Healthy_life

On 1/23/2019 at 7:50 AM, on my way to a new me said:

I know I shouldn't complain but i'm having a difficult time losing any more weight. I am almost 6 months out and I have lost 109 lbs. I started at 414 lbs. and now weigh

305 lbs. The problem is I haven't lost any weight in almost 2 weeks, I get on the scale and it says I lost 2 lbs. and then 3 days later it says I gained 4 lbs. it's crazy and I was wondering if anyone has experienced this?? I eat the same things I have since the start of solid foods and I walk 1 1?2 miles a day 5 days a week. I would really like to get some suggestions on what I can do to lose again. ( on the plus side this is the first time I can remember losing weight during the holiday season.

Congrats on 109 down and getting through the holidays without gain.

I'm not the food police. You know what your plan is. All I can offer is log food in an app. Make sure you hit your calorie and macro goals for each day (carb, fat, sugars) Be consistent with your food and exercise plan.

Stalls are frustrating. The thread gives many examples of things to try to break stalls.

Update us when the scale starts moving again.😊

4 hours ago, LaNueva_Janie said:

Haha! yes! True, couldnt find one but i will take a pic w/o make up. This the only one i found..lol
Yes our skin needs the help!

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Your skin is beautiful.

At my age, I moisturize. My skin is actually better after surgery. Amazing what good nutrition, hydration and exercise will do.

4 hours ago, lifeasfaith said:

Did my psych eval last week. The one on one interview (20 min) then the written test (about 2 1/2 hrs) I go back today at noon discuss the results to see if I'm cleared to proceed. Talk about nervous. If I fail they're gonna see six kinds of crazy

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Surgeons use different methods for the psych eval. Also depends on the Psychologist you have been referred to. (different standards of practice and policies/procedures ) Evals are basic to rule out mental health issues and eliminate liability for the surgeon.

My two cents on getting denied. (most of us get approved)

Some people are not screened properly. Bariatric surgery may exacerbate mental illness. It may be a good thing to get denied. The psychologist can refer you to restart the surgery process after mental health issues are resolved.

1 hour ago, WeGettingThere said:

( I also posted this in the VSG forum)

Good morning everyone!

I had a super weird dream last night and I couldn't wait to get to work so I can tell you all about it. It's a long one.

I hope to get VSG during spring break. I am freaking out about every detail because I've never had to stay in a hospital before.

So here goes...

The dream started out with a call from the hospital. They called me and told me to come in immediately for my surgery. I was confused because I thought my surgery would be happening at a later date. I told the woman on the phone that and she hit me with "Do you want the surgery or not?" So I'm like, "Yeah. I'm on my way." So my boyfriend and I get to the hospital and I'm so freaked out. I noticed that we did not pack a hospital bag and I was upset because I didn't have lip balm. (A lot of you guys say lip balm is a life saver after surgery.) So I was upset. My boyfriend offers me his lip balm but I'm still upset. So then, a doctor comes and separates us. The hospital staff puts me on a table and numbs an area on my stomach. In my mind I'm like, "So this is it. Here I go." So only a small part of my stomach is numb and the surgeon is like "Okay WeGettingThere, I'm gonna do an incision." He cuts a little and he leaves me like that. I'm not bleeding or anything. There's just this small gash in my belly. The surgeon is like "My assistant will finish this." HE LEAVES ME. The assistant doesn't do anything! She shows me to my recovery room and my boyfriend is there waiting for me. I'm like "Excuse me. I don't think I'm supposed to be left like this." AGAIN, I'M NOT BLEEDING. The assistant says I'm fine and to relax while she sits at the foot of my recovery bed and watches Maury or Jerry Springer. I forget. END OF DREAM.

So that was my dream. What do you all think? Did you guys have dreams about your procedures? Share them!

Pre surgery anxiety. It will pass.

Sadly, My breasts are beyond help.

25 minutes ago, fun_freckles said:

My surgery is coming up next week and I feel like I am doing something wrong or that my surgery isn't going to go as well as others because my doctor does not have me on any particular diet going into surgery. When reading this board I feel like everyone else has to do a liquid diet leading up to surgery. Just curious if anyone else did not do diet leading up to surgery and how things went for you?

liquid diet is to shrink the liver to help them see your stomach as they do bariatric surgery. I was not required to do liquids before surgery. My liver size was not an issue.

1 minute ago, anl1990 said:

Thank you for your opinions, everyone! You have made me feel a lot better lol.

I think the reason I am so down on myself is because my husband thinks I am not losing like I should be. He had his surgery a week before me, and is (I feel like) losing more than me. So I guess the comments made me feel like a failure. But it is nice to know I am right where I should be!

Wow, Sorry to hear about your husbands comments.

Try not to compare your weight loss with anyone in real life or the stats on this site. It will make you crazy. This WLS experience will be unique to you. Concentrate on working your program. You are more than the statistics.

11 minutes ago, James Marusek said:

I had RNY gastric bypass and after surgery my weight dropped like a lead balloon. At around 7 months I transitioned to the Maintenance phase. Sleeve patients lose weight at a much slower pace. They encounter many stalls along the way. They can achieve almost the same weight loss as gastric bypass patients. Many do not transition to the Maintenance phase for two years.

@anl1990 Don't let the above post get you down.

I happen to disagree with it. I'm a sleeve. got to goal in "six months" transitioned to maintaining in six months. I'm maintaining four 1/2 years out. I would have been fine if it took me a year or more. I'm also not the only sleeve that contradicts @James Marusek opinion.

What do all surgery types have in common?

Does not matter what type of bariatric surgery you have. We all lose at different rates. Anyone of us can experience weight gain. Surgery success depends on following plan and changing old behaviors.

1 hour ago, FancyChristine15 said:

Can you post what you're eating, how much you're drinking, etc..

good point.

55 minutes ago, anl1990 said:

My problem is, I am so unhappy with this, I feel like it is not very good progress at all

Nothing happens overnight. Be good to yourself. It's not how fast, it's the fact you are losing weight. Give yourself credit for the work you are putting into this. We lose weight at different rates. Does not matter if it's fast or slow. It's all the same goal to get healthy.

When was the last time you lost 22 pounds in six weeks?

14 minutes ago, on my way to a new me said:

I know I shouldn't complain but i'm having a difficult time losing any more weight. I am almost 6 months out and I have lost 109 lbs. I started at 414 lbs. and now weigh

305 lbs. The problem is I haven't lost any weight in almost 2 weeks, I get on the scale and it says I lost 2 lbs. and then 3 days later it says I gained 4 lbs. it's crazy and I was wondering if anyone has experienced this?? I eat the same things I have since the start of solid foods and I walk 1 1?2 miles a day 5 days a week. I would really like to get some suggestions on what I can do to lose again. ( on the plus side this is the first time I can remember losing weight during the holiday season.

https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/351046-embrace-the-stall/

9 hours ago, Losing the old Harley said:

What I am worried about though is increasing too much and gaining weight lol. I'm happy to maintain but would hate to gain if that makes sense.

Yes, It makes sense. Worried about losing and worried about gaining. You will find your zone.

You got this.

On 1/20/2019 at 12:56 PM, FluffyChix said:

Saw this on "The Facebook" and wanted to share. For those who find themselves hungrier than normal and or craving at 6+ months out...Don't dispair. I swear this is true (at least for me). I find if I can bring my carbs back into balance then my cravings go almost completely away as my blood sugars/insulin stabilize!

Hell ya.

22 minutes ago, Mindbodyandsoul said:

Brand new here, getting ready to start the 5 day reset diet.

I had lost almost all my weight then got custody of my 3 grandkids and have gained back 40 out of the 80 lbs I had lost.

Anyone have similar experience or needing to go back to the basics like I do?

Welcome to the site. No judgment for a weight gain. Can happen to any of us. People new to surgery can learn from what your going through.

I had to get my head back into the game. It takes going through some mental battles to give up the carbs, sugar and extra calories. I went to basics. Log food in an app, hydrate, follow food plan and exercise.

I joined a weight loss challenge for support. here is the January weight loss challenge

https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/421742-❤-january-2019-challenge-❤/

4 hours ago, Losing the old Harley said:

Ok so as some of you would know I’m trying to currently tweak my calories to stop me from losing anymore weight.

The past 2 weeks I’ve been eating around 1500-1600 calories, 120 grams of Protein, 110 grams of carbs and around 60-90 grams of fat. I’m still losing; I acutely jumped on the scales this morning as it’s been going up and down over the past few days and I was hopeful I had found the key to maintenance however this morning I have dropped 2 pounds.

My question is what other foods can I add to increase my already 1600 calories, it feels like it’s a chore all o do is eat every day !

It's ok to have a freak out moment. Maintaining and eating more calories is a whole new mind set. Your surgery restriction is still good at 6/7 months out. Your restriction may feel less after your first year.

Check with your dietician and see if they would approve liquid sources.

I drink liquid carbs to increase my intake for distance running. look into body building weight gain/muscle mass Protein Shakes. The macros are much different than bariatric shakes. (Read the nutrition fact labels)

4 hours ago, Losing the old Harley said:

Ok so as some of you would know I’m trying to currently tweak my calories to stop me from losing anymore weight.

The past 2 weeks I’ve been eating around 1500-1600 calories, 120 grams of Protein, 110 grams of carbs and around 60-90 grams of fat. I’m still losing; I acutely jumped on the scales this morning as it’s been going up and down over the past few days and I was hopeful I had found the key to maintenance however this morning I have dropped 2 pounds.

My question is what other foods can I add to increase my already 1600 calories, it feels like it’s a chore all o do is eat every day !

You are doing great. This can be done

Embrace that it's going to be a chore until you find your maintaining zone. How many meals are you eating to consume 1500 to 1600 calories? Increase your meals again to hit 1700 or more.

I distance run and have the sleeve. It takes me all day to get in 2500+ calories. I carb load for seven days before a half or full marathons. It's chore. But, it's necessary to stay healthy.

11 minutes ago, lorraine#11 said:

I just keep vomiting..I swear to Lord I will not eat grilled chicken again ..plz just get me through this...omg never

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It's been over 30 mins of vomiting? you may want to call your office.

12 minutes ago, Nhope said:

I saw the NUT today for my B12 shot and check up.. She did a metabolism breath test and recommended I eat more! First time I've ever heard that. I do track and measure everything and had been averaging between 1200-1400 cal a day. She said 2200 if I want to stop maintain and 1700 if I want to keep losing slowly. I'm going to aim for 1800 and start eating 2% yogurt and milk instead of fat free. That should help with feelings of fullness. My usual routine is: latte, yogurt, muesli, fruit, in the morning; cheese or tuna with veg and/or a slice of bread for lunch; Soup packed with veg Protein, Beans, lentils, etc for dinner. Snacks: Annie's Crispy Bars, little bit of dark chocolate (my major splurge), Enlighten ice cream bar. I definitely get in all my Protein and usually get in my fluids.

Congrats on 203 pounds lost.

1700 to 2200 wow, I wish my metabolism was a good as yours. I'm older I workout like a beast my calories look different to maintain and lose.

6 minutes ago, ladywhalephant said:

I just started my 6 month journey to get the sleeve. I was wondering if everyone tells people that they got surgery when it happens, or that you are expecting to. It feels shameful kind of and I know for a fact that everyone around me thinks it's the easy way out but they don't know that I've been struggling for 10 years with PCOS and Hypothyroidism and that the weight just won't come off. I'm really nervous about telling but I also want to be transparent about my journey. What did you guys do?

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Disclose your surgery to whoever you want. If you want to post, blog, youtube or instagram for others to follow, that's great. You will find some people will be supportive and other negative about WLS. Don't waste your time educating others if they are not open to the information.

Realistically it's hard to keep it a secret. You can't hide rapid weight loss. People will automatically suspect surgery. It's none of their business. You can truthfully say, I work hard at this. Logging food, eating healthy, and exercise.

Personally, I don't feel the need to be the spokesperson for bariatrics. I told family and friends that were supportive.

13 hours ago, Separ1418 said:

I’m 4 months out and food is good but I just don’t care too much. I make an effort to try plenty of things but rarely have cravings. I could just eat Protein Bars and be perfectly happy. Do crazy strong cravings come back to haunt at some point?

I get food cravings at times. It's manageable. I keep healthy options for sweet and salty foods on hand. (make sure they fit your plan)

• Sweet - fruit dipped in sugar free caramel/chocolate Syrup. Dannon light n fit yogurt. Skinny girl raspberry vinaigrette on a chicken strawberry salad.
• Salty- Jerky, veggies dipped in hummus or chicken fajitas.

Food may be a chore at first. Real and head hunger will return. Eat real whole foods to hit your Protein goals. It will help you feel more satiated. As you progress you will be able to consume more food.(especially sleeves) Eating shakes and bars for meals is not sustainable long term. Keep them on hand for times your on the run and cant get a meal in.

Some recipes to help get out of food ruts: This is my dietitians website

https://insidekarenskitchen.com/recipes/bariatric-friendly-recipes/

7 hours ago, sallie Lindsey said:

U look great ,and healthy ,tht is my goal to be healthier,I have a bad food addiction and wonder what I’m going to transfer tht too ,turn into a workout freak I reckon , I never had a weight problem till 30 happened lol then boom 💥 one day at a time though right ,what has been your biggest challenge to overcome? And what advice would you give on it ?

The best gift I got out of WLS was fighting and overcoming the mental battles. Some of this may be counseling and changing old behaviors over to healthy habits. Learning to live a healthy lifestyle was eye opening and exciting. Research research research! Take in all the information out there. youtube, read books, studies on WLS and documentaries.

4 hours ago, jdy83 said:

They said 60 grams a day I’m doing a good 16-19!

Yep, 60 grams It's a necessary evil to stay healthy in your first food stages. You will be getting rid of Protein shakes/bars when you can hit that goal with real food.

Another product to try is natures best Isopure drink.

Hydration and protein all in one. 160 calories, 0 carbs and 40 grams protein in a bottle. If the taste is too sweet add Water to it.

29 minutes ago, Swanton_Bomb said:

So I know it is recommended that you stabilize your weight after reaching goal/max loss before getting skin removed, but is it possible to do breast implants sooner? I know I am thinking pretty far ahead here because I am only about halfway to my goal weight but my breasts are so small now and they look weird and I am extremely self conscious about it. Can you get implants as soon as you reach goal?

You may want to talk it over with your plastic surgeon. ask what will give you the best results.

I'm envious of those that can afford plastics. For me it's about a good bra and Shapewear.

2 hours ago, sallie Lindsey said:

Your inspiration I don’t see any skin tht looks loose 👍

It's there. Tummy, bat wings, inner thighs, boobs, and butt. It's covered by clothing. Only seen by me. my husband, and the occasional Dr.

14 minutes ago, sallie Lindsey said:

How has “skin affected any forty year olds “? Tht is my biggest fear the skin not tightening

If you are worried about looses skin you can always have plastics. Some insurance company help cover if you have documented rashes or mobility issues. I was 45 yrs day of surgery (now 50yrs). I just wanted to have my health back. There are far worse things in life besides loose skin.

Prepare yourself look up photos for worst case and best case scenarios.

My loose skin is livable for me. Photo below.