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Maybe the weather will be good enough for a nice walk! :-)

If you weigh daily, how long do you wait to "claim" a new, lower number on the scale? I notice that sometimes my weight goes down and then it will fluctuate a bit over the next couple of days before the new number is established. I am wondering this mostly as related to entering a lower weight into MyFitnessPal (for my own purposes only). Thanks!

I read on here a LOT that if someone has a higher BMI to start, that he or she will almost automatically lose more quickly than someone with a lower BMI. This has actually made me feel a little bit worse about my relatively low rate of loss because I started (and am still at) a higher BMI. Anyhow, I am wondering if anyone who has made this observation can point to any scientific studies showing that this is the case? I asked my RD about it, and she said with her patients, the ONLY time she has sometimes seen this theory hold true is in a bigger guy who has lots of muscle mass (in addition to fat). She said it's not even always true in this type of patient. I'm not being critical of anyone who has made this statement about high BMIers automatically losing more quickly, but usually it seems like those who are referencing it have lower BMIs and are talking about their own weight loss being slower than they would like. Obviously my heart goes out to anyone, high or low BMI, who is losing more slowly than we would like or more slowly than others seem to be. On a completely different topic, another thing that I've wondered about with people who lose really quickly--sometimes it seems like that happens at times in people who didn't have a really healthy diet before surgery--like those who drank a 1,000 or more calories/day in sugar soda alone or ate lots of processed stuff. Obviously no one here, including me, had a perfect diet before surgery, or we wouldn't have needed surgery--but I think some of us just tend to gain more easily (especially if hypothyroid) even on a fairly healthful diet, and that's part of how we ended up being overweight or obese. So those who had a super-unhealthy diets who cut out sugar, processed carbs, increase Water and Protein dramatically due to surgery--they may see a more dramatic fast weight loss, especially right after surgery. They are shocking their bodies more than someone who comes from a baseline that is somewhat closer to a healthy eating plan, if that makes sense. No science behind this btw--just anecdotal in having read a lot of posts and blogs. I would love to hear from low BMIers who have had fairly rapid weight loss and high BMIers who feel their weight loss has been slower than average. My surgery was on Feb 5, so about 7 weeks out. I have lost about 20 lbs post op and 18-20 lbs in a 6-month medically supervised diet before that. Though my loss is slower than others, I am going in the right direction! And 7 weeks vs 6 months to lose 20 lbs is a vast improvement. Even if I go at my own pace, I know that I am headed in the right direction and my goals are attainable. Again, I want to emphasize that I'm not trying to start a low vs high BMI war here or something--I think we all have the same types of struggles and successes. I want everyone to succeed and be happy! The goal here is to increase a sharing of information so that if there are some myths floating about we can understand others' situations better and not necessarily make assumptions/generlizations. Or maybe the assumptions are true and I'm the exception. Would love to hear others' perspectives and observations on this topic. Thanks!

I'm glad that you've come to a decision that brings you peace. That is all you really can ask for. You have to do what is right for you. Wishing you the best of luck.

What is your BMI, if you don't mind me asking?

Hurray! Congratulations, Bunny!

So inspirational--congratulations !!

Sending positive thoughts! I'm sure that everything will go great! The anticipation is the worst part. Soon that will be behind you and you will be on your journey to a new, healthier life.

Love all the lace inlay stuff this season--great find in your closet...and the price was right! The white pants sound great too!

Definitely...that is a very good problem to have! congratulations!!

Way to go!

Try different temperatures of water--warm drinks may go down more easily than cold ones. or even room temp water. Try for at least 40 oz of water but get more if you can--68 ounces or more. You might want to try little disposable shot glasses and drink 1 ounce as frequently as you can. I also never really liked G2 or Propel before my surgery but came to like them during clear liquids. Sometimes better if you dilute them. Does your doctor want you to get in protein, too, like Isopure clear?

Like Brandy, I was approved quickly too once I finished the requirements--1 day! Some people don't have the 6-month requirement but it seems like their approval process takes forever. I liked how it worked out for me with this process.

I have Highmark BCBS and had to do the 6-month pre-op medical appt's and supervised diet. At first I was a little disappointed to learn of the requirement, but in the end it really ended up being a good thing. I felt really prepared and mentally ready once my surgery date arrived. I also lost close to 20 lbs on the pre-op diet so got a good jump start. Even though I feel like I lose a lot more slowly than others with the sleeve, looking at the rate of loss pre-op on a supervised diet and exercise plan vs post-op, it makes me very happy about having the sleeve as a tool. Hang in there--the time will go quickly! Just don't miss any appt's in a given calendar month, or you will have to start over! So I always tried to make my appt's at the beginning of the month, so if I or my dr or RD needed to reschedule, there would be some more time to get on the schedule books before the month was over. Good luck!

Actually getting in protein as early on as you can after surgery is very important, according to my surgeon. He says that the biggest reason for hair loss later on is not getting enough protein the first 2 weeks. Protein is essential to the healing process. Also, protein shakes/powders are very bio-available, so your body does not need to do much to break it down (that's actually why Protein shakes are discouraged vs solid food protein sources later on, according to my medical team). My surgeon does encourage Fluid first and then protein during the first couple of weeks bc fluid is so essential, but protein is important too. This is just my experience based on my surgeon's advice--everyone is different! But I wanted to share another perspective.

The most important things I did were increasing my water and protein. I am a vegetarian and was eating plenty of healthful fruits and veggies but some days I was probably getting 20-30 go of protein. I started logging my food and getting 60-80 g of protein, which naturally made me eat fewer carbs too. I would say getting in the habit of logging your food intake is really important too.

I was just thinking how some people I know have questioned my going on vacation to Mexico! To resort towns like Cancun and Cabo, which are totally safe. They aren't border towns known for drug violence, and I am always safe/smart when I travel. I think there are a lot of misperceptions both about Mexico (which is a lovely country with lovely people) and this surgery.

You look great! Is your BMI in normal range now? How do you feel?

Well, that was some great aversion therapy, but I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this! Hope you feel better very soon.

Who here has enjoyed the NSV of closet-shopping? I tried on some coats and suits that I had purchased on clearance a while back as "mini-goal" clothes and they fit great! They all still had the tags on them. They were great deals (like an Anne Klein suit coat and a pretty winter coat that makes me glad we still have snow here, actually). When I bought them, it seemed like just a dream that I might be able to wear them someday. I lost 20 lbs during a 6-month pre-op period and 20 lbs (as of today) since my VSG in early Feb. I am thinking for a couple of the better pieces, when I lose more I might actually get them tailored so I can wear a while longer. Has anyone else done this? What fun outfits have you found lately in your own closet?

How much have you lost so far?

PS--do you have an incentive spirometer or pickle to do breathing exercises? Definitely use that 10x/hour (not all at once--as my surgeon says, "that's hyperventilating"). It definitely will help. The breathing issues were one of my major discomforts after surgery. Felt like I couldn't take a full breath, and made it harder to walk, but I forced myself. The respiratory therapist and nurse told me to concentrate on taking deep breaths from my abdomen even when not using the breathing devices. Also, make sure your bed isn't reclined too much when you are in bed, bc that can affect your breathing too.

Day 2 is the WORST! The PA at my surgeon's office told us to expect that...she literally said you will feel absolutely terrible the day after (in my case, I could have Water and a popsicle after the swallow test--but I was so dehydrated until then--kept slathering on chapstick and wiping my face with disposable facial wipes). In my case, the PA was correct. She advised walking as much as possible, which did help. Congratulations on your sleeve. I hope that you heal quickly! Tomorrow will definitely be better.

Ms AntiBand, will your daughter's insurance cover her in Mexico, or is she going to self pay and not use her insurance? Just curious....

You look lovely! Keep up the great work and congratulations!!