Velena

It sounds like you're kicking butt following the plan, but your body just doesn't wanna cooperate! Weight loss wise sounds like you're doing well - You're averaging about 3.8 pounds a week lost, which seems like more than if you just put it in a whole number lost (At least imo - I wanna pay attention to the biggest number to keep me going =p). That sounds like a really good pace to me.
As far as stalling, I wish I could offer you concrete advice, but nothing seemed to make a difference for mine except sheer determination. My hormones went wack and I ranted a bit on my blog, which helped with the crazies. Now that I'm finally seeing a little movement, I feel much better about having survived the 3 weeks of stall. Anyway, because during this time I read hundreds of posts on stalls I will give you the advice I tried that worked for other people:
- Increasing calories by a few hundred for a few days to a week and then coming back down on calories (I found this easier by adding some calorie rich foods rather than adding more volume because I couldn't eat a lot either)
- Decreasing carbs - I try and keep mine below 40 because that's what my PCP said would help put me in ketosis
- Increasing Water - Many blogs I read talk about how you should divide your weight in half and that's how many ounces you should get. That makes like 150 ounces for me which is not realistically happening so I aimed for an extra 16oz glass per day
- Increasing exercise - it sounds like you're already doing this, but maybe doing a different type of exercise or at a different time of day - I know from other diets I've done that my body loves to get in a set routine and stop dropping weight, I gotta keep it guessing to keep losing
- Decreasing processed foods
- Increasing Protein - I got up to around 100g/day for a few days but nothing seemed to happen and I had a hard time getting that much in so I started just aiming for my target of 70 again
- Adding interval training and strength training - I did this by adding 5 1 minute jogging intervals to my walks, not allowed to lift weights yet so did a few isometric things and some wall push-ups
- Having a rich high fat/calorie sweet - I didn't end up really trying this. I wanted to, because it sounded tasty, but I was too worried about ending up binging on something, my self control has yet to be really tested and I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible! A lot of people seemed to swear by this though
- Going back to basics - liquid diet for a few days and working back up (not fun!)
None of these worked for me, but they worked for a lot of other people! I hope that helps any =) Feel free to rant if you're feeling stressed though, keeping stress in and being upset raises your cortisol and can help lead to weight gain/retention. Every time I vented I feel like I got it off my chest and could worry about other stuff for the day.
Hang in there, it will break eventually.

Good luck tomorrow!

Walking will be the best thing for your after surgery gas... WALK, WALK, WALK!!! Good luck to all!

I'm going through the same thing but I know ill fail again I have to go through with it. I'm scared very scared I'm going to the hospital alone and asked that no one come until I'm in my room. I just know that I need to be alone.

I found mine at Pathmark. I have to be at the hospital at 6:30am for my surgery, which is scheduled for 8:30am right now. Heading to bed very soon, though not anticipating getting much sleep with my nerves being what they are right now.

Wow I wish I was early. I don't want my Dr to be to tired. Good luck ladies I hope all goes well for all of us. I'm going to try and post as soon as I can.

I am so glad I decided to have the vertical sleeve with Dr. Aceves in Mexico. I have lost 59 pounds and still losing. It's true the first few months are a bit rough when it comes to transition of food stages, but it is all worth it and goes by quickly. Side effects I have experienced; I started hair loss in my third month but it definitely seems to be slowing down and with the Vitamins and good shampoos my hair looks better than what I expected. I was tired before surgery so that is about the same. My eyesight and memory seem to have gotten immediately worse since the surgery. I know memory loss is a common side effect. Moods a bit more up and down too, but I notice injecting myself with a multi Vitamin b injection once to twice a week really helps with mood and energy. I notice in my face a few more wrinkles and my skin is still adjusting but actually not too bad--so in time. I could not expect all the damage I caused my body to just go away, so I have accepted some of these things. Also, being 47 my skin is not a twenty year olds either!
MY immediate upsides to surgery were; my temperature gauge was boiling hot all the time and now I am normal, little to no snoring and sleep wonderfully now. Of course the weightloss--looking and feeling better. Less to no pain in my left knee due to weight. I have another 20-30 pounds to go and when I get there I will post my before and after pics.
Besides all the many changes this transforming surgery causes it can bring out you wanting to clean house in many areas of your life and that is what I have been doing.
Anyhow, I came to this forum daily months prior to my surgery and it was a great resource in research and learning about what to expect. Reading posts from those that had been there and done that really helped. I have not been on much since the surgery and thought I should pay some of it forward.
Good luck to all those considering or that have WLS dates...and to fellow sleevers I hope you are as happy as I am about my choice to be sleeved!

Better you know now what kind of person he is! You have a great support group here and you will get through this and get healthy. You will find Mr. Right who will love you and support you through all of the good and tough times.. you'll see, this was a blessing in disguise and now you won't have to deal with his antics while you are trying to recover. It's time for you to put you first!

Yes, you are better off without him. What if u were married and tough times arise? Do u think he would jump ship? U don't need or want a guy like that in ur life, trust me. It is an amazing feeling having a man stand by ur side and he is sincere in his support. U r making life changes. U will be stronger for it and u will find someone who loves and supports u no matter what!

I'm 5 months out and signed up for an 8 week boot camp. I'm scared to death! I'm not in shape at all but I need to lose at least another 20lbs so I decided to try a boot camp. Wish me luck!

Okay, this may not be a big NSV, but it was to me. I have never worn less than a size 22 or 24 in LB jeans, even when I lost weight on my own. But, today I stopped in LB to buy some Spanx and said let me try on some jeans. My surgery was 2 weeks ago today and I could wear a size 20 jeans! Woohoo! I don't know how much I've lost because I decided not to weigh until I go to the doctor on Wed., but I'm pretty happy with that little victory! Yay me...

I haven't been sleeved yet, but I had laparoscopic gall bladder surgery a couple of years ago and the incisions are fairly similar to what you had for a sleeve. While I was feeling much better and returned to work 6 days after that surgery, I had pain in my lower abs for about 3 months after. I would notice it when I walked anything over like 10-15 minutes, it was a sharp, aching pain. I'd even notice it when walking in the grocery store or anything. It took a while to completely go away... but in the first few months, there were times I had to stop what I was doing (for example, if I was in a store) and find somewhere to sit down, or lean all my weight on. I'm not a doc, so I dont know what it is exactly, but it sounds similar to that, and my surgeon then told me it was normal and to be careful not to push myself when I felt that way, or else risk a hernia.
Go slow, rest often, and if it's really intense, talk to your surgeon. Good luck!

I'm super excited and happy to share that I'm almost 6months out and I'm down 178lbs... This was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I'm a mother and wife and always put them first and let myself go tremendously... I was diabetic,high blood pressure, high cholesterol, on baby aspirin daily- you name it I had it... I researched for 5 yrs until one day I told my husband I'm ready and he was on the ball the next day... So now I've signed up for nursing school and started my new way of life in a healthier version... I know I have a long way to still go but I'm taking it day by day and loving my new life... Thank you all for posting all the information it has helped so so much...

Congratulations, you look great!

Sushi goes down pretty good for me as well, I ate half (4 slices) of a california roll made with brown rice last weekend, it was the best ever.....I just make sure I workout on the days I plan to eat it....

My name is Cyndi and I am going to have VSG on October 15. I started my journey wanting to have the lap band, and after going through my 6 months program, the physician informed me he was no longer performing lap band surgery. He recommended I look into the VSG and come back to him in three weeks. I googled as much as I could and happily found this forum and decided that it would be the best option for me. I am excited and of course scared, but after being heavy for so long and trying just about EVERY diet out there I am ready to finally make a change. Now, I just have to control the nerves until my surgery date

My surgery date is 9/5 and I've been doing my pre-op diet for 3 weeks. Protein shake for breakfast and lunch, dinner is 6 oz lean protein and veggies. I need to find a new flavor of shake (or maybe unflavored) but other than that it's going well... counting down the days!

I do believe we lose inches before pounds. I could not get a size 2x polo over my head just 3 month ago and now it not only goes over my head it loose (not baggy loose) and I thought it would take at least 4-6 months to even get it to fit let alone fit comfortably.
So that may be a good thing. I fitting into clothes I thought wouldn't happen til the end of the year or so

Thank you everyone! I am enjoying this little journey! Been overweight my entire life and I waited 42 years for this type of surgery to be discovered. Wishing you all the best on your journeys! xoxo

I'm only 2 months post op but doing great! Down 40lbs and hit onderland on July 31st! Yay me!! Stay strong everyone. Every pound is worth it! Love you all!

Just what I needed to hear! Your post is the first one I've read on this forum . . . just registered! In a year from now, I would like to say those exact words! ZERO regrets!! My surgery is scheduled for September 26, 2012. Thanks for sharing --Barbara

I am pre-op and your post was exactly what I needed to hear! My main issue is quantity and my other issue to a lesser degree is carbs, specifically breads. I am so happy that you are doing so well!

Thanks for sharing. It's a big help to hear about longer term results for those of us who a pre-op and trying to figure out what it's going to be like.

I had my surgery Sept 25th 2011. I weighed 225. I now weigh 156. For me...it was easy. At first it restricted my eating quite a bit. Now I eat normally. I can eat anything or drink anything I want. I just don't eat the massive amount I used to. I'm still loosing. Not alot, but it is coming off very slowly. I get alot of feedback from people who havn't seen me in a while. Was it worth it. Hell yes! I would be 250 by now If I hadn't done it. Dr. Rodriguez in Mexico was great! I have absolutely ZERO regret, and I never ever got sick, I recommend it for those who feel desperate. That feel they will always be fat. For those that have no self control over quantity of food. That was my issue. Good luck to all!!!