MrsSugarbabe

I will be 3 years out in December and I have definately gone up and down on my "compliance" with taking nutritional supplements, mostly because I hate pills. At times, if I eat Vitamin pills I don't feel like I can eat anything else and feel kinda icky. This spring, when I had unexplained weight loss I had a super detailed nutritional analysis done and got A+ results even though i had been slacking... It did get me motivated to get back on track so this is what I am doing now:
-Daily eco-drink which is a packet you mix with Water. Has alot of Vitamins and electrolites - it is 20 bucks at costco for a 30 day supply. I judge as better quality than gummies and more importantly, something i will actually consume daily
-A few times a week sublingual drops of a B complex liquid
-Vitamin D pills - not as often as I should, but probably 4X a week
-Calcium, my arch nemisis. On days when I feel i can choke down the pills I take calcium citrate. On days I cant, I do the Kirkland brand chews. I know they aren't absorbed as well, but, at least it is something. And they both also have the Vitamin D
-Probiotics are something I know I should take, but notice zero difference in anything with or without so am a skeptic. curious if anyone else notices actual results with Probiotics?
In the first year post op my NUT knew that there was a strong link between gut flora and weight loss so was a big advocate of pre and probiotics and the like. I haven't used them regularly and have been at goal for awhile so not sure if this applies to everyone.
I am also supposed to take fish oil to reduce joint pain but that falls in the catagory of pills i never take so it sits staring at me on the counter.
So, let;s motivate each other as to what works, is worth doing and your results. I know that some people stop getting blood work done a few years post op but i don't want to be one of those with compromised health down the road. I also try to eat very healthy food MOST of the time.

@@TheBlissfulNatural 3 weeks out today, and I can barely feel any pain. my only pain is in the largest incision where my stomach was pulled out. It will get better. hang in there. just think down the road when you are 50, 60, 70 or more pounds lighter and how good you feel, you will laugh at this small piece of time and know it was all worth it!!!

Yes Gas X helps, however, the ONLY thing that TRULY works is walking...... walk walk walk, walk during the night, walk every two hours -- at least. Walk walk walk walk walk.... give it about another 6 days and you'll feel great but put those steps in.... walk walk walk......!!!!!!!!!

@@SherB I lost 80 pounds in 5 months, 30 before surgery. And yeah, I do work out a lot and was foruntely able to start the week after surgery and haven't really stopped since. It's a big part of my success, really. I started with only cardio - walking, ellipticals, treadmill... Eventually started a couch-to-5K training app and 2 months ago I started with a personal trainer to help incorporate weight/strength training to work on toning the loose skin.

Wow!! One red hot lady!! You look amazing!! I can't wait to be in your shoes!! 6 days post op here.

You look wonderful. Are your working out a lot? That seems like a lot of weight for 5 months. I am over 2 months and have only lost 42 pounds. Not sure I could even get close to what you have lost in 5 months. Great job! Jealous here too.

You look absolutely stunning! I just got sleeved last Friday and will use your inspiration to stick with the program! Thanks!

You look absolutely beautiful !!!!! I have not had my surgery yet but when I do I hope that I do as well as you. You are an inspiration to us all.

OK, you look hella gorgeous and I want those red shoes and yes, the red dress!!

AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Congrats!! You're an inspiration to all of us! I'm 61 lbs down and couldn't be happier!

I've now reached 110 pounds lost! That is more than my sister weighs haha I go around saying "I lost a Sammy" lmao And my mom keeps saying "Half-a-Hana" lol The feeling is incredible. I'm buying size 10 outfits, medium dresses... I'm working out and running a lot and just generally enjoying life so much more than before.



This past weekend I went up to NY for a family wedding. I hadn't seen a number of these people in a long, long time and the response was overwhelming. Some people cried, they were so happy for me and my success and my good health. I felt and looked incredible. It was just an incredible weekend. Below are a couple of before photos and the last photo is a small collage from the wedding!



November 2012





June 2013





May 2014 (4 weeks post-op)





September 12, 2014





September 27, 2014 (5 months post-op, 110 pounds lost)





HW (recorded): 301

SW (4/21/14): 271

CW (9/27/14): 191

32 years old

5'5"

Holy Smoke! You look fantastic hmk715!! I'm green with envy too (I had my surgery April 29 and haven't lost nearly that much - Down from 276 on surgery day to 208 today - I'm happy about it though). You do look so joyful and delighted, and beautiful both before and after. I hope you feel incredibly proud of yourself, and all of your hard work - it's paid off big time. Way to go!

I got my sleeve Dec 3, 2012. Wow time flies. Yes there is pain but if you have children, it's like that. It hurt but it's so worth it. Everyone pain tolerance is different. Some feel little some feel a lot, some feel none. So don't worry, before you know it you will be on your road to recovery and focusing on menus and shopping lol. I started out 226 @ 5'6. Now I am 150. Soooo happy. Wishing you the best and remember its a tool we still need to eat healthy and exercise. I don't exercise much. I walk is basically my exercise. Everyone is different. Welcome to the losers bench!

The pain isn't that bad to be quite honest, although some people have more pain than others for a variety of reasons. Surgical technique, pain meds, pain tolerance etc...If I had to make one generalized comment about the pain, I'd say the worst for me is the main incision where they pull the stomach out. It was flat out painful for a few days and now has moved on to the tender/sore phase for me. sleeping was very tough for me that first night as I am not a back sleeper, so it took some adjusting.
Every day is better than the last for sure. But that exit incision can be tender or sore for even up to two to three weeks even a month. I'm day 7 right now post op, and I was comfortable enough to stop pain meds on day 5 altogether and just once at bed time on day 4.

I was sore for 3-4 days but after that I was at about a 2 for pain. I couldn't stand the liquid pain killer they prescribed so I went without and it wasn't bad. Now I'm sure everyone has different experiences. I went from a band to a sleeve and they did mention my band came out really easy. I had had it since 2005. The surgeon said that it was the easiest band he's had to remove so that could mean the difference in my pain level. Anxiety is a given going into this. I'm so proud of myself for staying the course and going through with it because I am so happy with the results! I've lost 25 lbs as of today and the hard part (like getting use to the completely different eating habits) is getting so much easier during my 2nd month. Try and spend less time worrying about how you'll feel and try and prepare for the big day. I know, easier said than done right? To get your mind off it, go out and buy your sugar free liquids, look up some tips and recipes, maybe buy a few books or new pair of exercise shoes and try focusing more on the vast upcoming changes to your life (positive changes by the way). I sincerely hope all goes well. Healthy regards!

Well, one i have no pain tolerance what so ever....but i just was sleeved on monday.... the gas felt like i was being stabbed with a knife but that is all over now. The dr said i did so well bc i had taken it upon myself to start my liquid diet two weeks prior vs 7 days....I'm totally ready for this new journey! My stomach was 40 oz now its 8...i was told not to eat more than 4 oz at a time....it maybe rough at first but well worth it at the end! Good luck!

I am happily home sipping on Crystal Light. I was sleeved robotically on Monday. I have read a few WLS books, been a frequent reader here at BP, and have attended support group x2. I was not prepared, as stupid as it sounds, for how huge a surgery this was!! My post op groggy lasted almost 20 hours, so I feel as if I lost some time and was behind the eight ball.
Getting up and walking was easy. I was given a belly binder and that helps keep all the pieces to gether. Walking cannot be over emphasized. It moves the excess gas all around decreasing back pain, or wherever it chooses to manifest itself.
Bring as little to the hospital as possible. Chapstick. It cannot be overemphasized!! just bring chapstick. I wore the same clothes home that I arrived in and that made things simple.
Do the deep breathing and coughing. I developed a fever pretty quickly that was over 100 and it was an added distraction. My blood sugar went up to 199 so I was put on insulin. Despite no history of diabetes, this is not uncommon.
Truly, each "day" gets better. significantly better. The nausea was so terrible I could not imagine it going away, but, I have not had an issue with it since home.
Best wishes to all.

I mix mine with carbmaster milk -- lactose free, nonfat, much higher Protein, lower calorie, and lower carb than regular skim milk. It comes in plain, vanilla, and chocolate. However, it is only available at Kroger stores, which are mostly in the Midwest and parts of the South -- not sure where you are, but many grocery chains carry some sort of milk that is higher in protein and/or lower calorie or carb than regular milk.
It isn't the fat in whole milk that scares me but the calories and carbs. I also consider almond milk a waste because of the low protein content. Many people use soy milk as an alternative to regular dairy milk as well, or use almond milk and make up the protein elsewhere. It really depends on what you like, what you can tolerate, and what your plan calls for in terms of calories/carbs/protein etc.

Depends on the flavor....chocolate, vanilla, banana, cake batter and Cookies and cream flavors I mix with milk. The fruitier Syntrax Nectars like cherry, lemonade, apple and peach I mix with Water. I never worried about or kept track of fat, but you can use skim milk if you are concerned.
Some people use almond milk because of the lower carbs, but I consider it empty calories because there's almost no Protein in almond milk. You're better off with the real thing or even soy milk. Pèrsonally I never worry about carbs if they are coming from dairy, fruits or veggies.

I DID feel that way, but it turned out to be an unfounded fear. Through reduced capacity with my sleeve, food journaling and exercise, I've developed a lifestyle that allows me to "eat like a thin person". For me, that means I eat what I like in small quantities. I don't give in to every whim immediately, but if there's something my body has been asking for for an extended period of time, I'll work it into my day. In this way I never feel deprived and I have far less "cravings". There's also no guilt because I make sure to get at least 75g of Protein per day rarely go over on my calories even when planning an indulgence. Some choose to give up trigger foods, but I find this works better for me. Does your lifestyle have to change to be a success? Definitely. You have to figure out what will work for you, but know that it down't HAVE to look like complete deprivation of all that is good!

Make the most of it ! I had to go on a 2 week partial liquid diet, 2 Optifast shakes per day plus one low fat, low carb, high Protein meal. I was good and stuck to it until the last 5 days when each of my one meals a day was one of my favourite meals from one of my favourite restaurants. My surgeon didn't seem too bothered, perhaps because I had a relatively low BMI and no health problems. Stuffing my face prior to surgery still probably wasn't that smart though !!! We are still obese and the lower the weight and smaller the liver during the op the less time spent on the table and the lower the risk. The silly thing is, all the food I stuffed in my face I can still eat and enjoy just in much smaller quantities :-) good luck !!

I'm happy to hear that your husband finally came around to support you on your WLS decision The responses to my question have been so much more encouraging than what I think I was expecting initially for which I'm thankful. Keep up all the great work you've been doing!! You and your hubby on are your way to enjoying all those things you enjoy doing together!!

Uh oh. My hubby plans and prepares a lot of our suppers (some weeks)...he's retired, I'm still working full-time.

As I have wrapped up all the pre-surgery appointments and am awaiting insurance approval, I've been wondering how spouses/SOs have done during your journey. Has he/she lost weight along with you because of your lifestyle changes? Or have they gained weight for some reason? My husband is very supportive of my decision so I'm hoping he, too, will benefit from my journey.

Thanks for sharing! Because my hubby is diabetic, we already weigh and measure everything for dinner so I'm hoping he'll trade Breakfast or lunch in for a Protein shake. I'm not pushing him to do what I'm doing, but I do know he'd be a bit happier if he could lose some weight.