Hellya

You are doing fine. From surgery to about 2.5 months out, I had lost about 20 pounds.

You'll get there. Along the way there were definitely times when I was frustrated and angry and thought it was going way too slowly. Now, looking back, I think it was fine. I'd still like to lose a bit more, but I'm ok with it taking a while. I'm living life, feeling good, doing stuff I didn't do before, wearing clothes I've never in my life fit into before, it's all good.

I started with walking. I love to walk. Then I started to jog/run. I like that now, too. And now I also do yoga videos.

Yay!!! I know how great that feels!!!! It took me a while to be smaller than my hubby. He weighs around 160. It is the first time I have ever been smaller than him since I've known him (5th grade! LOL). When we got married, he was 140, I was 185. Now, I'm officially smaller than him and I have a better BMI.

On 7/29/2017 at 6:39 AM, Apple1 said:

Very good point. We need some new things to focus on that also support our new healthy lifestyles.

For me it is fitness, running specifically. I have set some short term and long term goals for races and this has really taken my emphasis away from losing weight already. I know the weight will come off so I am just eating right and working on building my running mileage.

I think this is a GREAT attitude, one I happen to subscribe to. For me, the goals are just about getting some physical activity in daily, and now that physical activity is easier and the habits are set, I'm starting to see the long term benefits: it's great for my mood, it makes me feel strong, it confirms that I can do things that are hard, it (because I jog or walk outside mostly) gets me much needed Vitamin D (I'm in the north), it gives me time to sort stuff out (if I'm alone) or time to just hang and chat with my hubby (if he can come).

And the weight HAS come off and continues to, even though it's slowed significantly. But I'm not even worried about it now.

One thing I learned on my journey is that it's not linear. My weight loss chart looks like a jagged mountain, with the trend being downward.

I know it's hard, but be patient and continue to do the things you know are good for you. This is not a time to panic or give up. Your body is doing something. Positive changes ARE happening and just because it's not reflected on the scale doesn't mean its not happening.

An example: I've not lost much in the last few months. Like 5ish pounds? I don't even know. BUT, I've gone from a size 10 to a 6!!! It's mind boggling and doesn't make "sense", but I don't care.

Starting weight: 210

Day of surgery weight: 192

At one month out, I was at 182 (down 10 pounds), and at 2 months out I was at 177 (down 15 pounds).

I'm 10 months out and I'm down 63 pounds.

I was an emotional mess the first week or so after surgery. My poor husband! I can't speak to the ADHD meds, but as far as feeling emotional goes, that will get better.

I could have written that post right after surgery! It can be a rough time. I was super emotional and I had all sorts of weird gas issues (the sounds my insides were making!!!) and I just felt sort of awful all the time. Looking back, it was just a few days and things got a lot better but when I was in it it felt like years of misery. So...I guess I'm just offering hugs and want to let you know that there is an end to feeling like that and things will get better soon.

That's pretty similar to what happened to me. I've had quite a few long lasting stalls in my 9 months since surgery, but somehow I've made it to 60 pounds lost. There were lots of times where I was just pissed because "nothing" was happening, but stuff was happening! I continued to go down in sizes and then I'd go through a week of losing and then not lose for a while, wash, rinse, repeat.

I'm currently in a time where the scale isn't moving much, but my size 8 pants are starting to get loose...

Just stay the course, pick up a new healthy habit (I first started walking, then I added yoga, now I've started running and I do a combo of walking/yoga or walking/running every day) that will make you feel good about what you can do now and have faith. It will happen.

Quote

They put a straw in the Water bottles they gave me at the surgery center. I've been using them the whole time with no issues.

I think it has something to do with statistics and how the average wls patient loses around 60% of their weight...I'm not sure. My dr's attitude was similar when I went in for my 6 month follow up. I still wanted to lose around 30 more pounds and while she didn't discourage me, her attitude was a little like "you did it, great job!" I walked out of their scratching my head, lol.

My opinion: You are an individual, not a statistic. You have done great, and while you should focus on being and feeling healthy--because isn't that ultimately what we want?--there's no need to throw in the towel or believe meeting your goal isn't possible.

Pre-surgery, I was a Water guzzler. Loved the stuff. Post surgery, it was so hard to drink and it made me feel sick for a long time. I could only drink it if it had a little crystal light or something, which was weird because I never drank flavored water before surgery because I didn't care for it and didn't find it quenched my thirst. I also started drinking hot tea and still drink a lot of it. Just THIS WEEK (I'm 9 months out) I am finding I can drink a glass of water and it finally tastes delicious again and I can drink it almost as fast as I could pre-surgery. I could not be happier!!

Also, don't be like me: I had 2 uti's over the winter because I wasn't drinking enough. Even if you don't want it, you still need it. Find ways to get it down.

That's awesome!

For me, it's the obvious--clothes shopping! It's fun now! And I have so many options, instead of just getting what I can find that fits.

You look fantastic! And you look like you FEEL fantastic!

Before, approx 210

Now, 153

My friend is more than 4 years out and she just recently got to goal. Check out her youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCurvyJones

This is her journey. I don't think it's your job to "encourage" her. In fact, I don't think it's any of your business.

Very good article, thanks for sharing.

When I find that I'm in that grazing space, which is often, I use this trick: After I eat, I look at the clock and tell myself I can eat again in 3 hours--so if I eat at 9, I know I can eat again at noon. And when I start heading into the kitchen, I look at the clock and make myself stop. Or I make some tea. Sometimes I'll even set my alarm on my phone so I'm doing less clock watching.

On 3/20/2017 at 10:55 PM, Finally17 said:

I am now size 18/20. Surgery not til August but wondering what I'll look like/what size I'll be.
Could it be that those with lower BMI to start lose more slowly? Just curious.
You can do this!

I think we do lose more slowly. My weight loss has really slowed down, but I'm still seeing changes in my body. My 12 jeans are falling off and my 8's are fitting me comfortably.

I have started to up my exercise, so that might be contributing to the changes I'm seeing (on my body) or not seeing (on the scale).

I think these early stalls were the most difficult part for me, mentally. Hang in there, stay the course-- you will start losing again!! (Also, you will stall again, later. And it will be ok.)

I hope you feel better soon. I've had 2 uti's since surgery, after a lifetime of zero uti's. I'm sure it's a dehydration problem for me, so I'm going to tell you to drink your Water.

I'm sorry you are struggling. The first couple of months are an emotional rollercoaster. Things don't feel like they are going fast enough, hormones are all over the place, you are still adjusting to the changes and you are still healing. All of that does get easier, I promise.

I made myself a veggie Soup with beef broth and blended then strained it. OMG. It was so good. I don't think I would have made it without it. LOL.