tigerbelle

I am 52 and am 4 months out. I am very pleased thus far with the results. 53 pounds down. 13 was pre op so 40 since surgery. That's 10 pounds per month on average! Others have lost faster but I don't at all consider it slow. I have not lost anything this last month but I am losing inches. I think that at our age, our bodies do take longer to adjust to the loss so it doesn't surprise me that longer adjustment period my be required during this loss. I am hoping any day though to get on the scale it see it moving again.
That said, my eating plan that my surgeon and NUT have me on is not low carb. It is just the basic rules of the sleeve, Protein first, veggies and fruits second and carbs last. It is their belief that just eating healthy will achieve the results. I am 2 pounds away from where my NUT wants me to be at 6 months so I am on track for that goal for sure.
I also think we are much more patient with the process. We know the weight didn't come on over night and are fine with it taking a while for it to come off. In the meantime, we are all enjoying healthier and more active lives!

I'm 50 and a slow loser (I don't care how fast I lose AT ALL). The most important thing to me is preserving/improving my health. I want to stay active in my daily lifestyle. Right now, I am the most physically active non-athlete I know.

I'm 66 and am steadily losing but not setting any weight loss records. 7 months out and down 74 lbs. being older it took a lot of thought before I did this. Some of the younger ones just jump in and expect a miracle to occur without much effort. I'll get to my goal but it may take me awhile.

Pagie join us on the vet board. You are not alone! There are a number of us fighting to get either a few pounds or as many as fifty or sixty off. Some never met goal; some met goal and had regains.
You've done an awesome job and deserve to be proud of your success. And don't beat yourself up about regain. Ten pounds in three months? If I went totally off the rails I could gain ten pounds in a week. Our definitions of "off the rails" are probably different.
In any case, 5:2 is what a number of us are trying and it does seem to be working. I can say that it's almost exactly how I maintained before (I just had a baby a few months ago) and while those fast days can be challenging at first I think it's definitely an easier (but still sane) approach to kind of wean out of disordered eating and back into a structured program again. It's hard to go from doing what you want to being very strict again - but this approach has left me feeling satisfied (for the most part) and has been pretty easy to stick to.
In any case, you belong with the vets! And you can definitely do this and reach your goal if you get your head in the right place and focus.
~Cheri

YOU SHOULD really seek advice from a professional in your area. I believe that this is what has really helped me stay on track. I am only 6 months out and I don't feel like I could give you any advice at all. But I am feeling for you. You have come so far. Get to a support group in your area specifically for weight loss surgery. Find a behavior specialist, start a new exercise program like Zumba or something fun. Make a purposeful change to re-motivate you. It is all mental. You really can do this and get the train back on the track. You will get to you goal weight. Make it happen. Get excited about it and make it a priority. Keep us posted girl!

my experience and perception are the same as gr8kauz's...in my case, I think it's the natural slow-down of metabolism (I am also menopausal although not every woman 50+ is of course) and the fact that I have been a type 2 diabetic for over ten years now...there are plenty of women on this forum who are over 50 who have been quite successful...so the Club Five-Oh members can do it!!

I just bought a book that came highly recommended by my NUT, but I haven't read it yet...it is titled "Eat It Up!-The Complete Mind/Body/Spirit Guide to a Full Life After Weight Loss Surgery," and the author is Connie Stapleton, PhD....it looks user friendly and a fairly quick read...I will report back once I've read it

I was sleeved May 6, and I have somewhat of a "routine" as far as eating...per my NUT, I am supposed to be getting in 60-80 g of Protein per day, but if I am lucky I hit 60...fluids I am supposed to be getting 64 oz daily, I rarely get in more than half of that though (that is my most difficult goal each day)...my NUT tells me not to worry about calories because if I am following the dietary plan--and given the capacity of my stomach--I shouldn't exceed 800 calories per day...she is right because most days I am between 600 and 700 calories
for breakfast, it's either a scrambled egg, boiled egg, some cheese squares, yogurt or an occasional Protein shake
for lunch (during the work week), I either eat leftovers from previous dinner or have deli meat and cheese roll-ups, Soup or chili, maybe some Peanut Butter or yogurt
for dinner, I have some sort of lean Protein (turkey or chicken usually with some cheese sometimes and some type of veggie or Beans, such as green Beans, carrots, steamed broccoli or cauliflower
when I can tolerate them I occasionally have a Protein Shake as a snack or supplement (my NUT wants me to do this more often)
Snacks consist of mainly sugar-free Jello or popsicles, a tablespoon of Peanut Butter, some cheese squares, unsweetened fruit such as diced peaches
it is somewhat boring at this stage but that is OK because I am trying not to focus on food as a pleasure source...also my NUT (not all are like this) tells me that for at least 6 months, I can have no starches at all--no bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, corn, oatmeal, Cereal, crackers...and of course no sweets at all

haven't had turkey patties but have been eating turkey deli slices since about 3 weeks out...recently tried a hamburger patty now that I am 7 weeks out and had no problem (I ate about a half patty for each meal)

Stalls are a normal part of the process. It's just your body getting used to the weight loss and reduced calories. I just got past a 3 week stall as of today. But for the past 3 months, I've had at least 1 two week stall per month.
And I'll freak out, thinking, "Is this it? Is my weight loss over?" But I keep on working my diet and exercise program and the weight loss starts again.

great job...congrats on your success to date

I think it is normal to feel "scared" whenever you move to a new phase in your program...I am about 7 weeks out and finally tried red meat (a ground beef patty)--even then I was scared (all went well)...I just think that if you are doing well you don't want to risk anything that might set you back, so to speak...again, I think it is all normal, but this is a trial and error thing...and I have posted many times about how frustrating it is that there are such variances early on in the eating plans prescribed by the various surgeons and NUTS--you would think by now there would be some standard diet plan post-op

I think it is normal to feel "scared" whenever you move to a new phase in your program...I am about 7 weeks out and finally tried red meat (a ground beef patty)--even then I was scared (all went well)...I just think that if you are doing well you don't want to risk anything that might set you back, so to speak...again, I think it is all normal, but this is a trial and error thing...and I have posted many times about how frustrating it is that there are such variances early on in the eating plans prescribed by the various surgeons and NUTS--you would think by now there would be some standard diet plan post-op

I think it is normal to feel "scared" whenever you move to a new phase in your program...I am about 7 weeks out and finally tried red meat (a ground beef patty)--even then I was scared (all went well)...I just think that if you are doing well you don't want to risk anything that might set you back, so to speak...again, I think it is all normal, but this is a trial and error thing...and I have posted many times about how frustrating it is that there are such variances early on in the eating plans prescribed by the various surgeons and NUTS--you would think by now there would be some standard diet plan post-op

I am a type 2 diabetic, and before the surgery I was on 40 units of insulin daily plus the maximum daily metformin dosage of 500 mg twice daily--even on the meds I was having difficulty controlling my glucose levels, and my a1c got as high as 11 at one time...since WLS, I am down to just 1/2 of a metformin once daily, and I don't really think I need that..most days my glucose levels don't go over 110 or 120 and most of the day stay under 100...haven't had lab work though since my VSG on May 6...I will go soon to my PCP for blood work and am expecting my a1c to be below 7 this time...I am hoping this is a permanent remission of my diabetes...I doubt I will ever get of blood pressure meds...I think mine is a genetic predisposition because I have been taking meds for hypertension since I was in my 20s and of relatively normal weight...I am on two types of meds now for blood pressure and at least hope my PCP will take me off one of them soon...best of luck to your husband in his decision process--it is a tough one (or at least was for me)

May 6 in Baton Rouge

I keep the single serving size of Jif Peanut Butter in my desk at work...I have eaten it in place of a meal before, and it is very satisfying and protein-rich...maybe those snack-size packs of nuts, like almonds

If I were in severe pain and vomiting like you described, I would go to ER or Urgent Care...hope all is ok

I agree with Cheri. I'm two years out and PROOF that it doesn't touch a true food addiction. food addiction has nothing to do with hunger or fullness. That's what the sleeve promotes. If you're truely an addict, you'll need extra support. I say this, all in love, because I know, if you're like me, you'll have the sleeve done anyway However....go to groups and talk with people so you know that it's a lifelong struggle.
That being said, reading all of this I realize it may be time for therapy again...I too dream about food, smell it, want to taste it and eat around my sleeve. At about 8 months out, your stomach isn't inflammed and has more room. I rarely eat until totally full but eat around the sleeve often.

Yeah, at over two years out, it's a constant vigil for me. I weigh every morning and what I see on the scale informs how I eat that day.
The big difference for me? I am not ravenously hungry all day every day like I was pre-sleeve. I can eat a reasonable, healthy meal and be full. And I'm working from a healthy weight to maintain. I'm not trying to lose 100 lbs. with Weight Watchers.
What's not different: Yes, I'd love to eat A LOT of the ice cream, cheetohs, buttered popcorn, chips and dip and many, many other foods that got me in this boat EVERY DAY. Do I? No, I'm not an abstainer, but I seriously limit treat foods and how often I have them.
Lynda

Today is my one month anniversary and I'm down 26 lbs which includes the pre surgery diet. Kind of disappointing and I'm hoping I will be like some others I have read and get to 6 or 7 weeks and I will finally start losing better.
Still its 26 lbs in 6 weeks which is better than I ever did before. I looked back when I lost 60 lbs on low carb and I was losing 12lbs every 3 or 4 months! I lose one or two lbs now and then go 4 or 5 days of nothing, rinse and repeat over and over. My clothes are loser, I'll get there.

Hi fellow May-ers
HW - 300 lb
Day of surgery (5/21) - 289 lb
CW (6/27) - 269 lb
31 lbs down total, 20 since day of surgery.
Ps - I stalled out for 3 weeks and just started losing again (down 3lbs in past 4 days)

My NUT says a Protein shake a day for the first year post-op (other surgeons are different). He also says anything more than 25-30 g of Protein per meal isn't good. My daily goal is 85 g, so I get it in meals and in Snacks (including the shake).
I'm not counting calories yet - just 6 weeks out - I'm focusing on protein and Fluid goals. I started "real food" yesterday and was SO happy to have veggies on their own. I was really getting sick of high protein meat. But when you can only fit 1/2c, you need the protein.
We are also told no liquids 15 min before and 1 hr after eating (same as RNY).
My current diet: Breakfast Protein Shake (either made at home with light soy milk or a prepackaged low carb option); morning snack (if I have time) greek yogurt (no fat); lunch meal (today, grilled chicken and salad!, yesterday, chili I made myself); afternoon or evening snack greek yogurt or cottage cheese (no fat options); dinner meal - meat and veg, but majority is meat/protein. 64 oz of liquids, minimum.
No real intentional carbs (sigh, no bread, no potatoes). I'm feeling the need for Miralax powder due to the increased Iron in the supplements.
I'm working out about 2-3 times a week, but only like 20-30 minutes due to the low calorie intake.
I'm down 92 total and 35 since surgery (May 13) - but my surgeon told me yesterday I'm at my 3 month goal versus the 6 week. I think the dieting before the surgery has really played a role, because I was at 1200 calories a day with working out 3 times a week.
I'm not worried about a stall as much as I am longer term good habits. I figure if I work the program my team has laid out, I'll get to where I need to be. If I'm stuck, I can call them or email them and share my food diary to get some advice on what to change (if I had advice, I would share it).
Best wishes to all!

YAY! I woke up today and jumped on the scale and I have FINALLY broke my stall!! Down 6 pounds, including the 3 I have been gaining and losing for the past 2 weeks!!! Feeling much better today! I guess stalls are going to happen no matter what we do - and obviously they will break when your body is ready no matter what you do! Doing the happy dance today!

A real bike, not a stationary bike, and its much harder than I remember as a kid! My thighs and legs are so sore. But I'm working on stamina and going a little further each time!