Recycled

I am four months out as well and I always smile in relief when I feel the continued restriction from my 3 ounce meals. I hope it never goes away. I'm counting on "little sleevie" to keep me in check. Maybe in a couple of years I'll be throughly adapted to the smaller portions, but in the meantime, I'm glad to be on restriction.

Two weeks is still very early to settle into much of a routine or make defined efforts to reach any daily nutritional demands. Do what you can with the liquids and the Protein now until you move on to the soft, then solid foods. Then step up your game and get that liquid in (it will be tougher for liquid then too) and the protein. I would care less about what "they" won't let you do and more about what you need to do. I'm four months out and do shakes every day. I throw protein supplements (bars & drinks) into my daily whenever I feel I need to kick it up some. Real life demands and time constraints sometimes just don't allow for tediously planned out high protein meals. Do what ya gotta do, but get it in.

There is a little known phenomenon that occurs due to the gravitational pull of the moon. If you weigh yourself in the morning before 6 am and then again after 3 pm the scale will show and increase of about 3-4 pounds. True fact. No......not true fact. But you were paying close attention, weren't you. That is the problem. You are paying too close of attention to weighing yourself. I would bet you do it more than once a day. Stop already. Try.....and I know it will be agonizing....but try to weigh yourself once a week. I actually laugh when I see a couple of pounds drop on the scale cause I know it's likely to be temporary. But no biggie as I also know that maintaining my routine will result in permanent losses as time goes on. As you continue to follow your routine, the little changes will matter less and less and you will focus on the long term end results. Keep it up.......you're doing fine.

I think guys have a different perspective on weight loss sometimes. It's less about the numbers on the scale. For me, it's about my pant sizes. I gauge my progress with fitting into my smaller pants stashed away in my drawers. When I zip up that smaller pair, I get all excited and jump around amazed how good it feels to wear some old pair of jeans.

Your lack of control pre-op is to be expected. Nothing has changed yet. Your told to limit things, but nothing is in place to help you anymore than during all the years you have tried dieting. Nutritionists like to think of things in the ideal, not the reality. I wouldn't be too concerned until your pre-op liquid stage. That will likely be only a week or two. You'll be better able to focus on preparing for a successful surgery and stick to the guidelines then. Keeping you mind on the prize, so to speak. After surgery, everything will change. Physically and mentally. You'll be in a better position to handle the change. Even look forward to it. Relax. You're on the road to a changed life. You'll get there.

Try adding some liquids with some Protein like Isopure Zero carb or Protein shakes.

You have already answered your concerns. I believe as you said, if you are contemplating quitting smoking, you will be more capable of handling any potential for weight gain now rather than closer to you goal weight and maintenance. Good luck with your choice. Denise said: On the other hand, if the weight loss is easier in these earlier months, maybe that will minimize any potential weight gain from quitting?

Sorry OP, I had a thinly veiled post that was inappropriate, so I removed it. Carry on.

Relax, Water weighs in at 8lbs a gallon and they shoved alot of fluids into you in those IV's. You're losing alot of that Fluid now. In fact, treasure the quick losses now, cause it will slow down very soon and you'll be longing for the several pounds a day losses. Keep focused on the long haul and down the road. In the end it will all balance out and you will reach your goal.

When you break it down to brass tacks........the approval is the biggie. We all kinda harbored a subconscious thought of relief if we did not get approved. The relief that we wouldn't have to give up our huge love for food. The pleasure of eating whenever we want, whatever we want and however much we want. And if we were not approved, we could go right out and eat to satisfy the disappointment. Cmon, fess up.....you know you thought it. But you ARE approved and thank goodness. Cause you will find you can still get the pleasure of eating the foods you like, when you want. Except now you will be able to do everything else in the world you have been missing out on. Now you are going to eat to live. Congrats on your approval and good luck with your procedure and weight loss. Enjoy the new life that awaits you.

You'll have your own private reason for celebrating "Cinco de Mayo".

Relax and enjoy your nap. Your life changes in a few hours. Sending wishes for a speedy, pain free recovery. don't forget.....Sip, sip , sip....walk, walk, walk

For me when I dieted, there was always a goal.......no, more of a finish line. And when I reached it, I mentally assumed I was done with the diet. I was sure that once I got the weight off, I could control my eating. But reality is why I'm here now. No regrets. I tried choosing to do it myself way too many times and failed. Now there's no more choices. And there is a certain amount of comfort in knowing the amount of food I can eat is permanently limited now. My mind can get used to a life long change of eating habits. It has to. My goal now is to be adjusted to eating healthy and in correct portions by the time I reach my desired weight. It's all good.

Yep Yep, you're over thinking it. Go get in shape.

When I go out, I carry a 28oz stainless Water bottle with Isopure Zero carb Protein drink in it and sip all day. Keeps thoughts of food at bay, keeps me hydrated and gives me 40g of protein to boot.

chirp.......chirp........chirp <----------the sound of crickets amid the silence....!!!

Your loss will be relative to you specifically. The amount depends on many variables and there is just no way to know how much or at what rate you will lose. I will say that regardless of the pattern of your loss, just stick with your routine and follow the guidelines and you will reach your goal. Don't get too enthusiastic with quick losses and don't let the stalls get you discouraged. There will be ups and downs. Tow the line and you'll get there.

Follow the instruction of your Doctor's coordinator. They deal with the insurance companies and are aware of what is required and what will get by.

Say hi to everyone and split.

Try this link. I listed a few a while back. http://www.bariatric...y-new-journey-���/

I agree. Besides, there is no one normal. Everybody's different. The only normal I can relate to is my own recovery........that, and what I have READ on here about other's recoveries. So newbies, before you go freaking out, try reading a few posts. Maybe even do a search. There's only hundreds of the same topics over and over that will probably answer your question a dozen different ways. At least look at the Recent Topics section. I have seen the same questions asked three different ways and still showing in the Recent section. I know, I know.....you want an answer right away. It's only been a few hours or a couple of days and everything happening is still new and unknown. To you that is. To those that are months out it's routine and can get very redundant repeating the same answers over and over. Think of it this way. If you do a search, you'll usually get lots of responses instantly. No waiting. You can belay your fears instantly. You might even find answers to some questions you haven't even thought to ask yet. Give it a try. No matter.....we will still be around to answer whatever questions you might have. And remember, when you get several months out......don't be too hard on the newbies.

Spot on! (did I get that right)

What about a local Gastro- Doc? Or even your PCP?

Actually the tone was intended. Difficultly breathing is not an issue for an online forum. It wasn't meant to be sarcastic. It was meant to emphasize the importance to seek a doctors advice on what could be life threatening and not waste what could be valuable time on here. I hope your are feeling better and things are alright now. Just ignore the tone. Sometimes us guys can come across a little too insensitive. I really did mean well.

Actually I doubt there is a way to really get an accurate and truthful evaluation of these type of questions. People just won't be honest. There is no upside to answering with a negative response. Everybody lies in the interest of being nice or just not hurting someone's feelings. (Thankfully no one can read minds) Even it they think they don't care about appearances, circumstances will dictate the answers most times. More so than verbalized ideals. In one given situation it might not matter and would be overlooked and yet with alternative choices in another circumstance it might be a deal breaker. Even attempting to point this out will probably get me flamed.....so it's just better to keep silent. We are a visual species.....Put a hot looking tight skinned body next to a attractive but excessive loose skinned one and it's a no brainer. The question really doesn't need to be asked. And regardless of that line of "I love you no matter how you look" . I'm not naive. I hate how the extra skin looks on me and if and when I can afford it, I'm ditching it pronto. Ok, I have my flame retardant suit on now.......fire away.