June 2014 Sleevers Check In!

[tiffnichole76 36]

Congrats!!^^

[SarahmM 25]

Hi everyone!! I had my 6 week follow up on Monday. I can't believe it's been 6 weeks already. Anyway, I am cleared of all special diets. I just have to watch what I eat and drink. I started Calcium with Vitamin D, b-12 and b-complex. I have been cleared to do any activity I want. No more restrictions. Still being very careful about food choices and eating in general. I've lost a total of 44 pounds. 33 pounds since surgery. Yay!! They told me that there will be times when I will plateau but not to worry. I will plateau for about a week r two and them drop pounds drastically again.

Also, just want to say congrats to us all for making this huge lifestyle choice. We will all be better and healthier because of it and also thank you all for the wonderful friendships and support here.

[tiffnichole76 36]

@@SarahmM

That's awesome! 44 pounds is a tremendous accomplishment!! Being cleared to do whatever must feel amazing! What's your exercise regimen, how many calories do you take in per day and does the doctor still want ya on Protein Shakes or will ya be phasing those out. I'm so curious about everything. I've been so anxious as I'm a revision patient from lapband to sleeve and I could really use all the feedback I could get. Again, awesome job! Congratulations and continued success.

[SarahmM 25]

@@SarahmM<br><br> That's awesome! 44 pounds is a tremendous accomplishment!! Being cleared to do whatever must feel amazing! What's your exercise regimen, how many calories do you take in per day and does the doctor still want ya on Protein Shakes or will ya be phasing those out. I'm so curious about everything. I've been so anxious as I'm a revision patient from lapband to sleeve and I could really use all the feedback I could get. Again, awesome job! Congratulations and continued success.

Thank you. It does feel amazing but, I know I have to be careful so I don't mess up. I do have to continue Protein shakes as I don't get 70 grams of protein without them. My daily calories are only between 500-700 if I'm lucky. I don't force my self to eat more. When my new stomach says I'm full, I stop. As for my exercise regimen, I walk 30 minutes daily on treadmill or outdoors depending on weather. If I'm outside walking, I do about an hour. I do 20 sit-ups five times a week, arm exercises 10 minutes twice a day. Will be increasing those to 15 minutes twice a day, and I also do leg lifts 20 each leg twice a day. The tong is just as important as weight loss. For calisthenics(arms, etc) I've been using 3 pound dumbbells. Going to increase to 5 pounds. I will keep you updated. Thank you again. And congrats to you as well on your journey. I am here if you have any questions or just want to talk.

[tiffnichole76 36]

@@SarahmM

I love you exercise regimen!! Omg! I want to do more so bad but don't have a clue!! I'm 3 weeks out and my doc said at 3 weeks I could do most anything as long as I was able to do it. I got a Jillian Michaels DVD and I've been staring at it but haven't started it yet. I get up faithfully at 5:30 each morning though and get dressed and hit the waling trail. I usually go 4 laps which is five miles but a friend got me a pair of new tennis shoes and I felt so motivated today I did an extra lap and got 6.25 miles in.

I'm really not into the gym and would love to try some crunches but was kinda scared. How far out from surgery were you comfortable starting crunches?

[SarahmM 25]

@@SarahmM<br> I love you exercise regimen!! Omg! I want to do more so bad but don't have a clue!! I'm 3 weeks out and my doc said at 3 weeks I could do most anything as long as I was able to do it. I got a Jillian Michaels DVD and I've been staring at it but haven't started it yet. I get up faithfully at 5:30 each morning though and get dressed and hit the waling trail. I usually go 4 laps which is five miles but a friend got me a pair of new tennis shoes and I felt so motivated today I did an extra lap and got 6.25 miles in. <br><br> I'm really not into the gym and would love to try some crunches but was kinda scared. How far out from surgery were you comfortable starting crunches?

I didn't start crunches until 4 weeks. And I started slow. I was very nervous at first but I haven't had any issues. That's awesome with the miles you put in walking. I don't do the gym either. I have a treadmill at home. Otherwise I wouldn't use it. I'm up every morning between 5:30 and 6. My suggestion is just start adding a new exercise every other day and start slowly with them and see how you feel. That's how I did it

[tiffnichole76 36]

Thanks, I'll try that. Its weird how exercise used to be the thing I loved to hate.....now I'm addicted to walking and can't wait to add more fun stuff.

[SarahmM 25]

@@SarahmM<br> I love you exercise regimen!! Omg! I want to do more so bad but don't have a clue!! I'm 3 weeks out and my doc said at 3 weeks I could do most anything as long as I was able to do it. I got a Jillian Michaels DVD and I've been staring at it but haven't started it yet. I get up faithfully at 5:30 each morning though and get dressed and hit the waling trail. I usually go 4 laps which is five miles but a friend got me a pair of new tennis shoes and I felt so motivated today I did an extra lap and got 6.25 miles in. <br><br> I'm really not into the gym and would love to try some crunches but was kinda scared. How far out from surgery were you comfortable starting crunches?

Started crunches about 4 weeks out. I was scared too so I started out slow. Every other day I added a new exercise and started slowly. I don't go to gym. Don't like them. I have a treadmill at home. Which helps when it's rainy. This way I keep up with my exercise regimen. Love walking outdoors though. So, just go slow and slowly add new exercises. Let me know how it goes. I also am up between 5:30 and 6 every morning. It gets me motivated to get my day going with my exercises

[SarahmM 25]

Thanks, I'll try that. Its weird how exercise used to be the thing I loved to hate.....now I'm addicted to walking and can't wait to add more fun stuff.

You're very welcome. Let me know how it goes.

[jennifer1.white 2]

June 16 was my surgery date. So I'm officially 1 month post op. How has everyone else done the first month? I have been on what feels like an emotional roller coaster

[marycw1955 40]

June 16 was my surgery date. So I'm officially 1 month post op. How has everyone else done the first month? I have been on what feels like an emotional roller coaster

My date was 6/25 so yesterday was 3 weeks...I'm doing well, down about 30 lbs since I began 6 mos ago and about 20 or so since surgery...I'm not doing any extensive exercising, just make it a point to get 30 minutes of movement in a day and a few minutes of 3lb hand weights every other day.

My biggest complaint is lack of energy, I hope that comes back soon. A nurse I know says that is connected to the fact that anesthesia takes at least 4 weeks to exit your system. I'm not sure about that but I hope that's the reason. Looking forward to adding more foods to my diet next week, I'm getting bored.

[jennifer1.white 2]

I have lost 26lbs since surgery. I started Feb 11 at 330 and I'm down to 265 and down 9 inches. I had gotten down to 259 then I started feeling so fatigue at 3 weeks. I went to primary care physician and had labs drawn to find out my liver function was out of wack. So back to the hospital I went for an ultrasound. Come to find out that I have developed gallstones and will have to have surgery again .

[marycw1955 40]

I have lost 26lbs since surgery. I started Feb 11 at 330 and I'm down to 265 and down 9 inches. I had gotten down to 259 then I started feeling so fatigue at 3 weeks. I went to primary care physician and had labs drawn to find out my liver function was out of wack. So back to the hospital I went for an ultrasound. Come to find out that I have developed gallstones and will have to have surgery again .

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. Did you doctor indicate the stones were a result of your weight loss?

[jennifer1.white 2]

I have lost 26lbs since surgery. I started Feb 11 at 330 and I'm down to 265 and down 9 inches. I had gotten down to 259 then I started feeling so fatigue at 3 weeks. I went to primary care physician and had labs drawn to find out my liver function was out of wack. So back to the hospital I went for an ultrasound. Come to find out that I have developed gallstones and will have to have surgery again .

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. Did you doctor indicate the stones were a result of your weight loss?

He informed me that it was very common in people that have any form of rapid weight loss but it is not directly linked to the surgery. There are many other factors that contribute to it.

[LivingProof 31]

I'm ONE MONTH out today!!! June 18 was my surgery.

I'm down 26# and (mostly) feel great. I'm still on a full liquid diet--protein shakes, strained Soups.

Jennifer, thanks so much for sharing about your gall stones. I'm seeing my PCP every three weeks for the next 6 mos. He wants to keep on top of BP meds and thyroid numbers. Now I know to ask him to test for liver function. I'm so sorry you're going through this, but I'm so glad you shared it with us.

I'm walking 30 min. most days, drinking a solid 32 oz. of Fluid, and trying for a solid 64 oz.

All in all, a great month.....