grandmaacj

thanks for the modivation as I am guilty of getting on scale daily.

I’ve spent a great deal of time researching ways to combat loose skin, and while there’s no promise of perfect skin after losing a lot of weight, I’ve come up with the most common things that have supposedly been helpful when talking to and reading about people who have lost up to 100 pounds and more.
No, I’m not a skin specialist, but these are the top 10 things that I think I will do in these two months prepping for surgery Dec. 18th. None of these items would be negative, so any benefit that does come from them will be… well... a benefit! Feel free to chime in with your own tips, too. I’ll be putting together a blog post on this soon. These are in no particular order
1) Coconut Oil – I’m slathering myself in this every day after my shower and before bed. Coconut oil keeps the skin’s connective tissues strong and supple, and can even help with skin blemishes. I’ve already noticed a major improvement in my skin health. I’ve always been prone to itchy skin and it has all completely stopped in a matter of days. Also, cooking with coconut oil is the healthiest in my opinion. Cooking with oils such as olive oil is counter-productive because once it reaches a certain temperature it starts to oxidize and release free radicals. That’s never good.
2) Body Brushing aka Dry Brushing - Releases toxins, stimulates the lymphatic system and improves circulation. Always dry brush in a circular motion, brushing toward your middle.
3) Water, Water, Water – Drink, Drink, Drink. If you’re an adult, you know this. Enough said.
4) Weight Training - Work those muscles. This one is tricky for me because I am so arthritic and have fibromyalgia and I have to literally micro-manage my every move in order to prevent adrenal fatigue, but I am so hoping, praying and wishing that once some of this weight comes off, more weight training will be possible because I love it!
5) Say NO to sun bathing and chlorine – both of these dehydrate your skin. If you’re like me and love to be in the sun, use sunscreen or good clothing coverage. But, for me, I’m personally going to avoid too much direct exposure, at least between now and goal weight. It’s a healthy practice to get into anyway. Unfortunately it can be a catch 22 though, since so many sunscreens are full of skin harming chemicals. Your best bet = cover up! And for Heavens sake – stay out of the tanning bed! If you must go swimming, even in an indoor pool, wash that chlorine off ASAP. Can you say dry skin?
6) Regular Massage – I’m a big believer in massage for too many things to list, but treating your skin to regular massage stimulates your blood cells and lymphatic system. Your skin is your largest organ – treat it nicely
7) Protein – Lots of lean Protein will give your skin the collagen and elastin that it needs to stay healthy. If you eat a bunch of crap – expect your skin to be crap, too. I know this from first hand experience. Any time I get off track and start feeding my body junk food, my skin is the first thing to suffer.
8) Use Decent Soap – it doesn’t have to be the most expensive thing on the market, but cleanse your skin with a decent moisturizing cleanser and avoid over-cleansing.
9) Essential Oils – my sister has recently delved into the essential oil world and I’ve really been impressed with some of the studies that have recently been put out. Lavender oil and almond oil just to name a few, are amazing things. I add a few drops to my bath when I feel like soaking. It’s good for the skin and is relaxing, too!
10) Body Wraps – this one I hesitated to add to the list because there’s a great divide among people as to whether or not they really work. I’m not keen on the big name multi-level marketing companies, so I won’t mention any names, but seriously, you can make yourself a DIY wrap at home if you just Google how to do it. Can’t hurt, right?
I’d love to get feedback from anyone with other ideas!

I'm Seven months out. How are you doing?

A weight loss plateau or stall is a temporary cessation of weight loss that can happen at any point in your weight loss surgery journey and can last days, weeks, or months. Plateaus happen to almost everybody sooner or later (no matter what means they're using to lose weight), no matter how hard they work at weight loss.


Why do plateaus happen even when we’re doing all the right things? The human body wants to preserve itself. It fights weight loss by adapting the metabolism to accommodate decreased calorie intake and/or increased calorie output. The body's new plan of attack is multi-pronged: increase calorie intake by making you hungrier (so you eat more), use less energy to accomplish physical activity (so you burn fewer calories) and hold on to stored fat (so it can use it for energy).
I think plateaus often happen because we're in a rut. So even if you believe you're doing all the right things in terms of diet, exercise, and mental or emotional effort - try changing them. If nothing else, it will prevent boredom and help you feel that you're taking positive action instead of being a victim of fate.
Here are some things you can try to shake up your routine.

Change the intensity, duration, frequency and type of exercise you're doing, so your body doesn't become too efficient at burning calories when you work out.
Don't neglect strength training - muscle burns far more calories than fat does.
Don't over-train - take one day off exercise a week.
Plan all your meals (the "how much" as well as the "what").
Weigh and measure your food before you put it on your plate.
Log your food intake - you might be surprised to see what and how much you're really eating.
Try calorie shifting: vary your calories - eat 1200 one day, 900 the next, and so on, to keep your body guessing.
Eat 3 small meals and 3 healthy Snacks a day instead of 3 meals a day.
Increase your Water intake.
Decrease your sodium intake.
Don't weigh yourself every day - switch to once a week.
Don't skip Breakfast.< br>
By the way, if you weigh yourself every day and think that no weight loss for three days running is a plateau, you're going to have a long journey ahead of you. Get off that scale, now!
I have one more suggestion that you probably won't want to hear: CULTIVATE PATIENCE. No, it's not one of my virtues, either. Give it a try anyway.

It’s often quite a surprise to learn how slowly you really need to eat after surgery. For those of you that have had surgery, you know that even one very small bite too many can be painful or lead to vomiting. Before surgery, we encourage you to eat slowly to learn that it takes about 20 minutes of slowly eating before your brain recognizes your stomach is full. After surgery it may only take a few bites to begin feeling full.


It’s often quite a surprise to learn how slowly you really need to eat after surgery. For those of you that have had surgery, you know that even one very small bite too many can be painful or lead to vomiting. Before surgery, we encourage you to eat slowly to learn that it takes about 20 minutes of slowly eating before your brain recognizes your stomach is full. After surgery it may only take a few bites to begin feeling full.
The first step in slowing down your eating is to chew your food to applesauce consistency. A lot of our patients find success by making each bite last 25 chews. Chewing to applesauce consistency works better when you take a very small bite. Think of a bite of food being about the size of a pencil eraser or the size of the tip of your pinky finger. Use smaller utensils like the salad fork or teaspoon or even toddler or baby spoons and forks.
Speaking of utensils, put them down between bites which helps you slow down your eating. A lot of us already have a bite of food loaded on a fork or spoon ready to put in our mouth immediately after swallowing bite of food. Use a saucer or salad plate to reduce portions so you have less food in front of you.
No seat, no eat. Sitting at a table without distractions around you will help you focus on business of chewing. Remove distractions from your eating area. Eating while standing at the sink, driving, watching TV, working on the computer, answering texts or e-mails, reading, making “to do” lists or doing another load of laundry are common distractors in our busy lives.
When you are able to start eating food you can chew foods like cottage cheese or scrambled eggs, start with eating 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) every 10 minutes. Discover your “I’m just about to get full” signal. Our patients report they will hiccup, sneeze, sigh quickly or just realize that next bite of food really isn’t going to work. Focus on the enjoying the few bites you are able to have. Concentrate on the flavor and texture of the food. Many of our patients discover that chewing food well often results in finding out that the foods they really liked before don’t taste as good as they remembered.
If you are eating with others, focus on the conversation and people at the table. Many of our post-surgery patients report that the focus of the meal becomes the conversations, enjoying the company and socializing rather than the food. Learning to slow down your eating will be a difficult skill to master, but is an essential skill to have successful surgical outcomes.

great idea... more please

https://asmbs.org/resources/clinical-practice-guidelines-for-the-perioperative-nutritional-metabolic-and-nonsurgical-support-of-the-bariatric-surgery-patient
From the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), a set of guidelines for post-op nutritional guidelines. I found this especially useful in trying to sort out what kind of bariatric Vitamins I should be taking.
It's dense reading, but I found the tables very useful. And if you CTRL-F you can search for a word (nutritional) and get straight to the info you are looking for.

Ok... Here are my "official" 1 year progress pics. I've had my daughter take all of them every month & I handed her the camera tonight & said "last one!!!" And we both had a cry :-) anyway....
 136.2 pounds lost & 52.5% of my original body weight.

So, I'm sittitng her watching TV with my husband and I start to think, 'Man, I am so lucky. My life is so much better and I am so much happier." I owe this all to my weight loss. Things have been hard, but I am happier with who I am now so it seems like life is somehow easier.
My Story:
I was 25 and 260 pounds, I had 3 small children (9 months, 2yrs, and 4yrs old) and I was crazy unhappy. I went to an information session and everything seemed to fall into place from there. I did my 6 months of supervised diet by a Doctor, saw a psychologist, met with the nutritionist and went through many emotions in the process. Then surgery happened. I was sure I made the worse mistake when I woke up in recovery. I ate no more than 2 bites of Jello the entire time I was in the hospital, but I still hadn't lost any weight. What really upset me was that I wasn't losing weight AND I couldn't eat my favorite foods anymore. Yes, I was one of those people that somehow thought I was going to just wake up skinny. Totally unrealistic, but I thought it would be that easy. Boy, was I WRONG! When people say having surgery is the easy way out, they are full of crap. This has by far been one of the hardest things I have ever done.
Skip ahead almost 2 years (Surgery date was Nov 13) and I am down 110 pounds (weighing in at 150). I am overly excited about how I look and how I feel. Yes there is saggy skin, but ya know what? It beats the hell out of being full of fat and not fitting into even the biggest of sweatpants. I will never forget the way that being bigger made me feel. And while I am still not where I want to be, I happy being me now.
So, it was my plan to have one of those posts that is funny and everyone can relate to, but well its probably not. It is however, how I feel and what I went through (In VERY few words).
I'm going to TRY to attach pictures.... we'll see if it works.

Hi Everyone,
My name is Eli and I am 21 years old. I just wanted to share my amazing journey with everyone and hopefully help anyone that needs it. Since I was a young boy I struggled with weight loss. I put weight on and I took weight off and it didn't seem like I could ever get it right. Growing up, all of my friends were thin so they never understood what it was really like to be overweight, nobody actually understands unless they actually walk a mile in your shoes. I was miserable, depressed, and felt like there was nothing in the world that could help me. As a lineman for my high school football team I justified my extreme weight gain with the fact that I needed to be bigger to play my position and this mindset caused my weight to spiral out of control.
When I graduated high school in 2011 I weighed the most I ever did and it took a huge toll on me as I was about to go away to college and had literally no self-esteem. Jumping ahead to my sophomore year of college I had now put on even more weight and it was affecting me more then ever. My grades were slipping, it didn't seem like any girl would ever want to talk to me, and most of all it was hard to look at myself in the mirror. When I came home from school after my sophomore year I weighed about 320 pounds, which was by far the most I ever weighed. When I came home in May that year I just came to the realization of what I did to myself and I asked myself, "How did I let this happen?" Before I continue I want everyone to know that this is not a sob story and that there is a huge gleaming light at the end of that tunnel. When the conversation of weight loss surgery was brought up for the first time I honestly felt offended because I never thought that it would possibly come to that and after countless talks with family members and friends I finally agreed to schedule an appointment and the Center for Bariatric Surgery and Weight Loss in Ridgewood, New Jersey in June of 2013.
Fast forward to September of that year I had completed all of my pre-surgery requirements and a date for surgery was scheduled. My surgery happened on November 4th at New York-Presbyterian in New York City. Let me tell you that November 4th, 2013 was the first day of the rest of my life. I'll save the details of pre-surgery, hospital stay, and post-surgery for another post. On the day of surgery I weighed 316 pounds having lost a little in the months prior to my surgery date. Now, in October of 2014 I am proud to say that I weigh 196 pounds putting my total weight loss at 120 pounds. My life has changed in the most extreme way, not just with how I physically look and feel, but mentally, I am a different person. I am the happiest I've been in my entire life.
I understand that there are countless reservations people have before making probably the hardest decision of your entire life, because for me it was, but I can also proudly say that it was the best decision I have made in my entire life. I understand that you might feel that there is no way out of being overweight, but I'm here to tell you that there is. I am willing to talk to anyone who has questions and I am always available because I understand how hard it is to make this decision. PLEASE don't hesitate to ask me anything. Thank you for listening to my journey and my story and I hope this might help anyone who is on the fence or anyone who is scared or nervous. Lastly, I'd like to say how amazing the last year of my life has been and I hope everyone can share the same happiness I do.
-Eli

I was supposed to get the RNY done on September 29th 2014 everyth I ng was fine until I woke up from surgery. When I woke up from surgery I was informed they could not do the Rny because they found out I have a rare liver disease called sarcoidosis there is no cure for it either. But if I was to have the Rny I could not do the treatment so they called in a specialist while I was still under and the surgen and the specialist decided to give me the sleeve so I can still have treatment. I am now almost a month post op and feeling great so far except I can't stomach the Protein shakes.

I'm 49 with three grown children, three grand chrildren, with one on way. I kicked diabetes and high colestoral since my surgery on December 4, 2013. I'm down 31 lbs and loving the energy that I have and new healthy life that my new sleeve has brought me. I am excited about what is to come over the next year.

Hi Grandmaacj ,
I am more than happy to support anyone I can , as for your weight loss first I'll say that it's different for everybody; when I first had the Sugery within one month I lost 30LBS . But I understand what your saying , just make sure you'll doing all you can do like make sure your reaching your Protein levels , make sure you're eating small portions , not drinking while eating at the same time, make sure your not over eating because it's possible even if your sleeve stops you , you should be stopping your self before that and no worries I have issue with this myself .... Good luck

I would love for someone to help inspire us WLS on our journey to better health, longer lives, and new us. Good luck. I have only lost 37 pounds since sleeve on 12/04/13. I am a slow with weight loss and no explanation as to why not losing as quickly as my daughter had surgery one week after me lost 69 pounds. Oh well I feel great no complaints just not sure why it is going so slow for me.

Hi ladies/Guys
I am 1 year and 8months post op Sleever and some how I have found this love to inspire others to do the same not saying the actual surgery but the WeightLoss part and building the self esteem of others. I am curious to see who would be interested in something like this ?
Here's a little about me I have always been a big girl but to be honest I never thought I was insecure , I always dressed up being in the fashion industry as I am for over ten years you have to look and act the part so I think I spent so much time acting that I never realized how un-happy I really was until I was 5'2 264 pounds , chronic asthmatic , sleep apnea , one step away from type 1 diabetes . Long story short I am now so happy and completely comfortable with my self inside and out and I'd like to help others with that ; inspire you as you can also inspire me Don't think that because I lost the weight that I am sitting here feeling perfect NO there are things I still deal with from day to day .

Around 4 months is likely when you'll have your first sorta-kinda normal meal LOL. A couple ounces of chicken and three bites of veg.
It gets better every day.

I was sleeved on 12/10/2013 and am down 84 pounds. I average about 675 calories/day and exercise 4 or 5 days/week.
Aside from my ongoing Constipation, things are going very well.

Weighed in at 197.4 this morning .. 10.5 weeks out, sleeved on 12.12.13
Wish I could eat whatever I like in small portions but I'm still very restricted due to hernia repair
Started at 260 in October 2013
Surgery weight around 236
Down a total of almost 63 pounds in 4 months (only 38 since surgery) Happy about that!!
Spin classes 2-3 times per week and occasional walking DVDs and squats
I really miss sushi rolls guys!! ):
Wishing everyone great success along this roller coaster ride of a sleeved life.

My husband got me an inexpensive ring to wear in the interim. We call it the "stunt double ring."

Yay awesome!!! Congrats on your hard work & loss ;o)
I am weighing once a week. Thursday is my day & yesterday was super exciting for me. As of yesterday I reached 70.2 lbs down total (pre & post op). I will be 2 months post op on the 26th & doing very well!
So very thankful & like you, I am looking very forward to the future! New adventures, health & happiness!

at least 64 oz of calorie free liquids per day
Protein, Protein, lean and/or fat free. My nut said NO veggies, fruit or starches till I was getting ALL my protein each day. This took about 18 months.
an exercise routine that you can stick with and enjoy!
I've gone from 275 HW, 239 SW, size 22+++++
down to 115lbs, size 0-00 and have maintained for about a year and a half

Do
1. Follow all post op directions to a T. Measure. Sip. Track all intake. (& output to some extent.) Take your ppi, Multivitamin. Hydrate. Don't let a leak be partly your fault from inappropriate food intake. You can eat anything again eventually.
2. Eat Protein 1st(when u do start eating solids again) which u will!
3. Ask others to be your support circle. Teach them how to be supportive, don't bring up trigger foods, be a walking buddy, ask me why I'm doing certain things, instead of complaining that I'm living off of powders& shakes, etc.
4. Head hunger was crazy the first couple of weeks because you may feel deprived. food is not your life.

There are actually a lot of people on here that started at over 300 or even 400lbs. You can do a search, there are specific groups for that. Remember, it's not about how fast it comes off... it didn't go on fast... It's about following your plan and believing in the process. Come here often for support and don't freak out every time you go a few days with no loss. Walk every day and do do your best to meet your Water and Protein goals. That's really all there is to it, in the beginning anyway. Good luck!

I hate to admit but I love to talk selfies. Most of the time no one ever sees them but I started looking last night and comparing and this was really weird for me. I know I'm doing ok but being only 6 weeks out I'm still in denial that ppl can see much of a difference. I think they are "just saying that to be nice". Well the top is from around a month ago. Not my largest, I actually was feeling really good that day so I took a pic. And the bottom is from yesterday, after I got a hair cut. Comparing was so weird.

Is anyone having unusual bruising since surgery? I wake up daily with new bruise somewhere on my body. I'm not sure if it is because I'm more active, had more cushion before surgery, or just part of ongoing issue sleeve issue that I will have to deal with going forward. Let me know your thoughts. FYI.... finally under 200 pounds just hit 199 pounds this morning. My next goal is 180 pounds.