Bmanns01

@ms.sss thank you for the support! My proportions are still off for me to go down another size just yet...I dont know if its excess skin, some remaining stubborn belly fat or a combination of the two but I have a hard time getting smaller jeans to comfortably button and zip around my lower abdomen. (I call it my baby poosh because it only became a real problem after I had my kids but that obviously isn't a medical thing. Lol) it's smaller than it was but its still pretty prominent in some photos. (You can see it in the gray tank top I'm wearing in my recently posted pic)

I'm 10 months post surgery and had been getting frustrated with how slow the progress on the scale had been lately. My husband's employer sends us to Cedar Point every summer (which was not exactly the happiest place for me to be pre-surgery). This year I knew would be better as I have lost over 90 lbs but I was ecstatic to find out I could comfortably fit into the Calvin Klein Jean's my daughter bought me in January. So this past Saturday, I felt like a kid, wore my size 10s and rode every ride we could without having to take the walk of shame off a single one! We had so much fun my husband bought us season passes for next year! I cant thank this community enough for being there to support me and encourage me. Without that, I am sure I would never have made it this far.

I'm 10 months post surgery and had been getting frustrated with how slow the progress on the scale had been lately. My husband's employer sends us to Cedar Point every summer (which was not exactly the happiest place for me to be pre-surgery). This year I knew would be better as I have lost over 90 lbs but I was ecstatic to find out I could comfortably fit into the Calvin Klein Jean's my daughter bought me in January. So this past Saturday, I felt like a kid, wore my size 10s and rode every ride we could without having to take the walk of shame off a single one! We had so much fun my husband bought us season passes for next year! I cant thank this community enough for being there to support me and encourage me. Without that, I am sure I would never have made it this far.

I thought maybe it was just me. I've only lost 4 lbs in the last month. It has been a nightmare since hitting the 6 month mark the end of April. I need to get working out more but between work and my kids schedules I just haven't been able to get a routine down. I'm still 27 lbs from goal and feel like I am never going to get there. 🥺

I will be seven months post surgery on the 29th. Today my son in law convinced me to try getting on a carnival ride, something that I was not able to do pre surgery last summer. To my surprise (and enjoyment) I easily fit into the seats and was able to be locked into all restraints without belt extensions or additional "help" from ride attendants. After 7 months the scale has slowed down on me so I'm glad that these non scale victories pop up to keep me motivated so I can get closer to my final goal.

The scale has really slowed lately but today I managed a non scale victory that helped make me smile....my first carnival ride....my son in law convinced me to try (since I still tend to see myself larger than I am) and not only did I fit but all safety belts and restraints latched without additional "help" from ride attendants and not once did I have to ask for a belt extension. Its a small victory but one that I will enjoy this summer. (My husband's employer sends us to cedar point every year....not the most enjoyable experience when you can't fit on a roller coaster. Not this year!!!! 😊)

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 will be five months post op on 3/29. While I do feel amazing and have managed to finally hit onederland this month, I still have days I feel discouraged that the progress has been so slow. (I've only lost 48 lbs since surgery - although I have to admit I lost an additional 22lbs in the six weeks before surgery bringing my total to 70 lbs since September). I'm down to a size 14 from a 24 and finally had to breakdown and get a new wardrobe. There are days I look in the mirror and don't recognize myself. All in all it's been a positive experience for me but there have been a lot of life changes that have come with the surgery and the weight loss. I still can't seem to find time/ambition to do real exercise like CrossFit or HIIT training but have been meeting up with friends and walking/jogging four times a week. My 90 day follow up with my surgeon resulted in an increase in my daily protein goals and a vitamin a supplement but over all he was impressed with my progress (besides encouraging me to start a more intense exercise regime). So far I have 30 lbs to my surgeons goal and 60-70 to reach my PCP goal. It's been a long road but it has taught me I am capable of so much more than I thought I was.

@Chrissy C my nutritionist uses percentages (macro breakdowns) and calorie counting. I'm supposed to stay under 1000 calories and I am supposed to have a minimum 40% protein intake, and a maximum 30% fat and 30% carb breakdown. Usually my carbs are between 15/20% but even that is more than 20g. (My morning oatmeal makes up most of my carbs at 25-28g per serving.) Maybe I do need to change things up a bit though. (I tend to eat the same things over and over) @Yvonne47 my surgeon said the same thing Monday. (That losing slow was better) but I'm only 5'1" so my goal weight is still 72-77 lbs away. I'm afraid that the further out I get from surgery (and the slower the weight loss becomes), the more frustrated I'm going to get. I really thought exercising would help but so far there hasn't been a change in my weight loss.

Had my 3 month follow up Monday. The surgeon says I'm doing good but I just feel so disheartened. I was 238lbs on 10/29 when I had surgery and yesterday I was still 201. I SO wish I could get to onederland! I've followed all the rules, I walk a minimum of 4 miles three days a week (or more), and I'm still following my surgeons 2 oz meal plan. I just really thought I would be further by now. I hate to complain because I am losing (37 lbs in three months) but I can't help but think that if I was working out this much and eating this little before surgery I wouldve had the same results (or slightly better). I don't regret the surgery really, I just regret everything I had to give up for such disappointing results. 😕

Same! 😂

My surgery was October 29 and with a two week stall in November, I have only lost 27 lbs since surgery. Like you, I had hoped for better results but please know you are not alone. I just keep telling myself that the slower weight loss will be better for me in the long run. All I can do is just keep pushing forward and hope for the best. (I still have another 81 lbs to lose and often get concerned with time ticking by so quickly, that I may never reach my goal weight. 😕)

I turned 40 in February and was sleeved on October 29. Not complications so far other than the previously mentioned constipation.

I know what you mean about the diet being confusing. I'm allowed mashed potatoes, as long as they aren't standard (white/russett/Idaho) and only one teaspoon per meal. (5 weeks post op). The nutritionist claims I don't need to miss out on family gathering and functions but literally no one and no place we have gone fixes food to fit the diet specifications I'm on. And it never seems like there are enough hours to fit in all the water and protein shakes I'm supposed to be getting each day. (I did ok until I went back to work and had other things to do besides sip water and watch tv/walk all the time). I know I will get through this and it will get easier but... ugh....the first few months seem to be quite a struggle for me.

@missmoe I'm just over 4 weeks post op and I was really regretting my decision at week 2 as well. Tbh I still have days I regret having the surgery done. It's a mental battle every day and there are days I lose the battle. This is a really hard time to be going through the beginning of the post op phase...the holidays, the parties, the family gatherings. But we can do this. This forum has been a huge support system for me as I struggle through this....post surgery complications? Stalls? Mental hunger issues? There are others out here who have been through it. You're not alone. One thing about bariatric surgery is what's done is done so, even on days we regret taking on this task and these life changes, all we can do is push forward and look for brighter days. It will get easier.

@ummyasmin according to my surgeon, the first 6-8 weeks our bodies are healing and not focusing on weight loss. He claims the weight loss should pick up after that. (It's still hard to accept when it seems like everyone else's bodies are ready to shed lbs immediately but I have to keep reminding myself that everyone has their own journey. I just have to keep pushing to the end of my own. )

I am only four weeks post op and I would say I have fleeting moments of regret (like being stuck on purees during Thanksgiving) but from what I gather (and what I keep reminding myself of) is that the things that make me regret the surgery are temporary and in the grand scheme of things, a few weeks of adjustment are going to eventually be worth it. The hardest part for me is that the most difficult post surgery time (the first few weeks) is also the same time your body is healing so you aren't losing as fast as you'd like. I see people who are 60-80 lbs down just five six months after surgery and I can't believe I could ever do that. In reality, my surgeon says I'm doing good and my weight loss will pick up at about the 6-8 week mark. (Don't get me wrong....I'm still losing. I've lost 12 lbs since October 29th). Long story short, I don't think my "regrets" are going to be anything long term. From what I understand the key is to mentally prepare yourself for the huge changes that you are about to make....something I wasn't very good at pre-op.

That's how I've been feeling too. Plus with Thanksgiving, I discovered that Hurley's post op diet seems to be more restrictive than most (only eat what is listed on the page...) So I found myself feeling really alone. Like I was seriously the only one not allowed to steal some finely shredded turkey and a bite of mashed potatoes. 😕 Today I got to the tuna fish and mushy cereal stage so I'm feeling a little better. But that happened two weeks ago when I got refried beans for the first time too. Lol When I went to clinic this morning I found out my surgery twin at Hurley, Michelle, actually lives in Columbiaville, about 10/15 minutes from me. I wonder how many more of us are in the area? I was going to call on the group at the church but ended up putting it off as I'm afraid they will be doing some kind of pot luck or Christmas dinner in December and I just can't do that...not right now. If I'm still struggling, I might call about going in January but it depends on what time they meet.

@Heather E That's how I feel. My husband and kids have tried, and they did pretty well for the first couple months. (I was on a bland diet for six weeks due to gall bladder issues before I started my two week liquid diet. Surgery was October 29) Lately though they have fallen into their old habits and are back to eating/cooking all that tasty food I cant have and it's been hard. I know I can't expect them to eat what I eat, especially this soon post surgery but it has been reeking havoc with my attitude. I went to the support group at Hurley (in Flint) and unfortunately, didn't find it very helpful because there wasn't really a time for dialog where I could ask questions or get advice from the other members.

I'm north of you (Lapeer county) but I'm from Michigan also. I too have been looking for people in Michigan who have been on the same journey we're on. My surgery date was October 29th and this first month has been a struggle. 😟

I am almost three weeks post surgery and everything you are feeling is normal. My surgeon told me that in addition to the large life changes and the physical pain from surgery/healing, our bodies are also going through a hormonal "reset." This makes things even crazier as far as emotions. Truth be told though his explanation has done little to help me with the day to day struggles of trying to adjust to this new life. I have started counseling in an attempt to get myself under control. I cry during family meals, I have stopped going out to do anything with friends/family because everyone inevitably wants to stop for a drink or a bite to eat (and I have not yet conquered the joy of sipping a glass of water while others have pop/lemonade/wine), and I can't even imagine what Thanksgiving would be like so I have decided that I am sending my husband and kids to celebrate with family and I will stay home alone this year. My mind is my own worse enemy and the fact I am stuck in an eleven day stall has just made matters worse. I feel like I have done all of this for nothing and now I'm afraid to go anywhere because now I'm "that" fat girl....I even had surgery and I still can't lose weight. I know counseling is my last chance before my primary doctor puts me on meds for depression/anxiety and between vitamins and surgery related meds, I have enough pills to juggle already. Fortunately this forum has been a huge help because I can always log on here and know I'm not alone and that this will eventually pass. I just have to take everything one day at a time.

Every doctor has their own food progression plan for their patients so I'm not sure if you are eating too much or not but I do know you are not alone in the stall. My surgery date was 10/29 and I haven't lost any weight in 8 days and I'm only down 8lbs since the 29th. It's frustrating especially since my program seems to be one of the stricter ones. (I only get three small meals - 2 oz. - per day and three 8oz. Protein shakes) but I keep telling myself there is no turning back now and eating like this, there's no way this stall can last forever. I asked our nurse about it and she said for the first 4-6 weeks, the body is focused on healing more than weight loss and things will pick back up. I hope she's right and not just trying to appease me for the time being.

@jultrim18 you are not alone in these feelings. I have started counseling as well because even at two weeks post surgery, I find myself miserable and repulsed by the "new" life I am living. If my husband takes me to the movies (to get me out of the house), I cry through most of it (happened twice already 😢) because of the smell of popcorn and knowing I can't have it. We try to go visit family and have some sense of normalcy and I started crying at the dinner table...right into my 2oz of strained cream soup. I have already made the decision I will spend Thanksgiving home alone this year and send my husband and kids to eat and celebrate with the family. I don't want my depression to ruin everyone holiday. I know I am going to need help overcoming this and my husband and kids (age 16 & 19) don't know how to help at this point. That is where the counseling comes in and at this point I am really hoping it works or at least improves my Outlook as I adjust to this "new" me. 😕

I totally understand where you are coming from ,flyawayfree. While I haven't been as fortunate with the rapid weight loss, (Only down 9lbs since surgery date of 10/29) I too have fears and doubts about this working. ("None of the previous diet plans worked so why should this?" "My body is just going to hang onto every calorie I take in at each new phase and I'm not going to lose weight" "I've always been a big girl like most women in my family, why would surgery change my genetics?) My PCP and surgeon have both attempted to reassure me this will work if I stick to the plan but I still find when I hit a stall of more than 24 hours or so I get very moody and depressed. I feel like I am going through all of this trouble for nothing. While this forum is really helpful and reminds me that I'm not alone, I did find that one on one therapy has helped also. There's just a lot of emotions and changes that come with this surgery and no matter how many times I was told, I still didn't understand how difficult this would be, especially being recent post op during the holidays.

@JessaK thank you.