StefanieT

I think this is great....I got so discouraged when I stalled for 2 weeks that I felt like giving up caring what I was eating, which is horrible. We have to be our best friend and always cheer ourselves on!

I am 9 months out (down 83lbs) and to my knowledge and based on my weight lost (which is slow but sure 2 lbs per week) I have never seen a stall or weight gain. The secret is simply and I will share this with you. ONLY weigh once a month (and I have since surgery) if you do this you will never know if you have stalled or not by the time you weigh your stall should be minimal or non exsist. Do your part keep up the Protein, increase Water, maintain low carb intake eat something every 3 hrs (small) to increase matablism and workout. This I believe has been successful for me oh my doctor concurs. Try it let me know what you think. Good luck to all

Way to go!!! Those are the best milestones...no matter what the scale says...the clothes are the main way I notice the progress! =)

My surgery date is also April 8!!! I am down 37 lbs!!! I haven't really had problems with acne- but then again I really never have had issue ever with acne! Sorry not much help!

My surgery was April 19. I am 7 weeks out and 35 pounds down. My excema is cleared up, my blood pressure is back to normal, my depression has lifted, and I can walk up and down hills for an hour (prior to surgery I could not walk more than a block without pain due to a slipped disc in my back). I am getting used to the effort it takes to plan, weigh/measure, and track my food, exercise, drink enough Water, remember to take my Vitamins, and build coping skills/find ways to spend my time since I'm no longer hanging out with food all the time. Anyone who says surgery is the easy way out doesn't understand how much work you have to put into this. I'm also learning how to handle social situations without food or booze and am finding it's not as hard as I thought it would be.

I was sleeved on Apr 6 and am down a total of 50 pounds. I'm not sure when to start calculating weight loss. Should it be from my initial appt Jan 28th (50#)? Or from my surgery date Apr 6 (30#)? Either way, I'm losing!
I don't have problems with acne but I share your struggle with Protein. It's harder to eat now, and I have to remember my basics: small bites, eat slowly, chew 30 times.
Good luck to you. I love your rewards!

That is awesome and gives me some motivation! I started as a size 22 to 24, and am 2 months out down to a size 20.

5 months out. rocking a pair of size 14 shorts and a large top to a BBQ and feeling confident! what a difference from a size 22 and 2X!!

That is so awesome!!! It's so neat to start seeing the results, keep it up!!! =)

I just got over a kidney stone last week, and the Dr. asked how much weight I'd lost. I told him, and he stated he's had a few people come through after massive weight loss in a short period of time that have had an issue with kidney stones. Said it was likely a Calcium kidney stone, the body having issues with managing the levels of calcium and Vitamin D. I looked up most of what he said, and there was research supporting his claim. I used to think all kidney stones dealt with lack of Water, but there are many other factors that come in to play.

I was actually approved for the switch from my ins. My surgeon has done the sleeve part and is hoping that's all I need. However if I stop losing weight and I'm doing all I can she can go back in and complete the switch. I'm praying I can do it all with the sleeve. I don't want another surgery. So far so good, at my 3 month weigh in I've lost 80lbs. I was 413 day of surgery and am now 333 as of a week ago. And other ppl on here have lost a lot so I'm hopeful!

Yes, that's a hard thing for a lot of people to understand, especially your kids because they worry so much. It's just difficult to know what it's like unless you're living it. How the brain and hormones work when you are overweight constantly fight with you is so difficult. You get to the point where you just feel hopeless and no matter what you do, the pounds keep coming on. I originally did not want to get the surgery because I felt like I should be able to "do this on my own." The truth is, I just couldn't. This is by no means an "easy way out," but it is a way out. The way I look at it, is my family would suffer so much more if I had to have other surgeries like knee replacements, open heart surgery, etc because of being obese. I believe when you are overweight, surgery is almost inevitable at some point of time in your life. Atleast this one has a great outlook and will allow you to live your life to the fullest!

I know how you feel! I am the only one in my household that has a weight problem, and my boyfriend and daughter are both very blessed that they can pretty much eat anything and not gain a pound. I have to keep telling myself, that this is a decision I made for myself, and I cannot expect them to completely change their lives just because of me. I will not be upset with them when they are eating, but I know that I want everyone to eat better, so once I'm able to eat everything again, I plan to cook good meals so we can all eat the same thing. I am not much of a cook, but I think I may actually enjoy it if we all start eating better and I know they are healthier on the inside! They are both very supportive and actually feel bad when they are eating, but that's the last thing I want for them. Granted, it's taken a while to feel like this, but it will be ok. They love YOU and want to be around for YOU, not just all the meals that come with it. I just think socializing around food is such a norm, that it's hard to imagine what you're going to do in place of it, but just give it time, and that will unfold.

I know how you feel! I am the only one in my household that has a weight problem, and my boyfriend and daughter are both very blessed that they can pretty much eat anything and not gain a pound. I have to keep telling myself, that this is a decision I made for myself, and I cannot expect them to completely change their lives just because of me. I will not be upset with them when they are eating, but I know that I want everyone to eat better, so once I'm able to eat everything again, I plan to cook good meals so we can all eat the same thing. I am not much of a cook, but I think I may actually enjoy it if we all start eating better and I know they are healthier on the inside! They are both very supportive and actually feel bad when they are eating, but that's the last thing I want for them. Granted, it's taken a while to feel like this, but it will be ok. They love YOU and want to be around for YOU, not just all the meals that come with it. I just think socializing around food is such a norm, that it's hard to imagine what you're going to do in place of it, but just give it time, and that will unfold.

Thank you for all the feedback! This does help me tremendously so I don't feel alone. It's such a change, and even though we go through so much preperation, no one can ever tell you exactly what everything will be like. I have seemed to be able to drink more today and am happy that it's a better day than yesterday.

StefanieT sorry you had problems in the hospital with the pain meds
glad that was finally resolved
glad you aren't in pain now and don't need to take meds at home
you should speak with your NUT
she can help you with info concerning calorie intake, drinking, Protein requirements - her assistance will hopefully help your anxiety issue
right now just concentrate on getting as much Fluid as possible - essential
many of us have gone through the experience of dehydration (raising my hand ) no fun!!!!
have to go to the hospital for iv to get rehydrated
don't worry about the Protein yet (course the Protein shakes would be great if you can keep them down)
drink, sip - but really make yourself drink!!!!!
protein will come soon
you will gradually feel better - hopefully each day will be easier
take care
good luck

Sipping is a full time job but just tiny sips or steady little spoonfuls of crushed ice chips work too. If you have a Sonic in your area they sell their ice and it is the perfect little pellet size. Cold liquids helped me best but some folks found warm worked for them so maybe try different temps and see what your new tiny tummy likes. Like the posters said, not to worry about the calories right now, just liquids and if you can Protein. Maybe try Isopure if you have not. They are considered a clear liquid and they are 2 oz of Protein for each oz. and have different flavors. It will count as protein and Water and get some much desired calories.
For me, even though I had an easy time of the surgery and recovery, I had a complete meltdown about 5 days out. I think everything just caught up with me and from what others have said, its pretty normal.
So glad you are ok from your ordeal, I can't imagine how scared you were so give yourself some time.

Stef it's ok it will get better I assure you. If you look on here everyone has felt the same way. But when you heal you will be so glad you had it done. You are only 5 days out you can't expect to be better in five days. If you can't drink all that much who cares just do what you can. You will adjust. Expect your side to hurt for at least a month. Some stop sooner some stop later. It will stop. What you are going through is normal. Just hang in there. Remember its a journey. Also in the words of us past fat people you can only eat that whole pizza one bite at a time. So give it time. Oh and you will never be able to eat another whole pizza again!!!! Isn't it wonderful!

I am feeling the same way...I just had mine done on 4/8 and I'm trying really hard not to be negative, but all of a sudden I just get freaked out about was this the right choice, and is this really healthy? People I work with who have had it done seem so happy...so I'm really hoping it gets better. It doesn't help that it is so difficult to get all the Water and Protein in. I want to do everything I'm told, but my body isn't listening. I'm having a really hard time sleeping at night as well, as I keep having nightmares, and that too, I hope passes. We just have to stay strong and believe that it will get better!

I just had the surgery on April 8th, 2013. My experience in the hospital was not very good as I was given too much pain medication and my oxygen level went down to 40 and they had to give me medicine to counteract the pain meds, and put me in a seizure. This was the scariest thing I have ever been through in my life and shook me up so much that I have avoided pain meds while being home. I'm really not in much pain though, just worried about not getting enough calories.
My dietician never said how many calories is "normal" on the full liquids diet, but I'm lucky to be getting between 3-400 calories in a day. I am worried that this is not healthy and I also got very dizzy last night. I'm scared of getting dehydrated and having to go into the hospital. I'm trying really hard to get my Water and Protein in, but it weighs so heavily on my stomach, it's a huge ordeal. My goal today is to really focus on getting all the water and protein in no matter what I have to do.
5 days post-op and feeling a bit of anxiety about everything! Please help and tell me it will get better! :/