salsalawyer

Your psychologist is correct, and also being responsible in telling you that 60% of excess weight is the average expectancy. She’s also not a “beeyotch” - she’s a medical professional allowing you to make a factual decision based on statistics. If it doesn’t match with your expectations, then re-examine your expectations because those are the facts. Basing expectations on hope or aspirations is not a winning strategy.
Many of us here have lost that 60% or more. We’re a self-selecting success group and overrespresent in the bariatric pool, since those who didn’t lose what they expected are less likely to spend much time in a community like this one. Similarly, the “this is how you achieve 60%+ loss” advice is coming from that same biased pool, which might indicate correlation rather than causation. Not saying the advice is wrong, just that it’s not foolproof.
If the 60% metric is actually changing the way you think about the surgery, then it’s a good thing you heard it now.

Before surgery, I felt like dieting was the equivalent of holding my breath. I could do it for a while, I could see super success, but eventually I had to breathe! I couldn't hold up the massive amount of will power necessary to continue on a path to a healthy life. It was like contending with an insatiable monster in my tummy who was always hungry and always in control of my thoughts and actions. I felt like I could not win no matter how hard I tried, and each attempt I made to over throw the monster left me weaker and fatter and sicker until I weighed 474 lbs and suffered from diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. It's been a little over a year and I weigh 265 now and I lose about 10 lbs a month still. I've lost the percentage that is normal, but I plan to continue losing. Sure, my dream is to make it all the way to 160, but this surgery was enormously successful already! Even if don't lose another pound. My diabetes is in remission, my hypertension is gone, my cholesterol is low, I don't take any meds, but the most amazing part is--THE MONSTER IS DEAD! When I eat, it feels like a choice I make for myself and that feeling is soo good, so incredible to me. I know if I'm careless, I could let the monster back in. That's a scary prospect that pops in my mind from time to time, but presently, the surgery helped me to overcome something I just could not do on my own.
As you think about your own decision to proceed with surgery, consider not only what it can do for you right now, but what it may help you prevent for your future self. Sure, it's possible you might not get to your goal weight and/or maintain it for life, but you may never see yourself get bigger than you are now. You may prevent future health problems, and it will absolutely give you a stronger shot at success that you might not be able to achieve on your own volition. This is a big, big decision and goodness knows, I had major problems with my sleeve that resulted in terrible stent experience and ultimately a revision which I just had done, but I would do it all again knowing all that I know now. Very worth it!
Consider that the the average weight loss for "most" is with little effort and happens in the first 6 months after surgery. If you are willing to risk the surgery and put in effort through diet change and exercise, you WILL reach your goals and be happy. Cheers!

The woman who only took in 800 calories may or may not be being honest. Theres a really well done old documentary about a man who was monitored in a hospital for about 4 months who wasnt allowed to eat anything, period, and even he went through unexpected periods of plateau. Im a pretty firm believer that people generally underestimate their calories though.

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Most Vitamins make me nauseous as well. But my Dr.'s PA recomnded these, and they are fine, even on an empty stomach

This is old(er) but they do offer financing now, through a third party

Thank you! I'm starting to feel like I'm hitting my lower limit, Been stuck around 209 - 211 for a bit now... hopefully things break and I can hit Onederland... but I'm happy where I am if that never does actually happen. I'm right around where I was (less the extra weight from the extra skin) now as I was when I was 20. Which is cool.

Well, what's a lot? And what's a lot left?
What surgery did you have?
When did you have that surgery?
What was your starting weight?
What is your current weight?
What is your height?
Do you know what your BMI is?
Are you tracking your caloric intake?
Are you tracking your Water intake?
Is your Caloric Intake lower than your BMI and Caloric burn each day?
Are you getting upwards of 128 oz of water?

Also, check into Intermittent Fasting. I got stalled out really hard at around 230-240 (I started at 370, lost a bit, gained a bit, then had a revision from band to bypass when I was 310.) and Intermittent Fasting was the white horse I needed to get me through that stall down to my current weight of 209.

Still early for me. I had an idea surgery experience, by God's grace, and I'm less than a month out. But none so far.

It seems that at least 50% of the posts on BariatriPal are bemoaning a stall. Daily, and sometimes hourly, I am reading about how someone ONLY lost x number of pounds and now the scale hasn't moved in ___ [fill in the blank] days/months, etc. Oh no, they write, I am a failure/unique/my surgery didn't work/life is not fair, ... Why am I in a stall?
I know I am exaggerating but I think you get the idea.
Guess what? STALLS are a NORMAL part of the PROCESS of losing weight. If you want to lose weight, you will stall. Not just once, but over and over. And, guess what? A stall is where your body actually does the hard work of becoming smaller. It takes a lot of work and energy to dismantle a structure that has been holding up, in some cases, hundreds of pounds.
For those who think they have to DO something to somehow "break a stall" (in my opinion, you do not break a stall, you just ride them out), here is my response:
What can you do to "break" a stall?
1) STAY OFF THE SCALE
Relax and stay off the scale if it bothers you so much. Weigh no more than once a week, or even less often. Weighing only at your doctor's appointments early in the process is a good strategy if your mood and self-worth are dictated by the numbers on the scale.
2) PICK UP A TAPE MEASURE
In addition to using the numbers on the scale to measure your progress, take your measurements. Inches lost are also a great way to see physical progress when the scale isn't moving. Most people see the biggest physical changes in their body when the scale seems stuck.
3) TRACK YOUR Protein AND Water AND MEET OR EXCEED YOUR PROTEIN AND WATER GOAL EVERY DAY
As long as you are getting in all your protein and water and following your NUT and surgeon's instructions, you are doing what you are supposed to do.
If you aren't getting in all your protein and water, then increasing your protein and water is something you can do (and should be doing anyway whether or not you are in a stall).
4) EXERCISE
If you aren't exercising, then you can exercise (and should be whether or not you are in a stall). You can start slowly by walking or even moving more around the house. Exercising will help you feel better, tone your skin and build fat-burning muscle.
5) MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR NUT
If you are unsure or unclear about what you are supposed to be, or should not be eating, then make an appointment with your NUT (which you should be doing whether or not you are in a stall).
6) REASSESS AND REEVALUATE
About the only good result I see that comes from complaining about a stall is when you take an honest look at what you are doing and realign with the program recommended by your NUT and surgeon. Have you started eating more outside of your plan? Are you restricting calories? Are you eating enough carbs and protein for your exercise? Are you taking your Vitamins? Are you eating often enough? Are you eating slowly with protein first? Sometimes, all you need to DO is go back to basics.
7) JOURNAL
One of the biggest things I have noticed from the various posts is how anxious and out-of-control some people feel when they notice a stall. Journaling can help you gain some perspective and deal with some of the emotional turmoil.
-- Write about how you are feeling about the stall and your weight loss, and surgery in general.
-- Write about why you had the surgery in the first place.
-- Write about what life was like before surgery.
-- Write about what you hope and dream about accomplishing in the future.
-- Write about your fears.
-- Write about your NSVs.
-- Make a gratitude list.
-- Make a bucket list.
-- Write a letter to your old self; write a letter to your new self.
Just write.
8) SEEK HELP
Stalls are when too many people seem to revert to old, counterproductive dieting behaviors (restricting calories, over exercising, bingeing, etc.). If this is you, then another thing you can DO is to talk to a counselor or therapist or consider joining a bariatric support group or a twelve-step group like Overeater's Anonymous.
The discomfort of being in a stall can also drive people to develop new, unhealthy coping habits or even transfer addictions. This is where you want to marshall all the resources you have available to you and use them.
The last, and most important thing you can DO is:
9) EMBRACE THE STALL
Stalls are a normal and natural part of the process.
Our bodies are complex systems and not simple machines.
Stalls go hand-in-hand with weight loss.
If you had Weight Loss Surgery, then you probably want to lose a significant amount of weight. So, get ready to embrace the many stalls you will experience as your body is transformed. It will be worth it.

My calories are higher around 1300 average but I'm very active. I was kind of dizzy at some point but going higher it stopped the dizziness.

I have always meal prepped for my lunch for the week. I don't mind eating the same thing all week.
For me, I usually make oven roasted boneless, skinless chicken thighs and then some sort of vegetable. The veggie kick I am currently on is:
A bag of frozen riced cauliflower-thawed
A bag of frozen asparagus-thawed and chopped
1 cup of baby bella mushrooms chopped
1 Tbsp of chopped garlic
I add all of that to a large pan, add 1 1/2 cups of chicken Bone Broth and just let it simmer down.
Once done, I add a little bit of grated parm cheese, some salt and pepper for taste.

Orchid, if you lightly spray olive oil on the inside of the container prior to putting your Tomato based contents in it prevents the staining. Just found this out myself recently!

Are you tracking your calories? Are you still following your diet plan? Are you exercising and getting enough Water in? Most stalls happen initially while your body is adjusting to caloric intake changes then once it balances it the stall breaks. But you still have to continue to watch what you're eating, track what you're eating and exercise regularly. If you can provide us a little more information we may be able to help you a little better.
Have you spoken with your nutritionist? If so, what is he / she saying?

Scott may be better to answer but check the link I posted. It has more info. It does say the hotel is included and so is ground transportation. Everything is done in 5 days. It also says No Referrals, Clearances, or Pre-Surgery Testing Required Prior to Your Arrival

You will stall and I stalled for three weeks in a pattern and then see a good drop for a week before stalling again. If you don't get that drop after three or four weeks them I'd reassess your diet and get walking or exercising to get it going again. But stalls happen a lot and it was just part of the process for me.

I was sleeved on 8/20. Lost 10 pounds quickly (6 days) then stalled for a week and a half. Now 21 days out I am at 16 pounds. I just started losing again a few days ago. I feel your pain.

Hi there
Be patient my friend - the “three-week-stall” can happen any time from day 3 to month 3! Three weeks is common, but 10 days is as well.
Stick to your programme and suddenly, you’ll see the weight drop away.
Even better advice - start measuring.make careful note of WHERE exactly you measure (take photos, side on, of where the tape lies!) - often in a stall, that is when I drop a pants size or shirt size, so being able to measure other than with a scale is useful!
X

I just had mine done at Blossom on Thursday. It was their fast track program. I paid $6,300 for it.

I had my surgery October 4! Hello everyone!

Still early for me. I had an idea surgery experience, by God's grace, and I'm less than a month out. But none so far.

I did not, I won't lie.
BUT
Sometimes when dumping syndrome happens I do start looking for my receipts
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Word of encouragement:
"If wishes were horses we'd all be eating steak..." -Jayne

I picked 127 because I haven't been that weight since I was probably 14 years old--and I think with proper diet and exercise I can easily get there (3lbs away). But 125 is my "HOLY CRUD YOU GOT SKINNY" goal. But for some reason the two pounds between those two goals are daunting!
I just kind of laugh because my doctor told me to aim for 160. xD No thank you.

I picked it based on BMI and my high school weight.

I'm a very muscular person and BMI doesn't work for me.
What did work...was body fat percentage found with Hydrostatic underwater weighing.
I love my new weight:) I aim for 25-30% body fat. Am at the low end of that these days.
My doctor suggested 170 as a goal weight...which I loved, but my body seems to want to weigh less.
I'm eating 1600-1800 calories a day and having a hell of a time keeping weight on. Still losing.
My doctor suggested my body might want to weigh 155-160. Less than i'd like...but i'm ok with it.
Less than 155 and i'm gonna start eating french fries daily. LOL:)

I'm now a little past two weeks out. I was allergic to something they used during the surgery, and I broke into hives all over my torso a week out. I'm still dealing with that, though I think maybe it's getting a little better now. My incisions are all looking good, no pain to speak of.
I'm on soft/puree foods (my team doesn't make a distinction) and have worked my way through Greek yogurt, ricotta, cottage cheese, and refried Beans. I'm a little afraid to make the jump to chicken, baked fish, or canned tuna. Or eggs--I don't "soft cook" eggs; I cook them all the way through, so I was planning to keep holding off on those for a bit. But I know once I get some kind of denser Protein source in my daily life, I won't have to drink so many Protein Shakes. That's a pretty big enticement.
Drinking enough liquid is only hard because I have to stop half an hour on either side of eating, and I'm still sleeping a lot. But I can drink normal (pre-op) amounts, per sip, as long as I don't actually gulp.
I can walk a mile, if there are benches where I can stop and rest for a few seconds here and there. (I needed that pre-op, too, because of arthritis. My arthritis is less bad at the moment; now, I stop mostly because I'm still not supposed to be getting out of breath, and most of the places to walk around here have hills.)