Neversaynever

Same! I got on the scales yesterday and it said 29.9, I was stunned!

Well done!

I have no idea if I will suffer Hair loss from my most recent surgery, it was just a thought as I suspected a possible link but I have no real information about it. I am crossing my fingers that in 3 months, nothing happens and I will still retain the hair I currently have!

I stopped losing weight around the 1st year mark and felt disappointed. If I had known that would happen, I think I would have tried a lot harder while in the losing phase. I didn't try hard at all, it just fell off me to start with. I lost close to 7 stone/100lbs in total but wasn't happy with the loss, I wanted to lose another stone if possible but it wasn't to be. I put about half a stone on around Christmas and couldn't move it but then I had a major operation in mid March that had the same effect.

After surgery, I was too poorly to eat and my appetite disappeared. I have lost another stone/14lbs in the two weeks since surgery so I am now within grasp of being very happy at the weight I currently am. My appetite is still low so I think I may still lose a few more lbs, fingers crossed

I had my sleeve done in 2017 and lost about 50% of my hair from month 3 to month 6 then it stopped shedding. Very slowly, it has grown back to probably 75% of what it was.

My problem now is, I have just had another major surgery to have my adrenal gland removed, open surgery, very large "L" shaped cut, not pretty!

I am just very worried that this will trigger another bout of Hair loss in a couple of months time as I suspect its the actual surgery, rather than the type of surgery, that triggers it.

I wasn't given any restrictions, just told to use common sense.

I think things change though, after surgery, I couldn't stand pastry at all, made me feel so poorly but now, almost 16 months out, I can eat it. I couldn't eat sweets either without feeling icky but I can now, I think our stomachs evolve.

This is something I read on a website and I have previously posted it but thought I would post it again for all the people who didn't see it originally. It was written by a lady who has sadly passed due to cancer but she was so wise and insightful that I think it should be shared with everyone.

WLS TIMELINE – Or Am I Normal? by Ruth Lamb

As you can guess not everything will apply to everyone, however, the following are my observations for the last few years.

By 1 week preop:
Panic sets in – much like the panic before having a baby. What to take to the hospital… pack and repack. Arrange everything you can before going into surgery (cook meals, write letters, read the memorial pages (an old OH feature) and then go to the message boards to get reassurance, confirm babysitting, postop help, time off work, travel arrangements, etc.). Dive into whatever final foods you’re just SURE you’ll never eat again. Ask the MB (Message Board) what foods you’ll never eat again. Insomnia! Mood swings. Preop testing, nasty bowel preps (btw, there are NO easy ways to get this stuff down. Just do it!). Wonder if you’re weird because you ARE NOT scared. Wonder if you are making a mistake because you ARE scared.

Postop Day 1 through Week 2:
“What the hell did I just DO to myself???”
“Why am I/am I not hungry?”
“I’ll NEVER be able to get in all the fluid/protein/food they want me to.”
“I can eat TOO much – did I break something?”
“I can’t eat enough… will I die of starvation?”
“I can’t believe how badly this hurt! ~OR~ I can’t believe I even had surgery, because there’s so little pain!”
“Why do I have no energy?”
“When can I eat…fill in the blank?”
“Will I ever be able to gulp Water again?”
“Why did I GAIN 10 pounds???”
“Wow, I’ve lost 10 pounds!”
You think you've hit your first plateau. Nope. Odds are VERY good you haven't 🙂

Postop weeks 2 through 12:
Post op remorse usually fades during this time period. What a relief that is!
You TRY hard to stick to your doctor's diet regimen/protocol and wonder if you’re evil when you slip off the wagon by eating… fill in the blank.
You think you've hit your first, 2nd or 3rd plateau. Nope. Odds are VERY good you haven't 🙂
Nearly everyone experiences a stall during the first 3 months.
You accidentally gulp Water and freak that you’ve broken your pouch.
You accidentally forget to chew something to death and fear you’ve plugged your stoma.
You FEAR strictures, fistulas, and leaks every time you burp, get nauseated, have diarrhea, feel a muscle cramp, etc. This fear is not abnormal and you ‘could’ have one of these since this is the prime time for it – however, fear is no way to live. There are common symptoms attributed to these. Hopefully, you’ve researched them postop and can shelve the fear and keep a reasonable eye out for them.
You discover that you vomit or burp mucus, foam or Fluid occasionally. This is called frothing, the foamies, or just mucus. It typically IS just mucus, caused by your healing pouch.
You discover your body has weird ways of telling you that you’ve eaten enough/too much (i.e., sneezing, sniffles, runny nose, hiccuping, etc)
You wonder if it’s normal to poop once, twice, three times a week.
You discover one day the scale is evil (you’re losing too slow) and the next day it's your friend when it rewards you with 1, 2, 5 pounds gone.
You wonder if you’re losing too fast and how will you stop it when you get to ‘goal’.
You wonder if you’ll EVER get to ‘goal’.
You try numerous types of Protein drinks/bars, etc and wonder if Protein is ‘for life’.
You swear you will never eat or drink… fill in the blank…as it is evil or forbidden (pop, Cookies,popcorn, gum, etc.)
You discover that many (not ALL) long-term postops have discovered that very little is forbidden or evil to them in moderation and with care.

Months 3 through 18:
You worry you are a slow loser and have days you doubt the tool will work, or wonder if it’s broke. I am NOT mocking. Some people’s tools DO break during this period of time, but it is in the minority, not the majority.
You wonder if you’ll ever get to goal.
You made goal and worry you’ll not stop losing.
You worry because you can eat TOO much.
You worry because you still eat too little.
You worry about getting in enough protein.
You worry you’re getting in too much protein.
You ponder whether carbs are evil or not.
You question again whether diet pills are evil.
You compare your losses against everyone else’s.
You discover that you had an exercise guru hidden within you and are now an exercise maniac.
You discover that you HATE exercise and try and force yourself to get moving.
You may have hit your first plateau. Don't panic! - Have you noticed a reoccurring theme? 🙂

Months 19 and beyond:
You may hit a plateau. Don't panic!
You reach goal and worry you'll regain.
You wonder if you'll stop losing!
You wonder if you'll EVER make goal (you've likely heard about the dreaded window and fear it closed at 18 months - be aware, I continued to lose to goal for 20 to 22 months).
You may find yourself sliding; eating the wrong foods; slacking on exercise; and freak when you regain 10 pounds. Time to get back on track.

This is NOT to discourage you from asking questions. If anything this is to encourage you to. This is to show you that all your fears, doubts, worries and hopes are VERY normal – and to not be afraid to ask that question that is eating at you. I have purposely not provided ‘answers’ to most of the above questions, because we all need to discover our own path on this long loooong journey and everyone’s answer will be slightly different, as will their journey. So if you’re worried, curious, knowledgeable or just flummoxed… ASK, TELL, RESEARCH!

Good luck to all – preops and postops and just the curious.

Have you tried importing them from other places?

I live in the Uk and am really shocked at the prices you pay in America. Over here, it costs me about £3 for any one bottle of quality multi vitamins/vitamin C /vitamin D etc for about a month to two month supply.

Surely it would make sense to import them?

just an example...

Boots vitamins

Holland and Barrett

I am going through the menopause right now. I lost slowly in comparison to some but others may have lost slower than me, its all relative. I do know I have lost almost 100lbs since starting last year and I feel fantastic!

Some of us are slow losers but we all get there eventually!

I will post my weight loss so far for you to have a comparison. As you will see, I am a slow loser but I started with a bmi of 44 and its now 32, almost "normal" so I am one happy bunny!

Also, its now down to 2-3lbs a month but it is still going down. I am not an active person, I have bad hips so don't exercise as much as others on here but just having the restriction itself has lost me most of the weight, don't give up hope

May 14th 2018 Surgery date

June 14th - 18st.11 - 22

July 14th - 18st.2 - 9

August 14th - 17st.8 - 8

September 14th -17st.0 - 8

October 14th - 16st.8 - 6

November 14th - 16st.6 - 2

December 14th - 16st.1 - 5

January 14th - 15st.12 - 3

February 14th - 15st 9 -3

March 14th - 15st 5.5 - 3.5 - 70lbs so far

April 14th - ?

So here's my before picture at my max of 304lbs- 21stone 10 for the uk people

and now my latest picture , 88lbs later!

4 hours ago, BajanSleeve said:

It has been a very big struggle for me. Being on insulin and then having hormonal issues related to peri /menopause and having to go on hormones, I have hardly lost any weight at all. I have been through so many stages of frustration and feeling of failure but had to come to terms with the fact that my body is not the same as everyone else's……...I have only lost 56 lbs

Hey don't feel bad about it. Losing 56lbs is still a great achievement!

Just think, how else would you have been able to lose that amount of weight in such a short time, don't beat yourself up

Good morning May sleevers!

Its all good here. I am still losing although it has slowed down quite dramatically now. Last month I think I lost 2lbs and this month I have lost 3lbs but its still a downward trend so not complaining!

Surprisingly, my skin seems to have retracted quite well, initially my arms and stomach sagged quite a bit but because I am a slow loser, maybe it has caught up with itself.

Hoping we are all doing well, post and let us all know

I found that I had quite a lot of loose skin on my arms/thighs and stomach after losing around 70lbs. A few months down the line, it has definitely improved, especially my arms, fingers crossed for you!

My Hair loss was also awful but it did stop after about 6 weeks, obviously we are all different but try to take heart from that, it will end!

Also it is growing back but not as thick as it was unfortunately.

One other thing I forgot to mention and I am sure lots of you can relate...

While walking down the aisle of the plane, I didn't touch anyone!

It didn't register at first but then I realised that before, I always had to kind of scoot sideways so I didn't knock into people in the aisle seats, that alone has made my holiday 💃👙🍹 😄

Well we managed to get a last minute deal to Egypt, and seeing as it was - 6 in the UK and a lovely hot 27 degrees in Egypt, I didn't hesitate!

I was a little worried as the only option for the best price, was all inclusive and it's the first one I have been on since my op last May. We have been away a couple of times since my op but we chose self-catering which made sense.

However! I have been very very good lol and am very proud of myself 😃

My restriction seems to be very tight here, don't know if it's the heat/ guilt/worry of gaining etc but I'm not complaining at all.

It seems I have only been able to make one choice at each meal time and that has been to be good and eat Protein, or eat badly, I don't have room to do both unfortunately 🤣

I have been having eggs in one form or another at Breakfast, meat salads at lunch and then a fish dish at night. The Desserts are to die for but I haven't been able to fit them in!

I am excited to get weighed when I get home next week as this will be the first time I know I won't have put weight on by going all inclusive 😂

All hail the wonderful sleeve...

Totally normal!

Here are my month by month stats. I wasn't happy with month 6 but it passed and if you look at my month 5, I also lost 6lbs, I was happy!

Uk here so stones and lbs

May 14th 20.5 surgery weight

June 14th - 18.11 - 22

July 14th - 18.2 - 9

August 14th - 17.8 - 8

September 14th -17.0 - 8

October 14th - 16.8 - 6

November 14th - 16.6 - 2

December 14th - 16.1 - 5

January 14th - 15.10 - 5

- 65lbs so far!

Hi everyone!

Still going strong here since my surgery on the 14th of May. Originally 304 but surgery day I was 285. I am now 221 and feel amazing!

I was a size 24/26 uk clothing and I am now a size 16, heading towards a 14, in my wildest dreams I never thought that would happen!

I am still having my mind blown by walking into a normal clothes shop and browsing non plus size clothes. I still have a fat brain and I still sometimes forget I am thinner when looking for clothes. It also amazes me that when I see an item in a size 24, I start to reach for it and I have to take a minute to realise thats no longer my size.

I eat roughly 1200 - 1500 calories a day, usually 60g of meat Protein as I haven't had a Protein Shake since a couple of days after surgery, I hate the taste. I eat carbs and veggies but definitely eat some Snacks I shouldn't but hey, its real life and it still seems to be working ok.

I have had a very easy journey and if I had put more effort in, I would have lost a lot more but I haven't found a love of exercise yet (I'm working on it) and I still eat things I shouldn't but somehow, I keep losing week on week so I am not complaining

I am a little late with this but here's my christmas dinner. Obviously I was way over exaggerating how much I thought I could eat lol but I did eat it later on for tea.

Interesting!

Its a good job in my opinion that we do have those regular posters to help out with all the new peoples questions, I appreciate the time they take to help. They certainly helped me when I had a wobble!

Bumping this in case any newbies out there find this helpful

Christmas eve party with the neighbours, sausage rolls (x2) peanuts (protein!) sour cream and chives pretzels and quite a bit of alcohol.

To be fair though, I ate very little beforehand and its only the second time I have had alcohol since my sleeve 7 months ago

11 minutes ago, logicwand said:

Not quite at goal, but I'm beginning to think this is where I need to be. Total of 72 lbs lost in 8 months. I feel incredible inside and out. Finally broke down and bought much needed clothes.

You look so different, amazing!