LittleLizzieLilliput

You have so many amazing things coming up with all the changes you are going to be going through these next 12 months. Forget her. Like, literally, forget her. It might not be your weight loss, maybe it's something else but it doesn't matter. She won't tell you, she's trying to get you in trouble. Either way your friendship is over for now so try to just focus on how fantastic you are going to be feeling and looking! You will be so happy and active. Sadly it sounds like you need to leave her behind with all the old clothes because like them she doesn't fit you anymore for whatever reason. I'm sorry for her, but for you? I'm so excited! The world is opening up to you, even if she won't.

I don't know if anybody said this yet but what you do is you try hard to reach your goals but understand these first few weeks it's very difficult to actually achieve them. Don't over eat ( it's practically impossible to anyway) try the puréed foods, drink your Protein shakes and Water. Just as much as you're able, and keep track just so you can see that it keeps increasing. By small measurements of course. I wasn't able to eat more than 2 ounces of puréed food for my entire time. I was on the regular food stage (8 weeks) for a month before I was able to eat 4 ounces at a time. It was after 10 weeks I was able to hit my full water and protein goals. So get as much protein as you can thru your puréed foods ( won't be much but you're teaching your new stomach) then have the Protein drinks. If you have any difficulties with discomfort swallowing or pain in your stomach go back to the liquid for a day and or then try it again. You will be OK, I promise !

Not me but: It's rare, it's deadly, it's excruciating.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well done!!!!!!!! You look fantastic!!!

I have not had that happen yet. Though I'm waiting excitedly for it to happen! lol! I think once I get to be lower than a size 12 I won't know what to do with myself.

I made the choice by essentially throwing a dart to a board. lol! I have no idea what my goal weight should be. I have a high muscle density, I'm short, I've been overweight my whole adult life. I'd like to be 110-115 when all is said and done, that includes skin removal surgery. I set my goal for 130 because I want to be at least 20lbs above my final goal which is what is needed for surgery. But honestly? I have no idea what I will consider my final goal. I want to be a size 6 or so, that sounds good. I don't want to be super tiny. And even then, what does "size 6" mean? lol! I have no idea what that looks like on me. So I have "goals" of getting to the point I feel amazing. I'm trying to place a number or size to that now so I can have the "goal" to aim towards but in reality it's a moving target that I won't even really know what it looks like till I'm much thinner. I'm a size 16 right now. Each drop in size is a new experience so I don't even pretend to know what I will eventually be at. Even when Nuts or docs have a general suggestion I always feel like it's much too soon to know what my final "goal" pre-skin removal will be. And that's OK for me.

I'd keep it at, "go f-k yourself." haha!

I was told my stomach is only ready for 4oz at that point. If you get lots of foamies, hiccups or nausea, you've eaten too much for your stomach size right now. It's hard at first figuring out what the signals from our stomach mean. you will figure it out!! Congratulations on moving to the next step, did you love it???

lol! All my pics are just selfies from my hockey games. I'm hoping to get a full profile shot this weekend in Tahoe. I was just looking for a good picture for something else and realized I hadn't taken a picture full (non group selfie) of me since before halloween.

It took me about 8 weeks to feel fairly "normal", it took 12 weeks to find my New Normal. Some people go MUCH more quickly. But remember, you just had something MASSIVE done to your body. Having 80% of your stomach removed is no minor or small thing. It is MAJOR and you need to treat yourself like a trauma victim, be kind, be loving, be patient. Swallowing was bizarre and didn't feel "normal" for 6 weeks at least. Eating didn't feel "normal" for 12 weeks. Are you on a Proto-Pump Inhibitor (anti-acid)? That can also add to the odd sensations. But for reals, it took about 3 months until I didn't feel like my esophagus, stomach and tastebuds were being run by aliens. Also, your other symptoms sound like you might be coming down with a cold. You might want to call your surgeon's office and let them know. I don't' think those are signs of infections but any time you feel something not right or great amounts of discomfort, you should call them.

If anyone of my "friends" told me I'd taken the easy way out they would be cut out of my life. Not because I'm punishing them but because I don't need people in my life who don't even try to see things from my perspective. Friends don't do that to friends. And they are so ignorant it's mind boggling. Anyone who thinks this is the easy way is uneducated and probably a dick.

I have told everyone. Part of it was because I wanted to just smash my ego about this. I knew if I didn't tell people I would be forced to lie and that would put a pall over something I wanted to be wonderful. I can't imagine having "haters" to deal with. The truth is I don't know anyone else but one person who was obese like me so that might be part of it. I only have one friend who's mildly overweight and she did say that I was soon going to be skinnier than her and we both just kind of laughed and jumped up and down about it. lol! I'm sorry you are dealing with this.

How much do you walk in the weeks following surgery? Sent from my SM-G930V using the BariatricPal App I could barely walk for the first 2 weeks, I had a hernia repair and gallbladder removal along with the VGS. I was walking 30 minutes moderately brisk at 4 weeks and then re injury happened and I was down for another two. I was allowed back in the gym at 8 weeks and now at 15 weeks I walk about 3 miles a day and have started weights for toning on arms and legs. I started abdomen exercises (sit ups) at 12 weeks but I still get incision pains so I have to go slow. I came out of the surgery with 7 incision sites to my abdominal muscles are taking longer.

I wasn't cleared for a real work out till 8 weeks. Your body is still healing, it's too soon for that yet. Your body is using all it's protein and energy to heal the stomach that was ripped out. Well stapled and cut but still. lol! Right now all you should be doing is walking. Well, according to my doc and most of what I've read around here. You are tired because your body is spending a ton of time and energy healing. Too soon for all the exercise I think. Just walk.

I think they meant cut your calories down by 500 a day. I'd say aim for 1000 calories a day to get back into losing.

There's like carbs in everything ! How can I stay below just 15 grams of it with three meals? And others say when you starve your body of calories, it holds on to fat so I won't lose anything. Ugh, so much! Naeema W. No, you will lose, absolutely. It's why you lost the initial weight, it's why we had 80% of our stomach removed. It will work. 15 grams carbs per MEAL, not in a whole day. You have the sleeve, right? You started out eating 5 - 4oz meals a day? just go back to that. Go back to your routine from when you moved into the full food stage. Eat protein based meals and get complex carbs only, like from green or orange veggies (not from white veggies). Drink your water in between. Also, are you drinking water with your meals? That is a no-no if you have the sleeve as well. What it does is pushes the food through your stomach more quickly allowing you to eat more, take in more calories and not feel as full. Bad news for wanting to lose weight. Once you've drop it all you can slowly go back to maintaining and up the calories again but if you want to loss that weight you need to reduce calories and keep up your exercise. I mean, not to extremes but normal, healthy exercise.

I'd aim for a calorie deficit much greater than what you listed. I'd aim for 1000 calories each day, at least 72 oz Water and high Protein diet. Get your carbs to no more than 15 per meal. You should be able to drop the weight more quickly but part of what you need to do is starve your body of more calories.

My doc said that most people will struggle to get their Protein and Water in for the first 8 weeks. The plan was to get as much of it in as you can and slowly reach goal (80-100g protein/day, 64+ oz H2O/day). When I saw him 2 weeks post op and told him I wasn't hitting my goals, I was disappointed in myself and thought I would get a talking-to from him. He just patted my leg and said I was doing great and that I'm still healing and will hit my numbers as long as I follow the program. He was right! lol! But I still have to work on making my water goals. I can't gulp water anymore. I am MUCH better now, at 12 weeks I was able to take some big drinks but would still get queasy if I drank too much too fast. at 15 weeks I'm able to get 8 oz down in about 20 minutes without trying too hard or feeling bad. It's a journey so "doing everything right" doesn't mean it will go perfectly. There will be some ups and downs, some back slides and some leaps forward. Our metabolism is a magical creature that sometimes eludes us. lol! It doesn't like the body losing so much of it's stockpiled energy and will slow down thinking we are dying of starvation. Then it will realize, nope, gotta dump some energy now! and bamn, 3 lbs gone overnight. lol! Or, that's how it will work for me sometimes. I have stalls every few weeks. I'll have a week where I don't lose anything or even go up a lb even though I'm doing everything right and increasing my water and exercise slowly every day. Just got to kind of throw up your hands, realize we are only in control of so much and keep on keeping on.

It's weird isn't it??? lol! Just be careful. I was only able to eat 2oz up till about a month ago. I can finally eat 4oz now. But 2oz even felt like I would explode most of the times. lol And believe me, your body will let you know if you've had even a little too much. You won't want to repeat that! Congrats on moving to the next stage!!! You are closer and closer!

I'm 15 weeks post op this week! WOO HOO!! I've lost over 50 lbs so far. I had the VGS, Hiatal Hernia repair and Gallbladder removal. I was pretty weak post op and didn't really heal, get mobile, till 8 weeks. Food: This is a general look and the stuff I eat. I tend to eat the same things for years on end. I know it's weird. lol! I make everything at home and I use low fat, sugar substitutes and high protein whatevers I need to make the dishes. I put aside one day a week to do all my food prep. Usually Saturday or Sunday while I'm cleaning the house as well. I found that I have been far more successful when I make my own food and take the time to create really delicious flavorful dishes. Then when I'm hungry I'm excited to eat the food I made and I don't even think about going out and buy my meal. Breakfast: have low carb english muffin with 4 pieces of Hormel Black Label pre-cooked bacon heated, one slice low fat american cheese. This is my high fat meal. I have tried so many other breakfast things but this is the one that my new stomach digests the best and my tastebuds still like. Protein: 18g Fat: 16g Cal: 296 Lunch: 4 oz Homemade Butter Chicken (Indian dish, not much butter despite name, lol) Protein: 20g Fat: 10g Cal: 214 Snack: 4 oz Homemade Butter Chicken Protein: 20g Fat: 10g Cal: 214 Dinner: 4oz Homemade Chicken Teriyaki (I make my own teriyaki using splenda brown sugar, low sodium soy and real honey) Protein: 26g Fat: 4.5g Cal: 130 Exercise: I walk 20-30 minutes vigorously twice a day, 10 and 2 generally, I purchased an under the desk eliptical (https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-desk-ellipticals?id=adw&gclid=CjwKEAiA2abEBRCdx7PqqunM1CYSJABf3qva7xq2EINdf9gHKU-V7MNl197f-b-wrCB5-1Vwvw181RoCGJLw_wcB The one I have is the blue one in the middle) and use it all day. I also walk and run around all day at work and then go to all the hockey games here so I walk several blocks to and from the stadium 2-4 times a week. And then I am generally MUCH more active. I jump, run, move quickly and love to feel my muscles work so easily and it feels so GOOD. Size: I find that I am MORE excited about moving to a lower size than I am about a drop in weight. Started out as a size 24, I'm currently a size 18 about to shift to a size 16. OMG do I love seeing my ass look cute and perky in these tight jeans!!! lol! I find myself staring at my ass sometimes, I had no idea it was adorable. hahah!! Conceded? Maybe but the joy I get at seeing I have something cute I like about my body has been a great and wonderful part of this experience. Also, it seems I have a bit of an hourglass figure!! I had no idea really. It's amazing watching my body reveal itself to me. Seeing my bones and curves, my saggy places showing the frame underneath, the feel of my arms able to fold under my breasts and feel my ribs. To feel my pelvic bones pop out when I'm laying in bed. lol! John Mayer was RIGHT, my body is wonderland, but not quite the way he intended. hahah! Psychologically: This is where I feel I'm doing the best. WOW did I struggle. This was not an easy process for me. I didn't decided to do this. It was forced on me by my own morbid obesity. I was dying last year. My gallbladder, my pancreas, my kidneys. All bad. My gallbladder went bad, real bad, and they took months to figure it out. Once they did my doc just said to me "Look, do you want me to make this easy for you?" I said yes. She said "Just get the VGS and have your gallbladder out. You will feel 20 years younger and be off all these meds and I will rarely see you. You have the best insurance and will only pay $500 max out of pocket. Or you can just have your gallbladder out and die in the next 10 years." Well, it's hard to argue with that logic. In fact it was so hard to argue with it I had not choice but to just do it. Somewhat reluctantly. I was scared. This is a huge permanent choice but I realized then I'd used up all my time to do it "my way". I didn't have time left. I was dying. I was sick every day vomiting, in and out of the hospital. My mom and sister weren't happy with the choice, they were scared too. But we also knew I had to do something now if I wanted to change my future and have one. So after the surgery I struggled with the emotional loss of my stomach, my old way of life, my old way of soothing myself, my old way of being me. I was fine at first and then at 4 weeks when I was still so weak and healing and miserable I started crying and didn't stop for a week. I was in mourning and I realized I had to experience it all, I couldn't suppress my feelings anymore because that was killing me too. So I cried and I felt sorry for myself and I moped. And then a week later I moved to my next food stage, I realized I wasn't trapped, that I had options and I needed to give it more time. From that point on it's been wonderful. It's like I allowed myself to mourn and grieve and feel and then like a burned out forest meadow the fresh new sprout of green flowers start pushing up. Slowly that meadow, my emotional landscape, has bloomed. I am so happy now, I get so excited to go to work knowing I'm going to be taking two walk breaks and feeling so good walking. I love checking out my profile in the windows - something that I refused to do before. I'm smiling and laughing more and I'm beginning to consider dating again. My life is opening up like a flower and I love it. And it's only been 15 weeks!! My life is so much more, so much bigger than before. It's weird, the bigger I was the smaller my world became. The smaller I am the bigger my world is becoming.

Here is the deeply honest truth, if you follow the guidelines and the process you will lose weight in a ferociously short period of time. I've lost 50 lbs in 3 months. That's miraculous IMO! Sometimes it's gonna feel slow. Sometimes it's gonna feel like you drop 3 sizes in one week. It's gonna be up and down. It's not a smooth process. You are going to be up and down emotionally too. This is a wondrous journey and the roughest, hardest part is the very beginning. It's the part that is the most painful, the most slow and the most important. Emotionally we are all over the place, just breath, trust the process, drink some Water and go for a walk. Don't worry, this stall will end, you will drop a ton more weight and you will have more stalls. And it's wonderful.

Cheat days once you've gotten past 3 months is fine but before then you need to remember that your stomach has just be violently abused. lol! You are only 3 weeks out, chicken would be a nightmare for you, tortillas would be a nightmare for you. A cheesy cream soup would probably be the closest to OK. sugar free pudding, that's a cheat item right now for you. Some mashed potatoes with butter is a cheat right now that's ok. And don't think of it as cheating, be very conscious of it. You are doing this to lose more weight so you want it to be smart about it. Also increase your Water and just walk more. Finally, you are only 3 weeks out. You don't need to speed up your weight loss. What's happened is your body has gone through a trauma and needs time to heal. You are retaining water and Fluid in your abdomen in your bodies natural healing process, your metabolism is in shock, your stomach is in shock. It takes a few more weeks before you will find an equilibrium in your body. Don't rush it. If you follow all the guidelines and allow your body the time it needs to heal (And Protein. Protein protein protein) than the lbs will melt away at a speed that feels slow sometimes but is miraculously fast in retrospect.

Well, I started out at 470 so when you're that size you lose more at the beginning I think. All I can say is I follow the food plan my doctor suggested and I weigh and measure everything, plus I swim 35 minutes before work every day. I've noticed that I will lose a few pounds one week and then the following week I lose nothing. That seems to be what's been happening for over a month. Every other week I go down 3-5 pounds it seems. For me I find I will drop 10 lbs and then my body goes on a 2 - 3 week freeze and sometimes a bump up a lb or two and then I'll drop another 10-15 lbs and it will happen again. I don't mind it at all because I'm following the guidelines and feeling great! And I don't want to drop insane amounts and then just gain them back. I like that my body takes a little bit to adjust, find it's new balance and then lose again.

Woo Hoo! That's awesome! Sad to see your Iron Giant go though...

are you on any antiacid? I thought I was hungry all the time too, ended up it was stomach acid. so weird!!