katcycler

My arms are the area of most concern for me. I'm a bit over one year out from surgery and lost 160lbs. My arms are small now, but saggy and if I have any plastics, my arms will be where I have it first. My surgeon said to wait until 18months out of surgery before I make a final decision. I want to wear sleeveless tops and will feel better if I have the arms fixed, so summer surgery here I come!!

I'm 1yr out and eating 1000 - 1200 per day. Hope this helps

I had a drain. It was removed at my one week follow up. Mild discomfort when removed. Not a big deal.

I'm one year out of surgery and have taken protonix twice a day. My calcium has been fine throughout the year.

Congrats! One year ago,the day before Thanksgiving I was sleeved!! No Thanksgiving and no "normal " Christmas eating but was the best thing I EVER did for myself.! You're gonna do great!! The first few months are not fun, but after that, life will be Awesome!!

After surgery you will be fine. You won't be hungry much and just trying to get in your protein will be hard enough. For variety, sugar free Popsicles and broth are good. Sugar free jello is great as well. The pre op liquid diet was more problematic but after the third day, I was fine. I kept thinking about my liver shrinking so the surgeon wouldn't knick it on surgery day that it kept me focused. Good luck to you.

At 6 months I could eat salad from time to time and now at 11 months out I really love it!! It's what I eat for dinner most nights.

Congrats. It's a onederful feeling!!!

I think that all of us have been where you are at one time. Even a few months after surgery I questioned my decision, but now that I am 10 months out and have lost 144lbs, I can truly say this decision was the best decision I have ever made for myself. We all lose weight at different speeds but if you do what your doc advises and listen to your support system, you will be successful. I live with the fear of gaining weight back everyday, but I just live one day at a time and stay focused. You can do this!! Fear of the unknown is perfectly normal.

I have been exercising since 1month post op. I started with a personal trainer once per week and now 7 months post op I have a trainer 3 times per week. I feel the exercise has really helped me to lose 126 lbs so far in 7 months and have yet to have a stall. I also add 1 or 2 more days per week of cardio as well. Exercise is key!! Only 15 pounds till goal.

My surgeon never said any calorie intake. He said 70g protein and less than 30g carbs and that's it. Stay within that and you will be healthy and lose. I have lost 125 lbs in 7 months post op and feel great! I track everything I eat on my fitness pal and when I was 6 weeks post op, I was averaging between 300- 500 calories a day. I have always felt full. Now my average day is about 750- 850 per day. My protein is still around 70g and my carbs around 45g. I have 15 lbs to my goal and am still losing about 3-5 lbs a month and have never had a stall. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones or maybe my surgeon is on to something. Anyway, it's working for me.

My fitness pal and fruit2o water!!

I think it depends on you and your starting weight. I weighed 311 and in 7 months post op, I have lost 126 lbs. I now weigh 185 and although the weight comes off a lot slower now, I have yet had any stalls. Everyone is unique, so understand when your doctor tells you 40% of your excess weight, that it is not set in stone. You may lose more.

Northern VA, Ashburn

I waited until 3 months out and I only drink vodka with diet cranberry juice. I can drink one or two and I really don't feel any different than before surgery with how it affects me. I only drink once a week at the most. I do enjoy it though!!

I'm 3.5 months out from surgery and always count my carbs. Only allowed 30gm per day. 70gm protein per day. At 4m I can increase to 40gm carbs per day because I will finally be allowed some fruit.

I'm almost 4months out and I am allowed 30gm per day. Starting in two weeks I will be allowed 40gm per day. That's all.

Sugar free Popsicles and sugar free jello helped to break the boredom. You're halfway there. You can do it!!!

Pity parties are part of the program. Say that 5 times fast! Lol. Hang in there. I'm just 3 m out and have had many days like yours today, but just stay with the program and remember every month or two you get to add more food to your program. It will get better!????

I am 3 m out and had a vodka cranberry which was great. Minimal carbs, too. I have one once a week. No problem.

I don't own a scale. That's one thing I'm not obsessed about. As long as my clothes size is going down I don't care about weighing myself. I'm only out 3 months, but when I'm out 1 year I will probably weigh myself once a month.

I'm almost 3 months out and still only able to get in 500 cal per day

I'm almost 3 months out and still have lots of gurgles. Really embarrassing at work but I figure it will go away eventually.

I avoid chocolate at all costs but when I was looking for a protein I could drink, I tried the chocolate flavor from premier protein at Costco and it instantly became my protein drink of choice. I'm ok with vanilla but I can't stand the strawberry. I'm 2.5 months out from surgery and the only thing chocolate I can stand is my morning premier protein drink. If you haven't tried it, I suggest you do. You can return the unused drinks if you don't like them.

I'll be 61 in May and was sleeved November 26, 14. I have many of the same feelings you have. Our mortality starts to hit us and can be a bit depressing but those feelings will come and go from time to time but try to focus on the positive things you have in your life, like your job and your relationships. Look forward to retirement and being healthy to enjoy it. I'm still working but am seriously considering retirement soon. I live in Virginia and I think the cold weather affects my mood as well, so I may move south to get to a warmer climate all year. You still have things to look forward to so hang in there and enjoy your healthy body!!