Jenkins

Hi Everyone
It was 1 year ago today June 15th 2015 at 1 P.M. that I went to see the surgeon for a hernia, gallbladder and possible sleeve surgery. I had to use my mobility device as despite having lost 145 pounds on my own I still was not able to walk into his office building. At 352 pounds, he told me I had to see him for the next 6 months as he was putting me on a HPLC supervised diet. After that more than likely I would be able to have the 3 surgeries all at once. On Jan 26th 2016 he performed the 3 surgeries with me weighing 314 pounds. A 38 pounds lost in those 7 1/2 months I had to wait. Since surgery 5 months ago I have lost an additional 60 pounds for a total of 98 pounds in this past year.
I am only able to eat about 3-4 oz of meat and still have the filling of being full before I even get to the vegs. I never knew filling full could be so painful. I am tracking calories around 800 to 900 calories and getting in 60 to 90 Proteins and 41 to 80 carbs and all my Water each day. I am biking 4 to 6 miles 5 days a week and am 5 pounds away from being able to go to a back surgeon to see what they can do to help me to walk again now that I am almost below 250 That was their magical number before they wanted me to get to before they would help me.
I was sitting here but have taken a break from pulling out seams to to cut down and take in my clothing. When I do stand to transfer to a chair my pants are falling off of me and I am stepping all over my pants legs. I can't afford new clothing s am thankful I know how to take in clothing.
Since my highest recorded weight I have lost 243 pounds. My BMI has gone from 80 to 41. I still have 102 pounds to lose but because of the sleeve and all the hard work I am doing I know I will reach my goal. I am waiting until I get below that magical number of 250 to take some more pictures. When I do get there I will be sure to post.
Everyone is doing a fantastic job and I like that we are still posting. I hope to see many more posting over the next year as I just today renewed my Bariatricpal VIP Membership.

This was me then.
This is me now.
This will be me forever.
21 pounds to go!
I thank myself everyday.
If I can inspire just even one person to get their life and health back... or for their first time - then I'm happy.
I'm happy anyways! ????
Heather

I guess I forgot the pics

I just made my 6 month surgiversary last week. Needless to say, the journey has just began. I stood on my scale this morning (day late from yesterday) and I have dropped down into the 170's at 179.2. A difference of nearly 68 lbs since beginning my journey last November. I am not sure what it was about this particular weight or those numbers but I was a bit in shock as I stood there looking down at the scale. I think it deals mostly with the amount of weight I still need to release/let go/fire (I don't generally say lose or lost if it is a purposeful act). With a goal weight of 145 lbs, 34.2 lbs seems just around the corner.
I am not saying it will easy or even that I can tell my body where to stop. Hell, 145 is just a number I chose based on where they say I should be for my height and age, etc. etc. etc. What I have control over is how I choose to use this tool to my benefit and that is what I do. My diet is not perfect, and by that I mean I choose to sip diet coke periodically, and I haven't tracked in at least 2 months but primarily because my diet consists of the same things. I drink coffee for Breakfast or my first meal every morning. Granted, I use vanilla Protein for Creamer. I work out 4 x weekly at a minimum and try to do active fun things on the weekends.
It seems that I have began rambling at some point, so bear with me on this reflective outburst I seem to be having. I suppose 6 months is a good point to consider the way ahead; to determine if I am happy with progress thus far (which I am) or if there is something differently I should be doing to maximize this opportunity so as not to become complacent. The truth is, I don't know if I should change anything at this point...which means I need to spend a little time reviewing my literature and looking through the topics here.
I guess the shock comes with not knowing what is in store for me, but being so far so quickly. I started with 102 pounds to let go; 68 of those have gotten the pink slip over such a short time. With there being potentially only 34 left to fire, I guess it bothers me that I do not have a true stop point; well not one that the higher ups (my body) is sharing with the lower level staff (my brain). Do I fear that I will be too thin? (not really, not yet). Do I think it will just stop all of a sudden or worse reverse direction? (I don't think that is it either). I believe it is more to do with...I can exercise all types of control over what I do, what I eat or don't; but the "goal" I am reaching for is unknown or out of my hands (arbitrary) and the one I set is just there so I can have an answer when asked. But next to asking how much have I lost, its the very next question people ask...what are you trying to get to, how much are you trying to lose, what's your goal?
From now on, I think I will opt for a more realistic response: "The ideal weight for a female of my age and height ranges from 118 to 154 lbs based on healthy BMI recommendations" LOL I guess I will find out when I get there.

Hi @innersurfergirl I am wondering how you are doing with your hair considering your high protein intake? Have you managed to avoid or minimise hair loss!? Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Thats great jenkins! Sounds like you are doing good on your weight loss.

Good job!!! Falecha

I am almost exactly the same! Same surgery date, I was 274lbs on surgery day & now 240lbs!
I lost 20lbs before surgery so 54 lbs down in total

I am almost exactly the same! Same surgery date, I was 274lbs on surgery day & now 240lbs!
I lost 20lbs before surgery so 54 lbs down in total

I'm 11 months out and 114# down. i had an interesting appointment with my surgeon today. He asked what I was doing for activity, and I proudly rattled off my routine. He then asked me what I was doing for relaxation. Blank stare, felt like I was just handed a pop quiz. He stressed the importance of not over doing things and trying to 'conquer the world one pound at a time. ' he cautioned me about push, push, pushing to do more and more; cause life will inevitably throw us a curve ball and we need to be able to balance those curve balls and activity and diet etc. basically the journey can't take over your life, because your life is well, your life. His message was one of sustainability, which I feel I have with how I've handled things. But I did tell him I felt like others often pushed me to do more. He told be don't be persuaded into being the pinnacle of everything. He shard a story of a patient who worked and lost weight, ran a huge marathon and then just stopped.-- then regained.
I thought it was great advice worth sharing...

I just wanted to show off some pictures from my December 27th wedding! Having weight loss surgery really changed my life. My husband has been with me through thick and thin....litterally. I just asked him the other night if he would still love me if I would get fat again and he said, "yes, but you know you wouldn't love yourself". He knows me so well!!

Hi,
I actually asked this question around 5 months post op. I got mixed answers and felt ashamed that I was getting around 1000 and was told here that I should "only eat 500-700".
It really messed me up and I instantly felt like a failure. I was losing at a steady pace with the 1000 calories I was consuming. I went to a follow up with my surgeon the next day and he told me how impressed he was that I had already lost 65% of my expected weightloss. I then asked him about my calorie consumption and what I was told on here. He said " your metabolize is speeding up and as long as I'm making smart food choices ( getting my Protein and veggies and keeping things balanced) the calories aren't an issue. I was relieved, but also felt like a failure because of what I was told on here.
I'd contact your nutritionist or dr to see what's right for you. We're all different.
There is fantastic support on here and I have gotten the best answers I could ever ask for. This is a place for help and you will defiantly get it
But this question I should have directed straight to my surgeons office.

I avg about 2 to 2.5lbs a week. Some weeks less. I found out last week from my Endo that my slow weight loss is due to my jacked up metabolism thanks to PCOS and Hashimoto's (thyroid condition). I know I wouldn't have had this progress alone but some days I can't help but get frustrated because my expectations were sooooooo different! I thought this was it for sure! That the weight would melt off...lol. But this is my journey and I have to try to Celebrate the small victories as they come.

Seems like your looking to blame a lot of people for allowing you the surgery from the psychologist who you saw for an hour or so to the surgeon whom never seems to be there when u are.
Fact is we are adults.
This was a major surgery for all of us and we all did our research and no one could have prepared any of us mentally for this type of surgery.
You WILL get thru it.
A reversal?
You wouldn't think undergoing a major surgery to reverse a major surgery will be an option. In fact I can imagine it being a massive risk to preform it.
I hope you seek some help psychologically and spiritually because there is nothing that can alter ones mind other than oneself.
Choose to be happy and you will be happy.
Choose to be angry and you will be angry.
Your fulfilling your own prophecy though - eventually your going to push even your fiancé away by choosing to be so angry.
Smile you WILL BE OKAY.

Today I got on the scale and it said 242. I've officially lost 100 lbs. I feel so good and it seemed like it took forever.
I started this journey at 342 lbs, surgery date 4/8/15 and now 8 months later I'm at 242. I still have 62 lbs till I get to my doctors goal of 180 lbs, but I'm gonna listen to what you all said from my earlier post and stick to the plan...Oh yeah, and today I also got a NSV to share. I went to pump gas this morning on my way to work and this guy pulled up next to me and said, "Hey, Gorgeous!" Wow it has been years since a man has actually noticed me...I didn't know what to say so I just gave an awkward wave and he drove off...I felt so embarrassed but blushing at the same time.
So I got a scale victory and a NSV!!! Woohoo!!!

Thanks everyone. I have tried the syntax and am not a fan. I think I'm gonna try and get it all in with food. Cottage cheese is very high in Protein so that will be one of my go to foods. I also found protein chips at Vitamin store. Not great but barbque flavor is not bad

Hiya!
I ve created a Whatsapp group called Sleevers with 2/3 other people that had the surgery with me and we had become friends.
3 os us had surgery on Feb and a 4th had surgery last Dec 2015..
We send each other pics of what we eat etc and just basically encourage each other! I just though that the bigger the group the better so if you guys want to join us just send me a message cheers! xx Mercedes

Age: 34
Personality: INFJ
Weight: 288 lbs
Relationship status: Committed
Location: Florida
Health: Good, but not much stamina
That's me, in a nutshell. My favorite thing to do is to travel and explore everything around me. I'm insatiably curious and love interacting with different cultures. I've traveled to several countries with various missionary and relief projects because I believe in spending my resources helping those less fortunate. I love hiking in the woods, zip-lining between mountains, scuba diving, getting intentionally lost in new cities on foot, and meeting new people. Skydiving is on my bucket list. I'm fiercely independent and stubbornness is my fatal flaw.
History: I've done all of these things overweight. I've lost up to 60 lbs (twice), my lowest adult weight being 220 at one time. I felt marvelous and my energy was unending. The weight stayed off for about two years, but when it came back brought another 10 or 20 on top of what my highest had previously been.
Recently, the scale tipped 296, something I never thought I'd see. I was mortified that I'd let myself get that high, as I'd started feeling the physical signs of that much weight: Being physically uncomfortable with that much bulge (sitting comfortably), energy sapping quickly, sore feet after just a couple of hours of exploring New York. Knees painful when climbing stairs.
I noticed in myself the last few months that I've started withdrawing from social situations and meeting new people out of embarrassment over how I look. I had an internet friend visit the states from the UK recently, and I wanted to fly out to meet her. I didn't. I want to visit my dad back home in Minnesota since it's been six years. I'm not.
I've tried two dieting attempts in the past year. I lost 12 lbs doing very strict low carb, which was confusing to me since usually I dropped weight quicker with healthy eating. My doctor explained it as my body becoming resistant to low carb dieting, since I've tried it and failed so many times before. I knew I needed help this time, so I made an appointment with bariatrics to talk about getting put on a dieting pill -- they had another solution for me.
Present: Long story short, I've come to the conclusion that the sleeve will be the help I need to really make a lifestyle change. I know it won't be easy, and due to my stubbornness, I'm not used to doing things the easy way. I'm ready. My excitement is growing. I've been stalking and lurking this forum and youtube for the past two weeks, learning all I can.
Here're a few things that really were the tipping point for this decision:
-Getting rid of my PCOS. I want to bear children sometime soon! I know PCOS will complicate that.
- Airplane seat belts. I fly every 3 weeks or so, and having a seat belt not fit was mortifying. About 50% of seat belts fit me, depending on the plane. If they don't, I tuck the buckle under my belly. Also, seats in general.. not comfortable.
-Ahem.. intimate positions. I really enjoy sex, and have been increasingly sad that I'm not able to do the things I once could.
-Social embarrassment/afraid to meet people
-Meeting my boyfriend's parents is sometime in the near future (They're Asian. Even though my boyfriend is also overweight, he's dating a white girl.. and a fat one at that. Two strikes against me in Asian culture)
-Wedding pictures.. nuff said.
-I've always dreamed of a trip around the world, and I finally have the funds for it. How much fun would it be if I tire easily, though?
-How far away is diabetes with my sugar addiction and weight, really?
-I completed a GoRuck (physical endurance) Light challenge this summer and loved it. I want to do more.
Things I just can't wait for:
- Stamina! Being able to explore all day and not have to stop to rest my aching feet and knees.
- Traveling comfortably. Airplane belts that fit. Not having to squeeze between people in a restaurant.
- Forgoing that first assessment when entering a room where I look around to see if I'm the fattest person there... you know what I mean.
- Summer dresses!!
-Cute shoes and cute clothes. Not having to shop in Lane Bryant for everything.
-If I need something, being able to simply go to the store and get it. Explaining to my boyfriend why I couldn't just go into the mall and get a winter coat was embarrassing. Not being able to buy emergency clothes in Central America.. ugh. Packing light and buying clothes wherever I travel to would be a real possibility.
-
-Theme park rides. I love roller coasters, and the last time I went, it was touch and go whether or not I fit in the seat.
-Boots that fit my calves!
-Skydiving
-Being able to do more than a couple sets of stairs without my knees starting to hurt
-Enough room to snuggle comfortably on the couch with my boyfriend
-GoRuck Tough!!
Anyway.. that's me! My name is Rio and I'm starting this journey now. I'm telling very few people in my life..my direct coworkers, my wonderful, supportive boyfriend, and a couple of close friends. I'm not close with most of my family, and I know there will be a lot of judgment there, so I've chosen to not tell them. I'm trying not to go overboard and over-prepare.. already looking at bariatric plates, collagen cream for loose skin.. lol. When I'm excited, I prepare (I've mostly contained myself, but I did try a Protein drink powder and I bought a cute bento bowl for my lunches). I'm about two months away from surgery with no firm date set yet. I'll be getting sleeved at the mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. I am just one EGD and two classes away from my workup being completed.

Reading the comments, you can really see that everyone is different.
I am only 5 weeks out but really struggling with my old demons - it is just as tough as a 'normal' diet, pre being sleeved. It is all about making the right choices & not giving in to the old temptations!
From reading other peoples comments, I feel as if it is too early for me to having such a difficult time but like I said everyone is different!
I really hoped I would be one of those people who wouldn't be hungry & who would have to remind themselves to eat but I am not so it is going to be an ongoing battle but I really want this to be a success so I will keep trying until they come up with the neuro-sleeve!

Reading the comments, you can really see that everyone is different.
I am only 5 weeks out but really struggling with my old demons - it is just as tough as a 'normal' diet, pre being sleeved. It is all about making the right choices & not giving in to the old temptations!
From reading other peoples comments, I feel as if it is too early for me to having such a difficult time but like I said everyone is different!
I really hoped I would be one of those people who wouldn't be hungry & who would have to remind themselves to eat but I am not so it is going to be an ongoing battle but I really want this to be a success so I will keep trying until they come up with the neuro-sleeve!

I too have been going to a therapist for some time and my surgery is in November. It scares me so much that my addiction will take over. I eat when I'm full to the point of where I feel sick. I keep working on it in therapy and I use self talk to tell myself I am not hungry and to not eat mindlessly. I wanted to try the preop diet for myself to test my level of commitment to this.

We all do what we have to. And I'm not talking as a staple

Shelly's Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

4 cups Cauliflower, steamed
4 Tbs. Butter, divided use
1/4 cup Flour
1/2 tsp. Dry Mustard
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
3 cups Milk
3/4 pound Sharp Cheddar cheese (3 cups)
1/4 cup bread Crumbs (optional)

Steam cauliflower set aside. Melt 3 tablespoons butter, blend in flour & seasonings. Add milk. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in cheese; pour over steamed cauliflower and mix till combined. Top with optional crumbs mixed with remaining 1 tablespoons of butter. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

You can add cooked ground chicken, turkey or beef to this too. Throw your portion in the Mini Chopper food Processor and whiz away. You can add unflavored Protein too... mix it in milk like you would a shake so it's dissolved or you'll get clumps.
Shelly's Ricotta Bake

8 oz of Ricotta Cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 large Egg, beaten
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup Marinara Sauce
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Mix ricotta cheese, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together and place in a oven proof dish. Pour marinara on top and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake it in the oven @ 450 for about 20-25 minutes (best) or nuke it till hot and bubbly. I usually made it first in the oven and heated the leftovers in the microwave.

I told myself no "cheating" at all until I was at goal weight. I am not going to sabotage what I've put myself through.
I think your cravings will lessen as time passes.

Well the great thing about a lifestyle change is there is no cheating.
I cook a lot, so I have healthy low carb replacements for almost everything. When I go out I make good choices. When I do get things that i want as a treat, I find I eat one bite. I caved on Fat Tuesday and ordered beignets. It was a waste of money I had a single bite, not even a good bite, and I lost interest. That is what I find with most things. A taste is enough and I don't want more. I dont eat sugar when I do have things with real sugar my taste buds freak out and I don't really find it a good taste. That is kind of weird but I gave up sugar 3 years before surgery, so this isn't a new change.
Mainly I don't eat things because it is a waste of money and I can save that money and spend it on clothes.