AggieSleever

Maybe it is fro things changing or moving, but I was just wondering why my knees and hips picked now to start aching. After I've she'd 50 lbs and made it easier for them?!?

I'm almost embarrassed to say that I haven't been working out, so that's not the culprit. I'm too scared to go to the gym. I have an enormous fear of being laughed at. Like a paralyzing fear...

I'm hoping the more weight I lose, the less the aching will continue.

Thanks for your reply. I'm inspired by your motivation!

I might be... it's just strange that I ache while at rest vs. before I didn't. I wasn't sure if it was a lack of Vitamins, Protein, etc...

Since embarking on this journey 3.5 months ago, I've lost almost 50 lbs (don't judge, I'm a slow loser!)... Only now, my hips and knees are aching all the time!

Anyone have any aches/pains since LOSING weight?? I thought with 50 lbs less, I would be having less pain.

Thoughts?

Y'all are awesome! Thank you for the suggestions. I'm open to try anything... I'm going to see my surgeon's office next week, so I definitely will discuss.

Very keen @@FrankiesGirl, yes, I'm an Aggie and a TX girl!

I'm trying all these ideas!

Hi all! I'm 2.5 months out from being sleeved (SW- 265)... I'm just not getting my Protein in. I've tried multiple (and if anyone wants the lbs and lbs of powder with 1 scoop used, I'll happily send it to get it out of my kitchen) MULTIPLE Protein powders. Both plain and flavored. I can't find any that I don't gag after 2 sips. I'm not sure if it's a texture thing or what...

Anyhow, I maybe get 20-30g of protein a day... And yes, I know that's way too low. I'm at my wits end on what to do. I eat as often as I can. However, I can't even consume 1/3rd of a chicken breast before reaching the puke point. I've tried softer things (cottage cheese, tuna, yogurt, etc...) but it's still at about the 1/3 cup point that I start to get that full feeling.

I'm looking for ANY suggstions. No, I haven't talked to my NOT because I don't have one. My insurance doesn't cover it and my surgeon's office doesn't have one.

Any suggestions for protein boost??

Thanks!

@@AlliSan33 I tried the chocolate splendor with a banana half. It tasted good, but about 3 drinks in, I got the usual nausea. These Protein Shakes ARE stressing me out!! Good luck and keep up the good Protein drinking!

Thank you ALL!!

@@centlove8, I took a deep breath... I'm absolutely beating myself up. Nice meeting you too!

@A New KK holy cow! You work out six days a week?!? That's impressive! I'm striving to be you! I've GOT to get moving! I can feel a difference in my clothing, but only on certain days. Other days, I feel the same... keeping moving, you're doing awesome!!

I have unjury unflavored powder. I've mixed it once in mashed potatoes, but it sat like a brick in my stomach. That was early in the pureed stage though...

What all do you mix it with??

I can't find ANY shakes that I like... I've tried multiple recommended from reading the comments on various topics here. Every time I try any shake, I get excruciatingly nauseated. I'm getting so frustrated...

But thank you all for the advice and comments. I don't feel as much of a failure now.

What you are experiencing is completely normal. Plus, your hormones are going to be whacky for a while which will influence your mood which doesn't help.

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the weight loss process. Most everyone experiences their first loss at about three weeks post-op.

Just follow your program. Make sure you are getting in all of your Protein and fluids every day, take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed, and exercise.

If the numbers on the scale are going to drive you crazy, then consider weighing infrequently.

Embrace the Stall!

http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Well, I'm beginning to see, from the responses and what I've been reading, that this is normal. Oh boy are you correct in that the hormones are WACKY! I'm not a hugely emotional person, and I pride myself in being able to keep it together, but I had a full-on ugly crying meltdown for no good reason the other day. I freaked my husband out, but it kind of felt good (in a strange way) to cry.

Thank you for the encouragement!

Same thing happened to me. Don't even worry about it. It's normal.

Not that I'm happy it happened to you as well, but it is so comforting to know it happened to someone else as well! Thank you for letting me know!

Breathe and find the post called "Embrace the stall." EVERYONE stalls somewhere around three weeks or so. I stalled at 4 1/2 weeks. Hide the scale, take your measurements instead, focus on your eating. You aren't eating enough Protein and that is vital. There's no way that you can gain 3 lbs of fat with what you posted. What you gained is Water weight as your body freaks out from the sudden loss. It's all part of the process.

Yes, I need to remember to breathe! I'm bad about getting all worked up and down on myself. I'm trying to get the protein but it's been slow-going. I keep thinking there's no way I could gain 3 lbs of fat eating next to nothing. Thank you for your boost!

Welcome to the club! I live in an area where there is no support groups either and the forums are so helpful. What you are feeling is soooooo normal. I am feeling that way right now as I type. Emotions are all over the place. Most importantly, get into the habit of Eating your protein first....the beef out of your taco. If you have any room left, eat the veg or cheese. The taco shell and ritz crackers should be last or avoided all together (processed carbs). Good luck and hang in there!

Do you rely on this site for support? I didn't think I would need a "support group" at first, but I'm really wishing there was one around me now. I have been trying to eat protein first. It's definitely a different school of thought for me. The Ritz crackers came out of shaky desperation at work. I was hungry, shaking (from low blood sugar I guess), and I stupidly overslept and couldn't prepare any lunch to bring with me. Thank you for the good luck wishes. Good luck to you!

Totally agree with the others about the fact that you're in a stall, and read that post that Inner Surfer Girl wrote.

But have to point out that your eating crackers or taco shells (soft or hard) at just a month out is also a danger, and makes me wonder what else you're eating that is very bad. You should not be eating simple carbs - bread, crackers, Pasta - at this point. And ritz crackers are carb bombs with absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever - even if you only ate two of them, they are bad for you and should be eaten very occasionally and months and months from now. Eating crap food this early in the game just means you don't have the right tools and mindset to help you work the sleeve (and I blame your doc for that if they didn't give you a good guideline of what you should be eating at each point in your journey!).

Strangely, if you eat too little, that can also cause your body to hang onto every last pound due to starvation mode. It will eventually start back with weight loss, but it will be loss of muscle, not fat! So try to up your calories by eating more protein and healthy foods, and get some good ideas for healthy meal options down and you should be okay.

This board is great for support, so definitely vent, ask questions and do lots of research!

High protein yogurt (there are many low carb versions; I like Kroger's carbmaster brand), canned tuna fish or chicken with a little light mayo and a green onion chopped up, baked fish like swai fillets seasoned with any variety of spices, Fairlife or Mootopia milk (lower carb, high protein milk)... there are so many things you could be eating that are going to be high protein and low carb.

Save the crackers for many months from now (and try to find low carb or at least the whole wheat versions then), and concentrate on protein and healthy veggies. There are tons of great recipes here if you and also out in the googlesphere - search for sleeve diet recipes or similar. I'm sure you'll find some ideas that will taste good and be way better for you.

It's early days yet. Don't panic - you're not a failure. Just focus on the liquids, the right foods and exercising, and you'll do great.

Crackers are on my "list" (given to me by the crappy doctor) of soft/mushy foods that I can eat. They say whole wheat crackers (which, the Ritz were wheat, but that doesn't make them any better) on their list. While I try not to bad mouth the doctor, I will say, they suck at support and they suck at getting patients ready.

I've made a board on Pinterest and have started collecting high protein, low carb recipes to try. I'm just not very good at cooking.

Thank you for the help! I consider myself a "self-sufficient" person, but I am really benefiting from you and others' wisdom here!

@@AggieSleever - just wanted to add make sure the broth is low sodium. try to get as much sodium out of your diet too. If it is near that TOM, that could also cause you to gain like usual.

What you are experiencing is VERY normal. Hide the scale, eat your protein, hydrate and try to get some kind of physical activity going if you haven't.

Patience young Sleever

I 110% need to get the physical activity going. I have a strange fear of failing at anything physical, so I've not let myself go there. It's weird, really, as I was an athlete in college, but once I gained my weight I became sacred to do anything physical because I would look silly or stupid. Thank you for that little reminder that I need to get moving!!

I stall at least once a month for a week or so. I am typing I am feeling the same way. Nov 18 I dropped to 189, then I gained a few pounds and just now got back to 189. I will lose for a week or so then stall for a week or two. It frustrates me to no end!!!! Please don't feel like your the only one!!! There are times when your mind needs to slow down and process what is happening. I am right here with you!!! If you would like to talk further please message me:)

Oh lordy, I'm going to be a wreck if this happens every month. I was excited that I had lost weight, but to see those 3 lbs come back on, I was crushed. It's like I took 3 steps back. I just hope this isn't all I'm going to lose!!!

Thank you ALL for your encouragement!

Thank you. The encouragement means a LOT as I'm at a low, LOW point.

I'm having real trouble getting Protein in. And I'm just hitting the Fluid goal, barely.

Thank you, again!

First, thank you all for your advice and replies! Sorry it took some time to get back. I should've listened to you all and my gut, but the crappy surgeon had a cancellation and I jumped at it. I'm 4 weeks post op.

The surgery went well. After the pre-surgery visit on holding, I didn't see me surgeon again. Still haven't... He has ARNPs do all his aftercare.

Looking back, I wish I would've gone with Puget Sound Bariatrics. They have quite the support system in place. Presently, I have none.

Thanks again all!!

And I shouldn't do this on my phone... Sleevers NOT sleepers!

Ok, I'm 4 weeks and 1 day out of the sleeve surgery. The first 3 weeks went well with 20 lbs lost. At 3 weeks, I became stuck at the SAME WEIGHT and from there have GAINED 3 more lbs... What in the FREAK?!? I eat virtually nothing. For example, today I had a babybel cheese round, 2 Ritz crackers, about 12 Oz of chicken broth (spread over 3 hours), and 1/3 of a shredded chicken taco with sprinkled cheese. And that was a LOT compared to what I've been eating. How in the name of baby Moses have I GAINED weight?!?

I REGRET this surgery and have from day one! What the crap have I done to myself?!?

Any experienced sleepers, please offer some guidance... I live in an area with NO support group, and my doctor sucks at support!

I'm mad. Disappointed. Regretful. And I feel like this is just another "fat girl failure" to add to my many! Is 20 lbs all I'm going to lose after cutting out 80-85% of my stomach??

Grrrrr.....

Thank everyone SO MUCH for the input!! I'm having a consultation with another surgeon tomorrow! I figure, at least I can get an idea of how another surgeon/staff approach the surgery and patient experience.

I did contact my insurance and they advised it is possible to switch; however, I will have to resubmit the paperwork for approval (AGAIN). But, I do understand that is necessary.

Again, thank you all so much for reminding me to "trust my gut".

Hi everyone! I'm up the the Seattle area and have a strange question... I've already done my pre-requisites, gotten insurance approval, but haven't set a date. They have given me the run around from day 1. There is NO support from their office. And they're quite rude if I have to contact them.

Here's the question: Is it possible to change surgeons?? From the beginning, I haven't liked the office/staff/doc that I've been dealing with. Something just doesn't feel right.

I've contacted another surgeon/office and they were AMAZING and SO HELPFUL. They are on my insurance!

I'm so nervous that changing will screw up insurance and they'll deny me. I just don't want to have this life-changing surgery with a less than stellar doctor and staff.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks Much!

I had my appointment on 7/7 with Dr Anwar. Let me know what you think about the process!

Wow. NO ONE has had surgery by these doctors or in the facility. That's alarming to me since I'm using this facility!

And, the fact that 49 people read this but NOT ONE left a comment makes me curious about even posting anything again...

Has anyone had any experience with St Francis Hospital Federal Way Weight Management program? Drs Haroon Anwar or Troy Houseworthy?? I have BCBS Fed and need to use a "Center of Excellence". There's not a lot of chat about sleeve in this area. I'm a little worried, and would be so grateful for ANY feedback! Thanks!

I'm really concerned about this as well... I have always consumed a LOT of liquids during meals. I read another post on here that someone has tiny sips during meals to help the food get down...

I'm really, really hoping that my surgeon will at least save mine so I can see it "live and in person" (to curse at it, or cry for it, I dunno...) Pictures just don't do the same as live! I laughed SO HARD at the menudo comment! Hahahahahaha....

CRAZYPANTS, you are WONDERFUL!!! THANK YOU for your words!

ppasjm, that's GOOD!!! I like the paycheck comparison! I shall look in to doing that (IF I SURVIVE THIS)

You guys are AWESOME! I'm just SO worried that I can't do this... My husband (who just got done crunching on his yummy dinner) told me "just make it to tomorrow, and THEN call the dr's office". Thankfully, it's almost bedtime, but I just look ahead and see that I have 6 MORE DAYS OF THIS!!! You guys are all SUCH an inspiration! (in my hubs defense, he DID offer to make me some Soup even thought I threatened to shove the soup "where the sun might not shine", he tried). A little confession here, I CAN'T STAND the NUT. She's very strange and sort of condescending. I feel like I should already know all this already. But all that has just gone out the window (along with what I fear is my sanity).

I'm sitting here right now crying and reading this... Thanks for the encouragement. I just wish the surgery was tomorrow and I could be on the other side. Maybe there'd be a "light at the end of the tunnel (that wasn't a train carrying a load of people all crunching on foods that smell delicious)". I keep reading on here where people have slip-ups and others reply saying they're not committed or they aren't strong enough to follow what their doctor is telling them. I don't want to be a failure.