MichiganChic

Looking good! Congrats, and keep up the great work!

Yeah, you can see it. Congratulations! You look happy.

Each doc seems to have their own rules about this, and the disclaimer is that you should follow your doc's rules. My doc's rules are 4 months. The dietician has sited a study that indicates people who drink coffee in the morning are hungrier in the afternoon (sorry, don't have any references and can't verify if that's true). However, I waited 6 weeks, then started drinking regular coffee. Not a lot, just a cup in the morning. It absolutely interferes with vitamin (particularly calcium and iron) absorption, so you have to work around any supplements you have been prescribed.

I don't see that person anymore, because in my mind, I was just me....and I was thinner person inside, lol. However, there is still an element of surprise when I look in the mirror or shop for clothes. I find myself catching my reflection in windows and mirrors and not losing the thrill of seeing a thinner me....one that matches the image in my head.

I'm hanging in there, still quite a bit to go. Just a couple more pounds till onederland, but I've been really slow the whole month of July. I'm hoping it starts coming off again soon. Looks like everyone is doing great!

It took me a good 4 weeks to feel like I could get through the day without bei weak and tired. It was 6 weeks before I was pretty normal again. It will pass and you'll be better than before in no time

Do you know what your iron levels are? Mine got like that with low iron, and it was a little frizzy and dull, and fragile.

I had surgery at 50 last December, and turned 51 in May. I think I look a lot younger, and my family thinks I do, too. My kids say I'm a lot more fun, now I do have a flabby neck where the extra chins were, and I admit, it bothers me some, but not as much as the fat! I also have a saggy behind, droopy thighs, and flabby arms....but it's still better than before!! I will probably have surgery, but even if I don't, I'm usually clothed, and clothes hide a lot! Good luck to you!

What a ridiculous statement...almost like she doesn't have coherent thoughts. She made the leap from POWs lose weight due to not enough food, ergo, anyone can do it. It was rude, thoughtless, and a little nuts. On what planet is a statement like that helpful? I'd report her to the doc, on the record, then she will remember exactly what she said. I suspect she won't learn much though, sadly people like that just are that way and feel entitled to spread their venom under the guise of "helping". There was nothing you could have said or done.

You look great, and you deserve to model like that! Great job....and I'm sure you will have no problem attracting plenty of ladies. Enjoy your success.

Oh, the shopping!! I really need to stop it since I'm no where near goal, but I have a good reason to do it. One, none of my clothes fit, and I'm on my third wardrobe. Two, (and most importantly) I'm starting a new job tomorrow! It's a corporate position with a great company and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have had the confidence to pursue it 100 pounds ago. I didn't gain any new professional skills during the last 6 months, but I really do attribute my weight loss to helping me land the position. Also, I was able to shop in regular people sizes for a suit for the interview....which brings me back to the shopping! I am just having a ball. Went to an upscale outlet mall yesterday and was able to get LOTS of things for work at super reduced prices, something not possible in plus sizes.

Yay for you, congratulations! You look happy and beautiful! It looks like you are in a beautiful spot, too!

I get an appetizer, or I just eat off of my husband's plate, or split a meal with my daughter. If I do order a meal, I take most of it home. I have not had an issue, and I just LOVE that I can eat so little and be full.

You sound pretty typical for a month out. 6 TBLE won't stretch your stomach. Over the next several months, you will gradually be able to eat more and more. It relaxes some and the swelling goes down. Just focus on the rules your surgeon gave you. It does get easier, and you'll figure out how your new stomach works and how weight loss will continue.

I ate anywhere from 2000-4000 calories a day before surgery, and maybe more some times. It's pretty easy to consume over 1000 calories in a sitting while not eating that much.....think donuts, fast food burgers, etc. Now I eat around 900 calories a day at 7 months post op. Some days it's as much as 1200 calories, but I try not to do that more than once a week, and some days it's closer to 800 calories, but I have a hard time going any lower than that.

I take biotin 5000 mcg daily. I always get all my protein in, but my hair fell out pretty badly. I'm 7 months out, and it's mostly stopped, though it still comes out a little faster than before surgery. I can see lots of new growth, but I imagine it's going to another 6 months before that gets long and thick enough to do any good. My hair wasn't very thick before surgery, and I think I might have lost about 1/3 -1/2, and I'm not bald either. However, I do have some areas where my scalp shows, so I've been using Bosley fibers, which work wonders to give the appearance of thicker hair.

Honestly, I don't think there is anything to do other than follow the plan. Protein first, restrict your calories, exercise. I'm in the SAME boat! I also really want to be under 200 by the end of this month, and I've been stuck here since the beginning of July. I know it will come off at some point, but when you are this close to a personal goal, it's frustrating when your body just won't cooperate! I wish there was something I could do, but I know better. I can't explain why this happens any more than I can explain the last 20 pounds that seemed to miraculously disappear so quickly. I'm just taking it as it comes....and only complaining a little, lol! Hang in there!

I'm supposed to be getting at least 65 gm of protein a day, but I usually hit around 80. My doc considers "success" a weight loss of 60% of excess weight. I want to be closer to 100%, and it's really up to me and my body. I was on shakes for 2 weeks prior to surgery, and never on clear liquids. Each doc is different.

Ummm.....sadly.....no

It's a known fact that there can be transfer addictions. Some people turn to alcohol, some turn to shopping. That doesn't mean it happens to everyone, but it's good to know its a risk. As far as obsessing over how much to eat, I'm not sure it's an addiction for all (could be for some, I suppose), but I think it's more about trying to get this right. There are rules we all need to live by with the sleeve, and in order to be successful, we have to change our ways. The sleeve will NOT change them for us. It takes a lot of energy and thought to do that, so it is a major topic of conversation, and you'll read here because this is where we come for support about changing our ways. I know that I will need to count calories and measure my food forever, or I will not keep the weight off. If it takes "obsession" for me to get there, I'm good with that. I hated being fat more than I knew, and I like being (almost) thin more than I ever dreamt possible. You might feel differently once you are post op. There are people here who say they don't want to ever be on a "diet" again, so they don't weight and measure, but I do believe they are mindful and purposeful in their eating habits. We are all unique, and have to find our own way. Not sure if that answers your question, but I wish you luck!

The first few weeks are the worst, so just know this is normal and you will get past it. Since you asked, my advice is to just to tough it out and do what you are supposed to. It's really rewarding to see that you CAN do this, you CAN stick to the program. When I saw that I could stick to it, it gave me a sense of hope that I could continue, and then the weight comes off, and I got even more motivated. Success begets success. I agree about finding a shake you like, it makes a difference. I tried several kinds and thought I'd never make it the first couple of weeks, the taste and smell of them made me so nauseous. I finally found the premier protein shakes at Costco, and I'm still drinking one a day for breakfast. It was a lifesaver for me. Hope you are feeling better soon!

I'm not giving medical advice, but I take ibuprofen every day, and have since 6 weeks post op. That was approved by my surgeon, and I'm fine.

I have the same issue. I took a mild diuretic before surgery and was so happy to get off of it right after surgery. Then, about 2 months post op I started retaining water again, so I had to start back on it. I really want to get off of it, so I am gradually weaning myself. I'm hoping that once I get some more weight off and it's not 100 degrees outside, I'll be able to. As far as what you can do - limit your salt intake, (be sure to look for sodium content in everything you eat), exercise, and elevate your feet when sitting. Also, if you have access to a swimming pool, spending a little time in there will help force some of the fluid out of your extremities (the pressure from the water helps move fluids from soft tissue). Other than that, diuretics prescribed by your doc and weight loss are your next best options, and it looks like you are doing great with your loss!

Congrats! Who knew there would be so much joy in being overweight, lol. I can't wait till I can say that.

For me, in the first few weeks it definitely was a tightness in my chest. Over time, that changed for me and I do get a feeling of fullness in my stomach, but it just feels like there is a restriction, particularly with dense protein. It's hard to tell at first and with liquids, but you'll get it over time. I would suggest you take it slow and measure everything. It's about the volume of food consumed.