FishingNurse

How exciting for you, 6 weeks is when you are starting to feel "normal" again. Good luck to you!

I am 5'4''. I wear a size 10-12 or a medium or large sometimes. I am totally thrilled!

Honestly it's a personal choice. I didn't get my surgery to be skinny, I got my surgery so I could be happy. I have 2-3 beers a week and I have since after the 6 month mark. I am happy with my weight loss and I am happy with my lifestyle. Could I be thinner if I didn't have empty calories from beer and other choices, YES. But its all about what is right for you. I have a good balance of good choices and not so good choices and I couldn't be happier.

I really had a modest goal. To me, being "thin" wasn't important, it was about liking myself, feeling comfortable. My surgeon recommended the sleeve cause the weight loss is more modest, and that's what I wanted. It's easier to maintain. I didn't want to look deflated. I would have gotten the bypass if I wanted to weigh 130... Which wasn't important to me. I was scared of regain too which is why having a modest goal was a good plan for me! Hope that makes sense.

The stalls are the worst ! They happen a ton in the first 9 months but you will keep losing. Trust me! I was in tears after 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and on and on. But I made my goal (under 170 pounds) with ease. Yes, ease! Losing it was easy with my sleeve, maintaining is harder but doable! Just keep following your plan! Don't get discouraged.

Hello all! All my labs were normal pre-op, at 1 year and at 2 years, and now at nearly 3 years I am very low on multiple labs. Has this happened to anyone else? My nutrtion is much better now that it was at year 1 and 2. I am going to see a hematologist and possible get Iron transfusions. I am scheduled for a endoscopy as well. My primary doesn't seem to think this is related to my surgery. I am a RN and my thought is the prilosec I take for my horrid reflux could contribute to the lack of iron absorbtion. Thanks for reading! My results are listed with the normals after. Any thoughts or comments appreciated. WBC: 3.3 (3.8-11.0) RBC: 4.47 (3.7-5.2 Hemoglobin: 10.1 (11.8-15.5) Hematocrit: 33.8 (35.0-46.0) Iron: 20 (50-165) Iron binding capacity 427 (250-450) Iron Saturation 5 (20-55) Prealbumin 17.3 (20.0-40.0) Ferritin 2 (10-291) everything else was normal.....

Hello all! I posted in the Vets Forum but nobody had any input so I am trying in this area where there seems to be more traffic. All my labs were normal pre-op, at 1 year and at 2 years, and now at nearly 3 years I am very low on multiple labs. Has this happened to anyone else? My nutrtion is much better now that it was at year 1 and 2. I am going to see a hematologist and possible get Iron transfusions. I am scheduled for a endoscopy as well. My primary doesn't seem to think this is related to my surgery. I am a RN and my thought is the prilosec I take for my horrid reflux could contribute to the lack of iron absorbtion. Thanks for reading! My results are listed with the normals after. Any thoughts or comments appreciated. WBC: 3.3 (3.8-11.0) RBC: 4.47 (3.7-5.2 Hemoglobin: 10.1 (11.8-15.5) Hematocrit: 33.8 (35.0-46.0) Iron: 20 (50-165) Iron binding capacity 427 (250-450) Iron Saturation 5 (20-55) Prealbumin 17.3 (20.0-40.0) Ferritin 2 (10-291) everything else was normal.....

My barriatric team wants us back in every year as well. Actually I'll save money because they know how to code the labs unlike most PCPs. But my insurace covers everything but my 20 dollar copoy once a year.

your surgeron should order all your labs every year and they do a very comphrensive list of them. Have you been post-op of more than a year?

I am going to look into this after my Endoscopy!

Thank you all so much !!

The intermittent fasting seems to be the ticket for vets in a rut like myself. I gained 7-8 pounds back from my all time low over the last year. (I am 2.5 years out) Unfortunately I am not able to only consume 500 calories or less per day. I wish I had the will power to do it!!!! BUT I started a similar idea at the first of the year and I am down 3.5lbs!!! It’s called the 8 hour diet. It’s simple. You eat 8 hours of the day only, the other 16 you fast. (you drink Water or other beverages with no calories.) Basically you can eat whatever in the 8 hours with in moderation, but no need to restrict calories significantly. So far so good!!! It is surprisingly easy for me to follow. I have also been shooting for high Protein, lowerish carb, (but I am reasonable, I have still been getting my white chocolate iced espresso daily from Caribou coffee!!) and I have been at the gym which also helps. I haven’t seen the scale move DOWN in more than a year I’d say! I work 2nd shift as a nurse, so I have slightly different hours to eat then some of you might… but this is what I do: I eat Breakfast at about 11:30am, and then I can eat a snack around 2 or 3 and have dinner at 7-7:30 then I don’t eat again until 11:30am the next day. I thought it would be hard but it’s not! Also the book I read regarding the plan does say even if you follow this 4-5 days a week you will still see results. (google 8 hour diet for more info) This plan seems to give your body a chance to use stored fat for energy. I feel great! Also the plan recommends a brief 8 min “workout” just before you break the fast in the morning. (I will lift my 5 pound dumb bells and push-ups and go up and down the stairs a few times. I am very optimistic, I know I have only been following the plan for 10 days but I am excited to be on the loser’s bench again. I will keep everyone posted, I can’t wait to weigh myself tomorrow!!

Thank you all for your input. I did not keep taking my supplements after 1.5 years probably cause I always ate 1500+ cals a day and focused on Protein, and all my labs post op were all normal at 6 months and a year, and at 2 years, I guess I was wrong! (silly I know I am a healthcare worker in an inatient facility for eating disorders) I am on ferrous gluconate 325mg twice daily with 1000mg of Vitamin C. And I am going for 100g of protein a day now instead of 70. Its not easy!! All my B Vitamins are normal. I take a good Multivitamin now too. I will keep everyone posted on the endoscopy results/ and labs in 6 weeks.

I think you will be happy, I know I am!! Good luck :-)

I was scared of the malabsorption with the gastric bypass, and I didn't want a foreign object in my body that could corrode my stomach like the band. I think I would have definately lost more with the Gastric Bypass but over all I am very happy with my results. I am about 3 years out from VSG.

@@Skywalker As an RN that works with Psychologists and Dieticians everyday: I think your Psychologist has no business judging your "nutritional insight" He has a degree in Psychology not nutrition. You will be required to see the Dietician before surgery and they will educate you. Problem solved! See the Psychologist that your Surgeon's use.

@@swimbikerun why did you need TPN? did you have a leak?

I have been at about the same weight for 2 years.... up and down with the same 10 pounds. Currently 5 poiunds from my lowest. I eat 75 or more grams of Protein a day and 1800-2000 cals a day. I just don't see how this is happening! no diff, but all of the others listed are normal.....

You are amazing! thanks for sharing

How are your portions? How is maintenance? Is anyone revising to the DS or Gastric Bypass? Anyone struggling with significant regain? I feel like I am stuck trying to lose 10 pounds that I have gained since I made goal.... I have had success with the 8 hour diet plan...But my willpower is about zero right now. I am bummed, I want to lose my 10 of regain plus 10 more. I am pretty determined just want to know where others are at this far out. Don't be shy! Any thoughts/ input are welcome.

everyone worries about "never having my favorite".... 95% people can tolerate anything they want post-op including myself. (I am nearly 3 years post-op) Mcdonalds is not my treat of choice... mine is Chic-fil-a or Cheezits. You WILL be able to eat this DON'T WORRY. Just make this a treat. :-)