purz59

My husband and I are 10 months apart. He was sleeved first. It's working so well for us, wish I could have made it happen sooner.

I'm in Lincolnton NC. Anyone near me?

Lincolnton NC

Leroy Dr Cox did my husbands surgery last December. He had the sleeve

I'm set for the bypass in October with Dr Hata in hickory nc
Risha I'm near you

I don't eat broccoli because it is too filling, I don't have enough room after Protein. I eat a cauliflower and zucchini. My biggest issue with veggies is I just don't have the room for them after Protein, not a lack of tolerance. I eat eggplant also.

I'm kinda freaking out now about my Hair loss. I'm at 3 months and it just started, so was pleased to see the issue brought back up on the forum. My shower is full of hair everytime I wash my hair. My bathroom is full of my hair. My hair is one of my best attributes so yes, I'm worried. I do hope it stops shedding soon.

I agree. And, I am still in shock about how quickly I blew through the 400s. I do a double-take every time I get on the scale and see that "3".

I assure you, it is possible, and not painful, but probably would be while healing after surgery. I don't recommend you try it though! I didn't have any for 4-5 months post-op and wish I'd never started. It's like tasting the forbidden fruit. Today is day 1 of me kicking the habit again!

Good for you!
You'll have to find what works for you, but you might consider this perspective that has helped me maintain at 17+ months post-op:
Maintenance for me hasn't just been about what I can't eat, but what I have to eat to be healthy. For me, eating healthy means I have to eat a certain amount of Protein, healthy veggies, some fruit, some whole grains, some dairy, 64 ounces of liquids (at least) -- and then if / when there's capacity and calories left I also get to eat other foods that (for me) are treats, basically wine and simpler carbs.
I guess what I'm saying is that I have to hit my healthy food minimums every day before eating the extra stuff.
Not sure that helps, but just offering up that kind of calculation for your consideration.

And I would wish certain dramatically inclined individuals here would tone it down a notch and stop jumping at people's throats over the slightest perceived offense.

I wish people would stop acting like self rightous keepers of the internet forum and realize that people do have the right to ask questions. Regardless of how many times they've been asked. If you don't want to weigh in, then move along. The forum wasn't set up for only what you deem to be important discussion in this moment of time. So there's a search function. Well holy hell. That would mean that nobody should ever ask any question ever, anywhere. Because I'm sure all the questions you've ever asked have been answered somewhere on google. Right?!?! Only makes sense...

Eating like crap to me is a day when I eat like I used to before surgery. I never did this until recently, but I will eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and more than I want. Just grazing all day, and not counting calories, Protein, or carbs. Just a crazy free for all. Never thought I would do that again, but once in a while, I just need a break. Of course, I have to get right back on the diet or I will weigh over 300 pounds again. I wish I could say I would never do it again, but I know better. Obesity is a terrible disease, and most of the time, I am in remission. Once in a while, I have an exacerbation.

Stomach was sore but not painful. I was on morphine pump from 2:00 pm to 7:30 am and was real groggy but definitely no pain. No nausea. Then started on hydrocodone. Did the job. Never had any pain or nausea. Few days later body felt normal. What is different is only sipping a little bit at a time and trying to get all fluids in.
Easiest surgery I have had.

Hey all! So happy I finally hit Onderland! A little concerned though on the slowness of my progress. I had surgery 3 weeks ago and I've only lost 15 pounds. Still having trouble getting all the Protein and Water in but Doing much better than I was before. For almost a week the scale did not budge! How do I get that scale moving!! Any and all advice is appreciated! HW 245. SW 215 Cw 199

I am 2 months out on 12/15 as of today I am 28 lbs down. I have been loosing about 2 lbs a week roughly l.

SW 220 10/19/15 (no preop diet)
CW 197- 7 weeks on
My losses are slow, but very steady and have not had a stall YET.

I knew darn well I was going to eat crap through the holidays, so I just planned for it. Went on a 5 day liquid Protein "preop" diet the week before. Started the holidays at my lowest weight ever and ate pancakes, hash browns, Cookies, candy, eggnog, rum, chocolate, bloody Mary's, stuffing, you name it. Actually am glad it's over cause my tummy hurts! But weighed in after it was all over at just 1 pound over my bounce range which a couple days of Protein and veggies will remedy.
Love my sleeve!

Reported to hospital at 530am for 730am surgery got weighted in and lost 32lbs on my pre op diet. I was way stoked to say the least. Surgery went well and I woke up with nausea and very loopy. I got to my room at noon and I instantly was up walking Laps to get this gassy feeling out. I've been doing a dozen Laps an hour and feeling really good minus a little discomfort. Pain level is around a 3-4 out of 10. Gonna go watch tv and return texts excited for tomorrow and trying Clear liquids.
Cheers everyone!

Good stuff! Very solid advice! I can so relate, because I have the same issue with sugar and carbs. The more I eat, the more I crave. That's why I choose to limit them, even in maintenance. It just works better for me.

I was 9 months post op on12/24 (surgery was 3/24). I started at 230 (5'6") and am currently 170 (6 pound weight gain from Thanksgiving until today).
I typically come to this site to research questions I have and see if anyone else is experiencing what I am while on this journey. I have posted questions and received good feedback. I figured it is time for me to give back in case there are others that are similar to me and wanting answers as I have.
Background: I am 43 years young, a teacher with three kids. I hovered around 180 pounds throughout my 20's with no real concern about my diet or exercise. I decided at age 27 to "get in shape" and started watching my diet and joined the YMCA. I got down to 150 pounds. Then I became pregnent with my first child and thought it was the green light to eat whatever I wanted, subsequently gaining 90 pounds. I also had the mentality that I could just go back to the gym 4-5 days a week and lose it all again. Ha! Was I naive!
I got back down to 190 after the first child, then became pregnant with the 2nd child. Here is where my blood sugar issues came into play. I was determined NOT to gain so much weight with this pregnancy but my blood sugar would drop all the time so I ended up gaining 50 pounds.
Over the next 6 years, I lost and gained the same 20 pounds all the while with blood sugar issues being my enemy (never formally diagnosed with Type II diabetes only insulin resistance). Then at 200 pounds, I became pregnant with my 3rd child at age 39. I was considered "high risk" due to my age and my weight and eventually had to take insulin shots. However, I only gained 20 pounds with this pregnancy as I was very vigilant with what I ate and the insulin shots helped my blood sugar drops.
Decision to have weight loss surgery: The was not an easy decision financially speaking as well as with my family. My husband (who is very fit) just thought if I worked out and watched what I ate, I could lose the weight. However, my blood sugar was still an issue (I was off insulin after the pregnancy and still not considered diabetic although on Metformin). After having an emotional break down, my husband was on board and I started the insurance process in December 2014. I was approved in late February 2015 and had my surgery on 3/24.
Honeymoon period: Like most, I was fully committed post surgery and LOVED watching the weight fall off. The fact that you can't eat helps your mind turn away food for a long time and I had the mentality of, "Oh, I can't eat that, it will make me sick." I had no blood sugar issues and I was so happy until about three months ago.
What I have learned from the process: About there months ago, the little cheats (a bite of cake here, a nibble of bread there) started to tell my brain that my stomach can tolerate all foods and eventually it can (I am not one who has dumping syndrome etc. I can eat it all). Those cheats lead to bad days. Days I started off really well, eating my Protein, drinking my Water etc. Then there was dinner with friends, treats around the holidays and the days became a wash. This really did't start happening until Thanksgiving. Since then I have gained 6 pounds which has me freaked out and part of the reason I am writing this right now.
My period of falling off the wagon has lasted awhile now and some things I have noticed are:
1. With an increase in carbs come an increase in hunger.
2. When trying to get back on track after a period of being off track (more carbs, sugar etc.) If you have blood sugar issues, expect that your will feel the blood sugar drops while your body adjusts to getting back on track.
3. The relationship with food that you had pre-surgery does not automatically change in the honeymoon period. The real work comes at about 6-9 months out!
4. Working out is key to success after the honeymoon period. However, expect to go through an adjustment period where working out doesn't seem "to work" and for frustration to set in. Started Orange Theory last week and still no weight loss. Could be due to Water retention and muscle gain. Trust me I have researched the hell out of the effects of starting an intense HIIT work out.
5. TRACK your food. My little vacation that has resulted in a 6 pound weight gain is primarily due to not tracking. It really is key!
I equate this experience to needing AA. For me, one bite of sugar or refined carbs leads down a slippery slope which leads to blood sugar drops and feeling like crap. SUGAR = POISON. Getting back on track is hard but can be done. Day one is today and I'm giving myself that mental day 1 chip for success.

I just bought a size MEDIUM pair of pajamas!! All my extra lg or 1x keep falling down. I skipped right over the large size!

I'm the same way, just hit 122 and a size 0 in pants I can't believe it. I was at 248 last August and I believe sleeve day I was 222 around that weight Jan 3.
It's crazy! Lots of milestones

You may want to call your doctor's office and ask to speak with his/her nurse (I say that because it can be really hard to get the doc on the phone). Tell her you are struggling with the double cost because there is a charge for both dosages and ask if they have samples. Let her know that you may want to change at some point due to poor insurance coverage but want to stay on it for now. Doc's are more likely to give samples if they feel it is not being used as a long term solution.
Also many of the drug companies have "Co-pay" cards that help with the cost above what insurance covers.
If I had a pt that was on Brintellix but cost was an issue I would (barring allergies) put him/her on Lexapro (Escitalopram) because it is a good SSRI with few side effects. After being on that for maybe a month I would add Wellbutrin (Bupropion). That medicine is an NDRI which is norepinephrine and dopamine. Brintellix works on all 3 and combining is not exactly the same "recipe" as Brintellix but it is close and much cheaper as both are generic.
Wellbutrin is known for weightloss in many people. It is more activating and helps with focus as well.
Is you doc a psychiatrist or a family practice generalist? Some FP docs get worried about mixing anti-depressants because they don't really understand the way they work and the neurotransmitters they effect.
Good luck!

After my surgery, on 8/17, I purposely did not weight myself until my first post-op appt. I knew I would be swollen, etc. and I had read about the 3 week stall. I thought I would give you my weekly weights and show you how I've lost. It certainly hasn't been consistent, but overall I am very pleased.
9/7/2015 234.4 -3
9/14/2015 230.2 -4.2
9/21/2015 228 -2.2
9/28/2015 224 -4
10/5/2015 223 -1
10/12/2015 217 -6
10/19/2015 215.2 -1.8
10/26/2015 214.6 -0.6
11/2/2015 213.6 -1
11/9/2015 214.2 0.6 gain
11/16/2015 210.4 -3.8
11/23/2015 208.4 -2
11/30/2015 203.4 -5
12/7/2015 206.8 3.4 gain
12/14/2015 204.6 -2.2
12/21/2015 200.2 -4.4