Chris R

As of today, I've lost 100.6 lbs since I first began my gastric surgery program on May 5, 2012. I lost 60 lbs in 9 months pre-surgery. I've lost 40 in the 9 weeks since surgery on my 50th birthday, February 12, 2013.

I feel more restriction now, 9 weeks out, than I did at 3 weeks out. I'm no longer using Protein Shakes regularly, though I do occasionally add unflavored Protein powder to a smoothie when I need to get a little more protein in. I shoot for about 35% protein, 35% carbs, and 30% fats, and under 1000 calories per day.

I still have a long way to go - another 200 lbs to goal - but I feel confident that I will get there. I never used to think I wanted surgery to lose weight, but after losing up to 85 lbs at a stretch at least 3 times before in my life, and then gaining it all back again, plus more each time, I'm glad I made this decision and found a tool that will help me keep this up for the long haul!

I'd rather be 'fat fat' than 'one of those REALLY obese women...

*sarcasm*

My surgeon said NO Nsaids after surgery BUT he did say that I MAY be able to take the Meloxicam that I took before 6 months after surgery, if I can tolerate it and have no other issues. I think in general they don't want you to take anything that could irritate your much smaller stomach lining, which Nsaids do.

I'm 9 weeks out, on phase 5, where I can eat whatever I can tolerate. I haven't had any foods that gave me a problem - no dumping, sliming, vomiting. I did notice today after a couple of bites from a turkey club that the bacon was not sitting well. Not making me sick, just a little stomach turning. I took the bacon off (hubby ate it). I only ate half of my half-sandwich before I'd had enough.

I'm getting 800-1000 calories a day, and have lost 38 lbs in the 9 weeks since surgery.

I was 450 when I started the program, lost 60 lbs in 9 months pre-op, and have lost 38 more in 9 weeks post-op. I feel confident that I will be able to reach my goal of 150, a 300 lb total loss. The sleeve is a great tool, you just have to follow the directions!

Grow up' date=' you just proved my point and I am sure there will be planty more doing just that as well. lol. I have just as much right as anyone else on this site and do not need the hypocritical BS you and your evil minions like to spew out at everyone!! [/quote']

I give up. I guess that's what I get for trying to be nice... but it seems like you just enjoy stirring the pot.

*ignore*

Thank you! So did I' date=' I guess you are a coordinator too huh? lol[/quote']

If you are under stress from your surgery and don't need the BS you're getting, there is an off button.

I had to stop reading by page 7

This did nothing but prove to me that fat (I mean seriously obese) people have some bigger issues than those of us with lower BMI's. Just the idea that anyone would hijack Rollargirls thread and call her a b*tch and telling her she needs mental help is absolutely disgusting.

I have also witnessed first hand some of the more obese women attempting to bully me on this site with snarky' date=' rude "I know more than you" attitudes. Bleck.

I would hope that anyone over a 40 BMI would get their own line of mental help for why they ate themselves into oblivion. While a few of us are struggling at the 200 lb mark, we sure didn't AVOID the inevitable by allowing ourselves to get to 300, 400 or 500 lbs.

I am with Aphrodite...this thread needs to be buried very deep and a bonfire started on top.[/quote']

Thanks for belittling and insulting all of us who ever reached 300+ lbs. Just what we need - yet another person pointing out how fat we "allowed ourselves" to become. As one of the "more obese" women on here who has never bullied or been "snarky" toward anyone on this site, I am so delighted that you decided to spew your venom upon me.

I did take the time to read the entire thread. If you had bothered, maybe you would have seen that things had been resolved, and it was unneccessary to add further hurtful comments.

Lopez and Ortiz make hotel visits' date=' mainly to take out the drain and give instructions, but Dr. Lopez actually stays at the hotel on the weeks he is in TJ so he is easy to get ahold of after hours in case of an emergency through your coordinators... *Eduardo or Janese*[/quote']

Really sounds like you are very knowledgeable about the details of how this particular company works - like an employee would be? Makes it rather difficult to take what you say as unbiased. And there was absolutely NO reason to personally attack someone who was reporting their experience while 2000 miles away from home, alone, and scared without the support she needed.

No that's dumping

I thought that was FAST loosing...

I think many doctors push the RNY because its an older procedure and more long term data is available. From my research ( which is extensive by the way) people with very very high BMI's like those people who have to break down a wall to get out of their houses...well they use the sleeve as step 1 of 2 surgeries. Step 2 being the RNY. From what I understand' date=' they do the sleeve first so they can get to a safer weight in order for the RNY to be performed. Does your surgeon have more experience with RNY's than Sleeves? Maybe this is why he is pushing you in that direction...[/quote']

I agree with this. I think the sleeve, being newer and less "proven", tends to be more comfortable for the surgeon, and I suppose you can't blame them for wanting to go the more familiar route. As far a "statistical" success, my surgeon told me average was 70% rny, 60% sleeve for excess weight lost - but "average" means some lose 100%, some may lose none! It all depends on your commitment and how you work it. For me, the lower complication rate and fewer problems in general post-surgery, choosing sleeve over rny was a no-brainer. The other argument was rny 'curing' diabetes. I have been off all of my diabetes meds since surgery and sugar levels are great!

Not particularly.

Just playing

I was at 257 before vsg surgery then went down to 150. I am six months pregnant and I was super shocked!!! I was about to have my Tummy Tuck the day before I found out! I don't even look pregnant just fat from my.loose stomach skin. I'm back to 180-184 and really nervous I won't be able to loose after! I'm trying my best to eat low carb with lots of veggies and fruits which was ok'd by my obgyn. Did anyone else not look preggo and has gained about 20-25 lbs??? None of my clothes fit. I totally blame a lot on my loose skin as well.

Breast feeding really helps take off post-pregnancy weight - not to mention the excellent benefits for the baby! Congratulations!

My NUT tools me that people often hit a stall when they reach a weight that they stayed at for a while on the way up - like their body recognizes a familiar place and wants to linger there. As others have said, she said to mix things up when a stall hits.

You all suck. There now everyone's even!

You wish...

I've seen this question posed on here several times, but have never really seen a good answer to it. Today I had my 2-month follow-up with my NUT, and lo and behold, she shared a recent article from "The Bariatric Times" addressing that very question. I'll post the link, but the bottom line was for the first year post-op, keep carbs under 90 grams, and after 1 year under 130 grams.

http://bariatrictimes.com/recommended-levels-of-carbohydrate-after-bariatric-surgery/

Enjoy!

food addiction. It really does exist. Maybe some can't understand it. However, I think it's harder to overcome than any other type of addiction, because you can't give up eating cold turkey - you HAVE to eat to live!

How easy would it be for a drug addict to overcome it if they still had to take some of the drugs every day?

Well, the rule of thumb is you need a 500 calorie per day deficit to lose 1 lb per week. So if you generally require let's say 2000 calories a day to maintain your weight, if you ate 750 calories a day you should lose an average of 2.5 lbs per week in the long run.

For those of you that are experiencing stalls' date=' please list your starting weight and when you experienced your stall. I have a sneaky suspicion on what causes these stalls, but need a little input before I spout off.

I'll go first - I was sleeved on 2/22 and have not experienced a stall yet (keeping fingers crossed). My starting weight was 335. I am not 298. If you are uncomfortable listing your weight, your BMI will also work.[/quote']

I was 450 when I started my program, 394 5 days before surgery which was 2/12, and have been stalled between 355 and 359 for the last 10 days.

I am wondering if anybody else's nut put them on solids at 6 weeks? I have been able to eat a lot of different things just a heck of a lot less. I'm still not getting in Protein or Water the way I am supposed to. Well as far as the protein I need it's a financial thing. And I can't stand the powders tastes like chalk! I'm lost I was 306 at my 2 week visit and at my 6 week I was 275 now 270. I'm a supper slow loser and right now I am feeling lost!!! I was sleeved 2-5-13. Any alternate suggestions or answers would really be appreciated. Thanks for letting me vent!

31 lbs in 4 weeks is "super slow"? That's almost 8 lbs a week - over a pound a day! Don't get unrealistic in your expectations - you're doing amazingly well!!!

fa·ce·tious [fuh-see-shuhs] Show IPA

adjective

1.

not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark.

I knew it was facetious. I like that word although it would have killed me in a spelling bee.

I've been told that it's the only word in the English language that contains all five vowels in order. And if you make it 'facetiously', you can also count the "sometimes y".

I regret it. First of all the recovery was awful. I am going to have to have further tests and surgery which I can't afford. Complications are enormous. I don't know how this surgery is even allowed it is prehistoric. Cut and staple. What could go wrong. Only everything. I am glad I did this though for one reason. Now I know the truth and can move forward. Too much hype on this one. I can eat like before and I'm always hungry after the sleeve empties. I am starting week 7. I had 2 whole pieces of cheese pizza back to back. I chewed slow and waited than an hour later a TV dinner. This is ridiculous. Oh yeah hope you like tea. Lots and lots and lots of tea. Get a few barrels on tap. Lots of pain and almost null weight loss for me so far. I'm one of those guys that eats what's available. I don't have the money or ability to specialty shop. I had this surgery for appetite suppression and restriction. It failed. The only weight I lost was when I was on liquids. I could of done that for less than 500.00. And a few weeks at a hotel. Gee whiz. What a scam.

Who did your surgery? Where? I read about someone else on here who also felt no restriction and was always hungry - and when another surgeon checked them out, nearly their entire original stomach had been left intact. They had it revised and are having great success with it now.

Wow! That's amazing! You look so young - may I ask your age? My 19-year old son is working toward this surgery but having a hard time losing the necessary pre-op weight. He started at 475 last May, and has lost 23 lbs. He needs to lose 15 more before he can have the surgery. I'm 2 months out. Lost 60 pre-op and 33 post so far.

Everyone I work with has been very supportive. If you're generally an open person, go for it!

I had my surgery ON my 50th birthday - couldn't even have water! But the way I look at it, it's probably going to be the best birthday gift ever!

Hmmm... purees for a birthday? What about plain Greek yogurt flavored with chocolate Protein powder? And a candle, of course!