jessiquoi

When I went for my second of three pre-op weigh-ins, I felt very upset because I didn't lose anything and the NUT made me feel like I was in danger of not having my surgery. I lost plenty the first month, and plenty the third month, but the second month for whatever reason, my body held on to the weight. I became very anxious about not being able to have the surgery, and that led to overeating. I finally told the program coordinator at the monthly support meeting, and she assured me that I was doing fine. The next meeting I had with the NUT, I was assertively and calmly not taking any negative feelings.
They work for you. Not the other way around. And we're not machines, we're all different.
To the OP: I think you're doing marvelous!!! Keep up the good work!

I agree with the moderation thing....a couple Hershey kisses or a square or two of dark chocolate won't derail your weightloss. In fact, it's a lot easier for me to be good 90% of the time as long as I let myself be "bad" the other 10%. Actually had a small handful of chocolate chips with a teaspoon of Peanut Butter this evening. You just need to be able to stop after a small taste. Find a balance you can live with....cause this is for the rest of your life!

Great suggestions!
I have sugar free chocolate pudding and chocolate Protein bars on occasion. If you can control yourself and have a few Hershey's Kisses then have some. The sleeve is about helping with moderation, not to stop eating everything you love forever. If you feel you can't have "just a couple" then try and find a low-carb/low-fat substitute that will satisfy your craving.

I buy the 85% dark chocolate bars at Aldi's at put them in the freezer. When I feel the urge, I just break off a small piece. It takes forever to melt in my mouth and usually satisfies whatever craving was there.

Of course you should be here! Does this site help you? Do you find comfort here and can you shed some light on certain situations that may arise with someone else who is struggling or just needs some advice on something you have already experienced? What your "friend" fails to realize is that this site is a "SUPPORT" group of people! We don't just support the people who go through WLS and never have an issue or have the picture perfect out come! How boring would this be if people didn't have different "journeys"!? What the hell would we have to talk About?! Don't you DARE for one second let an "outsider" with no freaking clue tell you you don't belong among your own! How dare she even say such nonsense?! You do what makes you happy!

RJ - never doubt that you belong here. Things members say resonate with you. Things you say resonate with other members. You. Belong. Here. You are a complication survivor but that isn't all you are. You don't let it define you but you use it to support and educate others. Your voice is strong - not just the voice you use to communicate with us, but your inner voice too. When it is at odds with what others are saying, listen to it. ((Hugs to you))

I was out for a holiday dinner with coworkers a few days ago and now that I'm not spending the entire meal stuffing my face with food, I notice more how much others eat. appetizers were brought to the table, bread was served, then salads, then meals and then giant Desserts. Since I have limited space, I have to skip straight to the main meal and am only able to eat a fraction of that.
I used to eat that much. No wonder I needed surgery. It's amazing how much my perception has changed after a few short months. Do you notice how much others eat?

P.S. I will add one thing: I always go to my meetings with lots of data -- about my calories, Protein, daily weight, etc. I record all this on My Fitness Pal and print out reports / charts of these stats for the person(s) I will be seeing. They never have to guess or assume or wonder about what I'm doing. And neither do I.
One PA told me that this is unusual, that many patients can only report what they ate yesterday, but before that they're pretty fuzzy.
Based on this, it's clear that some patients (NOT anyone who's posted above!) are pretty dumb, pretty undisciplined or so determined "not be on a diet" that they pay no attention to what they're eating / drinking.

I'm lucky too. I love my surgeon, his two PAs, his bariatric nurses and even the receptionists. They're knowledgeable and helpful and patient. Not a single complaint here.
They also have never:
* Given me monthly / quarterly weight loss targets
* Given me anything other than positive feedback
* Treated me like an idiot
* Failed to listen attentively to me
* Failed to return my calls
I'm not the world's fastest loser, although I haven't had any stalls either. My first three months post-op weight losses have been 10 lbs, 12 lbs, 9 lbs. I think / hope my fourth month loss (coming up in a few days) will total 10 lbs.
I know that's going to slow down soon. And I would never expect anyone at my surgeon's office to give me grief. They are all about positive reinforcement there.
BTW, the bariatric PA urged me last week to start moving my calories up from 800 to 1,000 as it's comfortable to do so.
I'm really sorry to hear that some of your surgeons and their staffs aren't empathetic, knowledgeable and rooting hard for your long-term success. Seems like that's what their job is.

Report them. I don't tolerate being treated rudely under any circumstances. Most hospitals have feedback forms. Many can be completed on line. Make sure you complete it ASAP.

This is YOUR journey, not your surgeon's. F***ck their textbook approach and expected weight loss tables. Take responsibility for your own choices and let your body lose at its own pace. It took me 3 months to lose 30 pounds and I didn't have anyone breathing down my neck, telling me it wasn't good enough. Every pound I lost was a success story, and no matter how slow it may have come off, I still reached and even passed my goals. Besides, losing slower is healthier and SHAME ON YOUR DOCTOR putting unnecessary pressure on you to lose x amount by a certain date.

@@TJBab
Sorry to threadjack a little.My point was that the surgeons sometimes lose sight of the big picture. Just because you aren't exactly the "standard", doesn't necessarily mean you're doing something wrong. You are doing just fine. Let your body do it's thing. I agree with what someone else said, maybe get with your NUT and have them look over your meal plan and maybe give suggestions? But I think you're doing just fine

I do kinda feel like u. Although I have my first follow up this coming week so I haven't seen him yet. I had issues early on and kept calling and kept getting the that's normal speech. Eventual went to urgent care to find I had a nasty infection. Before surgery if I called office they called back within minutes. After it was in a few hours and I felt unheard. I feel like I bought a used car and now that I have the car they don't want to help or deal with me. But we will see on Tuesday how it goes

I can't believe I'm going to finally admit this, but I have not been back to the surgeon since my 6 week appointment because of that same attitude his PA had about my weight loss. I was still doing shakes and full liquids at that point (at 6 weeks...his request to treat my GERD, another thing I didn't agree with he did) and when I told him I had three 12 oz shakes a day plus Soups in between, he told me that was TOO MUCH. He actually told me I should have been only having three 4 OZ shakes instead. I did the math...that was a grand total of 500 calories a day...AT 6 WEEKS. He proceeded to tell me he thought my weight loss was too slow...because of the 12 oz shakes. Well, needless to say, I haven't been back. I'm pursuing my follow up care with my primary instead. Sometimes I think they get so wrapped up in their own reputation of making sure their patients are successful to make them look good, they forget that we are all different and some may just not lose as fast as others. What works for one may not work for another (shouldn't they know that??). I know my body best, and I have done just fine thus far tweaking my diet to adapt to my rate if weight loss. I have lost no hair, I'm losing steadily 2-3 lbs a week, I track my Protein and Water intake and I religiously walk and take my Vitamins. Doctors (or PA'S) don't always know best, and sometimes we need to be our OWN advocate!

***DISCLAIMER***
I am NOT AT ALL advocating anybody to dump their surgeon and not do their follow up care with them because you may not agree with their treatment plan. I felt knowledgeable and comfortable enough to take matters into my own hands. I know this is not typical for everyone.

That's crazy! A stall is not losing any weight at all. You're losing just not super fast. Some people are fast losers, some are slow but steady. If your doctor has concerns about the rate at which you are losing, they should have the nutritionist review your diet.
I am still required to keep a food diary. At my 2 week I had lost 26lbs, but at my 6 week I had only lost another 6. They were fine with this. The only caution they gave me was to keep my calories under 800. I've been mindful of this and made adjustments on how to do that and still get in my Protein.
Don't be discouraged. Keep doing what you are doing and get in that exercise! It really helps move things along.

My doctor actually showed her disappointment in my loss at my one month visit. Really? ! At my three month visit she still wasn't happy, telling me no more unflavored Protein Powder and only one egg for Breakfast. Clearly she was not interested in discussing my daily caloric or Protein intake. She told me not to worry about either, because I was not an athlete and needed to live off my fat reserve. I left there in tears and completely confused. I have been losing very slowly, but I'm losing. My body is doing it's thing and I've made peace with that. Try to do the same and you will have a much more stressful journey. Best.

@@TJBab Your weight loss thus far is amazing! Your surgeon can "want" all he or she wants but your body is going to do as it darn well pleases! If your doing what your suppose to, and you obviously are, then Your body will do what it's suppose to do. You've lost almost 30 lbs in a month? I can't believe your Dr would be upset about that?! Tell him to chill! (In the nicest way possible) don't be upset your doing GREAT!!!

That's good to know I am not alone. Unfortunately especially on this forum carbs are made out to be evil and I think the key is to finding balance.

OK I'm home. Home nursing coming soon to hook me up on round he clock iv fluids and meds. At least I won't get sicker until such time this gets figured out. Also going to find specialist tomorrow. So not out of woods but can live until can tolerate Fluid on my own.

it's true, the sizes have definitely changed. i have no idea what size i will end up when i finally get out of the Xs! i think it will be a kick to wear anything smaller than a 12, which is the smallest i remember wearing in college.

it's true, the sizes have definitely changed. i have no idea what size i will end up when i finally get out of the Xs! i think it will be a kick to wear anything smaller than a 12, which is the smallest i remember wearing in college.

This is utterly ridiculous and now I'm pissed for you. Something is obviously not right and it is their freakin' job to figure it out and to effectively manage your symptoms while doing so.
I pray that you go back and when you get there, please ask to speak to the nursing supervisor of the hospital (not the unit you may get placed in) and demand to speak with the Patient Advocate. Someone will listen to you. We are so worried about you.

keeping you in my thoughts daily. keep up the fight. i hope your wife heals quickly and can help you by becoming your advocate.

Even little time makes a world of difference <3

I'm thankful every day that I finally made the decision to have this surgery. I am down 13 lbs since being sleeved on 11/18/14, and if I only enjoyed the benefits I feel right now, I would be happy!
I can walk, dance, and stand for extended periods. I'm doing dishes and cleaning the house, which I haven't been able to do in two years. (Don't worry, I've had a housekeeper part time helping. I haven't been living in filth lol, but I've let her go now and see the housekeeping as part of my fitness regimen. My least favorite part, I may add.)
I've been out to eat, and ordered in twice as well, and I'm thrilled with the number of meals I get out of one dish ordered from a restaurant. I can eat anything so far, no problems with any food.< /p>
Four times I've overeaten or eaten too fast and paid the price of pain and nausea. The lesson is slowly being drummed into my thick skull and the bad habits, the addiction to food and its numbing qualities are getting tamed more and more each day.
I took one week off from work, and have been working at home for the last two weeks. This will be my final week at home, and I am actually looking forward to going back to the office. We have three holiday parties next week, and I'm simultaneously pissed that I have to pay for each of them considering the small amount of food I'll be eating, looking forward to eating tiny samplings, and worried that I haven't anything small enough and nice enough to wear.
Next week, on my one monthiversary, I will post pix.
HW: 285 SW: 266 CW: 253