GummyBearQueen

On 03/01/2022 at 16:23, Spinoza said:

Absolutely amazing achievement and an inspiration to those of us a bit behind you that we too will get there!

Pound by pound, we’ll all get there!

I did it! I weighed in this morning at 196.4…at my heaviest I was 348.

I started my liver shrinking diet last May at 309…down 113 pounds, VSG has been the best decision of my life!

My doc said one cup wouldn’t hurt if we were getting all other fluids in.

I never stopped using straws and I’m four months out. No problems. Was even given one immediately post-op.

Best of luck, this is a great journey!

NO REGRETS! It’s an emotional rollercoaster, for sure, but three months out and down 53 pounds, LIFE IS GREAT! You will be afraid, you will mourn food (restricted foods are only temporary), and you will be frustrated. Then that scale starts moving, you start feeling amazing, your health starts to improve, and you realize why you made this decision. It’s not really about other people though. Are your reasons worth the hard work? Only you can answer. Your old self will have to die. That person and those eating habits will not exist anymore. But you know who will exist…the person you’ve been dreaming of. Your goals. The best version of yourself. I am in love with life because of my VSG. Best of luck!

I do quite a lot. Viviscal Pro, oral Minoxidil, collagen powder, flax seed oil, and microneedling with PRP. I also use Ethica Shampoo and conditioner.

Hi, all. I’m three months post-sleeve and it has been a smooth journey thus far. No food restrictions (not even bread or chicken breast), easy healing, and steady loss.

However, now that I’m incorporating more intense exercise, I notice I can feel my large incision when I’m doing ab exercises. It’s not pain, but I definitely know it’s there.

Anyone else experience this?

Orgain is the cleanest Protein powder I have found.

On 07/24/2021 at 15:17, LouLouM said:

I think you are onto something with low Iron. My ferritin is 57 (this level is despite that I take Iron on a regular basis) and although the range starts at 12, I do have a lot of symptoms of low iron (hair loss, breathlessness, fatigue, dizziness, etc.) I also don't eat red meat.

Thanks for sharing all of these resources. I'll look at them more closely, especially Lysine, as I don't know much about it.

Lysine is in Nutrafol hair supplements and Viviscal if I’m not mistaken.

On 07/22/2021 at 14:53, LouLouM said:

Thanks. Do you have any experience with this? Do you know if it (PRP) is a long-term solution or will the procedure need to be done again in the future?

It's so strange, and so sad, how much hair I have lost and I am very nervous about losing more after the surgery. The texture has also changed. It's a little frizzy and coarse. Thank you again for replying.

It’s what I do now. My stylist commented on how thick my hair had become. I’m getting PRP treatments for thinning around the edges. My derm also suggested a lot of greens and exercise. Good luck!

I sent all of my clothing away before surgery! Byeeeeeeeee! I kept some tees and leggings to wear, but I am NEVER going to be that size again.

Go to a dermatologist and ask for microneedling with PRP, oral minoxidil and spiranalactone, and try Viviscal Pro (the pro is the dosage from a derm or skin clinic). You can also drink collagen Protein. It may not stop it, but will likely minimize it.

I have zero problems with chicken (even white meat) so my advice is to take a small bite or three and see how things work for you.

On 06/24/2021 at 12:56, la0525 said:

Hello all! I am a little over 4 months PO...weight loss is steady but slow at times, just under 50 pounds. I try to count macros, log my food, get all my Protein in, walk, etc. and my scale will stay the same for about a week, but 3 times now I got off track and ate bad (like a slice of pizza or a donut), I know this is bad for me...!! But everytime, I was 2 pounds lighter the next day. That is so strange!! Does anyone have similar experience with this? Do our metabolisms get stalled eating perfectly and we have to "trick" it once in a while!!??

Feeling perplexed but happy my scale moved again!

This happens to me as well, and did before WLS! There is some actual science to it, check it out: https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/nutrition/the-skinny-on-cheat-days

Congrats!

You’re not gaining. You’re likely in a stall. This will happen. Search this site for stalls or Google them. I have been losing and gaining the same two pounds for a week. The stall will break and you’ll be on your way. Patience is key.

You’re not eating enough to gain. It’s Water weight (and you weigh several pounds more in the evening). Keep on your plan, keep up with fluids, and it’ll break. Stay off the scale for a week or so.

On 06/20/2021 at 22:03, Arabesque said:

Protein Shakes are disgusting. I preferred Soups - cream, consommés, bone broths. Strain them very well to make sure there’s no herbs or small pieces of meat or vegetable in them. Warm drinks seemed to be more soothing & easier to drink. (I used to heat my chocolate shake.).

It’s not uncommon for your taste buds to temporarily change or for you to become more sensitive to smells - it does pass but can make some foods taste or smell disgusting. I only bought vanilla & chocolate shakes as I thought they’d be more pleasant to drink if my taste changed. I also bought my Soups, bone broths, etc. too.

Buy some disposal underwear for that first week post surgery. Some us experience ‘dramatic’ diarrhoea after surgery which can be embarrassing (can literally just run out of you).

Make sure you have all your over the counter meds ready at home too (pain relief, gasX, non swelling fibre supplement, Imodium, stool softener or similar, electrolyte drinks or powders, etc.).

Don't be surprised if you spend a lot of time on your couch after surgery. Your energy levels will be very low.

Invest in small containers for meal storage, good measuring cups, a fine strainer, kitchen scales. I used teaspoons & sporks to eat & served my food on side plates & in small bowls (tapas size). I also found it easier to sip through straws to begin. Don’t be surprised if your fridge & freezer are filled with your left overs.

Good luck with your surgery.

Disposable underwear?!?! Yikes 😬

Stalls are so common. Search them on this site and Google. Continue with your healthy diet and exercise and it’ll break.

On 06/20/2021 at 19:24, Blani said:

It is normal to have a stall at 3-5 weeks post surgery. I am currently in the middle of said stall. I amd 28 days post surgery. The first few weeks was Water weight, these next couple of weeks your body is adjusting to the shock of the surgery and the change in eating habits and amounts. After about week 6 the weight should start coming off again.

Here are some additional tips:

1. Check your weight no more than 2x per week. If you need to, put your scale away on "non-weighing days" to ensure that you won't use it.

2. Focus on your HABITS and enjoy the journey. This is not a yo-yo diet. It is not a quick fix. This is your new life. Treat your body with kindness and you'll see what amazing things it will do for you.

3. Remember that weight loss (when graphed) often looks like a staircase rather than a steep slope. Some days you'll lose, others you won't. Don't judge yourself based on those numbers.

4. If you do weigh yourself, make sure that you are also taking note of your measurements. Fat takes up a lot more space than muscle. If you're losing inches and slowly losing pounds, this is often an indication that you are losing fat rather than muscle.

If you do notice the dreaded "3 week stall", think of it as a badge of honor, a milestone, and "just a phase". Rather than thinking of your journey being "off course", remind yourself that it is just beginning. Time to enjoy the ride!

I’m in the middle of a stall and it’s disheartening. These words really helped!

Orgain makes some of the cleanest Protein products on the market. Syntrax Nectar has a ton of flavors and lets you go from fruity protein Water to chocolate (if you like citrus, the fuzzy navel is great and available on Amazon). I have tolerated every single item I have eaten (including all pills)…my tastes are the same (although my sugar craving is gone). Good luck, welcome to the club!

On 06/20/2021 at 13:08, violets said:

My partner and I have been having some issues with my weight and how much I've gained in 8years we have been together. He knows I'm due to have a sleeve but is really against me having it and had even said he can't get his head round me having it and could effect our relationship. I really don't know what to do, I really want this to help me live a better life.

Sent from my MAR-LX1A using BariatricPal mobile app

Choose your health over everything.

04/08/2021 12:45 PM, Miratia said:

I'm so absurdly furious about all these people who are like "yeah I got a procedure and lost 10 pounds immediately." I *hate* how I look. I am adhering so pristinely to this diet after ESG that I could be a monk. And yet, not a single damn pound lost. Not one! THIS IS NOT EVEN FAIR. When do I get to look okay? When do I get results? Do I magically break physics? What the hell is wrong with me?! Am I just one of those magic people like PCOS folks whose bodies can survive on like 500 cal/day and still be fat? Bodies are awful, and I hate mine.

I hope you’re finding your way now! Sometimes these things take time, but still so frustrating. I met with an ESG specialist and they told me I could lose up to 50 pounds but it would take time (I went with VSG).  

Vitamin E oil, Bio-Oil, or Mederma