thesuse2000

Wow! That's amazing that you've lost that much so fast. Stalls are normal - your body just has to catch up at some points along the way.

What do you mean about Protein shakes though? I would think you could be eating real food now. I haven't had a shake since I was on liquids. Was so happy to be past that stage. Get my Protein from eggs, chicken, fish, cottage cheese, etc.

I kind of agree with Jane. Also - from the data I've seen, there isn't that much evidence of better heath for those in the "normal" BMI set vs those in the overweight set. My goal is to get to a healthy weight that I can maintain longterm. I'm shooting for a normal BMI, but if that proves to be too hard - if I don't feel well and satisfied and confident about maintaining - at a normal BMI, or in my attempts to get there, then I will (strive to) not feel like a failure landing in the overweight zone. That will still be a huge success for me, since I haven't ever been able to maintain my weight in that zone as an adult. And the data I've seen indicates that I'll still have a greatly reduced risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, etc.

To Jane's point, I think it's actually really great for people to alllow themselves to feel successful without achieving a normal BMI. And most doctors don't see success as normal BMI either - my understanding is that most see success as at least 50% loss of excess weight, ideally getting under a 30 BMI, or closer to your lowest adult weight.

With all that said - I'm sure that self-perceptions do play a role and can hamper success. For some it may be scary to become skinny and perceived in a different way. And that may be something to work on, or it may be a valid issue of comfort that influences how far someone wants to take it. I just think everyone should strive for what will work best for them - we all want different things.

I love the death by vat-of-sugar fantasy! I think I've been there too. My job is a ridiculous mine field. For the summer we have a freezer case in the kitchen filled with ice cream bars for the taking. good humor, snickers, twix ice cream bars, ben and jerries cups, and more - it's just crazy. I had a bunch last summer but this summer I haven't had a single one. I can't help but look every time I go in though, just to see the day's assortment.

But again, it's not as hard now as it used to be.

Yep - sugar has been a huge part of my weight/food problem, and I hoped that I'd be one of those who got sick from sugar, but initial evidence suggests that that is not the case. I've barely had any sugar though since surgery - just a few small tastes. What has made me happy though is that I've been able to have a tiny taste without feeling an overwhelming urge to eat more. And I don't physically crave sugar like I used to at all. It's just a head thing and while will power was not something that helped me pre-surgery, it does work now.

I feel more like a normal person now - everyone has moments of wanting a sweet, and those who manage their weight more often choose not to. That's how I feel now - like I'm choosing not to eat sweets - but that choice is actually doable now, whereas before surgery the need was too overwhelming and I couldn't so easily choose to make the right decision.

Hope you can find some otherways to calm your nerves so you can avoid getting back into a sugar habit.

They'll know when they go in and see your liver. As long as you follow instructions you should be fine. Wishing you the best with your surgery and recovery!

Too funny - I've just been thinking about this issue this week. I'm about 2 months out and still obsessed! I was trying to stick to a rule of not logging onto this site at work, but it's been slow this week and I've been checking all the time. Just yesterday I was asking myself what I'm (really) looking for, and couldn't really answer that.

Especially since I failed with the lap band I just have such anxiety about what this surgery will mean for me longterm. I've also been stalled for a week and a half (time of month, but still) so my anxiety is heightened. I think coming on here and seeing others' successes and frustrations just makes me feel more hopeful that I'll get past the bumps and find success too.

This is a life-changing surgery. But in most of my life everything is kind of normal, or at least I act as though it is. It's nice to immerse myself here where everyone is talking about the same topic.

When I was pre-op I yearned to just stay home and read this site all day long! It's gotten easier since then for me to focus at work, but still not back to normal. But we deserve to focus on ourselves for a bit!

Wow, sounds like quite a day! Glad you're getting the mammo on Friday and will hopefully have peace of mind soon.

I looked into life insurance before surgery, because my husband is ill/disabled and dependent on me. I spoke to a couple insurance companies and basically learned that no one will insure people before surgery. And you can't lie (in case that would cross your mind) because if (g-d forbid) you died in surgery there would be clear evidence that you had in fact planned the surgery at the time you signed up for the insurance.

My understanding about the ones that don't require much info is that there are clauses, so they don't actually pay out in a situation like a planned surgery or a known illness.

I'm sure I didn't look at all options, but just want to make sure you don't sign up and pay for something that wouldn't actually pay out should the worst case scenario happen.

The odds are very very good that you will survive though! I wish you the best in your journey.

Oh - you mentioned being concerned about getting insurance after surgery. I was advised to apply 6 months after surgery. And at that point my weight should be lower and that will mean better coverage.

It's scary stuff. But you can do it!

I was band-to-sleeve too. And I was pretty terrified as well. Our circumstances are different, but I can relate. Only you can decide what's best for you, but I'm SO very glad I went through with this. Yes - the risks of sleeve surgery are higher than the band, but overall the longterm risks of carrying extra weight outweigh them. Also - you're already halfway there since your band was already removed, so your surgery will be a little easier than mine was - band removed and sleeve done in one surgery. Your stomach will have already had time to heal from the first surgery.

Well now that you mention it, I've just noticed this past week men looking/smiling at me on the street. That is so not my priority (especially since I'm married) but it sure does put a little kick in my step!

I watched that show too. I may have missed something, but I didn't take away that the psych denied that woman because she cried. My take away was that the psych was concerned that she wasn't emotionally ready for the challenge. She (patient) wasn't following the pre-op diet and had an attitude of complete helplessness. I could see the the psych's perspective - this was not a woman who anyone could possibly believe could follow the post-op requirements for a safe surgery. And if she did make it through that, there was no indication whatsoever that she was ready to make a mental committment to making better food choices. It was very sad for sure, but she was just not in a good state for surgery.

Yes - I would too!

Do you have a PCP? I've got a lump in my breast that I've been having monitored with ultrasounds every 6 months for the past couple years. It doesn't look serious, but they want to keep their eye on it. Hope yours is similar and not serious.

I told a few core people at work and beyond that I decided that if someone asked me how I lost the weight I would just tell them. I'm slightly surprised that I'm down 45 pounds and only two people have commented. One of them asked "how" so I told her - asking her to please not discuss it with others.

You may be surprised that it takes a while for people to notice. And by the time they do, they may not make the connection to the surgery.

BTW - I have gotten multiple comments that my skin looks good though! That kind of cracks me up. The reduction in sugar and fat probably has improved my complexion a little, but mostly I think it looks good because there's not as much fat under it! I think people are registering some change/improvement, but not sure what it is

Congrats!

Oh yes, there are a decent number of us band-to-sleevers - there's section just for us too:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

I did have success initially with the band, but then it all went to hell after a slip. We can succeed with the sleeve, but unfortunately the success rates are lower. I've been (and still am) very scared of failing again too. I'm trying to be as vigilant as I can about avoiding sweets and fatty foods and establishing healthy habits to help ensure my ongoing success. This has been an effort, but really not that hard. The sleeve makes it all so much easier, but you do have to stay vigilant. You also need to work at unlearning the behaviors that you needed with a tight band - like avoiding veggies and dense meats. With the sleeve you won't have the same problems, and these are the foods that will help you feel full and stay on track.

I wish you the best!

Congrats on your date! My favorite Protein shakes are from Sytntrax matrix. Tastes vary. Other brands I've seen mentioned that people like are: premiere Protein, chike, and powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury. If you only need to do it for three days, maybe just get something that's convenient. I also like the gold standard mix you can get at GNC. Also have used glucerna hunger smart - you can buy those at most drugstores.

It totally makes sense to me that people who post here are high achievers. Just coming to a site like this is a sign of committment to the process.

Everyone's post-op plan is a little different, so you should check that. For me I was still on mushies at 5 weeks. And most people can't drink in the first few months post-op. Does that mean you can't go? I'd say it depends on how important it is to you. You could buy a thermos and/or container that keeps food/drink cold or hot and bring your own food for the day. Or just eat before and hope for the best that there will be a little bit of food you can eat.

If it was me I'd only go to a wedding at that stage if it was someone really important to me. If that was the case I'd make it work, but it would require some planning I think.

219.

After gaining three pounds this week I'm back down to the same as last week.

Alas, hormones.

My instructions were to stop alcohol for the 2-week pre-op diet. My post-op instructions do not say one word about alcohol though! It does advise generally against empty calories, but that's it. I see people on here scolding people for drinking alcohol, but for me, per my surgeon's instructions it is not forbidden.

That said, I've had a glass of wine twice and both times it made my stomach feel irritated and also made me crave sweets, so I am avoiding it. I'm also not a big drinker generally. For those for whom alcohol has played a role in their weight struggles they might consider putting it off limits.

I was prescribed a drug to help with spasms - I didn't have any, but I took as prescribed and it may have prevented them. It's called Levsin-SL, 0.125 mg tablets that I took every 4 hours the first week. Just throwing it out there - maybe you can get a local doctor to prescribe that or something similar to help.

Was also given Zofran for nausea and Reglan (can't remember what that was for) - and prilosec.

That sounds like far from enough fluids. Where was her surgery? Does she have a doctor nearby she can talk to? Dehydration can be dangerous. If your description is literal, that sounds like less than a cup of Water a day, that's very low. Please contact a doctor. She may need to go in and get IV fluids if her stomach is too swollen to hold enough. She should be getting 6-8 cups of Fluid a day. I know some struggle with that the first week, but it sounds like she's drastically below that.

Agree with above - warm liquids can be better. Some also have an easier time getting Water with crystal light rather than plain. Good job coming on here to ask for tips! I wish your mom the best.

Yes! You are an outlier - probably in the top 10% or so. And I hope to be on that end myself! Indeed the level of commitment each person brings to the equation is, I believe, a huge contributor to where on the spectrum of results we all fall. But it's also nice to see averages to gauge by, especially when we're feeling like we should have done better than we are.

Thanks for the link. Just remember, it's only a guide. The calculator says losing 140 lbs is achieved by 20% of patients studied, I've lost 157 lbs and am still going down. Don't let a calculator set your weight loss limits.

Here you go:

https://www.realize.com/do-i-qualify/potential-results

You have to enter your info to get the page with potential results.