LosingLily16

IMO, three months without weight loss isn't a plateau, it means you have found your maintenance level of calorie intake and exercise.
So, if you want to reach your goal, that means lowering your calorie intake and/or upping your exercise (and not eating back exercise calories burned).
It does sound like your loose skin may be impacting what is a realistic or healthy goal. I would suggest getting a body fat percentage test to see where you are at. Your best bet for accurate body fat percentage testing will typically be at a university with a sports medicine department. Just Google your city + body fat measurement (or something similar). Don't use measurements from a scale or skin caliper testing, both are notoriously inaccurate.
If you don't know how many calories you are taking in, you need to get that information. Start weighing your food and logging it religiously. That will show you where you can cut back. If you do already know precisely how many calories you are taking in, then check your figures and see where you can cut things out.
A standard maintenance level of calories is your current weight x 10. So for many people at your weight, 1500 calories per day would be maintenance level, and to lose a pound a week, you would want a 500 calorie per day deficit (so eating at 1000 calories per day). These are just estimates and may not be true for you, but they tend to work as a starting point to determine what you might need to eat to lose weight.
My more general tips:
--Exercise every day and do not eat back your exercise calories
--HIIT workouts tend to have me losing weight quickly -- I do low impact HIIT from DVD's at home and it really helps me
--Eating on a 5/2 plan for 10 days has helped me break stalls before.
Good luck!

So it's been about 4 1/2 weeks since I posted that I had gained 43 pounds. I have been going back to the post op way of eating and trying to exercise more and more. So far I have lost about 8 pounds of the regain. I know if's not a lot but I know I can keep going since I have stopped the "REGAIN TRAIN". April 3rd I weighed 217, today I weighed 209. I find that my sweet spot as far as calories go is 1200-1300 per day. Some people who have had surgery think that's a lot but I have to make the changes that work for me. Please help me Celebrate feeling better and working harder.
Every day is a struggle but I can make it. To everyone else who has regained: I swear that if I can make it, YOU can too. Get up and move just a little bit more than you did yesterday and cut out one thing at a time that you shouldn't be eating. We still have our tool, we just have to use it. I'm feeling pumped up and beautiful again.

You look great !! Im curious whats your daily calorie intake ?

Fantastic Job ! Youll hit your hundred for sure one step at a time

Fantastic Job ! Youll hit your hundred for sure one step at a time

Here is my 4 Month Post-Op Progress Report. Things have really changed over the last 4 months (since I had surgery on November 20th) and wanted to share my continued progress with those that might be interested. I know that I still have work to do, but seeing the weekly progress really helps keep me motivated.



Also, a BIG THANK YOU to all of you that have offered caring support and advice along the way as well as the BariatricPal weight loss and exercise challenges. I can't do it alone...so THANK YOU!!! And a special THANKS to my wife (as we are taking this journey together each step of the way).



TOTAL Weight Lost (Pre-Op and Post-Op): 89.6 pounds

Pre-Op Weight Lost: 18.2 pounds

1 Month Post-Op Weight Lost: 18.0 pounds

2 Month Post-Op Weight Lost: 19.2 pounds

3 Month Post-Op Weight Lost: 13.8 pounds

4 Month Post-Op Weight Lost: 20.4 pounds



Inches Lost: 62.5 inches

BMI: 49.6 down to 37.2

Pant Size: 58 down to 42 waist

Shirt Size: 4XL down to 1XL

Short/Boxer Size: 4XL down to 1XL

Distance able to walk: Was at 50 yards and now up to 16.0 miles (walked over 65 miles just this past week)

Time able to walk: Was at 2 minutes (to mailbox and back) and now up to 5 hours (walked 20 hours in the past week)

Hiking: Now hike on a weekly basis. Yay!!!

Back Pain: Pain was excruciating and now non-existent

Knee Pain: Pain was excruciating and now non-existent

Windedness: Got winded getting up off the couch and now can walk 16+ miles without being winded

Hello all,
I haven't posted in a while. I figured since I am 3 months post surgery, I would update about my journey. Since surgery, I have been regularly going to a gym, and power walking 2 to 5 miles a day. As my weight has dropped, my mile times have gone from around 22 minutes per mile to around 17 minutes per mile, average. Best time so far was a little over 16 minutes, which for my short legs, is gettin' it! I haven't lost enough yet to jog for extended periods, but I am getting close.
I went through a period of low energy level, started about 4 weeks ago, and I went to my surgeons office early last week, and had labs drawn. All my levels were good. I requested and was given a prescription for B-12 and hypodermic needles, and I gave myself a B-12 injection later that day. My energy level has returned to normal. It is also much easier to do an injection once a month, instead of sublingual tablets or liquid. While at the doctors, the PA told me that my weight loss is above average and above expected results. As of today, I am down 68 pounds. I have had to bust my butt for every one of those pounds, and anyone who thinks this surgery is like "cheating", really has no clue how difficult it still is to lose weight. I have had to push my body to the limit while at the gym, or in general, to achieve the loss I have experienced.
Easter weekend, I set a new goal. I hope to be at the 100 pound loss mark by early June, when my wife and I go on vacation. That is a very lofty and ambitious goal, I know. But, I am going to step it up and push myself even harder. (Safely) It will be nice to go on vacation, and not have to shop for bigger swimming trunks, like I used to have to do. I am looking forward to feeling how I will feel at the 100 pound mark, because I already feel like a new man.
Thanks for listening and thanks to everyone here for the support I have received over the last few months!
Craig

So I have been so excited because I am super close to the elusive Onderland !!!
But my body thinks it's funny!
Case in point....
Saturday- 201
Sunday- 200.5
Monday- 200.3
Tuesday- 200.0
Lol it's really making me sweat it out!
Come on Onderland!
Anyone else sweating it out super close to an elusive weight ??

I understand, but please don't cry. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process.
Just follow your program, focus on getting in all of your Protein and Water, avoid starches and added sugars, take your Vitamins and supplements as directed, stay off the scale, and exercise.
Embrace the Stall!
http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

It seems that at least 50% of the posts on BariatriPal are bemoaning a stall. Daily, and sometimes hourly, I am reading about how someone ONLY lost x number of pounds and now the scale hasn't moved in ___ [fill in the blank] days/months, etc. Oh no, they write, I am a failure/unique/my surgery didn't work/life is not fair, ... Why am I in a stall?
I know I am exaggerating but I think you get the idea.
Guess what? STALLS are a NORMAL part of the PROCESS of losing weight. If you want to lose weight, you will stall. Not just once, but over and over. And, guess what? A stall is where your body actually does the hard work of becoming smaller. It takes a lot of work and energy to dismantle a structure that has been holding up, in some cases, hundreds of pounds.
For those who think they have to DO something to somehow "break a stall" (in my opinion, you do not break a stall, you just ride them out), here is my response:
What can you do to "break" a stall?
1) STAY OFF THE SCALE
Relax and stay off the scale if it bothers you so much. Weigh no more than once a week, or even less often. Weighing only at your doctor's appointments early in the process is a good strategy if your mood and self-worth are dictated by the numbers on the scale.
2) PICK UP A TAPE MEASURE
In addition to using the numbers on the scale to measure your progress, take your measurements. Inches lost are also a great way to see physical progress when the scale isn't moving. Most people see the biggest physical changes in their body when the scale seems stuck.
3) TRACK YOUR Protein AND Water AND MEET OR EXCEED YOUR PROTEIN AND WATER GOAL EVERY DAY
As long as you are getting in all your protein and water and following your NUT and surgeon's instructions, you are doing what you are supposed to do.
If you aren't getting in all your protein and water, then increasing your protein and water is something you can do (and should be doing anyway whether or not you are in a stall).
4) EXERCISE
If you aren't exercising, then you can exercise (and should be whether or not you are in a stall). You can start slowly by walking or even moving more around the house. Exercising will help you feel better, tone your skin and build fat-burning muscle.
5) MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR NUT
If you are unsure or unclear about what you are supposed to be, or should not be eating, then make an appointment with your NUT (which you should be doing whether or not you are in a stall).
6) REASSESS AND REEVALUATE
About the only good result I see that comes from complaining about a stall is when you take an honest look at what you are doing and realign with the program recommended by your NUT and surgeon. Have you started eating more outside of your plan? Are you restricting calories? Are you eating enough carbs and protein for your exercise? Are you taking your Vitamins? Are you eating often enough? Are you eating slowly with protein first? Sometimes, all you need to DO is go back to basics.
7) JOURNAL
One of the biggest things I have noticed from the various posts is how anxious and out-of-control some people feel when they notice a stall. Journaling can help you gain some perspective and deal with some of the emotional turmoil.
-- Write about how you are feeling about the stall and your weight loss, and surgery in general.
-- Write about why you had the surgery in the first place.
-- Write about what life was like before surgery.
-- Write about what you hope and dream about accomplishing in the future.
-- Write about your fears.
-- Write about your NSVs.
-- Make a gratitude list.
-- Make a bucket list.
-- Write a letter to your old self; write a letter to your new self.
Just write.
8) SEEK HELP
Stalls are when too many people seem to revert to old, counterproductive dieting behaviors (restricting calories, over exercising, bingeing, etc.). If this is you, then another thing you can DO is to talk to a counselor or therapist or consider joining a bariatric support group or a twelve-step group like Overeater's Anonymous.
The discomfort of being in a stall can also drive people to develop new, unhealthy coping habits or even transfer addictions. This is where you want to marshall all the resources you have available to you and use them.
The last, and most important thing you can DO is:
9) EMBRACE THE STALL
Stalls are a normal and natural part of the process.
Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines.
Stalls go hand-in-hand with weight loss.
If you had Weight Loss Surgery, then you probably want to lose a significant amount of weight. So, get ready to embrace the many stalls you will experience as your body is transformed. It will be worth it.

Yes my nutrionist didnt tell me either. So i thought it was normal and because i feel great i didnt question it untiol i saw all the videos. But i also started working out last week with a trainer and taking zumba and walking so i try so hard to get in three days. But like everyone else life gets in the way and its not easy. But my doctor told me if you feel good you are good and thats what ive been following

Thats so true and ive been glued to the you tube. Thank you

Doctor said I should be between 400-600 during this fast weight loss phase. I'm 6 weeks (tomorrow) post Op. Every doctor is different. Maybe you should give a call to yours?

A lot of people hate Protein Shake. They aren't drinking them like they should early on. Some people have issues with pain management, so they aren't eating. Some people have children to care for and can't make the time to get their Protein in. Like others said, don't compare yourself to other people. You are doing good.

As long as you are following the plan set forth by your nutritionist you'll be fine. Two primary goals: Protein and Water. As long as you are getting those two in daily you are a two steps ahead of the rest.
Remember this: ANYONE can post ANYTHING to YouTube and/or the internet. Stay the course set forth by your surgical team and you're golden.

Thank You

I have a question, Iam three weeks post op and my calories range between 800-900 and that works well for me but
Iam constantly watching you tube videos of other Gastric SLeeve patients and they all say 400-600 calories. Im concerned that Im over
doing it even thou I feel good and no bad effects from it. Im in the mushy and soft phase but all the calories come from foods I allowed to have.
Can anyone tell me if this is to much ?? and what there calories intake was or is ? Please

If you're worried about not know what's in your food, you could make a list of French words for common foods and keep that with you. That would at least give you some idea of what you're ordering. Or not ordering, if you include things you don't want to eat on your list. Or find some online site that you could use w/ your cell phone to translate.

Your sleeve is forever. This isn't a diet where you will be "done" one day. If you can't track your food for 2 weeks, it's not the end of the world. Try to make smart decisions, but also make sure you don't ruin an amazing trip by being super stressed out! You have your ENTIRE LIFE with the sleeve. Even if you stop losing or (HORROR!) even GAIN weight in these two weeks, what will it matter in the grand scheme of things? Certainly don't let it be an excuse to fall back into unhealthy habits, but you should enjoy yourself and not worry so much!
Edit: Oops, I see you had bypass, not sleeve. Anyway, the point still stands. Your pouch isn't going to just flip off like a switch at the one year mark. You have it forever as long as you treat it well and work to maintain it.

thats amazing congratulations

I stepped on the scale this morning and was greeted by a triple milestone surprise!
1. I've officially lost 100 pounds!
2. I'm halfway to goal!
3. I am no longer morbidly obese!
Such a happy happy day.

I am obsessed with this! It is so good. I have made it many different ways, but in less than ten minutes I can turn it into the most amazing macaroni and cheese-like concoction that tastes decadent but is actually not. If anyone else has suggestions about how to use this, I would love to hear them. I am considering a version with some sort of Protein in it.
Mary

Hi I got my date for January 13th. So excited so nervous

I'm scheduled for Mon Jan 18! Anyone out there having it that day?
Thankfully my insurance required nothing but a 40+ BMI over a 5 year period. No dieting required. I had the endoscopy, a sleep study just as a precaution.Saw the nutritionist, attended a Nutrition class and did the psych counseling require by my surgeon, I am now approved and ready to go. I know some of you have been waiting for months,
I'm getting pretty nervous, I worry most about dying during surgery! Silly I know but I am always that one that thinks it will happen to them since the percentage is so low! :-/
Start liquids and Protein powder on Monday. Just have to do it for a week. I'm not stressing on that, I am stressing on when I get home and not screwing up. I keep hearing Small sips every 10 mins. Trying to figure out the definition of small is freaking me out. I guess it is maybe trial and error. One thing I know for sure is i am ready to look good and feel even better! This is something only my husband and I know about. I want to keep it that way. We tend to be hermits in the winter and hibernate, never socializing much in this midwest weather. Come spring I hope to see some surprised looks as the socializing begins again. Thank you for adding me!

Yes we will all succeed and be amazing inside and out !