ANewBeginning15

I am 15 days out and have lost 9.2 pounds since surgery. I know I had a lot of swelling and bloating after surgery. When I weighed the first time after getting home 5 days after surgery, I was up 7 pounds! I was so shocked. Being patient and kind to myself, I know my body is doing just what it should do and I am going to love it for doing that. This is not a race but a long term solution.

@@RNsleever715
Here is the upside...and it took me all month to come to this conclusion. Yes...I have not lost any weight in almost 8 weeks. YES i am very bugged about that. BUT...and this is a big BUT (one T not 2)
I AM NOT GAINING ANY WEIGHT EITHER. I gained 3 pounds and it is almost gone so I am pretty sure that was PMS weight. BUT prior to having this done I was not only not losing but when I didn't lose I would panic...eat..and gain. I gained 40 pounds in a year. So if I only lose 20 pounds a YEAR and I don't GAIN...that is a HUGE plus!
Good luck with your surgery!

I was sleeved on the 8th and I have been mostly pain free just hungry! I can have eggs Wednesday and I can't wait! Hope you all are getting better everyday too!

I finally got brave enough to take photos after surgery. I had my 9 month appointment yesterday and the surgeon was very happy with my progress. I still have close to 30lbs to lose to hit my goal.

I was sleeved Monday and all the pains subsided yesterday. Sorry you are hurting but it will go away and you'll feel better everyday.

Walk as much as you can...it helps to get your system back moving so you can pass the gas. I had really bad gas pains too...they started passing late day 2/3..I feel your pain..but walk...Walk walk. . It'll help

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the pounds will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again!
(Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

Here, read this. This explains why it happens:
http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.php

Maybe I should keep my mouth shut. I am not a patient, but the very supportive wife. My husband is starting the process of a band to sleeve revision and we are hoping for a late September surgery date. I have been to the appointment with him, and have read not just the binder from the surgeon, but everything I can find online.
Both DH and I know that this is a tool to help him lose weight and get healthy. He also knows that in order to be successful, he needs to follow, to the letter, the program that the surgeon and nutritionist lay out.
I read all the time here, and on other forums, of people who are not being successful. Most of the time, it comes out that they are eating solids too soon or eating too many carbs. I am the first to admit that I don't know what it's like to be a food addict. But, having been with one for almost 25 years, I know the struggles all too well. Ultimately, it is up to him to succeed with this gift he is being given. And while I cannot watch him 24/7, he knows that following the plan is the only way to succeed. liquids for 2 weeks. Mashies for 2 then the slow introduction of solids. Letting the new stomach heal and more importantly, learning how to eat to live, not live to eat.
Sorry if I offended anyone, and like I said, I don't know what it's like to live in your shoes. But, I will walk over flaming broken glass to help my husband succeed.
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I am 6 wks post op tomorrow and have had a pretty smooth transition and I feel great but I am wondering how you deal with food cravings when they come up? I have stuck strictly to my surgeons program but I figure food cravings are inevitable at some point and I'm looking for the tips/tricks for dealing with them. I would really love to hear from new post ops but also the veterans who have worked thir program long term with success.

Just a quick question about "excess weight" - did everyone determine their excess weight on the BMI chart? Just curious.
@Lauriep I believe the sky is the limit with weight loss. For me, this is a 100% lifestyle change. The surgery was just apart of this process.
surgery healthy diet exercise I started at a very heavy weight (351 lbs.) and have lost about 100 so far. I feel great now! The difference in how I look and feel is amazing. I can't imagine how I will feel when I'm at 60%, 70%, 80% or even 90% (my goal!)
I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything. I've gained never having headaches anymore, no more body aches in the morning, no more snoring, and a perfect BP.
Something happens when you start losing weight, for me, I just want to eat healthier and healthier.
@@bella86 awesome! Truly inspiring!! Thank you for sharing.

I get what you mean about 'diet'. I am never one for denying myself something, that just makes it harder. I'd rather look at this whole process as, ' I am finally choosing to be thin' and this is just what it takes. I heard someone in this forum use the term "fat brain". And they were absolutely right. There is 'fat brain' and 'normal brain'. People who have 'normal brain' don't have to pay as much attention to every single thing that they eat! People with fat brain should have been.
Yes there were many food funerals! But for me it was really saying 'goodbye'. If I didn't love all of the wrong things, I wouldn't be here. There were many things, I just realized that I should never eat again and some if I did, should be in very, very small quantities. I didn't overindulge, just enjoyed it and then said goodbye.

Since then in prep for surgery (which is in 4 days) it's been all liquid, which at first was really hard, but got much easier as time went by, and am preparing now for the 'menu' post surgery. The funny thing is that I've just gotten used to it. At first all I could think about was <insert something here, I don't want to mention mine, as it would be cruel to anyone reading this and struggling with certain foods> for some reason, but now, eh. As long as I stay full and Protein shakes and chicken stock are doing that, I'm good. (Food funerals are not for everyone I do know that, but for me am glad I did it. I don't miss those things now).
I thought at first it was ridiculously stupid to quit smoking right before the liver shrinking diet but I just waited until the very last possible minute, it's been about 45 days. But THAT is all I can think about! Here I thought it was food I was addicted to! At least my mind is occupied, healthily or unheathily.
Thanks for the input! Keep your successes coming!

Ultimately, this is WLS patients' last chance to resolve their lifelong overweight / health issues.
If you can't wrap your mind around the fact that this is not just another diet (which we have all failed at before) but radical surgery that gives you one last chance to explore and reset the emotional and behavioral issues that kept you from being healthy, then you haven't understood the most important part about this surgery:
The surgery will be on your stomach, not your brain (and, if you're so inclined, your spirit or soul) -- where all of the changes you need to be successful long-term must occur.
While you're losing weight, you've got to learn to live very differently than you have lived up to now. Those food funerals ... hmmmm ... not a good sign.
Your potential resources to change how you think / feel / problem-solve / plan / execute are:
* nutritional education
* psychological education
* a positive attitude
* healthy support from others
* environmental controls
* psychological therapy / counseling
* spiritual counseling
* relaxation techniques
* learning how to live in this moment (not the past or the future)
Very best to you.

Hi Lauriep,
Everyone's process and journey will be different as we are all unique individuals, so I will share with you some of the things I did that I believe really helped me achieve above average weight loss results.
For me, I just got my head prepared as much as I could beforehand. I had to come clean with myself and stop being in denial about how much I relied on food for more than just nourishment.I went back over the situations trigger me to eat, what are the foods that I have no control over and tried to come up with non-food solutions. I also leaned on my faith by praying and seeking the guidance of God to help me with this journey. I tried to have an open mind about what to expect with the surgery and also, one of the things that was important for me was to get rid of my all or nothing mentality. That mindset used to totally derail my weight loss efforts in the past. I read and read and read my surgeon's pre- surgery instructions and followed that same pattern with the instructions from my nutritionist. I made a list of the items I would need prior to surgery. I reviewed the forums here regarding what would be helpful for you to buy and have ready prior to surgery so that was a huge help. I remember taking my folder of instructions with me everywhere I went for the first few weeks in case I needed to review it while in the supermarket or pharmacy. I followed the rules exactly as I was supposed to and do those same things now, such as weigh and measure my portions, plan my meals ahead of time, have back-up Protein Bars in my handbag and desk at work. I always carry my water bottle and make sure to stay hydrated. One of the most vital things that I think has helped me lose weight so rapidly and also over 70 inches total, exercise. Once my doctor gave me full clearance to do full workouts, I got myself into the gym. In the beginning, right after surgery I was walking, but I knew I needed to do something more than walk. So, I went to my local YMCA which I had gone to for two years prior to my surgery and started with boot camp. Then I took the schedule of classes home and sat with my family's schedule and figured out what days would work best based on our activities. This area of making the gym and exercise a part of my life was huge because that is the one thing I would always make excuses about as to why I was not able to exercise. I would always say I didn't have time. I made a promise to myself that I would do this process and journey honestly and not try to make excuses or try to justify not following the rules, etc. So basically, for me, it has been about making a commitment to myself and give myself a chance to succeed. Its really many things put together to create a solid plan of action which helps you stay focused and have a successful journey. One other point that is something worth mentioning is the fact that this is not a diet. I don't feel like I am on a diet and I don't feel deprived even though I currently do not eat many things that I used to eat. I recognize that I am learning an entirely new way of eating and that black cloud of the DIET is not hanging over my head which for me is such a feeling of freedom that I truly cannot express adequately with words. I hope this helps you and hope it makes sense. If you have any more questions, pleas ask and I will answer you from what I have experienced. Best wishes to you.

Laurier, don't get distracted by the statistics. They are just that, statistics! If you focus on your goal, follow the rules of the sleeve, your doctor, medical team and nutritionist you should be fine. My story is this and I hope it encourages you to hang I there. I had VSG surgery on 2-12-14 and have lost a total of 163 lbs! Thankfully all has gone well so far and I feel great. I no longer have sleep apnea and I am off all of my blood pressure meds. You can do this! Please keep in touch and keep us posted.

The only thing that limits you to only losing 60% of your excess weight is you. I've lost over 100% and am maintaining easily. I eat whatever I want whenever I'm hungry....protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains. But I also eat ice cream, desert, bread, alcohol, cake, etc.... just everything in moderation. I do not excercise and I've never tracked or counted or measured my food. I didn't have surgery just to be on a diet the rest of my life. I do make sure I drink at least 64oz of Fluid and I do take my Vitamins (but I've always taken Vitamins, so this is no change)
Other than making much healthier food choices, my life isn't a whole lot different than preop. Unless you count Having a normal BMI, shopping in regular stores for clothes, not being in pain everyday, spending a lot less money on groceries, and being able to hike, climb stairs, etc without getting out of breath, Perhaps I am an anomaly, but I just wanted to let you know that there is more than one way to be successful and postop life does not have to be all that complicated.

@@Lauriep, I hear what you are saying. I had my initial consult and I had several things go through my mind. I had my heart set on the sleeve because the thought of having my insides rewired was scary. I was only choosing between the sleeve and the bypass oh and NOT HAVING SURGERY AT ALL!! And I do take ibuprofen for occasional pain from degenerative arthritis.
The thing that got to me was IF I'm going under a general anesthetic to loose weight and halt some chronic disease processes, I want the procedure with the highest percentage of average weight loss.
The thing about the pain, well at least the arthritic pain, it's an inflammatory process. So, there is a high chance that joint pain would significantly improve with improved diet, exercise and less weight.
I've loss a considerable amount of weight before and maintained it for many years (on my own) and then I lost that control. And I'm here thinking that I could do it on my own but my ability to maintain weight loss is virtually impossible. Some weight loss, especially by big people can be easy (barred serious metabolic issues) but we all have the history of "gaining it all back and then some" that is a common thread in our story.
There is gravity in the decision, but just remember to keep it real and be seethingly honest with yourself. Only you can decide. I don't know what you have gone through for your insurance co., you would definitely have to do all that again down the line.

I'm just going to put this out there. Surgery to lose "only" 90lbs could be the difference between living another 20 years versus living another 40 years. Is it worth it if you could extend your life by 20 years?

Lauriep, I hear what you are saying....but the number that they give you is just an average. Individual weight loss depends on the individual. I know people who havent changed their lifestyle habits of eating.......just how much they eat and they don't exercise yet....they lose about that about 75% of their excess weight. Next thing you know....they are whining cuz they didnt lose as much as they wanted. So my question to you is.....how bad do you want it? Are you gonna work your butt off in the gym and follow the nutritionalists advice and guidelines or will you be like the millions who just cant wait to get back on "real solid food" and only have a minimal weight loss?? All I can do is speak for myself......Im paying for this surgery out of my pocket, so I look at it differently. I am gonna stay on the liquid Protein diet take my Vitamins and exercise religiously until i lose the majority of what I wanna lose. Hope this helps. Good luck in your decision and in life!!

I had a couple meltdowns and freak-outs during my pre-op period, but the day before surgery and the morning of, I was much less nervous than I thought I would be, even as I was sitting in the pre-op prep area waiting (and they hadn't even given me any happy drugs yet!). The couple hours immediately post-op were the worst, I'll admit... but once you are able to get up and moving (and peeing), it gets much better. And remember, you don't need to be a hero--take the pain meds and anti-nausea meds if you need them!
Good luck, you'll do great!

No regrets, and I'd do it again if I needed to. I hated being fat more than I knew, and it was always on my mind because it impacted so much of my life. I was always either on a diet or thinking I should be on one, and feeling guilty I wasn't. Even when I was on a diet, I couldn't get my calorie intake low enough, long enough, for it to be effective. Yet, with all that worry, mind numbing thinking, and true physical effort, I stayed fat and felt powerless against it.
The sleeve changed my life. I still have to think about what I eat, but at least I'm not starved all the time and I have succeeded in losing over 140 pounds. I've kept it off more than a year, and every day, it is worth the sacrifices I've made to get here.

No regrets. I always say "Being banded is an inconvenience for 5% of my day, but being obese was an inconvenience 100 % of my day ". I' ll take the 5% any day of the week. No regrets !!

What is there to regret......there was nothing I liked about being fat. Obesity was a disease that was going to kill me and I simply had treatment to help rid myself of that disease. Now I live a lifestyle to help prevent it's return.

Parts of me does regret it SLIGHTLY.. i obviously couldnt diet on my own because if i could of i would have. But its dishearting to me that i will always have to watch my carbs for the duration of time that i would like to lose weight. Sort of like a modified Atkins style diet. i will always have to be careful with carbs even with 85% stomach gone. It makes me sad because I didnt think i would have to do the whole always on a diet thing again. I had to change my mind set to " i can eat what i want BUT i have to finish my Protein first, which usually leaves no room for anything else". That is how i get by. Again i am only 6 weeks post op, but Im feeling great and know i couldnt diet alone for the length of time i need to get enough weight off. Final decision is: I am happy I did it
Good Luck!

I was sleeved Monday in Tijuana. Amazing experience and impressive professionals. I am home back in Texas and doing great! No nausea. No pain except for standing up and laying down, but not bad. I am forcing myself to take it easy. The only issue I am dealing with is that I am getting hungry ..... Oh and living in the bathroom while the Clear Liquids run through me lol. Very happy with my decision.