VSGAnn2014

Guys, guys, guys .... Search here and google for "three week stall." It's common. Happens to almost everyone. And no, don't change anything. Just do what you're supposed to be doing now.

"Fuck you."

Uh, right side pain COULD be gallbladder trouble. Google it. I had my gallbladder out 4 weeks after VSG surgery. Good luck.

Outfits designed around Girl Scout and Brownie sashes, huh? Let's just say I've gone a different direction. I posted about it recently at: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/327908-age-appropriate/?p=3705667 In fact, that whole thread is a good one.

Stomach of Iron comin' at you here. I was sleeved August 18, 2014. Have never been nauseated. Have never thrown up. My recovery was easy-peasy. I was eating 60 grams of Protein by Day Five. I think the majority of patients have it like I did. But not everyone does. And a very few have complications and a much tougher recovery. However, IMHO the most important aspect of this journey--whether you have an easy recovery or a hard one--is your attitude. How much do you want to be healthy and normal-sized? Very best to you.

During the months before VSG surgery, I cut down on coffee to 1/2 a cup a day. Post-op, I've had 4-8 ounces (usually 4) in the early morning long before Breakfast. No problems from that that I'm aware of. I haven't had any carbonated beverages since 2-3 months pre-op. I had long wanted to eliminate diet sodas anyway, so goody! I also think that I'm sleeping better these days because I'm taking in a lot less caffeine. Another benefit of less coffee and no sodas.

Go for it, @Isu2868!

One of BP's best threads. It never stops giving. And it's actually quite sweet, too.

I'm 19 weeks post-op and have lost 63 pounds. A few weeks ago, my bariatric P.A. urged me to raise my daily calories to 1,000, which I've done. As a result, I've stalled for the first time. But I'm not upset. Yet. I certainly want to avoid letting my body get accustomed to living on 800 cals/day. I'm sure the scale will start moving again soon. Everything is going so well. I'm now wearing size 12s. I weigh 172 and have only 22 more pounds to lose before reaching goal. (That's just craaaazy!) I'm so grateful for my sleeve and so happy I decided to take this "drastic step," which has turned out to be nearly as drastic as it I thought it might be. I still enjoy food quite a bit. However, it doesn't have nearly the "reward" significance it used to play. Exercise is more important to me than it used to be, and I really do see that it makes me feel much better. I'm much more active and engaged than I was pre-op. Being sleeved is a wonderful way to live, and I am loving it. I hope everyone else here is doing well.

I'm only 4 months post-op and am doing fine with the sleeve. Love it. I've lost 63 pounds thus far. I think the sleeve is a big advantage to those of us who've struggled lifelong with overweight and obesity. But here's the big BUT ... 40-50% of people who have WLS (including those who are sleeved) gain back more than half of the weight they lost. So clearly they are able to cheat the sleeve big-time. And I haven't heard of anyone who's had the sleeve who says they've never had to put some energy post-op into maintaining their weight loss. Some people who post here at BP have said that 1, 2, 3 years out they are struggling with weight gain. And during the holidays some here have complained about gaining weight (even during their weight loss phases) because they indulged too much in holiday treats. So if "being 'full' has never stopped [you when] the food tastes really good," you surely could figure out post-op how to eat more than you should. But just because you can doesn't mean that you will. The sleeve is only one of many tools you could acquire to help you live healthier, lose weight, maintain your weight, and live a healthy lifestyle. The other available tools are family and friends you invite to support you, psychological counseling and coaching, support groups (in real life and online), ongoing support from your bariatric and medical team, exercise and physical activities and resources, a job/work/career that supports your new lifestyle (or at least doesn't sabotage it), avocations that support your new lifestyle, spiritual support, and other resources. Of course, there are other things in our lives we can't control that will affect our long-term success. But the list above includes are some things we can control. Most of all, there's the motivation factor: How badly do we want to be normal-sized and healthy? Best wishes to you.

I think your doctor is an idiot.

I posted recently that living life (well) is about starting over. Over and over.

@@Bobby46 ... I think you win. Gee.

Any of the non-cal Water flavorings (Mio, Crystal Lite, etc.) help the water go down easier, too. You're doing great!

P.S. Some of the people who encourage you to tell everyone and let the chips fall where they may don't work at all, much less work in a professional setting.

You have to trust me on this: Do NOT tell them. Really. I mean it. Don't do it. You can't ever deliver the amount of mind-twisting education required to make people who think they know all there is to know about something that most of them know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about and never will because they cannot conceive of something they haven't experienced themselves understand what you're going through and how hard you will be working to be successful at weight loss and weight maintenance. They've already judged you for being obese. If you tell them you've had WLS they will again judge you in all the new ways you are afraid they will. I own a business that serves professionals who are smart, well educated, successful, fit, slim, good looking, and who are hired for their judgment. They know NOTHING about WLS. They are highly judgmental of people who aren't exactly like them. It was a no-brainer for me to keep my own counsel about my WLS. I am so glad that I have.

@@Proud2BMe ... Bless your sister's heart. LOL!

Count me in the group that wouldn't appreciate someone saying to me, "Gee, you're so much skinnier than you used to be, and I find you so much more attractive now!" Or some version of that "compliment." Even if your feedback is honest, it's socially flat-footed. Therefore, if you're compelled to extend your uncensored candor to everyone, you'll piss off or wound the feelings of a large number of people. But it's a free country, so feel free to say what you want. And some of us will feel free to think you're an idiot or an asshole or both.

Sleeve101, I just read all your posts and learned: * Pre-op, you were anemic (low red blood cell count), and your Mexican surgeon almost didn't do your surgery, but relented and did it anyway. * You may not be measuring or tracking your food (although not sure about that). * You have had a tough time emotionally post-op, but haven't yet sought medical or counseling support for your distress. * You have federal BCBS insurance, which has pretty good insurance coverage. I strongly encourage you to find a counselor or therapist who's familiar with bariatric patients' issues and journeys who will support you through this tough time you're having. As you know you can't get your original stomach back. So it's time to learn how you can move forward with this new lifestyle. Many, many people have done very well post-op. You can, too. You don't have to remain miserable. It's your choice.

At 215 pounds you can't "focus" on your tummy. You just have to lose more weight. I'm 172 pounds and still have a spare tire that's smaller than it once was. But with another 22-27 pounds to lose, I expect to lose a lot more of my spare tire. Happily, my tire is on the outside of my abdominal wall, not inside -- where it would indicate bigger health problems.

I wish you all the best.

Month 3 I lost 8.8 pounds.

Yup.

These are the kinds of NSVs I love so much. Real life. Daily living abilities. Things that "normal" people take for granted. But we do not. Congratulations.

Commitment! Love it.