Inner Surfer Girl

How awful! What a toxic group of people.
No, don't do it. There is no excuse to be unkind.

Do it!

Welcome!
This is quite an adventure.
I am looking forward to a time when you can say "I love my body!"
In the meantime, be gentle with yourself and enjoy the ride.
Just an aside, a few things I have incorporated into my WLS journey that have helped me are:
Swimming. Swimming has always been my exercise of choice. I make it a priority.
Massages. I get periodic massages to Celebrate milestones and just because.
Mani/Pedis. I get my nails done professionally more often than I used to.
Creativity. I try to practice creativity every day --- writing, photography, art classes, etc.
Sleep/rest. It is very clear to me now how important enough restful sleep is for me.
I look forward to hearing about your journey. Welcome aboard!

It seems that at least 50% of the posts on BariatriPal are bemoaning a stall. Daily, and sometimes hourly, I am reading about how someone ONLY lost x number of pounds and now the scale hasn't moved in ___ [fill in the blank] days/months, etc. Oh no, they write, I am a failure/unique/my surgery didn't work/life is not fair, ... Why am I in a stall?
I know I am exaggerating but I think you get the idea.
Guess what? STALLS are a NORMAL part of the PROCESS of losing weight. If you want to lose weight, you will stall. Not just once, but over and over. And, guess what? A stall is where your body actually does the hard work of becoming smaller. It takes a lot of work and energy to dismantle a structure that has been holding up, in some cases, hundreds of pounds.
For those who think they have to DO something to somehow "break a stall" (in my opinion, you do not break a stall, you just ride them out), here is my response:
What can you do to "break" a stall?
1) STAY OFF THE SCALE
Relax and stay off the scale if it bothers you so much. Weigh no more than once a week, or even less often. Weighing only at your doctor's appointments early in the process is a good strategy if your mood and self-worth are dictated by the numbers on the scale.
2) PICK UP A TAPE MEASURE
In addition to using the numbers on the scale to measure your progress, take your measurements. Inches lost are also a great way to see physical progress when the scale isn't moving. Most people see the biggest physical changes in their body when the scale seems stuck.
3) TRACK YOUR Protein AND Water AND MEET OR EXCEED YOUR PROTEIN AND WATER GOAL EVERY DAY
As long as you are getting in all your protein and water and following your NUT and surgeon's instructions, you are doing what you are supposed to do.
If you aren't getting in all your protein and water, then increasing your protein and water is something you can do (and should be doing anyway whether or not you are in a stall).
4) EXERCISE
If you aren't exercising, then you can exercise (and should be whether or not you are in a stall). You can start slowly by walking or even moving more around the house. Exercising will help you feel better, tone your skin and build fat-burning muscle.
5) MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR NUT
If you are unsure or unclear about what you are supposed to be, or should not be eating, then make an appointment with your NUT (which you should be doing whether or not you are in a stall).
6) REASSESS AND REEVALUATE
About the only good result I see that comes from complaining about a stall is when you take an honest look at what you are doing and realign with the program recommended by your NUT and surgeon. Have you started eating more outside of your plan? Are you restricting calories? Are you eating enough carbs and protein for your exercise? Are you taking your Vitamins? Are you eating often enough? Are you eating slowly with protein first? Sometimes, all you need to DO is go back to basics.
7) JOURNAL
One of the biggest things I have noticed from the various posts is how anxious and out-of-control some people feel when they notice a stall. Journaling can help you gain some perspective and deal with some of the emotional turmoil.
-- Write about how you are feeling about the stall and your weight loss, and surgery in general.
-- Write about why you had the surgery in the first place.
-- Write about what life was like before surgery.
-- Write about what you hope and dream about accomplishing in the future.
-- Write about your fears.
-- Write about your NSVs.
-- Make a gratitude list.
-- Make a bucket list.
-- Write a letter to your old self; write a letter to your new self.
Just write.
8) SEEK HELP
Stalls are when too many people seem to revert to old, counterproductive dieting behaviors (restricting calories, over exercising, bingeing, etc.). If this is you, then another thing you can DO is to talk to a counselor or therapist or consider joining a bariatric support group or a twelve-step group like Overeater's Anonymous.
The discomfort of being in a stall can also drive people to develop new, unhealthy coping habits or even transfer addictions. This is where you want to marshall all the resources you have available to you and use them.
The last, and most important thing you can DO is:
9) EMBRACE THE STALL
Stalls are a normal and natural part of the process.
Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines.
Stalls go hand-in-hand with weight loss.
If you had Weight Loss Surgery, then you probably want to lose a significant amount of weight. So, get ready to embrace the many stalls you will experience as your body is transformed. It will be worth it.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. My surgery is now scheduled for December 13--the same day she had her own surgery a few years ago. After more talking she's decided I have indeed thought this through. She's now supportive. And now we have the same sleeveaversary!!!!!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Look at this deal! It's regularly $129. I couldn't resist.

https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-IP-LUX50-Programmable-Stainless/dp/B006E7I7MG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480287267&sr=8-1&keywords=Instant+Pot+IP-LUX50+6-in-1+Programmable+Pressure

. I had my sleeve today. A little sore but feel pretty good. I've walked, had a couple Popsicles and now I'm watching chic flics!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was cleared to get on the pool once my incisions had healed over with no holes. It was about 4 weeks pay-op. Definitely ask this question at your follow-up appointments. It really depends on how well you are healing.

oh and good article. was much needed right now

I was just thinking earlier today that I hadn't seen you on in a while! Glad you are out enjoying life!

It seems that at least 50% of the posts on BariatriPal are bemoaning a stall. Daily, and sometimes hourly, I am reading about how someone ONLY lost x number of pounds and now the scale hasn't moved in ___ [fill in the blank] days/months, etc. Oh no, they write, I am a failure/unique/my surgery didn't work/life is not fair, ... Why am I in a stall?
I know I am exaggerating but I think you get the idea.
Guess what? STALLS are a NORMAL part of the PROCESS of losing weight. If you want to lose weight, you will stall. Not just once, but over and over. And, guess what? A stall is where your body actually does the hard work of becoming smaller. It takes a lot of work and energy to dismantle a structure that has been holding up, in some cases, hundreds of pounds.
For those who think they have to DO something to somehow "break a stall" (in my opinion, you do not break a stall, you just ride them out), here is my response:
What can you do to "break" a stall?
1) STAY OFF THE SCALE
Relax and stay off the scale if it bothers you so much. Weigh no more than once a week, or even less often. Weighing only at your doctor's appointments early in the process is a good strategy if your mood and self-worth are dictated by the numbers on the scale.
2) PICK UP A TAPE MEASURE
In addition to using the numbers on the scale to measure your progress, take your measurements. Inches lost are also a great way to see physical progress when the scale isn't moving. Most people see the biggest physical changes in their body when the scale seems stuck.
3) TRACK YOUR Protein AND Water AND MEET OR EXCEED YOUR PROTEIN AND WATER GOAL EVERY DAY
As long as you are getting in all your protein and water and following your NUT and surgeon's instructions, you are doing what you are supposed to do.
If you aren't getting in all your protein and water, then increasing your protein and water is something you can do (and should be doing anyway whether or not you are in a stall).
4) EXERCISE
If you aren't exercising, then you can exercise (and should be whether or not you are in a stall). You can start slowly by walking or even moving more around the house. Exercising will help you feel better, tone your skin and build fat-burning muscle.
5) MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR NUT
If you are unsure or unclear about what you are supposed to be, or should not be eating, then make an appointment with your NUT (which you should be doing whether or not you are in a stall).
6) REASSESS AND REEVALUATE
About the only good result I see that comes from complaining about a stall is when you take an honest look at what you are doing and realign with the program recommended by your NUT and surgeon. Have you started eating more outside of your plan? Are you restricting calories? Are you eating enough carbs and protein for your exercise? Are you taking your Vitamins? Are you eating often enough? Are you eating slowly with protein first? Sometimes, all you need to DO is go back to basics.
7) JOURNAL
One of the biggest things I have noticed from the various posts is how anxious and out-of-control some people feel when they notice a stall. Journaling can help you gain some perspective and deal with some of the emotional turmoil.
-- Write about how you are feeling about the stall and your weight loss, and surgery in general.
-- Write about why you had the surgery in the first place.
-- Write about what life was like before surgery.
-- Write about what you hope and dream about accomplishing in the future.
-- Write about your fears.
-- Write about your NSVs.
-- Make a gratitude list.
-- Make a bucket list.
-- Write a letter to your old self; write a letter to your new self.
Just write.
8) SEEK HELP
Stalls are when too many people seem to revert to old, counterproductive dieting behaviors (restricting calories, over exercising, bingeing, etc.). If this is you, then another thing you can DO is to talk to a counselor or therapist or consider joining a bariatric support group or a twelve-step group like Overeater's Anonymous.
The discomfort of being in a stall can also drive people to develop new, unhealthy coping habits or even transfer addictions. This is where you want to marshall all the resources you have available to you and use them.
The last, and most important thing you can DO is:
9) EMBRACE THE STALL
Stalls are a normal and natural part of the process.
Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines.
Stalls go hand-in-hand with weight loss.
If you had Weight Loss Surgery, then you probably want to lose a significant amount of weight. So, get ready to embrace the many stalls you will experience as your body is transformed. It will be worth it.

Don't give up!
Take it one day, one hour, one minute, or even one second at a time.
Have you considered attending some OA meetings? You may find it helpful. There is information and meeting lists online at OA.org.

If, in fact, she is threatened by your weight loss it might be a good idea to talk to a counselor or therapist about how to set boundaries with your mom.

Take a deep breath. It will work out.
Some things that helped me with the process:
Stay in touch with your bariatric practice. If you have questions, call. Keep asking questions until you understand the answer and what you need to do.
Write everything down. Keep a notebook or binder so that you have everything in one place.
Practice polite persistence.
But, also be patient.

As you may have noticed, I respond to a lot of posts with Embrace the Stall!
http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall
I got tired of responding to the same posts multiple times a day and so wrote one long post with the information I have gathered and what works for me and others as it relates to stalls.
I don't see the need for educating people about stalls to lessen anytime soon, but I would like to hear from YOU some of the good things that happened while you were in a stall.
I'll start.
I am grateful that during my last stall, I: dropped a bathing suit size; increased my lap swimming to 1 hour, several times a week and have gotten faster and stronger; am able to get in and out of my car more easily; and no longer need a seatbelt extender.
How about you?

Definitely wait until your surgeon clears you.
You may also ask your surgeon about modifying your squat in the meantime.
Walking is a great exercise until you are cleared for something more intense.
Personally, swimming is my exercise of choice. I was cleared to get in the Water about four weeks post-op.

Definitely wait until your surgeon clears you.
You may also ask your surgeon about modifying your squat in the meantime.
Walking is a great exercise until you are cleared for something more intense.
Personally, swimming is my exercise of choice. I was cleared to get in the Water about four weeks post-op.

I would suggest you call your surgeon back and let him know that you are now having issues.

I am over a year and a half post-op and if I do eat too much I know. It happens less often as I am learning and listening to my body, but it does happen on occasion.
Reminding myself to slow down and eat mindfully really helps.

I am over a year post-op from getting the sleeve. The worst parts off the experience for me?
Probably waiting so long to decide to get the surgery, the pre-op uncertainty/anxiety, the little bit of gas pain in my shoulder post-op and some post-op Constipation, and not being able to get in the pool for four weeks post-op.
In other words, not much.

To follow up in this, I am down 200+ pounds from my highest weight (with a long way to go) and I have started to feel comfortable going places without having to worry about fitting. I went to a book signing this weekend and didn't scope out parking and seating ahead of time and did fine.
There are miracles every day.

What doctors are you referring to? Have you talked to a surgeon? If you are not a candidate for bypass have you considered the sleeve?
I recommend you look for a bariatric center of excellence and attend one of their seminars. They can help you figure out 1) what your insurance will or won't cover and 2) whether you are a good candidate for surgery.

What doctors are you referring to? Have you talked to a surgeon? If you are not a candidate for bypass have you considered the sleeve?
I recommend you look for a bariatric center of excellence and attend one of their seminars. They can help you figure out 1) what your insurance will or won't cover and 2) whether you are a good candidate for surgery.

I made a decision at my first post-op follow-up appointment not to share numbers with people. I told my family that I wouldn't be sharing that information so they now know not to even ask that question.
They can see my progress and I am pretty open and frank about every thing else. The number on the scale is no one else's business, and really isn't even mine.