JWalker874

I had my surgery 4/19/2016 and I've lost 73lbs so far. I'm not exercising or eating like I'm supposed to. Most times I'm not eating enough which is what's stalled my weight loss but when I went in for my 6 months post op all my blood work was good. Just had the doctor get on me about getting my Protein in for the day and to exercise.

Had my surgery on the 12-12-16 and I'm down 34.6 pounds, got back in the gym Tuesday and wow, it felt like death, I never thought it would take so much out of me and make me feel so weak after working out. My starting weight was 447, surgery weight was 438 and right now I'm at 412 and some change. I feel great and able to eat 3 oz of food so far, I'm working on being able to get in a gallon of Water. It's been a smooth journey so far to be honest. I'm grateful for being able to do this for myself and give myself another chance and enjoy life. If anyone has any advice on the right Vitamins to take please let me know. I love working out and love lifting weights.
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It's OK. Thank you. I had ppl private message me yesterday also. The thing is a lot of the vets have been on here for so long they are black and white and some have forgotten how hard it was in the beginning. I have to believe they mean well. Thank you!! Sent from my XT1565 using the BariatricPal App

I read it all. It's fine everyone needs something to laugh at. I apologized this am. If people are still making fun of me it's fine... I had a really bad day yesterday if it brings humor, name-calling so be it. I learned a lot from it all. It is supposed to be supportive I agree.
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You could perhaps purée the beagle. I mean he is Protein....
My dog just looked at me funny....
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@@47NHeaven the first year you will lose a lot of weight so take advantage and work out as much as u can this is were u loose most of ur weight eat healthy try not to cheat and eat to many carbs stick to your diet and soon enough you will lose all the weight good luck on your journey it's worth it and congrats
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Wow! Congratulations.

Today
I
Hit
My
Goal
Weight.
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Problem with PB2 is it has added sugar. Not much, but I still prefer real true no sugar added Peanut Butter.
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PB2 is powdered. You can add Water to make a paste or mix it into other foods or beverages. I put it in chocolate shakes.
I havent tried these but they are some ideas for PB2 recipes.
 
HW 385 SW 359 CW 335 (50lbs down!) Sleeved 10/5/16

Oh goodness. No more cheating for me. I'm feeling so sick now its awful
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Well I got an appointment date of the 14th for some plastic work to be done around the mid section. I am not sure how it will go and I am a bit nervous as to if I will like the results or not. It may sound a bit self centered but I am hoping they take enough so I am happy with it after putting myself through it. I will do a before VGS and after plastic pics when it heals up a bit. Wish me luck!

I have stalls once a month or month and half and it's been that way since April 19th when I had the surgery. The longest stall lasted 2 weeks. I've lost 55lbs since then though. For what Ive learned and read stalls are a normal part of our journey so I've learned to embrace them and if and when I do worry, I change something up and usually that brings the weight loss right back and puts me back on track.

This is so true for me too. Preop I would hold on to hope for 2 or 3 weeks and then give up on myself because the "high" and excitement of seeing the numbers drop was gone. Now, when I unconsciously go back to overeating or eating greasy stuff the pain in my stomach and digestive problems I suffer keep me honest lol. I just had mine 4 months ago and my goal is to lose 100lbs (even tho the doctor said he projects I'll lose 80lbs) I'm already at 48lbs so I'm more than happy with that. I also break my goals up so I don't focus on how much more I have to go, but how far I've come. I'm encouraged by everyone's input on this post and their personal experiences
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I have stalls once a month or month and half and it's been that way since April 19th when I had the surgery. The longest stall lasted 2 weeks. I've lost 55lbs since then though. For what Ive learned and read stalls are a normal part of our journey so I've learned to embrace them and if and when I do worry, I change something up and usually that brings the weight loss right back and puts me back on track.

My NUT was an ass. I saw her twice because I had to and NEVER AGAIN. She worked really hard at showing me plastic food on a portion plate -- something any WWs vet could have done blindfolded and then spent the rest of our time hawking her MLM Vitamins. I'm fairly certain the hospital she housed in would have frowned on that.

She was going on personal experience with diet 100% IMO and she was definitely one of those people who has struggled with being too skinny her whole life so had no knowledge of the struggles of a fatty.

I sat with her, smiled and nodded, because I had to. She sucked. BAD.

Oh goodness. You aren't "stalling"- I know that it's common for us to refer to the three week stall.
You are HEALING. Your body is ADJUSTING. It needs to re-work the way it is now processing not only food, but your energy stores. You've just shocked the crap out of your system! Lol. Give it a chance to figure it out!
I am a firm believer, at over 100 pounds down, that a stall goes on much much longer than this.
In between, it's simply adjusting. I've said it before- I count the "decades" of pounds I lose---
240-230
190-180 etc. the numbers in between are of no consequence to me. They bounce, change and do all kinds of erratic things- until they don't and I plummet into the next "decade".
For me, right now, it's the 170's. 160's will come but if I worried daily about the 2 pounds up and down for a few days In between , I'd go bonkers.
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My stall happened on Day 6 and lasted almost 2 weeks. Yesterday I woke up to a 3 pound weight loss and today a 1 pound weight loss.
Everyone talks about a 3 week stall. I think I just hit mine early and it sounds like yours is right on time. Hang in there!
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I had surgery in April and my longest stall lasted 3 weeks. I'm glad I've been staying positive and not stressing myself out. Knowing that there might be stalls that can last months is helpful to know so when it happens I'm mentally prepared. ???? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Great post. Thank you for sharing this.
My personal experience with stalls:
I had surgery on 4/19/2016 and have lost 48lbs so far. I never did measure before surgery or after but I have definitely noticed it in the way my clothes fit.
Personally, I like weighing often. I weigh in once or twice a week but mainly to make sure I'm not gaining and to boost my morale and be proud of the progress I've made. I've had stalls that lasted as long as 3 weeks, but then the week after that I drop 5 to 8lbs. I've also had weeks where I've gained a pound or two and that's when I change up my routine and check to make sure I'm sleeping enough, I've been on track with my 90g a day Protein intake, it's not that "time of the month" or that I haven't gone back to some of my old eating habits like grazing or eating junk food late at night.
In my research I learned that losing weight immediately after surgery is due to better Portion Control, change in eating habits, and a drop in Water weight. Over some time, our metabolisms will regulate, and this when the stall happens. Once the metabolism adjusts to the lower weight, it will kick in again.
Your post is a perfect reminder that our bodies have evolved to hang on to fat so being patient and remaining aware of our habits and routine is always important.
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So prior to surgery I was informed by my GP to "make sure I watch my Vitamin B levels after surgery", and I heard it again from doing research online, and then I heard it again from my Nutritionist in my pre-op class. Obviously, all Vitamins are important, but Vitamin B is what I heard the most, and that made me concerned, but also curious as to why.
What is Vitamin B and why do we need it?
Why are bariatric patients prone to Vitamin B deficiencies?
What are good food sources that are high in Vitamin B?
I did a lot of research, confirmed my findings with my Nutritionist and surgeon, and thought that I would share them here for those still in the research phase pre-op, or even those that have concerns post-op about Vitamin B.
**DISCLAIMER**
I am not a Doctor, Nutritionist, or Medical Professional. Please consult your Doctor before starting or changing any recommended supplements. This is simple research that can be found on the Internet and should NOT be taken as medical advice!!!
WHAT IS VITAMIN B AND WHY DO WE NEED IT?
First off, let me clear up one common misconception. "Vitamin B" is not actually a singular vitamin. It's a class of vitamins. It's 8 vitamins overall that make up the Vitamin B family, they each play an important role in our bodies, and they are often classified under various names aside from "Vitamin B-1, Vitamin B-2, etc".
The biggest role B-Vitamins play in our bodies is maintaining cell health, as well as keeping us energized. Each B-Vitamin plays its part, and each come from various sources. Foods or supplements that contain all 8 B-vitamins are known as Vitamin-B Complex. Knowing where each comes from and what it does is important for everyone, especially those of us who have had bariatric surgery as we are at greater risk for deficiencies in these important vitamins. Other factors contributing to a higher risk of deficiency are; older age, pregnant women, people with Crohn's disease or Celiac disease to name a few.
Below is a brief summary of each of the B-Vitamins, what they do, and what foods they're in.
Vitamin B-1 (THIAMINE)
Description: In short, Vitamin B-1 helps convert food into energy. It is a coenzyme in the catabolism of sugars and amino acids.
Deficiency: Symptoms of Deficiency in Vitamin B-1 can include emotional disturbances, encephalopathy, weakness or pain in extremities, irregular heartbeat, edema, heart failure.
Food Sources: Whole Grain Wheat, oatmeal, Flax, Sunflower Seeds, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Rye, Asparagus, Kale, Cauliflower, Potatoes, Oranges, eggs, Liver (Beef, pork and chicken). Many additional foods are fortified with Vitamin B-1 in the United States.
Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
Description: Vitamin B-2 is an essential requirement for enzymes to perform various actions including the catabolism of fatty acids, but it is also important for maintaining good eyesight.
Deficiency: Symptoms can include cracked lips, sensitivity to sunlight, sore throat, edema, tongue swelling, dermatitis, hyperemia.
Food Sources: Milk, cheese, Eggs, Dark Green Vegetables, Leafy Vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, almonds, liver, kidneys. Many additional foods are fortified with Vitamin B-2 in the United States.
Vitamin B-3 (Niacin)
Description: Vitamin B-3 is needed for many metabolic processes. It helps convert food into energy and also aids in proper digestion and appetite.
Deficiency: Symptoms can include digestive issues, nausea, cramps, aggression, dermatitis, insomnia, weakness, mental confusion, diarrhea, dementia
Food Sources: Liver, chicken Breast, Beef, Fish, Eggs, Venison, Avocados, Peanuts, Leafy Greens, Broccoli, Asparagus, Dates, Tomatoes, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Nuts, Legumes, Seeds, Mushrooms, Peanut Butter, Tofu
Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Description: Vitamin B-5 aids oxidation of fatty acids and carbohydrates, and used in the synthesis of Coenzyme A (CoA), which is important in energy metabolism.
Deficiency: Deficiency is rare but symptoms can include acne and parasthesia.
Food Sources: Whole Grains (not refined), meat, Avocados, Broccoli, Alfalfa, Fish, Mushrooms, Brown Rice, Yeast.
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine)
Description: Vitamin B-6 helps convert food into energy. It also helps the immune system fight off infection. It also helps women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to help babies brains develop normally.
Deficiency: Symptoms can include dermatitis, pink-eye, epilepsy, neurological issues, anemia, depression, confusion, nausea, rashes
Food Sources: tuna, Salmon, Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans), Whole Grains, Beef Liver, Ground Beef, Chicken Breast, Watermelon, Potatoes, Spinach
Vitamin B-7 (Biotin)
Description: Vitamin B-7 is necessary for cell growth. It also plays a key role in the production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of fats and amino acids. It also assists in various metabolic reactions involving the transfer of CO2. It may also be helpful in maintaining a stable blood sugar level. It's often recommended as a supplement to promote strong hair and nails, but the scientific data supporting these claims are weak and heavily scrutinized.
Deficiency: Deficiency does not typically cause symptoms in adults, but can impair growth and cause neurological defects in infants.
Food Sources: Peanuts, Swiss Chard, Leafy Greens, Egg Yolk, Liver, Saskatoon Berries
Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid)
Description: Vitamin B-9 helps with the growth of red blood cells. Folic Acid helps reduce birth defects. Folic Acid is also used by the body to make and repair DNA, as well as methylate DNA. It's especially important in aiding rapid cell division and growth during infancy and pregnancy.
Deficiency: Symptoms can include anemia, diarrhea, and deficiencies in pregnant women can cause birth defects.
Food Sources: Whole Grains, Leafy Greens, Beets, Meat, Fish, Legumes, Liver, Citrus. Many additional foods are fortified with Vitamin B-9 in the United States (cereal).
Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin)
Description: Vitamin B-12 helps regulate the nervous system. It also plays a key role in red blood cell growth, the production of bone marrow, and the cellular metabolism of carbohydrates, Proteins and lipids.
Deficiency: Symptoms can include anemia, confusion, fatigue, weakness, irritability, depression, tingling in extremities
Food Sources: Vitamin B-12 is found primarily in animal based foods, and those on a strict vegan diet can be at more risk than others. Eggs, Cheese, Milk, Fish, Shellfish, Liver, Kidney, Beef, Red Meat
WHY ARE BARIATRIC PATIENTS AT RISK FOR B-12 DEFICIENCIES?
Vitamin B-12 relies on proteins for successful intestinal absorption in the human body:
Haptocorrin (transcobalamin) secreted by the salivary glands is essential in protecting Vitamin B-12 while traveling through the acid of the stomach.
Intrinsic Factor: This is a glycoprotein that is produced by the cells of the stomach. It is essential for the absorption of Vitamin B-12 in the small intestine.
Because bariatric patients of certain procedures have up to 85% of their stomachs removed, the majority of the cells that produced intrinsic factor are also removed. Simply adding a Vitamin B-12 supplement may not be enough in these patients as some supplements still require intrinsic factor to be properly absorbed. There are two major types of Vitamin B-12 found in supplements:
Cyanocobalamin: A synthetic form of Vitamin B-12, This is the more common form of B-12 found on the market, because it is the easiest to make, not because it's the best (certainly not for bariatric patients). This form is made with a cyanide element that is excreted. The presence of cyanide in this amount is nothing to be alarmed about (although I gasped the first time I saw it). The problem with cyanocobalamin is that it needs to be methylated before the body can absorb it properly. To do this it requires intrinsic factor, which is reduced in bariatric patients. Basically your body needs to convert Cyanocobalamin into Methylcobalamin before it can be used by your body.
Methylcobalamin: Vitamin B-12 in this form remains in your body for longer periods, and at higher levels than cyanocobalamin, making it available to your body for a longer period of time. Because this form of Vitamin does NOT need intrinsic factor to be absorbed by the body, it is far more available for use by your body as a bariatric patient, and you are not restricted to oral use. sublingual (under the tongue), melts, Patches, sprays, and creams are alternative ways to use this form of Vitamin B-12 and make it available immediately.
When researching supplements and vitamins, make sure to look at the label. The label should read: "Vitamin B-12 (as Methylcobalamin)". Be sure to look. As I mentioned previously, Cyanocobalamin is more common because it is cheaper and easier to make.
I hope this helps someone during their research and those who have questions about the B-Vitamin family. If I missed anything, please add it below and I'll edit this post.
Best of luck!

This is so true for me too. Preop I would hold on to hope for 2 or 3 weeks and then give up on myself because the "high" and excitement of seeing the numbers drop was gone. Now, when I unconsciously go back to overeating or eating greasy stuff the pain in my stomach and digestive problems I suffer keep me honest lol. I just had mine 4 months ago and my goal is to lose 100lbs (even tho the doctor said he projects I'll lose 80lbs) I'm already at 48lbs so I'm more than happy with that. I also break my goals up so I don't focus on how much more I have to go, but how far I've come. I'm encouraged by everyone's input on this post and their personal experiences
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Great post. Thank you for sharing this.
My personal experience with stalls:
I had surgery on 4/19/2016 and have lost 48lbs so far. I never did measure before surgery or after but I have definitely noticed it in the way my clothes fit.
Personally, I like weighing often. I weigh in once or twice a week but mainly to make sure I'm not gaining and to boost my morale and be proud of the progress I've made. I've had stalls that lasted as long as 3 weeks, but then the week after that I drop 5 to 8lbs. I've also had weeks where I've gained a pound or two and that's when I change up my routine and check to make sure I'm sleeping enough, I've been on track with my 90g a day Protein intake, it's not that "time of the month" or that I haven't gone back to some of my old eating habits like grazing or eating junk food late at night.
In my research I learned that losing weight immediately after surgery is due to better Portion Control, change in eating habits, and a drop in Water weight. Over some time, our metabolisms will regulate, and this when the stall happens. Once the metabolism adjusts to the lower weight, it will kick in again.
Your post is a perfect reminder that our bodies have evolved to hang on to fat so being patient and remaining aware of our habits and routine is always important.
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This is so true for me too. Preop I would hold on to hope for 2 or 3 weeks and then give up on myself because the "high" and excitement of seeing the numbers drop was gone. Now, when I unconsciously go back to overeating or eating greasy stuff the pain in my stomach and digestive problems I suffer keep me honest lol. I just had mine 4 months ago and my goal is to lose 100lbs (even tho the doctor said he projects I'll lose 80lbs) I'm already at 48lbs so I'm more than happy with that. I also break my goals up so I don't focus on how much more I have to go, but how far I've come. I'm encouraged by everyone's input on this post and their personal experiences
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