MelissaTEXAS

Here I am, still over 300 (I think: I don't have a scale at the moment). But I was 302 when last I weighed myself, and I've been doing some adjustments on what to eat where I am now (living in a motel without a proper kitchen--I started with a microwave, but have added a toaster-oven, an electric kettle, and a crock pot!).
I don't know if I'm losing more slowly than some other people because of my starting weight, my age/being post-menopausal, my diabetes, or the incorrect choices I've made. I don't spend a lot of time comparing myself with others--this is my journey and it's all about me, me, me!
I'm happy about what I've lost so far, but I'd certainly like to lose at least as much again. I'd like to really see a difference--I sometimes see myself in mirrors and think yeah, maybe there's some difference . . . but it hardly seems remarkable to me. I've thrown away four or five pairs of pants that seemed very loose and stretched out at the waistline, but I don't really think I've gone down more than one size, maybe. I've ordered three new pairs of pants, the first new clothes since my surgery nearly eight months ago. Will they be the right size? I should find out tomorrow.
One thing that is a bit discouraging is to see people who have lost about the same amount of weight as I have who are now only 20 or 30 pounds from their goals. I wonder what that is like? On the other hand, I'm not married to my goal--not the one in terms of numbers. My goals are more in terms of cutting medications and having my knees stop hurting (or be able to get them replaced, if that's the only option) and maybe, someday, being able to sit in an airplane seat and be relatively comfortable.
All that aside--am I glad I had this surgery? Hell, yes!

I started at 362 at my consult and lost 92 pounds before surgery. I’m down 10 pounds since then (2 weeks ago). I am 5 feet even. I agree with AshAsh, it has taken a long time for me to see a difference. And I worry that the honeymoon period will not be long enough for me to lose as much weight as I would like. The other piece for me has been psychological—there don’t seem to be many women my size or larger here (starting BMI was 70) and so I feel still like an outlier and there are fewer examples of people who have been successful at my size or larger. It would be great to support other women with higher weights.

While scrolling through past postings I noticed there is" Guys who started over 400lbs" in the Guys Room. Well I believe if there is" gravy for the 🐔rooster" there certainly should be "gravy for the🐔 hen " especially those of us with meatier🍗 drumsticks. Are there challenges we face that aren't faced by our 200 lb sisters? Do we tend to lose weight faster or slower than smaller🐣 flock members?
Weigh in my sisters, weigh in!

Everything above!

congrats 🎉

Pre-Op/Gastric Sleeve: 10/2013- 248lbs (also skin removal surgery 10/2019 of abdomen & thighs) As of today, 8/12/2020: 103lbs

From 275 to 141 🥳🙌🏼😄

304 to 128! 👌👌

Thank you and good luck with your surgery - it is totally life changing 🤩 undoubtedly one of the best decisions of my life x

Now these types of posts are the ultimate.
Cheers!!!!!!

Ok I finally found a pre picture so I will try to upload them.
The teal dress is a size 10!

Creating a new thread because the other one has gotten really long.
So, here are my before and currents to keep the topic moving.

Current as of last week:

Lets Start on a good news - Wine and Vodka is a liquid = Thats how i got thru it
Become the broth Master! I am a chef so it was easy for me. but make a bunch of broth's You can buy pastes and powdered mixes
Make yourself some of the Asian broth;s will fill you up and keep you busy
Next become the shake/Smoothie queen you will need this skill for quiet awhile - welcome to the journey and welcome to the group reach out anytime great people in here paying it forward

3400 calories is insane! Everyone above nailed it Log you food and get on a regular healthy low cal no carb program.
If you can afford it get a nutrionist to help you out, or go online and follow a WLS diet program to a tee
I was at 1200 calories a day for the first few months and once i handled that dropped lower and this was done by a Nutrioshiist - Now I will add on thing Stop weighing yourself every hour. You will end up in a Rubber room with a Jacket that buckles from the back. You will see many posts that weight flucuates during this journey.
Focus on a healthy good diet first get in a routine - Someone here posted a long time ago i weigh myself every Sunday morning and log it in my calorie app and adjust from there. Once i did that life was easier

Considering your surgery date I'm guessing you're likely in the three week stall. It's VERY common! Also, during stalls weight can go up a bit by a pound or three and bounce back and forth before your weight loss kicks back in. Just my own experiance anyway... my longest stall was 27 days. I also had one that lasted 23 days. Your body sometimes takes a while to get used to the changes and will stall you on occasion. I've had so many stalls I lost count... but, I've still lost 106 pounds in the 9 months since my surgery so you do get past it. Just continue eating like you're supposed to and try not to stress yourself out about it (almost impossible, I know)

When I was losing, I had the odd glass. I think the first was a gin at my cousin’s 40th at about 2 months but then I didn’t have another for months. It truely took me hours to drink the low ball & no effect. Alcohol just doesn’t interest me as much & I had at least one big glass every night before I had surgery. I find a lot of alcohol too sweet now even some red wines. I’ll have a glass of something if socialising now (but who does that much anymore) but it’s not uncommon for me not to finish it. Honestly I do consider if it’s worth the calories & it’s usually not.
The concern about alcohol is the addiction swapping: swapping a food addiction, which can’t be easily satisfied after surgery, for an alcohol addiction.
My dietician told me Esomeprazole medication does reduce the effects of alcohol (not the amount of alcohol in your blood steam). I’ve never seen reports of this but she was a pharmaceutical rep previously so ... shrug. I’m certainly not advocating its use for this if it’s true but it could also explain some of why you didn’t have any ill effects after if you are taking it.

This was tonight’s dinner. They are bacon wrapped chicken breasts stuffed with veggies and cheese. I started with half of one and of course couldn’t finish. It was so good though.

I just did a search on this site for you. There are literally 17,501 posts on this early stall. Pretty much everyone has it. I really think bariatric clinics ought to warn people about this because it happens to almost everyone, and people really freak out about it. Just stick to your plan and your weight loss will start up again. Stay off the scale if you have to. It usually lasts 1-2 weeks. Here are all the posts on it. Really - over 17,000 of them.

https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=three-week stall

Thank you.

When I added the post asking for help I thought I was fairly clear that I have tried MANY different options and was asking for tips on something maybe I haven't tried.

I'm struggling to get Protein as ever since surgery I can't tolerate (smell or taste) anything sweet which leaves the protein shakes/waters out. As soon as I smell/taste something sweet I involuntarily gag which does not feel good!!

I've tried three different unflavored protein powders in 10 days in Soup (I've even made my own soup and liquefied it) but nothing is working.

I've even tried forcing myself by plugging my nose but after I swallow it my body tries to throw it up but the only thing in my stomach is Water so I end up with dry heaves which hurts and can't be good for the 10 day old staples.

Forcing myself isn't working! Does anyone have alternative suggestions on how to get in protein?

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am right there with you. The struggle is so real and everyone seems to think you just have to "find a way" but the fact is, you are trying but your body and stomach just rejects it. I had to pray and get divine power because I was in tears. I'm not there yet, but I am seeing a little progress in tolerance for the GENEPRO Protein powder if I put it in liquid first, shake well and then put it in Soups I enjoy ( the broth). I have a ninja blender so it blends any grit taste out 90%.
I'm learning to give myself a good balance of grace and perseverance through drinking. Nothing is Goldilocks "just right" perfect yet, but I've accepted that that's okay. It's easy for some people to get there protein grams in and others struggle, but know that you doing great. You made a healthy and bold decision for a better life, applaud yourself for that first!
I made this post a few days ago and maybe it will help you. Just look for the title in this thread and feel free to private message me if you need to. You are NOT ALONE!!!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks so much! Biggest benefit is definitely the way I'm able to move, run up a flight of stairs, carry in groceries without huffing and puffing. Basically the things that non-obese people take for granted!
Favorite snack is greek yogurt, esp Dannon light n' fit caramel apple pie.
Best NSV is hard, b/c there have been so many. I would choose buying clothes off the clearance rack. The reason being is that clearance rack clothes always seem to be size S or XS. Now I'm small enough to get the great deals! LOL!

I’m thrilled to have reached goal today! Coincidentally, it happened on the anniversary of my initial consult with my surgeon. I’m down 100lbs and feel lighter than air!

Pics are below! For those that wonder about loose skin, yeah I gots it! I’m having PS to remove it, but I’ll take the loose skin over fat any day! Tried to show what I look like with clothes on, with shirt pulled up and with loose skin untucked out of my pants! LOL!

14lbs a month would be on the high side, but the good news is the honeymoon period lasts 12-18 months!
A monthly tally of my weightloss is in my signature, if you are interested! Best of luck to you!

I'm currently in the hospital because I believe I had some food stuck in my pouch. Yesterday at work I had leftovers from the previous nights dinner for lunch. Now, it went down just fine the night before. I ate about 4 small pieces of the grilled chicken, maybe 2 oz total, and from that point on I had nothing but excruciating pain and I would vomit every time I tried to drink so much as a sip of Water. I only ever vomited a handful of times in the entire year since surgery it was always a one and done deal, I tolerated everything very well and never had strictures or anything like that so this was a bit ridiculous.

I ended up leaving work (as an ER nurse) to go to the ER of the hospital I had my surgery done at and got a cocktail that relaxed things enough to let whatever was stuck pass. They admitted me because I was dehydrated and I still had residual pain in my upper belly. X-rays all showed that all pathways were clear so there isn't anything stuck anywhere else. I'm still here though because it hurts to drink more than 1-2tbsp at a time and I'm scared to try more because it hurts. Hopefully I can go home tomorrow, but while I'm here it's back to Clear Liquids. 😥
I have no clue what happened for things to get stuck but it felt awful. Never imagined I'd be here with these issues over a year out (August 2019 was my surgery).

These are for Breakfast. But 9 pieces are way too much for me. 2-3 are good for breakfast or as snack. I even cut them up & put in omelette. They are new. Bought at my local Publix where they have other Jimmy Dean breakfast in refrigerator section. I’m sure Walmart will have soon too.

Another Aldi winner. These are super good, so far I prefer the cinnamon over the lemon. Aldi’s is so inexpensive, these are 1.65 for a pack of 6.