feedyoureye

B-cottage cheese, pineapple, coffee/milk S- Protein drink and soy nut trail mix L- lentil Soup S- Saitan jerky D-? maybe veggies and veggie meat of some kind exercise- bellydance class Water... working on it... vits- yes

Killing me!!

Thanks Irene! its all heading in the right direction!

Thank you Coop! I am one of those folks that carry weight on every square inch of my body, when the cloths come off, its pretty evident. Nothing like black to hide behind! Im still about 10 pounds to an "overweight" BMI. Can't wait! My Dr. asked me if I would be happy losing 50 lbs, and I said yes of course, but if I can get to a normal BMI that would be better!

So happy the body has finally given away one! Perhaps spring will be kinder than winter my dear. Keep up the good work!

Oh, I like that term/concept... goal sleever.... I don't want to be a goal sleever ether...

I did a little research yesterday and found a 36 bougie make a little smaller stomach than 1/2 inch! That is TINY. And then add that it is swollen on top of that... no wonder the liquids go down slow, never mind the solids! When I first got home from the hospital, my chest sounded like a sucking drain in the sink as the dish water emptied out! It still gurgles some, but much better now.

I am a lacto ovo vegetarian, and I would have to say it would be very difficult to go 100% raw or vegan... you would have to rely on nuts ..... thats about it! You need lots of protein... and high quality protein with correct aminos.... I am working in more raw... but not that much so far... Your stomach just cant take it for quite some time.... I find vegetarian is not that hard (except eating out) you can eat beans, soy, gluten... with dairy and eggs even easier... but go raw, and I think you might run into some problems.

Im only half way to goal, but thought I would post some images... first is when I went to the seminar and was starting my own weight loss plan, second is the day I went in for surgery (looking like death warmed over... must have been 4:30 in the morning), and the third is today, just after 12 weeks and half way to goal.

I went out for mexican today at my regular place. I ate 4 chips, 1/3 cup beans and cheese, some wonderful salsa and a heaping tablespoon of Guacamole. I brought some containers to put the leftovers in... dinner for two more days! I'm such a cheap date.

I'm right there with you, I have 11 lbs to lose to be under 200 also. It has been a loooong time since I was there! (lets see....20 years?) I'm hoping to get there in the next month....

The gas pains that many complain about... are not from gas in the intestines, but from the gas that is used to inflate the abdomen during lap surgery so the docs can see what they are doing. When they finish up with surgery, the internal gas is released through the incisions, but a little may get left behind, and that can raise up in the abdominal cavity and cause some pain... often in the left shoulder. Walking is what is good to get this absorbed into the body. Some swear by a hot water bottle or heating pad for this too. The abdominal gas pains may last for a few weeks before going away. The other more common "gas" may be a problem too, this is what gas-x works well for....

As a reference, my bougie was a 36, or 12 mm... and 1/2 Inch = 12.70 mm, so my stomach was made to around 1/2". I know that my surgeon cuts the pylorus end bigger, and cut the whole thing a little bigger before stitching it up, so I don't know the exact size, but its pretty small!

My Doc said the day after surgery is day one.

Allo I know is I put in as much effort as I could, and in the end it wasn't enough. Thats where my sense of failure came from... I might lose some, and maintain for a while, but I could not sustain the effort long term.

Do you log everything you eat in Facebook or something like that? That keeps me on top of my Protein and calories and carbs pretty well.

Between 28-60. The most common sizes used are between 32 and 40.

I never barfed, but I did feel like burping these tiny little burps... I found tapping lightly on my chest helped bring them up and make room for the drink to go down.

welcome! Post! Ask! everyone here likes a good story.

and a close up of after surgery with stalls...

my weight loss/gain chart...I do everything right and exercise 4-5 times a week. Stalls are normal for many people and we lose weight anyway.

The big one? Confidence! I read it here over and over, and I agree. I have been taking up new activities I was afraid to do. Tango lessons are the newest one... and I have been a little phone phobic for years... I am starting to pick up the phone more... My own resistance is futile! The new me just won't take NO for an answer any more. Men are actually coming up to me and telling me I am beautiful. I am almost 58 years old! These are younger men! I would have never thought this might happen... and I think it is the confidence more than anything that is attractive. My relationship with my husband is changing a little... I think for the better. I used often just take the shit when it was dished out, now I don't so much, and it is making for a healthier relationship. If he wants the best of the "new me" he is going to have to step up. So far he seems into it, and is doing things he has always wanted to do more too. I love to see that quality in him. I want him to be happy too and dishing out shit is NOT a very good way of getting or showing happiness. I have worked for years on being happy with whatever size or age I am... I see that it is paying off now... I feel far healthier than I ever did when I was thinner and younger before...

Thats awesome! I am half way to goal in 12 weeks...Time is flying and the weight is melting off bit by bit. Good for you!

I found this site with compression garments for a pretty low price.... http://www.rushindustries.com/tocobosh.html?aff=shareasale&aff=shareasale

I wasn't even allowed eggs for 5 weeks.... take care, the time will fly by and you will be able to eat almost anything. Just hang in there.