newyorklady20

Hello all, I just need a spot to share my happiness since I don’t talk a lot about wls with many of people (it’s not a secret, I just haven’t made it a central point of my personality!)
I’m about 3 months (3 months 1 week) post op for sleeve, about to go in for my 3 month checkup, and I’ve officially lost 60 pounds, which is also half way to my goal 🥰
It was tough getting started in the beginning, and I struggled to know how to eat had how much to eat properly. I’ve even had some setbacks gaining a pound or 2 here or there. But I set this goal for myself and I met it - I’m so happy. I am forever grateful for this journey, this opportunity, and this community along the way!
Good luck to everyone and enjoy your day!

Congratulations! Such a great feeling, isn’t it?

Hello all, I just need a spot to share my happiness since I don’t talk a lot about wls with many of people (it’s not a secret, I just haven’t made it a central point of my personality!)
I’m about 3 months (3 months 1 week) post op for sleeve, about to go in for my 3 month checkup, and I’ve officially lost 60 pounds, which is also half way to my goal 🥰
It was tough getting started in the beginning, and I struggled to know how to eat had how much to eat properly. I’ve even had some setbacks gaining a pound or 2 here or there. But I set this goal for myself and I met it - I’m so happy. I am forever grateful for this journey, this opportunity, and this community along the way!
Good luck to everyone and enjoy your day!

I'm glad that I found your post because that's exactly what I'm here browsing about today! I had sleeve surgery on 3/30 and lost 15 pounds pre op and have lost about 17 post. So I have definitely lost a substantial amount of weight, but I am stalling out big time. I lost for about 2 weeks after surgery but since then I think I have only lost about 3 pounds. I am also always so hungry! I fight it and try to eat more Protein and stick to my portions, but I'm feeling kind of defeated. I know that this isn't a fix and is just a tool, but I'm not sure if its a tool that works if I'm still hungry and am not losing any weight!
I'm debating going back on a liquid diet next week just to try to bring things back to basics, but I'm sort of at a loss right now. I know that plateaus and stalls are normal, but I've basically been stalled out for about 2 weeks now. And that's half of my post op time.

I’m open with many people but not with all. For example I didn’t tell my in-laws bc they can be nosy, judgmental and invasive and it also just isn’t anyone else’s concern. When they asked why I wasn’t eating a bagel for Breakfast I just said I had a toothache. It just doesn’t need to be any of their business or part of the conversation. But for other people, I will share where my weight loss is coming from.
It depends on the individual and everyone’s unique circumstances. I don’t think we should be judging the choices others make. As long as YOU aren’t the one saying that people who have surgery are lazy or cheating, you can’t control how others feel or believe.

A lot of what sits well with some and not with others is totally up to the person. Pre op, I was so afraid that I was going to have an aversion to foods that I enjoyed afterwards, but I have yet to encounter something that I used to like that I can't eat now. I have had eggs, red meat, shrimp, chicken... they all taste just fine. At first I thought there was something wrong with me, but it's just different with each person.
The only thing that I used to love that just seems weird now is coffee. I used to drink like 3-4 cups a day with very little milk, and I have tried it maybe twice and it just tastes strange to me - like heavy and thick. I can still have it, it doesn't make me sick or anything, but I have also learned to live without it and have realized that its just not something I need anymore!

I am totally a stomach/side sleeper. The first few nights were rough, but I laid on my side and then slid a pillow under that side so I could be propped up in that position but not flip over totally to my stomach. Once I found a comfortable spot, that worked. It would wake me up if it slid out and I accidentally rolled onto my stomach with just cramping. Now, it seems to be gone. (I'm 2 months today).

I am totally a stomach/side sleeper. The first few nights were rough, but I laid on my side and then slid a pillow under that side so I could be propped up in that position but not flip over totally to my stomach. Once I found a comfortable spot, that worked. It would wake me up if it slid out and I accidentally rolled onto my stomach with just cramping. Now, it seems to be gone. (I'm 2 months today).

I am totally a stomach/side sleeper. The first few nights were rough, but I laid on my side and then slid a pillow under that side so I could be propped up in that position but not flip over totally to my stomach. Once I found a comfortable spot, that worked. It would wake me up if it slid out and I accidentally rolled onto my stomach with just cramping. Now, it seems to be gone. (I'm 2 months today).

Ugh, cupcakes and swedish fish are my kryptonite! I'm not even a sweet person but I love those two things! You are strong! We are doing it! ❤️

I’m open with many people but not with all. For example I didn’t tell my in-laws bc they can be nosy, judgmental and invasive and it also just isn’t anyone else’s concern. When they asked why I wasn’t eating a bagel for Breakfast I just said I had a toothache. It just doesn’t need to be any of their business or part of the conversation. But for other people, I will share where my weight loss is coming from.
It depends on the individual and everyone’s unique circumstances. I don’t think we should be judging the choices others make. As long as YOU aren’t the one saying that people who have surgery are lazy or cheating, you can’t control how others feel or believe.

I’m open with many people but not with all. For example I didn’t tell my in-laws bc they can be nosy, judgmental and invasive and it also just isn’t anyone else’s concern. When they asked why I wasn’t eating a bagel for Breakfast I just said I had a toothache. It just doesn’t need to be any of their business or part of the conversation. But for other people, I will share where my weight loss is coming from.
It depends on the individual and everyone’s unique circumstances. I don’t think we should be judging the choices others make. As long as YOU aren’t the one saying that people who have surgery are lazy or cheating, you can’t control how others feel or believe.

"How did you beat your cancer?"
"My doctor put together a treatment plan and it was successful."
No lies told, no details given.
"How did you lose so much weight?"
"My doctor created a treatment plan and it was successful."
No lies told, no details given.
No one is entitled to the details of another's medical care.

People are free to share their medical information - or not. If people want to share they've had surgery - fine. If they don't - fine. I don't run around telling everyone I've had extensive plastic surgery, either. I'm having a face lift this summer - another surgery I haven't notified the world of - just my immediate family and a couple of close friends.

to tell or not to tell is a person's choice. I've been on both sides of the fence and for me not telling is 100% better.

Strong first post.
Live and let live I say, though I am one of the people who chose to 'lie' because it's my business and no one elses.
Tell me why you think not being honest hurts others who need surgery?

I have been hungry since about 3 days after surgery. I have spoken with friends who have had surgery, my surgeon and also on message boards and have gotten mixed responses.
It sounds like most people are not hungry for about a year, so I guess I just got unlucky in still having these feelings. When I post on message boards, I just get inundated with responses like "Its just head hunger!" "You need to take the omeprazole!", which is defeating because... i obviously do take my medicine. And I am 36 and have weighed almost 300 pounds, I know the difference between wanting to eat in my head and actually being hungry lol. When I have head hunger I drink Water, go for a walk or do something else to pass the time. But I get painful stomach hunger cramps a few times a day that I need to at least take a few bites or sips of Protein Shake to alleviate.
I honestly got the best advice from my surgeon who said that this does happen, that some people have hunger and some don't, and to do what I feel like my body needs without going overboard. If I have hunger and I need to have a few bites, do it as needed and stick to bites of high Protein food. Make sure I'm getting my water in. That every body and every body's needs are different.
It can be very frustrating to have such a different experience than so many others, but you just need to embrace that this is YOUR journey!

I have been hungry since about 3 days after surgery. I have spoken with friends who have had surgery, my surgeon and also on message boards and have gotten mixed responses.
It sounds like most people are not hungry for about a year, so I guess I just got unlucky in still having these feelings. When I post on message boards, I just get inundated with responses like "Its just head hunger!" "You need to take the omeprazole!", which is defeating because... i obviously do take my medicine. And I am 36 and have weighed almost 300 pounds, I know the difference between wanting to eat in my head and actually being hungry lol. When I have head hunger I drink Water, go for a walk or do something else to pass the time. But I get painful stomach hunger cramps a few times a day that I need to at least take a few bites or sips of Protein Shake to alleviate.
I honestly got the best advice from my surgeon who said that this does happen, that some people have hunger and some don't, and to do what I feel like my body needs without going overboard. If I have hunger and I need to have a few bites, do it as needed and stick to bites of high Protein food. Make sure I'm getting my water in. That every body and every body's needs are different.
It can be very frustrating to have such a different experience than so many others, but you just need to embrace that this is YOUR journey!

@bypassedsophie I’m so sorry you had this experience, it sounds very similar to mine. I had a sleeve and the first 24 hours all I did was heave/vomit blood and bile. I was so nauseous. I couldn’t even carry on conversations with anyone. They told me it was most likely a reaction to the anesthesia and that it was ok for my stomach - I was so worried. The woman next to me had had her sleeve done by the same dr right after me and was fine - and here I was puking my brains out and peeing myself every time 😰But after that 24 hours it was like magic, and I only had minor incision pain. I haven’t had vomiting or nausea for any reason since (5 weeks.) I hope you are past it!

So I "failed" my psyche exam. The psychiatrist asked questions about my eating habits, how much I eat in a sitting, how long it had been going on and stuff like that. I was honest in my answers and let her know that while I had been eating better within the past few weeks, that wasn't representative of how I was eating that caused me to gain weight. Those were just some changes I had made after starting the process for surgery. I also had to fill out a questionnaire about binge eating.
My eating habits pre-surgery decision, and when not on a diet, included a Protein Shake for breakfast, and then eating a lunch that was so large it was physically uncomfortable, and not really eating anymore for the rest of the day as a result. We're talking a Giant Jersey Mike sub order with two bags of Doritos (from the store, not like family sized chip bags), all in one sitting. I also had little to no control with sweets in the house. If they were present, I'd eat them. Due to my eating habits, she thought I may have a disordered relationship with food and just wanted to give me some additional time to address that before surgery. She also wanted me to get back on depression medications, as she was afraid I was coping with food and that I'd spiral horribly if that was taken away.
This means I've been following up with a different psychiatrist for the past few weeks to talk through things and work on behaviors, and will hopefully be getting approved for surgery within the next month (everything looks good right now). The psychologist now doesn't seem to want me perfect, but to show I'm willing to make changes and be in a good enough place to give me a running start and set myself up for success.
I'd highly recommend being honest about what you eat. Even if you get delayed, the additional therapy will help set you up for success long term.

Hey I feel you! It is okay to feel frustrated. My clothes feel loose so I was surprised to discover I’ve “only” lost 15 since my surgery. Total of 25 pounds including the pre-op diet.

I know I had a hopeful vision that my weight would just drop off, but that’s not what’s happening and I let myself feel the frustration.
I will say that I’m going to switch things up next week and try paleo. It’s more in line with my values, so I’m looking forward to seeing how my body responds. It does mean giving up the Protein Shakes but I’m going to track Protein and ensure I’m still getting enough.
I already prepped a few things - including cabbage and bacon Soup that is delicious! Bone Broth is 10g protein per serving!

Did your surgeon clear your for strength training yet? I haven't had surgery yet, but I've seen online that heavy exercise isn't recommended too soon after surgery until you are eating more calories.
Having said that, 10 lbs a month is a LOT. Unless you are the size of the people on My 600 LB life you will not lose a ton of weight each month. Someone in a FB group posted a Bariatric Surgery Averages and for people in your weight category, the average lost in the first six week is 15-25 lbs, so if you've lost 20 lbs since surgery, you're smack dab in the middle of that!

So I am not sure what your Surgeon’s plan is for calorie counts is at your stage. I went through an 8 day stall and only when I increased my cals from the 500-600 mark to 700-800 did I start losing more weight again. Starvation mode is a real thing, and because you already lost quite a bit of weight on the pre op diet, your body is possibly stuck metabolically with the lower calories.


Edit: with the amount of activity you’re doing, I’d say your cals are way too low. 

most people don't lose 15+ lbs a month beyond the first month or so. And yes - the pace of loss can be about the same as it is without surgery, but the difference is, I was able to do it and then maintain it once the weight was gone.
you can only do what you can do - and that is, follow your clinic's food plan and stay active, and it sounds like you are doing both. The other things that factor into the rate of weight loss - age, gender, genetics, metabolic rate, etc, you have little to no control over.
I was a slow loser from the get-go and ended up losing all of my excess weight. I just kept plugging away at it. Don't lose hope yet!

I guess I'm just venting. Before surgery, I would read people's comments/concerns of "what if it doesn't work for me? what if I can't lose?" and think... of course you're going to lose! You've had your stomach mostly or entirely removed and you're eating a small fraction of what you used to! But now, I get it...
I'm about 5.5 weeks post op - in total I've lost almost 40 pounds, but that includes close to 20 pounds in the pre-op liquid diet. In the last 30 days I have only lost about 10 pounds. I never expected to lose 20 pounds a week (I was only about 100 pounds overweight going into surgery) but I did expect to lose more than this. I get more than my daily Water intake, all of my Protein, take my Vitamins, I eat a variety of foods and usually hover around 500-600 cals a day, low to no carb... I do the peloton now that I can exercise 3-4 times a week with strength training and I walk 10,000+ steps a day. Over the last week I have gained 1 pound.
I know I know I know that its not based on the scale, to look at my NSVs, and to keep my eyes on the prize long term. But I also feel like I have been able to lose more weight than this on my own in the past. I know it wasn't long term and I couldn't sustain it, but when I think about all of the prep I did, how sick I was, the sacrifices that I have made and how hard I have worked and am working, its easy to feel defeated. I expected to lose at least 15+ pounds a month for the first few months at least, not just hover on these constant plateaus. I'm worried about when I am finally going to stop losing altogether since people say it drops faster in the beginning and then really slows down... I'm already super slow.