VSG AJH

Boo. That's not what I *wanted* to hear, but probably what I needed to hear. Thank you for your honesty. I couldn't lose much weight pre-op on a 1200-1500 calorie diet, but I thought there were other metabolic things wrong with me that surgery corrected. Clearly, I've been fooling myself. I've adjusted MFP to allow 900 calories here on my "feast" days, and I guess I'll spend some time reviewing very low calorie recipe options for the long term. I'd really like to be very close to my overall goal weight by my 18 month post-op appointment in mid-June, maybe giving myself a bit of grace for a few pre-plastics pounds. Maybe dropping down to that 900 calorie daily range while doing 5:2 will be the thing to get me there.

187

I came in at 584 calories, 24 carbs, and 61g Protein, and I've lost nothing. In fact, I've gained a pound this week. Sigh. My husband ate similarly to me this week (except more in quantity on non-fast days), and he lost 8 pounds. I'm really trying not to be discouraged, but I swear, it feels like I've not even had weight loss surgery. I'm not throwing in the towel or anything, and I intend to remain conscious about my eating even here on these non-fast days. I'm just feeling very frustrated that I can't be one of those bariatric patients that "eats everything in moderation" and posts pictures of themselves on Instagram eating chicken and waffles at goal weight only 7 months post-op while I still pick at my protein laden salad and track all the details of everything I ingest, and still have 50 pounds to go at almost 14 months post-op. I also feel very frustrated that my surgeon's office isn't much help in this area. They promoted themselves as the weight loss experts as I went through all the training and education pre-op, and now that I can't seem to lose here post-op, they have no real advice. I've been told to drop calories, raise calories, do intermittent fasting, never do intermittent fasting, eat more carbs, cut carbs, etc. So much conflicting information from my personal set of experts, and I feel like if I knew the answers or knew what to do, I would have been able to lose the weight without weight loss surgery. So frustrating. That said, I really do wonder if the calories are too much for me. I was hitting 1000 calories a day very soon after surgery, and was bumped up to 1200 calories a day before 6 months. My weight loss slowed significantly at about 4.5 months post-op when that calorie count increased, and when I asked the NUT about it, I was advised I would go into "starvation mode," etc. The only other real weight I've lost since then was another 10 pounds in June when I developed sepsis after getting an infection in my foot after stepping on a piece of glass. I spent almost a week not eating anything, being sustained entirely by IV fluids and large doses of antibiotics. I lost then, and I've not really lost since. A handful of pounds in tiny little increments, but not ten more. Not in all these months. I know I've read of others who have to eat fewer than 1000 calories a day to lose weight, usually around the 800 daily calorie range. I'm wondering if I might be one of those people, and I'm absolutely overwhelmed at the thought. I know I can find plenty of things that keep me in that 800 calorie range, but the thought of calculating so carefully for however long it takes to lose these last 50 -- I swear, I could cry. Anyway, thank you for letting me vent. If you have some opinions, or some words of advice from your teams of experts, I'd love to hear them.

I did my first fast day yesterday, and I did okay, I think. My calories weren't as low as I wanted them to be. They came in at 650 instead of 500, but the extra calories came from some half-and-half that went into an unexpected coffee out, as well as six saltines I stress ate following a serious conflict with my husband. Saltines weren't chocolate or Cookies (or whole pizzas like the days of olde), and six was a controlled number, not just out-of-control eating. At least that's what I'm telling myself today -- while I'm resisting the continued stress eating. Haha! The lesson I learned on my first fast day: eat even fewer calories in the day time to factor in more available calories for unexpected evening need. CJ, I'm so encouraged to know you lost ten pounds in the first month of 5:2. I hope those are the results I see! It's difficult not to feel discouraged after not having really any loss in months and months, and while rationally I know there are very good reasons for me, it's still disheartening. I've been on the longest, strictest diet I've ever been on (pre-op and post-op), and I just need something, anything, to work on these final pounds.

I did my first fast day yesterday, and I did okay, I think. My calories weren't as low as I wanted them to be. They came in at 650 instead of 500, but the extra calories came from some half-and-half that went into an unexpected coffee out, as well as six saltines I stress ate following a serious conflict with my husband. Saltines weren't chocolate or Cookies (or whole pizzas like the days of olde), and six was a controlled number, not just out-of-control eating. At least that's what I'm telling myself today -- while I'm resisting the continued stress eating. Haha! The lesson I learned on my first fast day: eat even fewer calories in the day time to factor in more available calories for unexpected evening need. CJ, I'm so encouraged to know you lost ten pounds in the first month of 5:2. I hope those are the results I see! It's difficult not to feel discouraged after not having really any loss in months and months, and while rationally I know there are very good reasons for me, it's still disheartening. I've been on the longest, strictest diet I've ever been on (pre-op and post-op), and I just need something, anything, to work!

Hey, I'm there with you. I had my VSG on 12/03/13, then three orthopedic surgeries (June, July, and October) with an external fixator on my foot from July until October. I've only been allowed to weight bear in a walking boot for the last few weeks. My weight loss has been stalled since June, and I've been up and down the same three pounds since. I've been serious and honest in the kitchen, but no positive weight change for me in a very long time. I've become more creative about burning calories, and have found yoga at my gym to be very effective way to burn calories without high impact or high intensity. After more research following a suggestion by my nutritionist, I'm also planning to do the 5:2 (first fast day tomorrow). It looks like it's been super helpful helping other vets get the last of the weight off, as well as any regain, and for those of us who have had mobility challenges, tinkering with the calories may be the way to go. Best of luck!

I like carbs, too! (Who doesn't, though?) For a 1200 calorie day, my NUT suggests not exceeding 120 carbs, but my personal daily range (in that same calorie range) is about 60g carbs. I find if I cross over 70g carbs, I can't think about anything BUT carbs. 50-70 carbs is probably where I land each day, so I imagine I'll do about half of that on a fast day. Any special tips about that? Should I shoot for no carbs at all on fast days?

I'm officially in, too. My nutritionist talked to me about intermittent fasting when I was about 9 months post-op, but at the time, I felt like I was starving constantly at 1000-1200 honest calories with loads of protein (bone healing), and I just couldn't wrap my mind around cutting that in half. Now that the bone in my foot is really all healed up and I'm able to walk again, I truly *feel* less hungry, so I feel like I could take this on. I'm thirteen months post-op, but have been absolutely stalled (up and down the same three pounds) for the last seven months. I am 19 pounds away from 100 pounds lost, and 27 pounds away from a "normal" BMI. I am probably 45-50 pounds from my ultimate goal weight in the 135-140 range, but I absolutely will need plastics in the tummy area, so it may be unreasonable to attempt that ultimate goal at this point. The stair step goals will keep me busy enough, I should think. . I'm eating mindfully today, and will have my first fast day tomorrow after a trip to the market this afternoon. I've read this entire thread, and am popping over to the other 5:2 thread now. Thank you all so much for the incredible information! Just wanted to officially say hello, and I'll check in again by Monday. Amanda

I'm so thankful to read both of these posts! I've had three foot surgeries since June, including major bone reconstruction and the installation of an external fixator. I was six month post-op VSG when the foot surgeries began, and felt so frustrated that I was starving all the time! I've had the fixator out now for two months, and have just recently been allowed to begin walking again, but my weight loss has been stalled since June. Up and down in the same three pound range for months. My bariatric surgeon and the nutritionist have been no help in this area. Bariatric surgeon got on to me for only losing three pounds between 6 months and 12 months post-op, which for a typical patient might be acceptable, but someone who went from being very active everyday to in a wheelchair full time might be extended a bit of grace. They also couldn't explain why (though I kept calories between 1000-1200 daily) I felt absolutely FAMISHED all the time. They never thought to connect the fact that my entire foot had been reconstructed, and I was growing new bone to fuse with the donor bone that had been installed. It has been excruciatingly difficult not to be consumed by those old feelings of guilt and failure regarding my weight loss (or lack thereof) for the last few months, despite not eating when feeling truly hungry and being creative about burning calories by being creative about exercise. The information you both posted here helps me to extend that grace to myself and to realize that, despite the lack of real weight loss over the past few months, my foot is doing great -- even better than expected -- and that is far better for me in this moment than being a few pounds lighter.

Beginning weight for this challenge: 186. Goal weight: 176.

183.8

I'm at 185.8 after all the Christmas snacking. Back on track immediately

182.8 this week

This phrase irritates me so much. Everyone "takes the easy way out" on all kinds of things. Just because we rely on modern technology and conveniences, as well as advancements in science, doesn't mean we're lazy. I bet your sister drove a car and didn't take a horse and buggy or walk to reach a destination recently. She probably used a smart phone to connect to people via satellites in space rather than hand writing a letter. She probably changed a channel using a remote control instead of walking across a room (or having a kid do it). Still, no one accused her of "taking the easy way out" when she opted to take advantage of modern advancement. Additionally, as you stated, there is NOTHiNG easy about WLS. I have counted more calories/carbs/protein grams in my one year since surgery than I ever have in all of my life. This is the longest I've ever "dieted," and I don't see anything about my present relationship with food changing anytime soon. I know it's the same for many, many WLS patients. People who accuse us of "taking the easy way out" really just have no idea.

Wow, how incredible! I bet you are just thrilled. What a wonderful doc.

Holy cow!! Where are you having all this done for that price?

These were my surgery scars at 2 weeks post-op. These are my scars now at 12 months post-op. Barely visible.

Yaaaaayyy!!! My weight this week was 183.9. I've not lost a single ounce since June 21 (weight loss stalled by three orthopedic surgeries , intense bone healing, and and serious mobility restrictions over the last six months) so this was a happy, HAPPY weigh in. Fingers crossed the scale keeps moving!!

I purchase mine on Amazon, but I believe I've read of others purchasing at Vitamin Shoppe or various bariatric products websites.

184.5 today.

Lisa -- what about thinking of some replacements for these triggers? Maybe replace the separate cups of coffee and Protein drinks with protein coffee? I drink Click, and there's another called Chike. They're tasty on their own, but you can blend in sugar-free creamers or flavors to make it taste more like an indulgent drink. If you combine the coffee drink and Protein Drinks, reducing your overall quantity in a day, you reduce your calorie intake. As for the fudgecicles, perhaps switch to diet hot chocolate? One packet is 20-25 calories, and you still get that chocolate flavor. If it's the Popsicle you want, maybe switch to 10 calorie sugar-free Popsicles. I agree with others that you need to take a hard look at this before it gets too out of hand, and while you should have grace for yourself, you should not allow your husband's passing to cause you to make excuses when it comes to your health and eating. Counseling is a great idea, but I've also been very helped by a local GriefShare class. New semesters will start in January. Take one day at a time, and perhaps begin tracking again so you can keep those liquid and snack calories in check.

My post-holiday weigh-in was 187. Darn it! I knew the scale would move this week, but that wasn't the way I wanted it to go. :/ I know this extra bit will go fast because I'm so carb sensitive since surgery, and I seem to swell up with any kind of travel. We traveled for the holiday, and I allowed myself a tiny pie sampler on Thanksgiving day and bread on three occasions. As an aside, I used to laugh at people who would say they'd need to spend an extra hour in the gym for a cookie, but now I know that's a real thing. Anyway, I'm now home and focused on protein and fluids again, hoping that this gain (plus more) will flush away fast.

Revs -- I am do happy to see your beautiful, smiling face! I'm still not "normal," but I think even when I arrive there, I'll feel much like you. Life will keep plodding along with all of its pain and heartache, and that goal I longed for for so, so long will be one happy thing that gets swept away. I really do hope for you that you can find some meaningful way to commemorate this milestone, despite the difficulty of life. A charm for a bracelet, a special necklace, a little vacation? Congratulations to you. I, for one, am quite proud.

I was put in double walking boots last November, one month before my sleeve surgery in December. I had Charcot foot in both feet, and needed to have the bones stabilized for a minimum of three months. Though I was in double boots, I was able to walk and move, so I was able to do the ten minutes of movement every hour following my sleeve surgery. I also took Heparin injections for the first ten days post-op. The foot issues did not slow my initial weight loss, but two more foot surgeries this year, along with strict restrictions since, has slowed my weight loss. Still, though I've been practically immobile for almost 9 of the last 11+ months, I've lost 85 pounds this year. I'm frustrated by my currently slow weight loss, but I am so thankful for my sleeve because crawling up stairs and maneuvering on one foot is SO much easier than it would have been 85 pounds ago. Just today, I've had some restrictions lifted, allowing me to walk again, and I'm hopeful that my continued focus in the kitchen, along with some physical activity, will get the scale to trend downward once again. FYI -- I can't remember her name now, but a year ago, there was a wheelchair-bound young lady on here who indirectly inspired me to move forward. She wasn't able to get up and move around, but her surgeon was able to formulate a good plan for her to prevent DVTs. By the time I encountered her, she's lost a ton of weight, and was so much happier and healthier.

My littlest guy was 7 months old when I had my sleeve. I couldn't lift him for three weeks, but I could hold him if someone else handed him to me. Let others help you for a while, and let your little one do a bit of the work (climbing into your lap, etc.).