chuswysly

I absolutely agree that whatever you eat should be real food.........I think it's important to remain open minded and keep our health in the forefront of our endeavors.......being thin will be the result of eating correctly, mindfully, healthfully and thoughtfully. There are many ways to get to our goal and it's very easy to become obsessive about our journey. I really think the doctor's point is not to obsess but to eat the things that nourish and fuel our bodies. While the approach Casds84's doctor takes seems unconventional compared to what many of us have experienced it could very well prove to be the answer for many patients. We are all different, our bodies are different and our journeys are different. If health and happiness are the end result then we all win [emoji177]

You're an inspiration!!! Thanks for posting the pics. I can never see my loss and don't feel like I look much different....but know my clothes fit much better. That's a start

my first gain.....color me sad ;-( April 14 weight : 136.2

While my blood pressure wasn't ever high it has dropped back to my normal lower blood pressure - where it was prior to gaining so much weight. I was also scheduled to have knee replacement surgery on my right knee and have now postponed it indefinitely. I've lost almost 60 pounds since I was sleeved in August 2016 and my knee isn't causing me any pain right now. According to my doctor knee replacement is inevitable at some future point but it's not anything I'm too concerned about at this time. No pain, no discomfort and no surgery scheduled. He confirmed the weight loss is directly responsible for the change. I'm very excited and thrilled that I feel so good. It was the best news I could have gotten.

I have Hashimoto as well.......my weight loss has been slower than many others but it has been steady. My doctors seem to keep adjusting my meds and, as you know if you have Hashimoto or any thyroid issue, it takes weeks/months for the tweaking to become evident when they adjust your dose. My T4 is 1.2 ng/do; my T3 is 137 ng/do; my TSH is 0.04 uIY/mL. I do think Hashimoto's makes it more difficult but not impossible if you are determined and stick to it. Sounds like you're doing terrific so keep up the good work and try not to compare yourself to other's progress. As long as your moving in the right direction you should be very proud!

Very inspiring and encouraging……thanks much for your post ?

I was self pay and after much research selected the Mexicali Bariatric Center with Dr. Antonio Esquerra. Fabulous experience. I was 4 days in the hospital, treated like a princess, best medical care and team for sure! Think I paid $6999 for summer special. They sent me home with all my tests, all results, a video of the actual surgery and my chart so I could take the entire package to my primary care physician. I'd go to Mexico for surgery again especially considering the cost difference. I've heard good things about other bariatric surgeons in Mexico as well.

We are so hard on ourselves........we say things to ourselves we would never say to another living human being. If you had a friend who was on this journey you would be encouraging, supportive and loving with your comments. You'd tell them how amazing they look and how hard they've worked and how proud you are of their progress, you'd be their biggest cheerleader. You'd hug them and ask them to let you know if they need anything.......you'd go out of your way to make sure they feel good about themselves. If this was your sister or brother or friend or even an acquaintance you would be the first person in line to congratulate them. Give yourself credit and love yourself enough to practice kind self talk........treat yourself like you would if you were "your own friend". Dont let the media (movies, magazines, television shows) determine your self worth. Remember they are photoshopped and cut and pasted and would not look the same if you saw them in person. The most attractive thing about a person is their smile and their attitude.......and I think you ROCK!!!!

It sounds like your doing everything right and seeing amazing results!!! Congratulations! I haven't lost weight very quickly but it seems to be steady and on the down hill We are all so different and our nutritional needs are different so good for you taking the initiative to talk to your nurse. You are off to a terrific start on your journey to your brand new self!! Hope you're feeling very, very proud of yourself!!

I'd love to participate. My starting weight is 135.8 as of today (April 7). My goal weight is 120 (which is also my final goal weight - I was sleeved in August 2016 with a starting weight of 195)

I've only been on this forum since August 2016 but haven't seen anything regarding malnutrition. Because most of us have a significant amount of weight to lose (50 pounds and more) it doesn't take many calories to sustain us as long as we're getting our water and protein. You seem to be very concerned about the possibility of becoming malnourished. What are you eating each day? Did your doctor or nutritionist give you any special guidelines? How are you feeling overall? Did you have your surgery in the states or out of the country? Have you asked your doctor about malnutrition? I had my surgery in Mexico with a wonderful doctor (and staff) in an amazing hospital. The sent me home with all my paperwork, test results, a DVD of my actual surgery, EKG results, barium results.....basically everything. I was able to give all the information to my primary care physician who continues to prescribe all followup testing as recommended after sleeve surgery. It's important you have confidence in your doctor and nutritionist. Are you feeling pretty secure in that area? From what I've read on this forum and in the books I've purchased it seems the weight loss is more substantial the first 6 +- months after surgery but that is slows down. If your doctor is happy with your results you should be fine unless there's a reason to think differently.

You're amazing and your smile is the greatest!!! Thanks for posting the pictures...........it's always so inspirational ♥

CONGRATULATIONS!! You look amazing and hoping you feel as good as you look!! And to Renea............you've lost 92 pounds since October which is also AMAZING!!! You're being really hard on yourself so how about giving yourself some love for all the hard work!!!

Looking terrific...............success looks very good on you!!

You look amazing! Congratulations on your success today[emoji873]

Congratulations! And many thanks for the inspiration [emoji177]

Remember alcohol metabolizes as sugar so I'd be careful ........ but have fun[emoji873]

Seems to me that juices are high in calories and sugar. Adding protein gives it a boost but there are much better ways to add it to your diet. I'd be very cautious...........

One of the things I have learned on this forum is that almost every doctor is different with their pre-op/post-op instructions. If you're concerned I suggest you call your doctor with your concerns and let them explain their post-op instructions and why they are different from others. If your are feeling good and losing weight then I suspect you're fine but I subscribe to the "better safe than sorry" philosophy

I'm not an expert. I was sleeved August, 2016 after a lifetime of diets and eating/exercise programs. My weight fluctuated my entire life. I was an obese child. My first diet began at age 9 after being teased unmercifully at school. I struggled to maintain a "close to" normal weight as I entered my teens. Thus began a lifetime of eating disorders that included bulimia and anorexia that lasted well into my 50's. I took pills, shots and filled my body with anything that promised a quick solution and weight loss. All this to say I've had a lifetime of experiences being overweight. I know many people on this site have very similar experiences. I feel compelled to post about my surgery because I fully expected my life to be very different post surgery. I did lots of research and read many stories from many people who had not only sleeve surgery but also bypass surgery and lap band surgery. I needed a drastic change. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life waking up and going to sleep with my weight dominating my thoughts. While I'm certainly still adjusting I am learning to listen to my body. I'm aware when I've had enough to eat and it is well before I'm "full". If I don't listen to my body sometimes one additional bite can cause me to feel nauseous and throw up a portion of my food. I made a commitment when I had the surgery to stop eating when I'm not hungry any longer. Feeling full is no longer enjoyable for me and I'm happy my body doesn't tolerate it very well. Things are very different. Meal time is different. What I eat is different. How people react is different. But I expected these changes. If people are concerned about how much or what I'm eating I compare it to an alcoholic worried that I'm not drinking enough [emoji4]To my friends I usually say "why don't you worry about what you're eating and I'll worry about what I'm eating".......with a smile. This is lots of reading for a very simple thought and my very humble opinion. Your life changes after sleeve surgery (or bypass or whatever). It's a permanent change and you will eat differently, you'll feel differently about food. The hard changes are about how we use food, how we think about food and what food we think we want or need. That doesn't go away overnight. The sleeve is a tool. It will work beautifully if you use it correctly. If you don't make the necessary changes it will fail. You still can't eat anything and everything you want in huge quantities. You still can't use food to heal emotional hurts or make you feel rested if you're tired. You still need to make good choices and eat things that will fuel your body instead of your emotions. Many people on this forum have said over and over again that "head hunger" is a problem and we need to work on it everyday. Surgery doesn't make it go away. I had never heard the term before but believe it's true. Food is never the solution but perhaps counciling and/or a good support group can help. Any type of bariatric surgery is simply a tool. It is not a magic cure for being overweight. If you think your whole world will change as a result of the surgery I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. It still requires commitment, dedication, sacrifice and a willingness to work hard. I absolutely believe it's worth it!

I don't think you've "broken" your sleeve. They are usually triple stitched and, while I'm not an expert, I think it would be difficult (perhaps not impossible) to "break" your sleeve with liquids. Think the liquid would come back up. I would suggest you call your bariatric doctor to find out if they have any concerns about the amount of liquid you've consumed. Sounds to me like you're doing fine........but the doctor should be your guide

I've had several friends tell me I'm helping them by setting an example for portion size. A few of my closest friends know I've had surgery but certainly not everyone. Even Weight Watchers teaches to eat just until your not hungry any longer......not till your full. That has been a blessing for me. I'm not doing it because that's what's recommended but because feeling full is very uncomfortable for me now. I just tell people I've had enough and often take my leftovers home for another couple of meals. It's really no ones business how much I eat so I don't feel bad declining large portions or leaving food on my plate. If I eat something when I'm not hungry it is as wasteful as throwing it in the garbage . This was the best thing I've done for myself and don't feel apologetic or like I need to explain........

Love the fairlife milk......high in protein and very low in sugar compared to other milk

My surgery was August 2016 and I'm still having trouble getting 3oz of anything down in one sitting. I tend to spread tiny meals across the day. Seems to be the only way I can do it without feeling sick. I think a large part of it is knowing your body and what works for you which is something I learned on this forum. I feel healthy and energetic and have been losing weight steadily...although slowly. I'm OK with that. I'm very grateful for all the patients who have gone before me and had to figure all this out on their own. Thank you!!

I was sleeved in August, 2016 with a BMI of 31.5 Post op I gained about 10 pounds of fluid. My BMI is now 23.5. Best decision I ever made!