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I’m down 75#. Biggest NSV is that packing for a trip is so much easier. My jeans take up a fraction of the space! For someone who packs carry-on only, this is a HUGE (or maybe small) deal. :). I was even able to pack tennis shoes to work out - I’d never have had room for that before!! Now I just have to resist the urge to fill my bag.

We all failed losing weight with the traditional methods or we wouldn't have 80% of our stomachs removed. After failing enough times to consider this surgery, we all have that little voice in the back of our heads wondering if we are going to fail again---and if we do, what does that say about us??? While we all have that voice to one degree or another, it really isn't a rational fear. The surgery works--not by itself though. You will have to diet and exercise after the surgery per your surgeon's instructions. If you commit to following those instructions to the letter, you will succeed and lose that excess weight. It's not a question of if, only a question of when. Some people may be slow losers, but they are still LOSERS (in the best sense of that word!). I am now 7 weeks out from surgery and I have already lost 66% of my excess body weight (some of that was from the pre-surgery and pre-op diet, but I lost it all because of the program I am on). I have lost 34 pounds since surgery (54 pounds overall). I have another 30 pounds to go to get to my goal, but I am already a success in my view. I am finally off all of my T2DM medications and I feel great!!! I had a 48.5" inch natural waist to 40" natural waist ( the equates to going from pants that were a size 44 pants to a loose 36" (not quite ready for 34" pants, but I can actually put them on and get them buttoned!!!). I haven't been this thin in over 15 years and I am easily 17 pounds lower than my lowest weight on my strictest pre-WLS diet. I attribute half of this loss to the surgery and the other half to my diet and exercise. I am 100% committed to making this work for the long term and you have to believe you will feel this way too. Losing weight is never easy, nor is having this surgery. However, the challenges of surgery and weight loss are nothing compared to the challenges of being obese and, in my case, suffering from virtually of the co-morbidities that came with it. This is the first time in my life I am actually looking forward to seeing my cardiologist in March and not having him discuss my need to lose weight (at least not in that "oh, not that again!" sort of way. In short, you're going to be just fine!!!

@Clementine Sky hey bud - nice to see you , sorry about circumstances. since the implants are so expensive, do you have to delay getting things "fixed"" both sides, prob!! That's terrible - are you in pain, or "inconvenience? which is still terrible. must be a funny/awful feeling. soup, cauliflower are great suggestions. "maybe" chili, cottage cheese, yogurt i agree as always, track your food in MFP but...in my opinion, since your teeth/mouth are uncomfortable - i wouldn't worry too much about calories etc (don't go crazy of course!) you have a different/sad predicament - hopefully you'll be able to fix teeth, sooner than later. keep smiling😁 hugggggs kathy

Lots of people complain that they have a 3 week stall and lots of people seem to feel depressed and regret having had surgery. I think this is a great explanation as to why. One of the challenges some patients face after weight loss surgery is a condition described as the hibernation syndrome. This is a group of symptoms that include feeling fatigued, depressed and lack of motivation to do any physical activity. Patients often feel upset and become plagued by thoughts that the surgery was as mistake.. This can be quite alarming to patients recovering from the surgery and recognizing the signs assist in getting over this stage in recovery. Hibernation syndrome is common in the first few weeks after the surgery. It is caused by the low number of calories being consumed and the reduced activity associated with this time of healing. The body perceives that it is starving and triggers an evolutionary response that has helped humans survive famines. The main aim of the response is to slow us down to conserve energy and thus resulting in; tiredness, need for sleep, lack of motivation and depression. It is important to understand that these symptoms are normal and will pass with time. Most patients notice improvement in their symptoms around 4-6 weeks after the operation and the improvement is brought by increasing protein in the diet, taking the multivitamin tablets, increasing the metabolic rate with exercise and return to work and the encouragement patients get as they shed the extra weight. A supportive family member or friend is a great help during this time.

I have to stay around 600 - 800 calories per day until my 6 month check up. It's not much of a challenge because I'm never hungry. I think the first 6 months is when your best weight loss takes place. You have awhile before you have to really start looking at calories. At least that's what I was told.

I am so HAPPY TODAY.... I am just 4 pounds away from my all time GOAL. I reached my goal within 8 MONTHS!!!!! GOING FROM 245 TO 135... YES!!!!!