Lissa

Welcome to the loser's bench!! Glad to hear that it went well and you've started your journey!!!

I do the 30 minute rule on both sides of a meal as well. And it's been tough, but worth it. A few nights ago, I took a drink within 5 minutes or so of finishing my meal and I vomitted. That's the first time for me, and I plan to make it the last time as well.

Yay!! You're doing really well!! I still think you've got a great smile and you're looking younger and younger!!

I know someone who has lost over 250 and is still losing.

I doubt many people will actually say anything negative to you at PF. Especially if you go in and do your own thing. I lived in an apartment complex with some pretty buff people when I first started using the treadmill. The only time anyone said anything to me is one night when I went in to do my treadmill time and the guy told me my treadmill wasn't working. No negativity. Basically, put on your workout clothes, hit the gym, use your iPod or mp3 player, and do your thing. Most people won't say anything, and probably won't even look at you. Most of them are more worried about themselves than what you are doing. You will get such fast results between the sleeve and the exercise that most of the gym rats will be asking you for advice before long anyway! Good luck!! This is one where Nike is right: Just Do It! Waiting until you've lost all your weight before going to the gym is like waiting until you get your degree before going to class. Use the tools.

LilMissDiva posted a boot camp in Post Op Questions that you might want to try. It involves going back to basics in order to jump start weight loss again. Of course, you need to determine if you are really in a stall, or if you are losing inches instead of pounds right now. Every time I "stall", I start looking for the NSV's. I dropped 10 pounds almost overnight about 10 days ago, and haven't lost an ounce since. However, I've dropped another pants size and I'm seeing the results in my waist and hips. I've upped my workouts a bit, added more Water and am staying strict on eating my Protein. However, I don't really consider this a stall because I'm visibly losing inches. If you haven't measured yet, this would be a good time to do so. Then you have something to compare it to if/when you "stall" again. Good luck with your journey!

I agree with the others. It does sound like you have a food allergy. My son had allergy induced asthma as a child. We finally did a pretty strict elimination diet to figure out what he was allergic to rather than put a 2 year old through the trauma of the scratch testing on his back. As we added foods back into his diet, we found out he was allergic to several common food dyes. I was amazed at all the foods that contained those dyes! Certain brands of green Beans had food dyes in them! The post-op liquid diet is definitely a clean you out one, between all of the Water and Clear liquids. Pookey is right that you should introduce foods very slowly. Maybe it's something simple, like breads and Pasta, which shouldn't be too hard to avoid. I'm glad that you are having such a high energy level and such positive results already! That's the best possible outcome, IMO! Good luck!!

AllForMy4, The feelings you're having right now are entirely normal. I think everyone hits that wall and has to figure out how to climb over it. As for hubby, I'm sure he's not sabotaging you deliberately. He probably thinks he's being nice and bringing you all your favorites because you'll "never" be able to have them again. What he doesn't realize is that you will be able to have them, it will just be in smaller amounts. He may not have even thought it out that far, but just be acting on instinct... you know, the old "protect your mate" thing. Good luck!! If you're really worried, call your surgeon, but it should be okay.

CC, I love that combination. Some unlucky judge is gonna be eating a salad made with that stuff, right after s/he gags on pudding made of the same thing. They will, however, cut the guy who used it all in an omelette.

MissTxDiva, I have no advice on what not to say! I told my psych that I have tons of addicted family members (food, drugs, alcohol), that I knew I had a food addiction, what my behaviors were, and what I had done to overcome them. After she told me that I am guaranteed to become an alcoholic post surgery, she still gave me approval! LOL I think they're trying to weed out people who would do something stupid like eat a whole pizza the day after surgery. I think 99.9% of us are smarter than that! Good luck!!

Lisa, Congrats on the half way point!! I like your sleeve's name, too!

I have 25 and 21 year old sons. IMO, they are just treading Water on careers, marriage and families, but I'm doing a lot of tongue-biting right now. I just pushed the 21 year old out of the nest HARD when I bought my new house. I left him in the apartment we had been living in and told him it was sink or swim time. Mommy is out of the business of supporting him now. I've spent years telling my youngest to "Get a job", to "Get an education", etc. He's done none of that. So, I'm hoping that he'll step up and at least support himself now. If not, I'm going to have to clamp my mouth shut and let him sink. Sometimes, that's what we have to do. Back off our kids enough to let them see the situation clearly for themselves. Besides, it's amazing how much smarter I have become since my oldest turned 25. Apparently, in his eyes, I finally got my brain back. I lost it somewhere around the time he turned 15.

I watched cooking shows for the 8 days that I was off work, non-stop. I was fascinated by them for some strange reason. I still like Chopped and things like that, but I'm not watching Paula Deen (too much butter) or Giada (irritates the crap out of me now).

I KWYM. I was thrilled when I finally could wear a pair of jeans again, rather than ship's sails passing for pants! Now, I've dropped 3 sizes in them in less than 2 months. I give up on buying new jeans and will just stick to "work pants" until I get closer to goal.

Congrats!! Welcome to the loser's bench!!

Paola, All I can imagine is that he wants to "encourage" you to stay strong and stick to the path you are now walking. Some people don't know how to express their feelings well, even though they mean well. BTW, Do you work for a car loan company?

Yay!! LOVE those NSVs!!!

CT, I'm glad you're working on it. She definitely sounds like a great gal!!

That's a question for your PCP, for sure. Do you already have blood clot issues? I did have a DVT before surgery. I took a 3,000 mile trip where I drove in October and my pulmonologist required that I get out of the car and walk every hour on the hour. I didn't have to do lots, just walk around my car at least once every time I stopped. I tried to make sure I walked some distance every time, but I absolutely made sure I walked every single hour, even if it meant that I had to pull over to the side of the highway. I do this at home now, too. If I'm on the computer, I get up and walk around every half hour or so, and I make sure I have ample time to stop and walk if I'm doing a lot of driving on work days. Since my job requires me to sit a lot, I try to fidget as well. I flex my legs up and down, make sure I bend and twist a lot and, in general, keep myself moving so the blood keeps circulating. You "should" be okay as long as you can get up and walk some on the plane every hour, but your PCP or surgeon can give you a more definitive answer.

Well, again, I'm sorry for the loss of your mother in law. I'm glad you aren't wearing those huge shirts around on a daily basis!

I take Biotin daily, make sure I get my protein and I'm losing some at 4.5 months post-op. I was super proactive, though and already bought a wig that looks like my natural hair cut/color (maybe I should say normal instead of natural since I've been coloring my hair for years). I found a wig place that was going out of business before Christmas and splurged.

I agree with Lady Mac! You look great and need to get rid of those shirts! Let them go free into the wild so someone else can enjoy them. YOU need some smaller clothes! BTW, is "Paula" one of the ladies in the video? I'm sorry for your loss!

My understanding of why so much Protein is that we are using the protein both to heal our bodies and to help keep our bodies from going after our muscles (instead of fat stores) while we are losing weight. There are several charts that list good protein sources, including cheese, broth, meat, Beans, some veggies (greens and spinach especially). That might help give you some variety rather than trying to get down a Protein shake every day. I think most of them are nasty, although Premier makes one that has 30 grams of protein in 11 ounces of shake that is doable. Are you allowed coffee at all? I drink decaf coffee nearly every day and I'm not having problems with constipation. Regular coffee had the same effect on me before surgery. Good luck with your journey!!

I personally will either reheat food in the microwave or I'll take a tiny bit of meat and eat that portion, leaving the rest in the pan. If I'm still hungry, I can have more that's still hot.

I am mostly avoiding bread, potatos, Pasta and rice, although I'm not fanatical about it. My doc's diet plan says that toasted bread is allowed in the mushy stage. They don't recommend regular bread at all. I have had some bread, maybe 4 pieces since being sleeved 4 months ago. I did Atkins in 2010 (and before that) and lost 50 pounds. Because of the time spent on Atkins, I don't really crave carby foods. My experience with Atkins also convinced me that I stay full longer on Proteins rather than a combo of Protein and carbs. Bread, rice and pasta also fill up my sleeve too quickly, IMO, so I prefer to eat protein-rich foods and veggies instead. YMMV. Good luck!!