BestYet2Come

Congratulations!!

It is so wonderful to have this forum, to know that I am not alone through stalls and scale paranoia. If you are reading this and your weight is stalled, know that I stalled for 14 days. Hang in there, the scale does eventually move. HW: 255 SW: 241 CW: 224 Congratulations to all!!

Hang in there, it will start moving at some point. Same thing happened to me!

I did! For 14 days of a 'stall' the scale loved to swing between 229-232. The scale is now moving again and I am down to 225. Hang in there!!

For my fellow Northeasters: I wrote to Kemps asking where I could find it in CT/tristate area and the reply I received was: "Thank you for your interest in the Kemps Greek Cottage cheese products. Unfortunately, the availablility of our products is extremely limited in your area. Please check at a Super Walmart or Super Target to see if they are carrying our products. Sincerely, Vicki Mitzel Kemps Consumer Relations"

I am BestYet2ComeCT on myfitnesspal.com, can someone please add me? Thanks!

Don't be discouraged if you have stalled. I stalled for 14 days (during weeks 2 & 3) but the weight is coming off again!! It is just your body trying to protect you from possible starvation/dehydration. Be kind to it. xoxo to all.

Congratulations!

Thanks for the tip, will definitely try!

Congratulations on your surgery. I am surprised that you are allowed Protein shakes so soon. I had to do a Clear liquids only diet for 10 days post-op (including hospital stay). During this phase, most of my protein would come from a clear liquid called Isopure Zero Carb. One bottle has 40grams of protein, but it tastes awful (http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Best-Isopure-Alpine-12-Count/dp/B00289W2MA/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1389577590&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=isopure+zero+carb+liquid). The following week I was able to transition to Protein Shakes. Slim Fast is not a very good choice, it has only 10g of protein. Most shakes drank by bariatric patients have at least 20g. I bought several different ones, but the two best in my opinion are Premier Protein ( http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Nutrition-Protein-Shake-Chocolate/dp/B00AINLC60/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1389577721&sr=1-1&keywords=premier+protein) and the unflavored Isopure, which I blend with milk and Peanut Butter, or half of a banana. You can also mix it in yogurt, coffee, etc. (http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Nutrition-Protein-Shake-Chocolate/dp/B00AINLC60/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1389577721&sr=1-1&keywords=premier+protein). These have 30g and 26g of protein respectively. Premier is also sold at costco. Isopure is known for being a quality brand with excellent pure protein. Some other popular choices of protein shakes are: - Atkins (better choice than Slim Fast); - Pure Protein; - unjury Protein; - Muscle Milk; - Myogenix. Hang in there. Once you move to pureed and soft foods, the possibilities are endless! Best of luck!

Happy to report that after 14 days of a stall, the scale started moving again!! Yay! HW 255 SW 241 (on Dec 16) CW 226 (29lbs gone!) Can't wait to hit the 30lb mark next week and maybe get down to the 21_s! This is our year!

Fostermama, you were just given the gift of a brand new life, be grateful and use it wisely. The universe (or higher power) will handle your father as he deserves in due course. Don't get yourself tangled in the past, keep your eye on the amazing future ahead. Stay strong and don't let the anxiety of his visit bring you down, or emotionally eat. Be the better person, treat him well, and don't let anything he says bring you down. And yes, tell him it was diet and exercise, which is not untrue. Good luck, we are here for you!

No regrets!

Well said!!! My thoughts exactly!!! I too was very nervous until about the weekend before the surgery, then a strange calmness. You are not alone. (hugs).

Dear Christy, I can relate completely. I have two little girls who are the main reason why I decided that I needed to make this change. My surgery was Dec 16th. The week before I was feeling just like you: excited but so scared. Surgery was very smooth and I had no complications. I am now a few weeks out and tonight for the first time after the surgery I went out to a restaurant for dinner. I have lost a total of 27lbs so far and I am so happy with my decision to have the sleeve. To ease the fear, prepare prepare and prepare. Learn from the experienced members of this site: start walking as soon as you can after the surgery (I walked the hospital hallways day and night) . Practice breathing with the spirometer, do it at least 10 per hour. Follow your doctor's directions pre and post op, and you will be just fine. We are actually at greater risk being overweight than having surgery complications. Stay strong, good luck and keep us posted!

I am on soft foods now. I eat mostly: cottage cheese ground beef with tomato sauce mashed moussaka (greek dish of mashed potato, eggplant and ground beef) greek yogurt soups (I make and blend them, i.e. kale, potato, chicken soup) Protein shakes canned tuna in Water with mayo meatball Labneh (sour cheese - delish and only 30 cal for 2 tbsps) some hummus (not much because of the carbs content)

Hi everyone! I had a good recovery - no issues, thankfully. I am on soft foods until next Monday. I havent lost any weight for the past 13 days - frustrating. I see my surgeon tomorrow again, let's see what he says. I have lost a total of 26lbs, sleeved on 12/16. I have been doing the elliptical and working with a trainer. I know my body will at some point realize that this new diet is here to stay!!! Happy to have done the surgery, no regrets whatsoever. My eating/drinking has been a lot less restrictive than I expected it to be. I can't wait to start on real foods and enjoy some of the healthy choices I love (fruits, veggies, lean meats, etc.). Hugs to all!

Yes. Another member directed me to the following links that were very helpful. My weight has stalled for the past 12 days. Surgery was on Dec 16h. Good luck to you! http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html#.Ust9gaXM8tt http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/carmelita/blog/tag/stalls+and+plateaus/

Hi DeezJeanz, First let me say that you have been my prayers, I hope you get to go home soon to enjoy the benefits of this life changing surgery. Your positive outlook is contagious, you should be proud of yourself (as we are of you!). Yes, I remember feeling chest discomfort the when I started drinking fluids after the surgery. Be patient, try to take smaller sips. I also suffered from esophageal spasms, it only happened three times, but they were SO painful. Continued prayers coming your way. Be strong and stay well. Soon you will be home watching the pounds melt. xo,

Could you be retaining Water? Would you consider asking your doctor for a more structured pre-op diet, such as 3 shakes per day and a couple of bars?ould you be retaining water? Maybe that will help eliminate some hidden calories that you might be taking? I lost 14lbs in 14 days on my pre-op with Optifast 800. Best of luck!

How exciting! Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment!

Hi Rachel, Congratulations on your decision to pursue WLS. We all know it isn't a decision to be taken lightly. I live in Fairfield County, CT and have been researching doctors and hospitals in the area for 3 years. In the process, I met with the following: 1) Dr. Kurian @ NYU in NYC; 2) Dr. Daniel Davis @ Stamford Hospital; 3) Dr. Bruce Molinelli @ Greenwich Hospital; 4) Dr. Craig Floch @ Fairfield Bariatrics; 5) Dr. Neil Floch @ Fairfield Bariatrics. Dr. Marina Kurian in NYC is very experienced (she did Al Roker's surgery), but in the end I felt that I wanted a hospital closer to home to facilitate in the case of an emergency and also because of the follow up visits. Dr. Daniel Davis has a great staff, his nutritionist is the best (Jane Conway) and they do not charge for her services because his practice believes this is a very important part of the long term success of the surgery. He is a nice guy, but didn't inspire much confidence as a surgeon. I also know of a case where his patient didn't receive the proper care during a complication that didn't end well. Dr. Bruce Molinelli is a PHENOMENAL surgeon. He took out my gallbladder in 2011 via a single belly button incision without any complications. He is a general surgeon, however, and all my friend doctors told me that I should look for a surgeon who did volumes of the surgery I was interested in. In surgery, volume matters. So, several people pointed me to the Floch brothers because WLS is 95% of what they do. In the end I chose Dr. Neil Floch. He is VERY experienced, his practice is a Center of Excellence and so are the two hospitals where he operates (Norwalk and St. Vincents). Actually, he just started operating at Griffin Hospital. He does sleeve surgeries weekly and has a lot of practice. He has excellent bedside manners, but he is also firm and straight forward. I had surgery at Norwalk hospital and there were three of his patients at the same hospital floor. All surgeries went smoothly and everyone was recuperating well. The average complication rate for the sleeve is 5%, his average is 2%. Never had a leak, and never lost a patient in the operating room (Yes, I asked them all the tough questions). I had my gallbladder surgery at Greenwich Hospital (5 start hotel) and 2 c-sections at Stamford Hospital. I was nervous about going to Norwalk, but I had a great experience there - excellent physician's assistants, MDs and nurses. All very experienced and professional. I am so glad I chose Dr. Neil Floch and I would do it again in a heartbeat. And PS, my incisions are beautiful and tiny. He is amazing! If you have any specific questions, feel free to message me, or post them here. I am happy to answer them! Best of luck on your decision!

Congratulations Jersey Girl!!!

Tami J, Same here! Day 12 of a stall, but today I think I saw the digital scale consider a lower number (227), which I hope will break the stall in a couple of days. Fingers crossed. And congrats on your loss!!!

Congratulations! Well done!