SarahMan80

Finding casual blouses that fit right and don’t look like a tent. I hated the shirts I used to wear….they are getting better now that I am a little smaller…..can’t wait to see how the tops fit when I get closer to my goal.

Buying a size large shirt when it was 2x not that long ago, and feeling pain free when I walk down the stairs in the morning!

The premade shakes can get a bit expensive. You can also get a few shaker bottles and make shakes for the day either the night before or in the morning.

The premade shakes can get a bit expensive. You can also get a few shaker bottles and make shakes for the day either the night before or in the morning.

I agree with Sarah, I cannot stomach the chewable vitamins. I have tried several brands and the after taste drives me absolutely insane. I changed to a Bariatric Advantage Solo with Iron. It is a capsule and goes down quite easily. It tasted horrible as any Vitamin but it is down the hatch in seconds instead of lingering in my mouth for a while.

Wow, if you’re able to see another surgeon, I sure would.

I would seek out another surgeon for a second opinion before you give up completely.

You have to understand that they are giving your worst case scenarios because some people simply do not motivate themselves and stick to the program. You have the potential to lose a lot more depending on YOU. If you follow the program to the T, exercise more than you ever have, count your calories and eat the right foods, you can lose a LOT more. If they say you can lose 200 pounds and you do not follow the guidelines, then you are angry at them. There is a touch of reality here that you have to understand. The extent of the weight loss depends more on YOU and YOUR actions to use the tool they created for you and use it properly. Remember, your surgery is a tool and you have to do other things to make the tool work more efficiently for you. If you do not properly use the tool you will not get the most out of it. They are just trying to keep your expectations realistic.

I consider mine the weight I was at the appointment that I decided to explore WLS. For me it's also my highest recorded weight outside of pregnancy.

I created a blog entry with the same content below here, but I feel like no one ever reads BP blogs, so am posting in the forums for good measure. Sorry for the dupes! Also sorry this is so long!
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It's been 3 years, y’all.
I’m a 5’2” female and was 235 lbs & 45 yrs old at the start of the 2 wk liquid diet.< br /> Didn’t lose any weight prior. I was on high cholesterol and blood pressure meds, diagnosed with fatty liver, pre-diabetic, peed every 20-30 mins, and snored like a freight train (so said Mr.)
Day of sleeve surgery: 223.2 lbs
No recovery issues, but I became dumper on sugar (still am). I got off my meds, eliminated liver and diabetic diagnoses within a month. I can hold my pee like a superhero (including not having to go once during a 9 hr flight pre-covid!), and I sleep so silently that Mr. admitted to checking on me during the night in the beginning to check if I was even alive.
I ate VERY little during weight loss phase compared to most, but it worked for ME…I didn’t suffer any medical/nutritional issues nor any angst throughout.
I tracked everything I ate/drank, weighed myself every morning and took my measurements every Wednesday (I STILL track and weigh daily - its just habit now -, but no longer take my measurements regularly)
Reached goal of 127 lbs 7 months after surgery. I had zero stalls.
I had a Tummy Tuck, arm lift and breast lift at 14 months post op.
Lowest weight: 109 lbs (this was a month or so after plastics, but quickly gained back to 115-ish)
I’ve basically been 115-ish +/- 5 lbs since a couple months into maintenance.
Weight this morning: 116.0 lbs even.
Happy place is below 120 and/or that my clothes still fit, LOL.
These days I exercise semi-regularly, running minimum 5km 2-3 times a week supplemented with the occasional 20-30 min strength training sessions at home (I continue to hate strength training exercises but consider it a necessary evil), and various other for-fun cardio activities. Part of me wanted to get back to higher exercise levels so I can get the “fitter” look I had back then, but I long ago reconciled myself with the fact that I don’t want it THAT badly. Maybe someday I may change my mind, but I’m cool with it for now.
I average 1800-2000 cals a day. I drink alcohol and carbonated Water on the regular, use straws, chew gum, drink coffee, and eat popcorn, fried foods and carbs. I love Desserts. At 3 years out, my restriction is still in effect and could probably eat about 1-1.5 cups of food in volume at one sitting before I need to tap out: some things I can eat more of (salads) than others (dense Protein & fluffy bread). I will barf if I eat too much or too fast.
I have energy for days, and am more than satisfied with how I look and feel. Life is good.
Had my 3 year follow up last week and I continue to be the picture of health, and my surgeon asked again if I wanted to be on a poster. Ummmm, no thanks.
Regrets? ABSOLUTELY ZERO. Well, except maybe that I didn’t get a v-shaped tummy tuck incision vs the straight line one that I got. Just means that I can’t wear higher cut bikini bottoms without my scar showing (see the last pic in the collage below). But I mean, really, I’m just nit-picking at this point.
This forum has been a constant in my life for the past 3 years, and I’ve made some great connections and some actual REAL friends. Its really nice to engage with others who know what the eff you are talking about, even if its just about food porn and clothes sometimes, lol.
Hugs and Congrats to those who made it to the other side with me, and Hugs and Good Luck to those on their way.

On one of my many self-devised diets, years before VSG surgery, I fasted for 8 days straight. Only had Water and non-caloric beverages. To my amazement, I lost ZERO pounds!! When my weight loss had slowed down (post-VSG) my nutritionist usually increases my daily calories. We should be eating 4-5 times a day. I’m rambling, I know, but I think we are often instructed to eat too few calories, and I believe, especially in the year post- op, we definitely should not be on OMAD or IF. Just sayin….

I am 4 months out and just had an appointment with the surgeon last week. He suggested eating one meal a day in order to keep my blood sugar from spiking in my body. He stated that my body has enough stored fat and if I follow Intermittent Fasting/OMAD I will lose weight faster. This is in complete opposition to the nutritionists that work in his own office.
If I eat just one meal a day at this point there is NO WAY I'd be able to meet my Protein goals and my calorie intake would be miniscule.
So, I am actually going to ignore my surgeons suggestion on this. I am going to keep eating according to the nutritionists well thought out plan and lose the weight when I lose the weight. Stick to what your comfortable with.... remember, losing weight is not a race.

I am 4 months out and just had an appointment with the surgeon last week. He suggested eating one meal a day in order to keep my blood sugar from spiking in my body. He stated that my body has enough stored fat and if I follow Intermittent Fasting/OMAD I will lose weight faster. This is in complete opposition to the nutritionists that work in his own office.
If I eat just one meal a day at this point there is NO WAY I'd be able to meet my Protein goals and my calorie intake would be miniscule.
So, I am actually going to ignore my surgeons suggestion on this. I am going to keep eating according to the nutritionists well thought out plan and lose the weight when I lose the weight. Stick to what your comfortable with.... remember, losing weight is not a race.

I can’t respond to anyone individually on here 😡 Thank you all so much for the kind words. It has helped immensely. I am eating 1-2 oz a meal, so probably getting about 4 oz a day of food total. I am going to talk to the nutritionist and get a counselor that specializes in WLS. I definitely am frustrated with my surgeon and need more support. I basically fasted for a month, but it didn’t feel doable right not, so I think I’ll ignore that advice too. I had never heard anyone else saying they should eat once until that comment above. I have a counselor, but I need a new one. So I’m going to have to get more Swiss about my supports. I may have pushed too hard as well. I had a lot of complications with the surgery. I got an infected incision and had a lot of issues with dizziness and weakness for the first 4 weeks after surgery. I started working out at about 2 months. Thank you all so much for the support. I feel much better 🤗🤗🤗

Unfortunately the feeling of failing is very common. A lot of it comes from poor information from your surgeon & your team. I don’t understand why they don’t prepare people better on what to expect. It would greatly reduce a lot of the anxiety people experience after surgery. Makes me angry. So sorry your surgeon & team didn’t private you & don’t seem to be on your side through this.
Ok, first. The heady amounts of weight you lose at the beginning doesn’t continue. The rate at which you lose will reduce as you get closer to goal & are eating more. Losing about 1-2lbs a week is pretty average by months 3 or 4. Some my lose more, others less. You will lose at your rate. Many factors affect the rate (age, starting weight, previous weight loss history, gender, etc.). Stalls (plateaus) happen. Think of them as your body taking a break to come to terms with the stress of the diet & weight loss. You may stall from 1-3 weeks at a time. Every pound you lose is a win.
Sorry but eating one meal a day is ridiculous. How are you able to consume 60g of Protein plus a variety of other nutrient sources in one meal? It’s physically impossible for you! No wonder you’re feeling hungry. You are hungry!!! Do you have a dietician/nutritionalist? Once eating solid foods the goal should be introducing healthy eating habits (when you eat, what you eat, why you eat) which is why we’re advised to eat 3 meals a day & some (like me) are encouraged to add Snacks as we progress to ensure protein & other nutrient goals are being met. Your portion sizes will increase as you progress too.
Eat slowly. Don’t be afraid to graze on a meal for 30+ minutes if necessary. It takes time for the message you’re full to get through. I still try to eat only until I’ve had enough. (Do I really need the next bite or just want it?) Keep protein the biggest part of any meal or snack & eat it first if possible. Having a small amount of whole or multi grain carbs is ok - I was allowed to eat rolled oats from the purée stage. I even could have any fruit from around months 3/4.
I went to my dietician every two weeks but honestly, I worked most of my eating plan out myself - she just confirmed I was making sensible choices & suggested some alternatives. You have to work out a way of eating that works for you & while you’re losing is the perfect time to begin. Do lots of reading (avoid the fad stuff - they’re never sustainable), reflect on your eating habits (trigger foods, foods you crave, what drives you to eat, weight gain/loss history, etc.) & how your lifestyle may impact your eating plan in the future (you have to be able to maintain a weight you’re happy & healthy at while still being able enjoy your life). A too restrictive diet will fail because it will limit you enjoying your life.
You will get where you want to be. Good luck.

I ran for 10 minutes straight today an my knees did not hurt!

I am 4 months out and just had an appointment with the surgeon last week. He suggested eating one meal a day in order to keep my blood sugar from spiking in my body. He stated that my body has enough stored fat and if I follow Intermittent Fasting/OMAD I will lose weight faster. This is in complete opposition to the nutritionists that work in his own office.
If I eat just one meal a day at this point there is NO WAY I'd be able to meet my Protein goals and my calorie intake would be miniscule.
So, I am actually going to ignore my surgeons suggestion on this. I am going to keep eating according to the nutritionists well thought out plan and lose the weight when I lose the weight. Stick to what your comfortable with.... remember, losing weight is not a race.

I ran for 10 minutes straight today an my knees did not hurt!

I am 4 months out and just had an appointment with the surgeon last week. He suggested eating one meal a day in order to keep my blood sugar from spiking in my body. He stated that my body has enough stored fat and if I follow Intermittent Fasting/OMAD I will lose weight faster. This is in complete opposition to the nutritionists that work in his own office.
If I eat just one meal a day at this point there is NO WAY I'd be able to meet my Protein goals and my calorie intake would be miniscule.
So, I am actually going to ignore my surgeons suggestion on this. I am going to keep eating according to the nutritionists well thought out plan and lose the weight when I lose the weight. Stick to what your comfortable with.... remember, losing weight is not a race.

I ran for 10 minutes straight today an my knees did not hurt!

I ran for 10 minutes straight today an my knees did not hurt!

Not sure if this exactly counts as a non-scale victory since it involves scales...!
I haven't had the joy of experiencing this yet, but I just realized that now I can get weighed on the actual scale at my primary care physician's office, rather than just tell them what my weight is because I'm too heavy for it. That is exciting but not something I can share beyond here and with my husband!

I cut my own toenails!

I ran for 10 minutes straight today an my knees did not hurt!

I ran for 10 minutes straight today an my knees did not hurt!