MichiganChic

I couldn't do without my phone, scale, and excel. I use my phone to track food on my fitness pal, and also it's a pedometer, can use it for this site, and also time my food/water intake. (and I can text and talk on it, too, lol!) I weigh myself daily, and track it on excel - so between logging my calories and trending my weight, I can really see the cause and effect. It's been invaluable information to me in learning how my body responds to diet. Odd things, I know

I'm 15 months out and totally stuck. Have been at this weight a while now - at least 4-5 weeks. It's taken me about 6 months to lose the last 20 pounds.....a few days or a week isn't really much of a stall by comparison.

I've seen that study, too. I was anemic before surgery (for no known reason), and I take Iron every day, and my labs are normal. I don't need calcium, and with the supplements, it was too high. I was horribly Vitamin D deficient as an obese person, now it's normal now with minimal supplementation. I think when you have this surgery, you are making a life long commitment to taking Vitamins, and it pays to know when/how to take them. I think it's different for each of us, but we all have to take some vitamins. I have no problems managing it now, but I did at first when I had to take calcium. It felt like a full time job, at first. Super easy, now.

Right after surgery I could eat a couple of ounces, then I could eat 1/4 cup. I kept to that for a while, then went to 1/2 cup till about 9 months post op. It gradually increased, and now i can eat a cup or more, depending, on what it is. That sort of panics me - I wish I could be satisfied with a half a cup, still! I stick to Protein first, and I avoid rice, bread, and Pasta. However, I can, and do, eat pretty much everything, just not at once, not much of it, and not very often, depending on what it is. I count calories more than volume, though I should probably be paying more attention to volume than I do. I have to eat 800 calories to lose weight.

I want to lose about 10lbs. I gotten within 5 lbs two weeks ago but went back up again. Not always sure why but sometimes I still sabotage my self. I am a sugar addict but also I've been trying a lot if new activities like jogging and a ballet barre class at my gym. Definitely have a lot of swelling whenever I do something new that pushes me physically. Also eating out makes me retain Fluid. Probably the salt content plus I like to have a glass of wine which doesn't help. Sigh, just can't party like I used to! I feel like I do the same thing. I start getting close then I loosen up a little, then I'm right back up a few pounds. It's just a mental thing. Well - I guess only in part. The truth is that I have to eat about 800 calories to lose weight, and I gain if eat more than 1200-1300. It's really crazy! So, if eating more than 800 calories a day is self sabotage, that's what I do, lol. I've been at this about 15 months, and that's a really long time to be that restrictive. I know that I can never, and will never be able to go back to my old ways, but the cold hard truth is a little disheartening. On the other hand, I look pretty good for my age, so it's all worth it to me. I wake up every day thrilled to be "thin"!

That is some stress, for sure! I understand what you mean about shifting your focus from diet/exercise to house. I find that I am that way. It has taken every ounce of energy I have to stay focused on my diet, and often think that a major stressful event in my life is going to take it's toll. I think it's one of the major things we all have to face, since I think many of us are that way. So, I applaud you for realizing what is going on and getting yourself in the right frame of mind. Others have given great suggestions. You might find that many of them work great. I would also be trying to get out of their way. Since you said you are sitting in your room all day, you might try taking some really long walks. That would get you out and get some more exercise. If you have to eat out, think about going fast food - you can get a side salad with a grilled chicken breast on it at McDonalds, for example. Just because you eat out, you don't have to go off the rails on your diet. Good luck - know this is short term - you'll be in that house in no time!

Mine was like that, too. I don't notice it so much any more. I'm not sure if I got used to it, or if it subsided. I've had worse problems

Sounds like me. I'm also struggling to get to goal and going up and down the same 3-4 pounds! I think my body thinks this is it for me. I'm a size M or S top and 10 bottom, so I guess that's not the worst thing. I'm really just chasing a number at this point - but I'd sure like to lose at least another 10 pounds. How much farther do you have to go?

Yes, I lost about a size and went from wide to medium.

Yep, and many other bony prominences also hurt. I drive my family crazy having them feel my bones. My collar bones are very prominent, and so are by ribs. I can also feel my hip bones, and when I'm sitting my arms always seem to rest on them, and it hurts a little. My tailbone hurts if I sit wrong, but I can also feel my femur and hip bones in my behind when I sit. I can't just sit down in a hard chair. Sitting in wooden pews at church is painful. I am really surprised at how much closer my bones are to the surface than they were at this weight before I became super obese. I always say the fat dripped away from where it needs to be - what I have left seems to be puddled around my knees, lol!

I knew someone who went to him and had great results. He also had a good track record - but with RNY. He had done over 1000 successfully and no one ever died. I was his 40th sleeve patient. I also like that in his seminar, he was very honest and upfront about all the complications his patients had. Two of his sleeve patients had leaks early on, so that scared me a little, but he said he changed techniques. Honestly, I have done great, but I might rethink that now, knowing what I know. I would have chosen a doc who had done 1000 VSGs with low complications. At the time I was thinking about his overall stats, not just VSG.

I had almost that exact same experience in there, just with a bra. I was sort of thinking no one would wait on on me, that nothing would fit, etc....but I was wrong. Still so thrilling, and congratulations!

Just wondering if anyone else out there is still working to lose their weight? I have a few pounds to go, and it's coming off pretty slow, but at least it is still coming off. I had a lot to lose, and I knew it would take a long time, but I just really want to be "done". Of course I can never go back to my old ways, but I'd sure love to feel like I accomplished the goal!

My biggest challenge is not grazing. I was used to just putting whatever I felt like in my mouth, whenever I felt like it. Now I have to make a conscious decision NOT to do that every day. I could easily be 300 pounds again if I let that happen. The sleeve doesn't really help combat grazing, and particularly if you choose slider type foods.

I never told my husband my high weight. When we were first married (30 years ago) he used to ask. I was 140 pounds and thought I was fat and wouldn't tell him. As the weight crept on, he never asked because I told him I didn't want to discuss it. He loved me thin and fat. Anyway, even through the surgery, he never asked my actual weight. Since the surgery he has asked every day for over a year "how did you do today?". Now I volunteer my actual weight every day, and he knows exactly how much I've lost, but we NEVER discuss that high number. I'm pretty sure he can do the math, but I still don't want to discuss that high number, lol. I don't mind that all of you know, though

Every day is a conscious commitment for me, too. I wake up and focus on my current weight, eating strategy for the day, etc. It is a full time job for me. I know there are people who can succeed by "listening to their body" but I'm not one of them. It's work for me. I had a few extra calories over the weekend (like 1800 Saturday and 2000 Sunday) and I was up almost 4 pounds by Monday. Some of it was water, but I know that if I kept it up, I'd be right back up to 300 pounds. So, I'm committing with you! It's so worth the effort!

30 minutes before and after for me, too. To be honest, sometimes I will drink up to 15 minutes before eating, but I really try to not drink for at least 30 minutes after eating.

Catnapper, Not sure what you posted and didn't get a response to, but right now your name says you only have 3 posts. I agree with the others, things move off the page quickly sometimes, and just get missed. You never know who's on, and what title will strike a cord with another person. One thing I've found is that there are the same kind of people in online forums as there are in real life. Some are nice, some not so much, some caring, and some less so. There are also cliques here, just like in real life. As for getting a response or not, try not to take it personally. The more you jump on and contribute in a positive way, the more likely people are to recognize your contribution and respond to you, too. There is a wealth of information here, and I have found it valuable to my success. I'd suggest that you just hang in with us, and you'll find your place here in a way that works for you.

Macy, so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. I've been a hospice nurse, and your story sounds like many I've known. I'm so impressed with the gift you gave your grandmother. Not everyone has the strength to do what you've done. Now it's time to take care of you! Congrats on your boards and your new found resolution. You can and will do this - you've just proven your strength! Wishing you wonderful success in your new career!

I'm an RN with a desk job. I was out about 4-5 weeks. There is also a nurses support group on here - you could search for it and join if you want! Good luck!

You sound like me. i also did this for health reasons, and now that I'm healthy, I'm taking that for granted. I try to remember not to do that, because it's most certainly a gift, though I've worked hard for it. Now I'm all about how I look, lol. No, I'm not shallow

I watched my weight on a daily and weekly basis, and still do. This is a snap shot of what I lost in a year.

That's people being supportive the best way they know how. Take with the intention behind it, rather than the words they used. It's surprising difficult to convey something so simple to another person. So wonderful you have people rooting for you

What a difference a few weeks and some good support makes! When I started this thread I was two weeks post op. Tomorrow I will be five weeks, and life is starting to return to normal. I no longer feel thirsty all the time. I feel full most of the time, even though I'm still only eating puréed foods. I still get tired very easily, and I have a hard time eating more than 400 calories a day (btw, is this normal? I'm thinking it is at this stage since I can only eat mush. I still manage 60 grams of protein a day by incorporating my shakes). Best of all, I'm shrinking! I'm down 30 pounds since my surgery. I remember why I make this choice, and I have hope again that I will be able to live a normal life. I feel bad that some people may have read this and gotten further discouraged. For those of you who have, I hope today is a bit brighter. So glad to hear you are feeling better! And yes, your calories are right on track. Enjoy it - I wish I could have a few of those days now and then. I can easily eat 2000+ calories a day - not that I do very often, but I have once or twice in the last few months. I do have to watch what I eat every day, or I would be eating that much. You will look back (and you will be thin by then!) and also remember these early days and all the self learning you've done, and be proud of how far you've come, both physically and mentally. My guess is that you will enjoy your new normal!

I wear them every day without difficulty now.