ToInfinityAndBeyond

CONGRATULATIONS!!! And you look so very fit!!!

Hi Team! I realize that stalls are inevitable, but I am having some trouble determining if I am in a stall that I need to just wait out, or if I need to change something up. Background: I just hit 8 months post-op. Stats are in my info box. I have been sitting at 174 pounds for three weeks. I had been losing a pound or more per week at around 900 calories per day, Protein at 100G and carbs under 100 g. That is around the time I hired a personal trainer, upped my weight training (free weights now and four days a week), my steps, and my calories (1200 or so per day). The increase in calories was at the recommendation of the trainer, who also recommended increasing carbs to 138 (most days I don't get above 110). I know the level weight is not due to increase in muscle mass---too soon. So....what are your thoughts? Stick with calories or go back down to 900-1000? Thank you in advance for any reassurance or guidance. (And I emailed my surgery team three days ago...waiting to hear back).

Thank you! This is reassuring!

When I was 3.5 mos out I hit a stall for four weeks and my blood sugar was going low (I stayed on a glucose monitor for a few months, even after my T2 diabetes appeared resolved). I was eating 600 or so cals and my doctor said that was too low. Upped to 800 or so and my weight loss began again. Correlation or causality? Don't know...just know that my energy improved and my blood sugar stablized.

Way to go! Congratulations!!!

Congratulations! What a great journey! Thank you so much for sharing. You are inspiring!

I am six months out and my typical day is: Breakfast - 20g protein yogurt, 10 almonds Lunch - Tuna salad - 15 g protein Dinner- 3.5 oz broiled chicken thigh - 24 g protein Snacks - Kodiak Bear Bites- chocolate graham crackers - 5 g protien, Protein 2o 20 g protein water, pistachios or other nuts, peanut butter on seed cracker - to hit goal of 85-95 g protein. I try to keep carbs under 60 g. Re: Quest protein chips -- liked them before surgery, stomach doesn't like them now (I get nauseous). Good luck!

My hunger started coming back late in month four post-surgery. But it has been a quiet "voice" --- nothing like before. And the beauty of the period of time that I wasn't hungry was learning to tell the difference between head or emotion-based "hunger" and actual hunger. In other words, when I started feeling what I thought was hunger, I paused and really tuned into my gut. Since I was never hungry at first, I could really focus on what that felt like so I now when I actually do get hungry, I know my gut well enough (and my head/emotion hunger) that I can differentiate this well. Also, one key is to follow the advice to eat slowly since it takes our guts 15 minutes or so to tell the head that we are full. Best wishes to you as you decide what you need to do moving forward!

I didn't realize how much the label "obese" bothered me until I stepped on the scale and found myself in the "overweight" category. I became teary eyed. It is sad that labels can mean so much. There is no practical difference between the two pounds more that I weighed last week and then the two pounds less this week. Thirty pounds ago my I lost my sleep apnea diagnosis (and CPAP!), forty pounds ago I went from Type-2 diabetic A1C to pre-diabetic (then to normal!) and fifty pounds ago I dropped my blood pressure meds and maintain a normal BP. Those are the most important "wins." But it sure feels good to be "overweight" (and not obese).

I understand your disappointment with one more hoop to go through. The good news is that if it is obstructive apnea (not central apnea) you will likely be off of CPAP once you lose weight. I was on CPAP for years (after I hit 220 pounds) and no longer need it due to the weight loss! Hang in there...this is such a hard time...the waiting.

Hi Support Team- I moved to the pureed stage last Thursday after having done fine with liquids (meeting protein and water goals). In addition to having no hunger or appetite (which I understand is normal), I really don't like the texture of pureed foods. So, I have been eating only one pureed "meal" a day - scrambled egg, tuna salad and tonight ricotta bake. The rest of my protein I am getting from fluids like before. How did you all manage eating enough food to get most of your protein in during this phase AND meeting fluid goals. Anybody semi skip the pureed phase - eating only one or two "meals" per day and the rest liquid? Thank you in advance!

I am so happy for you, Kay! What great changes. And I am thrilled to hear you have not been diagnosed with diabetes. Your efforts now will prevent that from happening. I am 60 yo and had my surgery on 7/31. My first post op check my BP meds were discontinued! My type 2 diabetes med was moved down to the lowest level and now my A1C is in normal range. This surgery is all about health for me (though I am enjoying the weight loss for sure...25 pounds lighter today and moving around I do feel lighter). Before you know it you will be off BP meds too. Cheers to health!

I feel very lucky. I am 6 days out from surgery and feeling pretty good (albeit I get tired easily). I still have some soreness in my belly (it really gets better each day). The advice to walk as soon as you can after surgery is spot on. I am convinced the walking I did prevented the gas pains so many people talk about (I passed gas during/after each little "lap" in the hospital...versus when lying in bed). My throat was sore from the intubation, but I forced myself to sip protein shakes and water pretty consistently while awake, so I have avoided dehydration and the headaches that go with that. There is some itching around the incision sites, but it's not awful. I did set an alarm for the first day or two after surgery to wake up to drink. Also, my MD recommended Miralax in the evenings once a day. I have done that and avoided constipation. Best wishes for a successful surgery (and when you are in that awful pre-op liquid diet phase, remember it is time limited. I found that harder than post-op!).

My surgery is on Monday (less than 48 hours!). My instructions are to fast starting at midnight before surgery. I was told to drink 10 oz Gatorade 3 hours before surgery. Does fasting include water or can I drink water in the morning? I can’t believe I didn’t ask my doc this question! Thank you!

Never mind! Just found the instruction deep in my materials… no water!

I have not yet had surgery (RNY bypass) and am doing all I can to prepare (following dr.s orders, started exercise program). I have been reading the weight loss stories in this forum and notice a wide range of differences in "success." While I understand that if you go back to bad habits you won't meet goal (since the surgery is only one of the many tools we need), I am curious if there are things you have done (or not done) that you think helped you meet your goals. In other words...if I do everything I am supposed to, most of the time (knowing slips happen), is there anything that will prevent me from hitting the goal range my Dr. and I set for myself? I.e., genetics? Not exercising every day or hard enough? I am just so worried that even if I do everything I should that I will fail...once again... Interested in your thoughts (and encouragement!). TIA

Thank you so much, Arabesque! This is very helpful and reassuring. And what a great video. Thank you.

I will be having surgery soon and I chose gastric bypass (RNY) because I was just diagnosed with T2 diabetes and the remission rates for T2 are better with RNY than sleeve. Also, I did not want to risk GERD with the sleeve and have to go through a corrective surgery later.

Thank you for posting this! I am 60 and am in the pre-op phase. I have also noticed that most people going through this process are much younger. It is nice to know there others in my age range! If there is ever a forum for "over 55" or "over 60" I will be the first to join!

Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off. The BMI and "normal" height/weight charts can really do a number on those of us who literally have bigger bones. Seriously - I had a complete body composition analysis and was told my frame, at 5'7" is much larger (larger bones - see it most easily in my wrists) than most and I should not expect to be 140 and healthy. I am just getting ready to have a consultation with a surgeon (on Wednesday) after nearly 40 years of fighting with my body and food (I just turned 60). The weight I looked and felt my best is 160. I was strong, fit, healthy and attractive. And at 160 I wasn't satisfied because all the charts said I was "overweight"! Now I will cry tears of joy when I hit "onederland" and then again when I hit the ultimate goal weight my doctor and I agree upon ( I am 250 now). I do not expect it to be below 160. I am not setting myself up for that battle. I say be gentle with yourself and celebrate the amazing accomplishment you have achieved. May you meet your goals!!!!!