Teachamy

Hi all, Just wanted to share that I am nearing my goal and feeling great! I may go a little lower than my goal, I am not sure, but 6 pounds from now I will be a "normal" BMI for my height and readying myself to post before and after pics. BTW, I bought some size 8 white jeans a few days ago. Never thought I'd see a size 8!!!! Good luck to all of you! Keep the faith. We can all do this.

And you look REALLY fabulous! Way to go!

It depends on how far you are out from surgery. Initially, I wasn't able to eat more than 1/4 c. when I tried. Remember, just because you CAN eat it doesn't mean you SHOULD. If you are eating small cups of yogurt, use that as a measurement. Allow yourself time before you drink so the food doesn't just wash through you. You want yourself to be nourished from the food you eat.

My last 10 pounds are coming off slowly. I started at 210. But I am doing what I should, and weighing only every 2.5-3 weeks or so, so I don't drive myself crazy. You broke your foot, there isn't anything you can do about that. But track everything you eat and follow your plan to the best of your ability. It is not a race--you will lose. You can do this!

I like "FOCUS". Thank you, Alex!

Looking good, lady! Keep up the good work!

My doctor told me nail polish remover.

I am not sure I would call this transition an easy one, at least initially. Even though I was prepared for EVERYTHING, it was still a shock that I felt like I had the flu and couldn't believe I had done this to myself. That lasts a few days. Then the fatigue is sort of shocking--it takes most people a few weeks at least to overcome it. Then it gets progressively better every day--the more nutrients you get to eat, the better you feel. And as the weight starts to fall off, you will remember why you made this decision. My biggest word of advice is to throw your scale away. Stay off it. Many people obsess about a number and obsess about weighing themselves. There will be times when your weight will plateau, by no fault of your own, and if you stick to your bariatric team's plan, you will continue to lose eventually. That's how weight loss works, it won't always be a continuous downward loss. I weigh no more often than once every 2 weeks at my bariatric center. Their scale is properly calibrated, and I always see a loss. If you weigh every day (or several times a day as some people do) you will not see a dramatic dip. Good luck.

OOH OOH! You look Fabu!

I added Benefiber to everything that I ate or drank. When that didn't work, I used Miralax. (Which didn't cause cramping.) Now that I am almost 7 months out, I use several gummy supplements a day, and make sure I am getting in my recommended Water. I also drink 1-2 c. of coffee a day, which helps a lot.

If I might barf if i eat one more bite, I know I've hit my limit.

Yes. And you're probably not taking in very many calories. Make sure you are drinking protein shakes if they're allowed for you.

Go RJ! Hot stuff!

Thanks to some of the vets for posting. I have been thinking a lot about it, and I don't plan to stay in the 150's. I am currently a size 10-12, and I'd much rather be in the 8-10 range. Or even 6. Yes, maybe it is "vanity weight", but it's my body and I want to feel like I have reached the milestone I have set for myself. Thanks especially to you, CowgirlJane

I miss hearing from vets on this page. I get a lot of nice advice from newbies and those who are pre-op, but I wish I could hear from those of you I remember and recognize. People who are going through what I am going through right now.

I appreciate this, thanks. My goals have been shifting slightly. As it turns out, I am only 5'4", so a "normal" BMI for me is 145. I know it sounds like I am hyper-focused on a number, but I am not the type to weigh every day. I weigh every 2 weeks or so, and it has never been a focus of mine until now that I am so near goal.

I You may get a number of replies to your post and ultimately all are most likely somewhat right and somewhat wrong. When two experts have different opinions in this situation, their opinion is based on experience. You need to view each opinion as right and ultimately listen to what your body is telling you, within the parameters of the experts you are utilizing. Personally I think you need to get to the place you feel most comfortable with yourself. It's not necessarily a number. Currently you don't know what 140 will feel like. The only potential problem with what I'm saying is if you are at a point of being obsessed with a number OOPS! SORRY! LET ME SEE IF I CAN GET THIS RIGHT! (See below)

Do you track your calories on an app like My Fitness Pal? It should help you keep track of what you're eating and if you're meeting your nutrition goals.

Initially, my center said 600-800 calories a day. 60+ grams of Protein, under 60 grams of carbs, 8 glasses of Water. Now that I am nearly 7 months out, they have told me 900 calories a day.

Hello all, Here I am, all 156 pounds of me. Feeling happy, successful, filled with energy and health. (Have I mentioned lately I have normal cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, blood sugar, no sleep apnea, etc.???) I am proud of my success thus far, and feel confident if I continue to maintain the status quo as I was taught, I will have the ability to lose my final 16 pounds. Now that I am getting close to a normal BMI, I find my 2 NUTS telling me 2 different things, and I am wondering exactly how I will proceed from here. First, let me say that my research into this surgery and what it could do for my autoimmune issues was pretty extensive. I looked at medical trials, I talked to every doctor I have (and I have many) about the possibilities for this surgery. I took a risk, and it has paid off. That being said, I am certainly not professing to be a doctor or an RD, but I feel I know my body, and I don't see 140 pounds as an unachievable or unhealthy, nor do I see it as some sort of panacea. I'd like a normal BMI. Call me crazy. I have low muscle tone at the moment, skinny little fingers, small feet. I am not big boned or overly muscular, so a few extra pounds isn't masking anything. Yet, my dietitian (and CDE) who I love and trust has told me I am a perfect weight right now. And a new bariatric center dietitian who sees my weight as slowing down (despite the fact that the least I've ever lost is 3 pounds over a 2 week period) tells me to shoot for 145. I dunno. I see my long-trusted dietitian in a week, and she is planning to start me on maintenance. I figure we can talk about it, but I also plan to work on losing more. I will be up front with her, but man I'm the good kid who follows the rules. It will be hard to tell her no, not yet. Anyone else stuck in a goal dilemma? Best, Amy

I have decided to start asking people what they weigh when they ask me about my weight. What an excellent idea! Should make people understand what it feels like to be a WLS loser. (And it's good for my research into the evil minds of others...Mwa haa haa...)

I use straws every day. I am typically a rule follower, but in this instance, I find it much easier to get in my Water with a straw. Wait until your sleeve is healed (about 3 months) and give it a try. If it bothers you, or you find it fills your tummy with air, don't do it. I have met many people who also have no problems with straws.

You're doing a lot of exercise for so early out! Because your calories must still be very low, you are not taking in enough calories for the amount of exercise you are doing. Although it may seem counterproductive, I would recommend slowing down the exercise regimen until you can take in enough fuel for your body. You are in starvation mode right now and your body is fighting you to hold on to everything it can. I would recommend using My Fitness Pal to keep track of calories and Protein, It helps a lot. Take it slow, get in your protein and Water, and you'll see the pounds come off.

My bariatric center dietician ( a new one, as of today) has told me to shoot for 145, rather than 140, and to eat no less than 900 calories a day. She says if I go below that, I won't be able to maintain the loss...I disagree. My diabetic dietician ( love and trusted for 10 + yrs.) has said, "hear me tell you that you can "shoot" for whatever goal you want, but 160-155 is a good weight." I am still overweight on the BMI charts I have seen, so I am going by that. I will not be a "normal" weight until I get to 149. Lots of confusing info. from the folks who are supposed to know about this stuff!

I see a lot of people talking about "curves" and I guess this question must have a lot to do with body type. The only "curves" I ever had were my breasts (which are tolerable) and my butt-in-the-front.(so NOT cute!) So since I don't have hips or a butt to speak of, skinny is just fine with me!