lovelytrl

88 pounds is awesome! Congrats!

I have you my journey started February 2014 my surgery was not on Dale September 2014 a long process. it has been worth the wait no problems no regrets at 88 pounds down so far :-)

Thanks for the info. I'm currently seeing my surgeon for the weigh ins and I'm allowed to use my time on weight watchers. I had my psych evaluation and currently seeing a nutritionist. Would love to have the surgery in mid August.
My BMI is 43.

Good afternoon. I'm Amie. I was sleeved Tuesday 3/31/15.
Currently in pain but doing well.
Hoping to gain some knowledge from my peers.

I'm a entering 7 month african american sleever. I am 88 pounds down. surgery was done .September 9th 2014 no problem no regrets. Ur doing great and this journey can be finished and maintained by anyone who wants to look and feel better as well as being good health.

Good luck brandnewme2015 today is your day. Hope all go well for you reach out when you can and let us know how you doing

Hello all NYC here i have not posted in awhile. I have been going thru testing and my six month weigh in requirement. Im finally coming to an end of it next month. It's been a long road. My papers should be submitted to insurance this month. I'm hoping for my surgery in May I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I just have a question for my AA sisters. Loose Skin. I'm totally afraid of it. I have full boobs and butt. I would hate to lose that. Is there anyway around that after surgery. For the people that had their surgery how did the skin issue work for you .

Let's please keep this thread alive! I am getting sleeved April 1st and plan to visit this forum often!

@@AgentShepard, thanks for the words of encouragement. I am definitely going to start working out again, I know I need to. Especially since my weight-loss has virtually stopped.
Your last comment about BMI is right on point. My exercise physiologist made the same comment. He said he's not interested in my BMI or the numbers on the scale. He is more interested and my percentage of weight loss. I go this Friday for my six-month follow-up, so I'm interested to see if he'll be pleased.

I would love to be added to the fb group. I have asked several times but have never been added.
AgentShepard, those are my favorite flavors of the Quest bars too! I enjoy reading everyone's post. I have noticed I am a little more hungry and can eat more now too. I have been in a little bit of a stall but finally got to onederland! I got a pedometer and am trying to get my 10,000 steps in everyday but I want to add in strength training. That is my next goal. Not sure why my text got smaller? Have a great day everyone!

Peekaboo, I eat Quest Bars. I am devoted to them! My two favorite flavors are chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Double chocolate Chunk, followed by S'mores and Cookies and Cream. They give 20 or more g of Protein and around 20 g Fiber (REALLY helpful) for under 10 carbs and 200 calories. There are bars that have more Protein, but usually those have over 300 calories. The ratios in the Quest Bars are the best I've found.
GNC usually sells the boxes of 12 bars for $35, but if you buy their $15 gold membership the price for a box is $25. I always keep a stash in the house and I try to have a bar in my purse if I'm going out, just in case I get stuck somewhere and need an emergency snack (as my sugar gets low more easily now than before the surgery.)
As for hair, as long as we get our protein and Vitamins, Hair loss at this stage is probably attributed to something called telogen effluvium - basically, the physical shock to the system of surgery plus rapid weight loss right after shocks a bunch of hair into falling out, but the good news is that it resolves naturally on its own with time. Here is a good article on the topic:
http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/weight-loss-surgery/weight-loss-surgery-nutrition-and-hair-loss
I would encourage you not to back off of working out for the sake of your hair. Unless you are doing some kind of kooky hair-pulling workout, I guess!
I stepped up my working out from gentle walking to more intense exercise plus weights in late February, and for the first three weeks or so I bounced around within the same 3 pounds. It was frustrating, but I kept at the working out because it really was making me feel good, and lo and behold, last week the weight started going down again and now I've lost around six pounds. (Seriously, if you've never tried doing weights, think about it! I love the way it makes me feel - strong and capable. after spending so long with my body making me feel weak and limited, I revel in feeling like I can kick ass and take names if the situation requires.)
Another thing to be aware of - BMI is meant to measure the overall average size of a population, and when it is applied to individual people it is very problematic. It doesn't take things like muscle or bone mass into account, for instance - and people who have been heavy develop denser, heavier bones to carry the load. There are other measures like body fat percentage or waist-to-hip ratio that seem to be better health indicators for individuals.
I've talked about this before on this board, but I find that I do better when I set myself functional goals to Celebrate - things like fitting into seats, or being able to walk down the street to a restaurant, or being able to go up the stairs using my "bad" leg. It find it really empowering and encouraging to focus on the things that I have worked to be able to DO with my body rather than the things that my body IS or looks like.

Agent
You are doing awesome. I have slacked off on my exercise but getting it going tomorrow. What kind of Protein Bars do you eat?

Hi ladies! I have a bunch of catching up to do! Everyone is doing awesome and I'm excited for us!!! For some of us who were sleeved in October are passing our 5th month on to the 6th. Keep up the awesome work guys!! I'm down 72 pounds currently and I'm in a stall phase, hope it passes soon I can't wait to see what 80 ponds down looks like!

I am so glad to see people posting on this thread again! I have been wondering how everyone is doing. I am curious how everyone is eating. I have recently seen the nutritionist and was told I can eat "normal" This scares me!!! If I know what "normal" was, I don't think I would have put my self in a situation to need bariatric surgery! LOL!! I am just curious how and what everyone else is doing. Are you "dieting" or following a meal plan from your surgeon of some sort? I have been focusing on Protein but was told I need to begin eating more and not relying on Protein supplements as much at this point. Are you all avoiding carbs or fat? So many questions!!

[quote name="jmsgal"
Body image is a common issue on this site. Just remember you were probably plus size for some time, so it will take a while to accept the new you.
I posted on another thread that I have the opposite issue. Sometimes I think I am smaller then I really am, lol. I will pick up a size 12 and assume it will fit, only to find out.....ummm, not yet.????????
You have done very well, congrats.

@@Meonthelist, people also post on "October sleever's check-in". Not sure if you follow that thread.
I eat normal for the most part, the only thing I haven't tried is Pasta.
I do eat a little rice,potatoes(sweet & white) & quinoa. However, I am seriously considering eliminating the carbs altogether since my weight loss has been so slow, at least until I get closer to goal.
I find that old habits are starting to creep up. I know I am supposed to eat Protein first, then carbs/ veggies. But sometimes I find that I start with the veggies or carbs first, depending on what I'm eating. Nothing makes me sick which is both good and bad.

Hello I was sleeved 10/4 and my weight was 360 pounds pre op 352 day of op and today I am 301 pounds I have lost 50 pounds its slow in my opinion but at least it is working. Congratulations to everyone loosing I am happy yayyyy

Jmsgal, I see a difference in myself but not what others see. I still go look in the plus sizes at clothes. Maybe we should go and try our old clothes on and see if we feel differently.

Karthy812,
Thanks for the compliment. I think you are doing great! I get hungry between meals, especially in the evening. I've heard that it's more effective to eat small meals every three hours. That is not what I have been doing, but gives me something to think about when I'm further along. I've also started going to OA meetings every week. I'm hoping that this will help me from gaining weight back.

[quote name="WL WARRIOR
I am viewing this on my Android mobile app - not as user friendly, so I hope I quoted your name right.
Your weight loss is ahh mazing!!! I am stunned w/how little you eat. I truly wish I had your restriction. I eat a whopping 1200 cal a day (per nutrionist instructions) and can eat more If I allowed myself.
I too have hypothyroid & have been using that as my excuse for not losing more (I average 5 lbs a month, the last two months). Now seeing your results, I can't really use that as a crutch.
If I'm honest I know I'm not eating as well as I should. I've gotten a little laxed w/the carbs and exercise.
I have my 6 mo f/u in April. The exercise Physiologist set a goal for me to be between 182-186lb. This morning I was at 186 but I KNOW I can so much better. I just have to buckle down! !!!
Sorry for the ramble, just had a lot to say, lol.

I try to keep my daily calorie and carb intake low. On a good day I am under 600 calories and a not so good day would be under 700. My daily carbs are always around 20 grams a day. They use to be much lower, but have increased since I added vegetables and tiny portions of fruit.
I would increase my calorie intake if I did more cardio, but right now I am speed walking an hour a day. Plus, I have hypothyroidism,which will stall my weight loss if my calories go over 800 or my carbs over 20. My weight loss for the month of March has been 12 pounds. This is a much slower loss as compared to earlier months.
My goal was to get to 160 lbs by month 6 pre op. I'm only 6 pounds away right now and I'm not going to beat myself up if I'm not there in 9 days. My original weight loss goal was to get to 160 lbs, but I have lowered it to 150 lbs after looking at the BMI chart. My primary care physician thought that I looked good enough to stop losing weight, but I disagree because I'm not at a healthy weight according to the BMI chart. I am going to try to get to 150 because I would actually like to be at a normal weight. I'm tired of going to health screenings and reading that my printout says that I am overweight or obese. I think it is okay to be skinny as long as you are healthy.

Hello All,
A week past my 5 month post surgery date and feeling good! Wondering what everyone is eating and how many calories you're taking in? My capacity for food intake is definitely more than it was (as expected) but it makes me a little wary. Working on keeping my meals structured to 5 small ones a day. Would love to hear other stories.....do tell!

I will be 6 months post op in 10 days. I've started to notice an increase in hunger and a larger capacity for food. In the first four months, I would be full on 3-4 ounces of meat. I hardly ever ate vegetables or fruit because I was always full after my Protein serving.
However, I've been able to eat vegetable or fruit after my Protein during meals because of an increased capacity now. It kind of makes me nervous. I have yet to eat any sugar or junk food, but I'm nervous about starting fruit because of all the carbs. I've worked hard to get this weight off and I'm afraid weight loss will get even more difficult as time goes on.
Anyone else notice such changes with their sleeve?

Hi Ll,
I will be 6 months out on the 7th of April. I am getting about 1000 calories a day but haven't lost much at all this month. I can eat a larger portion now too. Or let me say, I find I am hungry couple hours after eating. I am worried because I have been a slower loser from the start.

@@jstrong630, very pretty! You look soo happy! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Does your wedding dress still fit?