Theresa64

Hey fellow Delawareans,
I had my sleeve in Aug. 21, 2015, Milford Memorial, Milford, DE..by Dr. Barnett. He did a great job. I didn't have any severe pain after..No problems drinking or eating. But, my lost is slow..
Hope everyone is doing well. Hope to hear from someone soon..
PS: how do you inbox..new to site

although I am only 2-months out, I have experienced I think 2-4 stalls.. my NUT said I should start to see them after week 6 but I saw them week 5.. long story short, I have seen them last as short as 2 days to as long 7 days.
during my stalls i change my habits, walk a bit more and I check the scale less...(sorry i am a scale checker) prior to surgery I cared not for a scale, post sleeve I like to see the progress both physically, mentally and by the numbers.

Going back through my spreadsheet from my weight loss phase, it looks like the longest stall I had was 5 weeks at about 7 months post-op. To be fair though, that stall was at a weight I had been at for well over a year a couple of years back and I have read that your body has "set points" where it "remembers" having been at a specific weight for a long time and when you get to that weight, it tries to stay there for a while.

Thanks lealor. I would love to see a gastric dietitian so I can educate myself properly. The current nutritionist is absolutely oblivious to the nutritional needs of someone post op but she was great pre op. Most of times she asked me to ask fellow sleevers from the support groups what they are eating at this point and use that as a guideline.

Gástric sleeve on 8/20.. Sw:185/ current wt 143. I have 3 meals per day.(meat 3 oz/ couple tsp of rice Or pasta/ and veggies; egg; cheese; tuna; fish. I can eat everything only 2 to 3 bites ) I don't do Protein Shakes anymore. I have not stalled but My weekly wt los is 1-2 pound. Happy with my results and feel great. I don't count calories and have not started an exercise program. I do dance with 2 yrs old son almost everyday
Oh my hair is falling too. But I have thick and very short hair.

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process. Does it really matter how long it last of you are doing what you are supposed to be doing?
I think those who treat stalls as separate and apart from their progress rather than an integral part of it experience much too much anxiety.
Embrace the Stall!
http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I have been about the same since Nov 21st
Dont stress the stalls...its your body adjusting
as long as you are exercising and eating right the weight will come off!

I am two years out. I have been stalled for over six months, but I am very close to goal. My health has continued to improve all along. Going into my third year, I am concentrating more on fitness instead of the scale and focusing on strength training. From month six to seven I stalled for four weeks. Apparently 1,000 calories will be maintenence for me. Overall, I can't complain.

I'm excited and nervous. Starting to have those feelings like I may never be able to have certain things again.. like beer! But I know it's something I need and want.

np! I feel the same way sometimes! Breakfast--6oz coffee with Protein Powder
Lunch--star creations (any flavor) and 3-4 Brussels sprouts in garlic butter
Snack-- pepperoni chips (1serving)
Dinner--any lean meat I make and about 1/2cup or less of veggies
Snack--another coffee with Protein powder or a Quest bar
Don't know if I'm taking the right approach, as my NUT is having chemo and has no replacement yet but I'm kinda doing a sort of Atkins/south beach diet thing. Bad part is... I beat myself up if I do "fall off track" and have some no-no carb, and I HATE that feeling of failure.

Brazcan,
Are u eating more because of hunger? How far out are you? Did you ever make goal? I'm 74# after 5 months and worried how/what I will eat after the first year. No liquids with cals yet and no fruit yet, either.

Wow theatrejo I'm way under 1000 calories. I'm sometimes under 600! This could explain the Hair loss and recent fatigue because I just started cardio 2 weeks ago 3-4 times a week but haven't made any changes to my diet, including adding more calories. I just can't eat anymore after getting my Fluids and Proteins in.

Hi Lil4heartz - I was just sleeved by Dr. Peters on the 16th and had a great experience. Feel free to inbox me if you want to ask me anything.

Going on 17 months post op, long term side effects may include:
Size 6 jeans
Running up to 3 miles
Zero medications
Improved quality of life
Looking and feeling 38 at 48
Lack of sore knees and hips
Able to climb a flight of stairs without being winded
Improved blood pressure
Improved blood sugar
Restriction when eating/able to eat less
Ask your doctor how!

Thanks guys, your responses are very reassuring!

Just over two years out and at goal for a year.
No long term side effects except a very few foods/drinks that don't agree with me--carbonation, rice, soft bread and Pasta...and occasionally cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower) if they aren't cooked completely. Then I get an upset stomach.
I never experienced ANY of the side effects you mention honestly.

I was sleeved in Aug of this year.As far as side effects, I have not had any, other the stalls( not losing for a couple of day or weeks). My pouch tells me when I am full. I think the hardest thing for me was not drinking with my meals. They tell us not to drink for at least 30 mins after a meal.
The change is for the best. Your benefits of a healthy new, for me at least out weighed the long term side effects..I am not sure what effect you are concerned about. It is not easy, but nothing worth anything isn't easy. As long as you are communicating with your doctors and your family for the support the risk to me is well worth it.
I have lost 40lbs., slowly. I just started the gym. I am 64yrs young..I have had two stroke, high blood pressure and other issue, most have gone. SO, to me, YES it is worth it.
The hardest part was the first week. Now, as long I do what I do, I am fine. Research and ask question and communication is the key, of course a great surgeon.
Good luck..Blessings
Theresa from Magnolia, DE

@@Theresa64 \I've been at a stall for 3 weeks....BUT I have heard that going back to Protein Shakes and fluids with no food for a day or two will help. Also adding even 30 minutes of walking or gym helps..NOT!!!!!..but I have been eating a bit more food. How does 900 calories a day at 209 pounds put you at a stall? I don't get it. Frustrated.

I am a resleeve. Got the first one done in Feb 2010 @107 kgs. Got down to 67 kgs by Feb 2011 and then got pregnant. Ate with pregnancy and reached 84 kgs by the time baby came out. Again stated at 84 kgs till the next pregnancy in 2013 and delivered at 92kgs in January 2014. Nothing changed thereafter. Net net:
1. Had 40 kgs weight loss post sleeve in 12 months
2. Got pregnant comfortably and delivered two children naturally post sleeve
3. Gained weight inside the pregnancies and then did not lose any
Started gaining weight back around mid 2015. Got to a heavily controlled diet though just enough to not increase the weight. At 94.8 kgs I went back to my doc and consulted for surgical options. I was 33 years old and was done with family multiplication commitments. He recommended we do a resleeve. This time banded resleeve.
He did a dye test. Made me drink a liquid and showed me that my stomach had doubled in size since the sleeve. So dilated sleeve was the diagnosis. He saw no issues and a simple procedure with a single incision, no drain like the one last time etc.
I was wheeled in in Dec 2015. Surgery was not what was expected. It lasted longer. I had 5 incisions, bigger and more painful than last time. And. A bigger drain. Doc said he has never had a leak but with this one there were several adhesions and he wanted to be doubly sure. My haemoglobin plummeted 2 points from 12.1 on surgery day to 10.1 post op. The pain is unbearable. The fact that there were two other patients with me. Who had a sleeve but had no drain and looked far more comfortable did not help either.
Now three days post op, I have lost 1.5 kgs. Though as with the surgery I am now doubtful if I will lose weight with this revision. Haven't been able to sleep due to discomfort. Coughing makes me teary as incisions cry out in pain. Not sure yet if I have taken the right decision or if i will ever come out of the recovery - recovered.

I've lost 42 pounds but I've been messing up a lot...especially yesterday so hopefully today back on track
I got mine on August 4th, 2015

Sleeved on the 20th and I'm down 60 lbs. I still have another 40ish to go but I'm over half way there. I'm wearing a size large down from a 22/24. Best thing of the whole experience? My BP is under control for the first time in ten years -without meds!

Sounds like you a have a great plan. Be praying for you..

Geez thanks for this post I was starting to think that I was the only one. I lose 10 lbs and then gain 5 the next day. I could not understand why I would gain after having WLS. I thought if I lost it that it would be gone forever, LOL

It’s autumn now. That means longer nights and cooler weather. That means…you may be craving some comfort food. The problem is, you know most of those traditional comfort foods aren’t on your healthy weight loss surgery diet.
So what can you do to satisfy the cravings while you keep losing weight? Here are some ideas for every stage of the post-op weight loss surgery diet. They’re lower in calories and healthier than some of the foods you used to dive into but aren’t an option anymore.


Stage 1: liquid Diet
There’s no denying that your diet the first few days or weeks after surgery can be pretty boring, but you can still make the best of it. After surgery, you may need a little comforting as your body tries to recover. Plus, you may start to feel cold as you lose weight. So, why not try some hot tea?
One option is to go for apple cinnamon tea. Stew dehydrated apple slices and cloves for about 10 minutes, then strain the liquid into your teacup and serve with a cinnamon stick. If you don’t feel like simmering dehydrated apple slices and spices, you can go the quick route with apple tea bags (make sure they’re decaf!) and a cinnamon stick instead. You can get a warming Protein boost instead if you make spiced chai with soy milk or non-fat milk instead of Water.< /p>
For a warming Protein Drink, you could curl up with an instant cup of BariatricPal Hot Protein Drink – Classic Hot Chocolate or with marshmallows, or BariatricPal Hot Cappuccino Protein Drink – Vanilla. No problem if your surgeon forbids caffeine. Just opt for BariatricPal Hot Protein Drink – Creamy Cappuccino (Decaf). They’re low-sugar and each has 12 to 15 grams of protein.
Stage 2: Mushies or pureed Foods
You don’t need to give in when that leftover pumpkin pie in the fridge calls your name. Listen to it, and you’ll end up with hundreds of calories, tons of sugar, and probably a stomach ache. Instead, you can mix pureed canned pumpkin with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or cloves, beaten egg whites, almond milk, and your choice of calorie-free sweeteners, such as stevia. Bake it until it sets.
Once you’re on the semi-soft foods diet in stage 3, you can turn your pumpkin pie into pumpkin cheesecake by swirling the pumpkin mixture with low-calorie cheesecake mixture made from fat-free cream cheese, egg whites, fat-free cottage cheese, vanilla, and sweetener before baking. And if you’re craving some crust, add a bit of crunch with crushed high-fiber Cereal.< /p>
Need something a little more substantial? Go for the comfort without the carbs at Breakfast with BariatricPal Maple Brown Sugar or Apple Cinnamon oatmeal with 14 grams protein, or whip up instant BariatricPal Chocolate Chip Pancakes with 15 grams of protein.
Stage 3: Semi-Soft Foods
You may have heard about using pureed cauliflower to satisfy your cravings for mashed potatoes. What about taking it up a notch with a high-protein, low-carb shepherd’s pie? Blend cooked green peas and Beans for the bottom layer, and cover it with a layer of lean ground turkey mixed with broth to season it. Spread pureed cauliflower over the turkey. If you want to go whole hog, sprinkle shredded low-fat cheddar cheese on the top so it browns while baking.
As long as we’re talking about cauliflower – which, by the way, is in season in the fall – don’t forget you can also use it as a great alternative to fried rice. Pulse cauliflower in a blender until it is in small pieces. Then stir fry it with diced veggies and some protein, such as egg whites and cooked chicken breast. That sure beats Chinese take-out!
For something a little meatier, you can try meatballs without the bad stuff! Take a packet of BariatricPal Light Sloppy Joe (or Vegetarian Joe, if you prefer), and mix it with an egg white and some low-fat parmesan cheese. Cover it in low-sugar Tomato sauce, and you’re ready to eat.
Stage 4: Full or Solid Foods Diet
Roasted candied nuts are a big hit in fall, and you can make your own version once you’re several months out of surgery. To make sugar-free candied pecans, mix a cup of pecan halves into a beaten egg white until the pecans are coated. Roll them in a mixture of cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and your favorite calorie-free sugar substitute, such as stevia. Bake them at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. They’re high in healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants – just remember they’re high in calories, too, so watch the portions.
Here are a few other comfort foods you can try without guilt.

Vegetarian chili with beans or chili with ground turkey, or BariatricPal Vegetable Chili with Beans.
Veggie burgers with black beans, lentils, or chickpeas, oatmeal or quinoa, mushrooms, carrots, and zucchini. Serve as sliders on lettuce leaves with avocado or low-fat cheese.
Lasagna made with eggplant instead of noodles, low-fat ricotta, and fat-free mozzarella cheese.
Breakfast casserole made with egg whites, turkey sausage, low-fat cheese, and onions.
Crunchy salty Snacks like BariatricPal Lite Bites pretzel twists and chips.< br>
One More Tip – Watch Your Portions!
With comfort foods, part of the problem is the “what.” The other part is the “how much.” Portion Control is key when it comes to the weight loss surgery diet. When you can, try making recipes so you know how much you’re getting and so it’s naturally easier to take a small serving. Here are some suggestions.

Measure your ingredients and know how many servings you should get out of the entire recipe.
Make use of a muffin tin instead of a so you can pre-portion foods like meatloaf, egg-based muffins, and pumpkin pie.
Make naturally pre-portioned foods, like deviled eggs and meatballs so you know a serving size is one piece.

Weight loss surgery doesn’t mean giving up comfort foods. It just means choosing your foods wisely so they make you feel comforted, not bloated. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you can find a version that’s WLS friendly and simple to make. What are your favorites?

One of the things that my improving health is doing is allowing me to return to the things I enjoy doing.
For instance.....walking up the driveway and into the front entrance of the house yesterday I notice that there is gunk built up between the bricks.....driveway is looking dark, too. Working through the weekend and will get off next Thursday for a day off. Instead of laying around and recovering, I think I'll buy a pressure washer and clean up the driveway and front stairwell.
Why keep paying someone else to keep doing it ????? Several home repair/update issues like that awaiting some attention.
Gas Honda motor chugging away and a Water jet......what could be more fun.
Another thing that I am preparing myself for is to get back to deer and duck hunting.......in the Fall/Winter of 2016.
I live in a border town between two states and have hunting buddies in both and huge tracks of public land to hunt in each. I need to get in killer shape in order to keep up with them, though.
The deer hunting, for instance, will involve long hikes while wearing a climbing stand on my back......and hopefully some long deer drags out of the woods. Even if I get in top shape there will be some taxing moments, I'm sure. A 5 mile walk over wooded terrain with changing elevation in the dawn & dusk hours is going to be something to work up to. I've gotta log some serious uphill miles on the treadmill in the months ahead.
The duck hunting isn't a heck of a lot easier, either. Wading through flooded timber to get set up or paddling skinny Water boats into position will be it's own workout. Toting a sack full of weighted decoys and a 28" shotgun to boot.
Some of the deer hunts will find me not even taking a rifle. Bad right shoulder is keeping me from archery hunting, so I'll carry a revolver only and hunt the thick cover areas. Fun challenge.
If I feel really confident by March 2016, I may jump in on some turkey hunts with the guys. These will be good tests to see how far off I am.
I'm now in the process of doing what I can with my gear situation. Not only am I losing weight.....but I'm whiling the ounces down on my gear, too. The type of hunting thats coming will be different than my old style......no more 4-wheelers to ride in/out with. Old fashion boot leather is what's going to be used for this hunting.
I just ordered a 6.33 lb rifle that should arrive next week. The lightweight scope & rings/bases came in today. An aftermarket recoil pad is on the way, too.
For the March/April turkeys I'm going to try using a lightweight 20 gauge. I have a great turkey choke for it that I just need to pattern with some of the loads my buddies have recommended.
I'm under no illusions about using that little 20 gauge on anything else. I'll break out the boomstick on those ducks. I may very well get a sling for it, though. Sure will make it easier to lug around in the woods.
I was in the stores recently and was shocked at the great selection of ultra comfortable snake-proof hunting boots. I'll wait a little while before buying them, but I'm encouraged to know that a nice comfortable pair will be available.
Sure is fun seeing progress and knowing that the things you enjoy doing await you.
The woods are calling me......all I have to do is rise to the challenge and keep moving.....working.....humping it. I can hardly wait.
So grateful !!!!!!!!!!