Queen ApisM

For me, it was important to keep tracking everything even through the frustrating stalls: weighing myself regularly, tracking all my food and Water, etc. It is easy to get discouraged when you don't see the scale move for a while (or, move slower than you want) but the key is continuing what you are doing, with potentially some tweaks depending on what your practice advises. In my case, tracking helped me ensure I was pushing toward the calorie level my practice wanted to see (at least 1000 cals/day, which was hard for me for a while) and helped ensure the choices I was making to add calories continued to be smart (prioritizing protein).
It was also helpful to take measurements and pictures to see progress. In fact, I was just in a really slow period of weight loss for 6-8 weeks (after awesome weight loss the initial few months), and seeing new pics compared against the old ones from right around surgery was so, so helpful at giving me positive reinforcement. I also have been looking for other non-scale victories to carry me through, so realizing that clothes are fitting looser, or that I just have more energy than I did before.
On the happy side, my slow weight loss has ramped up again after slogging through that slower period. I am exercising a bit more but also have been diligent about hitting that 1000 cals/day threshold - I'm convinced that has been the key for me, at least until my body decided to go slow again! So, talk to your nutritionist, see what they say, and also just stay hopeful (I'm not a naturally positive person so this part is really a challenge for me!) Slow is better than zero and zero loss is better than gains.
Good luck and hang in there!

For me, it was important to keep tracking everything even through the frustrating stalls: weighing myself regularly, tracking all my food and Water, etc. It is easy to get discouraged when you don't see the scale move for a while (or, move slower than you want) but the key is continuing what you are doing, with potentially some tweaks depending on what your practice advises. In my case, tracking helped me ensure I was pushing toward the calorie level my practice wanted to see (at least 1000 cals/day, which was hard for me for a while) and helped ensure the choices I was making to add calories continued to be smart (prioritizing protein).
It was also helpful to take measurements and pictures to see progress. In fact, I was just in a really slow period of weight loss for 6-8 weeks (after awesome weight loss the initial few months), and seeing new pics compared against the old ones from right around surgery was so, so helpful at giving me positive reinforcement. I also have been looking for other non-scale victories to carry me through, so realizing that clothes are fitting looser, or that I just have more energy than I did before.
On the happy side, my slow weight loss has ramped up again after slogging through that slower period. I am exercising a bit more but also have been diligent about hitting that 1000 cals/day threshold - I'm convinced that has been the key for me, at least until my body decided to go slow again! So, talk to your nutritionist, see what they say, and also just stay hopeful (I'm not a naturally positive person so this part is really a challenge for me!) Slow is better than zero and zero loss is better than gains.
Good luck and hang in there!

You look amazing! What great progress. Congrats!
I second what you said about taking the photos. I have been in a stall, but finally took a new set of pics and wow I could tell the difference 4 months out, and in some unexpected places! For those who don't want to do near naked pics, wear something really form fitting (ideally in colors/patterns that don't distort things/distract the eye) and then take the pics in the same outfit until you can't anymore because they are falling off. I find it is easier to compare photos when I am in the same outfit. It was quite motivating even when struggling with that obnoxious month 3 stall...

I'm still early on (just 4 months out) but honestly I see large portions and there is no longing for them, at all. Actually, quite the opposite. Granted this may change over time but it has been liberating. I hope this sticks around!

You look amazing! What great progress. Congrats!
I second what you said about taking the photos. I have been in a stall, but finally took a new set of pics and wow I could tell the difference 4 months out, and in some unexpected places! For those who don't want to do near naked pics, wear something really form fitting (ideally in colors/patterns that don't distort things/distract the eye) and then take the pics in the same outfit until you can't anymore because they are falling off. I find it is easier to compare photos when I am in the same outfit. It was quite motivating even when struggling with that obnoxious month 3 stall...

I'd be concerned that it is a stricture. Did the surgeon do any tests or did they just jump straight to psychological? If no serious testing, then definitely go consult with another doctor. That isn't normal or healthy.
I hope you get this sorted.

I'd be concerned that it is a stricture. Did the surgeon do any tests or did they just jump straight to psychological? If no serious testing, then definitely go consult with another doctor. That isn't normal or healthy.
I hope you get this sorted.

I'd be concerned that it is a stricture. Did the surgeon do any tests or did they just jump straight to psychological? If no serious testing, then definitely go consult with another doctor. That isn't normal or healthy.
I hope you get this sorted.

Man, the liver shrinking diet resulted in the worst Constipation - worse than what I have experienced post surgery. Not to say post surgery has been great - it hasn't been - but I remember that two week pre op diet. I never had constipation issues before surgery so it's depressing that this is the new normal, but life is full of trade offs.
Miralax is my favorite thing. It can be used daily and mixes nicely into Hot Drinks (cold as well, but I only use it in hot where it disappears instantly). Not all constipation aids are good for long term use, but Miralax is on the safer side. I'm on an every few days regimen and that seems to keep things moving for me most of the time.

Some really great responses on this thread. At the end of the day, the sleeve is a tool. It is possible to lose all your excess weight (plus more) and it is possible to lose very little, or even regain. It is all about how the tool is used, and the person who has control over that is you. Some people lose fast, some people lose slow, but again, we have lots of slow losers on this board who have hit goal, but they had to persevere in using the tool and staying focused on their goal.

I've not done this, but I do know Contrave affects cravings and reduces hunger. Given you are already only eating 800-1000 calories a day, I would question why this is even needed.
Have you consulted with the nutritionists at your practice? Every place is different, but at mine, they expect me to be at 1200 calories at 6 months, maybe more if I am exercising seriously 5-6 times a week. Have you tried increasing your calories to see if that would help?

I've not done this, but I do know Contrave affects cravings and reduces hunger. Given you are already only eating 800-1000 calories a day, I would question why this is even needed.
Have you consulted with the nutritionists at your practice? Every place is different, but at mine, they expect me to be at 1200 calories at 6 months, maybe more if I am exercising seriously 5-6 times a week. Have you tried increasing your calories to see if that would help?

I was given a short prescription for Oxycodone, but I never took any. My surgeon installed a pain pump (delivers local anesthetic internally for a few days) but mine fell out two days after surgery, should have been in around 4 days. I only had some pain meds the day of surgery and that night. Otherwise, I didn't even take an aspirin. There mostly wasn't pain unless I was moving certain ways or sometimes when drinking and I didn't think that warranted pain meds.
I consider myself lucky.

This isn't about her, it's about you.
Maybe this is her way of covering up her fears about you having surgery. Yes, there are risks, but the risks of being obese are much higher. Maybe she feels guilt for any role she may have had to your weight struggled (I am not saying she did, just that people have strange hang ups about things). Similarly, maybe she feels like you having surgery suggests something about her as a parent (again, not saying it does, just that people have all sorts of hang ups and this is one I can see being out there).
At the end of the day, you know what is right for you. And, calling this the "easy way out" is just asinine. Seriously, would anyone say that to a cancer patient getting chemo or surgery? Or a diabetes patient who needs insulin? No, they wouldn't. The data says that long term weight loss of significant amounts of weight is nigh impossible without surgery. This is the best tool in your toolbox to get you to a healthier you.

Some really great responses on this thread. At the end of the day, the sleeve is a tool. It is possible to lose all your excess weight (plus more) and it is possible to lose very little, or even regain. It is all about how the tool is used, and the person who has control over that is you. Some people lose fast, some people lose slow, but again, we have lots of slow losers on this board who have hit goal, but they had to persevere in using the tool and staying focused on their goal.

This sounds like me. I had my two month check in about 2 weeks ago, and the nutritionist said I should be at 1000 calories a day, especially since I was adding in moderately intense exercise again. I was averaging 600-700 at that point! They also wanted me to ease off the shakes (I was having one shake a day) in favor of food, though Protein Powder was definitely ok to use. She emphasized that WLS isn't supposed to be very low calorie forever, otherwise other problems arise. I assume it is metabolism concerns.
I've managed to get it up to more like 800-850 calories on a really good day, but it is hard. I'm just doing the best I can - yesterday I managed to get to 1000 for the first time but wow that was a project. I feel like I am eating or drinking or waiting to drink all day long. I'm keeping the one shake a day because honestly that is an easy 160 calories, otherwise I need to figure out another snack to add to the rotation.
I'm just doing the best I can, without adding in unhealthy things. So, adding in good carbs and listening to my body as much as I can. Just focus on doing the best you can. Good luck.

This sounds like me. I had my two month check in about 2 weeks ago, and the nutritionist said I should be at 1000 calories a day, especially since I was adding in moderately intense exercise again. I was averaging 600-700 at that point! They also wanted me to ease off the shakes (I was having one shake a day) in favor of food, though Protein Powder was definitely ok to use. She emphasized that WLS isn't supposed to be very low calorie forever, otherwise other problems arise. I assume it is metabolism concerns.
I've managed to get it up to more like 800-850 calories on a really good day, but it is hard. I'm just doing the best I can - yesterday I managed to get to 1000 for the first time but wow that was a project. I feel like I am eating or drinking or waiting to drink all day long. I'm keeping the one shake a day because honestly that is an easy 160 calories, otherwise I need to figure out another snack to add to the rotation.
I'm just doing the best I can, without adding in unhealthy things. So, adding in good carbs and listening to my body as much as I can. Just focus on doing the best you can. Good luck.

Some really great responses on this thread. At the end of the day, the sleeve is a tool. It is possible to lose all your excess weight (plus more) and it is possible to lose very little, or even regain. It is all about how the tool is used, and the person who has control over that is you. Some people lose fast, some people lose slow, but again, we have lots of slow losers on this board who have hit goal, but they had to persevere in using the tool and staying focused on their goal.

Some really great responses on this thread. At the end of the day, the sleeve is a tool. It is possible to lose all your excess weight (plus more) and it is possible to lose very little, or even regain. It is all about how the tool is used, and the person who has control over that is you. Some people lose fast, some people lose slow, but again, we have lots of slow losers on this board who have hit goal, but they had to persevere in using the tool and staying focused on their goal.

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!

Personally I prefer weighing and use that for the majority of items, but there are some thing that don't make sense to weigh and will be less affected by how tightly I pack the cup, like when I make Soup. When I make something like that, I measure yield (in cups), figure out the stats for per cup or whatever, and then use that for recording amounts.
Ounces by volume can be very different than by weight because food doesn't weigh the same, even if it seems like it would. I'm a beekeeper, and we have to sell honey by weight, because 8 Fluid oz (by volume) of honey weighs more than 8 oz by weight since it is so dense. It can also vary from honey to honey depending on moisture content, etc, so weight is more variable.

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'm horrified that the surgeon is telling you one meal a day. You mention that you manage 1-2 oz of food a day. There is no way that is enough especially if you are also exercising! Are you also drinking Protein Shakes?
In contrast, I just had my 2 month check in, and my nutritionist is telling me to increase my calories especially because I want to restart with my trainer this week. She also wants me to start weaning off the shakes (though not necessarily the Protein powder). I already eat 3-4 times a day (small meals) plus a Protein Shake, and to make the new calorie goal I'm going to have to add another snack and try to increase calorie count at each meal.
If his practice doesn't have a nutritionist, perhaps you can see about switching to a new practice that does and using one of their nutritionists? You want someone who is experienced with bariatric patients and not all nutritionists are. Also, depending on your state there may or may not be licensing for nutritionists, so make sure they are credentialed.

Personally I prefer weighing and use that for the majority of items, but there are some thing that don't make sense to weigh and will be less affected by how tightly I pack the cup, like when I make Soup. When I make something like that, I measure yield (in cups), figure out the stats for per cup or whatever, and then use that for recording amounts.
Ounces by volume can be very different than by weight because food doesn't weigh the same, even if it seems like it would. I'm a beekeeper, and we have to sell honey by weight, because 8 Fluid oz (by volume) of honey weighs more than 8 oz by weight since it is so dense. It can also vary from honey to honey depending on moisture content, etc, so weight is more variable.

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!