dgoerlitz

For the first time in more than 3 years, I'm back in the 200s! Whoa lol
Starting weight was 348
Date of surgery weight was 336
Current transitional weight is 299.6
Woohoo

Has your doctor checked your thyroid or any of the other blood tests that might indicate a separate issue here? What about your cortizol levels? You may want to pay a visit to an endocrinologist in tandem with your surgeon.

always seems to coincide with ignorant, which can be used in a derogatory way, or in a literal sense, to describe many thread starters. Maybe I am?
Point being....spend more than 30 seconds researching whatever topic it is you'd like to know about on VST before you whine and moan about whatever it is. Good grief. There is an excellent search feature that will lead you just about any where you want to go on here. So many common questions covered 10 times a day, and a new thread for each. They always tend to clutter up useful topics that end up on page 2, 3, 4, etc which in turn become irrelevant unless someone thinks to SEARCH.
Also, listen to your surgeon.
Don't come on here looking for support to do something stupid like jump ahead in the diet or "what to do if I go out with friends...". Don't be ashamed, tell the truth, eat your 3 bites, and let your friends get over the fact that you had surgery. If you have to be private about it for fear of what others think, then you should reevaluate your priorities. Not saying you have to tell the world, but don't hide it. Embrace the fact that you're changing yourself. Worry about YOU, not THEM. The heck with what everyone thinks. This is time to rebuild yourself. If your friends and family can't handle that, set them to the side. Don't let them hold you back or get you down, or make you feel inferior.
I may come across like a butthole, and so be it, but this is the best thing I have ever done for myself. Shed the bad in everything and embrace the good. Keep it real. Don't sugarcoat or coddle and just do the damn thing. People want to be reassured of everything they do, and that's fine, but do yourself and everyone else a favor and look for that reassurance already posted in the same topic 241924 other times. Solve the problem you have by listening to your doctor, or then, if you want some affirmation, read the 29147123 topics people have already started about the SAME DANG THING....if you have something new, don't sweat it, post up, this thread has nothing to do with you.

Some of these more common topics can be found by searching on the key word. I know there is a lot of information out here. The week 3 stall is extremely common and will pass. I know it is frustrating...I questioned the surgery (since I had the choice of this or the bypass)...I questioned what on earth had I done to myself...I questioned my surgeon... Be patient...as I have posted out here several times...my doc keeps reminding me - this is a marathon NOT a sprint. You didn't get fat overnight, so give your body a chance to lose the weight over time so that you have a better chance of keeping it off permanently.

Have you read any of the other 487 posts about stalls?

My surgery was 12/10/12. As of this morning I am down 87 lbs! Not as fast as some, but not as slow as others, and hopeful that I will hit Onederland sometime in the next 2-3 weeks. I have been stuck for the past month and FINALLY last week broke the stall! I too have lost 1/2 - 1 whole shoe size, depending on the shoes. My hubby isn't thrilled of course, but it is what it is. I also got rid of ALL my old clothes - 15 garbage bags! Gave them to friends who will in turn share what they don't want with a local women's shelter, so I'm feeling even better about all of the wasted money on clothes over the years. I've walked two 5Ks this summer and have two more on my calendar. I've done a little bit of hiking, bought a bicycle, and have been doing Water aerobics religiously for three nights/week. The highlight of my summer will be on Labor Day, when I go up to the Mackinac Bridge and do the annual 5 mile walk across the bridge. I am super excited for that! We drove across the bridge last Labor Day, and knowing already when our surgeries were scheduled, I made a vow to walk the bridge this year. Can't wait!!!

Call yourself. BCBS of MI is a huge company and every plan is different. It is not unusual for a patient to call themselves and then the formal authorization happen behind the scenes with the doc's office. They probably work with them on a regular basis and know what the coverage is, but I would double check myself just to be sure.

I drink Water at the movies now...and I was a cherry icee fiend! Water is best...at least for me. Hate to waste extra calories on a liquid and would prefer to get my calories from actual food.< /p>

Call yourself. BCBS of MI is a huge company and every plan is different. It is not unusual for a patient to call themselves and then the formal authorization happen behind the scenes with the doc's office. They probably work with them on a regular basis and know what the coverage is, but I would double check myself just to be sure.

My surgery was 12/10/12. As of this morning I am down 87 lbs! Not as fast as some, but not as slow as others, and hopeful that I will hit Onederland sometime in the next 2-3 weeks. I have been stuck for the past month and FINALLY last week broke the stall! I too have lost 1/2 - 1 whole shoe size, depending on the shoes. My hubby isn't thrilled of course, but it is what it is. I also got rid of ALL my old clothes - 15 garbage bags! Gave them to friends who will in turn share what they don't want with a local women's shelter, so I'm feeling even better about all of the wasted money on clothes over the years. I've walked two 5Ks this summer and have two more on my calendar. I've done a little bit of hiking, bought a bicycle, and have been doing Water aerobics religiously for three nights/week. The highlight of my summer will be on Labor Day, when I go up to the Mackinac Bridge and do the annual 5 mile walk across the bridge. I am super excited for that! We drove across the bridge last Labor Day, and knowing already when our surgeries were scheduled, I made a vow to walk the bridge this year. Can't wait!!!

My surgery was 12/10/12. As of this morning I am down 87 lbs! Not as fast as some, but not as slow as others, and hopeful that I will hit Onederland sometime in the next 2-3 weeks. I have been stuck for the past month and FINALLY last week broke the stall! I too have lost 1/2 - 1 whole shoe size, depending on the shoes. My hubby isn't thrilled of course, but it is what it is. I also got rid of ALL my old clothes - 15 garbage bags! Gave them to friends who will in turn share what they don't want with a local women's shelter, so I'm feeling even better about all of the wasted money on clothes over the years. I've walked two 5Ks this summer and have two more on my calendar. I've done a little bit of hiking, bought a bicycle, and have been doing Water aerobics religiously for three nights/week. The highlight of my summer will be on Labor Day, when I go up to the Mackinac Bridge and do the annual 5 mile walk across the bridge. I am super excited for that! We drove across the bridge last Labor Day, and knowing already when our surgeries were scheduled, I made a vow to walk the bridge this year. Can't wait!!!

Oh...and I forgot to add, I just made hotel reservations in Mackinac City, MI so that I can walk across the Mackinac Bridge (5 miles long) on Labor Day!

I was just looking at some members before and after pics...how beautiful others were looking in their new clothes and bathing suits, etc.
It got me to thinking...I'm finally wearing my clothes...instead of them wearing me.
78 pounds ago...my clothes wore me. I would put on nearly anything that I could get around my large torso and fat a$$. Not that I looked all that bad...but I think to a large extent I settled for what fit around my frame.
Fast forward to today...78 pounds lost...and I now have choices. I can choose between this pair of pants or that pair. I can even consider a pair of skinny jeans. I'm wearing heels again and looking tall and (almost) slender.
Wearing clothes is fun again.
Just one more validation for getting my sleeve.

I took a different route. I told EVERYONE I know. Friends, family and even put it on Facebook. I actually found more people have had some kind if WLS done or knew someone who has. I think it really helps with my recovery process and getting thru everything cause there are people there to congratulate you when you hit certain milestones. I know among everyone I told there are people who don't agree with it but to heck with them. I'm hoping that in telling everyone and not keeping quiet that someone who has been thinking about it will actually do it and change their life like I did.

So it's been just over a yr since I had my sleeve done and it's definitely been the best thing I ever did. I followed the diet as directed and ate what I was suppose to do. I did exercise but could have done more an even though I'm still 30 lbs from my goal I feel that even if I don't lose another 30 lbs I still feel like it was worth it. I have lost 154lbs total as of today an I feel great! Very little loose skin and with some more sit ups and cardio I can and will tone but all in all just overall healthier. No more meds for diabetes or blood pressure. Just high Protein living. ;o) Wishing everyone well on their journey to living healthier!"
Before
384lbs
After
230lbs

Some people (for whatever reason), feel it is their place to tell you when you've lost enough weight. If you feel fine with the way your face looks, smile and say "wow, that's rude". Sounds a bit like the person is just rude/insecure/mean.
I personally wouldn't let it bother me. People can be so rude sometimes. Has s/he ever said anything else rude or unkind about your weightloss process/progress? Do they have a weight problem?

Im almost 8 months out. Had my first drink about 3 weeks ago. Terrible! It gave me the worst indigestion and sour stomach! It's up to you, but I would wait. I drink Water all the time now...even if we go to the bar with friends. No one who really cares about me cares what I am drinking.

Well, first of all, what does your surgeon say? That's going to be your guidebook through this sleeve journey. In my option though, 5 weeks after is waaaaay to early to drink alcoholic beverages- weak or not. You just had most of your stomach removed and are still healing- I'm two weeks behind you and I just started on purée- no way is my stomach ready for alcohol...I'm not even trying caffeine yet! Every surgeons office is different...some even say you should NEVER drink again after sleeve surgery. My surgeon's office said three months, but I'm trying to wait six months like my husband did, just to play it safe. I'm not saying the lemondrops haven't been calling my name! Alcohol also has lots of extra calories you don't need this early on, so keep that in mind when you do drink later on. But please, don't drink this early out- not good for your sleeve!

I track all the time. Why? Because Cookies and chips and fat and sugar-laden foods all fit! I can only eat about a cup of anything...but if it is a cup of ice cream with hot fudge and whipped cream, that is VERY different than a cup of greek yogurt, right? I need the accountability to myself. Also, since I use My Fitness Pal for tracking, I am able to monitor my Protein, Water, and exercise at the same time, so it is a win win in my case.

I agree with apricot1119...clean out the pantry. When I had my surgery, we threw out, boxed and bagged up all the "bad" food and got it OUT of the house! Out of sight...out of mind! If the only Snacks you have are healthy ones, that is all you will snack on, right?

I agree with apricot1119...clean out the pantry. When I had my surgery, we threw out, boxed and bagged up all the "bad" food and got it OUT of the house! Out of sight...out of mind! If the only Snacks you have are healthy ones, that is all you will snack on, right?

I think you are doing great with your weight loss! That aside, I think tracking your food intake is very important. My RD looks at my food logs carefully and gives me great suggestions (and she even asked for some of my recipes!) Plus studies show that people who track their food lose about twice as much as people who don't, and that tracking food is the best predictor of how well someone will do with their weight loss. Here's a link to one article (there are others out there):
http://www.webmd.com...lps-lose-weight

Without tracking, I find it is too easy to slip back into old habits - even with restriction. A nibble here and a taste there add up - even though restriction does not kick in. You can graze on a double cheese burger for 2 hours and eventually get it down. chips are a slider food and you can eat the whole bag before restriction kicks in. You get the point. It is totally possible to eat around the restriction issue. Tracking helps keep us accountable. I am trying to be a serial tracker on MFP. I am thinking about rewarding myself when I have tracked for "x" consecutive days!

I track all the time. Why? Because Cookies and chips and fat and sugar-laden foods all fit! I can only eat about a cup of anything...but if it is a cup of ice cream with hot fudge and whipped cream, that is VERY different than a cup of greek yogurt, right? I need the accountability to myself. Also, since I use My Fitness Pal for tracking, I am able to monitor my Protein, Water, and exercise at the same time, so it is a win win in my case.

I have officially lost 100 pounds in since October 22, 2012