barryswife

Just finished a month of Hip Hop Abs. If you have not tried it I highly recommend it. My knees are the worst and I was able to do it all. It's a fun workout! Waiting for the second edition I just ordered. They only cost $19.99 online compared to when it first came out and cost $$$
Never finished a workout plan before and am happy I followed through with doing this DVD this past month. Lost inches AND weight! Also just bought a Kettle Bell. Happy I am able to type this but not sure I can lift my arms tomorrow!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK EVERYONE! You are all amazing!! "Remember to be AWESOME!"

Been there, done that, got the shirt. My longest stall was six months, so here is how my primary physician helped me break through:
My B12 gummies were switched to sublingual B12 tablets, which are small, taste fruity, melt in my mouth and are available at Walgreens off the shelf. He also added a Folate supplement for extra measure. I get Vitamin D from a chewable D plus Calcium at Walgreens. You can get chocolate or caramel. Plus, in the summer, early morning sunshine is an outstanding natural way to get D.
Here is a B12 trick. When I was a teenager, I was underweight, anorexic, and anemic. My doctor suggested to my Mom that I eat calve's liver twice a week! Really????? Blech! Mom's only way to fix liver was in the fry pan. It tasted like shoes with onions! Sorry Mom - rest in peace.
We had a Mexican neighbor who offered to help. She took liver and minced it. Then she fried it up with her meat mixture for tacos, tostadas, tamales, etc. It was so well hidden among the other meats, spices, and peppers, that it was not detectable. Between that and The monthly B12 shots, I came out of it in a few short months. I have loved Mexican food ever since. As a matter of fact, I am eating a taco salad right now.
Another thing my dear departed mother did was serve hot spinach wilted in vinegar. Oh my, no! I found out as an adult that fresh spinach actually tastes kind of neutral. I have some in this taco salad I am eating. I put it in omelets, smoothies, and casseroles and don't notice any taste. I figured it out that it wasn't the spinach I hated, it was the vinegar. So add spinach to stuff.
I took my journal to my doctor, and he suggested that I eat more fish and poultry and less beef and pork. He also had me cut waaaaay back on cheese, Peanut Butter, and nuts. There are 43 calories in one ounce of cod and 100 calories in one ounce of cheese. my "tablespoon" of Peanut Butter was closer to 1/3 cup. My 100 calories of peanut butter was more like 600 calories. If you have stopped weighing and measuring, go back to it. I did not realize how my portions were getting distorted.
I love nuts, but my handful was more like a cup. Seriously. I could eat my day's calories just in mixed nuts....plus the salt. I was letting salt sneak back in.
Other changes: If I have carbs, I have them early in the day, and they have to be healthy, like oatmeal. If I have milk, I have it as a bedtime snack and it helps me sleep. My shakes are made with almond milk and berries. No more bananas and sugary fruits. I had to stop drinking my calories.
As for the Constipation, I had to increase vegetation in my diet If I have an egg for Breakfast, I will slice up a small Tomato. I now eat taco salad for lunch almost every day. I eat more veggies Soups than before. I eat more veggies and less fruit. I was eating three or four pieces of fruit every day. Now I eat berries in the morning and maybe a banana before a workout. Look at the balance of your food and incorporate more green veggies and less potatoes. (I never met a potato I did not like, but they are one of my slider traps).
The other suggestion my doctor gave me was to up the ante on exercise and daily activity. Obviously, my metabolism was slow and not using up what I was eating. At two years, when I should be eating around 1400 calories, 1,000 is my maintenance barrier.
All of these adjustments work together and broke that stall. I wish the best and hope your nutritionist has a heart.

This is an ancient thread -- started in 2011. I'd not seen it until this morning.
Boy, there sure is a lot of ignorance out there about what WLS will / can do for you. I blame this on some doctors, "obesity specialists" (whatever the hell those are), and especially on bariatric nutritionists who don't seem to know squat about what WLS involves. Seriously ... although all the other members of my bariatric surgeon's practice are wonderful, the two nutritionists I've dealt with are more than worthless.
If anyone's still reading this thread, here's my experience with WLS:
1. Yes, you can lose all your excess weight loss. I have, and hundreds of people who've posted here have.
2. Yes, you can maintain your excess weight loss. Many people here who are farther out than me (15+ months) have done so, and they are my role models.
3. IMHO, the most important factor that influences your weight loss and maintenance is your commitment to doing what you have to do to make that happen.
Yes, life's stresses happen to us all. They never stop -- there are more to come. Just listen to this: Two months after my WLS my beloved husband was diagnosed with cancer. Two months after that our dear dog died. A month later, my son's eldest son died. And just two weeks ago my husband's father died. And last weekend my own dear mother died.
I'm fortunate that I'm nearly 70 years old and have already learned a few things in life. One of the things I know is that, compared to the other things life throws at us, losing my excess weight and maintaining that weight in the last 15+ months was one of the very few things I actually could control.
I don't know if everyone can control their own resolve and resilience. But I encourage the newbies here to do what you can to ramp up those qualities in yourself as you travel this journey. That may include getting yourself into therapy / counseling to help you get to the finish line and beyond.
This is your life. And no one but you can create it.

Thanks everyone. I just weighed. Down 17 pounds in 7 days. Wooohooo!

Prayers for sure!! Hope you feel better soon.

I was sleeved in December 2014 weighing in surgery day (at my highest weight) at 334 lbs. Never in my life did I think I would be able to say this, or do this, or keep at this... until I met my sleeve
My birthday is coming fast. I will be 27 a week from today!
In this next week (heck, with luck tomorrow morning) I will honestly be able to say I have taken the greatest trip ever imaginable and I plan it to be a one way trip, never to return. Ladies and gentlemen.... I'm going to ONEderland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I had to share with people who can relate. I was getting ready for work this morning and was able to wear a much smaller pair of jeans that I haven't been able to wear in years. I asked my 15 yr old daughter if I looked ok and she welled up in tears, hugged me, and told me how great I looked and how proud of me she is. Made me feel so good. ????

One of my first posts on this forum was in the "What was your straw that broke the camel's back?" thread. I just went back and found it...
"Going to a birthday party with my 7-year-old daughter for one of her friends and the activity was hiking up a moderate/difficult trail. 3 minutes in I felt like I was going to pass out but I was trying to keep on trucking like it was no big deal. The kids were all running ahead, the other moms were just walking along and chatting away, and I was just focusing on trying not to sound like I was huffing and puffing and two steps away from dying. It was the worst."
That was an embarrassing afternoon. I think we went about 1/4 of a mile and it was pure torture.
But now I'm down 75 pounds and yesterday I went back to that mountain with my son and his Cub Scout den. I conquered that mountain!! We hiked about 3 miles and I kept up with the group and was only out of breath on one particularly steep part! I felt awesome when I got to the top! Hiking is so not my thing and I didn't enjoy it at all but I did it!

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. I'll be sure to check-in when I can. Assuming that all goes well, the plan is for me to be released the same day.
Best of luck barryswife!

Good luck to all those having surgery tomorrow. My surgery is tomorrow as well!

Girl! I check in tomorrow morning at 5:30... Crazy excited and nervous. Check in when you can, and I'll do the same. Best of luck and prayers for a smooth recovery!!

So, my one year surgiversary was in August and I've been thinking of how to Celebrate the success of the past year with my Bariatric Pal friends. What can I add to what hasn't already been said? What were my experiences that can inspire and help newcomers? What were the challenges I faced and overcame? What makes my story so much more special than anyone else's? I came to the conclusion that the answer to all of those questions is, everything and nothing. For all of us the journey is unique and it's our most special accomplishment, but all of our journeys are very familiar and the same for many who came before us. But if I left this post right here, you'd say he lost his enthusiasm along with his weight, so let me tell my story (I promise to keep it short but sweet).
I've been overweight most of my life, I made countless attempts at getting it under control, I'd lose 10- 50 lbs. and slowly lose ground only to gain it all back. Sound familiar? In the meantime life went on, career, marriage, kids, house, bills, you know, right? Being young we feel invincible, yeah I was heavier than fit people but I could handle the weight. Of course, I was more of a spectator than a participant but I always figured I'd take care of it some day. Family, job, good times and bad times,there's always something that took priority over losing just a few pounds. But time rolls on, and occasionally I'd try another perfect weight loss answer, but ultimately it wasn't permanent and it was just another failed attempt. When I hit my fifties I noticed more muscle pulls, back injuries, knees were aching more, out of breath sooner, heart was working harder. So in my mid fifties I was put on meds for elevated blood pressure, shortly after statins for cholesterol. At sixty I was put on a CPAP for sleep apnea, and meds for pre diabetes. It was getting real, I was seeing the damage of carrying all the extra weight, but my doctor was keeping things under control, no worries. Then my hips began failing, I could hardly walk, I needed a cane to get in and out of chairs, I didn't want to move. I went to see an orthopedic doctor and he said the pain was from compressed cartilage caused by my weight, so I asked what we could do, he said "nothing, the damage is done". I think that's when I said enough is enough, I'm destroying my body and my future was heading towards life as a sick and handicapped old man. So I had a serious talk with my PCP, looked at my options, did research and made my decision to go with WLS at 62 years old. On my day of surgery the surgeon asked if I was ready, I said "let's do it", and I never looked back.
Here I am 14 months post surgery, no more meds, no more CPAP, no more diabetes, I walk miles with almost no pain,and otherwise feel fantastic. I'm now doing things at 63 that I wouldn't have tried doing at 53, I went from feeling like an 80 year old to feeling better than I ever remember. I was in size 3XL shirts and pants with waist size of 46", today I can wear large to medium shirts and 34" waist pants, now I can shop off the "normal" racks. I've gone from the sidelines and into the game, I'm stronger and I have more energy, I can walk, run, and climb, and play, I feel young again. I'm still not used to the face that stares back at me in the mirror, there was a heavy guy looking back for the last 40 years or so, now I see a leaner more vibrant looking man, it's strange but I'm getting more used to him.
So that's what makes my journey a special success to me, yours may be similar and it may be different, but it will be your special journey. I'm still learning to live with my sleeve, you can't erase years and years of lifestyle overnight, but after a year it's becoming more normal to listen to my sleeve and pay attention to what and how much I eat. If I can offer any wisdom, its to make your decision and then own it, go ahead and commit 100%. I know a lot of people regret not doing something sooner, but we can't change the past, we can only change the future. Best of luck to you all and thank you for your stories and experiences, I have learned and still learn from them.

In November of last year, I told my doctor I wanted weight loss surgery.
In December of last year, I met with the surgeon.
Over the next six months, I met all my pre-op requirements.
In June of this year, I was approved by insurance.
Next available surgery date was 8/8/15.
My weight was 403.
Now, three months after surgery, I am down 82 pounds. EIGHTY-TWO.
Never, ever, thought I would be where I am. Thought I would be one of those people that would struggle endlessly to lose one pound a month, if anything. Or, worse, thought I would lose ten pounds then nothing after that. Thought I would be standing outside the clubhouse and not be allowed in.
Never thought I would lose so much interest in food.
Never thought one-third of a cup of food would be enough.
Vowed never to whine about not losing weight, that if I failed at this I would keep it to myself. And people who know me in real life would silently shake their head and wonder how I failed.
I kept all my negativity to myself (for the most part).
Sometimes, I have a hard time believing my new reality. Four large garbage bags of clothes donated out tell the story. Being able to fit easily into chairs that I used to struggle into tell the story. Having to move the drivers seat in my car higher because my butt doesn't take up as much space anymore tells the story. Being able to get into and out of my car easier tells the story. Not being able to wear my ring anymore tells the story.
I'm looking forward to where my story is after the next three months!

I drank one Protein shake/day and ate the rest of my protein. Dr's, nurses, NUTs, past sleevers, everyone will tell you protein is the most important thing...but if there's one thing this past sleever/bypass patient could share with you, it's that TAKING IN PROTEIN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU'LL DO, trust me!!

Fatty M- for once in my life I don't have to really worry about being overweight or overeating. I had my revision on June 23 and weighed 264.8 the day I came home from surgery . I now weigh 204.4 on 11/5. That is 60 pounds in 4.5 months. Surgery was a breeze - had some weak spells early but feel great and have went from 2x to L in a short amount of time and am 4 pounds away from my 1st real goal. Best decision I have ever made. You will do great! I second guessed it and cancelled my surgery twice before I did it. No sweating, snoring, knee pain, high BP disappeared, and I dress way better in nice clothes because they feel great. Has added years to my life.

I've never had the trapped gas in other procedures. Generally, it comes out quickly after the procedures one end or the other, no problem. This one was a shocking difference for me. It ended up trapped in the tissues in my side, and I admit, it was excruciating. My bariatric nurse shared that the gasx strips, suppositories, etc are not helpful, because it's not in the digestive system, it's trapped in tissue. So I had several days of pretty intense pain. The recommendation was walking, warm showers, and massaging the tissue as tolerated.

Do you know that kiddie song?
"do your ears hang low, do they wobble to and fro, can you tie'em in a knot, can you tie 'em in a bow, can you throw'em over your shoulder like a continental soldier, do your ears hang low"
Substitute boobs for ears and you got me ????

About 16 years ago, I was legally blind in one eye and the other one wasn't very good either. I couldn't wear contacts because I had a severe astigmatism but also because I just can't put my finger in my eye. I was wearing coke bottle glasses and I'd have to feel around for them every morning when I woke up like Velma on Scooby Doo. I had thought about getting corrective laser surgery on my eyes, but I was scared of all the things that could go wrong. I live in California... what if there was an earthquake when the laser was on my eye? What if it hurts a lot. What if they mess up and I lose what little vision I still have? What if... what if... what if. I am always thinking about things like this and have a lot of sleepless nights.

One day I finally decided that if I'm going to be blind anyway, I may as well have a few years of decent vision before it happens. When I did it, I had 20/20 vision for the first time in my life. I wanted to kick my own butt for not doing it sooner. It was like a miracle.
Now, 16 years later, I kept telling myself I was just not strong enough and I failed to lose weight in every diet because I lacked dedication or heart. I got the gastric sleeve done on September 21st and I'm down 45 pounds in 7 weeks and counting.
The AMAZING thing is since the day after my surgery I have not taken a single bit of my medicines. No insulin, and no pills for diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. and I've been checking my blood pressure and blood sugar every day and it's at about 110. Prior to the surgery, even with insulin and pills, I could never get my blood sugar below 200. This is equally miraculous as when my vision was corrected in a single day and I am equally kicking my own butt for not doing this sooner. I suffered for so long needlessly. The bulk of my medical problems were fixed in one day!!!

I have to stop being afraid and just do what's best for my health and I hope you will learn from my example so you can avoid the suffering I went through.

I can't describe how happy I am.

Obviously the surgery isn't magic and losing weight and keeping it off requires a lot of discipline, exercise, planning, control, and will power, but I'm thrilled that I am having money I would have spent on meds, and I'm saving money on food. I'm buying better and more expensive food, but I eat a lot less of it. I am also spending a bit more on fitness related stuff like my new FitBit Charge HR.

Anyway, I am just having tons of regret, and I think a lot of you do too.

I'm in for surgery on Monday, November 9th! I can't believe it!!!???? Had a couple of hiccups but I'm having VSG on Monday afternoon. Will check in afterwards. Good luck to all the other November sleevers. Let me know how things go for you!????

When I was doing the shakes before pre op I was using 2%milk. After about an hour I would have to go to the bathroom. I thought maybe just maybe it was too much dairy. Not that Im lactose intolerant but I thought that might be a factor. So I picked up some almond milk and that instantly solved the problem. So maybe try using sugar free almond milk. I used vanilla and chocolate. I also always added frozen mixed berries or strawberries, tropical fruit mix instead of ice.
I am 4 days post op. Looking forward to starting shakes tomorrow. If you haven't had surgery yet, my biggest suggestion is make sure you can rest and you have some help, prepare meals for your family, arrange rides for kids etc. Your upper abdomen will be sore from the incisions. so coughing and sneezing are a bit tough. But its tolerable. Whats not tolerable, is unfortunately getting my period which decided to show its ugly head the day after surgery and its always excruciating and painful cramps, because I have fibroid tumors. (haven't had it since August)
Other than that, the trick is to sip, sip sip. You will feel a bit of pressure when the food enters the stomach, Im told this is because Im still swollen. So grab some good books movies magazines, set up camp so you don't have to keep getting up and down. I keep a small cooler next to me with drinks a spoon, my one ounce cups. And Remember to take your walks to get the gas out.

I too am one day 3 of the diet and struggling. I'm drinking the EAS premixed shakes and then mixing some powder my husband has with almond milk. It's going to be a long 12 days , but we can do. The 10th will be here before we know it.

I don't mind the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chocolate mixed with almond milk and PB2. The Premier Protein tastes like Yoohoo to me, so I can tolerate that as well. Unjury also has a chicken Soup Protein Powder. Tastes like Ramen broth. Salty - but decent. My surgery is 11/9. We're so close!!!

I just had my six-month appt, and I'm officially down 104 lbs! I can't believe it. I'm about 50 lbs away from my goal of 175 (I'm 5'8"). More than anything, this process has showed me I don't have to be perfect. I've hit a couple of bumps during my journey, but instead of feeling discouraged, I just kept moving forward.
My nutritionist also gave me some guidelines. I can eat up to 40g of carbs per meal! I was doing that per day! Now she did say that was the max, but it'll be nice to loosen the reigns a bit (think sweet potatoes and fruit, not French fries and fettuccine lol).
I don't go back for another six months, which is a little scary. That will be the longest I've been "on my own" so I will have to keep myself in check and be honest with myself. Especially since we're getting into the winter holiday season. But my stretch goal is to be below 200 by the new year so I will stay focused!

chap stick for dry mouth a pair of comfortable shorts to get rid of the hospital gown so that you walk without being an exhibitionist. slip on shoes (slippers), try not to get anything of the flip flops. Won't help with walking. keep a pillow in the car that will get you home. Helps incisions with bumps on the road. Mouth wash, tooth paste, tooth brush. Sometimes is not included in care package or are flimsy. an extra pair of under garments a very loose pull over shirt, replace the gown. bottle of sugar free Water Enhancer or pkg. of crystal light. You won't be able to drink anything after surgery until you are cleared the next day, but, man, flavored water tastes good. The sooner you get up and walk, the better you will feel the next day. Sip your drinks

I was sleeved one week ago today. I know every doctors requirements are different but I need to take A daily Multivitamin, 1200 mg calcium citrate, Vitamin D3 and vitamin B 12.< /p>
Everything is either liquid or chewable. They told me no more softgels, ever again. I started with all the Vitamins after I got home... Didn't need to bring anything to the hospital.
Something I wish I would have known prior to surgery? 1) pain meds were only necessary for 24 hours and 2) One week postop, and I feel completely back to normal :-)
Good luck!!