BrandiBird

I did have my one year labs, and everything was in a normal range! I was very happy with that. It could be a change. I am wondering if I should go back to utilizing some of the protein drinks that I drank so much of in the beginning, because they were always sweet in flavor. I'm thinking maybe I got used to having that sweetness and now that I don't drink them as often, I'm wanting something sweet? The idea of making them into ice cream is genius! I do think a lot of it is mind hunger. Sometimes I'm hungry (usually in the late afternoon before dinner), but a lot of times I just want something sweet after a meal. Eating fruit can work for me, depending on the fruit, and it has a lot more vitamins and fiber than a "sweet", so I tend to feel satisfied if I'm actually hungry. I'm not against having sweets for treats, but it's just become almost an every day craving that I feel like I have to battle it out. I am worried about the slippery slope, though. I think I'll try the protein ice cream. Especially nearing summertime, that will be super nice to have. Thank you!

I am one year and one month post-op, and I have lost 90 pounds from my heaviest weight. I'm feeling a lot better, sleeping better, eating better, and moving more. However, since January, the scale hasn't moved at all. I spoke with my surgeon's assistant at my one year check-in, and she said I should still be losing about 3 pounds a month, albeit slowly, and to reduce my calories if I'm not meeting that goal (I eat between 1200-1500 calories a day, but usually closer to 1500). But, I've also noticed, the last few months I've been really struggling with sweet cravings. Before my surgery I'd like some sugary things every now and then, but lately I've had these really intense cravings that feel like almost every day. I try to choose fruit, or make a chocolate protein drink, but I'm more annoyed by the cravings than anything. I really wish they'd go away. I always feel awful after I eat something sugary, too, so I know it's not going to sit well in my stomach but that pang is still there. Can anyone offer advice on how to cope with this?

That's what made me nervous, too. People don't understand that the surgery doesn't make you lose weight, but that it's all the work you put in after.

I totally understand not wanting to tell people about having the surgery. I was very shy about it when people started to make comments to me, but I also just decided that I didn't want to carry shame around that conversation for myself. For the people that I feel safe with talking to about it (knowing they won't judge me), I'm honest and I tell them because it was a big deal to me. I'm so happy and proud that I made that decision. I wish there wasn't such a stigma around it. We shouldn't feel like we can't tell people, but if we choose not to, that's our right, you know? It's none of anyone else's business unless we want to include them. That's how I look at it. 😄

I was sleeved in March, and as of last week, I have officially lost 81. I started at 309, I'm currently 228, and I've noticed my progress has slowed down a lot. I'm anxious that I won't keep losing weight, because I'm only halfway to where I want to be. It sucks because I know I should be celebrating all of my hard work, but I'm scared I'll be stuck where I'm at and that my progress is over. I'm still tracking my calories, and I'm averaging about 1200-1300 a day. I walk at least 30 minutes a day, strength train 2 times a week, and I try to stay active on the weekend (5 mile hike & 1.5 hours kayaking yesterday). I struggled for so long to lose weight, and I'm scared I'll go back to struggling now.

I was sleeved on March 7th. I lost 80 officially yesterday. I'm a little concerned, only because I'm halfway to my goal but I feel like my weight loss has started slowing down. 😰 I should be celebrating my wins, but I'm really just nervous I won't get to where I want to be.

I go to the top and click on my name, then "My Surgery." From that page on the left, you should see "My Progress", and that will allow you to track your weight. There is probably an easier way to get to it, but that's how I do it.

I was stalled for like a month up until this past weekend when the scale finally reflected a lower weight. I'm four months post-op, and I've had 2 significant stalls (at least two weeks), so I completely understand. Focusing on non-scale things (energy, less appetite, how clothes fit, extra time to do other stuff, etc) helps, but I think it's completely normal to feel sad and worried. I was scared that I would only have 4 months of weight loss and that suddenly the surgery just stopped working. These are all normal things to feel, from what I understand, but you're not alone! You will weigh yourself soon and the number will be different and you'll be so happy. I promise! ❤️

I don't have a medical alert bracelet, but I did get a medical alert card to carry in my wallet. It's something you can give to waiters/restaurants to request to purchase lunch portions or items from the kids' menu because of medical reasons. I haven't used it yet, but I keep it on me.

Hi there, I was sleeved on March 7th, and I am happily 4 months post-op today. 😁 My question is to those who are post-op in regards to the surgery scars. I was given a scar cream that I try to use, but I was wondering how long it can take for scars to fade / lessen in appearance. I know they won't go away completely, but mine are a deep purple, and as I'm very pale, super noticeable. I am wondering if there is anything else that I can be doing to help the fading process, and, for those who are farther along in their post-op journey, when you found the scars lessened the most in appearance?

Hi! I was sleeved on March 7th. My highest weight was 309 lbs, and my weight after the pre-op diet was 296 lbs. I'm currently sitting at 251 lbs. I'm very excited to make it to - 60 lbs, but I'm at a bit of a stall. I walk 5-6 times a week for 20-30 minutes (20 minutes moreso lately because it's so hot outside), and I also do resistance training 2 times a week. I have way more energy than I did pre-op, which is so far my favorite aspect. I'm struggling with trying to find the balance between harder and too easy workouts right now. I can eat most food, if not all food with no discomfort. I've been sick twice, but it wasn't bad and I think it was due to me eating too fast at the time. Bread doesn't sit as easily in my stomach, but I don't miss it. I don't miss sodas, but I do miss my sparkling water. 😪 I haven't been able to see a big difference on myself until recently. I still feel like I look the same, but everyone else sees a difference and that is very encouraging. I struggle with PCOS, so I am hoping that as I lose weight, my ovulatory and fertility issues will improve, too. I'm seeing a lot of small changes so far, and it's all so exciting. It's the best decision that I've ever made.

Did you have a goal weight that you got to before your hunger returned, or was it later?

These are great questions, and ones I'd love to know answers to, as well. I'm a week away from being 3 months post-op, and just recently (within the last week or so), I've been having a bare minimum of an appetite. It's kind of nice to not be hungry, but I'm not looking forward to this part of the journey, either. 😅

Hi Georgie! Thank you so much for your reply! I'm sorry that your healing was slowed by other concerns, but I'm glad to hear you're getting there. 🩷 I'm very happy with the food I am getting in and my exercise. I think I have a healthy balance right now where I get at least 80g of protein every day (usually more, if I'm honest). This is what I have to watch out for because too much protein seems to dip back towards too many calories, as my surgeon told me. I work with a dietician who specializes in PCOS, so I have specific macro goals geared towards that and my bariatric requirements. I'm losing weight steadily - I just got over a stall, and I'm getting closer to a 50 pound weight loss, which is exciting to me. 🤩

Hey March Sleeves! For anyone who counts their calories or tracks their food, how many calories do you get in a day? I'm so curious! I'm not being super strict with myself when it comes to calories, but I'm tracking my food and listening to my body to eat slower and only until I'm satisfied, not overfull and to focus on whole foods and eating intuitively. I was sleeved on March 7th, so I'm a little more than 2 months post-op. I eat around 900-1100 calories a day, give or take. (This isn't for comparison, but more out of curiosity. Sometimes I worry I eat too much, but I'm never grossly full or anything either.)