mochax

Everyone always puts the "We are all different" quote into these posts. While that may be true in many aspects, it is more of a scapegoat to move away from the program. The facts of WLS is most of the weight is lost during the initial 6-12 months. After that it slows, even if you stick with the program. The basis of the diets we are prescribed are a consensus among hundreds or more WLS specialists around the world who deal with thousands upon thousands of patients. Moving away from the recommendations we are given can be a recipe for failure for the majority. Not that it cant or wont work for some people, but more for the fact of it starting a trend that can eventually start a downward spiral and put us back to where we started. This is pretty much a one shot deal. If you mess it up it can be the end of the last chance.
Now with that said, if you are really kicking it with the workouts, and I mean kicking it hard, then you have room to increase your calorie intake. But please dont think that a mile or two walk a day gives you the room to add 500+ calories to the 800 that was recommended by your surgeon. That 800 calorie diet includes a moderate workout.
Sorry for being harsh but alot of people here seem to put the kid gloves on when responding to posts. This is a serious journey we have all started on and many people see the "We are all different" and think "well yes I must be one of those different people" and move away from what is recommended only to fail. dont take a chance on failing. Keep with the prescribed program as much as possible. Once you move away from it it can be very hard to get back.

My co-workers sent me this Edible Arrangement today in honor of my 100 lb weight loss. They are the nicest people!

Tomorrow makes 9 months that I started this journey. This has been an emotional but blessed journey for me. I'm loving my transformation but I have to admit it has been mentally draining. My Hw was 303 and my Cw is 217. My goal weight is 150lbs but it doesn't look like I'm going to reach it because I've been stalled at 217 for 3 months now, and it's very frustrating because I have no clue what to do to start losing again. Anybody with some advice please Help me! Here's a few pics.

Woohoo! I was sleeved on August 26, 2013. As of this morning I am down to 182 from 289. I only have 22 more lbs to lose until I hit my personal goal of 160 which will put me in a "HEALTHY" bmi.
I am 5'8". I was in a tight womens size 24 or 3X. I am now a size 8 or 10 and a size large or XL top.
I am so glad I've documented everything along this journey. Here are a few pics that I'd like to share.        

Well here i am again my last update was at 6 months and i can't believe i am 2 weeks shy of being 9 months post-op. What can i say i feel AWESOME i finally reached "my goal" a few weeks ago and will post my stats and pics at the end of this post. I hope everyone is doing good Congrats to all the new "loosers" and those soon to be, and i just want to say it has been by far one of the BEST desicions EVER for me i feel like a completely NEW person i have had my ups and downs through this journey but it has all been sooooo worth it i've had Amazing support from my husband and kids, i've cried i've laughed and i just wouldn't change it for the world, New Life, New Opportunity, and Loving it
HW 250 SW 237 CW 135

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I've seen lots of folks on here post before and after pics. Tonight, on a whim, I decided to make one to see if I see more of a difference than I see in the mirror on a daily basis. Holy cow!!! I can't believe the difference! Of course, I know I've lost weight and I know I'm back in clothes that I haven't worn in years. I definitely recommend doing a before and after!
Highest weight 274
SW 251
CW 221 (10 weeks post op)

1 year ago....
as of May 17 and that big girl with the pretty face is gone. I'm so grateful and proud of how far I've come. I still can't believe it's me in the pictures or when I pass a store window. I've lost 102 lbs and now working on the last 10. Festival season in New Orleans is hard on my good eating habits...but I'm getting back on track. Have a awesome weekend everybody and good luck!!!! Hang in there.

One year ago today was my surgery. Starting weight was 285, at 5 foot 2. Now I'm down 115 pounds with 20 pounds til goal. So happy with the changes this has made in my life, heck, I'm a green belt in taekwondo now! Before surgery walking to and from my car was all the "exercise" I got! Not good with attchments, we'll see if this works.

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I'm 23 and when I made the choice to have the surgery I told myself I would keep it on the down low from my outer ring of coworkers and friends and just inform my close friends and of course family. I personally just respond to people who comment on my weight loss and say things like, "thank you for noticing" or when they ask how I did it I just simply reply "I changed to a healthier lifestyle of eating better and smaller and working out daily." It's the truth after all. Sure I had surgery to assist me but I do all the work myself. I usually don't get that many more questions after I make that comment. People only seem to care to inquire more about someone's weight loss when the method they are using is some magic pill or starvation diet. Basically looking for an easy way out. But it's a personal choice for everyone, my girlfriend tells anyone and everyone because she wants to spread the word and help as many people in their journeys as they can; I myself am more private and like to keep a low profile.
To each their own
Good luck!

What if people are getting what they need from Vitamins and supplements? I think it works two ways: what are people eating, how much of it are they eating, and do all of us need to supplement? Supplement with what? If I have someone 400 pounds who is now 200, maybe still obese, stretched the pouch some, but healthy and feeling good, do they need all the supplements or Vitamins that someone 110 pounds who isn't healthy does?
In the research above, calories were gotten in but not certain minerals/vitamins. If we supplemented with that, do you think that would suffice? Again, what I'm talking about is that the surgical community is doing a one size fits all with the vitamins, one size fits all with BMI, and there is nothing to suggest that that one size fits all answer works for everyone.
What if people take Protein powders, things like Vega? Some people cant do the pills, some need more of it than others. That's where I think there needs to be better aftercare.
Lets face it - if people gain back a fair amount of weight, they're getting in more calories and nutrients than they need. If not, they need to cut back on what they are getting too much of (calories) and concentrate on eating those nutrients they aren't.
There are more people who gain back than struggle with malnutrition.

I also want to change my job location due to the new transformation I will be embarking on. I've lost about 15 pounds now and my coworkers are noticing so I constantly hear "oh your loosing weight". So I know later it will get more irritating. Most importantly I don't want to share what I've done being that they are always asking now.
My advice to you is go for it. New beginnings!

Starting weight, 315
Surgery weight, 294
Today 7 months post op, 207.8 ( although the picture says different)
30lb-60lbs to go until I reach my final goal

Is it really unbearable or is it something that pain killers can keep under control?

I'm sorry you are having pain issues, but you just had MAJOR surgery 2 days ago. You can't expect to be pain free and you really shouldnt base your feelings about this surgery on less than 72 hours of experience. Being negative and wallowing in regret will not help you at all. Talk to your doctor about pain medications and be proactive with healing.

I asked a lot of questions about the surgery and hospitalization and aftercare, just so I would know what to expect. Not because I would choose a surgeon based on the answers -- I was pretty settled on my choice of surgeon before I met him! I just wanted a lot of information beforehand so I could prepare and be mentally ready for everything coming my way. Some questions I asked:
--do you use a drain and/or catheter?
--how do you test for leaks?
--how long will I be in the hospital? What would cause you to keep me longer than that? Is there anything you need to see from me (i.e., drinking a certain amount) before you release me from the hospital?
--what measures do you take to prevent blood clots?
--lifting restrictions post-surgery?
--exercise restrictions post surgery?
--how often and when will I meet with you/your team after surgery?
--how strict is your post-operative eating progression? (btw: I was looking for something very strict, not "eat whatever you want in moderation" which absolutely is proven not to work for me!)
--what medications (otc and prescription) do I need to stop prior to surgery? How will I take meds after surgery and who is responsible for making sure I have detailed instructions about that?
--what tests do you (not the insurance company) require before surgery and what are some possible results that would cause you to delay surgery or not do it at all?
--how often will I see you in the hospital after my surgery? What will you be checking me for?
--what do you think are the biggest factors leading to either successful weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, or lack of success in losing weight/maintaining weight loss?

Wore the same thing today that I wore the day of my surgery. May 8th to today, only 7 lbs diff but seeing changes!
284 vs 277

Hi all, just had to share my progress with you! I am so excited I can barely stand it. This surgery was the best decision I've ever made. I will be 3 months out June 5th and I am down a little over 70 lbs! I am almost halfway to goal.
Pics:

You'll continue to feel good as you lose.. Congrats!
I'm 5'7 I was 265 day of surgery in now 196... It's been 8 mths since surgery

I was sleeved on april 9th 2014 and 6 weeks later for the first time In my adult life im no longer morbidly obese. Im 5'3 on sleeve day was 267 now 221 . Still a long way to go but a huge step for me!

Please don't wait until you are old and gray and can barely walk, breath, and sleep due to your weight. No doubt your mom is worried about you, but who wants a stroke before they are 30? Bad things can happen to people even if they don't have some kind of surgery. You sound like an independant full-grown woman who won't let other people minimize and ridicule her health concerns. Unless you are in a coma, you should be the one in charge of your health care. Love Mom from across town if you have to, but it sounds like you are going to take the next right step for your own future.

Perfect i'm looking as well! My docs office is supposed to call Tues to confirm surgery date of July 15th! I'm 32 5'7'' 264 pds of nervous excitement...i've never been at a thin healthy weight my weight has always been a struggle and i need a buddy or ten to go through this journey with!!

I'm supposed to have my surgery either the last well of July or the first well of August! I'll know more after I meet with my surgeon on June 24th. I'm 5'6". HW:265 CW:250 GW:140. Looking forward to keeping up with you all!

Here's an updated from me.... I am much better!! Nausea has been gone, I can get fluids and shakes and some soft foods in. Vitamins don't bother me. The only thing I hope gets better soon is my feeling weak. Other than that it's looking up! :-)