castiel

Your post resonated with me so much. Because I finally broke down and bought size 18w jeans because my 22s were falling down and yet I cant seem to part with the 22s. You would think that I would be rushing to Goodwill to donate them and get them out of my life forever - but they still feel like "my" clothes. This is obviously the thinking that got us in trouble to begin with. It not just about what we eat or how much exercise we get -its about how we see ourselves.

It's nice to know people understand what you're going through. I'm finally seeing myself as a size 18 now. At leas this slow weight loss is letting me catch up with how my body really looks

That's great to hear you're in great health! Fat doesn't always equal unhealthy! There are plenty of healthy fat people out there. Are you familiar with the Health at Every Size movement? It's something to look into as well as the Body Positivity movement. Focuses more on healthy eating and exercise rather than just the numbers on the scale. There are plenty of unhealthy thin people out there too! I look at this surgery as a tool to force me to eat better because without it, I probably wouldn't have, and when I got older my health would've been in bad shape.

Congrats to you!

I was just going to make a similar post! I havent been exercizing too much-walked a bit a few days after I got out of the hospital, but its been so snowy and cold out, my motivation is horrible right now. Plus, I am really sore/tender, not sure exactly what or how to describe the pain I am having in my upper right middle abdomen. It's not right at the incision that I guess I will say is the "main incision"-its the one that they pulled the bag out with the stomach (uggh, the thought freaks me out a bit) but its not incisional pain, its pain above it, almost feels like its right in front of my new stomach? It's either muscular or maybe the organ itself? Who knows, either way, it still hurts when I sleep, hurts when I wake up, and has been bothering me for the past 2 days. I am wondering if I should call my surgeon? I dont want to be this nervous nilly patient who calls at any little issue though. I am still only 15 days post op, I supposed this pain will linger for a while. But, it does make me not want to exercize because I dont want to make it worse. Also, my weight loss at a complete standstill which is really bumming me out. I actually gained a pound over the weekend as well! Not sure how that is possible, I am under 700 calories a day! I am doing a pretty good job of getting in protein, yesterday was the first day I exceeded 60 grams. I did 2 full protein shakes, and for dinner had 2 table spoons of ricotta cheese, and smashed up a very small meatball, maybe an ounce or so of meat. I had 2 tbs of sauce on it. I have to say, it was delicious! I had a hard time eating it slowly and had a little reflux right afterward.....anyhow, very bummed about the stalled weight loss. I though the weight would continue to pour off me for the next few months so sad that I am 2 weeks post op and still at the same total weight loss as I was 5 days ago. My pre op diet weight was 284 LBS, surgery weight was 271 LBS today I am at 252 LBS.

Pain is definitely normal. I was blessed that I didn't have much pain a few days post op. Getting out of bed sucked, but after the first 2 weeks, I was fine. When I went to the gym last night, used the bike for 45 mins and I used a different elliptical machine, and it made my side near an incision hurt so bad, I had to stop after 15 mins and call it a day.

Eating slowly is a problem of mine too, but I just get hiccups. I am taking two 30mg of prevacid a day because I wake up with a sour stomach sometimes. But one in the morning and one at night has helped it go away.

I stalled 10 days post op for 2 weeks, and then the next week the scale went down 2 pounds, and then nothing, and then 2 last week, and nothing this week as i'm approaching another weigh in for a valentines day challenge. I can't even get to my goal of 15 pounds :[ So I know the frustration. Things take time, at least that's what I need to keep reminding myself!

I feel like my sleeve is too big too. I can eat 1/2 cup of food and could eat more but I stop myself there. I sure hope this surgery will work for me. I was sleeved on 1/21/13. I'm also hungry all the time

this will go away once you move to solid foods. I felt it as soon as I moved to the soft food stage, however after about 2 weeks, that feeling went away and I find I can eat a lot more which is discouraging. I kind of miss the tight feeling, if that makes sense! I have no doubt this surgery will work for you. best of luck

hey there,

I read some of your blog posts. I really would love to do the Disney 10k as well with my kids. I totally understand your frustration, but I don't think that there's anything wrong with your sleeve. We all want this to go really fast, but hey we didn't get there overnight either. I might suggest a couple of things. You are working out like crazy so that's a good thing. You will need to up the protein big time, so that you are building muscle and burning fat. Try to spread the protein out across your day instead of getting it all at once or in larger portions. It will make you feel fuller longer. Liquid is so key, I see that you are struggling with it. I would make this a big big focus right now. The thing that water does beside keep you hydrated is that it will push the fat out of the cells and replace it with water. I really think it would be a great idea if you religiously tracked what you eat on myfitnesspal or some other app, I have found that I eat better, eat less and get a better understanding of where my calories, carbs and such are coming from. I noticed from some of your other blog entries that you were estimating your carbs. That right there tells me a lot. Do it for a week or so, just so you get an idea.

Don't worry about what other people are losing. A lot of people that have a lot of weight to lose will lose it quickly, so it is not uncommon to see a 5 or 6 pound a week loss. However, even in our sleeved state, that isn't particularly healthy and could very easily lead to the weight coming back sooner. Two to three pounds a week is great, one pound is fine, if it goes away forever. Hang in there, I absolutely know that it is hard. I want to be at goal right now, but I would rather be healthy and lose the weight slowly and not have to fight it down the road again. This is my last goat rodeo with weightloss, so I am planning on doing it right this time. You are heading in the right direction, just don't get down and frustrated, that's when little things start adding up. Its gonna be good, I truly believe it!

I'm definitely struggling with getting in all my fluids, and I am getting in the bare minimum of 60gms of protein a day. I guess I have a mentality that I'll get my fluids in while working out because I can drink about 50oz in a 2 hour session.

I definitely agree I should be keeping better track of everything. I also plan on buying 4oz containers to put my food in because I have to take it with me every single day.

Thank you so much for your encouraging response! I wish you the best of luck. We just have to hang in there. I hope the number on the scale goes way down.

Great list! Keep this close to you (literally copy it and carry it with you) and when you're tempted by crap food or don't want to work out, take this list out and remind yourself of why you're on this journey. Just seeing it in print will be a great motivator.

I put one up on the back of my door so I'll see it every time I step outside :] I hope it'll keep me motivated!

What a great list! I know my list is similar to yours especially the item about the plane. I flew to africa a few years ago and the seat was uncomfortable and dug into my leg. I felt sorry for the person sitting next to me because I hogged the armrest meant for her. I will be excited when i lose all that weight and take another mission trip to africa and be comfortable.

Good luck on reaching all those goals. When we dream big, amazing things happen!

Awesome! Best of luck to you as well :]

Hi castiel, so many things on your list are on mine as well.. hope you meet all your goals! Best wishes

Thank you! I wish you well with meeting your goals too!

Have you tried sipping on unjury (20Gm protein) or isopure (40 Gm protein)?

I'm thinking I might do something like drink half a protein shake before my work hour and the other half post work out like the body builders do lol.

I enjoy reading your blog. I think its good to have a place to share your story. I started a blog on this site also and like you thought about doing on a blog site but too much hassle and I like that on this format we are all on the same journey. I haven't written much on my blog but would like to have a record of a my journeyl

Aw thank you! And yes, this site makes it so easy to document everything. Love it!

Wow I definitely can sympathize. I take miralax(clearlax) everyday. If I don't I have real bathroom issues too. You may have to do this too. I hear for some once their food intake increases they don't need too. I say better be regular than sorry!!

I bet you will be laughing about that incident in no time!!

I know that the plateaus are frustrating, I have been on one for 2.5 weeks. I was sailing along and with only 15 more pounds to go I thought, no problem it will happen fast. I find that if I eat more than 800 calories I gain. I try to stick around 600-700 and eat high protein. The stall will break, one day at a time!! YOU GOT THIS!!!

I'm definitely trying to get my protein up as well as my fluids. I'm having no issues drinking, but this whole waiting half hour before and after eating is killing me because I can eat so little. I feel like I never stop eating and can't drink enough now :[

I hope your stall breaks soon!

Have you weighed yourself since the episode at Walmart. You probably lost some after that. Hope you are feeling better. My surgery is Jan,22, and being constipated is a big fear of mine. Wondering what steps are we need to take to avoid it. The last time I had surgery on my back I had a horrible episode and don't want to live through that again.

Yes, I did! I weighed exactly the same as I did that morning :[ I don't know what's going on. I'm just hoping exercising will help.

I wish you best of luck with your surgery. As far as complications, lactose intolerance, nausea, and pain, I have had a wonderful journey with no issues except constipation. I hope you don't have to deal with constipation a lot either; it can be painful! But it seems that it's common with VSG patients. Once I move to normal foods and get into a groove, I'm going to incorporate as much fiber like metamucil and chia/flax seeds when I can.

I see my nut on the 31st. I get pain and burp when I'm full, that is my tell....and maybe yours to. Congrats on the 20 lbs. weight loss! Enjoy your manicotti, slowly

Thank you! The pain has went away while eating. But I still have a hard time telling when I'm full. I can only tell when I'm full when it gets to the point where I feel like it's creeping back up my esophagus. I don't slime or anything though.

Rest rest rest. You don't need a set back. I know its tough over the holidays, but your body is still healing and needs the rest. Good Luck and Merry Christmas

thank you! i've been sleeping a lot and the muscle pain has subsided :] merry christmas xx

I had my sleeve on December 13, 2012, so I am 10 days post op. I am doing great getting my proteins down. I do Isopure Grape Frost. I drink 1/2 to 2 a day. I am getting down 64 oz of water with lemon a day. This wasn't hard as I used to drink a gallon a day so I actually feel dehydrated cutting back so on liquids. I am in the Full Liquid diet phase and this is getting old because with the exception of tomato soup it is hard finding cream soups strained enough to eat. So I have pretty much stuck to the Isopure. I keep trying to do light Muscle Milk or Atkins shakes as that is what I lived off of during the pre-op liquid diet but I find the shakes too heavy and I have to take a dissolvable anti-nausea after just a few sips. I am looking forward to next week on Wednesday when I can start the soft foods diet. After the pre-op and 10 days of ongoing liquid it is getting too limited. Further since I don't experience a feeling of hunger it is easier not to eat and I was faint all day on day 4 post op from not eating.

I had lost 12 lbs on the one week pre-op and then gained 6 pounds while in the hospital hooked up to IVs. Now I am down from a starting weight of 206 pre-surgery to 186. I still have a long way to 130 but this is the beginning.

Oh goodness! I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time with full liquids. I start them today and I can't wait to try muscle milk. I also bought myself some Lactaid milk to drink this week in case my attempts with skim milk mixed with powdered milk go bad. It's been hard just sipping broth, jello, powerade zero and water. I also bought sugar free hot cocoa that i plan to mix with milk and chocolate protein powder when it comes in the mail!

I still get hungry, but I know what you mean about feeling faint. I felt like that yesterday and I couldn't even go home to sleep. Once I slept though, I felt much much better. Try and stay hydrated and catch some Z's. Best of luck to you.

Yes, I walked soooo much after surgery, but surprisingly no one made me. I just read on here all the time that it is so important to walk. I was deathly afraid of blood clots, because being young doesn't mean I can't get them. I walked so much today at a huge flea market and walmart, and when I came home I needed to lay down and take some pain meds. I'm paying for it now by being super sore in the abdomen, but at least I burned more calories.

I'm definitely taking it easy when I can! Best of luck to you and get some rest :]

I am also 5 days post op. I have the nauseousness throughout the day too... off and on. I think it's a combo of drinking things that taste nasty and not drinking enough. Sometimes I feel great, other times not. I also sometimes have pain from drinking. It is definitely getting better. I've been lucky to get the Isopure down. I thought I didn't like the Alpine Ice until I tried the Blue Raspberry and Orange .

Are you taking any nausea meds? I have a sublingual one and it helps me. I'm glad you're getting the isopure down! I've tried 4 flavors and so far: YUCK!

HI! Congrats! I had my sleeve done on Tuesay and I am down to 231 from 238 so not as much as you but not bad. My highest weight was 257 and my sugery weight was 238 thanks to the liquid diet. I am so tired of liquids and like you can't wait for mashed food. Sounds silly but it is true. I was also walking soon after surgery and felt like a loner. Not many people walked a lot. Maybe that is why they stayed an extra day in the hospital! I am fighting headaches maybe not drinking enough but I am trying to get in four ounces an hour. Almost there. Hope all goes well for you!

Congratulations on your sleeve! How are you feeling today?

I also had to stay an extra night in the hospital due to extreme nausea and not keeping the pain meds down, but I WALKED A LOT!

I couldn't imagine doing the liquid diet before surgery; my surgeon only required one day of clear liquids. But you're already down so much! I'm just catching up to you lol. I like to think my liver is shrinking now instead of before surgery.

I was also dealing with headaches for a few days, but today I didn't have any. I'm just totally exhausted and felt so weak I wanted to cry.

Keep sipping! And I wish you the best of luck as well :]

I agree about the head hunger. I even dreamed the other night about cheesy tater tots! Just keep fighting the fight!

Oh man! I haven't dreamt about food yet, but I know one night it's gonna happen. Thank you!