rejeannern

I'm in.

Indeed it is just a stall, and one that quite commonly occurs at this time. Here is a great article explaining the physiology of what's happening now -
http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html#.U67PZ0CcSpo
Another thing to not worry about is that when your loss does resume, it will probably be at a somewhat lower rate than it was initially. As Diana notes in this article, this initial loss comes from our short term stores of glycogen (basically carbs) which burn quite rapidly (at around 2000 calories per pound); but once that has been depleted, we start burning the fat that we really want to be losing, however, the fat burns more slowly (at around 3500 calories per pound), so just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Ana92212, thank you for your reply! You said something really awesome that I hope others note - you went to your nutritionist for help. You sought support! I love it! I also love that you are "in a good place." That mental attitude will help keep you well. Keep up the good work!

My honeymoon period was extremely short. Yep, I gained 5 pounds the first week after surgery. For the first 3 weeks the weight came off relatively easily and with no effort...of course, I was on a liquid diet...lol! Then, I started working out 6 days a week and I hit a 3 week stall. I saw my nutritionist because I was starting to become depressed. She assured me I was doing everything right. Sure enough the next week I lost 9 pounds. Since 2 weeks after surgery I have worked out at least 5 days a week, taken my supplements, and even made sure I was eating right. It's been a struggle. People will comment that my weight is melting off. I tell them that's because I am in the gym 5 to 6 days a week! I will lose a couple pounds then stall for 3 weeks. During that 3 weeks I typically lose 3 to 5 inches though. I am on the last month of my "honeymoon" phase and since this has been my reality from the beginning I am in a good place. I don't expect too much.

I supplement everyday. I use some Protein powder in my coffee and with my yogurt (either chocolate or unflavored).
With the Water I like the 0 calorie Wyler's lemonade flavor powder. But I'm good with sipping plain Water too.
It does get easier thanks to good habits being developed over time. Congrats on the loss to date.

Hi @@rejeannern! I know exactly what you mean because it has happened to me. The minute my family and friends found out I was having wt loss surgery everyone started talking about how they needed to loose weight and start eating healthier. My husband has actually lost 10 lbs from the time I started my pre-op diet! It was so funny because when we would go out everyone would ask him " have you lost weight". Now by no means did he do the same diet I did but he definitely started making healthier choices. He also missed his eating buddy. We use to pig out all the time but now that I was on the diet, he said eating by himself was not the same. My sister also starting walking with me and I have given her a few tips that I have learned in my nutrition class. I also had a friend who had gastric sleeve about 2 yrs out and she had fallen off the band wagon. However after I shared with her my progress she has now got back on track with her exercise. So yes by you having this surgery, it will definitely have a positive impact on the people around you.

I'm on day 7 of a 14-day pre op diet of low carbs and high Protein, liquids only. I see that other surgeons are more lax on this matter but I understand the need for it and am giving it a go, on day at a time. I wonder if others have seen how going through this process, particularly, the pre op diet, has affected their support system. It is interesting to see the reactions, with most of them expressing a new-found awareness of food choices, quantity and frequency of meals. I guess the "stone" I threw in the Water will create a ripple effect in other peoples lives and that is all good, because we all could benefit from eating healthier.

Such great wisdom and insight being shared. While I pack for my surgery on this Thursday morning, I look back at what I have accomplished since starting this journey and realize that it is truly just the beginning of a new life for me. I sometimes believe having this surgery gives me a reason to put myself first but never at the expense of others, love myself with healthy food intake and learn to appreciate my what my body can do. And what a great site and how very helpful it is for me and others as we all go through a version of this process.

I take exercise a lot more seriously. I was always active, but now I plan and make it a point to exercise every day even if it's just going for a walk. I am more in tune with my body. I think about drinking enough Water, ad eating good, whole foods.I practice better self care. I am no longer afraid to say "No" to people. I make taking care of me a priority and I don't neglect me out of fear of letting down someone else.I am much more fiscally responsible. I march to the beat of a different drum proudly.

This will be redundant, but expressed a bit differently:
* I am SO much more responsible for my self-care now. And that includes everything from brushing my teeth twice a day to planning meals and shopping for groceries to finding creative ways to moving more and being more active.
* Our home is SO much cleaner, neater, and uncluttered than it was two years ago.
* My husband's stress levels are much lower, since he doesn't worry about my health anymore. That is HUGE -- for both of us!
* My ability to address other difficult areas of my life has also strengthened, including managing household expenses, financial investments, tax preparation, retirement planning, etc.
* I'm incredibly more relaxed, less stressed and less irritable than I was two years ago, due in part to some recent changes in our lives, but largely due to my recovered health and control of my weight and renewed confidence in my ability to control aspects of life I have long wanted to control.
* I'm sleeping so much better than I did two years ago. And my husband and I go to bed at the same time and sleep together every night -- I no longer stay up late watching TV and sleep in the recliner or on the living room couch. That's so important to both of us.

The thrill is gone and its a fabulous place to be.
Life goes on after the honeymoon. The NSV's , The shock from people around you and being driven by weight loss. Looking back I have to laugh. The high from the honeymoon was incredible..I even thought I had the answers to everything bariatric.
The transformation is complete. Finding other adventures and things to overcome and conquer. I'm soooo over it!

I am curious how many of us are employed/volunteer in a helping profession. I am a social worker in a level 1 trauma center and notice a lot of other social workers, RN's, medical staff and caregivers on these boards. I feel like I spend so much time helping others, supporting other and empowering others, when I really should be more empowering, helpful and supportive to myself and my needs.

Make no bones about it........the liquid diet is a solo endeavor.
You'll not likely find anyone under your roof to champion that particular cause......unless they are insane.
Insane is where we, the patients, find ourselves, though. The liquid diet is a rite of passage and medically necessary (as far as my knuckledragging self knows).
Gut it out and stick with it. The weight loss will begin and you'll profit tremendously well before your surgery.....plus you are doing your part to better ensure a safer surgery.
We've all been there and know it's no fun......but you'll be glad you were strict.
As far as making your ripples and impacting those around you with better eating choices.......that will come soon......really soon....just a couple months and you'll be eating good foods and hopefully so will they.
Stay strict. You've got this.

I need to thank my husband for not having pizza in my house at this time. My home is my only refuge and if he wants pizza, he can go get it and eat out. It must be so hard for those with kids in the home. I feel fortunate mine are grown.

I need to thank my husband for not having pizza in my house at this time. My home is my only refuge and if he wants pizza, he can go get it and eat out. It must be so hard for those with kids in the home. I feel fortunate mine are grown.

I'm banking over being able to lose for a long, long time.
My sleeve restriction is present and doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
I see no reason why losing weight isn't something that can be done easier than before.....for life.
The key with it....as with most any worthwhile goal in life....is to wrap your mind around it and go for it.

This sounds a lot like dehydration. One of the dangers of getting too little Water in you is that your blood has a hard time circulating and your heart has to work harder and everything IN your blood (nutrients, wastes, ect) can't move efficiently. Your extreme low Water intake is going to kill you if you are not careful.
Your Protein seems low, too.
SEEK THY NUTRITIONIST! DRINK THY WATER! SCREW THEE NOT AROUND WITH THIS.

My surgery went well yesterday. I had no complication. My surgeon did the leak test while I was still in the OR so when I made it to my room. My urination was green. Kind of weird it started returning back to yellow in time. I got up and walked around a lap around the floor twice yesterday. I tolerated small sips of Water, Propel, chicken broth very well. My pain was manage with liquid Lortab every 4hrs. The surgeon saw me this morning told me I was doing exceptionally well and I could go home. So he gave me a bolus to give me a head start on hydration and I made it back home today. I must say surgery wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. ????

Best of luck everyone, mine is Wednesday and I'm scared, nervous and all above

@@saffron280 - welcome to the BP family. It is scary. I had the same worries, but the fear of diabetes, other health issues and getting heavier far out weighed (bad pun) the fear of surgery itself. I had no issues and still no REGRETS, only, like others - that I didn't do it earlier!

Tomorrow is my big day! I am very excited, and a bit nervous. Not really nervous about starting my new life, more nervous about the actual getting put to sleep, and the procedure. Worried about possible complications and things of that sort. Once the surgery is done, I am sure I will be here on the boards continually for questions, advice, tips and tricks. I am very glad that there is a place where we can get support on our journeys.

Yes, get that Protein in and make sure you are hydrated. also, are you exercising? Not only will it increase your metabolism, but it will distract you from old thinking and you will start to use new lifestyle skills.

I haven't been posting as much as I want or should, but my work schedule and home have been crazy, I am now down to 269lbs since my surgery on June 10th, at which point I was 342lbs and I started my journey in January at 388lbs, I went through my first stall a month ago and my loss has significantly slowed, I have not let any of this deter me in any way what so ever thanks to many wonderful people on this forum who cautioned me on what happens, I went without my Protein or Vitamins for a couple of weeks, but was able to purchase a new supply last Sunday, I am posting to share my emotion and happiness that occurred on Wednesday, I was off from work as a thank you and took advantage by going to shop for new pants and a shirt, I am taking my wife on our first holiday vacation on December 19th - 21st, to a town called Rockport TX. I tried on the last size I thought I was which was 52W, and they slipped off, I then tried on a size 50W, and they were still loose, so I grabbed a size 48W and thought what the hell, lo and behold they were a little snug but fit, I didn't know why at the time but I began to cry, I realized I hadn't been a size 48W since sophomore year of high school over 35 years ago, I could've probably grabbed a size 46W but I didn't want to deflate my elated state, I have only purchased shirts and scrubs since my surgery, that means that I am now down 12 waist sizes, I am still going hard at the gym and it has been tough sing I added free weights to my routine, but I am not stopping, I wanted to share these pics and I apologize for my stomach but I didn't want to hold it in or hide anything, I want to stay humble through all this, it's a huge difference paying $17.99 for cargo Dockers, when I used to pay between $65-$70 for a pair of pants, my next goal is to be able to go into an Old Navy store or similar and buy off the rack........  

@@jenn1 - are you serious? IMHO I would be afraid of circulation issues with all of the binding and etc.

@@blashlee, That's awesome! keep going. Can't weight lol to be there, too! :-)