BriarRose

Cute !!!!! And there will be others.....

I am so sorry this happened toy calliekaine. Take care and come here for support.

Oh NO ! on a feeding tube ? What the heck happened ? I am sending you lots of healing karma and wishes to get well, and heal quickly !!!!

I could never drink any of the protein drinks period. I tried them all pre op but knew that my gut would not be happy. I have never been able to drink /eat all the additives. Deathly ill from it all. I made very very strong chicken soup with lots of vegetables in it and strained for the first few weeks of liquids. Then added in blender to smooth cooked chicken, and veggies. Kefir was also a go to. Now you could get bone broth. I did my own as I find prepared soups to be too full of sodium for me.

I have decided this past year to abandon a “size” or poundage goal. I have lived as a morbidly obese person for so many years. I lost over 140 pounds then had regain over 8 years. I lost the regain in the past year. I am 5’2”. Now. I shrunk - being 64 now. I now weigh about 175. I went from over 320 pounds to 175. I am comfortable here. I feel good. I am maintaining the weight loss with healthy and mindful eating. I am never going to reach my surgeon’s goal for me 10 years ago. (145 ) I am happy to be where I am. Once Covid calms down I will get labs done - I am back to having lost 145 pounds. No plastics - but yes to excess skin and trapped fat. I don’t want any elective surgeries. I am happy wearing a petite size 16. Live happily within yourself. And congratulations on a healthy you !

We all have to find a comfortable place to be - at my age and stage of life I am good where I am right now for right now. You have to find your way too and figure out where you are comfortable weight and health and ... husband wise ! ( I divorced a couple years before I started my journey on weight loss ). I wish you the BEST IN YOUR ADVENTURE NOW !!!

And now 5 months later.... I am down 45 pounds from last July. I weigh less than I did in graduate school in 1981 !!!! I started this journey wearing size 28 pants before surgery. I am now wearing either a size 14 or a 16 petite ( which I like the fit on better for my short self ! ) and had to shop "blind" with no stores open ! But I couldn't keep my pants up to go back to work ! This journey has been a gift that continues to give me benefits many years later. I have never regretted it for a moment. Get your surgery. You will lose weight. Do not worry about how fast or how much or compare yourself to anyone else. Take each ounce you lose as a victory and celebrate it !!!

the reason I got a sleeve was so that I could continue steroids if and when I need them. I have had my sleeve for 10 years. I have fairly well controlled asthma, with the use of inhaled steroids 365 days a year and when I get sick,.. bronchitis or anything else that might hit my lungs hard, antibiotics and oral steroids usually with decadron injection to start it out. I end up on fairly high doses 60 mg for a week then descending doses for 2 to 3 weeks to insure breathing.... at least once or twice a year. I get ravenously hungry. I gain some weight. Then I lose it over the next couple months. It is a pain in the butt. But I do really well, as far as I am concerned. My sleeve has handled the steroid use. And I am still kicking at 64 years old.

“ I eat less”. Generally shuts people up

I think I kept one pr of jeans...YOU have inspired me to look !!!! YOU LOOK FABULOUS !!!!

Personally, I have been to Aldi twice. Once to see what the excitement was about and the second time to make sure that the first time was not just a weird happening. Granted, I keep kosher, so i was not expecting to purchase cheeses or meats there. (i only eat cheeses without animal rennent) But I did not find anything exciting or great pricing. The produce appeared old and wilted, and boxed items and pantry items were too close to expiration for my liking. I did find some European condiments that were a "fun" purchase, and tons of snack items like chips and cookies, crackers and cereal.

10 years ago, had a sleeve. I was 54 years old with asthma. Stayed 2 nights to clear my lungs from anesthesia and make sure I was oxygenating well. I had surgery 100 miles away from my home, so stayed in local hotel just in case for two more days. Then home.

I don't look at 5 pounds any more. I look at half a pound at a time !!! And I celebrate every half a pound as a major victory - at 10 years out, I still have to remind myself where I STARTED 10 years ago. At 320 pounds. Now I am at 177. And each pound is a VICTORY ! Celebrate each victory !!!!

I make chicken salad - some mayo or yogurt, and I add fresh halved grapes. Great to take to the office for lunch. I also make Chinese chicken salad - bottled low fat asian dressing, greens of your choice ( I like spring greens ) diced chicken, diced water chestnuts (very crunchy and low calorie) tablespoon of sliced roasted almonds, chopped green or red onion and you have a lovely restaurant quality salad ! Or I might make riced cauliflower - steam it a bit then toss in a pan with other sautéed vegetables and add diced chicken at the end to heat it up with the rest - sautéed in teriyaki or low sodium soy sauce with a bit of oil so it doesn't stick - or instead of asian sautée in just a bit of oil and add hot sauce and make it Mexican and serve like a tostada with salsa.

Try doing different things and see if it works. After gaining back 40 pounds over 8 years post losing 140 pounds .... I had to go slowly ...it is what worked for me. First I planned a sugary snack each day. And made sure that it was ONE. ONE skinny cow ice cream. ( I can't eat" sugar free" products - all sugar alternatives make me violently ill ) But for me, knowing I had that one treat.... did it . Then it was going back to protein first. And making really good vegetables, and really fresh salads. And eating with intention of fueling my body. And getting healthy. And changing old habits that crept back.... But that is me. YOU Have to figure out what will work for YOU - for me it was going back to what worked back when... and amazingly enough I had not "broken my sleeve" either. I still have restriction. Just not with chips or ice cream either ! For me - as long as I have the reminder of ONE serving of a treat, and remembering that it IS a treat keeps me from eating more than one. And you know what happened ? Watermelon got really sweet, as did berries and cherries and grapes... and sometimes my treat is fruit !!! I have seen the past 13 months SLOWLY changing my eating habits AGAIN. Life is a journey. Have lost that 40 pounds plus two more. You CAN do this. !!!

WOW! You have come a long way from where you started ! Great For YOU !!! I love hearing about people who are my age who have been through this too. It is different later in age than others imagine. Congratulations on your huge loss !!! And the gain of years of health !!

Everyone has an opinion about Everything -- and on a site about weight loss and how much we all weigh .... well everyone is going to have their own opinions about that too. Aside from height and weight, there ARE other issues that we often do not pay attention to - pre-existing medical issues, medications that are taken on a daily basis, medications that are taken during through out the year due to chronic issues that crop up and become acute. Another major issue can be age and stage of life. Excess skin and fat pockets that do not go away.... To the Original Poster - Congratulations on losing so much weight, and at arriving at a healthy BMI. Hopefully you have consulted with your doctor and had labs drawn to check on your vitamin and trace mineral levels and that your diet and vitamin requirements are being met. Your doctor or dietitian should be or great help to guide you to the optimal weight for you !! Again congratulations and much luck !

August. And I have continued to lose about 3 to 4 pounds a month. I am super impressed with myself for this re-invention of ME at this age and stage of my life. I don't care if no one notices, I don't care if no one says anything - I feel so good. I am cooking for myself, and told my adult daughter who lives with me now, that she can prepare her own stuff, our eat out, or do take out, but this is what I am doing for me. She joins me for dinner a couple times a week, but prefers more carbs than I typically eat. I am okay with it all, because I am; at 64 years old, finally doing me. Down to 178 for the last three mornings, so I can call it that. And I am so pleased.

I am sorry for your experiences. I never lost my hunger pains either. But I consider my weight loss to be a success. I am no longer morbidly obese - am on the border of overweight and obese - with my doctor telling me that at 64 years old it is considered overweight, and frankly, I will take that. Not all surgeries that we have for anything are 100% curative. My sleeve did not "cure" my obesity. It was a tool that helped me lose weight and get a handle on overeating. My surgery was not a "cure" and I still do battle with eating too much or the wrong things on occasion; but I am 140 pounds lighter than when I started. THAT is MY VICTORY. Perhaps consulting with a teaching hospital might be of help.

It actually should come down to looking at many many things. Like your age, illnesses you have or genetic tendencies toward any. Are there medications you take that you cannot take if you have RNY that will limit absorption of certain medications. My BMI was 58. I weighed 320 pounds. I was 54 years old. Could not have RNY due to meds needed that are absorbed and distributed by intestines. I lost 140 pounds. I did have a gain back over 7 years - of 40 pounds but had both medical problems and life happens. Back to where I was now. What is my BMI now ? According to most charts 32. Charts that account for age ( I am now 64 ) about 30. No plastics. I have saggy baggy skin. All over . but not having any elective surgeries at my age. If I had my bat wings taken off I am sure I would lose another 5 pounds easily !! I am very very pleased with my sleeve.

I would not put a number on your "expectations" - instead focus on getting stronger post surgery, and getting in all your fluids that you need. You CAN expect that you WILL lose weight. Even weeks 4 to 8 are considered post surgical recovery. Bodies hoard calories to heal themselves post traumatic injury - and having surgery is a traumatic injury to your body. Be good to yourself, and follow what your doctor says is right for you.

I am 10 years out. Gained some back but maintained a 100 pound weight loss.... now have tackled the re-gain and have lost 41 pounds of 40 regain. AND SOMEONE COMMENTED HERE THAT I SHOULD WEIGH LESS. I had to laugh. I mean really laugh. He is young, male, and has NO clue what anyone else deals with. Take away information that is helpful, add to other's journey with concern and maybe a suggestion about what works for you. Try not to compare yourself with anyone except to your "old self" Celebrate EVERY Victory Be Yourself and DO YOU. BTW - TODAY - I am celebrating by taking Three HUGE bags of PLUS SIZE clothing to the Women's Shelter. GONE AND DONE. NO MORE SIZE 20/22. Back to ladies petite size 16 - or regular ladies size 14. I only look at 5 pounds at a time. Sometimes less. And I celebrate every 1/2 pound now !!!

Agreed. New and Improved - you have no idea WHY people chose or have to have one surgery over another ! I will give you an example - RNY involves a by pass of intestine. That causes the body to not be able to absorb both foods and certain medications that may be necessary to continue to LIVE. RNY patients cannot fully absorb medications that are meant to be delivered to the body through the intestines. Personally, I had inquired about RNY 15 years ago and was told I could not have it because of that issue. I was told a new surgery was on the horizon but not readily available - and to wait a few more YEARS. Perhaps to avoid having people jump all over you, you might use the internet to look up things to increase your knowledge base BEFORE you post.

For those struggling with job loss, or trying to juggle raising children at home, having to homeschool those children, provide 3 meals and snacks a day for the family.... caring for elderly parents or relatives, and now becoming a full time teacher AND working full time -whether from home or having to go to work...... my heart goes out to you !!! I am high risk - life long chronic asthma and I am 64 years old (young) - I raise hens for fresh eggs, organic garden, work full time in Social Welfare and have a 20 something who has some issues that keep her from working right now too.... But I eat better now than ever - partly due to the garden getting daily care from me as I work 3 days from home and 2 in the office or field. Wearing PPE is hard. But a mask and face shield remind me not to snack at work !!! I consider myself very lucky - I have a garden to work in, and access to the outdoors where no one else is. I am not one who has ever been able to really exercise, but I keep active gardening and doing household chores. I made a commitment to lose weight since July 2019. Working on pound #42 right now. Take care out there everyone. Right now, "success" is staying healthy.

I so agree with setting small goals and celebrating each one !!!! I celebrate every 5 pounds - adding a plant to my garden, new socks... nice lotion fo hydrate my skin !!!! And we learn how to reward ourselves without using food as a reward !