Cari Dickenson

You can do this!!

WOO HOO!! You did it!!!!!

I am always cold... all through summer the kids had the air on and I am under my bog blanket. It's bad sometimes where I have to take a hot bath just to warm up properly... heat is on at 73 ish... and I am still under a blanket. I know I lost insulation... But tell me you get use to it cos I don't wanna be an icicle forever... Now that it's winter and freezing I have to layer usually fleece lined leggings under jeans two shirts and a jacket and socks are a must.... Before weigh loss... I was in shorts and a tank top dead of winter and comfy as can be... Did not expect to be cold even through summer... I am hoping it goes back to normal soon ?! My yr is coming up.. November 30th... I lost my weight way faster than I expect4ed.. Now I can't seem to get it to stop.. any idea's there? Help... cold still losing too small now can see my spinal bones

Idaho falls area. New here came in March of this year. Had my surgery In Utah 4 months before I moved. need a support group in the area... I can't stop losing and feel like I am too small and have lost too much... Help anyone in the area?? Idaho falls area. New here came in March of this year. Had my surgery In Utah 4 months before I moved. need a support group in the area... I can't stop losing and feel like I am too small and have lost too much... Help anyone in the area??

My Nut and doc said anything over 100 is toxic for your body... It might be different for males... but as a female I was told 60 to 80 is safe and enough

Getting light headed.... on standing... blood pressure a little low... body takes time to adjust...Fatigue... needing more sleep then I use to..Those are all daily normal's for me.... . no head hunger no body hunger... no hunger of any kind... Though for some that changes... and for some two yrs out no hunger still everyone is different. My docs pac had the surgery and she still does not have hunger two yrs later. It is different for everyone.

I had to have the sleeve not just because of my weight but because I have liver disease. Cirrhosis stage 4. So to get on the transplant list I have to have a BMI of 40 or less. Meaning I have to loose 180 lbs. sleeved July 18th and have lost 35 lbs to date. Am in the real food stage and it's not coming off. Was loosing a pound a day. Now not so much. I keep getting headaches which I've never had before. One person on the forum said drink more Water. My liver disease has been going on for 10 years and called AIH. Jumped to stage 4 and didn't know I went thru stage 1-3. That's another story. So this surgery will hopefully help both of us. Good luck to you and the surgery isn't as bad as it sounds. The first three days are the roughest because it was a surgery. After that passes follow your drs instructions to the letter. And drink your water. Good luck to you. Sincerely Debra (Dabberdoo) Make sure your eating Protein and only protein to start the weight will come off faster... I ate no carbs at all... You seem to need to lose the weight faster and so I am telling you what worked for me... High amounts of meats... chicken steak pork... turkey... make sure it is not dry or over cooked... I still cant manage water on its own about half a water bottle and i start to feel sick so Powerade and gatorade... sugar free.. I eat pumpkin seeds and pistachios as my Snacks as we tend to need a bit of fat and tend to run low on salt... I take my Vitamins daily and get blood tested all the time to make sure they are where they should be.. you got this good luck

I eat mostly meat am just now trying to add in some carbs as I want to maintain... I drink as much as possible and not sure if I get what I am needing but I try really hard to drink enough. Are you weighing your food. I can only eat 4 ounces at a time... So weigh your food based on how much you can eat. I find if I don't get enough sleep ( which is more sleep then average I don't lose) I don't worry much about calories just about Protein and drinking enough... I eat pumpkin seeds as an evening snack or pistachios... as we tend to need a bit of fat as well since most of us are on lean meats stalls are normal and even month long ones can be normal... after weight loss... your body needs some time to catch up.... read the stall link someone posted above it is really helpful...This can work for you... it takes some playing around to find out what works best for you...Are you seeing a nut? If not you really need to be with one that specializes in wls...

I have had a bit of issues with low blood sugar. Been working it out with adding a few more snacks to keep it in check it's not horribly bad but I went from borderline diabetic to all the other way to fighting with low blood sugar.I haven't gained any weight changing my eating habits a bit... adding a lil more sugars and a tiny bit of carbs. I lost my weight with eating no carbs at all... the only carb i get is from powerade gatorade... I still struggle to drink regular water I get the nausea can get about half a bottle before it makes me feel sick to my tummy. I hear it will fade I hope so.. Cos I like water.. I don't and can't regret this surgery as i am healthier not gonna die too young leave my kids behind... I wish I had done it sooner... it's hard work... not an easy way out like I have heard some people say... I weigh out my 4 ounces no matter what I eat... and its working... for the lady having blood sugar issues and no weight loss... I wonder if you could make two ounce meals smaller through the ay where you would still be getting the protein you need and a small carb to balance you out... I know it's hard but it is worth it

I'm not in the Av anymore.... I lived their most of my life.. cali just became to expensive.. You can do this... It works its amazing .

They told me I would be expected to lose only 80 pounds.... Well... that's just a statistic... you are a person not a number... you can do as much as you want with this surgery... it's not easy... its hard work... weighing all your food... eating meat gets boring... but it will work for you as hard as you work it....

I'm a little concerned because I was told by my surgeon liquids only for a month after surgery... then to soft foods you seem to be starting them early have you tried vita fusion or spring valley chewable vitamins.... the gummy kind seem to sit better for sleeve patients.... I personally take prenatals.. chewables... but I wouldn't take any of the solid pills simple because I doubt our bodies could absorb them as needed the chewables are easier and softer on the tummy... I still fight with the fatigue... I think it's normal as your body is going through huge changes.... I lost my weight faster then I expected... I now weigh less then what I have lost. It's an incredible journey and there are some downfalls and some ups and it's a bit of a crazy ride. But it's worth it. Making your own soups is great I did that before I had my surgery and froze the broths... a lot less salt... but one thing to remember... sleeve patients tend to be short or low on salt so you might need to keep watch on that and make sure you get enough...These are my experiences on my journey.... Everyone is different.... but many of our nutrition needs are close to one anothers I wish you a lot of good on your journey

I had quite a few stalls and one was early in be patient it takes your body some time to catch up... I remember thinking the surgery isn't gonna work for me I knew it nothing ever works right I had never been able to lose weight before etc... So i suggest you measure make sure you are following the rules weighing your food eating your protein...I have yet to have room for veggies or anything else... Trust the surgery it works omg does it work... I personally think I need to gain weight now LOL

When you finally get rid of all the too big clothes cos in your mind you were still worried you would need them.... My yr is coming in November I finally took all of the way way too big clothes and gave them to a family that can fit them... And been trying to buy clothes that fit now.... it's a very humble amazing and beautiful experience.My weight came off faster then I ever expected... And the docs said I would only lose 80 pounds I think I far surpassed their and my own expectations.Not saying it was easy. It's still work..... ( def not the easy way out) But so very worth it to fit into clothes that to my eyes look tiny. Still gotta get my mind to catch up with what my eyes are seeing So proud of everyone here. And look at all the amazing things we have done.

Very good info.... lots that can help the newbies... I do hope my hair stops coming out and the skin tightens up kinda a lot LOL But I was pretty large... so its what it is

I want to chime in here I have lost well in excess of what I was told I would Lose. I was 351 pounds. tried to lose the weight before having surgery nine months in the gym on the recumbent bike.. lifting weights eating food I didn't like much. Went to my endocrinologist and was like what am I doing wrong I only lost 30 pounds in nine months... I was insulin resistant... had physical limitations... and bad eating habits.. Weight wasn't going to come off.. no matter what I did on my own. I had the surgery expecting to lose about 80 pounds is what they told me... I was in my head well 80 pounds is better then being 351 pounds. They allow you some carbs... I ate none... on a regular basis... For those who say well I want a mall treat. I always allowed that... kids birthday a single bite of cake... just one and I savored it...Fast food I ordered either the grilled chicken patty.. or the meat with sauces but no bun and I use napkins to wipe the majority of the grease off... I take my small portable scale with me when we eat at a real restaurant and I eat steak. ( and it feeds me 2 or 3 meals depending on the size weight of the steak).. Costs a little more but it is so tasty. There are options you don't have to never eat a treat again. this is about changing it to fit your needs and still enjoying life even more than before because now you can do things that before were a struggle. I till enjoy myself.... But no breads no pastries which were my favorite... But whats wonderful is not being hungry all the time.... and I seem to have lost my taste for sweets...yeah weighing measuring food kinda stinks sometimes it gets old boring but what doesn't is going from a 5 x to a 12.... in women's and a 13 in teens. look at my before pics.... Those " percentages are only what you let them be" I took them and broke their limits and you can to

I bought a belt and various sizes and a lot of stretchy type stuff... so it doesn't look so bad leggings.... with longer shirts look decent enough most of the time.. I am pretty sure I have never used a belt before now... like you 12 14... and I might even be able to go smaller it just depends on what I buy bought a pair of sweats ( winters coming in an xl and too big the large fits the med fits go figure different styles different brands... i figure try everything on at this point cos there is not a one actual size... since every single brand varies and they suck for it uggg

You have a good point. I just want to have hair. Because it was so thin even before surgery.... I can see my scalp in places I just put it in a pony tail and let it be but being healthy feeling good is a million times better... Walking again not being treated like a second class person... it matters a lot.... but I want to feel good about myself so would like my hair to be semi thicker... <3 but your point is VERY valid.

I had to do a month long liquid diet the only solids on it being cottage cheese and yogurt.. ( not sure I can really call those "solids" lol However it was hard really hard.. I lost 28 pounds though.. the "liquid diets" are to help remove some of the fat from your liver because it has to be moved during the surgery in order for the docs to do the sleeve and or rny. I asked why... That was the answer I was told... I was also told it shows the doc your serious about the surgery and you have the fortitude to live the new lifestyle. I am not saying it was easy in all honesty it was a nightmare for me I hated it... I don' t like the Protein Shakes every one I had tried is just gross.... It was difficult because I can be so very picky.. considering how fat I was.... you would think I liked everything.. I didn't But I eat my Protein now... a lot of meat a few veggies... it's been hard... sometimes you just want a different taste... I have been experimenting with ways to add to my food choices and it's been hard. But it IS possible. just got to work at it.

lucky to those only doing 2 weeks I did 4 weeks and that was pretty harsh... I cheated on mine and had beans for dinner nightly I still lost 28 pounds... 7 weeks is a long time and yes mine was based on my weight... and I managed to get through it though, I often wonder how... just keep on it.. you can do this.. good luck I hope it goes well

I completely disagree. Based on my surgeon and my experience you need to get your protein high enough so you can: stoke your metabolism and NOT burn muscle. I was told I would lose both no matter what I did... It sucks that every doc says thinks does something different. you would think it would be at a certain set standard... Then we all come here and were told different things... :/ Either way I am going back to the gym come winter ( when I can no longer walk outside) to gain some muscle back.... and I enjoyed lifting weights... ( i did before I had the surgery) I intend on gaining muscle back and hopefully some skin tightening would be awesome

I did it too. Today hit my goal weight 0-o Such a wonderful amazing thing like the Op I never ever thought I could get this small... and I beliive without the extra 30 ish pounds of skin I would weigh well less then my goal weight... but today is the day I made it never thought to see the day... and yes as another poster said if I can do this anyone can... its possible and it works

They projected I would lose about 80 pounds... I have far surpassed the "expectations" With this surgery you can lose as much as you want. Do not let the docs "limits" decide how much weight you can lose. I never thought I would lose anything even with the surgery I wasn't expecting much. You have the power now and the surgery is just a tool.. that helps a lot. The stalls are hard.... I ate no carbs at all... and still only get a very small amount of carbs which forced my body to burn fat and sadly muscle for energy which caused me to be able to lose such a huge amount of weight. I am not saying its easy.. It wasn't But to break that stall... you need to get your Protein at the lowest I was told 60 to 80..... no less then 60.... ever is what they nut said.... We can do this... If I can do this i know each of you can.... <3 and light...

Ross or marshells... are the best place to get decent clothes... I am also 40 and have had some struggles getting clothes that fit.... and I went from a 5 x.... to a 13 14 juniors.... having the worst time getting bras as I dont know my size need to seriously get measured... but Idaho falls is a small town... with not a lot of options :/

Mine started at 2.5 months. I was revision so I was already on all Vitamins, get my protein in and use Biotin and nioxin. I should be happy Im getting healthier but losing my hair had me in tears two days,ago Sent from my XT1254 using the BariatricPal A