amybeth150

I was sleeved in Nov. 2017 and since then I’ve only been able to get in about 500 calories a day, but have been meeting my Protein goals. I was told not to exercise until I reach 800 calories a day. So, this past week I’ve worked really hard to get up to 800 calories, while following the rules and eating a few more small

meals, so I can go back to the gym. But in doing so I’ve gained two lbs. I know in the grand scheme of things that’s not a lot, but I can’t go back to gaining weight and I’m freaking out a bit. I’ve still got 80 lbs to my goal weight! I’m going to hit the gym this week to make a bigger calorie deficit, but any advice or thoughts (constructive ones) are greatly appreciated!

so i am self paying for my gastric sleeve surgery that is suppose to be in april.i have struggled my whole life up & dwn & when heavy have always been told what a beautiful face i have & how nice my skin is[emoji849]my husband has always treated me well & calls me princess no matter how much weight i have gained over the yrs. my friends are fantastic & coworkers amazing like family.i have been in the beauty business for 21 yrs.& have been very successful.my highest weight a couple yrs. ago was 321,i was mortified & ashamed of myself.i got dwn to 272 last yr and have maintained despite lots of social gatherings,holidays,going out to dinner,& loving to cook.i have high blood pressure & have been trying to decrease my medicine & get off 1 of them & eventually the other but w/ the new bp guidelines my dr. has increased my meds once again,which really upset me.so i had thought about vsg surgery for yrs but could never afford it,well now it is affordable.i am surrounded by clients & coworkers that are getting tummy tucks,breast implants,lifts,liposuction,botox,& other cosmetic surgeries & procedures.so i thought now is the time,im turning 48 & i really just want to b healthy & more active.i have told some friends,family,& coworkers about my plans for vsg & most are very supportive & others think i look great & dont need it & others i could just loose another 50lbs at the most & look fantastic.this will financially put my husband & i on a tight budget for at least 2-6 months & i have my son getting married this yr & we are paying a 1/3rd of all the costs.of course part of me thinks i am being selfish & putting a financial burden on my family & the other part thinks i really need this tool to finally help me get back dwn to where i need to b & to finally get healthy before i get diabetes or have a heart attack.im sorry for such a long story but no one knows how i really feel & the mental torment bk & forth like u all do.i am second guessing myself now & wondering if i should just cancel the surgery & buckle dwn & try & lose another 50lbs & b happy,not getting dwn to my goal weight of 170 lbs. i could try & maintain after that & still have treat days & if i still am having issues i could get surgery done nxt yr after the wedding & after i have saved more money.ughh but the other part of me is so excited & wants to have the surgery done asap & is ready to get healthy & feel better & start a new positive chapter in my life.if u all could b so kind to give me your opinions.no one else gets that this is such a struggle,such a hard decision,& can be life changing.thank u for taking the time to read this, i really appreciate it.[emoji4]

I normally don’t share my story, but yours spoke to me. I completely understand your struggle. I was also self-pay and struggled with the financial burden on my family. I was sleeved on Nov. 21st, 2017. All my life I’ve been overweight. I like to kid that I came out of the womb fat. Right before I met my husband I managed to lose 65 lbs and then I had my son and gained it all back plus 50. I had never been able to lose that much weight before and haven’t since. My lowest weight EVER was 147 and that only lasted a year. My highest weight was 254. I’m only 5’0” so you can imagine how that many pounds looked on me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I knew, with certainty, that if I didn’t have the surgery I would still be obese in 5 or 10 years and most likely would have gained more. The night before surgery my husband sat my down and asked me, “I just want to make sure you’re doing this for you, and not for me or anyone else.” My answer was, “I’m doing this for me, and for everyone else.” I said that because I was to be healthier and look better, but I also don’t want to miss out on anything else. I want to run and play with my son. I want to be healthy when I walk him down the aisle in many years and beam with pride and joy in all the pictures. I don’t want to cringe and hide them like I usually do. I want to travel and see the world and not think about seatbelts on airplanes or getting too tired to see the sights in Europe. So it’s for me, but it’s for everyone and everything else, too. This surgery changed me and my outlook on life. I’m 100 days out of surgery and 53lbs smaller and down from a size 22 to a size 16. My energy level is up, my confidence is up, my health has improved and I don’t feel quite so much like a skinny person trapped in a fat persons body. There’s not a day that goes by that I regret my decision. In fact, everyday I thank God for putting me in a financial position to be able to do this, with amazing support from family and friends. I will finally take pictures with my family. I am finally out of plus size clothes. My only regret is not doing it five years ago and letting the fear and skepticism of others infect my mind. At the end of the day, listen to your own heart and mind. You said you’re excited and can’t wait for April to come. I think that means you know what you want. I can only speak from my own experience, but if I had an upcoming wedding I’d be so excited to be able to enjoy it without the self consciousness. It’s so freeing! I hope this helps you and good luck! Feel free to message me directly if you ever need someone to talk to or ask questions.

I have seen that many people are saying they are full after very little. Is your full feeling the same full feeling that you had prior to surgery? Does it feel different after? I'm at the point where I can finally eat things like chicken and some veggies..I didn't get that full feeling that I had before, I just stopped eating because I was afraid to over eat.. But didn't feel full. Especially since it was my first time eating chicken.
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It’s not the same feeling for me as before. It feels as if the food has filled up my esophagus and if I have one more bite it’s gonna hurt. I also weighed everything until I was good enough to judge it by eye. That way I would know I was eating enough but wouldn’t overeat.

My group says that eating less than 1000 calories will set you up to have a starvation metabolism that not only can halt weight loss, but also is correlated with less weight loss, and more weight regain in 10 year studies.....because your metabolism is reset to a sluggish starvation level that works against you when you start eating normally again. You really can't eat 600 calories a day forever without suffering malnutrition eventually.
My group's protocol was developed by a major medical research hospital (University of Michigan) and is being picked up by Ceadars-Sinai and Bethesda naval hospital this year due to it's superior performance in longterm studies and excellent reputation in the Bariatric research community.
There are still old-school doctors who push super low calorie diets post surgically. The weight loss is fast, and people are very happy with fast results. But they often don't last and can result in an unhealthy metabolism that can't handle normal levels of calories later...and eventually result in weight gain.
The newer approach is to advance people to eating normal amounts of calories as soon as possible, so that they have the energy to add exercise and boost their metabolisms into athletic fat burning furnaces that last a lifetime and help them eat sensibly and continue to lose weight.
My doctor: You get one chance to reset your metabolism with this surgery, why would you want to reset it to a starvation level that conserves every calorie?
My nutritionist says that eating under 1000 calories is correlated with more hair loss, nutrient malabsorption, fatigue and stress. Fatigue and stress trigger cortisol...which again, is contraindicated for weight loss.
Everyone has their own approach to who they trust and why....
A lot of my family is in medicine. I tend to trust the research hospitals and the empirical data of solid studies rather than the hype of clinics that are more interested in making a buck. I'm much more convinced by a collaborative consensus of what provably is healthiest long term and works.
I've been eating 1000-1200 calories since week 3....very comfortably. I'm walking seven miles a day and feel terrific. The scale is moving down about two to three pounds a week and I'm off all my meds.
I am loving this new lifestyle:) And I can live with it long term. And that's really the goal in my mind....the forever habits I can live with.

So, what is someone like me to do, when I can’t eat more than 2-3 oz at a time without feeling horrible and in pain? I think I should be getting in more calories, but I can’t. I have no desire to starve my body and am hoping there will soon be a time when I can eat a healthy menu, such as this. Everybody’s journey is different. I was just wondering if there were other people like me.

My group says that eating less than 1000 calories will set you up to have a starvation metabolism that not only can halt weight loss, but also is correlated with less weight loss, and more weight regain in 10 year studies.....because your metabolism is reset to a sluggish starvation level that works against you when you start eating normally again. You really can't eat 600 calories a day forever without suffering malnutrition eventually.
My group's protocol was developed by a major medical research hospital (University of Michigan) and is being picked up by Ceadars-Sinai and Bethesda naval hospital this year due to it's superior performance in longterm studies and excellent reputation in the Bariatric research community.
There are still old-school doctors who push super low calorie diets post surgically. The weight loss is fast, and people are very happy with fast results. But they often don't last and can result in an unhealthy metabolism that can't handle normal levels of calories later...and eventually result in weight gain.
The newer approach is to advance people to eating normal amounts of calories as soon as possible, so that they have the energy to add exercise and boost their metabolisms into athletic fat burning furnaces that last a lifetime and help them eat sensibly and continue to lose weight.
My doctor: You get one chance to reset your metabolism with this surgery, why would you want to reset it to a starvation level that conserves every calorie?
My nutritionist says that eating under 1000 calories is correlated with more hair loss, nutrient malabsorption, fatigue and stress. Fatigue and stress trigger cortisol...which again, is contraindicated for weight loss.
Everyone has their own approach to who they trust and why....
A lot of my family is in medicine. I tend to trust the research hospitals and the empirical data of solid studies rather than the hype of clinics that are more interested in making a buck. I'm much more convinced by a collaborative consensus of what provably is healthiest long term and works.
I've been eating 1000-1200 calories since week 3....very comfortably. I'm walking seven miles a day and feel terrific. The scale is moving down about two to three pounds a week and I'm off all my meds.
I am loving this new lifestyle:) And I can live with it long term. And that's really the goal in my mind....the forever habits I can live with.

So, what is someone like me to do, when I can’t eat more than 2-3 oz at a time without feeling horrible and in pain? I think I should be getting in more calories, but I can’t. I have no desire to starve my body and am hoping there will soon be a time when I can eat a healthy menu, such as this. Everybody’s journey is different. I was just wondering if there were other people like me.

I’m almost 7 weeks out of surgery and I cannot fathom eating this much. I can’t fit more than 2-3 oz at a time. Am I the only one?

Has anyone ever watched Dr. Duc Vuong’s YouTube videos? He’s a well known Bariatrics surgeon who has written several books on the topic. I just watched one about why you shouldn’t work out after WLS. I’ve been burning about 200 to 300 calories at the gym 5 days a week for about 4 weeks and hit a huge stall for two weeks, and I’ve only lost 1 pound since getting out of the stall. I’m wondering if he’s absolutely right. Everyone encourages us to workout, but if I’m only consuming 400-500 calories a day, which my surgeon says is fine, it sounds like this doctor may be right, especially considering my progress. Has anyone watched it? Opinions? The link is below. Looking for some other comments before trying out his advice and giving the gym up for two weeks as a test run.

This makes me feel better. I lost 30 lbs in the first month and then it slowed down and then stopped for over a week. I hit 6 weeks out this week and just had my first loss in over a week today. I know it’s normal but damn is it frustrating to live through.


HW: 282.2
SW: 255.4
CW: 226

Amen! It’s so frustrating!

Feeling like I lost a lot of weight very quickly, and now it's a slow crawl. I had my surgery on 11/20--anyone else experience this?

Yes! I was sleeved 11/21 and I lost 29lbs quickly. But for almost two weeks now I haven’t lost a thing. I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do. But, so many people on here and in my support group say this is perfectly normal and can last a few weeks and to try not to be discouraged. So, I’m trying, haha, and just working the plan. Hope that helps!

don't increase your calories unless you're already sure you are not eating enough. Stick to your program and the weight loss WILL start up again. You are in the infamous "three-week stall", that's all. (it doesn't always happen the third week post-op - but sometime within the first month or so after surgery, almost all of us hit our first major stall. It can last anywhere from a few days up to three (or more..) weeks). Just hang in there and remain 100% compliant. Your weight *will* start dropping again. When my first stall broke after two long weeks of nothing, I dropped like 6-8 lbs within a couple of days....

Thank you!! I’ve heard so many different things to try or do, but what you said is what I’ve heard the most. So, I’ll just stick to the plan and wait it out. Fingers crossed...

It can last for weeks! Just think about it, it's physically impossible to not lose weight eventually if you're eating at a calorie deficit. You're currently in trauma mode as your body is still trying to heal and figure out WTF is going on. I know it's really hard, but try to not stress about it. Stress physically makes the situation worse. If you can relax your mind, it will be easier for your body to realize it's not in a dire situation that it needs to conserve calories for.

Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement!

So, I ditched the scale for a few days and weighed in this morning and I’ve lost nothing. Absolutely nothing. I increased my calorie intake, varied my workouts, met my Protein goal and still, nothing. Almost ten days with nothing. I just hope this stall doesn’t last much longer. I paid out of pocket for my surgery and this is very discouraging.

Hi Amy,
It's possible that you're not eating enough. What is your daily food intake like? What kinds of foods are you eating for each meal?

I have a Protein Shake for Breakfast with 32g of Protein, about 1.5 oz of tuna or turkey and .5oz of some veggie for lunch. dinner is whatever I cook my family, so last night was 1.5 oz of shrimp with sautéed peppers and the night before was the same amount of pork tenderloin and some green Beans. Most of the dinners I cook are lean protein and veggies. I’m starting to think you may be right about the calories, as many others have been saying it too. It’s just hard because if I eat more than 2oz at a time I get sick. On top of that I’m never hungry. But, maybe finding a way to add Protein Powder to meals? I don’t know and am open to suggestions on how to add another 300 calories.

Seems impossible, doesn't it?
Wouldn't you just love to show this to those "calories in, calories out" people?
Keep the faith!

Exactly!!! There’s so much more that goes into how people lose and gain weight. I’m trying to stay positive though. Thanks! [emoji5]

Hang in there. Maybe cut back on exercise to you get more fuel. Take measurements you may be building muscle. All just passing thoughts. The stalls are frustrating and is easy to lose sight of the fabulous progress you have made.

Thanks for your thoughts. I’m trying to stay positive. I’m wondering if I need to really work at getting another 200 calories. We’ll see...

I was sleeved on 11/21/17. In these 28 days I’ve lost 28lbs. But it’s been a week with not a pound gone. I exercise 5 days a week on the elliptical for 40 minutes at moderate intensity. I meet my Protein goal each day, but keep my calories between 300 and 500 (not on purpose, that’s just all I can fit). I know people talk about stalls, but I’m not even a full month out. I can’t help but feel like I’m doing something wrong. Any advice? I don’t want to waste this year, as everyone says it’s such a gift.

SW:247

CW: 219

GW: 120

HT: 5’0”

I was sleeved on 11/21. In those 28 days I’ve lost 28lbs. But it’s been a week with not a pound gone. I exercise 5 days a week on the elliptical for 40 minutes at moderate intensity. I meet my Protein goal each day, but keep my calories between 300 and 500 (not on purpose, that’s just all I can fit). I know people talk about stalls, but I’m not even a full month out. I can’t help but feel like I’m doing something wrong.

SW:247
CW: 219
GW: 120
HT: 5’0”

Hello, first of all sorry if this is the wrong forum, i got my OP 2nd of november.

According to my doctor the surgery went great, zero bleeding and i felt great. Fast forward 11 days, i finally leave the hospital, still on pureed foods for the 1st month. Everything going smoothly i eat normally with no problems. Protein was fine(mostly, just the flavor was awful), Water was fine, but i was feeling dehydrated during sleep.
Ten days ago, i started feeling weird in my throat (really big vomit tensions), but i was fine. A day after that i started having intense heartburn and a mouth full of stomach acid. My one month appointment is in 2 days, but these 8 days have been hell for me.
My doctor put me on omeprazole but it had 0 effect. So he gave me esomeprazole (Nexium), and today when i took the pill, in seconds i almost vomited (it came in my mouth!), but i felt better. I started my daily diet as instructed, starting with a cup of milk. Which instantly made me almost sick... heartburn came back and my mouth is still full of acid. EVEN AS I WAS TYPING THIS, i got hit by an intense vomit tension, but i held it... NOTE: I AM REALLY scared of throwing up, and all this is worrying me
At this point i take for granted i developed GERD, but the question is, did any of you sleevers have any similar incidents, and did it go away, i just want to hear someone elses opinion on this, because i'm really scared to have to deal with this for the rest of my life,

I’m 20 days out and I started experiencing the same thing about two weeks ago. My surgeon put me on Prilosec and I take it every morning, but it wasn’t working. My Dad is a cardiologist so I waved the white flag and he said to add a second one at night for a few days to get things jump started. It’s calmed down a lot. Before, I couldn’t sleep at all and I didn’t want to eat anything because of the horrible heartburn. It’s still not completely gone but I think I’m on the right track. Just a thought. By the way, according to my Dad, there is conflicting evidence about Calcium being a “home-remedy”, with some studies showing it produces more acid, so you may want to be careful with the calcium. Good luck!!

Congratulations!! I was just sleeved last week and seeing stories like yours and others are helping me get through this liquid phase. People don’t realize what a tough choice this is, and how it’s definitely not the easy way out. Great work! You should be really proud of yourself!

I know this seems silly, but I don’t sleep well if I’m not on my stomach. I am 3 days out from surgery and it doesn’t hurt to lay on my stomach but I don’t want to injure myself. Anyone have any insight?

I had my surgery on Wednesday and went home yesterday. The pain is manageable, but I have no appetite and really don’t want to put anything in my mouth. Anyone else having that problem?

I’m in Jax FL. Mine is on 11/22 and I’m really excited! I’ll be glad when the liquid diet is over.

My surgery is on 11/22 and I started my pre-op full liquid diet on Tuesday 11/14. It hasn’t been terrible, but every now and again I think about having something to eat and then I remember I can’t. But, this site has helped, seeing other people’s stories and successes. I keep reminding myself that the changes I want don’t come without sacrifices. You can do it! Just keep reminding yourself of what’s important to you. We got this!

Day 4 of my liquid diet and so far, so good. I’m getting very excited for Wednesday!

November 22nd is my day! Anyone else in Florida have a November or December date?