Hi all,

Just thought I'd check in and see how everyone is going now that we are at, or coming up to our 3 month surgery anniversary.

CONGRATULATIONS!

How is everyone feeling? Anyone having any issues?

I'm doing pretty well, coming up to 12 weeks next week and terrified of the dreaded 3 month stall!

On 08/08/2020 at 12:09, catwoman7 said:

thanks! Yea - I've been hanging around here off and on for probably five years.....keeps my head in the game!

Well all is newbies really appreciate your wisdom. I hang of every word the vets say.

So glad to see this post! I’m feeling great. Still a lot of restriction and I’m definitely under 500 cal/day. Have lost a little over 50# since surgery day, and it’s just crazy to be back in such a small body again. Still have about 40# to go to get to my stretch goal weight, and weight loss has definitely slowed at this point to about 2#/wk. But clothes shopping is so much fun again! I bought a top in a size small the other day, looked at it on the hanger, and thought “I have no business trying this on/thinking this is going to fit me.” And it did! I am definitely dealing with a bit of body dysmorphia because I still see myself in my minds eye as this bigger person, but I’m really not any more.

also - advice for anyone reading this who is early in their post-surgery journey, or still pre-op: as tempting as it may be to buy “goal” clothes in smaller sizes, try to hold off. Not for the reason you may think, but I have found that my style now that I’m smaller is wayyyy different from my style when I was bigger. I was still shopping for styles I would have picked out as a larger person but in smaller sizes, and now that I’m smaller, I don’t want to wear those styles, if that makes sense. Save your $$$!

On 8/7/2020 at 11:10 PM, Sassafras1 said:

I thought I’d try to sell some of my old good stuff to make a kitty to splurge on all new wardrobe once I reach goal (or close) I have a lot of small sizes from many years of “I’m buying this to motivate me” so hopefully I’ll be in some of them soon too! ???☺️

Glad to hear you’re doing well and all your numbers are good. I don’t have bloods done for another month but hopefully they’ve improved since pre op and I’m not deficient in anything major.

Selling your old clothes is such a good idea! I am going to do that too!

I am down 44 lbs now (haven't updated my profile because I like to stay at a weight for at least 2-3 days before I updated) ~ I had long stalls but for the past 3 weeks... weight has been dropping fast. I know I am going to go into a stall soon. But I am prepared for the disappointment this time around.

I don't have much saggy skin besides my arms and use dumb bells to work them out, but still a little sagging underneath the arms.. and I still have a small pooch in my stomach -- that is where all my weight settles unfortunately. I've been doing ab exercises to tone it up, but it needs to lose more fat for the exercises to show their results.

I cheated last night after having some stomach issues the past few days.. I had chips & queso.. Just a tiny one from Taco Bueno. I haven't cheated before that (besides having a spoonful of my mom's cheesecake --- one bite). No dumping and I actually felt better after eating it. (I had been feeling weak because of my stomach issues). Anyway, I am back on track today.

@Violetsareblue Nice job on losing 50+ lbs! That's incredible! And I agree about holding off on buying clothes. It is so tempting though with all the new cute fall clothes I am seeing online. Ugh... but I am going to hold off. I did order two pairs of American Eagle jeans from Ebay for cheap... they're used and were under $20 ea. All the jeans I have from being previously skinny are super flared... and I wanted skinny jeans.

I’m down 31 pounds since surgery date and a total of 52 pounds from my heaviest in pre-op. Still eating very small portions about 4 times a day. So glad I made the decision to have surgery. Congrats to all my fellow May losers!!

Hi all!

I am down 61 pounds since my pre op liquid diet. Been in a stall for the past (almost) 2 weeks, but I'm not as bothered by it as I was when I went through the dreaded 3 week stall. I know it's going to happen and it just makes the drop after it breaks all the sweeter! I am feeling good, still eating like a bird and not missing food much at all which has surprised me. Still paranoid about the weight loss stopping at any moment but trying not to think about that.

We are heading into spring here in Australia so I'm hoping to drop a few more Kg by the end of September, I'd like to be under 90Kg. Then hopefully in some of the lovelier clothes for summer.

I'm so glad we're all doing well, YAY US!!!

Edited August 31, 20205 yr by Sassafras1

VSG on 5/18/2020

6' 2" 48yr male

HW 382, SW 309, CW 257

Down 52 lbs since surgery, with about 32 to go for my goal. Was averaging about 630 cals, 83g protein through first 3 months. Met with the dietician and she wanted me to bump to 900 cals and 100+g protein because I'm a "big guy" then add another 100 cals each month through 6 months to get to 1200 cals. That seems extreme, but I have worked up to 850 cals with 100g protein. I'm full alot, though.

I have cheated a few times with a "bad day" at 1000-1100 cals. We usually keep the junk out of the house, so I am not tempted. Still feeling plenty of restriction, so binging is not an option.

Overall my experience has been great. I have never vomited and only a couple of times was nauseated with certain foods. Still plugging away at protein + water + walking and light resistance band work.

Congrats to each of you for your success. Use this new tool and work the system.

Edited August 31, 20205 yr by bhrobins

11 hours ago, Lanie992 said:

@Violetsareblue Nice job on losing 50+ lbs! That's incredible! And I agree about holding off on buying clothes. It is so tempting though with all the new cute fall clothes I am seeing online. Ugh... but I am going to hold off. I did order two pairs of American Eagle jeans from Ebay for cheap... they're used and were under $20 ea. All the jeans I have from being previously skinny are super flared... and I wanted skinny jeans.

I’ve been stalking Poshmark not only for selling old clothes that are now too big, but scoring new-to-me clothes as I transition sizes! It’s been awesome.

Mine was done on May 18 and I am down a little less than 40. I too thought it would come off faster and I am worried about the window of time I have before my body starts to normalize before I reach my goal. I guess I’m terrified of not reaching it . I started at 305 at my first appointment and now down to 235 I think I was about 274 the day of surgery.

12 minutes ago, Angelove22 said:

Mine was done on May 18 and I am down a little less than 40. I too thought it would come off faster and I am worried about the window of time I have before my body starts to normalize before I reach my goal. I guess I’m terrified of not reaching it . I started at 305 at my first appointment and now down to 235 I think I was about 274 the day of surgery.

I had the same worries because I was a slow loser, but it all came off. I kept losing until I was 20 months out.

On 09/05/2020 at 05:20, Angelove22 said:

Mine was done on May 18 and I am down a little less than 40. I too thought it would come off faster and I am worried about the window of time I have before my body starts to normalize before I reach my goal. I guess I’m terrified of not reaching it . I started at 305 at my first appointment and now down to 235 I think I was about 274 the day of surgery.

I think about this a lot too, but I’ve decided to trust the process. I know I am doing all the recommended things and that’s all I can do. Now to just let the weight melt away.. hopefully all the way to goal! ?

You guys are doing great! I am in another "stall" ...been the same weight for a week. I pretty much knew this was going to happen because for three weeks - I was losing FAST... like 3½ - 5 lbs per week.

I knew it was going to be too good to true and wouldn't last.

But yes, I am with you guys and just trusting the process too and doing as best as I can do... following the guidelines.. whatever will be.

So I went to my 3 month follow up, even though it has been 4 months.. (had to cancel my appt in August because Hurricane Laura was headed to my city... but of course ended up not coming at all ?). I am still lingering in a stall -- it has been almost 3 weeks. Doc said it was normal and to not worry - I'd start losing again.. He said I was actually doing really well compared to most who started at my height and weight.

I joined a gym and have gone almost every day (besides Sunday) to help kickstart the weight loss again, but it hasn't worked. I go for 35 minutes on the exercise bike (30 mins hardcore, then 5 min cool down) and 30 minutes on the treadmill (25 minutes hardcore, then 5 min cool down).... but still, the scale doesn't move besides up and down a lbs each day.

I will keep the faith though and keep doing what I am doing.

Hope everyone else is doing okay.

I'd love to read updates from you guys...

A little over 4 months out now, and as of this am I’m at 169, down from 228 on surgery day. For reference I’m 5’8”. I’m pretty pleased with the progress though like everyone else I wish it was coming off as fast now as it did in the beginning ? I’ll hit a stall for a week, drop 3-4 lbs, then up/down a few ounces for a few days, then drop a little more weight. I can’t not weigh myself every day because not doing so, not being really really diligent about managing my weight, is what got me into such a bad spot in the first place. I just know that stalls happen and it’s not the end of the world to go up a few ounces for no damn good reason, and it doesn’t mess with my head too much.

i still have a TON of constriction though ? I regurgitate after almost every meal even if it’s just a few bites of food or if I eat pretty slowly. I don’t know if this is normal at this stage but I will bring it up at my next appointment.

6-ish month update

VSG on 5/18/2020

6' 2.5" 48yr male

HW 382, SW 309, CW 224 (158lbs down, 73 pre-op, 85 post-op)

So I have reached my 2nd goal weight (225) at just over 6 months. At my 6 mo follow up, the doctor said I could lose until I hit 215, but no more. Met with my NUT and she has me at 1200 cals right now, but wants me to work towards 1800-2000 over the next 3 months. That seems like a lot, but with a BMR of ~1900 cals/day, it makes sense.

Transitioning out of weight loss mode will be a trip. Have started weight training a few weeks ago to rebuild some muscle. Until now, my only exercise was walking and light resistance bands.

Curious how the rest of you who had surgery in May are doing.

Edited December 6, 20205 yr by bhrobins