Graciesmom04

I've been tracking my food in MyFitnessPal, and noticed that my sugar intake is much higher than I expected every single day. It comes down to milk. I drink a lot of it. When I don't drink it, my femurs ache. Has anyone else experienced this?

Anyway, between the sugar and the overall calories, I'm starting to accept that I should drink a lot less of it. This article is pretty convincing: How Drinking Milk Can Help a Hardgainer Get Bigger!

Has anyone else out there dropped milk for weight loss?

Absolutely not. That is a deal breaker for me. I have always been a huge milk drinker. Granted, I do 1/2 % skim milk, but my son and I will go through 2 Gal of milk a week. I'll cut back a lot of areas but milk is a def one not to touch.

AMEN!!!!

I'm watching it now. I have watched in the past and it frustrates me. 1) I just don't like Dr. Now. I think he is very cold and matter-of-fact without really understanding. And I HOPE that they actually see a NUT and a therapist, but they don't show that part. 2) Some of the people frustrate me to no end. So far (only small way through), I like Nikki. That episode with Penny made me want to throw things at the TV

Sometimes I feel guilty watching it. I just feel like it really exploits instead of uplifts.

I do want to see the Skin Tight show...

Having been a nurse for 23 yrs, I totally get Dr. Now. He tells it like it is...because these people need to hear it! They will lie to you to your face, just like Dottie did last night. "I don't know how I didn't lose. I haven't cheated...I didn't over eat, I ate everything I was supposed to!" ... as we watched her eat those chips with supper and wash it down with a coke. He's not a dummy. He hasn't done this many surgeries to listen to lies. He knows what a person's body goes through during these procedures and it's his way of making or breaking them. You either man up and do what you were told to do for the program or get out. Yes, it's blunt, but trust me....you see through the BS and after awhile, tell it like it is.

Okay, stupid question. Have any of you who have had a TT had prior surgery? Like a c-section? I would have to imagine the pain is similar?

And on a side note, after having had a couple surgeries...a bit of advice, use a pillow to support your abdomen after a TT. I haven't had one yet...am hoping soon, but had other abd surgeries. A pillow, used to support adb when getting in/out of bed, recliners and on/off toilets is a major help!

Great story and you look beautiful!!

Anyone dealing with being light headed too? I had surgery four days ago and I'm weak too. I am on liquid diet so thinking maybe I will feel better once I add some solid food. I'm making sure I'm getting all Protein and Water in too but just feel shakey and woozy. Please tell me this is normal and will pass.

Some of this will pass, some won't. I'm one year out, yesterday, and still have episodes of light headedness and feeling faint every time I stand up and start walking anywhere. It's low blood pressure and my body now takes longer to flucuate pressure and volume.

I will be one year out on Thurs, 1/28 and so far have lost 123lbs. I'm not trying to lose at this point, not counting calories or Protein, etc, just doing what I do every day. I haven't exercised at all this winter, but will start again once spring comes so expect to lose again at that time. It's possible!

Everyone and every situation is different. Depends on what you do. I had my surgery done on a Wed and took off rest of that week. Ended up with a snow day on Monday, so didn't go back til following Tues. The first day back, Tues, I did great. That next day, WEd, I felt like I'd been ran over by a truck and ended up only working a 1/2 day. After that...i was tired, but did okay.

Great job!!

The thing is tho I don't find myself to be a big eater or binge eater. Some days I don't feel hungry at all but make myself eat something. I also don't think I eat lots when I do eat, my husband and sons eat way more then me for sure lol

But see...this is the trouble I've always had! I've never binged eat. I've never been a big eater. I am a school nurse, so have summers off. I would eat once a day in the summer. When I'm hot, busy, depressed, stressed...I stop eating. That is just as bad as binge eating. Your body thinks it's starving so you add wt, any wt it can to prevent you from starving. That's prob been one of my biggest issues after surgery, is making sure I eat something, no matter how small or drink a Protein Shake. Just to get out of that habit!

I read your post and hear your story in my own voice as if I'm saying it myself. I am almost 1 year out of sleeve, done 1/28/15. Best decision in my life. Two other times I'd lost 50lbs on my own, before gaining 70+ back. At my all time highest I was 273lbs and hated every bit of myself. Wouldn't take any pics, be in any pics. Deal breaker was going on my 2nd safari in Africa and sitting sideways in the chair in plane for 14hrs, cause I was taking up someone else's space and hunting, climbing a small hill, I was so out of breath, I thought I'd spook the animal I was hunting. Got home and said this is it, I'm done...lets do something. I am the happiest I've been in years. Amazingly my depression is gone. I'm not as moody, as grouchy or as tearful...and all that was even while on an antidepressant!

Whichever decision you make, make it the right one for you and but I will never regret my decision to do this, ever.

I agree with this completely! This is what mine now feels like. Prior to surgery, it was higher, more acidy with belching and a burning. After surgery, it's now at my sternum and just achy almost. I've found after taking antiacids, it goes away, so believe, like you, that this is what it is. Not sure if due to smaller stomach, the pain feels diff and is in a diff location or what, but I agree....the sounds of yours is what I experience as well.

@@PageRN - that's awesome! Word of warning and preparation....day #3 is usually, for some reason, the worst day. Thankfully it's only one day. Keep at it!

Helpful info everyone. I wonder if Fluid intake may be a factor. Do I get this feeling because I am not drinking 64 oz per day?

I don't think what or how much you're drinking has any effect on it. It more likely food choices. There are just some foods we can no longer tolerate that we could before. Everyone is diff. All trial and error.

Hi all. I just got my sleeve surgery 5 weeks ago and I'm in a mental rut at the moment. I have a question and all honest answers are appreciated. I'm a little depressed because everytime I eat the food gets stuck in my esophagus and takes forever to go down. I try to take small bites and chew throughly but it always happens regardless. My boyfriend, who is trying to be supportive, says that that's my new reality for the rest of my life. Tell me that can't be true. Tell me that I can eat without discomfort again.

OOoooooohhhh can I relate!!! I remember being so depressed and thinking...what have I just done! It DOES get better, but it may take over 6 mo's to do so! Not going to say it goes away completely, cause it doesn't. I still have episodes that come and go, where I get too aggressive eating and it all comes right back up.

I've found it's what I'm eating and have learned there are just some foods that I can't tolerate. Hamburger/pork/shredded meats...all come back up. Very small bites and waiting, even an hour before having more has helped...not drinking at all during any meals helps...and lastly, just stopping eating, even when I'm not full...helps tremendously!

I have never counted calories, ever. I do watch on my Protein powder and shakes, what the calories are vs the Protein. Just because I know some are so full of calories. I don't measure portions any longer either. My tip was to get those plastic containers with lids for storage that have the ounces on the bottom. That way I knew when making food for lunch and supper, what the size was just by the size of the container.

I will tell you that when I stalled...for months (which is very normal!) I would add some carbs into my diet. I found that if my body thought it was starving, it held onto the weight. If I added some carbs, whether mashed or soft potatoes, or bread, etc, I'd start losing again. It's like you have to trick your brain into thinking you're not starving and you're fine. Even today, almost a year out, I still find this happening. I was at a stall for several months, which never bothered me, and over the holidays I ate things I normally don't..like homemade mac and cheese...cheesy potatoes. I don't eat much of them, maybe 2 oz if that...but it's enough that over the holidays I broke my stall and have lost another 5lbs!

I'm so weak today, got sleeved on the 30th, down 21lbs. I'm drinking and sipping Tomato Soup and Protein Shakes, but I feel like a sack of potatoes.... It's awful.

Believe it or not, the more you are up and walking, the more energy you will have. I'm a year out and I still have to sit before standing and when I do stand...stay there for a minute cause my BP drops and I get light headed. But after I had surgery, the weakness was horrible. I can remember my first shower, I asked my husband to stay in our bedroom in case I needed him...it didn't take long and I had to sit in the shower. He had to literally come rinse me, dry me and help me to bed. I had no strength. It does get better, I promise. But....even though it doesn't sound right....walk. A little bit at a time. It really does help.

I am in love with that show. I was nowhere close to that size when I started this (273lbs) but I was full of self hate. However, I also didn't eat what they show they do. Mine was more of a not eating your body is starving so keeps the wt on type of deal. However, it doesn't matter....I was in the same boat. It's enlightening and uplifting to watch them.

So exciting to read all your posts. I'm almost at my 1 yr out date. 1/28. I'm down almost 120lbs...a whole new person. I can't begin to tell you how great it feels. Best decision I've made and I'm sure you will all feel that way too. This page was a Godsend....answering questions I couldn't get answers to elsewhere. Good luck!!

Congratulations to you on your wt loss! Thanks for the encouraging words. If you have any tips for the newbies please let us know. God bless!

The biggest tip I can give...give yourself time. Do NOT expect results over night. Stalls are going to happen. It's part of it...but I promise, if you are following the program, the weight will come off. When you aren't losing pounds, a lot of times you are losing inches. Take a before picture. I didn't and regret that. Wished i would have.

Good luck.

My back pain did get a lot better. Now the only time it hurts is when I've been walking for an entire day on cement floors. I have a bulging disc as well...there's hope! It does improve!

I was that way as well...really had to force something in me cause i had zero appetite. I would've been just fine not eating or drinking..ever. LOL. Hope it gets better! Def try increasing calories!

So exciting to read all your posts. I'm almost at my 1 yr out date. 1/28. I'm down almost 120lbs...a whole new person. I can't begin to tell you how great it feels. Best decision I've made and I'm sure you will all feel that way too. This page was a Godsend....answering questions I couldn't get answers to elsewhere. Good luck!!

I'm reading several posts like this, people concerned about weakness and fatigue. But...it's concerning to me how much weight you're losing in such a short amount of time. Yes...the goal is to lose weight, but not at the sake of starving ourselves to get there. There is no magic number of pounds one should lose by a certain date/time frame. I'm thinking everyone is trying to lose fast, which your body just can't handle. It's starving. It needs a break. Slow and steady...not racing and rushing. We didn't gain it overnight...give your body time to get rid of it at a pace that doesn't make you feel horrible. Good luck!

Weakness was a huge issue for me. I came back to work after only 4 days post op. Talk about a struggle to stand and stay awake! I did find the more I walked, the better I felt and more energy I thought I had. Don't worry about getting in the "number" of Protein they give you. It's a guideline, not set in stone. I became very dehydrated after surgery...really struggled with muscle cramps in my legs. I started drinking small bits of pickle juice to get the sodium and potassium I needed.

Just keep going, you'll get there. It takes time. Rest when you can and get up and moving when you can. Not long distances, just anything you can tolerate. A couple laps around the house, the living room, etc.

I actually did really well over the holidays and lost 2lbs! I have issues, still, eating a lot of meats, so I take very small portions and bites to tide me over. Sounds like you're doing awesome. Sorry about the loss of your mom. I am a person who loses all hunger and quits eating when I'm stressed or upset, which can be just as damaging as eating too much. Sounds like you're back on the right track! I will be at my one year point 1/28. I have 4lbs to go to get to my goal. Who would have ever thought it! I, for the first time in probably 20 years, am in a normal BMI category and no longer "overweight or morbidly obese"!!!