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I wish I had had the option of waiting 6 months and filing with my insurance! My insurance didn't cover it so I went the private pay route and paid $12,000. Think of what you could do with that money instead!

Hi, fellow person with depression here! It can be very difficult -- and feel downright impossible sometimes -- to tackle long-term goals with depression. First, I highly recommend therapy if you don't already have a therapist. Talking to an objective person about everything that's running through your head is invaluable and can help you gain clarity on your goals. Second, take baby steps. Maybe you want to start by tracking your food intake with a tool like My Fitness Pal so you can get a handle on how many calories you're taking in. Once you feel comfortable with that, you can tackle another step -- I recommend walking, even if it's just for five minutes a day. If it's pretty weather where you are, even better as getting out into nature has mood lifting properties. And if you really feel down and need an ear, feel free to message me any time. We're all rooting for you. You can do this!

I started walking a few hours after surgery. I didn't start lifting weights again until 2 months after surgery. Best wishes on your recovery!

This x1000 for me! I slacked off once my hunger came back and I'm paying the price now with very slow weight loss. I found out the hard way that the surgery is a tool, not a get out of jail free card. ?

#4 Exercise, my favorite! I got up at 4:30 (ugh) to go the gym and work out with my trainer for an hour. 500 meters on the rower, weighted lunges, planks, Pallof presses, thrusters, dips, and some other stuff I've already forgotten. Then I came home and went for a 40 minute walk. I have crushed Thursday! ?

I'm curious about the new things you guys are learning today. I'm thinking of picking up something crafty.

Thank you so much, @DanaC84! I never thought I would enjoy exercise but walking hills in the gorgeous spring weather and lifting weights are my jam. Ask me again when it's 100 degrees here, I may go back into sloth mode then! ?

Thank you, @DanaC84! I thought I was alone, truly. I hope this means that when we finally do drop the weight, it will STAY gone. Best wishes to you on your journey!

Starting weight: 180 Goal weight: 175 Status: Post-op, sleeved 7/11/18 I get 10,000 steps a day, lift twice a week for an hour each, and do HIIT twice a week. I feel strong and I want to feel even stronger.

I'm in a regretting mood lately. I only lost 10 pounds the first month after surgery, and it dropped off precipitously after that. I don't eat junk food. I'm doing what the surgeon tells me and the weight just. does. not. want. to. come. off. It's frustrating and there are days when I think, "I paid $12000 for this?!" But I can't overeat any more. I can't binge without pain. That's a huge win for me so in the long run I know the surgery will be worth it... if I can just stop comparing myself to everyone else.

Thank you, @GreenTealael, I'll give that a shot!

@Cheesburgh, my surgeon put me on 1200 calories a day and 90 g protein. I calculated my BMR and it's 1536 so obviously I've got some room for improvement. According to what I'm reading in these forums, I am eating way too much.

Thanks for the response, @FluffyChix. My surgeon put me on that number of calories because I lift weights, but I'll talk to her about it.

Oops, forgot to mention my calories, @FluffyChix! I'm getting around 1200 daily. I'm shooting for 90 grams of protein, and I haven't really tracked my carbs but I stay away from processed carbs. Maybe that's a place where I can be more mindful, in tracking my macros. Here's a typical day: Breakfast: 1/2 cup steel cut oats (cooked with Fairlife milk and protein powder), 2 slices bacon - 300 calories, 17 g protein Mid-morning: Pure Protein bar - 200 calories, 21 g protein Lunch: Ground beef and zucchini (3 oz. ground beef, with about 1/4 cup zucchini, tomatoes, and onions) 300 calories, 21 g protein Mid afternoon: part skim mozz cheese stick - 80 calories, 6 g protein Dinner: 3 oz. steak, 1/4 cup wilted spinach with walnuts and goat cheese - around 350 calories, 24 g protein That said, I don't always eat this well...

I like Fitness Blender, it's very no frills.

HI folks, I'm a little over 8 months out from my surgery and lately I feel as if I've failed. I've only lost 36 pounds since my surgery (just over 60 pounds from my heaviest weight last year) and my surgeon is concerned. Things I'm trying: Drinking lots more water -- I was stuck on 60 to 64 ounces for months but now I shoot for 80 Measuring, measuring, measuring -- I was just eyeballing before and after actually MEASURING what I was eating it was eye opening to say the least ? Eating like I just had surgery -- tiny bites, counting my chews, putting my fork/spoon down between bites and taking a long time to eat -- I've always been a speedy eater and it's been a hard habit to break Adding a HIIT day to my workouts -- I lift 2 days a week and walk at least 45 minutes every day -- doctor wants me to do more cardio but I HATE cardio Tracking every damn thing I put in my mouth -- even those Trader Joe's samples Getting at least 90 grams of protein daily What piece of the puzzle am I missing? Any words of wisdom from you vets? I'm trying not to compare myself to some members' AMAZING weight loss progress, but it's hard not to get down about it.

My surgery was July 11 and I've only lost 36 pounds since surgery day. I'm eating 1200 calories a day and getting exercise daily but the scale just doesn't move very fast or at all. I'm so frustrated.

I'm 8 months out and I still can't have more than a few sips of carbonation. It makes me feel like my sleeve might explode.

This is so helpful. I have been a slow loser but turns out I'm not that far off the average, which comforts me.

Anyone that flat out asks, "Did you have surgery?" is a jerk. Our bodies are our own business. However, several of my aunts and cousins are obese and I saw some of them this weekend for the first time in years. They were so complimentary about I look now. One of them pulled me aside and said she was desperate to lose weight, how did I do it? So I told her all about the surgery, the pros and cons, how it's a great tool to reach your weight loss goals. She was so excited as she had been pondering the surgery and just hadn't worked up the courage to do it yet. She said knowing someone who had had the surgery gave her the confidence to go through with it. I'm glad I decided to tell my family.

Slow loser here. My starting weight was 245, my weight the day of surgery was 219 (July 11) and now I weigh 183. My goal weight is 160. I'm a little discouraged it hasn't been faster, but I don't have that much farther to go.

OMG that looks so good!

Thank you, @ummyasmin. I think I'm going to tell my doc I want to do the same.

Thanks for the feedback, @GradyCat and @suzysunshine123. I'm definitely going to be broaching this topic with my doc and see what I can do.

Hi all! I've been a slow loser since my gastric sleeve in July and while I'm trying to keep my chin up, I'm beyond frustrated. I eat very close to Whole30, get 70-90 grams of protein daily, take all my vitamins, drink plenty of water. I walk at least 2 miles a day 7 days a week, do HIIT a couple times a week and lift weights twice a week. I'm also on 150 mg of Pristiq and 2 mg of Abilify. I used to take Metformin to negate some of the possible weight gain with Abilify, but stopped just before surgery. Now I'm wondering if the Abilify is hindering my ability to lose weight. Does anyone else take Abilify or other mood stabilizers who's had this experience? I'm talking with my psychiatrist about it on the 21st, but I'm just curious if other people have experienced this.