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10.5 months post and 73 lbs down!
Hi Everyone,
For those I was talking with and who were following me at the beginning of my journey, I'm so sorry for the lack of updates. In short, I'm doing well. I didn't have any complications with the surgery, and once I got back into my routine, the weight really started falling off. At first, I was able to maintain an excercise routine, but as I've been busy with work and hunting for a new job, it's kinda fell by the wayside. As for my weight, it has slowed down to a snail crawl since January, so once I was about 7 months out. I think I've only lost 10 lbs since January. My doctor says I should've lost more by now, and I agree. Its definitely my fault as I have not been able to kick the sugar habit or maintain a strict enough diet and excercise plan. I do notice that when I up my protein, I tend to lose more that week. I'm now trying to get back on track with my food and working out, so figured updating here would be a good start.
Overall, I'm really happy with where I am. On the day of surgery, I weighed in at a miserable 258 lbs! Now I'm down to 185 lbs :). I feel good and healthy and it's amazing to go shopping and not worry about clothes fitting...cuz now, they always do! What's even crazier is that in H&M I've had to buy a size medium in tops!!!! (What?!)
As for my diet, I try to eat healthy and usually have a smoothie or an egg for breakfast. I always pack my lunch and usually make my dinner too, which is some meat and veggies, or a sandwich or yogurt. The reason I haven't lost as much as I should is the sugar I still put in my coffee, and the too frequent chocolate treats. :(
As for my body, I actually think I looked better a few years back at a slightly higher weight. That coulda been because I was younger, or because I had lost the weight through rigorous exercise and diet, so my body was more toned. For sure, my big booty has gotten a bit small, so I know I need to hit the gym and tone it up!!!
As for my skin, my doctor was absolutely amazing and you can't even see my scars on my stomach...actually, I've started rocking high wasted jeans with midriffs with relative confidence :) My skin definitely isn't as firm though. I would like to lose another 20 lbs, getting me down to 165 (93 lbs lower than surgery) and I'm a bit scared of what my skin will look like. I know I will need some reconstructive surgery after I get to goal. Namely for my breasts, arms, thighs and possibly my tummy depending on how it looks. I know it's not something I should focus on now as I still have a ways to go...but it does worry me a bit.
Overall, this has definitely been one of the best decisions I've ever made, and although I'm far from perfect or over my "food issues", life is a hellava lot better post sleeve!
For those I was talking with and who were following me at the beginning of my journey, I'm so sorry for the lack of updates. In short, I'm doing well. I didn't have any complications with the surgery, and once I got back into my routine, the weight really started falling off. At first, I was able to maintain an excercise routine, but as I've been busy with work and hunting for a new job, it's kinda fell by the wayside. As for my weight, it has slowed down to a snail crawl since January, so once I was about 7 months out. I think I've only lost 10 lbs since January. My doctor says I should've lost more by now, and I agree. Its definitely my fault as I have not been able to kick the sugar habit or maintain a strict enough diet and excercise plan. I do notice that when I up my protein, I tend to lose more that week. I'm now trying to get back on track with my food and working out, so figured updating here would be a good start.
Overall, I'm really happy with where I am. On the day of surgery, I weighed in at a miserable 258 lbs! Now I'm down to 185 lbs :). I feel good and healthy and it's amazing to go shopping and not worry about clothes fitting...cuz now, they always do! What's even crazier is that in H&M I've had to buy a size medium in tops!!!! (What?!)
As for my diet, I try to eat healthy and usually have a smoothie or an egg for breakfast. I always pack my lunch and usually make my dinner too, which is some meat and veggies, or a sandwich or yogurt. The reason I haven't lost as much as I should is the sugar I still put in my coffee, and the too frequent chocolate treats. :(
As for my body, I actually think I looked better a few years back at a slightly higher weight. That coulda been because I was younger, or because I had lost the weight through rigorous exercise and diet, so my body was more toned. For sure, my big booty has gotten a bit small, so I know I need to hit the gym and tone it up!!!
As for my skin, my doctor was absolutely amazing and you can't even see my scars on my stomach...actually, I've started rocking high wasted jeans with midriffs with relative confidence :) My skin definitely isn't as firm though. I would like to lose another 20 lbs, getting me down to 165 (93 lbs lower than surgery) and I'm a bit scared of what my skin will look like. I know I will need some reconstructive surgery after I get to goal. Namely for my breasts, arms, thighs and possibly my tummy depending on how it looks. I know it's not something I should focus on now as I still have a ways to go...but it does worry me a bit.
Overall, this has definitely been one of the best decisions I've ever made, and although I'm far from perfect or over my "food issues", life is a hellava lot better post sleeve!
17 days post op...Woosh!
Hey All,
So after my last post where I was frustrated with my stall so early out, I did some research. There's something called a "woosh effect" (this is a scientific term). They did studies on men who were on a low calorie/starvation diet and noticed they started dropping weight slower and slower. Then when they reached a goal they celebrated with a high calorie meal. The next day the men all lost a considerable amount of weight. (The fat was like..."Whoosh, I'm outta here!") So after checking in with some people here, talking with my Dr. and doing some research, I realized that I was not getting nearly enough protein or calories. The next day I switched to having 2 protein shakes as opposed to 1 and added a poached egg. And WOOSH! After 3 days I'm down to 110kg/242! So that's a loss of 3 kg or 6.6 lbs in 3 days. Crazy!
As for exercise, I'm still walking 25-40 min day. I had added some low impact aerobic and toning videos, but then after one I noticed my stomach was really sore where the doctor sewed my muscle...it almost felt like I tore it a bit. So now, I'm taking it easy as I don't want to mess anything up! I'm getting a bit restless and bored though because I really want to be out and about hiking and kayaking etc, and instead I'm just kinda lying around. Hoping my tummy soreness will be gone next week and I can start doing a bit more.
Hope all my fellow sleeves are doing well. Will post again at 3 weeks out. Much love!
So after my last post where I was frustrated with my stall so early out, I did some research. There's something called a "woosh effect" (this is a scientific term). They did studies on men who were on a low calorie/starvation diet and noticed they started dropping weight slower and slower. Then when they reached a goal they celebrated with a high calorie meal. The next day the men all lost a considerable amount of weight. (The fat was like..."Whoosh, I'm outta here!") So after checking in with some people here, talking with my Dr. and doing some research, I realized that I was not getting nearly enough protein or calories. The next day I switched to having 2 protein shakes as opposed to 1 and added a poached egg. And WOOSH! After 3 days I'm down to 110kg/242! So that's a loss of 3 kg or 6.6 lbs in 3 days. Crazy!
As for exercise, I'm still walking 25-40 min day. I had added some low impact aerobic and toning videos, but then after one I noticed my stomach was really sore where the doctor sewed my muscle...it almost felt like I tore it a bit. So now, I'm taking it easy as I don't want to mess anything up! I'm getting a bit restless and bored though because I really want to be out and about hiking and kayaking etc, and instead I'm just kinda lying around. Hoping my tummy soreness will be gone next week and I can start doing a bit more.
Hope all my fellow sleeves are doing well. Will post again at 3 weeks out. Much love!
2 Weeks Post-Op: Not happy :(
Hi Realselfers,
Today marks my 2 week post op surgervirsary...and I am not happy. I have been having 1 to 2 protein shakes a day and eating a little bit of soup, purred veg, and/or lentils in between. I've even been walking daily and doing a light exercise video and yet....I haven't lost an ounce :( In fact, the other day I was back up to 115 Kg! I read that your body can go into starvation mode and not want to drop any weight, so the next 2 days I tried to eat more...yesterday I ate the most, having 1 protein shake and 3 small meals, and this morning it did go back down to 113 kg. But ugh! Doc said I should lose 10% of my body weight in the first month (26lbs) with 5% the first week (13 lbs) and the other 5 over the next 3 weeks. I've only lost 9 lbs total and that was in the first 5 days...then nothing after.
On another note...I think I dumped the other day. I was watching a video by a US doctor who was talking about the food stages and he said adding fruit to a protein shake was ok. So...I added a small banana (you know the little ones?) to my shake in the morning. Well, I felt sick for the next few hours, frequently running to the bathroom and just feeling bad all together. That day I only had 2 protein shakes total. So I'm guessing that the banana had too much sugar and my body can't handle that right now.
Today I moved on to poached eggs and yesterday I had a soup with soft veggies and tofu that I didn't puree...so food-wise, I think I'm moving forward. It's crazy how little I can get down, and honestly, I think I push it at every meal cuz I'm always a bit uncomfortable after eating. As for water...I'm struggling. Its very difficult for me to get it all in, especially since we're not supposed to drink anything for 30 min before or after eating. Back home I loved water with lemon, but here they don't have lemons (crazy, right?) just limes, so I'm making do. I really wish I could find something like crystal light over here, but so far the only diet beverages I found are sodas. I typically don't drink that stuff cuz its full of chemicals, but at this point, I don't care. I just want something refreshing!
So my plan this week is to continue walking, try to eat a bit more or get at least 2 shakes in, and get more water. Hopefully, next week I'll have some better numbers to report.
Today marks my 2 week post op surgervirsary...and I am not happy. I have been having 1 to 2 protein shakes a day and eating a little bit of soup, purred veg, and/or lentils in between. I've even been walking daily and doing a light exercise video and yet....I haven't lost an ounce :( In fact, the other day I was back up to 115 Kg! I read that your body can go into starvation mode and not want to drop any weight, so the next 2 days I tried to eat more...yesterday I ate the most, having 1 protein shake and 3 small meals, and this morning it did go back down to 113 kg. But ugh! Doc said I should lose 10% of my body weight in the first month (26lbs) with 5% the first week (13 lbs) and the other 5 over the next 3 weeks. I've only lost 9 lbs total and that was in the first 5 days...then nothing after.
On another note...I think I dumped the other day. I was watching a video by a US doctor who was talking about the food stages and he said adding fruit to a protein shake was ok. So...I added a small banana (you know the little ones?) to my shake in the morning. Well, I felt sick for the next few hours, frequently running to the bathroom and just feeling bad all together. That day I only had 2 protein shakes total. So I'm guessing that the banana had too much sugar and my body can't handle that right now.
Today I moved on to poached eggs and yesterday I had a soup with soft veggies and tofu that I didn't puree...so food-wise, I think I'm moving forward. It's crazy how little I can get down, and honestly, I think I push it at every meal cuz I'm always a bit uncomfortable after eating. As for water...I'm struggling. Its very difficult for me to get it all in, especially since we're not supposed to drink anything for 30 min before or after eating. Back home I loved water with lemon, but here they don't have lemons (crazy, right?) just limes, so I'm making do. I really wish I could find something like crystal light over here, but so far the only diet beverages I found are sodas. I typically don't drink that stuff cuz its full of chemicals, but at this point, I don't care. I just want something refreshing!
So my plan this week is to continue walking, try to eat a bit more or get at least 2 shakes in, and get more water. Hopefully, next week I'll have some better numbers to report.
Provider Review
Dr. Ramen Goel
Absolutely loved my Dr. He has a lot of experience in bariatric surgery and people travel from all over the world to have him work on them. He was kind and professional, spent as much time talking with me as he could, and has a great staff to support you both before and after the procedure. I'm also really impressed with how little my incisions are as I thought they would be larger. I definitely recommend him for VSG if you're willing to travel to India!