justhere4theshow

I had a huge epiphany this morning. While I feel like I will never lose this weight, I know I will. I lost 2 more pounds, and if that is all I lose in a week or two, it's still pretty good. I don't have to lose every single day to know that I am succeeding. All I have to do is stay on the program, and my body will do the rest! Thanks to all of you for taking the time to give me words of wisdom and support.

I just have an observation about my journey (short as it might be: I was sleeved on 5/23/16). I had to go through a comprehensive program before I could get a referral to the surgeon. Nutrition classes, support groups, psych eval, exercise classes, smoking cessation lectures, monthly weigh-ins...pretty much the whole shootin' match. I was explicitly instructed on every aspect of the surgery of my choosing. I was given a goal weight to reach and was not to gain ANY weight or I got to go back to the beginning and do it all again. Once I completed all of this "stuff", I would advance to the next phase. I am sure this is no surprise to anyone here by now; it's pretty much the gold standard in weight loss centers of excellence. So here's the part I am finding the most fascinating and INFURIATING: I did it all flawlessly. I sailed through that program and got approved for surgery in three months. Then, I endured my two week pre-op liquid diet like a champ. Never cheated once. I reached my surgery goal weight and all was well! Fast-forward to today. I have done everything by the book...and NOW I can't seem to lose ONE damn pound? Wasn't the surgery supposed to make things happen? Wasn't it supposed to be a great tool that might even make things a little easier? I am so disappointed in myself and the "process". The thing I hate most of all is this: I can't seem to relax and let this happen. I just wake up every morning, still at the same weight, and keep on keepin' on. And I ask myself: What have I done ANY of this for? I am so afraid I will end up the same fat person with the same fat problems, only my insides got rearranged and I went through a lot of sh*t to lose 30 pounds. And then I pray. I pray for success. I pray for patience. I need this to work. Is it going to work?
Disclaimer: I am in no way meaning this to be a pity party, and I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I just needed to get this off my chest, and maybe hear from someone who also struggled like I am. Nothing more, nothing less. Thanks for listening.

Thanks for putting it in perspective. It's just hard when everyone else is losing 20-30 in the same time frame. I know we aren't supposed to compare but it's only human.

You described your problem already very well in your post.
What I mean with this is the following: you already have lost quite a bit of weight as it seems, so you didn't start out at your highest weight ever. Your body already adapted a bit to the lower amount of calories you were eating for quite a bit.
As for WLS "making it easier to lose weight" or "make it happen": well, when it comes to metabolism, you will still experience some of the drop down in metabolism simply because you're weighing less than you used to and so you're experiencing a stall right now that almost everyone seems to experience when losing weight.
Surgery works because you eat less calories than you're used to. Not really a magic wand involved here.
You will continue losing weight, as long as you're eating less calorie than you're using up. It's just a stall that happens after months of being on a diet already. Try to stay off the scales for at least two weeks (or one week if two weeks seem to intimidating).
As a master of driving myself crazy with calories, nutrients, weight, exercise etc. I hold the opinion that relaxing a bit seems to be really doing the trick.

I am a newbie, and after reading the Bacon fiasco, I am getting ready to say some things that may make me very unpopular here...
First of all, this is not high school and people need to act like adults. If someone can't take advice and not let it ruin their day or their life, then they need to participate in a much different forum than this one. Having said that, I find it very discouraging to see someone with a lot of solid knowledge get chased off by such stupidity. So why let those kinds of "newbies" ruin your experience here? The world would be a much better place if people could just learn how to coexist without constantly poking some thing or some one with a stick all the time.
What ever happened to take what you like and leave the rest? Who cares if the bacon eater doesn't get it? It certainly has no bearing on my experience here. I came here to soak up the knowledge of those who came before me and who speak from experience. I really couldn't care less if someone is non-compliant; it's none of my concern. I just need to get what I came here for, and I can't get much if the veterans throw up their hands and leave over a conflict. It's not personal, and it's highly unlikely that any of us will ever interact outside of this forum (I suppose it's possible, but unlikely). If you can't handle ignorance and take it with a grain of salt, then that's your business. It's all around you, and if someone leaves every time someone says something stupid, then who will be here to help the ones who listen and take advice when it's given? WE are the newbies that matter, and we need your wisdom. I hope you'll stay. I need to hear what you have to say.

I just have an observation about my journey (short as it might be: I was sleeved on 5/23/16). I had to go through a comprehensive program before I could get a referral to the surgeon. Nutrition classes, support groups, psych eval, exercise classes, smoking cessation lectures, monthly weigh-ins...pretty much the whole shootin' match. I was explicitly instructed on every aspect of the surgery of my choosing. I was given a goal weight to reach and was not to gain ANY weight or I got to go back to the beginning and do it all again. Once I completed all of this "stuff", I would advance to the next phase. I am sure this is no surprise to anyone here by now; it's pretty much the gold standard in weight loss centers of excellence. So here's the part I am finding the most fascinating and INFURIATING: I did it all flawlessly. I sailed through that program and got approved for surgery in three months. Then, I endured my two week pre-op liquid diet like a champ. Never cheated once. I reached my surgery goal weight and all was well! Fast-forward to today. I have done everything by the book...and NOW I can't seem to lose ONE damn pound? Wasn't the surgery supposed to make things happen? Wasn't it supposed to be a great tool that might even make things a little easier? I am so disappointed in myself and the "process". The thing I hate most of all is this: I can't seem to relax and let this happen. I just wake up every morning, still at the same weight, and keep on keepin' on. And I ask myself: What have I done ANY of this for? I am so afraid I will end up the same fat person with the same fat problems, only my insides got rearranged and I went through a lot of sh*t to lose 30 pounds. And then I pray. I pray for success. I pray for patience. I need this to work. Is it going to work?
Disclaimer: I am in no way meaning this to be a pity party, and I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I just needed to get this off my chest, and maybe hear from someone who also struggled like I am. Nothing more, nothing less. Thanks for listening.

I just have an observation about my journey (short as it might be: I was sleeved on 5/23/16). I had to go through a comprehensive program before I could get a referral to the surgeon. Nutrition classes, support groups, psych eval, exercise classes, smoking cessation lectures, monthly weigh-ins...pretty much the whole shootin' match. I was explicitly instructed on every aspect of the surgery of my choosing. I was given a goal weight to reach and was not to gain ANY weight or I got to go back to the beginning and do it all again. Once I completed all of this "stuff", I would advance to the next phase. I am sure this is no surprise to anyone here by now; it's pretty much the gold standard in weight loss centers of excellence. So here's the part I am finding the most fascinating and INFURIATING: I did it all flawlessly. I sailed through that program and got approved for surgery in three months. Then, I endured my two week pre-op liquid diet like a champ. Never cheated once. I reached my surgery goal weight and all was well! Fast-forward to today. I have done everything by the book...and NOW I can't seem to lose ONE damn pound? Wasn't the surgery supposed to make things happen? Wasn't it supposed to be a great tool that might even make things a little easier? I am so disappointed in myself and the "process". The thing I hate most of all is this: I can't seem to relax and let this happen. I just wake up every morning, still at the same weight, and keep on keepin' on. And I ask myself: What have I done ANY of this for? I am so afraid I will end up the same fat person with the same fat problems, only my insides got rearranged and I went through a lot of sh*t to lose 30 pounds. And then I pray. I pray for success. I pray for patience. I need this to work. Is it going to work?
Disclaimer: I am in no way meaning this to be a pity party, and I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I just needed to get this off my chest, and maybe hear from someone who also struggled like I am. Nothing more, nothing less. Thanks for listening.

Yes, this process can frustrate the heck out of you but I promise if you follow the plan the weight will come off.
Your body just needs a bit of a break once in a while.
I remember when I was 11 months post op and had stalled for the umpteenth time. I posted almost the same thing you just did.
Someone responded with you are probably done at this point. WAIT, I am not ready to be done. That's not possible, did I really go through all of this just to end up short of goal?
Many others reminded me that the further away you get, the slower it goes but stay the course and the weight will come off.
I will say that as time went on I found that I did have to make changes to what I was doing and what I was eating. I learned that I wasn't eating enough and my body went into starvation or, I was eating and exercising the exact same way for a couple of months and my body did not like the repetitive behaviors. Just a small change got things going again.
You will get there given your record for following the plan. You just have to believe it yourself and move forward.
Congratulations on a great start!

Thank you all SO much. You really made me feel better!

I just have an observation about my journey (short as it might be: I was sleeved on 5/23/16). I had to go through a comprehensive program before I could get a referral to the surgeon. Nutrition classes, support groups, psych eval, exercise classes, smoking cessation lectures, monthly weigh-ins...pretty much the whole shootin' match. I was explicitly instructed on every aspect of the surgery of my choosing. I was given a goal weight to reach and was not to gain ANY weight or I got to go back to the beginning and do it all again. Once I completed all of this "stuff", I would advance to the next phase. I am sure this is no surprise to anyone here by now; it's pretty much the gold standard in weight loss centers of excellence. So here's the part I am finding the most fascinating and INFURIATING: I did it all flawlessly. I sailed through that program and got approved for surgery in three months. Then, I endured my two week pre-op liquid diet like a champ. Never cheated once. I reached my surgery goal weight and all was well! Fast-forward to today. I have done everything by the book...and NOW I can't seem to lose ONE damn pound? Wasn't the surgery supposed to make things happen? Wasn't it supposed to be a great tool that might even make things a little easier? I am so disappointed in myself and the "process". The thing I hate most of all is this: I can't seem to relax and let this happen. I just wake up every morning, still at the same weight, and keep on keepin' on. And I ask myself: What have I done ANY of this for? I am so afraid I will end up the same fat person with the same fat problems, only my insides got rearranged and I went through a lot of sh*t to lose 30 pounds. And then I pray. I pray for success. I pray for patience. I need this to work. Is it going to work?
Disclaimer: I am in no way meaning this to be a pity party, and I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I just needed to get this off my chest, and maybe hear from someone who also struggled like I am. Nothing more, nothing less. Thanks for listening.

I think we have all been there-those feelings! Unless I am reading your profile wrong - haven't you lost 19 pounds since surgery? If so...that is awesome - you may just be in a bit of a stall as your system tries to straighten out - that happened to almost everyone - I went back and checked and I was down 20 lbs 6 weeks out from surgery - where i had a week stall at the same weight (and a weight gain) even when following the program to a t - Now I know there is no way I could gain weight based on what I ate so It had to be Water weight etc -
my recommendation (which you will see in many many posts) put the scale away or use it sparingly the first few months. I am 4 months out so still very new and weigh twice a week - fridays and mondays as i am able to eat more foods and I am exercising more - I want to see what the impact is on my weight in general. I want to make sure now that i am increasing my exercise and increasing my calories because the exercise is making me hhhuuunnngggrrryyyy that it is all still in line. so far so good. And I am sure it will all come in line for you as well -
Countless posts are found here where the poster (me included) was second guessing or worried "if it is working" and by month 3 it is starting to make sense. Good luck to you!

Even if you do everything by the letter, you are going to experience stalls and slow downs in weight loss. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing a large amount of weight. To me, the key to success is how I respond to inevitable stalls. Will I keep following my program or will I get discouraged and go back to old, bad habits? You get to decide.
Embrace the Stall
http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

It's going to work:) i understand your frustration at extremely slow weight loss. Hang in there. The pounds will come off. You are going to do great.

I just have an observation about my journey (short as it might be: I was sleeved on 5/23/16). I had to go through a comprehensive program before I could get a referral to the surgeon. Nutrition classes, support groups, psych eval, exercise classes, smoking cessation lectures, monthly weigh-ins...pretty much the whole shootin' match. I was explicitly instructed on every aspect of the surgery of my choosing. I was given a goal weight to reach and was not to gain ANY weight or I got to go back to the beginning and do it all again. Once I completed all of this "stuff", I would advance to the next phase. I am sure this is no surprise to anyone here by now; it's pretty much the gold standard in weight loss centers of excellence. So here's the part I am finding the most fascinating and INFURIATING: I did it all flawlessly. I sailed through that program and got approved for surgery in three months. Then, I endured my two week pre-op liquid diet like a champ. Never cheated once. I reached my surgery goal weight and all was well! Fast-forward to today. I have done everything by the book...and NOW I can't seem to lose ONE damn pound? Wasn't the surgery supposed to make things happen? Wasn't it supposed to be a great tool that might even make things a little easier? I am so disappointed in myself and the "process". The thing I hate most of all is this: I can't seem to relax and let this happen. I just wake up every morning, still at the same weight, and keep on keepin' on. And I ask myself: What have I done ANY of this for? I am so afraid I will end up the same fat person with the same fat problems, only my insides got rearranged and I went through a lot of sh*t to lose 30 pounds. And then I pray. I pray for success. I pray for patience. I need this to work. Is it going to work?
Disclaimer: I am in no way meaning this to be a pity party, and I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I just needed to get this off my chest, and maybe hear from someone who also struggled like I am. Nothing more, nothing less. Thanks for listening.

I'm actually a pretty dull person, but here goes:
I love animals (yes, even cats) and would hoard them if given the chance. I have 3 Basset Hounds, 2 cats, and 2 grand Corgi's.
I volunteer at a local animal shelter walking dogs and doing adoptions.
I've been married for 27 years but we've been together for almost 30 years. That product of the marriage is 2 great kids who have grown up to be pretty darn decent humans, if I do say so myself.
Although I may seem like a big mouth, I can be quite shy and introverted sometimes.
I love anything to do with true crime and serial killers. Movies, books, TV shows, etc....One of my favorite books is about Ted Bundy. (EDIT: I don't CONDONE serial killers, I just find the concept fascinating)
I helped my parents breed, raise and show Arabian horses in my youth.
I graduated in a class of 16 people in a town of 1100 in Eastern Oregon.
At 45, I decided to change careers and have been fairly successful with it.
I'm honest to a fault sometimes.
I like big butts and I cannot lie. (Okay, just threw that one in there to see if you're paying attention)

If you post something here asking for advice, it becomes a part of the ongoing discussion. I think the bacon refuses to die because people were just shocked, quite frankly. It will run it's course eventually. That's all I have to say about that.

Thank you for this thread! I am 6 weeks out and not losing yet. I am terrified to eat anything without Protein in it (like fruit which I am craving) and I constantly feel full between getting protein and Water goals met. I am freaking out (because that's what I do) and feeling as if I am eating way too much. Tomorrow I plan to start tracking everything that goes in, just to prove to myself that I am not eating too much. My surgeon said not to get in a hurry with solids, so I still eat a rather soft diet. He also told me to eat as much as 1200 calories a day, as long as I get 90 grams of protein. I was feeling physical hunger because I was not eating enough until about a week ago. I am somewhat confused and overwhelmed with transitioning from liquids to solids, because with liquids you just sort of "keep it coming", but with solids you can't do that. I went through a quite thorough program prior to my surgery; I was given so much information and thought I was an expert. I am not. This is no easy path, so thank goodness it's worth the struggle if it works. I have to admit that I AM really wanting to start losing weight for the sole reason that I do not want to be one of the few who don't lose. I just can't imagine being able to lose anything much if I get 1200 calories a day. I lost more weight on my pre-op diet than I am losing right now and it's super frustrating. I almost feel like I went through this for nothing. My body seems to know how to get around it. I guess it's time to recognize that I will have to work just as hard as I did pre-op to get the same results I got then, which sucks because I wanted it to be a little easier...but then nothing worth having is ever easy. I just need to see some sort of advantage to having done this!

Thank you for this thread! I am 6 weeks out and not losing yet. I am terrified to eat anything without Protein in it (like fruit which I am craving) and I constantly feel full between getting protein and Water goals met. I am freaking out (because that's what I do) and feeling as if I am eating way too much. Tomorrow I plan to start tracking everything that goes in, just to prove to myself that I am not eating too much. My surgeon said not to get in a hurry with solids, so I still eat a rather soft diet. He also told me to eat as much as 1200 calories a day, as long as I get 90 grams of protein. I was feeling physical hunger because I was not eating enough until about a week ago. I am somewhat confused and overwhelmed with transitioning from liquids to solids, because with liquids you just sort of "keep it coming", but with solids you can't do that. I went through a quite thorough program prior to my surgery; I was given so much information and thought I was an expert. I am not. This is no easy path, so thank goodness it's worth the struggle if it works. I have to admit that I AM really wanting to start losing weight for the sole reason that I do not want to be one of the few who don't lose. I just can't imagine being able to lose anything much if I get 1200 calories a day. I lost more weight on my pre-op diet than I am losing right now and it's super frustrating. I almost feel like I went through this for nothing. My body seems to know how to get around it. I guess it's time to recognize that I will have to work just as hard as I did pre-op to get the same results I got then, which sucks because I wanted it to be a little easier...but then nothing worth having is ever easy. I just need to see some sort of advantage to having done this!

Well, just so y'all know, in case you didn't already, I'm only here to ogle the hawt guys, and when I'm feeling down, to get a pat on the butt back.
And to throw out the phrase "beg your pardon" every now and then, since that provoked an epic rant the first time I did it.

@ Protein is a bit more filling because you actually do some digestion of it in the stomach. Also, it's a thicker consistency, so it can stay in the stomach a bit longer. I also noticed that I feel "full" with warm Water versus cold water. I don't think it's actually sitting in my stomach any longer, it just feels "heavier" somehow.

Thank you for this thread! I am 6 weeks out and not losing yet. I am terrified to eat anything without Protein in it (like fruit which I am craving) and I constantly feel full between getting protein and Water goals met. I am freaking out (because that's what I do) and feeling as if I am eating way too much. Tomorrow I plan to start tracking everything that goes in, just to prove to myself that I am not eating too much. My surgeon said not to get in a hurry with solids, so I still eat a rather soft diet. He also told me to eat as much as 1200 calories a day, as long as I get 90 grams of protein. I was feeling physical hunger because I was not eating enough until about a week ago. I am somewhat confused and overwhelmed with transitioning from liquids to solids, because with liquids you just sort of "keep it coming", but with solids you can't do that. I went through a quite thorough program prior to my surgery; I was given so much information and thought I was an expert. I am not. This is no easy path, so thank goodness it's worth the struggle if it works. I have to admit that I AM really wanting to start losing weight for the sole reason that I do not want to be one of the few who don't lose. I just can't imagine being able to lose anything much if I get 1200 calories a day. I lost more weight on my pre-op diet than I am losing right now and it's super frustrating. I almost feel like I went through this for nothing. My body seems to know how to get around it. I guess it's time to recognize that I will have to work just as hard as I did pre-op to get the same results I got then, which sucks because I wanted it to be a little easier...but then nothing worth having is ever easy. I just need to see some sort of advantage to having done this!

I am a newbie, and after reading the Bacon fiasco, I am getting ready to say some things that may make me very unpopular here...
First of all, this is not high school and people need to act like adults. If someone can't take advice and not let it ruin their day or their life, then they need to participate in a much different forum than this one. Having said that, I find it very discouraging to see someone with a lot of solid knowledge get chased off by such stupidity. So why let those kinds of "newbies" ruin your experience here? The world would be a much better place if people could just learn how to coexist without constantly poking some thing or some one with a stick all the time.
What ever happened to take what you like and leave the rest? Who cares if the bacon eater doesn't get it? It certainly has no bearing on my experience here. I came here to soak up the knowledge of those who came before me and who speak from experience. I really couldn't care less if someone is non-compliant; it's none of my concern. I just need to get what I came here for, and I can't get much if the veterans throw up their hands and leave over a conflict. It's not personal, and it's highly unlikely that any of us will ever interact outside of this forum (I suppose it's possible, but unlikely). If you can't handle ignorance and take it with a grain of salt, then that's your business. It's all around you, and if someone leaves every time someone says something stupid, then who will be here to help the ones who listen and take advice when it's given? WE are the newbies that matter, and we need your wisdom. I hope you'll stay. I need to hear what you have to say.

I am a newbie, and after reading the Bacon fiasco, I am getting ready to say some things that may make me very unpopular here...
First of all, this is not high school and people need to act like adults. If someone can't take advice and not let it ruin their day or their life, then they need to participate in a much different forum than this one. Having said that, I find it very discouraging to see someone with a lot of solid knowledge get chased off by such stupidity. So why let those kinds of "newbies" ruin your experience here? The world would be a much better place if people could just learn how to coexist without constantly poking some thing or some one with a stick all the time.
What ever happened to take what you like and leave the rest? Who cares if the bacon eater doesn't get it? It certainly has no bearing on my experience here. I came here to soak up the knowledge of those who came before me and who speak from experience. I really couldn't care less if someone is non-compliant; it's none of my concern. I just need to get what I came here for, and I can't get much if the veterans throw up their hands and leave over a conflict. It's not personal, and it's highly unlikely that any of us will ever interact outside of this forum (I suppose it's possible, but unlikely). If you can't handle ignorance and take it with a grain of salt, then that's your business. It's all around you, and if someone leaves every time someone says something stupid, then who will be here to help the ones who listen and take advice when it's given? WE are the newbies that matter, and we need your wisdom. I hope you'll stay. I need to hear what you have to say.

I am a newbie, and after reading the Bacon fiasco, I am getting ready to say some things that may make me very unpopular here...
First of all, this is not high school and people need to act like adults. If someone can't take advice and not let it ruin their day or their life, then they need to participate in a much different forum than this one. Having said that, I find it very discouraging to see someone with a lot of solid knowledge get chased off by such stupidity. So why let those kinds of "newbies" ruin your experience here? The world would be a much better place if people could just learn how to coexist without constantly poking some thing or some one with a stick all the time.
What ever happened to take what you like and leave the rest? Who cares if the bacon eater doesn't get it? It certainly has no bearing on my experience here. I came here to soak up the knowledge of those who came before me and who speak from experience. I really couldn't care less if someone is non-compliant; it's none of my concern. I just need to get what I came here for, and I can't get much if the veterans throw up their hands and leave over a conflict. It's not personal, and it's highly unlikely that any of us will ever interact outside of this forum (I suppose it's possible, but unlikely). If you can't handle ignorance and take it with a grain of salt, then that's your business. It's all around you, and if someone leaves every time someone says something stupid, then who will be here to help the ones who listen and take advice when it's given? WE are the newbies that matter, and we need your wisdom. I hope you'll stay. I need to hear what you have to say.

I am a newbie, and after reading the Bacon fiasco, I am getting ready to say some things that may make me very unpopular here...
First of all, this is not high school and people need to act like adults. If someone can't take advice and not let it ruin their day or their life, then they need to participate in a much different forum than this one. Having said that, I find it very discouraging to see someone with a lot of solid knowledge get chased off by such stupidity. So why let those kinds of "newbies" ruin your experience here? The world would be a much better place if people could just learn how to coexist without constantly poking some thing or some one with a stick all the time.
What ever happened to take what you like and leave the rest? Who cares if the bacon eater doesn't get it? It certainly has no bearing on my experience here. I came here to soak up the knowledge of those who came before me and who speak from experience. I really couldn't care less if someone is non-compliant; it's none of my concern. I just need to get what I came here for, and I can't get much if the veterans throw up their hands and leave over a conflict. It's not personal, and it's highly unlikely that any of us will ever interact outside of this forum (I suppose it's possible, but unlikely). If you can't handle ignorance and take it with a grain of salt, then that's your business. It's all around you, and if someone leaves every time someone says something stupid, then who will be here to help the ones who listen and take advice when it's given? WE are the newbies that matter, and we need your wisdom. I hope you'll stay. I need to hear what you have to say.