Rogofulm

I'm a numbers person too, and against all advice I weigh myself twice a day. So far that's been okay. Even during stalls, I understand what's happening, and while frustrating, I've been able to handle it. I'm starting to hear from family members that I'm getting "too thin", or that I'm "just right so don't lose any more". But my friends who have had WLS know what's hidden under our clothes. Again, I'm a numbers guy, so I established a goal that is exactly one pound into the "normal" BMI range for my height. I have to point out that "normal" goes down another 39 pounds from there before hitting "underweight", so it's not like I've set a crazy goal or anything. As I get closer, I'm starting to think about shooting for an additional 4 pounds to give myself some wiggle room before the "overweight" category kicks back in. Yeah, it's obsessive, but I need the structure of these goals to keep me honest. We'll see if it works....

I guess my favorite comment was, "You've lost a crap-ton of weight, haven't you?!" LOL!!!

Good luck! Reading stories from WLS veterans who made it to goal, then bounced up a bit are a big part of my program. You guys provide the cautionary tales that those of us on the way down need to hear. You may want to look at your Fluid intake to see if you're keeping your sleeve satisfied. Thank you for your honesty. Sounds like you are getting a handle on it. I truly hope you succeed!!!

A couple of thoughts... In the first few weeks after surgery, all kinds of stuff is going on inside you, particularly in regards to swelling and unswelling. Stuff gurgles and groans and is gernally uncomfortable. Also, acid reflux can be an issue. If you're not still on it from surgery, ask your doc for some Protonix (Pantoprazole is the generic). That can help a lot. And then, make sure you're getting in enough Fluid. It's hard for a while, but it's even more important than Protein in the first week or two. After that, protein and fluids can help you stay satisfied. Remember, hunger is often thirst in disguise! Good luck with your journey, and try to stay away from the Cookies and flan. I can sympathize, flan is my favorite thing in the world, and I've tried one small last in the past 7 months.

Yup. A few weeks out I asked my doc why I was getting hungry. He said, "Are you sure you're not just thirsty?" Since then I've been keeping my sleeve full of liquid and it works!

Sorry, but I'd avoid going the mashed potato route. Sweets and starches are a slippery slope for me. How about bringing along a cooler with Protein shakes and tuna/chicken salad? When my schedule get nuts, I pack a cooler. Once you get further down the road, my on-the-fly meal is beef or turkey Jerky. Tons of protein and reasonable calories. Turkey jerky tends to have less sodium than beef. But that's once you can eat that kind of stuff. Also, pack a large bottle with your favorite drink. Mine is watered-down Crystal Light iced tea. I drink 72+ ounces of it a day. Again, you can't do that yet, but down the road....

Used to drink 2-3 diet cokes a day. Haven't had one in 7 months and don't miss them. I may have replaced them with coffee, though. Like candy and starches, try to put the blinders on and choose to not crave them.

I'm 55 years old and down 103 lbs. Since I no longer fill out my wrinkles, in the mirror I look older, but people tell me I don't. If that's true, I can chalk it up to tons of Protein and fluids helping to keep my skin elastic. You can look at my gallery and judge for yourself. Either way, it's soooo worth it!!!

Congratulations! You're doing great, so keep it up!!!!

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

About the stall... Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

Excellent point about "taking control", @@livvsmum! Another thought about getting back on track would be to remember that "sugar craves sugar" and "carbs crave carbs" (I know, they're pretty much the same thing). So a few days of eating/drinking only Protein could serve to detox the system from those cravings. Then you only have to deal with the head hunger, and not the actual thing.

My understanding is that the remaining portion of the stomach after sleeve surgery is mostly muscle and therefore not very stretchy. As opposed to bypass surgery, where the pouch is made from the stretchy part of the stomach. I figure my sleeve will stretch some, but hopefully not very much. But only time will tell...

I've drunk at least one Premier Protein - Chocolate shake every single day for the past 7+ months. I got kind of sick of them during the pre/post-op liquid phase, but that went away. I still enjoy them every morning for breakfast in a sort of "eat to live" kind of way. And if I'm going to a party where I don't think there will be good food choices, I drink one in the car on the way so I won't be hungry.

Remember that hunger is often thirst in disguise. Are you still getting in enough fluids, or has that crept down? Perhaps increasing Fluid intake would help hunger abate. As for coffee, I'm drinking as much or more now than I ever have. Possibly because it's winter and I'm freezing all the time! Haven't noticed any ill effects thus far. Good luck getting back on the horse! You can do this!!!

I'm 6.5 months out and still consuming about 800-1,000 calories a day. According to my doc, Protein and fluids are the key, especially at your point in the journey. Any carbs should come from non-starchy veggies. Good luck in your journey!

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

I'm only 6.5 months out so I can't speak to long-term hunger issues. But how is your Fluid consumption going? My doc told me early on that hunger is often thirst in disguise. Have you stopped drinking your 64+ ounces a day? If so, bump it back up. From my experience thus far, a full sleeve is a happy sleeve, even if its just full of Crystal Light. Good luck getting back on the horse!!!

I can't speak to the job/relocation situation, but I can say that if you add the stress and negativity of making bad personal choices to the list, your situation will be even more unbearable. Instead, try using weight loss success as your "silver lining" of positivity while the rest of your stuff figures itself out. Easier to say than to do, I know, but worth the effort. Good luck!!!

Thanks! I see that your BMI is in the 20s. Congratulations on that! And from what everyone seems to be saying, the answer is to get additional calories from fat, not carbs. I like that idea!

Thanks for all the advice, folks! This Forum rocks!!! I am gradually adding more nuts and cheese to my program, without stopping my weight loss until I reach (or pass) may goal. I'm thinking 4 pounds below my goal will give me a buffer. But I can't tell people that, because unless they've gone through this, they think I'm getting too "skinny". Hah! My goal weight puts me exactly one pound into the "normal" BMI for my height, with 40 pounds below that before I reach the "underweight" category. 40!!! HAH, again! Anybody else want to share thoughts on maintenance eating?

I find that drinking TONS of Fluid has really helped me control the hunger pangs. I've worked my way up to well over 100 ounces per day. It's not that hard, but you have to find something to drink that you really like. My go-to drink is watered-down Crystal Light. It's too sweet at full strength, so I mix a 2-quart packet into a 3-quart jug of Water and it's just right. Here's my secret to getting in TONS of water: I bought two 24-ounce Tervis Tumblers (and handles) at Bed, Bath & Beyond; one for work and one for home. At least 30 minutes after Breakfast (and after coffee) I fill one up with sugar-free, decaf Crystal Light (or generic) iced tea and sip it all morning, finishing up at least 30 minutes before lunch. At least 30 minutes after lunch, I fill another and sip it all afternoon. (Sometimes I work in a snack, sometimes I don't.) Then, at least 30 minutes after dinner I fill my last one at home and sip it all evening. That's 72+ ounces of fluid every day! If I have to go somewhere, I bring my tumbler in the car with me. And if I'm hungry and it's not mealtime or snacktime, I drink even more. If I'm going to a casual party where there won't be anything "appropriate" for me to drink, I bring along more tea in a cooler. A bit obsessive? Perhaps, but it works! In addition to keeping my stomach full and comfortable, I believe the fluid helps with hair retention (Protein is key to this too) and skin elasticity. Also, the more fluid you drink, the more your body craves. (Like sugar and carbs, only much healthier!) You're still early in the journey, so it may take a while to work up to this much fluid, but keep at it -- you can do this!!!

I find that if my "good choices" switch is turned on, I"m fine. But if it gets flipped off, I could be in trouble. So far I've been able to keep it flipped on for 7 months. May I suggest that you turn your switch back on immediately? Every time there's a choice, make the right one for your program. It's hard, but each time you do it you'll be stronger. Eventually they are no longer choices, they are habits. And drink TONS of fluids. That way your stomach stays full all day and you are less susceptible to temptation. I drink almost 2 quarts of Crystal Light decaf iced tea every day and it really helps. Oh, and join a challenge. There's a Valentine's Challenge going on right now that started on Monday. Don't know if you can still get in, but here's the link. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/328319-valentines-challenge/?hl=%20valentine Good luck!