YeahOkay31

144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she’s 5’4″) Just need to get to -- 200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds

The congrats, Ash!

I am hitting my first real stall this week at nearly 4 months. My first slow down (a semi-stall where you only lose a pound the entire week) was a like week three post-op.

Welcome @Nic C, @CrankyMagpie, @Neversaynever and any newbie to the thread I may have left out. Great to see the group growing (and shrinking).

I understand what you mean about wasting away from your after pic. It is one thing to be naturally thin and that is just what you look like. But be so thin because you can't physically eat is another story. I can't offer any advice, but I just wanted to give you a cyber hug. What you are experiencing is/was a big fear of mine and why I went for a sleeve in lieu of a bypass--I know that for you as a band patient, bypass was probably the more suitable choice for you, so that was not meant as criticism. I had my surgery to be there for my young children, and there are times that I am so nauseous from eating I just pass out in my room. Instead of playing with my children, I am removed from them. You have my sympathy and empathy and I hope that some one can figure out a solution soon.

Life is going to happen. You are going to go someplace and there is not going to be a healthy option--TRUTH. Case in point, I am going to a county fair this weekend, the mecca of fried food. I also went to a theme park recently, not much there for me to choose from. I packed a protein bar and some water and then just nibbled on some stuff my husband and kids were eating, It was all junk. So--I am almost four months, I was able to have a few bites of the bad stuff at about two and a half months without much side effects. Word to the wise, take the advice or not--if you have no choice or find yourself in a social situation where you must partake--go ahead, few nibbles are not going to kill you. But if you have a plethora of choices and it is just a craving, try to fight it and look for an alternative. And if you just have to pick up that badness from the food cart, take your few bites (and believe me, with the grease and spice it will be only a few bites) and then trash it. Don't bring it home and munch on it later, get rid of it. Don't think about the waste of food or money. Not only will it keep you from grazing it can be a symbolic victory over indulging.

honeymoon period is considered the first 6 months, I believe. I will be 4 months in a week and I am noticing a little bit of a slow down. I lost 28 pounds my first month, than 15 pounds a month for two and three. Looks like it will only be 10 pounds for month four.

1. What made you choose the Sleeve over the Lap Band? Lap bands have a lot of long term complications 2. Have you had Hair loss with the Sleeve? Yes. 3. What can you absolutely NOT eat now with the Sleeve? Salmon, Tuna 4. At what point did you know you made the right decision with the Sleeve surgery? Less than 4 months out, so no verdict yet, but I am down 66 pounds already since surgery. 5. What as been the best tool you've used in keeping your weight loss progressing? The sleeve itself. Not so much the limiting capacity because you can still graze--but most of the time, I am just not hungry, And a scale. People love their NSV and more power to them--but numbers don't lie. The scale will always keep you honest.

I chose a sleeve because I am still in my 30s and malabsorption seemed like a really bad idea to me. Thought I would just be upping my chance for a barrage of health issues down the road. Add the fact that I have lost large amounts of weight in the past all on my own and a husband who only reluctantly supported the sleeve and was down right opposed to a bypass, and sleeve it was. Also, I don't want to be "skinny." I don't have the face for it--the thought of looking bony (for myself--not others) repulses me. Now I am one of the lucky ones that is dealing with GERD from their sleeve. Medications do very little for me and are not a long term solution. I may be forced to get a revision and it still terrifies me. I do not want my intestines messed with. but it is what it is. Should I have gone with the bypass to begin with? Maybe. I might have not had GERD but my mother has numerous GERD related issues--so I could have seen it coming. Not to mention I am only 3.5 months out and back to my creamer in my coffee ways. Plus, I did purge in my 20s. And the 100s of pounds I have lost on my own--I've gained them back, Time will tell--but to answer your question. FEAR. I was educated on the outcomes but I am afraid of a bypass.

I had a very tough time with salmon. I was able to eat flounder, tilapia and cod filet without issue.

I feel ya. Still got a fair amount of boobs--but have gone from an H cup to an F. But my poor butt---its like my flat back keeps on going to my legs!

I weigh myself every Friday morning--the weekly anniversary of my surgery and at special milestones like month anniversaries. I was getting obsessed, weighing everyday, multiple times a day. I am not a big NSV girl. I need to see numbers go down to stay motivated. But I am slowly getting control of the compulsion.

I was told 60-80 grams of protein and to stay under 50 carbs. I wasn’t given any guidelines about fat. Good luck!

Thank you brightfaith! 41 pounds is fantastic--you're like me, we lost so much before surgery, it is going to be a bit slower. But we'll get there!

So common, I was 7 pounds heavier too when I cam home. It is all the IV fluids and swelling. Give it a week before you jump on the scale again.

I am the same way. I was such a cute, sassy fat girl. I had a hourglass shape and looked great in clothes. I was fat but I never thought of as a negative. Now I am just sag city with weird bulges that make me look fat! Need to buy stock in spanx cuz I am paying their bills right now!

Looking good! Congratulations!

Mine started about 2 weeks ago @ 10 weeks after surgery. Getting it chopped off soon.

I am sure you will blow us all away, Frustr8! So happy to hear you finally got your surgery date.

Trying to keep this great thread going--especially since there isn't a big April 2018 presence here on BP. I just wanted to check in since I had my three month sleeve-anniversary last week. I am down 60 pounds from surgery and 134 from my highest weight (YAY!). Still 68 pounds to go for my personal goal (BOO!). I think this is why our journey of wls is so different than people who start out with lower BMIs. We can lose 134 pounds and still be fat!!! Anywho, here is a progress pic from today. Boobs and butt are still shrinking way faster than my gut but whatcha gonna do?! Would love to hear how my fellow super-sized ladies are doing!

Congrats!!! Just one month away--it will go by quickly.

I got a little machine that I had to use for three nights at home. Very annoying. Surprised I passed with how many times it woke me up.

1. Family--I got two little ones 2. Health--only in my 30s but my BP is atrocious 3. Mobility--I was already very mobile but that would eventually change as I aged. 4. Longevity--eh, who wants to live forever? 5. Looks--I was way way hotter fat, and way more confident fat too. Certainly did not do this to be a saggy, mush bag. 6. Romance--married for 11 years to a great guy who loves me big and not so big, but has already warned me he may trade me in for a "bigger one" if I get too small. so certainly not for romance.

I find eating more for a few days jumps starts things. There have been times where I over do it on fruit and nuts, thinking I have sabotaged my week and then I hop on the scale and bam! 5 pounds gone. The body needs a shake up every once in a while. Oh, and try a laxative!

Here is my ranking--as you can see I think the entire weight loss things is all in your head (sprinkled with a bit of luck)--then what you put in your mouth, and bringing up the rear is my surgeon --because honestly living close to NYC there is a plethora of highly skilled surgeons, and he has had very little one-on-one time with me. My Nutritionist has been more instrumental---Dead last is exercise, because I don't. lol. And I have lost nearly 60 pounds in three months. I do walk every where, about 4-5 miles a day, so I am not sedentary. I just do not do anything formal. 1.Will to succeed 2. Luck 3. Mental health 4. Emotional stability 5. Diet 6. Supportive home environment 7. Skill of surgeon 8. Exercise