Dani_elle86

I find myself saying the same thing all the time "I've only lost 25 lbs in 6 weeks". Then I stop and think-in what other world are you going to lost 25lbs in 6 weeks?!?! I mean it's incredible, and so is your weight loss.
I made the mistake of weighing myself daily and comparing it to everyone else who had surgery the same week as me. We all have different bodies, different doctors, and different plans. I stalled my 2nd or 3rd week and was crying and upset asking myself 'What did I do?' Everyone else was losing weight and I wasn't. It's defeating. Finally I told my boyfriend to hide my scale and stopped focusing on the number. Instead I noticed my pants were a bit looser, and my tops fit a whole lot better. Just keep doing what you're doing and it will pay off! I measure all my meals (because I tend to eat too much too quickly) and I've found that 1/4c or 2 oz is pretty perfect for me to feel full and not have discomfort. My friends keep asking me how I'm doing and I keep saying I'm losing but every. single. pound. feels like its resisting...like my body doesn't want to let it go! Even though I feel like that I'm still winning! Any loss is a loss and it's more than I could have ever done on my own! You're doing great! Keep it up!

I lost 24 pounds in 6 weeks after surgery...I couldn't have been happier!
A couple of suggestions
1. Don't compare your weight loss to others or try to be "typical". There is nothing "typical" about this process. We're all different and each of us is going to lose at a different pace. We all didn't gain at the same pace, why do we expect to lose at the same pace?
2. Do not be a slave to the scale - the scale is not good for your soul, it's a cruel instrument developed to make us feel bad about ourselves. In retrospect, I wish I had thrown out my scale months ago.
I suggest taking pictures to document the changes your body is going thru - take some of your face, full body shots (with clothes or without), side shots, shots of your backside, etc. I have hundreds of pictures I took along the way - it's great to compare the "old me" to the "new me" Also, take your measurements - I measure my neck, bust, waist, hips, biceps, thighs and calf) - this really helped me when the scale said I wasn't losing pounds...I was losing inches.

The key to your success and happiness is very simple....throw your scale away and dont compare yourself to others. If you are following your doctor's plan and your hypothyroidism is being addressed, then sit back and relax. Stress= cortisol = weight gain.

My surgery was May 20th and I'm in the same boat. I feel so defeated and I'm beginning to question why I did this. I lost 12 pounds the first week and that's been it. In fact the scale said I gained 2 pounds. It's hard to grasp that before surgery I was eating 1500+ calories a day and maintaining my weight, but now I'm eating 500 calories a day and gaining. My friends/family keep asking how much weight I've lost ( trying to be supportive) and it just makes me feel worse-like I'm failing I keep track of everything I'm putting into my mouth. Everything is lowfat/no fat and sugar free. I'm getting 60 grams of Protein in me and my Water and my Vitamins...where am I going wrong?
I know we're all feeling like this...I'm just ready for this phase to be over.

Anitasdream I'm the same way-in fact sugar free anything with aspartame gives me Migraines, plus it leaves a chemical after taste in my mouth. Yuck. My surgery is May 20th and I've spent the past couple weeks trying to find alternative jello/pops/drinks and I've found quite a few. For instance-Ritas Italian ice has a sugar free line sweetened with Splenda. I picked up a quart of root beer today. I tried some and it's honestly sooo delicious! I'll be stocking up on that instead of pops. I've also discovered a local health food store (that I used to snub my nose at lol) and they had an entire wall of drinks/juice/ Snacks sweetened with stevia. I bought a couple things to try-and they're delicious-I swear! They're are so many options of 'sugar free' out there with so many different sweeteners-if you have the time before your surgery I'd try a variety if things out and see what works best for your taste buds.

My surgery was last week but I wanted to say Congratulations to all of you who've had it done. May you all have a speedy recovery and welcome to the losers bench! Best of luck to those of you who are getting it done tomorrow!

My surgery was last week but I wanted to say Congratulations to all of you who've had it done. May you all have a speedy recovery and welcome to the losers bench! Best of luck to those of you who are getting it done tomorrow!

Two days post op I woke up in the middle of the night and was miserable. I didn't know what was wrong I just had pain and gurgling. I couldn't sleep-I woke everyone up. I just started crying and asking if I should have done this to my body. Definitely a low, low point for me. I'm 9 days out now and haven't experienced it since. It gets a little better each day. Just hang in there!

Hey guys! Had my post op apt tonight...lost 12lbs! They cleared me to advance and take my Vitamins. I asked about that pain I'm having when I'm eating...they said it's either because I'm taking too much in or I'm not giving it enough time between bites. So I tried Soup when I got home and still had it I literally just put enough in to coat my mouth.
How big of sips/bites are you taking? How long do you wait in between each bite? Anyone else have lots of little burps or hiccups? I feel retarded like I can't feed myself properly lol

I'm a week out...I've had cream of wheat with stevia, Protein, and cinnamon, vanilla Greek yogurt, a tiny bit of the inside of a deviled egg on Memorial Day, sugar free pudding, and a nibble of cheese that my dad just smoked. It was still warm and gooey so it was pretty much pudding consistency. All without any trouble

Hi Sbagdan-
I was always one of those who was never going to have surgery because to me it seemed so drastic. I found out that there was a free information night given by one of the surgeons and told myself 'this doesn't mean I'm getting it, but I should inform myself of all my options'. I went and was quite taken back by the presentation and statistics. Still, I wasn't convinced though. So I did more research on my one. I took it literally one step at a time and always kept in my mind that if I didn't want surgery, then I could back out at any time. Somewhere along the line I began to feel empowered-like for the first time I was taking control of my health and then I knew it was the right decision. Surgery isn't for everyone, but you'll never know if you don't start some where. Luckily you've come to the right sport where there is a ton of info from people all over the world-at every stage. The funny thing is, I have not come across one person on here yet that has said 'boy I wish I never had that surgery done'. Best of luck to you-no matter what you decide.

Hi Sbagdan-
I was always one of those who was never going to have surgery because to me it seemed so drastic. I found out that there was a free information night given by one of the surgeons and told myself 'this doesn't mean I'm getting it, but I should inform myself of all my options'. I went and was quite taken back by the presentation and statistics. Still, I wasn't convinced though. So I did more research on my one. I took it literally one step at a time and always kept in my mind that if I didn't want surgery, then I could back out at any time. Somewhere along the line I began to feel empowered-like for the first time I was taking control of my health and then I knew it was the right decision. Surgery isn't for everyone, but you'll never know if you don't start some where. Luckily you've come to the right sport where there is a ton of info from people all over the world-at every stage. The funny thing is, I have not come across one person on here yet that has said 'boy I wish I never had that surgery done'. Best of luck to you-no matter what you decide.

I was having the same thoughts earlier tonight. Just doubts and being scared that after going through all this hard work I'll somehow end up back here 2, 3, even 5 years from now. Then I was thinking 'am I really going to remove 75% of my stomach? Isn't that kind of drastic?' I think it's only natural to have these thoughts and doubts at this stage. Luckily we're not alone. Hang in there and I wish you best of luck on your surgery and recovery!

I was having the same thoughts earlier tonight. Just doubts and being scared that after going through all this hard work I'll somehow end up back here 2, 3, even 5 years from now. Then I was thinking 'am I really going to remove 75% of my stomach? Isn't that kind of drastic?' I think it's only natural to have these thoughts and doubts at this stage. Luckily we're not alone. Hang in there and I wish you best of luck on your surgery and recovery!

I'm going today to get all of my liquids, Protein Shakes and the last of the Vitamins I need for post op. Trying to stay busy!!

Can't believe tomorrow is almost here my surgery date. I have lots to do to prepare. I hope I get some sleep tonight. My heart is beating so fast.

My wife and I are eagerly and nervously anticipating our May 20th surgeries. Our day will start in Ohio and end with surgery late in the afternoon in Tijuana, Mexico. It will be a long day but well worth it!

Just got home from buying a bunch of different broths and sugar free Jello. Also stocked up on sugar free Italian ice. Holy crap...surgery is the day after tomorrow!! Trying to stay focused on keeping hydrated and cleaning...lots of cleaning!!

Sure here's the list I've compiled:
Zevia-it's a soda line sweetened with Stevia in case you want something with bubbles before surgery
Steaz- stevia again-awesome flavored green teas
Vitamin Water Zero
Honest Tea Zero
Tazo Zero Calorie Tea
Crystal Light Pure (walmart also has theirs brand of this)
Trop 50 by Tropicana-orange/apple juice along with berry and lemonade juices all sweetened with Stevia
Powerade Zero-has sucralose (Splenda)
And you could always make koolaid with stevia/truvia instead of sugar. Hope this helps!

Team 'May 20th sleevers' I just realized that at this time next week we'll all be out of surgery and recovering all ready...is it me or is that kinda crazy?! I can't believe it's so soon! Is everyone else kinda anxious/nervous? I didn't think I would be until the day before, but now I feel like it's all I can think about! Best of luck on all of your pre-op diets! We're on the home stretch...woooohoooo!!

Sure here's the list I've compiled:
Zevia-it's a soda line sweetened with Stevia in case you want something with bubbles before surgery
Steaz- stevia again-awesome flavored green teas
Vitamin Water Zero
Honest Tea Zero
Tazo Zero Calorie Tea
Crystal Light Pure (walmart also has theirs brand of this)
Trop 50 by Tropicana-orange/apple juice along with berry and lemonade juices all sweetened with Stevia
Powerade Zero-has sucralose (Splenda)
And you could always make koolaid with stevia/truvia instead of sugar. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the details! It's really great to hear to hear what you're going through bc my surgery is in 11 days and I'm starting to get nervous! I wish you a speedy recovery!

That's a fantastic idea! I agree with you...nothing goes better with a hot summer day then an ice cold beer

Wow, that is such an accomplishment! Congrats!! You're such an inspiration!

Wow, you are all such an inspiration! I'm 5'5" and weight about 270....and less then 2 weeks until my surgery. Congrats and good luck on your journeys. Thank you again for sharing!