Wags

Hi Lynda, we are so similar! 5' 6" and started at 253. (Even the same name - mine is Linda). I am at 153 now at 9 months out. My goal is 150 - 24.9 BMI, but secretly I would like to go lower for wiggle room. 135 would be a dream. I have never been small. I think I weighed 118 when I was born! (My poor mom) :-) Linda

You are right! Sleeve sisters we are :-) I have another sleeve sister who was sleeved on the exact same day I was and her name is Mizzougirl! I guess I'm bound to be friends with some Tigers after all :-) Linda

Well, my goodness! NOW we have to be arch enemies!! :-). Now I know why you have ZOU in your name :-) !!!!

Whoa!!!!! You ARE a smokin' hottie!!! No wonder all those guys were saying those things!! Good for you Madame :-)

Thank you SO much!! You are all my "sleeve siblings"!! :-)

Pics!! We want to see your loveliness too! :-)

So sad they treat you that way! Maybe go to the ER and skip the primary doc.

I use highest weight. You will gain several pounds in the hospital due to water retention (then lose it again) so count it ALL.

"World according to egg face" is a great blog for recipes :-)

Oh my goodness! This sounds horrible! I would not wait! I would go to the ER and have them do the scope. I think it is CRAZY that your doctor has this wait and see attitude with this pain you're in, the blood, etc. Please go and please keep is posted!!

Haha! It's kind of a religion where I'm from too! Yours is with UK, ours is with KU! Kansas Jayhawks! I also live near Wichita, so now we have Wichita State to cheer for!! What a year it has been :-)

Thanks Zoumommy!! At nine months I typically eat between 800 - 900 per day. Yes! I definitely focus on Protein - at least 60 grams per day. And carbs, I TRY to get less than 50 grams per day, but I'm happy with less than 80. My weight loss has slowed tremendously, but that's ok because I am so close. MOST of your weight loss will be in the first 6-12 months so just keep that in mind. I do not really exercise. Just try to walk my dog some days when it's warm. Ride my bike to get iced tea (also when it's warm). I took a belly dance class a couple months ago just for fun. But I know myself and I know I will not sustain an exercise program so I had to do this loss with a plan for focusing on eating less rather than exercising. I am NOT perfect! I occasionally have treats and now that it's NCAA March Madness basketball season we have lots of get-togethers at our house. So I'm kind of in a "maintenance" mode for the next month or so which means my calories will be above 800-900. I just plan for that and weigh daily to keep track.

Hi!! I am 5' 6" SW: 253 CW: 153 Age: 54 Surgery: 5/31/13 (9 months out) My goal is 150 (3 more pounds) because at 5' 6" that puts me at a healthy normal BMI of 24.9

Hi! Blessings for your surgery tomorrow!

You've lost 40 pounds in one month! That's great!! I am 5' 6" SW: 253 CW: 153 Age: 54 Surgery: 5/31/13 (9 months out) My goal is 150 (3 more pounds) because at 5' 6" that puts me at a healthy normal BMI of 24.9

This sounds like a call to the doctor. It could be gallbladder, something more serious, or not serious at all. Whichever it is, burning pain is not a normal side effect. Please call and please keep us posted.

Hi Heather, I feel for you and I can eat all those things you can, too. And I LOVE them. Simple trick, when you feel like eating the carbs, eat 3 oz of chicken breast and then if you're still hungry eat a small amount of the carb. If you're like me, the fact that you are "denied" the carb just makes you want it more. Use the fullness you get from a really dense Protein to limit the amount of carbs you can take in. Protein shakes and liquids will not give you the feeling of fullness that you desire. EAT your protein :-)

Thank you SO much everyone! You are all so encouraging!! I truly hope that everyone hits their goal and experiences the joy of success! Just remember, you can't control how fast it comes off. You can only control your day by day (hour by hour) actions :-)

Hi Bella! Thanks!! I do not really exercise. I just do "activity" that is fun - like walk my dog when it's warm, ride my bike to Sonic to get a diet tea, belly dance for fun, etc. At the beginning I could barely walk- mainly cuz of pain due to the surgery- but I built up to a thirty minute walk with my Great Dane (her picture is my avatar) after a couple months. I really just want to do the Color Run/Walk with my family (they're all active) for the fun of it. Looks like a blast!!

Sorry - double post :-)

Jallsop, I just saw that you are still pre-op and I wanted to say that the typical day I shared is mine now that I'm 8 months out. When I first started I followed the diet progression to the letter! It was so important to me to make sure my stomach healed properly AND to maximize weight loss. Calories back then were 200-300. Didn't move to over 700 until about 6 months out. :-)

Thank you jallsop! Food wise I usually eat between 700 - 900 calories. I try to eat at least 60 grams of protein and less than 50 grams of carbs. I track it all on MyFitnessPal. I think that is the key for me. Even if I eat over my guidelines, it is planned and I log it. Also I have had to be really patient with stalls. My weight loss has been mostly stalls with intermittent weight loss. A typical day for me might include: Breakfast: 1 egg and 2 pieces of bacon Lunch: Soy protein chips and fresh salsa Dinner: 3 ounces of taco meat with cheese, tomatoes and lettuce Snack: Protein hot chocolate I like meat, cheese, eggs, bacon, yogurt, and protein snacks like soy chips and protein hot chocolate. I eat a lot of fresh salsa because it satisfies with spicy taste and has veggies :-) I also drink a TON of diet green iced tea from Sonic. Yum!

Thank you so much everyone!! Sassy Pants - you are right!!! Small losses add up over time to big losses! Stay patient because it all adds up over time :-) Proud Granny - you have been an inspiration to me all through my journey :-) I am so excited to join the "club"! Thanks for saving me a spot :-)

When I drink, I drink wine or vodka with orange juice. No condemnation at all. I am 8 1/2 months out and 97 pounds down.

157. Met goal