Rebel

Okay so here goes. I am dealing with something that I thought I'd never have to face again. I weighed this morning and the scale is reading 5 POUNDS more than it did before. I did have my TOM last week and maybe that is contributing? Not sure, but very upset, depressed, anxious and just plain sick about this. I had lost 43 lbs to date and now I am going in the wrong direction. I have been getting my Protein and fluids in but haven't been walking as much. The cold weather tends to aggravate my rheumatoid arthritis. :boxing_smiley: I have also had a lot of problems with constipation. I bought some miralax and started taking it yesterday, so hopefully it will help. I eat a couple of sausage links for Breakfast, a Protein shake for snack, a chicken breast with veggies for lunch, Powerade zero and Water throughout the day and some kind of meat or Soup for dinner or Peanut Butter on toast. So, its not like I'm eating more than I should. But, maybe I grazed a bit more last week during TOM. Just trying to figure out where this gain came from. Anyone have any thoughts, ideas, words of encouragement. I am struggling today.

A heating pad or ice pack help with the side pain. Sorry for all the extra posts, but it won't let me edit my previous ones

oops forgot to mention I added plain isopure protein powder to the soup for extra protein. It seems to mix better with warm liquids.

Personally I couldn't stand plain broth so I used Campbell's Old Fashioned chicken Noodle Soup, heated it as directed adding a can of Water and then strained it. This allowed me to only get the liquid portion of it but it tasted like heaven after so many days of plain liquids. I highly recommend it. Once you can get to full liquids, dannon makes a great drinkable yogurt that I lived on those first few weeks. Also, the side incision hurts for a while because it is the largest incision and where they took your stomach portion out. This incision has a very deep stitch and until that stitch dissolves you may have a burning pain when bending or turning. I did. Mine finally dissolved at almost 4 weeks out and after that I had no pain whatsoever. It was rough for awhile though, I thought something was seriously wrong for a while but spoke to my nurse who reassured me it was normal. Having the sleeve is the "best" thing I have ever done for myself. It is the first time in a long time that I put myself first. I don't regret it a bit.

congratulations you look fabulous.

I had surgery the same date as you and haven't experienced any "flow" problems. Maybe ask your Dr about it at your next follow up?

My list includes the following: * Attend my 25 year reunion in 2013 and feel good about myself. * Buy clothes in the regular section of the store. It is ridiculous how matronly and high priced plus sized clothing is. * Get extensions until my hair grows long and thick. I am already thinning some after just 2 months. * Go to the amusement park and ride every single ride. * Take my son to Disney World. * Take a cruise with my Hubby for our 20th next year. * I will coach a youth cheerleading team next year.

September 6, 2011 and 43 pounds gone forever. I am halfway to goal.

what an inspiration. I am only 2 months out but already seeing NSV's.

I am proud of you and cant wait til it Happens to me.

I know exactly how you feel. I felt the same way. I would see pictures of myself and think who is that? I still felt like the young, healthy self I was before. I am slowly losing toward my goal and having to adapt to a new body to go along with my new outlook on life. You can do it. Just remember you've always been beautiful inside now the outside will just match.

Coops. I know exactly how you feel. I am slowly running out of clothes to wear. But, I still hate to try clothes on. Probably a carryover from when I had trouble finding anything that fit right. Now it seems I am between sizes and that is frustrating also. I can wear 16's and 18's. Down from 22/24. This is fabulous but so hard to go to work each day wearing pants that fit and shirts that billow in the wind. I hit my local thrift shop last weekend and found a black skirt and some khaki slacks for around $7 total. That was nice. Unfortunately, you really have to dig through to find quality items and I wasn't able to find anything additional I could use. I am hoping to put off buying majorly until I am closer to my goal. I constantly stall for 2 weeks and then drop 5 lbs. So, overall I am close to 4.5 pounds a week loss and almost 1/2way to goal. So I am trying to stay focused.

Bottom line you are still the same person he fell in love with. Sure you get more attention now but he loved you before. Tell him that means more to you than anything that someone else could offer now. This is about his insecurities and only he can fix that. He should take the attitude of she's with me eat your heart out. Hang in there. Pray about this. He has to trust you or you have bigger issues.

Hope it gets better soon. You and little one are in my thoughts & prayers.

Rootman! WAY TO GO! What a great success story and photos. You have a lot to be proud of. I wish my hubby would have surgery too but he refuses.Says he can do it on his own without surgery. That's what I thought too, but for 20 years I lost and gained the same 60 pounds over & over again. I know I can't pressure him, he has to make his own decision but I pray that he will decide to do this. I am trying to do all the right things and be a good example but I know at the end of the day I can only control what I do and others have to do the same.

For me Sunday will be 2 months and I am stuck at 38 pounds so I think you are doing great. We definitely can't compare ourselves to one another because everyone's body is so different I stalled a few weeks ago and then when TOM came I immediately lost 5 pounds. Now, it is happening again, so maybe the same thing will happen in 2 weeks. I have noticed that I am not walking as much or getting in as much Protein since I went back to work. Last night, I started walking again and drinking a Protein Drink to ensure I am hitting my 60 grams. I quit the Protein drinks once I could eat but don't think I am getting enough in through eating alone. I bought the plain Isopure powder and added it to my cran-apple juice (diluted) and it was fabulous. I am going to start doing this each night as the isopure has 29 grams of protein per scoop. Hopefully this will help re-start my weight loss. And save my hair. It is already thinning some and I just trimmed it last night because the ends were so damaged looking. All in all no complaints though. I have lost lots of inches and I am in a size 16/18 down from a size 22 so I am very happy.

Everyone looks so great and you are all an inspiration to me. I have lost 38 pounds in 8 weeks and even though at times it's seemed slow I am so happy to be on this journey.My diabetes and high blood pressure are already normal and those meds are gone for good. I feel better than I have in years. I actually cried when I hit 185 on the scale, it had been so long since I had seen that. I am struggling a bit with how others react to my success but am dealing with it. Getting lots of attention from strangers and coworkers and it's a bit disconcerting. I am doing this for me though and for my family so that I can be a healthy, active mom. I can't wait to post pics here in a few months.

I am 8 weeks post op also and am amazed every day with the changes in my body, mind and spirit. In the beginning I was really hung up on the scale and when that week 3 & 4 stall hit, I panicked thinking what have I done? But, the scale eventually moved again and the inches keep coming off as well. I am already off blood pressure and diabetes medications and feel better than I have in years. I do have rheumatoid arthritis as this cold weather has reminded me this weekend, lots of pain in knees and hips. For now, I am switching from walking to riding my stationary bike to compensate. I am even considering a yoga class as a friend at work has invited me to join her. Bottom line, I am not giving up. I am focusing on fluids, protein and good carbs and just taking this journey day by day.

I have been struggling with this same thing. I have lost 38 pounds and I can't believe the difference already in the way people treat me. Some Directors came in for a meeting recently and all made a point of stopping to say hello, etc. In the past they would have only spoken or stopped by if they needed something. Men rush to hold open the door for me and to allow me to go ahead of them in line. When I am out with my family, I can see guys taking a second look or trying to make eye contact with me. I have coworkers that now go out of there way to speak to me each day. I appreciate it but at the same time, why didn't they do this 38 pounds ago? I was still the wonderful, valuable person then that I am now. It sort of pisses me off in a way and I am trying to wrap my head around this new reaction that I receive. I am sure it will only continue to increase in awkwardness the closer I get to goal.

Congratulations on your weight loss (physical pounds and jerk pounds). Bless your heart. I can't imagine how stressful this is for you. But, keep in mind, you are in better shape now and healthier and this will help you get through this. Just remember that you are strong & beautiful and don't let the actions of one BAD person affect you or your outlook on life. Keep up the great work.

My hubby wasn't supportive at all in the beginning. It wasn't until after much prayer and days before my surgery that he finally got on board. Since then, he has been my biggest cheerleader and I couldn't have gotten through those first few days after surgery without him. So, hang in there and pray about it. The Lord turned my husband's thinking around.

I am not sure what it means either. I know my Dr. encourages us to wait 12-18 months before getting pregnant. I know the concerns are that you won't properly absorb nutrients at first and the baby could take all that you do thereby starving you of them. I would call my surgeon and my obgyn immediately and make an appt. They need to work together to determine what special supplements or other things that you need to do> God bless. I am praying for you and your little one.

I am now 5 weeks and 4 days post surgery and have lost an additional 24 lbs for a total of 35 lbs (11 pre-op). This experience has totally changed my life and my relationship with food. I have had stalls along the way. I stayed at one weight for about 18 days and then yesterday 2 lbs gone and today 2 more gone. Praise God! I was trying to measure inches lost and Celebrate NSVs like being taken off of both blood pressure and diabetes medications; to keep me motivated. I have lost about 20 inches from my waist and hips in this short amount of time. I am wearing some things that I haven't worn in a long time. From size 22 to an 18 and in some I can wear a 16. One gripe, is things that were once too tight are now too loose, so I won't get to wear them again at all. But, I guess that's a small thing given the success that I have so far. In addition, I can honestly say that I feel better than I have in years. I actually cried when I weighed yesterday thinking that it has been over 10 years since I weighed what I do today. The sleeve is teaching me proper portion size and I am doing my best to get in plenty of fluids and Protein. Next week I get to move from mushies to real food and I am so excited. Going to set up my NUT appt so that I can find out how I can eat going forward with my sleeve. I am proud of myself for sticking to the pre-op, and post op even though the liquid and mushy stages get old fast... I know that I can do this and I thank each of you ladies and gentleman for being my inspiration, my motivators and my listening ears when I need them.

congrats. I can't wait to have my own happy dance.

Congratulations. This will be the best decision you ever made. I had surgery on 9/6 and am already down 32 pounds (including 11 lb lost during 2 week pre-op diet) and have already eliminated my blood pressure and diabetes medications. My blood sugar and blood pressure are now normal. I feel better than I have in years!!! Good luck and keep in touch.