Suesloosinit

I feel like I need to share my experience with others, as I wish someone would have shared the same with me years ago.
My weight loss started over 20 years ago, never stopped since, culminating with a gastric sleeve in 2017 (SW 360, CW 250, GW<200). After the WLS I've lost about 70 lbs and hit the plateau which lasted a few months. I tried breaking it with intensive gym, calories counting, but no real impact. As a result, I've lost motivation, and over the next 2 years gained about 30 lb back (late night Snacks, sugary treats), which was a huge frustration. Having a sleeve - the best WL tool one may ever have - I felt like being a "regain" statistics, not an individual with life and willpower. I still had my "pouch" restriction, but after 30-40 minutes after having a meal I was ready to eat again.
It lasted till last November, when I hit 290 lbs. The frustration turned into anger. I spent days to research diets and practices. As a result, I'm back on track, losing rapidly about 3-4 lbs a week, full of energy. Here are my 3 key pillars, which brought me back:
1. Low carb diet. After researching multiple trendy diets, Keto seemed to be the most promising one. But I didn't like the idea to consume lots of fats, and avoid vegetables. I'm an old-fashioned guy. So I adjusted the KETO idea by adding a decent daily portion of green veggies (zucchinis, asparagus, green pepper, kale - those which have nearly no sugars, but lots of fibers), and limited my fats to avocados, brazil nuts, eggs and fatty fish (salmon) - no huge amounts of bacon, butter, cheese and oils. For Protein those above also provided enough, plus I have some lean pork, beef or chicken. That type of diet keeps my in permanent ketosis, while I still have a decent amount of fibers and healthy protein. My nutrients are around 50-60% of fats, 25-30% of Proteins and 10-15% of carbs.
2. Intermittent fasting (IF), 18:6. It means my eating "window" is 1pm - 7pm, during which I have 3 meals. Personally I believe that low carbs diet and IF are made for each other. Being in ketosis I feel no hunger at all, as my insulin is very low. That makes IF a simple task. Also once a week I do a 42 hours fast by skipping meals on Sundays - right before my weight check on Monday morning! ). IF is also a solution to plateaus. I adjust the fasting time to 12:12 for a few days and do a long fast after (48+ hours) to reset.
3. CICO (calories in, calories out) is the 3rd pillar. Keeping everything written down is not just a good habit, but also makes me feel I control the process better. My daily intake is around 1,100-1,300 calories, which creates a huge weekly calories deficit for weight loss. One may consider it's a bit too low, and I would rather agree. I'll certainly increase my calories after hitting my goal.
A few more tips from my experience:
- After 40+ gym can't be the only solution. Keeping yourself active (especially with this pandemic) is important for general health, but unless I'm a professional athlete, 1-1.5 hour walk every day (outside or a treadmill) is good enough.
- Staying hydrated is a must, healthy weight loss won't work without it. Tracking Water was always a pain for me, I was forgetting to do that. Now I have 6 magnets next to my water cooler. Each time I refill my bottle, I move one magnet to the other side, which helps me to see how many refills left. No fuss with writing down, takes a fraction of a second to move the magnet - while keeps me fully informed. Helps a lot!
- Supplements!!! Lots of them! Since I'm restricted and have rather a distorted diet, I need to fill the gap of minerals and nutrients. Multivitamins, husk Fiber, omega-3, collagen, cumin, ox bile, Vitamin D, electrolytes etc. It's 18 pills per day, in 2 batches! My latest blood work returned perfect results - no deficiencies, and the lowest sugar level I ever had in my life.
As a conclusion - no hunger, no frustration, no cravings, energetic, clear mind, active, positive - and still losing weight! I even think that it would be very doable without my WLS, but in fact a restricted stomach makes everything much easier. So much easier, then it feels sometimes I'm actually cheating in this weight-loss game!
I do hope someone will find it helpful. I wish I knew that years ago, but better late than never.

Hi there, well its been 6 months exactly for me, what a ride its been! I've lost 111 lbs as of today and 38" over all lost too...I've given away a ton of clothes, buying new ones is a minefield now as the sizes are so messed up in stores and online. I hope you guys have all been doing great, I love hearing about everyone's losses (that doesn't sound right but you know what I mean) Heres to another 6 months!

Wow, you look awesome, and about 10 years younger!

Reached the 10 month post op mark four days ago.
I've been in maintenance for about 3 months now, having decided to stop losing weight back in the end of May. Still trying to find my "sweet spot" in terms of calorie intake and exercise. It's basically been trial and error, but I think I'm getting close 🤞🏼
Regardless, I feel awesome and am almost used to the new bod. I'm still sometimes taken aback when I see my reflection, or when I fit into clothes that look microscopic to me.
Anyhoo, here is a pic from a couple weeks ago (I'm wearing a bikini bottom for effs sakes! haven't worn one of those in decades). And for fun, some BEFORE pics (these were taken last summer, about 3 months before surgery)

Congrats! You go GIRL! You look fantastic!

Hey hey hey! We are quickly approaching 1 year! Can’t believe how quick it went. Wanted to follow up on my “slow loser” from a few months. What's new and what’s changed? @Hrsnjs hope you are well!! I’m at 61lbs and feeling good, my Nutritionist still thinks I’m 20lbs behind but I’m working through it. Some days I’m ok with my progress and other days I’m down about it...losing 10lbs in a 2-3 month period is a HARD PILL TO TAKE after letting someone cut and remove 80% of your stomach! Or I’m just hard on myself. Anyone else out there feels they are a slow loser but finding ways to overcome. Thanks! Rock on guys!

I hit the original goal I set with my doctor today at 9 1/2 months out. Yay!

I'm loving your before and after pics. You look phenomenal!! What an accomplishment!

Hi there,
Lovin the pics of everyone loosing, isn't it a great feeling. This summer I went to UK with my son for my nieces wedding, my son brought up a pic from July of last year and I could see a "slight" difference lol Id taken photos through out the past 10 months but nothing compares to this one. Its been a long journey and my weight loss is slowing down to a crawl but still loosing! 150lb loss has blown me and my surgeon away, from a 32 to a 14 right now is so cool. I would like to get to a 12 then I can comfortably stop looking at the scale lol
Hope you guys are doing ok, would love to see more pics of everyone!

Hi there,
Lovin the pics of everyone loosing, isn't it a great feeling. This summer I went to UK with my son for my nieces wedding, my son brought up a pic from July of last year and I could see a "slight" difference lol Id taken photos through out the past 10 months but nothing compares to this one. Its been a long journey and my weight loss is slowing down to a crawl but still loosing! 150lb loss has blown me and my surgeon away, from a 32 to a 14 right now is so cool. I would like to get to a 12 then I can comfortably stop looking at the scale lol
Hope you guys are doing ok, would love to see more pics of everyone!

Just had my 6 month follow up on Monday (actual six month date will be 4/29). The surgeon says he is pleased with my current progress as I have already lost 47.7% of my excess weight. This seems low to me but the scale seems to have stalled out since I started exercising at the beginning of the year. (TO be fair i should clarify it is not a complete stall but just a drastic slow down. ) I am still on the graduated intake and in the process of expanding to 4-6oz of food per meal. I have found that some of the meats and heavier foods are harder to get in the additional amounts without feeling uncomfortable or bloated. But I am determined to keep pushing forward with the plan and see how far I can get. I am almost certain at this point and the current rate of loss that my goal (125lbs) will not be achieved by 11/1 but if it isn't I don't want it to be because I gave up or didn't try. I have discovered that getting slimmer doesn't always mean getting healthier as I seem to have developed a low blood pressure issue that is being monitored and the exercise is causing some chaffing/rash issues under my arms and on my legs that I am learning to manage. Its hard not to get frustrated with everything happening (and the scale not moving) but I just keep telling myself that this WILL be better for me in the long run and when this is all said and done I will be better off than I was before.
Ive also taken to doing comparison shots from different periods of my weight loss to remind myself that even if the scale isn't moving there are still positive changes happening. It also helps to read everyone else's experiences and updates and to know that even though i am frustrated, we are all on our own journey and we are all progressing at our own pace. I cant let myself get drug down without pulling myself back up and getting back to work. It is going to take time and effort but I can do this.

I was waiting for my doctor's appointment to post my update. This is what my doctor put in my notes.
"Jessica is 6 months following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. She has lost 57 pounds or 58 % of her initial excess weight. This is ahead of schedule for typical weight loss at this time following surgery.
She denies any nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain and is working to maintain a healthy balanced diet. She should continue to focus on Protein intake and hydration." I am very, very happy with how things are going. My doctor has a higher goal (175) than I do because once I saw I could do it, I thought I could lose more. So we will see. 😁

Hi there, well its been 6 months exactly for me, what a ride its been! I've lost 111 lbs as of today and 38" over all lost too...I've given away a ton of clothes, buying new ones is a minefield now as the sizes are so messed up in stores and online. I hope you guys have all been doing great, I love hearing about everyone's losses (that doesn't sound right but you know what I mean) Heres to another 6 months!

Thanks so much
Im getting in to shopping, I have to stop myself tho, I could go hog wild lol

That is fantastic!

Wow! That’s amazing! Keep up the good work!!

Wow wow wow. 111 lbs is 6 months is AWESOME. Congratulations!!!
I hear you about sizing...its so inconsistent among stores. But its fun to shop now, isn't it?

Hi there, well its been 6 months exactly for me, what a ride its been! I've lost 111 lbs as of today and 38" over all lost too...I've given away a ton of clothes, buying new ones is a minefield now as the sizes are so messed up in stores and online. I hope you guys have all been doing great, I love hearing about everyone's losses (that doesn't sound right but you know what I mean) Heres to another 6 months!

Hi there, well its been 6 months exactly for me, what a ride its been! I've lost 111 lbs as of today and 38" over all lost too...I've given away a ton of clothes, buying new ones is a minefield now as the sizes are so messed up in stores and online. I hope you guys have all been doing great, I love hearing about everyone's losses (that doesn't sound right but you know what I mean) Heres to another 6 months!

Hi there, well its been 6 months exactly for me, what a ride its been! I've lost 111 lbs as of today and 38" over all lost too...I've given away a ton of clothes, buying new ones is a minefield now as the sizes are so messed up in stores and online. I hope you guys have all been doing great, I love hearing about everyone's losses (that doesn't sound right but you know what I mean) Heres to another 6 months!

I am officially down more than 45 pounds! As of this morning I'm down 46 pounds- 36 post-surgery (10/17) and 10 on the pre-op diet.
Pre-op diet 10/3: 275
Surgery day 10/17: 265
Today 12/23: 229
I'm so close to 50 pounds down that I can taste it! But I won't because I don't want to ruin my progress. Lol.
This is especially sweet because I didn't make the best choices yesterday, which is rare for me, and I was feeling VERY hungry- almost like a bottomless pit that couldn't be satisfied. I just couldn't get full/satisfied! I ate about 3 times as many calories as I normally do. (Over 1500 calories yesterday as compared to my average of 500-600). It was bizarre and a little scary. Upping the Water intake today and going to watch myself closely.
79 pounds to goal weight! It's starting to feel attainable!!

Hi there, yes mine did and still are all messed up, I read somewhere that this is what happens when taste buds haven't caught up with the rest of you when you have surgery. I can make the same things I used to make for my family and to me it is just awful =( and for them its business as usual. I also read that taste does come back later on, Im thinking it will happen with my cravings too, which I dont miss at all!

My current favorite food (aka the only thing I can eat that doesn't make me feel sick): Egg white and ham muffins
118 cal, 16 g of Protein, 2 carb, 0 sugar, 0 fat
1/4 cup liquid egg whites
2 tablespoons of mild cheddar cheese
1 slice of smoke ham (deli style)


Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hiya, add your scoop of Protein to a little bit of cold Water, mix it till it dissolves then add it to your food otherwise it will clump in warm food.

Hiya, add your scoop of Protein to a little bit of cold Water, mix it till it dissolves then add it to your food otherwise it will clump in warm food.