tigerbelle

A giant hug for you. I go days when the scale doesn't move at all, but I can see and feel the difference. You're allowed to feel frustrated. You wouldn't be human if you didn't. I walk in the pool for 1/2 an hour daily. Too hot in So. Cal desert to walk outside during the day and too tired at night. It's 8:30 at night and still 100 degrees outside. I also HATE the Vitamins. I ordered the new Celebrate chewy multi Vitamin. More like toffee. We'll see when they arrive. My blood pressure is actually low now and the Dr. said I need to make sure I drink my water/liquids to stay hydrated. Chin up, this too shall pass. We didn't get obese overnight so it's not gonna come off overnight.

I was a slow loser @ first. 30 in 9 weeks. but im 5 months out and 67lbs healthier. your still healing and adjusting. give it some time. Protein + Water protein + water. I used to think ppl were lung. their not. good luck!

seriously, I am having a pity party this evening...I am just over 2 months post-surgery and have only lost 30 pounds...that wouldn't be so bad except that I lost 20 of those pounds the first couple of weeks after surgery when I was on liquids...not even sure that can really be "counted"...anyway since then it has been like lose a pound...then stall for a few days...lose another pound, then stall...just very frustrating...and I am following my eating program for sure...I am averaging 600 or 700 calories a day (I write down everything I eat or drink), not doing great with the liquid intake but getting most of the Protein in and taking all of my vitamins...I think my main problem is lack of enough exercise...the problem is that I have such a low energy level, and I have not lost enough weight yet to be able to do much more than walk (which I do almost every night, but can only walk for about 30 minutes max)...I know I need to exercise more and I was committed to that going into this, but I had no idea I would be so lacking in energy...I guess my main "pity party" whine is that I paid a lot of money for this surgery, took the risk, and I have been following the program pretty well...I eat no starches--for two months, no bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, cereal--not even a lousy cracker...and certainly no desserts/sweets...I have even completely given up my beloved Diet Coke...it is dairy (yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk), lean meats (turkey, chicken) and Beans occasionally....also some cooked veggies and the occasional bites of fruit...I have given up so much in the last two months to lose a lousy 30 lbs, 20 of which was during a liquid diet...geez...for the last couple of years, I had a stable weight (albeit a super obese weight) but I ate pretty much what I wanted and/or craved (without bingeing)...I guess I just had wanted more of a pay off by now...ok, my venting and self-pity rant is over now...thanks if you are still reading....and I am giving myself a hug since there is no one else here to hug me

seriously, I am having a pity party this evening...I am just over 2 months post-surgery and have only lost 30 pounds...that wouldn't be so bad except that I lost 20 of those pounds the first couple of weeks after surgery when I was on liquids...not even sure that can really be "counted"...anyway since then it has been like lose a pound...then stall for a few days...lose another pound, then stall...just very frustrating...and I am following my eating program for sure...I am averaging 600 or 700 calories a day (I write down everything I eat or drink), not doing great with the liquid intake but getting most of the Protein in and taking all of my vitamins...I think my main problem is lack of enough exercise...the problem is that I have such a low energy level, and I have not lost enough weight yet to be able to do much more than walk (which I do almost every night, but can only walk for about 30 minutes max)...I know I need to exercise more and I was committed to that going into this, but I had no idea I would be so lacking in energy...I guess my main "pity party" whine is that I paid a lot of money for this surgery, took the risk, and I have been following the program pretty well...I eat no starches--for two months, no bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, cereal--not even a lousy cracker...and certainly no desserts/sweets...I have even completely given up my beloved Diet Coke...it is dairy (yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk), lean meats (turkey, chicken) and Beans occasionally....also some cooked veggies and the occasional bites of fruit...I have given up so much in the last two months to lose a lousy 30 lbs, 20 of which was during a liquid diet...geez...for the last couple of years, I had a stable weight (albeit a super obese weight) but I ate pretty much what I wanted and/or craved (without bingeing)...I guess I just had wanted more of a pay off by now...ok, my venting and self-pity rant is over now...thanks if you are still reading....and I am giving myself a hug since there is no one else here to hug me

seriously, I am having a pity party this evening...I am just over 2 months post-surgery and have only lost 30 pounds...that wouldn't be so bad except that I lost 20 of those pounds the first couple of weeks after surgery when I was on liquids...not even sure that can really be "counted"...anyway since then it has been like lose a pound...then stall for a few days...lose another pound, then stall...just very frustrating...and I am following my eating program for sure...I am averaging 600 or 700 calories a day (I write down everything I eat or drink), not doing great with the liquid intake but getting most of the Protein in and taking all of my vitamins...I think my main problem is lack of enough exercise...the problem is that I have such a low energy level, and I have not lost enough weight yet to be able to do much more than walk (which I do almost every night, but can only walk for about 30 minutes max)...I know I need to exercise more and I was committed to that going into this, but I had no idea I would be so lacking in energy...I guess my main "pity party" whine is that I paid a lot of money for this surgery, took the risk, and I have been following the program pretty well...I eat no starches--for two months, no bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, cereal--not even a lousy cracker...and certainly no desserts/sweets...I have even completely given up my beloved Diet Coke...it is dairy (yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk), lean meats (turkey, chicken) and Beans occasionally....also some cooked veggies and the occasional bites of fruit...I have given up so much in the last two months to lose a lousy 30 lbs, 20 of which was during a liquid diet...geez...for the last couple of years, I had a stable weight (albeit a super obese weight) but I ate pretty much what I wanted and/or craved (without bingeing)...I guess I just had wanted more of a pay off by now...ok, my venting and self-pity rant is over now...thanks if you are still reading....and I am giving myself a hug since there is no one else here to hug me

seriously, I am having a pity party this evening...I am just over 2 months post-surgery and have only lost 30 pounds...that wouldn't be so bad except that I lost 20 of those pounds the first couple of weeks after surgery when I was on liquids...not even sure that can really be "counted"...anyway since then it has been like lose a pound...then stall for a few days...lose another pound, then stall...just very frustrating...and I am following my eating program for sure...I am averaging 600 or 700 calories a day (I write down everything I eat or drink), not doing great with the liquid intake but getting most of the Protein in and taking all of my vitamins...I think my main problem is lack of enough exercise...the problem is that I have such a low energy level, and I have not lost enough weight yet to be able to do much more than walk (which I do almost every night, but can only walk for about 30 minutes max)...I know I need to exercise more and I was committed to that going into this, but I had no idea I would be so lacking in energy...I guess my main "pity party" whine is that I paid a lot of money for this surgery, took the risk, and I have been following the program pretty well...I eat no starches--for two months, no bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, cereal--not even a lousy cracker...and certainly no desserts/sweets...I have even completely given up my beloved Diet Coke...it is dairy (yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk), lean meats (turkey, chicken) and Beans occasionally....also some cooked veggies and the occasional bites of fruit...I have given up so much in the last two months to lose a lousy 30 lbs, 20 of which was during a liquid diet...geez...for the last couple of years, I had a stable weight (albeit a super obese weight) but I ate pretty much what I wanted and/or craved (without bingeing)...I guess I just had wanted more of a pay off by now...ok, my venting and self-pity rant is over now...thanks if you are still reading....and I am giving myself a hug since there is no one else here to hug me

seriously, I am having a pity party this evening...I am just over 2 months post-surgery and have only lost 30 pounds...that wouldn't be so bad except that I lost 20 of those pounds the first couple of weeks after surgery when I was on liquids...not even sure that can really be "counted"...anyway since then it has been like lose a pound...then stall for a few days...lose another pound, then stall...just very frustrating...and I am following my eating program for sure...I am averaging 600 or 700 calories a day (I write down everything I eat or drink), not doing great with the liquid intake but getting most of the Protein in and taking all of my vitamins...I think my main problem is lack of enough exercise...the problem is that I have such a low energy level, and I have not lost enough weight yet to be able to do much more than walk (which I do almost every night, but can only walk for about 30 minutes max)...I know I need to exercise more and I was committed to that going into this, but I had no idea I would be so lacking in energy...I guess my main "pity party" whine is that I paid a lot of money for this surgery, took the risk, and I have been following the program pretty well...I eat no starches--for two months, no bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, cereal--not even a lousy cracker...and certainly no desserts/sweets...I have even completely given up my beloved Diet Coke...it is dairy (yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk), lean meats (turkey, chicken) and Beans occasionally....also some cooked veggies and the occasional bites of fruit...I have given up so much in the last two months to lose a lousy 30 lbs, 20 of which was during a liquid diet...geez...for the last couple of years, I had a stable weight (albeit a super obese weight) but I ate pretty much what I wanted and/or craved (without bingeing)...I guess I just had wanted more of a pay off by now...ok, my venting and self-pity rant is over now...thanks if you are still reading....and I am giving myself a hug since there is no one else here to hug me

{{{{ HUGS }}}} for you. Pity parties are allowed.
This is not a race, it's a journey. Remain steadfast & be encouraged. Try to add 1 additional minute more to your walk every other day or so. BE that Little Engine that could. It's easy for me to give advice right now, b/c I'm pre-op. But if/when I get to where you are, come encourage/poke me as well. I'm going to need it.

Sending a big hug your way! Every one of us has had a pity party or two. It comes when we least expect it. It's hard to look at a few weeks without progress on the scale but I did notice that when I was not losing pounds, I did seem to be losing inches during that time.
Hang in there, the weight might not come off as fast as we would like but it will come off. I would bet you are so much more healthy than you were pre op and will continue to get even healthier!
I will be 18 weeks out tomorrow and 53 pounds gone forever! Not the fastest but it has come off, one stinking pound at a time. It will continue. I know it will. It has no choice as long as I do what I am supposed to.
Keep up the good work, have some sugarfree pudding and watch a Bridget Jones movie! Things will look better in the morning!

I crave sex alot more..does that count?!

Im here to hug you and I read it all hang in there and it will all come off in time. Each body is different whats important is that you will get there not how long it takes. Stay strong and fight threw these emotions

Hugs to you Tigerbell! I don't have any answers, but I do feel your pain!

seriously, I am having a pity party this evening...I am just over 2 months post-surgery and have only lost 30 pounds...that wouldn't be so bad except that I lost 20 of those pounds the first couple of weeks after surgery when I was on liquids...not even sure that can really be "counted"...anyway since then it has been like lose a pound...then stall for a few days...lose another pound, then stall...just very frustrating...and I am following my eating program for sure...I am averaging 600 or 700 calories a day (I write down everything I eat or drink), not doing great with the liquid intake but getting most of the Protein in and taking all of my vitamins...I think my main problem is lack of enough exercise...the problem is that I have such a low energy level, and I have not lost enough weight yet to be able to do much more than walk (which I do almost every night, but can only walk for about 30 minutes max)...I know I need to exercise more and I was committed to that going into this, but I had no idea I would be so lacking in energy...I guess my main "pity party" whine is that I paid a lot of money for this surgery, took the risk, and I have been following the program pretty well...I eat no starches--for two months, no bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, cereal--not even a lousy cracker...and certainly no desserts/sweets...I have even completely given up my beloved Diet Coke...it is dairy (yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk), lean meats (turkey, chicken) and Beans occasionally....also some cooked veggies and the occasional bites of fruit...I have given up so much in the last two months to lose a lousy 30 lbs, 20 of which was during a liquid diet...geez...for the last couple of years, I had a stable weight (albeit a super obese weight) but I ate pretty much what I wanted and/or craved (without bingeing)...I guess I just had wanted more of a pay off by now...ok, my venting and self-pity rant is over now...thanks if you are still reading....and I am giving myself a hug since there is no one else here to hug me

the only way I've found to deal with negative people is to simply ignore them...by that I mean to--as much as possible--avoid those people, especially now when you need to stay positive...also, what I always try to remember is that when people are negative (or hateful in any way), it is all about *them* and not about *you* at all...it is their own insecurities and issues they are projecting and I would just pretend I have this shield surrounding my body protecting me from their negative vibes

like the others, I have had cravings, as well as both head hunger and real hunger...the sleeve is a tool to help us deal with those cravings while learning healthier eating behavior...I don't expect my cravings to ever totally go away...for me, though, eliminating starches like potatoes, bread, rice and Pasta has helped me keep the cravings under control, since those have been my trigger foods in the past

Well today is 6 weeks post surgery and I am down 30 lbs.
I dont mind being a slow loser if it just keeps going.
I admit I do get frustrated because I was hoping to lose faster but I'm still happy.

for some reason after reading laura's post and then alex's response, I wanted to say "ask and ye shall receive"

Hang in there! I won't tell you to be calm, because it's normal to be a little anxious and excited, but take deep breaths and try to relax as much as you can tonight. This time tomorrow you'll be joining the rest of us in the newbie section of the Losers Bench, and while it's challenging, it's actually a pretty good place to be
You'll be pretty out of it for the first 12-24 hours - at the least you'll be pretty tired, and they'll likely have you on pain meds. That's a good thing, as you can be a little "ouchy" right after the surgery.
Get up and walk as soon as they'll let you. No lollygagging around, you really wanna do the walking to get the gas moving out of your abdomen, because it's not comfortable when it settles in your shoulders.
As soon as you are allowed, start sipping water/juice CAREFULLY - remember, small sips, and not too quickly, but work to get the liquids in.
Hang in there. For me, the first 2-3 days were a bit challenging, but not horrible, and at 6 days out I'm mostly feeling pretty darned good.

Ask if you can have ice chips. I was able to have some immediately after sugery. When I woke up there was some next to my bed. And I would walk as soon as you can, ask them, don't want for them to ask you. The more you walk, the easier the gas pain will be.

I was just starting mushy foods at your stage...I remember that my NUT's main advice at that point was to get fluids in, so I would say you are on track there...I might have been eating more like 400-500 calories per day around 3 weeks out, but I was having more problem getting fluids in than soft foods and Protein

Yes, lots of us have cravings - also sometimes called "head hunger" (you can search for that here in the forums and find probably hundreds of posts about it). I crave a grilled cheese sandwich. Nothing fancy, nothing huge. Just cheddar cheese and bread toasted to a nice golden brown and oozing. I can't have it right now. I've accepted it, and moved along.
The thing is, the sleeve isn't a miracle, and it wasn't an operation on your brain, which is where the cravings come from. The only thing the sleeve is guaranteed to do is make your capacity smaller. It MAY also reduce or eliminate physical hunger for a while, but that's not guaranteed.
It's a lot of work, fighting the cravings. But you can do it!

I definitely had cravings, but for the first few weeks I couldn't do anything about it because of the diet restrictions. Now that I can eat whatever I want, the cravings are not as bad. I have had a bite or two of some of the things I have been craving this week though, and was very happy to find that a bite or two was really enough when before I would eat the whole bag.

the only way I've found to deal with negative people is to simply ignore them...by that I mean to--as much as possible--avoid those people, especially now when you need to stay positive...also, what I always try to remember is that when people are negative (or hateful in any way), it is all about *them* and not about *you* at all...it is their own insecurities and issues they are projecting and I would just pretend I have this shield surrounding my body protecting me from their negative vibes

I agree...especially when fall/winter gets here, I hope to have tons of sweaters that are too big by then...they are size 2X (22/24) so they may be too big for a lot of us by then...instead of living in the same "virtual city," it would be great if we lived in the same physical locale

the only way I've found to deal with negative people is to simply ignore them...by that I mean to--as much as possible--avoid those people, especially now when you need to stay positive...also, what I always try to remember is that when people are negative (or hateful in any way), it is all about *them* and not about *you* at all...it is their own insecurities and issues they are projecting and I would just pretend I have this shield surrounding my body protecting me from their negative vibes