING. Now though, I do eat sweets, but I do not over do, I will eat a few french fries, but it's rare and when I say a few, I mean five or six.
I make choices, and if I am going to have a piece of cake at church, I will cut out a snack or two that day. I made 'choices' before, but it was all about portions, I ate too much for too long. Now, with no real hunger, I find it much easier to walk away and resist when I know I should.
Now I'll list the things that I think have made this wild ride sucessful (so far) for ME.
I have been logging my food on line since the beginning.
I still weigh and/or measure all my food when I am at home. Eye balling it when out is more of a challenge, but I have gotten pretty good at it.
I weigh every single morning. Dr. Davidson recommends it, accurately saying, it is easier to lose 2 or 3 lbs than it is to lose 8 or 10 lbs. That is true and I don't know about you, but I can gain 8 or 10 lbs or more....in a month!!
I try and under eat my sleeve, which is best. Early on my caloric intake was LOW. At 3 months I was eating between 450 and 550 calories per day, but I made them count. When losing, I never went over 800 calories per day. Now I maintain at between 1200 and 1350 calories a day. My labs were good, I felt great and other than a couple short stalls, I lost weight consistantly.
I started getting all my protein via food at 2.5 months. I keep a bag of frozen shrimp on hand all the time, I still try and have it around. It goes down easy and is high in protein. You can just 'thaw it out' or steam it. I always dip it a little in cocktail sauce. eggs, 1% cottage cheese and tuna fish were, and still ARE things I keep around. From the very beginning I started and ended every day with a cup of skim milk. I keep glass glasses in the freezer so I can have it iced cold!!! The milk gives me 18 grams of protein every day!
When I ran into problems with a stall, I'd up the protein and Water. I mean seriously up the protein, it always got everything kick started again!!!!
If you don't measure and weigh your food and if you're not logging, think about starting. You'd be surprised how easy it is to go over what you should, calorie wise. Something stuck with me at a recent support group at Baylor.....an additional 100 calories per day, every day is over 36,000 calories per year, which equals about 10 lbs. Think about how little 100 calories is!!! That is HOW I gained the weight, a few lbs one year, five the next. Then two......little enough to where I would just accept it. I didn't just wake up fat, it happened over years!!!! Anyway, good luck, you will lose weight, but you need to be diligent, pay attention to what you are doing. Our honeymoon stage is the easiest time for our weight loss.

Hi, I would suggest to start doing cardio work out.
I notice myself that I start looking weight after i start doing elliptical. I start with only 5 min per day. I know sound funny but I wasn't exercise person at all before surgery.
so as soon as doctor gave me green light at 4th week to do work out. I bought myself elliptical and step on it. It was terrible.
after 5 min barely walking I step off it and fall on my bed thinking I would die... ( really) but I continue doing that 5 min per day. when I feel that I am not dying anymore from 5 min I increase time to 10 min. and my advise. WATCH something when you do it. it help. at least it helped me. now I am crazy person with my elliptical. I can stay up to 90 min at once. and sometimes step on it 2x a day. you will see that your weight will go down after you start doing cardio.... Good Luck.

omg when i saw this post i was like i forgot all about this one. ive been in post op september. i wondered where did all the sept sleevers went. there is a few of us on the other thread. you guys are doing awesome. im one of the slow losers my numbers arent as high as yours but my NSV are off the chain and my inches are whewwwwwwww. nice hearing from you guys.

Great job on the 100 pound loss!! I just hit 80 this morning, super happy with my weightloss this far. Cant wait to get the next 75 pounds off!

Hi, September last year people.
How are you? I am doing good. Notice that sometimes I want to eat something but no idea what. very hard time to decide

I wasn't allowed fruit in the first 2 weeks and after that only berries because some fruit has some part which hard to digest. so I would suggest you to stay off them for now.

Congratulation on your achievement. Your post gives all of us support and telling that we can do it too. Keep the weight falling off and Good Luck.

Well, it's been a year today since my surgery. I feel great and am down 98 pounds. 102 lbs down per the surgeon scale. I count the loss from when I started the preop diet. There are many things that I remember that led me down this path of weight loss surgery. Why I did what I did. I felt horrible for one. I was so depressed and nearing 300 lbs. I didn't want to do anything, but sit on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to play with my kids. I hated myself and pretty much just gave up on life. I felt like I was going to be fat forever. My back, hips, knees and even my legs hurt. I felt like my ankles were going to break when I would walk down the steps. My heart would pound when I would walk up just a few steps. I didn't even want to go outside because I didn't want people to see me. I didn't want the pity or the stares. So, after a conversation with my husband, I looked into weight loss surgery. My husband was so supportive. He said he wanted me with him for the rest of his life and didn't want to lose me. He loved me for me. So, I jumped through all the hoops with the insurance and got everything done. I had the surgery and went through all the stalls and today...98 lbs gone baby. I feel so good. I have the energy to do everything. I am not embarrassed about myself anymore and my self esteem has gone through the roof. I even like to clean and do the laundry. . I love trying to find cute clothes. They actually fit now. I am in a size 16 from a 24 and wear extra large shirts. I can fit into large, although they are a little tight. I don't feel like my ankles will break anymore and I don't even breathe hard when I go up steps. I exercise 5 days a week and eat 4-5 small meals a day. I finally know how to eat right. I am loving life.

Here's the explanation for the dreaded stall (you can read the full details here, including what to do about it):
The Inevitable Stall
By Diana C.
A "stall" a few weeks out is inevitable, and here's why.
Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of Water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet.
As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a saber tooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.
Breathe, and fuggedaboudit for a few days.

the internal ticker doesn't display the decimal information it just cut off the wight to the whole number which from one point mislead about the weight. I use external one only because of that.
Can this issue be fix as well? because if you weight 219.7 lbs it display on the ticker as 219. from my point it is not accurate.

the internal ticker doesn't display the decimal information it just cut off the wight to the whole number which from one point mislead about the weight. I use external one only because of that.
Can this issue be fix as well? because if you weight 219.7 lbs it display on the ticker as 219. from my point it is not accurate.

Congratulation on approval!!!! and Good Luck.

I enjoy my lassi.
1cup of yogurt( I use greek one)
1 cup of milk
1 serving Protein powder i use Cookies and cream ( put as many as you want to)
blend it in the blender and enjoy....

I drink a lot less coffee now, because one cup is plenty. More than two and I feel jittery and uncomfortable. If I have coffee after noon, I'll have trouble sleeping. These are new issues post op. I also feel like I was more sensitive to caffeine in the beginning because I avoided it for several weeks post op while on my strict liquid diet.
I still start my day with a coffee Protein shake (though I can't do that now that I'm pregnant; I'm even MORE sensitive to caffeine right now) and find that I enjoy my morning coffee but I can only have the one.
It might be something that you're able to work up to - you're still fairly newly sleeved.
I don't experience any physical withdrawal or anything when I can't drink my coffee, but mentally, I'm a grump. I'd count down the months until I can enjoy my daily cup again but I'd just get frustrated!
~Cheri

We will all tend to see the most rapid weight loss at the beginning, no matter what our diet may be (assuming that it does have the requisite caloric deficit to trigger weight loss!) When we first go into a caloric deficit, as when we start a weight loss program, or get into a famine, that deficit is made up with our quick energy reserves of glycogen (basically carbs) which burn fairly rapidly at a rate of about 2000 calories per pound. When our body gets the idea that you are into something serious and the caloric deficit is not going away anytime soon, then it starts tapping into its long term energy stores of fat, which burns more slowly at about 3500 calories per pound. It typically takes 2-3 weeks to get to this point, which often coincides with a change in diet phase in post op WLS programs. This is also when many people experience their first stall - the dreaded third week stall - when the body has to take a rest and rebuild its glycogen reserves to more normal levels, which involves some hoarding of Water to keep it in solution.
I was on mushies and soft Proteins from the outset, and also experienced my most rapid loss those first three weeks after which is slowed down as my body moved into fat burning mode. So, it really doesn't matter if one is on Clear Liquids, thick liquids, mushes or steak and potatoes those first couple of weeks, you will lose quickly assuming that the caloric deficit is there.
On the original question, I typically ran in the 90-110 g Protein range (appropriate for the metabolism of a guy with relatively high lean body mass,) carbs were in the 80-120g range (workable and at times essential for a relatively high activity level,) simple carbs & sugars were minimized, though some fruits, berries mostly, worked their way in over time, and calories averaged around 1100 during my loss phase. The 50g Protein level quoted by the OP is on the low side of typical recommendations (normally in the 60-80g range) but is in the ballpark if the OP is a relatively short and small framed woman (say, 120lb or less of "should be" or ideal weight.) Many find that 600-800 calories to be something of a sweetspot for weightloss with the sleeve, and at that level, if one is meeting the protein goals, there isn't a lot of room to go wrong on fat and carbs with the remaining calories.

My birthday is coming closer and I was wonder if I can try to drink some wine or champagne. but my birthday I would be 2 month out.
When the first time I can try alcohol?

good luck. it wasn't bad for me as i thought it would.

Just a little shout out that this surgery has been the best thing that has ever happened to me for my health, and I am so happy!

I once again weigh less than my husband
I am able to wear some of my favorite old clothes like college sweatshirts
I was able to borrow my sister's size SMALL jacket on vacation (she's a size 4)
I was able to run, play, slide and keep up with my two young nephews without feeling exhausted
I hiked at 5000' elevation for over an hour, barely getting out of breath and feeling wonderful
Little things like sliding behind a chair in a tight dining room and sharing a backseat with two other adults no longer puts a spotlight on my size

I cannot wait to see what the next 3 months until my one year surgiversary brings!

Hi Everyone,
What is your ultimate wish or dream? For me it was to lose the weight and NEVER gain it back again. It was to become healthy and not have my poor body hurt every day. So, why are you still sitting on the fence about having weight lost surgery? The number one reason usually is will my insurance pay for it. And if not, how do I get that much money myself to pay for it. There are ways trust me, it can happen, if you want it bad enough!

Here is another one I hear. “I should be able to do this myself—lose the weight and keep it off—maybe I should try one more time. Well, if that were true, YOU would have lost the weight by now—how is that working for you—I am guess it has not. So many of us ride the roller coaster of lose it regain it back. I know I did that. I learned I had a disease and it is called “OBESITY.” Now if you had any other disease and someone said “I have a surgery that I can give you to cure your disease you would jump at the chance to cure you disease. I want you to know that Weight Loss Surgery will and can cure your disease.

It will REQUIRE YOU to work at it and eat healthy, and do some exercise. WLS is NOT a miracle cure, but it does work. I am living proof of that. I lost 105 pounds 4 years ago and have kept it off and I am 67 years old. So, I want you to know that you can have your wish or dream come true too.
PLEASE stop sitting there waiting for that magic pill to fall out of the sky and poof; the weight will fall off you. That is NEVER going to happy. Each day you sit there being fat, fluffy, overweight, obese, and large, big boned, tubby, heavy, pudgy, stout, chubby, portly, and plump—I think I found most of the names that described what I was and you are too. I was giving days of my life away which is my biggest regret.
I am here to help you, cheer you on, answer any and all your questions, but I want you to take back the control over your body and your life, and become, happy, healthy and be where you want to be when it comes to your weight. Come on you can do it and we are all here to help you. I had VGS aka “sleeve” done by Dr. Aceves, and I can only speak about my experience, but I feel he is one of the very best there are out there to do this surgery. He has done more Weight loss surgeries than most doctors. He is proctoring for the company “Johnson & Johnson” teaching other doctors how to do this surgery. The care you get from Dr. Aceves and Dr. Compos and their staff are wonderful, and they truly care about each one of their patients.

Please love yourself ENOUGH to save YOUR own life. You are worth it. If you have any questions you can reach me here on this Web Site or send me a private E-mail: Suzannesh@aol.com

Hugs,
Suzanne

I am another one slow looser.
Today i start my 5th week and last week I only lost 1lb. My weight went up and down which make me crazy But today It went down 0.5 lb below the previous lowest number.
So total since surgery I lost only 16.3 lbs.
I don't like how slow it is moving but I cannot change it. I try to exercise but it is only 20-30 min per day. I become tired. In the size wise I am down to 18W from 22W but so far only jeans because they are stretch. Hopefully will soon wear 18W pants I see that my body is stubborn, but I am stubborn as well so will see who win
about food it become a bit hard. I notice that it is hard for me to eat meat and fish and I try to avoid it. only eat it if it is mince and cooked after that. but with all shakes and etc... my calories intake between 550-700. so I am not sure but sometimes I think it is a bit too much.

I am on my 4th week and slowly moving to soft food. today I was crazy about cheese. I probably miss it a lot fresh mozzarella was my "candy" of the day.
still having problem to get all 60g of Protein. but doing my best. weight is loosing very slow. but at least it getting off. last week I only lost 3 lbs.
but I am stubborn so I hope I win bought elliptical and start doing exercise but after 10 min feel tired and decided to lay down. - wake up 40 min later. I never thought that it would be that hard for me. bicycle didn't give me that problem.
Still sometimes ( very often) feel lightheaded. but hope this would go away. Missing my normal Breakfast with cup of coffee and cheese. I am missing that I cannot have it together

I know how you feel. as advice. try to do your mushy more liquid. I couldn't hand the mushy on 3rd week I need to add more liquid to make it more soupy look and then I was able to eat it.
my first one was oatmeal you can try cream of wheat.

can you drink Protein Shake chocolate milk flavor. For me they taste the same.

Great change and nice pictures.
I am 4 weeks out and down 15 lb since my surgery and 37 from the start.
Don't know why but my body doesn't want to give up this weight

So you have been sleeved about 5 months and have lost 52 pounds and you consider that failure? That rate is over 100 pounds a year. That sounds pretty successful to me. Dont be hard on yourself,we all have days when we eat to much,theres always tomorrow to get back on track. Follow the rules and you will get there. Good luck to you.