UpandAtom

Two pieces of advice! 1-listen to your BariatricPal team. Don't second guess anything or think that something doesn't matter, no matter how trivial you think it is! 2-exercise as much as you can whenever you can. This doesn't have to be at the gym. Just keep moving and don't allow yourself to fall into the old trap of making excuses. I am constantly moving unless I'm truly sick. Find things you like. I hike, bike, walk, canoe, swim, garden, do woodworking. Just do something you enjoy and keep doing it. Oh and I guess this is more than two but hydrate hydrate hydrate! Eat nutrient dense foods and get your protein. It doesn't have to be that hard if you do these things! Good luck and God Bless!

You can do it! I was thrilled to shop at regular stores again. I saw some shirts hanging in a Jos. A Bank window at the train station the other day. They were linen in nice colors and they type of shirt I wouldn't have dared to wear before. Not to mention that they wouldn't have had them in my size. But I walked right in, tried them on and promptly bought two mediums off the rack. It was an awesome feeling! So I don't know if you've had the surgery yet or not. If you haven't please do. If you have, listen to your medical team and jump right in to your new life!

Hi Everyone! I wanted to give an update as I recently hit my one year mark. The results have been unbelievable, much better than expected. HW-380 SW-361 CW-180 Wow! I never imagined I would lose 200 pounds when I was thick in the misery of weighing 380 pounds. My initial goal was 220 with a stretch goal of 190. I flew past both of those in about ten months and have now stabilized at the 180 mark for a couple of months. I can do SO many more things now that I couldn't do before, it's amazing. On a recent trip to San Fran I could charge up down the hills without stopping every 20 feet. I nearly kept up with my 18 year old son and was well ahead of the rest of the group. I can tie my shoes! And despite some knee problems I can hike, bike, walk, canoe, work around the house and many other things without getting winded or cringing in pain. I am wearing size 36 pants, which would probably be a size 34 if I didn't have the extra skin flap. My shirts are mostly a a medium and I can buy off the rack at any store. The transformation is simply amazing but not altogether perfect. I still really need to focus on hydration, my energy sometimes abandons me and I still sometimes eat one bite too much which causes me to vomit. I can avoid most of these pitfalls by being diligent and drinking constantly, eating enough protein and general calories throughout the day to avoid an energy crash and eating SLOWLY! I am still learning and will be for the duration of this journey. But I would never, ever consider going back and opting not to do this! I hope you are all well!

Thanks for posting Amber. First of all congratulations on making a huge life altering decision. Chances are very very good that you will be transformed for the better for an important time in your life. I wish I had done my sleeve surgery much sooner-I'd be a different person today. People will judge you. That's life. You will be judged for many things throughout your life. Just do your best to try to handle it with a positive attitude. Other people's judgements have no bearing on who you are. Best of luck to you, stay positive and enjoy your college years and more!

Buster, this is awesome! I will be joining...

I had my sleeve Surgery in May of 2018. At the time I weighed 352, I now weigh 181. Most of the weight came off in the first ten months. I have been steady at 180 for about a month now. I wanted to plateau here since 190 was really my goal. I do not want to go below 180, nor do I want to gain, unless it is muscle weight. I am now trying to find the sweet spot for calories so that I maintain. Good Luck

I just ordered some of these bad boys and am anxiously awaiting their arrival. I will review upon receipt!

Ok Guys I don't quite know how to say this so I'm just gonna come out and say it. I keep sitting on my balls! It seems that with the receded thunder thighs and reduced fat pad in the pubic area, the sack hangs much lower than it used to. Everytime I sit down i squash the nads just beneath my now bony butt! Needless to say this causes discomfort and the embarrassing need to furtively glance around while reaching in to rescue the little fellers. Anyone else have this problem and have an suggestions? Maybe some drawers that work better than others?

Update. I have been much more diligent about Protein. I am drinking two 40 gram Muscle Milks a Day in addition to whatever food I eat. Still losing! I am down to 188. Holy Freaking Mother of Mothers! I never thought I'd EVER weigh this little in my life. I think I was in my 180's last in middle school! I am feeling a bit better, knee is coming along and I have been out hiking again. I joined a health club and have begun working with weights with my son. I am SO freaking weak! My son, just turned 18, is 4 inches shorter than me, and WAY stronger. That hurts the pride a tad. But he is very cool about it and helping me out. I am going to hit it 3 days a week on weights, two days a week at Physical Therapy, and one day with a long hike. We'll see how it goes!

Update. I have been much more diligent about protein. I am drinking two 40 gram Muscle Milks a Day in addition to whatever food I eat. Still losing! I am down to 188. Holy Freaking Mother of Mothers! I never thought I'd EVER weigh this little in my life. I think I was in my 180's last in middle school! I am feeling a bit better, knee is coming along and I have been out hiking again. I joined a health club and have begun working with weights with my son. I am SO freaking weak! My son, just turned 18, is 4 inches shorter than me, and WAY stronger. That hurts the pride a tad. But he is very cool about it and helping me out. I am going to hit it 3 days a week on weights, two days a week at Physical Therapy, and one day with a long hike. We'll see how it goes!

Don't worry. That is not much food at all! The grumbling is normal and the discomfort will subside. Perfectly normal for so soon. liquids and purees go down real easy and hunger can return. Once you are on to solid food you will feel the restriction all the more.

I've thrown up a number of times. What I've learned is to eat very slowly and chew very thoroughly. I make a sensible plate that fits within the nut's guidelines and sit down with it. I first eat a tiny amount that is chewed very well. I then wait until my stomach relaxes and slowly eat the rest. This helps me get in the protein and calories.

Hi @@PhillyAj, I know, the numbers boggle me. I really just followed my bariatric teams advice. I met my Fluid requirements daily and strived to meet my Protein goals. I was not always successful on that, which is why I've lost too much muscle and am working to turn that around now. I only eat when hungry and I walk, a lot! At least I did before my knee surgery three weeks ago. I always tried to walk at least three miles at a stretch everyday. I also biked to and from the train station to work using Chicago's bike share program, divvy. Other than that I just always try to be active, camping, canoeing, swimming, whatever. I decided when I decided to have surgery that I was done making excuses to be lazy. I just committed to get on the move and stay on the move. This surgery has derailed me but I intend to get back going ASAP. Even while hobbled I am trying to move. I do pushups and wheel a wheelchair around the mall for fun.

Thank you @OKCpirate. And, good advice, they can test for that at my bariatric practice, so I will make a point of it at my next visit. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all! I'm about 8 1/2 months out and down at least 180 pounds since my all time high and over 150 since surgery. Doing well for the most part. But a recent knee surgery has me sidelined. Went to Bariatric Doc today and am low on B12 and was chastised about not enough protein! So time to get on the Protein wagon big time. I restocked on essentials today and recommitting to 80 grams per day and a muscle building program. Doc says I am losing too much muscle. Anyway, here are the pics. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App