sleevedshereen

I meant to post this last month....but during the holidays, time disappears. I’m posting this because before and just after surgery I was ravenous for information. I don’t come to this forum much anymore, as life has adjusted. But I’m hoping this will help anyone like me who wanted to know as much as possible, and from as many people as possible. Please remember....everyone’s journey is different. This is just some notes about mine.
6 month lessons
Yup, it’s a long post. Settle in. Lol. So, I just had my 6 month appt. I know all of our experiences are so unique, but I wanted to share mine as a reference of what you may expect. A bit about me. I had gastric sleeve in Las Vegas with Dr Atkinson. In august of last year I had just begun this process and wouldn’t have surgery until April. My HW: was August 2016 at 345, SW: April 2017 was 343, CW: is 240.5, that’s a 103lb loss. Yay me! (Side note, my insurance didn’t require any pre surgery weight loss....and I had almost zero loss. The only rule was I couldn’t gain). My dr was amazing. If you’re near vegas, I completely recommend him. Surgery went perfectly, recovery was difficult (this crap is hard), but I had very minimal incision pain. There was no 2 week pre-op fast, the leak test was performed during surgery so I had liquid/ice chips right away (liquid was no good, but ice chips are perfect after surgery).....I had super glue stuff on my incisions so no pain and no dressing issues.....he’s one of the highest ranked and most experienced gastric surgeons in the country. I could go on....but I think you get it. His skill and his post surgery protocols are awesome. I had zero problems.
I’ve looked many times on here for how many calories at 7 weeks....how many carbs at 3 months. I couldn’t find anything and now I know why. My surgeon and nutritionist really only care about Protein until 6 months. Unless, of course, there is a specific problem or deficiency. It’s nice to now have some specific nutrient goals, but the focus is still on protein. And even at 6 months, I still struggle to get 90g daily. It’s super important to keep trying!! Get all the protein you can.
Let’s talk hair. Yup, it’s falling out in chunks. Chunks. It’s more than a little heartbreaking. But, I knew it was coming. Doesn’t help, but it is expected. It started at 4 months. As of now, still going strong. I also know it will stop. But while you’re in the falling out phase....it’s stressful. Which just makes more fall out. So try to keep positive. And take your Vitamins. I swore I’d never fall off of that, but I have periodically. It happens. Just get back on track. Biotin supplements and the hair treatment Nioxin has helped too. (Update...at 7 months this has slowed dramatically. Still losing a bit, but nothing like before. I see the light at the end of the tunnel )
Skin. Saggy saggy skin. Another thing I knew was coming, but it’s been difficult. I didn’t start working out as early as I wish I had. Now I feel a bit like I’m fighting a losing battle. But....this is a problem with a fix. When I reach goal I will worry about the cosmetic stuff. But trust me when I say....get working out as soon as possible. Weights. Lift some weights.
Sweets. Stay away for as long as you can. I went 4.5 months without. Then I had some chocolate and it was easy. Not like trying to eat meat. Meat you have to chew to death and if it’s dry, it’s still hard to get down. I can only eat (at most) 2 oz of meat at a time. But chocolate, that went down easy. I had an entire bar in one day. Now, before surgery I’d have 4 bars in a day. But 1 bar is still a lot. So I locked that down and now only allow myself 1 square a day. Now, you might find that that’s too much for you. Again, we’re all different. But if I deny myself entirely....I’ll go nuts and eat until I get sick. Keeping myself honest, and savoring only a small piece is something I can maintain. And maintaining is my ultimate goal.
Emotions. Hear me.....get a therapist!! You are going to go through so many changes you’re head will spin without you even understanding that is what’s happening. Addiction transference is very very real. I really struggled with this and for a time, behaved completely out of character. You absolutely must deal with your issues. It’s the same as getting protein or taking small bites. In my opinion, it’s a must.
Emotions part 2. I had a hard time with the expected things. Hair loss, fatigue, heartburn...check check and check. These are struggles I knew about. But there are others that blindsided me. Like how hard it is at 6 months to still be able to only eat 2-2.5 ounces at a time. Frustrating!!!!!!! You have a craving, you make a meal that fits the bill, you take that first wonderful bite....and 2 bites later you’re full. I struggled hard with this. I know....that’s the entire point of surgery. But the actual experience was so much more frustrating and unsatisfying than I imagined. For a brief time, I tried to force the issue. Eating more than I could hold. That hurt. And it scared me, as the very last thing I want to do is stretch my new tiny tummy (not all fears are rational). My advice...be patient with yourself. Let yourself be frustrated or even angry, but keep working on getting adjusted. I still have moments of “can’t I just eat a fricken chicken breast already?!?!?” Lol. But listen to your belly and take it slow. Weird side note, for me....I know I can’t eat another bite when I get hiccups. Happens each meal. I eat slow, plan out the portion. But if I get the hiccups....I stop even if there’s some left. This has helped cut WAY down on feeling sick after eating. Everyone has their own signal....mine is hiccups.
Finally, once again this procedure is different for everyone. Don’t set too many rules on yourself. Example: I’m hungry roughly every 3 hours. My dr is big on only 3 meals a day. That doesn’t work for me. I still can’t eat enough at any one time to fill me for 4-5 hours. So, I adjusted. I eat a small (1.5-2oz) meal every 3 hours. Mostly really small portions of meat, cheese, sunflower seeds, etc. This works for me. Keep adjusting until you find what works for you.
I’d like to end with what I think are the most helpful things I’ve learned (in no particular order). Good luck on your journey!! It’s hard, really hard, but the good WAY outweighs the bad See you at 1 year!! I’m hoping I’ll have good news to share.
1. Drink your fluids
2. Take your vitamins
3. Be patient
4. Expect to be emotionally unsatisfied (if food is emotional for you)
5. Workout
6. Log your food
7. Avoid sweets as long as possible, then adjust until you find the “sweet” spot of what you can handle. And if that’s zero...so be it. You be you.
8. Talk to someone about what’s happening to you.
9. Take something for heartburn. Not only is it uncomfortable, it mimics hunger and will make you miserable.
10. Stick to the no liquid 30 minutes after a meal. It’s a golden rule.

Just wanted to share my first progress pictures. Some days the weight loss seems so slow and I am still dealing with some sadness of only eating small meals..but when I see the difference it’s made I am exited. SW: 240, CW: 195, GW: 145. 

You look great, that’s awesome, keep it going

You are do BEAUTIFUL and you look great!!! Keep up the GREAT WORK

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

You look amazing! Well done on your hard work. WLS is not easy and you have done so well.

you look amazing!!!

Sent from my SM-G930VL using BariatricPal mobile app

You look stunning. Can really see the difference. Very motivating to set your progress. Congratulations!

Sent from my SM-G920T using BariatricPal mobile app


Candy

Beautiful, Chickadee:) Love the healthier you!

You look happier and healthier! Great job!!! Even regular weight people have body issues, hang in there.

Congrats! You look amazing, it takes a lot of hard work to get where you are. You should be proud! I’m on stage two, starting 3 on the 27th. I started at 256 and weigh 212lbs now. Feels good to be healthy.

You look great, well done on your weight loss

What an inspiration thank you for sharing!

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Awesome! We have similar stats. I started out at 220 lbs and right now I am at 178! You look great!

Really inspirational !
You look fantastic !
Well done.

Oh wow looking great... awesome progress.. stay strong and don’t worry you will get that confidence back very quick... stay strong 💪💪 and the best for the new year.. good job and you look amazing!! Congrats

Wow! Before/after pics is one of the things that keeps me motivated. You look fantastic! Great job!

You're so cute [emoji7] you're doing great!! You got this.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi. It has taken a while. I had the duodenal switch in 2007. I started at 400 pounds. Got down to 265 and was stuck for years. 2015 I discovered my fitness pal and Bariatric Pal. I’m at 166 and still losing. My goal is 145 for a normal BMI. I am 5’4”

Celebrating my 1-year Sleevaversary! I can happily say I'm half the person I used to be [emoji23] sw 226, cw 108.

Just a little over 3 months post op - 41 lbs down. -progress pic -- face has slimmed down - no neck rolls or double chin lol kind of embarrassed but ya...lol

Hi sleeve fam!
I just wanted you to know, (if you don't already) there's a Protein shot sold at Vitamin Shoppe, 3.8 ounces, 42 grams of protein, 0 fat, 0 sugar, 2g carb. If you have trouble meeting your protein goals try this as a snack. It helps me when im feeling lethargic, from lack of protein. Im 7 weeks post op and have lost 41 lbs since surgery, 50 total. GOOO me! I know my stalls are coming, (I hope not) but Im sure they are, so when the doc says more protein, this will be my secret weapon.
its called New Whey Liquid Protein. it come sin 3 flavors, ( at Vitamin shoppe) there may be more. Acai berry, watermelon, and fruitpunch. Doesn't taste too bad. Kind of taste like a now and later shot.

115 pounds gone 25 to my personal goal! Great way to begin the new year!!
 
VSG 10/11/17 HW = 360 SW = 292 CW = 244.8 GW = 220 (6'5")

So the last 5 months have been a journey for me, and as the year ends, I just want to share some progress pics. My heighest weight was 228lbs and I am 178lbs 5 months post op - 50lbs down. I am going to be taking this weight loss journey even more seriously going into 2018 and making fitness a goal. I want to get in the best shape of my life in 2018. I still struggle with body issues and insecurities and feel absolutely terrible about myself a lot of the time, but I'm learning confidence and self-love during this process and here's some pics from before surgery at my biggest and current selfies I've taken of my progress...

So the last 5 months have been a journey for me, and as the year ends, I just want to share some progress pics. My heighest weight was 228lbs and I am 178lbs 5 months post op - 50lbs down. I am going to be taking this weight loss journey even more seriously going into 2018 and making fitness a goal. I want to get in the best shape of my life in 2018. I still struggle with body issues and insecurities and feel absolutely terrible about myself a lot of the time, but I'm learning confidence and self-love during this process and here's some pics from before surgery at my biggest and current selfies I've taken of my progress...

So the last 5 months have been a journey for me, and as the year ends, I just want to share some progress pics. My heighest weight was 228lbs and I am 178lbs 5 months post op - 50lbs down. I am going to be taking this weight loss journey even more seriously going into 2018 and making fitness a goal. I want to get in the best shape of my life in 2018. I still struggle with body issues and insecurities and feel absolutely terrible about myself a lot of the time, but I'm learning confidence and self-love during this process and here's some pics from before surgery at my biggest and current selfies I've taken of my progress...