KT1981

It's part of the healing process. I itched the area around the actual incision. It's annoying but shortlived!

I was told 1-2 nights. I got settled into my room around 7pm the day of surgery so I obviously stayed that night. I was offered the opportunity to go home the next afternoon. I did not feel ready and I declined. So I stayed another night for 2 nights total. Staying that extra night made a WORLD of difference for me. I was ready to roll when I was discharged!

58 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

I'm 5 months post op.

I'm taking in around 500 cals a day, and am still losing steadily. Mind you, not as rapidly as before...my health app says I'm averaging a loss of about 2.4 lbs per week for the past couple months.

Can I ask what your daily Protein intake is and what you're eating? I found it so hard to eat anything other than shakes in order to meet the protein goal and stay around 500. Now I'm getting to the point where a shake isn't cutting it- I need real food for some staying power in my tummy.

I'm 5 months post-op (down almost 70 pounds from pre-surgery weight, almost 80 from starting weight) and under 200 (FINALLY!!). But I can already see the losses slowing down. I'm cool, I knew it would happen, but the slower loss makes me want to tinker with my diet a bit. I don't know that I will, but it's in the back of my mind, and I know that sooner or later I'll have to "mix it up" a bit to keep the losses coming.

My practice says 650-800 calories until 6 months (not sure how much it increases after 6 months, if at all) and I'm wondering if my body would prefer the 800-1000 calorie range right now, based on a few "off" days I had recently that resulted in quicker drops than I've been seeing at the 700-800 range.

Thoughts?

Me me me! Just passed the 4 month mark (sleeved 10/17). Started pre-op diet at 275. Was 265 on day of surgery. This morning I'm 208. I think I'm in a stall... the loss has slowed to about 1 to 1.5 pounds per week the last few weeks. Really hoping it picks back up again because I still have 60 pounds to lose to be at a healthy BMI. (I'm 5'5").

Feeling pretty good! I've suddenly started struggling with head hunger again, though. The last couple months have been pretty great in not noticing/dealing with it, but it's suddenly back with a vengeance. Ugh.

Unfortunately, you can't rely on other experiences, even with the same insurance company, because insurance companies offer tons of different plans. You need to call the customer service department for your insurance plan and start there to determine what steps are involved for your plan, or if your plan covers it at all.

So needed to read this right now. I was also already thinning with fine hair and the loss has started coming heavily. I tried to mentally prepare for this but I am getting a noticeable bald spot on the top of my head! I'm freaking out.

I just ordered Topik and am going to try Biotin. Hair toppers are next.

I'm about 4 months out and the last several days have been not good with getting my Water in. (I'm a former "chugger" who had no problem getting 64+ each day prior to surgery, but it's a struggle post surgery due to the inability to chug and often feeling full.)

I haven't hit 64 ounces per day in a solid week. Some were close (56 ounces) some were terribly far (30 ounces). I'm sure I'm getting dehydrated by this point, and I'm feeling very thirsty but my tummy feels so full I can hardly get anything in. Has anyone else experienced this? Any big tips other than maybe setting a reminder on my Fitbit to sip, sip, sip?

So, so normal. Lean on your support system right now and work your plan. All of those feelings will likely pass in the next few weeks, but if they don't, please be sure to address them with your physician or therapist.

It gets better bit by bit. It's okay to be scared and sad, but if you find that it's consuming you weeks later, please get help because you deserve it.

I was sleeved 10/17/18. Totally trouble free. I was a 36 year old with 125 to lose. A few months later and now I'm a 37 year old with 62 pounds left to lose.

On 2/1/2019 at 10:01 PM, johnsons13 said:

I was just curious if anyone struggling after surgery added an OTC weight loss pill or even a prescribed pill and what were the results?

I was concerned at first about my loss. It felt slow and I asked about other options. I was assured that they have a variety of other options to supplement the surgery, including medication. I haven't needed it yet (and they told me I didn't qualify for additional measures at that time) but if loss stops and I'm not able to get to goal by following the plan, I will absolutely use any other options available to me.

First, let me say that this week I got my first, "I didn't recognize you!" from a coworker I hadn't seen since before the surgery. (I could tell something was weird because she was acting oddly shady toward me during the first part of the meeting, and then suddenly became normal several minutes later. Must have been when she put 2 and 2 together.)

Anyway, on to the terrifying and hilarious NSV. So I'm walking rapidly down this long, empty hall at work and focused on the door all the way at the other end. I'm trying to take a quick bathroom break and I don't have a lot of time. I kinda glanced down to check my path ahead of me (since I'd previously been focused on the door and not watching where I was walking) and as I glanced down I suddenly saw something scurry around my feet. We've been known to have the occasional mouse in the building and I live in the midwest where it has been bitterly cold, which can push critters inside. Naturally, I freak out and do a little jig and start looking around, but I see nothing.

I'm not sticking around to meet a mouse if I don't have to, so I start power walking to the door/end of the hallway and I see it scurry by my feet AGAIN! Suddenly, before the panic set in, a realization set in and I test my theory by walking slowly at first, then faster. Yep. It's my own feet. I can now see my own feet when I walk because my stomach has shrunk in size. No mice. Just my own damn feet. 🤣

All kinds of NSVs over here! Loose glasses, loose rings, my work badge hangs lower, my shoes are looser. So many!

I had similar experiences as others in this thread. Totally worked for me, but only for about 30 pounds. Every time I stopped using it, I gained it back. Tried a few times and it eventually stopped working. I agree it's basically speed, but I loved it though because I was already on depression meds so I got all the good stuff and none of the bad stuff (except cotton mouth, which is where I learned to chug water!).

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I also genuinely believe I have misophonia specific to mouth sounds, including throat clearing. People love to joke about it (myself included) but it actually sucks. I hate myself for sometimes hating members of my own family for doing totally normal things like chewing their food!

In the last several years I've noticed that this extends to utensil sounds during eating- clanking spoons in bowls, specifically.

I'm floored at how far I've come. I was sleeved on 10/17/18 at 265. My starting weight was 275 (though my highest was above 300) and I'm only 5'5".

My personal goal was to lose 125 pounds, putting me at 150 pounds, and in the healthy BMI range.

Today I clocked in at 216.2. I've lost over 58 pounds and am less than 5 pounds from being halfway to my goal. I'll probably be at the halfway point in a couple weeks. I'm freaking floored. I have hope that I can get to 150 someday. I know things will probably start to slow dramatically after another few months, but I've been putting in the work and am happy to continue doing so, even when things slow down.

After all this worry and stress about following the plan and doing things right, and getting through stalls, I have found success, and I have hope.

1 hour ago, MegPRN said:

Can totally relate. For me it wasn't so much food smells - it was my husband's breath! I could barely bring myself to kiss him, where he's never had bad breath before. I'm now 5 months out, and the excessively strong sense of smell is gone. Thank goodness!

Ding ding ding! This right here. My husband literally has a nickname related to his perfect smile and perma-fresh breath, but right after surgery he smelled so bad to me. I noticed it with the kids, too. Luckily it went away! I'm 3 months out now.

My goal weight is 150 because that puts me in the healthy BMI range for my height (5'5"), although it is at the absolute top of the range. Once I get to the healthy range, I'll see how I feel about my looks and if I want to make any changes (either with more weight loss or specific toning exercises) from a purely "how I want to look" perspective.

Undoubtedly I'd go to another clinic, if for no other reason than the fact that you're not being heard.

I started the process with one group in my city and I just felt so alone and supported. Any time I had a question, I felt ignored (had to reach out multiple times) or that it was turned back on me to answer. Even though I could have had surgery about a year earlier, I chose to switch practices because I felt that I had better resources and more support with their program. Best decision I made.

I come from a family full of physicians, and I gotta tell you I am a huge proponent of having your physician/ team be a PARTNER to your medical needs. Docs and their staff are humans who have opinions (that may not be accurate) who make mistakes, and who do not have all the answers. Medical care is a partnership- get you a partner who listens to you!! You deserve it!!

Yup... been there, done that. It will likely pass and is likely not real hunger, but rather a habit of eating for a variety of reasons... boredom, excitement, frustration, the fact that the clock says noon, etc. I was scared when I felt hungry, but it went away. Now at 3 months post-op it comes and goes. Most days don't have much or any hunger, and the days I do, I make sure to meet my Protein goals and then enjoy some veggies.

Sip, sip, sip through it and don't overthink it! Good luck!

I just started a new course and I hate it. I'm having to put effort in and I don't like it! I'm too busy using all my effort to live this new lifestyle!

I had this professor for my undergrad courses a few years ago but she is much tougher than I remember her being. *sigh* Back to reading my 2nd of 3 required readings before I can even start on the actual homework...and then move on to the quiz. I can't wait for December when my program is over!!

I was specifically told I'd be sharing a room and I was BUMMED. I actually intended to call the hospital and ask about a private room but was so busy prepping I never called. But I ended up with a private room. No idea how. Others on my floor were clearly sharing rooms, but my room wasn't even set up for 2.

I would say it's worth a call to get more info on and see if you can finagle your way into a single room. This would've been my first experience being hospitalized with a roommate and I was NOT looking forward to it.

I carry most of my weight in my stomach and I'm now down 45 pounds from surgery (55 since start of the surgical process). Much of the loss has been in my stomach.

Just now I got out my school book to do my assigned reading, sat down and crossed my legs (!!!) and placed the book on my lap to start reading.

I couldn't focus on reading because something felt weird. I finally realized it was because I had my book in my lap and not propped up on my gut or teetering on the edge of my knee.

I've been crossing my legs so much when I sit that it's making my hips sore...but I'm just so excited to be able to do it that I can't stop!

I'm so fascinated by this progress that I needed to share with folks who could understand! Most everyone in my life is a normal weight or overweight, but have not experienced obesity.

I had the same issue around the same time and ended up calling the office. It turned out to be what Frustr8 said- normal! It's easy to be concerned about those pains when you're otherwise starting to feel normal, but you have to remember that your body has really been put through the ringer and will continue healing for several weeks!

The office told me to use heat, ice, or a combo- whatever felt best for me. I also continued on with my Tylenol early in the morning (stiff from sleeping) and later at night (aching from use during the day).