BKLYNgal87

Take tylenol if you need a pain med for a few weeks post-op instead of NSAIDs. Bleeding and irritation are possible risks of NSAID use right after surgery. They can aggravate ulcers if you have them but they don't give you ulcers. I think I took ibuprophen at 3 weeks postop and was totally fine.

I also feel a great sense of empowerment not needing to shove a gargantuan amount of food in my mouth. Post surgery I think most people realize that life doesn't actually HAVE to revolve around food. In the beginning right after surgery it kind of does since you need to make sure you have liquids with you all the time and get enough Protein in but once you've healed up it gets easier. I will order a grilled chicken breast or shrimp rather than a sandwich as second nature now. That's not to say I don't get hungry. I still most definitely do. And sometimes I have the occasional treat. But the belly monster is not nearly so strong and voracious anymore. I'm able to look at a pile of Halloween candy and walk away. It's awesome.

Is this sadness from environmental challenges or do you feel like it's mostly internal (in your head)? Depression isn't uncommon after weight loss surgery and even regular old weight loss. You are experiencing a lot of physical and mental changes and that can be very difficult to deal with. Have you tried support groups or any kind of counseling? Having some experience in this arena I'd suggest you first look for a therapist or social worker who specializes in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and it would be helpful if they had experience with bariatric patients. CBT is goal-focused therapy that teaches you coping strategies. Why I suggest it is a lot of therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists out there are more interested in keeping patients in therapy than helping patients so that they no longer need therapy. CBT practictioners don't generally practice that way. If you don't see benefit from that after a couple months then you may need something more long term. It may also be helpful to talk this out with your surgeon's office and see if they can give you options or a referral. Hang strong! You're not crazy. You just need a little help as you go through a major life transition. Wishing you well

I think wine is a safe bet. Trying it at home first is also a good idea. I definitely get tipsy after one drink nowadays. I don't do it very often because it's empty calories. Have a happy 21st!!

You look so incredible!! Way to go!

Well, I am far from being a year postop but just thought I'd share there is no special anatomical or physiological reason why it gets harder to lose weight after a year, other than weight loss and maintenance being difficult challenges for obese people in general. If you continue following the post-op diet and exercise you will lose the last little bit of weight, it will just take a lot longer since you have a lot less left to lose. It helps to keep in mind that surgeons are often going off of their own patient statistics when they say things like "most people" experience or do this or that, rather than their assessment of your personal progress. It doesn't mean you will fall short of your goal just because other people have. Congratulations on a 100 lb loss! That's a huge accomplishment for sure! Can't wait til I'm in your place!

So you are about 3 weeks postop. Are you on soft foods? At that point for me I was getting in only maybe 500-550 calories. Try eating a little less if you aren't able to get any exercise. Remember this also: you are still healing from major surgery. Everyone is different. Some lose a lot in the beginning and others hold onto it a little longer. It's not a reflection of what things will be like further out. Besides, could you have lost 11 lbs in 3 weeks without surgery? Look at it that way.

Not at this point. I took Tylenol cold, Sudafed, and a dextromethorphan/guaifenesin cough medicine (not all at once lol) during my 2 week cold and had absolutely no problem with any of them.

I'm going to have to agree with Endless80. A lot of people don't lose the desire to eat or even overeat. I wasn't hungry for about 4 weeks postop, then the hunger started to come back. It's not as voracious as it used to be, but it's still there and I still need to be vigilant. The sleeve is a great tool if used properly. I have been by no means perfect in my diet post-sleeve, and still managed to lose 68 lbs in less than 5 months. Went from a size 24/22 to a 12! Others have lost faster than me, sure, but I am so proud of my accomplishments thus far. You can't compare yourself to anyone else because everyone is different. But if I overeat at one meal or eat something I shouldn't, I make up for it later in the day or the next day by eating less. I also bust my butt at the gym 6 days a week. Every day is a new day and I don't beat myself up about it. The sleeve did help change my mindset in some way - I am more confident in my ability to lose this weight and keep it off. I feel more in control of my actions and decisions. That was something Weight Watchers could never do for me. I'll say this about Weight Watchers - At its best it's not designed for obese people. At its worst it is designed to keep members paying their dues (ie: still on the diet) for life. It sounds cynical but they are a multimillion dollar business. Their business is to make money, not to make people healthier. I have yet to meet more than one or two people who have lost weight on WW and managed to keep it off. The vast majority yo-yo and keep going back to the plan. It's a vicious cycle. The sleeve surgery and the sleeve diet - high Protein, low carb and exercise are much more effective tools for obese people to lose weight and keep it off (gastric bypass, too). But like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it. As for hair loss - I lost some at about 3 1/2 - 4 months postop. I still am shedding a little more than usual but it's pretty much normalized now. The trauma of surgery causes the hair loss, though it's a delayed reaction. You will still be regrowing new hairs to replace it, but for most people the falling out outpaces the growth. It's very temporary. The best ways to help speed it along and maybe loose less are to eat at least 70 g protein a day and you can take Biotin supplements. I take 5000 mcg a day. Good luck!

Well chili is not very dense. I'm also 4 months post op and I imagine if I sat there long enough I'd be able to eat a can of chili. I'm working again on only taking 20 minutes to eat a meal. What I don't finish in 20 minutes doesn't get eaten! You're lucky you haven't felt hungry. My hunger subsided for about 4 weeks after surgery and then it reared its ugly head again. When I eat enough Protein and eat frequently it's more manageable. Even at its worst, it is better than it used to be pre-op. Anyway every once in a while slip ups happen, don't beat yourself up about it. The next day is always a new day.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. :: HUGS :: My mom has osteopenia and she's not good about taking her calcium. Unfortunately, as you know, it doesn't help everyone. Losing weight will definitely put less pressure on your joints, so it's great that you are dedicating yourself to VSG and all the life changes that come with it. Wishing you well!

I was diagnosed 2 months before surgery, started using the c-pap about a month before. Usually they say use it for 30 days prior to surgery but that's up to you and your surgeon and (possibly) anesthesiologist to weigh the risks of going ahead with your current date. There is a higher risk of complication with extubation right after surgery if you have untreated sleep apnea. I think it depends on how bad your apnea is. Hopefully on monday you'll have an answer. But no worries, getting diagnosed properly and starting CPAP treatment will greatly improve your life and help with your surgery recovery! I am 4 months post-op, 66 lbs lost and I switched to an autopap machine because I don't even need level 4 anymore. My sleep doc estimates another 15-20 lbs and I won't need treatment anymore!

I concur, I also love reading your posts. Congratulations on your immense success!

Our IT guy brought in reeses peanut butter mini cups and hersheys kisses today. GRRRRR!!!!

I always wondered how many of those contestants succeeded in keeping the weight off after a few years. If the author's interviews showed around 85-90% of the contestants regained some or all of their excess weight then that seems to be totally in line with the other weight loss (without surgical intervention) studies. Guess the echo of Jillian Michaels shouting in your ear fades over time... If only it were that simple

At 8 weeks out any grains or simple carbs felt like bombs in my stomach. What has your caloric intake been like? Your Protein? A stall is to be expected with your time frame. What I did to beat it was to keep tracking the food, upping the protein and eating less carbs, and exercising and within a week I was losing again. You'll get past this!

No offense but your post is pure, unadulterated nuttery. What studies can you point to that corroberate anything you said? Quack Science journal doesn't count as a source. I work in clinical science and know nonsense when I see it. H Pylori requires antibiotic treatment. Period. Yes Metronidazole sucks majorly as a drug - has horrible side effects - but the alternative is development of ulcers which are way worse than 2 weeks of nausea brought on by drug treatment.

H. Pylori is not uncommon. Good thing they found it and now you'll get the treatment you need. H. Pylori is what causes ulcers, and those you don't want while healing from surgery!

Congrats! I went to Six Flags about a month and a half ago and was still kind of freaking out about being too heavy - but I wasn't and I had a great time! You look lovely BTW. Keep up the awesome work!

Sounds like you are the sort of lady who has always cared for everyone else but yourself. I applaud you for taking steps to improve your life, and wish you continued success in your journey. But, as others have suggested, you are being way too hard on yourself. Self-love is a critical part of this process. Obesity isn't simply about lack of willpower or lack of desire for health. If it was that simple, we wouldn't need WLS. In varying degrees we are all fighting a battle against hormones and genetics. It's a very difficult battle but the odds become less insurmountable with tools such as VSG.

I'm a big fan of ordering off the appetizers menu nowadays. But I agree that restaurants are overfeeding us with fat, sugar and salt because that's how they keep customers coming. It's an addictive combination and they know it.

15 lbs in 3 weeks is great. Don't doubt yourself. You are still healing so be prepared for the weight to fluctuate a little while longer. What may help also is to not weigh yourself more than once a week!

Lipstick - I tip my hat to you. Stupendous work! I am in awe and very inspired!

I would say since my sleeve surgery I have desired snacking more than before. I guess it's because I can't eat much at one time as I used to. I try my best to log every calorie I eat because it keeps me on track and aware, which keeps me in control.

Since I am approaching the halfway point to goal it's been hard to let go of the clothes, especially the more expensive clothes. Not gonna lie I sent 3 of my suit pants to be altered rather than buy a bunch of new ones because it was cheaper. Some of the shirts I tapered myself. If I wasn't living paycheck to paycheck maybe I'd spring for more at this point now that I am down more than 4 sizes. But my plan is to start buying things when I'm down to non-plus sizes (I'm a 12/14 now so almost there)! Think of the old clothes as flotsam or jetsam. This time your weight loss journey will be a successful one so no need to continue to carry the needless baggage.