JennieDK

I've posted a link to my video blog here. It's nothing earth-shattering, but these were really helpful to me as I was learning about the surgery, and I promised I'd keep a record like this for myself and anyone else who is interested. Be well!

This isn't super exciting, but these were super helpful to me while I was making a decision about having surgery. I also wanted to chronicle my progress throughout this journey. I hope that you're all having a great week!

I've been horrible about blogging-- can I say that first? When I started this process I thought there would be nothing I'd rather do than write about my experiences before and after weight loss surgery. Well, I still would LIKE to, but life and all of its obligations have continued, so forgive. But I had to write today. Today, I got under 200 pounds for the first time in. . . I don't know. . . 14 years? That's before I started teaching. I can't believe how amazing I feel. I've lost 63.4 pounds total, putting me at 196.6 this morning. (I always record my official weight on Fridays.) I knew that I was right about there, but actually having that number pop up on my weigh in this morning was amazing. (My surgery was 12/11/12, btw.) Let's see. . . what else. Protein bars are my friend, eggs are not. Which is too bad because I used to love eggs. I'm averaging about 3 pounds of weight loss a week, and I'm working on my running. Last night I ran the most I EVER have, going about a mile and a half in 20 minutes of continuous jogging. I'm not very fast, but I'm getting stronger. The biggest challenge I've had on that front is that I'm having trouble switching my runs to the outdoors. I'm not as successful, but I'm trying to stay positive. I have a 5k scheduled on 4/20. I don't know if I will run the whole thing, but I should be able to do most of it, hopefully. I just hope my knees cooperate. So that's where I am! What a wonderful day, and I'm looking forward to blowing all kinds of goals right out of the water! My next goal is to get into the 170s by the end of May for my son's graduation. Piece o' cake!

Nancy, that's awesome! You picked it up way quicker than me. It took me a long time to work up to being able to do a mile, but I'm heading in the right direction. I seriously hadn't run a mile since high school which was 20 years ago.

I know! I am so incredibly excited!

This is awesome! I'm in Iowa, which is close enough that we get lots of visits from the WBC. They protested our church a couple of years ago because we allow gay marriage and have held commitment ceremonies for years before that. While they spewed hate, we made them breakfast.

Good luck! I had the sleeve in December, and it's been a great experience so far!

You'll be a new normal! A better, healthier normal. I'm just 9 weeks out, and I can tolerate most foods, though I stick to the high protein items my doctor and nut recommend for the most part. And yes, though some seem to think it's never allowed again, I drink wine. Once a week I have 2-3 glasses of wine. That's my big night out for the week. My doctor clears us at 7 weeks for wine. Even with the wine, I've only once come anywhere close to the 1200 calories a day that my doctor recommends. Usually I'm at 750-900. And I feel great! (oh, and for me personally, the wine helps with constipation, but that may just be me.) And please note, my doc approved it-- you don't want to do anything that your doc hasn't. I guess I'm just saying that at your point, it was hard to imagine things being anywhere close to normal again. Now, I've adjusted to this, and I feel amazing. I wouldn't change anything-- it's one of the best things I've done for myself in my whole life!

Good luck as you approach your surgery! Here's to seeing less of you!

Congratulations on starting your journey! I'm 8 weeks out today, and I can honestly say it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. I feel so much better already, and I still have a long way to go. It isn't always easy, but it's definitely worth it.

I completely had this stall about 3 weeks post surgery, and I was freaking out, even though the nutritionist said that it's perfectly normal. I didn't lose for almost 2 weeks, but then things started again quite nicely. It'll happen, just stick to plan!

Wow! That's fantastic!

Hi! I had surgery on 12/11, and I'm 35 pounds down from my highest this past fall. (I really feel like this is pretty slow.) I'm still starting the day with a protein shake most mornings, and I've tolerated food pretty well, though, obviously, at much smaller quantities. I'm definitely finding that some things I really liked before are not sitting well. (Eggs, some salad dressings) I'm getting about 800 calories a day on average, tracking everything with myfitnesspal.com I'm doing a lot of chicken and fish, and so far, protein has not been a big problem. I'm struggling to get the gym, though. I go for a week, then lag for a couple of days, and so on. How about you?

I have to say, I had shrimp during my pureed meat period, and just chewed it very well. Very well. And I had no problems. In fact, shrimp has been a go-to food for me, because it's easy to eat and high in protein. So even if you don't add it now, keep it in mind for later!

Thanks so much for sharing! This is awesome!

Same here! Six month pre-op program, and mine was actually longer because my insurance changed some criteria and I had to start over. Frustrating! But it will go by! I also thought it would never get here!

I don't have any good recipes for you, but I have to say, that stuff has been a real help to me. It's like a major treat. I just whip some up, cut up and apple, and have that for a snack.

Good luck! You'll do great! I'm six weeks out, and I'm still thrilled that I did this!

I hit a major stall at almost exactly the same point you are. (I'm 6 weeks out now.) I talked to my nutritionist, and I was freaking out. I went almost two weeks without losing any weight. She assured me that this is totally normal as you start to reintroduce foods, and it's called "refeeding edema". In other words, your body is grabbing salt and food for dear life! But I kept with the program, started working out, and in week 4, I really started losing weight again. I'm averaging 3 pounds a week now, but this week is shaping up to be even better than that. Hang in there! I freaked out when I stalled, even though I had been told to expect it. You WILL get through it!

I had my surgery one month ago today, and here are my basic stats so far: 1. I've lost 30 pounds from my highest point this fall 2. I've lost 14 pounds since my surgery date 3. I take in 700-900 calories a day 4. Two weeks into working out again-- about 4 times a week Overall, this has been a really positive experience. I was very lucky and had no complications and very little pain after surgery. I'm tolerating food pretty well-- I'm just not hungry! (Which was the point, right?) Maybe I've been reading too many astounding weight loss stories from all of you, but I am a little disappointed that I've only lost 14 pounds since surgery. I had hoped to lose 20 in the first month. But, I truly can't complain. That's not too bad considering that I had a 2 week stall in the middle of that. (I literally lost 2 pounds weeks 2 and 3 post op.) I would not have lost this weight without the sleeve. And as everyone says, it didn't go on overnight, and it's not going to come off that way, either. On another note, I signed up for my first 5K. It's 4/20, and I've started a 10 week couch to 5K program. I'm currently on week two. Working out is harder than it had been before, though, I have to say. I think it's because of my diminished calorie intake, but it takes a lot out of me. But I'm working through it, and it's starting to get a lot easier again. And, the loss of 30 pounds has really been good for my knees. I don't have as much pain as I used to after working out. So my next goals? 1. 215 2. size 16 3. Enjoying running (I really, really, really want to enjoy this. So far, not so much.)

I am 4 weeks and 1 day post surgery, and today, I made a wonderful re-discovery. I have butt bones! I thought I may have felt these mythical creatures one day late last week when I sat down on a desk at the front of the room to give my students directions. But then, as quickly as they came, they were gone. But today, as I sat in my chair trying to get comfortable, there they were! I actually thought I might be dreaming, so I reassured myself by rocking back and forth a number of times, sure enough, I could feel them. I'm ashamed to say that I announced their presence to at least three co-workers. What a difference 29 pounds makes.

Lydia, I'm having lots of luck with greek yogurt for protein. I've been going over my 60 grams of protein daily, while staying below 1000 calories a day. I do one shake, and then go for tuna, shrimp, and greek yogurt for the main source of protein. And the scale is moving in the right direction again!

Hello, everyone! I'm just checking in to see how everyone's doing? I lost almost 7 pounds the first week post op, and this week? ZERO! What is up? Now, I'm no longer on the liquid diet, but I'm starting to panic a little. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Help!

So sorry your date was changed! That would have sent me over the edge that close to surgery! I had a lot of setbacks during my prep period due to insurance, but I got through it all, and had surgery 12/11. So far everything has gone really well! I had to comment about your question regarding who you should tell. As others have said, that's entirely up to you. I have to say, I was really worried about how some would react, because I agree, there's a huge stigma attached to WLS. But I have yet to have a negative reaction. In fact, I haven't gone around advertising it, but when people have asked why I was out of work for 2 weeks, I told them. The girls in our front office at the school where I teach were instantly super excited and very supportive. They wanted details and asked me to keep them posted about how it was going. They offered to be my cheerleaders. It's a small thing, but it felt really nice to be so openly supported in such a major life decision. There will be those who judge, but they tend to be the same people who judge about everything else, so there's just no winning with those people. Good luck! It will happen before you know it!