Everything posted by natnat919
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Constipation
I added a dose of unflavored Benefiber to my protein shake daily and it solved my problem. You need to drink!!
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Expected Weight Loss
At 6 months I was down 60 pounds.... And I started at a lower BMI so that normally means a slower weight loss
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How much weight did you lose the first 4months after surgery?
I was at 45-50 pounds down after 4 months
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Veterans - What Size are You After Weight Loss?
I'm 5'6" and after 7 months, I'm gone from 215 to 148........ Wearing a size 8. Originally had planned on getting lower, but this size feels good on me and I'm in maintenance. If I lose more, my skin would be looser and it's pretty bad now.,
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LOSING TOO MUCH WEIGHT!
I am 7 months out and having a similar issue....I am at my goal and keep losing. The only way I can maintain is to have a cheat day every 3 days. I don't go crazy, but might have a piece of bread or a potato. That's enough to keep my metabolism in check and not gain or lose. I am now able to maintain......and it hasn't really launched my cravings too badly. I eat high protein and low carb for 3 days, then add in some carbs on day 4, back on low carb for 3 days, cheat on day 4, etc. I'm still exercising a lot as well....
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Has anyone done this without any family, etc. at the hospital?
I didn't have a choice...... wanted to do it alone, but they wouldn't let me. Not sure if it was a hospital policy or a surgeon's policy, but I had to have someone to drive me home.
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does anyone have 60 pounds or less to lose?
I had about 60 pounds to lose, was sleeved in late June 2015, as of today I've lost 65 pounds. Great decision..... good luck!!
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VSG veterens! Best advice for success, please!
Babbs has the best advice..... follow that. My surgeon said "if you do 80% of what I tell you to do, you'll be successful". And, know what your triggers are.....and avoid at all costs. This isn't a magic pill for weight loss, you have to do the work. My trigger (my crack cocaine) is sugar. If I eat one piece of chocolate, one cookie or one bite of cake, I'll eat the whole entire thing and want more the next day.... the sleeve hasn't changed that. I can have the occasional (maybe once a month?) piece of bread or potato............that I can control and it doesn't make me crave more. But chocolate or any type of sweet? I know I can't handle it, so I avoid it at all costs. It would be very easy to slip back into old habits. And make sure your head is right. I felt that losing the weight would solve all of my problems. I have a wonderful life "except that I'm fat". I have lost the weight and should have worked on my "head" the entire time, along with my body.
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Questions for Alcohol Drinkers ONLY!
I had a toast (just a sip of champagne) 2 months after surgery. About 3 months out, I started having a glass of wine every now and then. It's never had any adverse affects on me at all, I didn't get "tipsy" as quickly as some, it was pretty much like it was before surgery. I may have 1 glass of wine a couple of times a month............ so no weight gain because of it, no problems at all
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I need a little encouragement.....
OK, I have learned a new lesson in this journey. The first couple of months, no one really noticed my weight loss until I hit the 45 pounds lost mark (about 3 months out), then all of a sudden everyone was noticing, complimenting, pointing and gasping! Tomorrow will be my 5 month surgiversary, I've had an easy journey with no pain, sickness, nausea and I'm already 10 pounds away from my ultimate goal. Great news, right? I have realized that being thin doesn't equate happiness. Now, people are used to seeing me at this weight and I don't get the constant compliments as I did before. I'm finding myself slipping back into old negative thoughts, old habits and such. I didn't get my mind right............along with my body. I thought if I lost the weight, my smile and inner happiness would miraculously come along with it. But I still have this "fat girl" mind inside the thin body. I am such a blessed person, but how do I turn this around and turn the negatives in my life into a positive? I can't afford regular counseling..... does anyone know of a great book that helps?
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A Sample Menu for the day
I make a lot of things in bulk (crock pot cooking) then divide them into small 4 ounce containers and freeze. I'm 5 months out, but here is a normal day (approx 700 calories): - Oh Yeah Protein shake (add sugar free fat free Jello pudding mix to switch up the favors) - Dannon Lite and Fit Greek Yogurt - 4 ounces of crock pot chicken with Italian seasonings and broccoli - 4 ounces of Taco meat with fat free cheese - egg with fat free cheese and Jimmy Dean sausage crumbles I am a gal of convenience, also like P3 Protein Snacks, can get them any grocery in the deli meat section..... A little snack pack with turkey, cheese and nuts...about 170 calories I also make cauliflower casserole and put it in the 4 oz containers Hope this helps
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natnat919
natnat919, a weight loss surgery photo album by natnat919 on BariatricPal. 7 photos in Before and After Gastric Sleeve Photos.
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Sleeve and gallbladder surgery at the same time
Same here..... sleeved and gall bladder removed at the same time. I've had zero pain, zero complications, zero symptoms (no hair loss, no nausea, nothing) and I'm 5 months out. This has been the best thing I've ever done for myself
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Low BMI-ers
I live in NC, was considered a low BMI for the sleeve surgery, but mine was 35 (I had to gain weight to reach 35 BMI). Insurance paid for mine, because I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and was pre-diabetic. It was touch and go for a while getting insurance approval, but they approved me. Best thing I ever did. My surgeon was convinced that I wouldn't be approved by insurance.... so I was prepared to be a self-pay if needed. It was going to be about $12,000. 5 months later, down 61 pounds..........I'm 2 pounds away from a "normal weight for my height", which I hadn't seen in a LONG TIME
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Carbs, Fats and/or Calories (oh my!)
Sounds a lot like my story. I was sleeved 6/23/15 and have lost 59 pounds. These first 4 months have been a breeze, no sickness, weight falling off, not a single stall. Then it all came to a screeching halt 2 weeks ago! I exercise daily, have been switching it up to fool my body, log everything into My Fitness Pal and never cheat. I eat high protein and low carb.... Pretty much zero weight loss in 2 weeks..... So I guess this is my first stall. I average 700 calories a day as well. The only thing that has really changed for me recently has been bowel movements have slowed down, been adding Benefiber into my protein shakes daily but it's been probably 5 days. Maybe that's the reason for the stall!
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150's....Woop Woop
I am in the 150's for the first time since 2007!!!! It's 159.6, but still in the 150's!!!!!
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Best Advice I've recieved from this site
I tried the Vitamin patches based on reviews on here and it wasn't a good experience. I went from having all the energy in the world to feeling like the life had been sucked out of me. I kept trying them for 2 weeks and went back to the chewables and felt better immediately. Horrible experience for me
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Low BMI Pre-op nerves
I was a low BMI to start as well...... I had to "gain" to reach 35 BMI so insurance would pay for it. I'm now almost 4 months out and have lost 54 pounds, only want to lose 10-15 more and I will be exactly where I want to be. This is the best decision I've ever made, I'm off all meds, exercising all the time, living life to the fullest. People tell me I look 10 years younger and so much happier.
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At what point can you have mashed potatoes?
I was allowed to have them during the pureed stage and after that, they are off limits
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When did people notice your weight loss?
I was so frustrated for months... No one noticed except the people that knew I had the surgery. I had dinner with a friend at the 42 pound loss mark, no comment. Then I saw her again 2 weeks later and I was at the 49 pound loss mark and she went nuts. It was about the 47-49 pounds lost and 3 month mark when people started noticing. And when they finally noticed, it's been all people talk about!
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3 month Post-Op checkup
I weighed 214.8 on surgery day and weighed 165.8 today
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Protein powder
I love Oh Yeah Vanilla Creme Powder. I mix it with different flavors of sugar free Fat Free Jello pudding mix to change it up daily so it doesn't get boring. I drink one every day for Breakfast and look forward to it!!
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3 month Post-Op checkup
Picture with Randy Fenoli was taken on April 25 2015, the day after my initial consultation with the surgeon. Picture with the football player was taken yesterday (3 months after surgery) after losing 49 pounds
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3 month Post-Op checkup
I had my 3 month checkup today with my surgeon.... He was very supportive, said he was blown away when he saw me. Everything went well, they don't do labwork until 6 months out, so he asked a lot of questions about what I am eating, exercise, how I feel and such. I did mention that my appetite has returned, and I am eating 5 small meals a day. So he told me to order Optimized Saffron to help control it. He said people swear by it, including his wife. We will see!!! I have lost 49 pounds in 3 months.... Pretty good for a Low BMI'er.... I thought it would be slower. I am lucky, haven't had any stalls, pain, gas, nausea the entire time. Woooo hoooooo
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Timeline
I had my initial consultation on April 24, no waiting period for my insurance. Surgery date was June 22