DebiC

This is so cool that so many of you have responded here. Denise-170 in 10 months! what a success story. My current goal is 100 by 5 months. I hope I can do as well as you!! PEvette-Smart thinking. Medifast has come along ways since I did it 25 or so years ago. I saw they have pancakes, puddings, ice cream. Let me know how it works for you. June will be here before you know it. Tenshi-That's why I wanted to see this forum take off. I think we 200+ er's have a lot to offer one another. We will all take longer to get to goal-and while we are at different stages and have different journeys, I think we have a lot in common too and can help motivate and encourage each other. Tif-We'll keep you around. a size 8!! I don't think I've been a size 8 since elementary school! I'd be happy to even see a double digit size such as XL (I'm considering 6XL as triple digit). I'm 6' tall and if I wore a size 8 I'd look anorexic. Right now I just want to be able to go into a regular store and buy something-anything. So even a 3XL or a 28 looks really good to me! Rahnava-Welcome. The first month is the hardest. I CRAVED a hamburger (although I think I can hear those baby backs calling my name along with yours.) So at my first chance I went to In-n-Out and ordered a burger "Protein style" (no bun-they use lettuce for a bun) I ate most of it and it just wasn't that appealing. My tastes have totally changed. I can't even imagine a fast food burger anymore. You'll be able to have those ribs again soon and will find that 1 will take care of it. When I dish up my food and look at it-I think this tiny amount will never fill me up. I'll need at least twice this much. And then I can't even finish the first batch. Hang in there. Once you are out of the mushy's and into the real food-this will all become a distant memory. My surgeon has us meet with a personal trainer-so I just did that this week. She started me on a walking program. She tried to get me to start off at 30 minutes! I told here that until a month ago I could barely walk to my car! So we are at 10 minutes. I can't wait to lose enough where I can start doing some "fun" exercises.

Thanks! I've been called a lot of things in my life-but never a "lumbering giant". I'm 6' tall and the only time I've regretted it was when I shop for pants. I have 1 son who's 6'6"-Brother who is 6'5"-SIL who is 6'8". so around here I'm the shrimp!!

I certainly hope not! I'm 6' tall already-and have trouble finding clothes long enough!!

I have to go with the advice that you need to contact your surgeon ASAP. While this is not an issue for me, we discussed in our class how it was inadvisable to get pregnant for the first year. But since it's too late for that-accident or otherwise (and I am genuinely excited for you!!-were it not for my weight I might not have had the fertility problems I suffered with for 35 years)-At least find out what you can do to keep both you and your baby well nourished and healthy throughout the pregnancy. And I would surely not worry about trying to lose weight during this time. Just focus on keeping you both healthy. Keep us informed. You must be so excited!!

I'm much older than you (56) and have been obese for about 30 years. I too managed to get by with no health problems (One doctor said "obesity in itself is not a health problem). Then in 1 year I developed SEVERE sleep apnea, pre-diabetic neurophy (I lost feeling in my feet and hands) which is irreversible. And then I had some chest pains and they told me that I was too big to even do the necessary tests. I was shocked I was to go from just being overweight to being "deadly" overweight. I had no idea the different problems I was starting to encounter. I too had lost 100lbs at different times, only to gain it back, plus more. So before I agreed to do the sleeve, I gave WW one more shot. I did OK for a couple of months and then began losing motivation. So I realized I would never do this on my own. For me it was a last resort. Now that I have had my surgery (3 months ago) I wish I had done it years ago!! Many people say it's a cop-out or you are taking the easy way out. For me this has been both the easiest and the hardest program I have ever done. I want to make sure that I balance my nutrition the best I can with the minimal calories that I can comfortably eat. While there may not be the research that has been done on the bypass yet, I think the advantages of the sleeve over the bypass or the band make it worth it in the long run.

I feel like you do about it. My doctor "allows" only three meals a day-No Snacks. He says "Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full, Protein first, then if you have room veggies or fruits" That's not really much to go by. I find that 3-4oz of lean protein and 1/2 cup of veggies or 1 cup of salad seems to fill me up. I don't do Protein shakes or bars and since I don't get snacks I do 3 meals. I aim for about 1000 calories. I drink 2 (8oz) cups of milk a day, 1 (8oz) glass of juice and have a 100 calorie dessert. So that leaves me about 650 calories for 3 meals. I try and make each meal about 200 calories. I find that this does fill me up. I might have 2 egg whites and a slice of bacon for Breakfast. Or 1 cup of high protein/high Fiber Cereal with fruit. I don't know how this compares to others-but since it is so hard to get adequate nutrition on less than 1000 calories I am trying to do the best I can nutrition wise.

I have been on 2 antidepressants for years-one a capsule (Effexor) and one a tablet (Wellbutrin). My surgeon said to open the capsule and mix it with applesauce at the beginning (this pill is huge!) he said to cut the tablet in half with a pill cutter (I actually cut them into 4ths just to be safe). My Wellbutrin is large so it must be a different strength than yours. I only needed to do this for a few days then I was able to take them whole. I haven't had any problems with them since. In fact pills make up most of my morning meal! Not counting my Vitamins and Calcium I take 7 pills in the morning. By the time I take a drink of Water with each pill I'm stuffed! I have not suffered the emotional rollarcoaster so many talk about. It may have a lot to do with the antidepressants. Whatever you do, don't just stop taking them-the effects of sudden stopping or even missing more than one pill are not pleasant.

Great link Josh-Soon as I lose some more weight this looks like it will be a good option.

Inspirational. Motivational-But not funny

They are probably out buying Valentines gifts!

LINDAS-I retract my statement, I actually think totally bald guys are uber sexy. What I should have said is "Guys with combovers" And in reality if the guy treated me decent, I wouldn't care how much hair he had!! Too bad we don't all live close-We could go out to dinner together for Valentines and share 1 meal!!!!

Thanks-I have heard that being overweight keeps the wrinkles from showing-at least on your face. I'll probably look like I'm 100 when my face gets sagging. Saving up for a face lift first thing!!

when I had my VSG surgery my surgeon discovered that I needed to have my gall bladder out. He said that he would do it after I lost 150# and that he would also "tighten up" my sleeve at the same time. During our initial consulation, when he wanted me to do a bypass, but I was vehemently opposed to it, my surgeon said it was always an option if I didn't lose what I wanted. I read somewhere that initially the sleeve was done as a precursor to bypass for those patients who were too heavy to initially undergo bypass surgery. Because the sleeve can be done easier on super obese patients than the bypass. I'm hoping that I will be successful with the sleeve, as I certainly don't want to have to undergo one of the other WLS's with all their complications.

This is my 9th Valentines alone (not that the ones before that were anything to brag about) and while I would rather be alone than with him-It does suck! I am the designated babysitter so my kids can go out with their spouses. I'm glad that Ms Steel has found someone. She's so cute. But at my age the single guys are all either bald or want me to support them!! Really tho-and kind of Off Topic. I worry about meeting someone (after I lose weight of course) and having all that loose skin (under my shapewear) I have seen after pictures from some of the surgerys and they almost look worse than the before! Or having all those scars from the WLS and/or the Cosmetic sugery. Plus that fact I have barely talked to another man, outside of business, in almost 40 years! Oh the dilemma's I'll have to face when I look fantastic! :embaressed_smile:

Great idea-Love your list. Don't have an inspirational one-but I will include this one PERKS OF BEING OVER 50 1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you. 2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first. 3. No one expects you to run--anywhere. 4. People call at 9 PM and ask, " Did I wake you?" 5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac. 6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way. 7. Things you buy now won't wear out. 8. You can eat dinner at 4 PM. 9. You can live without sex but not your glasses. 10. You enjoy hearing about other people's operations. 11. You get into heated arguments about pension plans. 12. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge. 13. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room. 14. You sing along with elevator music. 15. Your eyes won't get much worse. 16. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off. 17. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service. 18. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either. 19. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size. 20. You can't remember who sent you this list.

You're only a week out so everything you are experiencing sounds normal. Each day will be a little better. There are a few other vegetarians around the boards. I will not ever claim to be a total vegetarian, but do have meatless meals several times a week. Way more often now that I have been sleeved and am working hard to eat healthier in general. Putting so little food into this huge body make me want to be sure that whatever I put in is of the best nutrition possible. I have been looking more and more into "clean" eating. But as long as I am still trying to lose there are a few "diet" foods that I refuse to give up. Hang in there. It WILL get better. For now the most important thing is to get in enough liquids to keep you from getting dehydrated. Worry about the Protein and stuff later.

I'm so glad that so many have responded to this thread! Dooter-It's getting close!! Are you so excited?? I'm sure you know from reading that these next few weeks will be especially hard and you will probably wonder if you did the right thing. But come back here and read about the progress your friends here have made-and you'll realize that you did do the right thing. Make sure you write us and let us know how things are going. Good Luck. Tif-Glad to hear everything is going so well-relatively speaking of course. When does your surgeon allow you to start eating? At least soft foods or Mushies? That will help so much. And of course within a month or so it will all just be a distant memory. I could drink well at the beginning also-but have found if I take 3 normal size swallows in a row it makes me nauseaus. How weird is that. Circa-You're just starting out too-How's it going? You're so lucky to be satisified with liquids. Terry H-111 lbs is sure nothing to sneeze at! I never realized that this journey could be so hard and yet so easy at the same time. Have you met Paul? He list over 275lbs by his 1 year. That certainly gives me hope. I don't think most of our surgeons really think that we can do the 200+lbs without switiching to the Bypass. I hope I can prove my surgeon wrong. BrandyMarie-Look at you-starting off with Protein drinks before you even have to-You go girl! On another thread this girl has added an attachment with 90 or so different shake recipes-You should check it out. I personally will be happy if I never see another shake-although I just bought a case of Premier from costco. I'm going to attempt to make ice cream with it tomorrow! Paola-What do you do for exercise? I have my first appointment with a trainer (provided through my surgery center) tomorrow. I have been sooooooooo heavy for so long-my exercise was just getting out of my chair to go to the bathroom!! I have been able to go walking since losing, but can't envision what other types of exercises I can do at my weight. My daughters have started doing Jillian Michaels, but I will need to lose another 200+ before I would even consider joining them! Writergirl-Get a ticker going so we can see how you're progressing. I was scared to at the beginning. Afraid it would indicate my beginning weight! Now that I've lost some-it's not so bad. I actually weigh in tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to change mine! Massindex-All I can say is WOW. 200lbs in a year. That is so great. While I can't tell much difference after losing 60+ lbs I'm sure I'll be able to after losing 200. What kind of difference has that made in your life? You give us hope. I had originally set my goal to lose 200 in 2 years, but I'm hoping now that it will happen much sooner. Unfortunately I really need to lose over 300lbs, but even 200 would change my life so drastically, I could live with that. MzPecanBrown-I love that name! that is such the SouthernBelle name. Do you say Pea-Can or Pea-Con? I don't watch my protein, calories and stuff as much as I should. I just try and always eat protein first and then some veggies or fruit. I really should keep better track. I'll have to give that My Fitness Pal a look see Well, I hope everyone is doing better today than yesterday. I'm so excited to see so many people respond. If anybody wants please feel free to message me. I'd love to have a buddy or two to travel this journey with. Keep in touch!!

I started eating salads about 5 weeks out. I usually eat 1 every day. The only thing my doctor said was "No Iceberg". Too fibrous and NO Nutritional value. So I do mostly romaine, spinach, whatever else comes in those "specialty" bags of lettuce. I through in any veggies on hand (except celery) and use about a tablespoon of a low or non fat dressing. I can usually eat about 1 cup and have it with whatever Protein I'm having. I've made it into taco salad, greek salad, chef's salad.

I would like to visit Hawaii or a tropical Island. The reason I haven't is my weight. Duh! What fun is it to go to a beach when you can't sit in the sand or even fit in a beach chair? Not to mention the rude remarks when I walk around in a swim suit-and that's just from my (soon to be ex) husband!! I have gone on several cruises and never even got off the ship because I weighed to much to enjoy walking around the town or doing any of the "fun" things such as snorkeling or paragliding. Question: What is the most embarassing-non weight related-thing that has happened to you?

I feel very fortunate that my Doctor has not mentioned anything about goals. I mean how much control do we really have over this whole thing? I think most everyone is eating close to the minimum necessary to sustain life!! do they expect us to go down to 400 calories a day? Unless of course someone is eating nothing but candy and donuts. But I doubt that is the case.

Most likely it's just your body adjusting. Every few days I think the same thing. then I realize that it would be physically impossible NOT to be losing weight at this stage. You body requires about 10 calories per pound that you weigh just to maintain bodily functions. So as long as you are eating less than that consistently you have to lose weight. it could also be hormones. Your body has undergone some massive changes in the last 3-4 weeks (assuming you did a pre-op diet) and it needs to adjust. I think at some point or another we all think that we will be the ONE person that fails at the sleeve. And while they can't guarantee that you will lose weight-I haven't heard of anyone who didn't. Hang in there. think positive (I know it's hard) and just keep doing what you are supposed to. Good Luck.

You don't say how old you are, but there are many here who are in their 50's and 60's. There are some age related forums listed-you might check into those. I will be 57 next month, and thought I was too old. But after only losing 75lbs I feel like I'm 20 years younger!!

I'm glad you chimed in Countrysjr- I was feeling like a pig compared to some other posters. I was sleeved 11/14 Most days I eat Breakfast-2 egg whites and 1 slice bacon or 1 cup high fiber Cereal Lunch-3-4 oz Protein and 1 cup salad or 1/2 green vegetables Dinner-Same as lunch My doctor doesn't allow snacks-but if I do it's generally a piece of fruit plus I drink 8oz of milk and 8oz of fresh juice during the day in addition to my waters. He doesn't allow dessert either-but every night I have a 100 calorie dessert- Light ice cream, cookie/milk, 100 calories of chocolate.

I wish someone had told me everyones experience would be completely different. I had no pain, no gas, no tube down my throat. I did have a drain and staples that had to be removed, painlessly. I have never had the slimes, or hiccups when I am full. However if I take even one bite too many or too fast I gag like I'm going to vomit. Not a pretty sight. I did not become lactose intolerant, I need all my drinks ice cold and hate any warm or Hot Drinks. I never had to have another Protein shake after my surgery, I'm not cold all the time, I didn't have a 3-week stall. I thought I would miss bread more than I do. Same for burgers. I miss Pepsi more than I thought I would. I never knew that plain Water could taste so different. Brands I loved before I can't even swallow now. I wish I had taken "before" pictures so I could see the results that the scale says are there. I wish I hadn't taken so much stuff to the hospital, and also not worried so much about having enough stuff on hand for the mushy stage (unless you live an hour from a grocery store!) because my tastes changed dramatically after my surgery. I wish someone had told me how good I would feel after even losing just a small amount of weight. But mostly I wish someone had told me about this years ago-My life would have been so much different.

Never had a crawfish or a boil (and never plan to have one either!) but I had the same concerns about pizza or taco's or whatever. What happens is that you are physically unable to pig out without causing considerable pain and/or vomiting. I am one who believes in eating what you want, within reason, only controlling the amounts. Protein first then veggies (have almost no desire for breads, rice or pasta) I would think eating crawfish would be "legal" and I think you'll find just a bite or two of the potatoes and whatever else will satisfy you. My problem is that I after I eat the food, it tasted soooooooo good that I want more. But I know that if I take even one more bite I will be uncomfortable for hours. So that keeps me from over eating. You only have so much space and if you try and overfill it-it just can't fit so it comes right back up. But I say go and enjoy and socialize and just figure out how to make the meal work into your plan. In small amounts.