Hiraeth

So glad it went well! What did your surgeon say?

My stall began on Wednesday, and my 3 weeks was on Thursday. So it was right on the money, lol. I'm fine with the stall since I was expecting it. I've been going from 234 to 232 for days now. How long does it usually last for most people? If you had the stall, once it went away, did you go back to losing weight rapidly? I want to start losing weight rapidly again, and I'm worried that it will be slower after the stall goes away.

While it is true that acid reflux can get worse with WLS, you should also know that MOST of the time, it lessens it, and sometimes, cures it. Some people finally decide to get the weight loss surgery because they want to cure the acid reflux. Do you have a hiatal hernia? If you don't know, there's a good chance you have one. My mom has one and her acid reflux is severe. If she goes one day without her Nexium, she's suffering. She drank orange juice one time and choked on it for a good 20 minutes. It was a scary ordeal. Nexium and Prilosec are great for acid reflux, but they're also horrible on your bones. My mom already has bone degeneration in her spine, and she's only 54. So, she's getting this surgery in hopes that her acid reflux will get better. A lot of people with acid reflux have a hiatal hernia. When they go in to do the gastric sleeve, if they find a hernia, they fix it. I had one and I had no idea. I barely ever had acid reflux. The only time I had it is when I ate certain spicy foods, and even then it wasn't that bad.

The best, in my opinion, is Premier Protein. PP is low in carbs and calories and has 30g of protein in each 11 fl oz drink. Muscle Milk is my 2nd favorite. It's a lot like PP but only has 20-25g of protein in each drink. I had tomato soup, too. It's not very high in protein, but it did help with cravings. I ate tomato soup at lunch and had a protein shake with it. Everything you have sounds great! Good luck!

Oh, that makes sense! I was not eating a lot of sodium, but I think I was holding a lot of water because of my period. I was 5 weeks late for my period because I have PCOS and I stopped taking my birth control. I shouldn't have stopped it, but I'm worried that it makes me gain weight. I actually had to stop taking my Xarelto (given to me after surgery) for 2 days because I was bleeding PROFUSELY. I felt weak and there was blood all in my bed, all in my floor, all in my bathtub and probably half a pint in the toilet. It was awful. It looked like a murder scene. Sorry for the TMI, lol.

Oh, I'm so sorry. Well, a PT will definitely help you. I want one to challenge me because I've had one in the past, and it was awesome. Good luck with yours! You'll love it.

I wish I could afford a personal trainer. It won't be long until the surgery bills start coming in. My insurance only covers 85% of all surgeries.

You're still stalled? Jeez. I'm sorry. Have you been exercising? I know it probably doesn't matter since the stall is usually your body trying to adjust. I'll admit, I'm not exercising like I want to. But I am walking at least 2 miles a day. I've also lost a few inches off my waist (over 3").

I'm writing this as I'm sipping a chocolate flavored Premier Protein shake. I want to gulp so bad! Hehehe... This is going to be long, so unless you like to read, turn away now! So, I had my surgery with Dr. Miles at St. Vincent's East on August 4th. I had horrible gas pains (as expected), and for about 2 days I felt as if I had been beaten up in an alley, lol. After that, it was pretty easy as far as the pain goes. He told me that he removed a golf ball sized hiatal hernia, that I had NO IDEA I had. I had no symptoms or pain from it, except for when I ate rice, because it would get stuck halfway down. But I figured that was normal since I was eating the rice and drinking tea at the same time. (This was way before my surgery.) Anyway, they fixed that and removed about 85-90% of my stomach. I really didn't hurt much from my incisions or inside of my body like most people would expect. The nurses were butts at first, but they became really nice on their 2nd shift. The first nurse got mad at me because I unplugged my blood pressure machine. It kept beeping because the battery was low and my mom was getting annoyed from the beeping. Well, when the nurse came in, she got mad because 4 hours of vitals weren't taken. But dang, I was still heavily medicated from the surgery and I wasn't fully aware of what was going on. I just knew my mom was annoyed and I felt bad that she had to stay there with me, so I wanted to make sure she was comfortable. :/ The next nurse was nice at first, and she was overall a nice person. But the gas pains were becoming horrible and the liquid lortab wasn't taking the edge off at all. It just made me drowsy and I wasn't able to sleep because laying down was EXTREMELY painful. I would try walking like they suggested, but since I was so drowsy, I kept running into things, stumbling, and forgetting where my room was even though I stayed in one hallway. No nurse ever came to make sure I was walking like I should have been. The only time they came to check on me was to get my vitals. But anyway, I finally asked her if I could have Dilaudid. She looked almost shocked because I knew what that was. Well, I've had 3 kidney stones before, and Dilaudid is the ONLY pain killer that takes that much pain away. She hesitated and said, "Well, you need to keep trying the Hydrocodone." So I told her that it wasn't working like it should because I cannot sleep at all. Even sitting down made the gas pain hurt. I guess maybe she thought I was an addict. But trust me, Dilaudid takes away your quality of life because you literally cannot do anything when you're on it. I can't even speak a full sentence when I'm on it. But, she had no right to assume that, if that's what she was thinking. Her excuse was, "Well, you won't be able to have Dilaudid when you go home." (NO DUH LADY! I'M HURTING NOW. By the time I go home, I won't be hurting like this anymore! UGH! ) After 4 hours went by of me "trying" the liquid lortab, she came back in to check on me. I told her the pain has not yet gotten better, and I actually almost started crying because of the pain (which is very unlike me because I never cry from physical pain). She knew my family was around, so she finally gave me Dilaudid. The gas pain didn't completely go away, but it definitely took the edge off. The gas pain was at a constant 6 on the pain scale, and a 7 when it twinged. The Dilaudid brought the pain down to a 4-5, so I was able to sit up at a 90 degree angle and get some rest. About 6 hours later, the Dilaudid wore off and the pain came back. Once again, she didn't want to give me more. So I agreed to "try" the liquid lortab again. It did nothing for my pain. So 4 hours after that, she gave me more Dilaudid. That was the last dose I got, and the last dose I asked for. I was fine after the 2nd dose because it helped the gas pain almost go away. I told her this and she kinda seemed sorry for being difficult at first. Nurses just need to listen to their patients a little better. We got along great after that. She even showed me her puppies at home and I hugged her because I thought she was just so sweet once she opened up to me. Once I got home, I slept in my mother's bed for about 6-7 hours. I surrounded myself with a soft shield of pillows, lol. That really helped me get comfortable. When I woke up, I literally felt as if I'd been beaten up. So I got in about 20 oz of liquid, took 1,000 mg of B-12, and went back to bed. The next day, I no longer felt sore all over. I actually had energy! So I got up and walked around the house a lot. I felt pretty good. Challenges: My biggest challenges right now are learning to eat slowly, taking small bites of food, not gulping what I drink, getting in enough protein and liquid (64 fl oz and 80g of protein), and taking the medicine I was given. I'm scared about taking Xarelto because I heard there have been a ton of lawsuits with it causing internal bleeding and even death. But I paid $99 for it (my insurance covered most of the cost) and now I feel obligated to take it instead of the shots. I took it last night, but I figured that a one month amount won't hurt me. I'm not having a hard time moving around and walking because I can hardly sit still for too long, unless I'm sleeping. And even then, since I have night terrors, I think I'm getting enough exercise while I sleep, lol! Ever since I started my liquid diet and began losing weight, my ovaries have been hurting a lot more. I'm even a month late on my period. I'm guessing my body is confused since I'm dropping weight and not eating as much as I was. Speak of dropping weight, I've lost 22 pounds in 3 weeks. I feel pretty good about that. I also have a pip in my step, lol. My shirts are already getting looser. It's awesome! Tomorrow is my first day back to work. I'm kind of dreading it because of the woman I work with. She's very overweight (over 300 pounds) and she's been pretty nasty to me about this surgery. She's convinced I'll fail at losing weight. But I know me and I love who I am, so she can get over it, lol. I also got myself a purple FitBit Alta for $130. It was very pricey, but I love it and it's going to help keep me motivated. Oh! And I also went to a support group with my mom. My mom is very nervous about getting this surgery for herself, so I was hopeful that the support group would help her with that fear. She loved going! It really did help her. I spoke in front of the group of about 100 people. I even inspired a bunch of people with my words. One girl came up to me and said, "I just had to come talk to you. You're so direct when you talk and I love that. I'm so scared and you actually made me feel better." That meant a lot to me for her to say that. I love to help people. So I gave her my number and told her to call me anytime she feels nervous, even if it's 2:00 in the morning, lol! I want everyone to succeed. So if I can be the help someone needs, I'm all for it! I'm going to another support group in September with my aunt, who is over 300 pounds and has congestive heart failure. I am really hoping she likes it, too. I feel like I've been somewhat of a guinea pig in this whole thing for my overweight family members. I don't mind at all because 90% of the time, I'm very brave. When I was at the support group, some lady came up to me and told me she thought I was pregnant, LOL! She said, "You have tiny little arms and legs, so it doesn't look like you're meant to be overweight." Well I have an apple body and I gain weight primarily around my stomach. I was told it's from high cortisol levels and stress. I don't feel stressed, but I guess maybe I am and I've just gotten used to it, lol! I actually feel pretty relaxed and happy.

Mine are pretty much gone. Sometimes I feel it when I stretch. It does feel like an ab workout, lol.

I didn't get an underbelly flap, also known as "the mother's apron", until I reached 180 pounds. I think if I were taller, I could have avoided it until 200 pounds. But, I have a small frame, so being fat came before 200 pounds. I have not had kids, I'm just very overweight. My question is, at what weight were you when you your belly flap went away? If you have saggy skin, at what weight did it become just skin? Also, before I had this surgery, I never smelled yeasty underneath my belly. Now that I'm 23 pounds less, I have this yeasty smell every single day, plus, it's sweatier than normal. Could it be because I've great changed my diet? I shower every day, and I clean that area VERY thoroughly. I am going to see if baby powder helps. And yes, I will use the kind without talc, lol. Thanks in advance.

That would mean you have lost about 8 pounds each month. That's not very slow, actually. It's about normal for women over 30. But, it probably is seen as slow considering you've had the surgery. But who cares since you're under 200! You're already doing so well! Proud of you!! except I lost most of it in 3 months, had a 2 month stall and have just started loosing again. but yes, I am pleased as punch with my results. and YES. it is much easier to be patient from this side of 200. What caused your stall? Or was it unknown?

That would mean you have lost about 8 pounds each month. That's not very slow, actually. It's about normal for women over 30. But, it probably is seen as slow considering you've had the surgery. But who cares since you're under 200! You're already doing so well! Proud of you!! My NUT wants me at 150, but to me, that is still too big because I'm supposed to be small. At my size, even 130 is overweight.

That would mean you have lost about 8 pounds each month. That's not very slow, actually. It's about normal for women over 30. But, it probably is seen as slow considering you've had the surgery. But who cares since you're under 200! You're already doing so well! Proud of you!!

I think I've had it since I started puberty at age 11. The reason is because, my periods have always been so horrible. The cramping is almost like a knife going into my ovary. But, I started gaining weight and getting a lot of blonde hair above my lip at age 16. The hair isn't that dark, but it's noticeable because I'm kinda pale. I think my PCOS reached its peak when I turned 17 and has been just as bad ever since.

Thank you so much! You just gave me hope!

Oh, ok! I will not use baby powder. I'll try the coconut oil. Oh, I hope I can get mine down to 1/3 of what it is! It's the heaviest part of my body. I always joke and say that I look like Humpty Dumpty because my arms and legs are not fat, but my belly is massive for my small figure. It's so ridiculous, that it's funny. Though, I do get asked if I'm pregnant quite often. From the back, I look like I weigh 170. But then when I turn around, I look well over 200. I don't even have a big butt. I can still wear a size Medium to Large panties, but my shirts are XL to 2X. Sometimes I feel like my body is upside down, lol! >_< How log did it take you to get to 190?

I hope that, since I'm only 25, I can avoid the plastic surgery. I'm almost certain mine won't sag enough to be covered by insurance, if it does sag. My belly is big, but it doesn't go below my groin area. I've been told I look more pregnant than fat, lol. x_x Thanks for the reply!

I have PCOS and I got the gastric sleeve. I've already lost 23 pounds in 3 weeks. I stopped my birth control and I was a month late on starting my period; I started yesterday. I think this WLS will help your PCOS. I'm hoping it helps mine.

I'm feeling this way, too. I'm 3 weeks post-op and I still feel so exhausted. My guess is that our bodies are healing and using as much energy as it can to heal. Also, make sure you're getting in enough protein. That will definitely help with weakness. Bad thing for me, though, I just started using a CPAP because I recently found out I have sleep apnea and I stop breathing 35 times in an hour on average. So now, even though I use the CPAP, I'm still SO tired. I don't know if it's just my body healing, or if my CPAP isn't working for me like it should be. >_<

Thank you as well! And exactly! It's twice as hard for women to lose weight than it is for a man. The reason is because they have faster metabolisms, more skeletal muscle, and overall bigger organs. Each pound of muscle burns 6 calories. It's like, a man can eat a huge piece of cake and gain nothing. Yet, a woman can taste icing and gain a pound, lol! So unfair!

When I said "water" - I mean non-caloric drinks (which the base is usually water). A high protein diet can cause constipation and requires even more non-caloric liquids than usual. The OP is pre-op - so there's definitely a possibility of eating too much protein being a cause for not losing weight (because it can also mean you are also eating too many calories). I agree. So many people think that you have to drink plain water in order to lose weight, which is false. The reason is because, like you said, the base is usually water. That topic always irks me because, one day, a 400+ pound old co-worker of mine kept asking me if I was drinking water. I said, "Yeah, look...", and held up my water bottle. She said, "What's in it?" I told her it was Crystal Light. And she had the nerve to say, "It's not the same." I'm like, are you kidding me? You're 400+ pounds and you drink 1 liter of Coke a day... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Sorry....still getting used to posting here! That drives me nuts. My husband always gets on me for using mio in my water. He says I am confusing my body by putting too many chemicals in it. He is in really good shape and only drinks plain water. I told him I will worry about all that after I get to an ideal weight but one step at a time. However; your co-worker sounds like the type of people I have to deal with. I love hearing...oh you are trying to lose weight eat low fat. Well most low fat=high carbs. Right?! LOL! Mio is perfectly fine. You are not confusing your body. My gosh, does your husband eat all natural things? Doesn't he use toothpaste? I'm sure he's putting chemicals into his body, as well. He needs to be supporting you, not bickering at you. Mio is designed to be placed in water so it can taste better. If it were so bad, no one would ever use it. I lost 30 pounds in under 2 months from drinking Mio and Crystal Light. I gained it all back because I went back to sweet tea. Good thinking! Worry about all of that after you get to a healthier weight. You have to take one step at a time, because jumping into things quickly can make you miserable. And being miserable makes you fail. You do you! Ignore the haters! <3

When I said "water" - I mean non-caloric drinks (which the base is usually water). A high protein diet can cause constipation and requires even more non-caloric liquids than usual. The OP is pre-op - so there's definitely a possibility of eating too much protein being a cause for not losing weight (because it can also mean you are also eating too many calories). I agree. So many people think that you have to drink plain water in order to lose weight, which is false. The reason is because, like you said, the base is usually water. That topic always irks me because, one day, a 400+ pound old co-worker of mine kept asking me if I was drinking water. I said, "Yeah, look...", and held up my water bottle. She said, "What's in it?" I told her it was Crystal Light. And she had the nerve to say, "It's not the same." I'm like, are you kidding me? You're 400+ pounds and you drink 1 liter of Coke a day...

Hello everyone. I know I post a lot, but I love all the feedback and support I get. I'm feeling a dull, yet tender, stretchy pain on the upper left side of my body. I started feeling this maybe 2 weeks post-op. I assumed that it could be my insides moving around in the void where a big part of my stomach once was. But I want to be sure. Also, how easy is it to stretch out the sleeve? I've been drinking a lot of liquid at one time, and I'm scared about stretching it. I probably haven't really been drinking a lot (maybe 2-4 oz at a time), but it seems like a lot to me since I'm supposed to be taking small sips.

There's no such thing as too much protein. Protein never turns into fat. And the protein that isn't used in the body, is excreted. There's too much protein if it also means you have too many calories or even too much fat. It can also cause constipation and you need to drink even more Water than usual. I know that, if it's cutting into your calories. But some people are worried about getting too much protein and thinking it's making them fat. My nutrition class told me that you do not have to drink water as long as you're getting in enough liquid; as long as it's not high in sugar and carbs/calories. Though, water is the preferred liquid, but some people cannot drink straight water after their WLS because it makes them sick. I do not drink plain water, and I'm losing rapidly. However, I do know that if you are drinking a ton of protein, and it's more protein than water in the mix, then yes, it can cause constipation because it can dehydrate you. Interesting stuff, I think.