Bea Amaya

Almost 9 weeks out now I bought a Cuisinart ice cream maker (recommended on a forum here) and am experiencing a new found anticipation for my protein shakes in ice cream form. 10-20 minutes of churning and they are ready for me to eat with a spoon. Yum! Then again, perhaps it's living in south Texas that really makes me crave colder things much of the year.

Hey Fred...I think you're screwing with the statistics a bit by making such good progress! I was sleeved the day after you and have lost no where near that amount in spite of my rigor in sticking to the plan. Before someone jumps in here to "fuss" at me for comparing our losses to each other, let me just say I am pointing these differences out NOT to rue the fact that I'm losing slower but rather to show just how different [not at all a negative] we all are. Not only am I thrilled with my own losses but am also thrilled for you, Fred, for your awesome losses! In my opinion, we are BOTH succeeding in our journeys. Congrats on your awesome progress!

I'm sure others will jump in here and help with this but I'll share what I think anyway. It seems that no drain, a drain while in the hospital, and a drain that you "wear" home and get removed on your first follow-up visit are all common surgery options. I was in the second group, only having a drain in for two days. For my surgery I think the purpose was two-fold. For one, it did get rid of a lot of extra Fluid from the cavity around my stomach. For people who don't have a drain, these fluids are just absorbed into the body and removed in a more natural way. The second purpose, however, was to provide a second place to check for leaks. When it was time for my leak test and I was forced to drink that LOVELY liquid dye, I think they watched my drain bag for a period of time after that, again as a second check, to make sure none of the dye showed up in it...an indication of a leak. Anyway...that's my two cents.

My drain was no problem at all...except for the time I accidentally popped open the drain valve...yuck! I had it in when I woke up after surgery and was surprised (my first ever surgery) that I couldn't feel it and it didn't bother me. Anyway, it was taken out on day 2 and I was sent back to the hotel for one more day of recovery. Although I knew a drain was part of the plan and really didn't like the idea of walking around with something like that stuck in me, it was no big deal at all. My [pre]concerns about it were definitely unwarranted.

Challenge Stats (Updated 09/28):

As far as I'm concerned, you are welcome to jump in. Give us your current weight and your Halloween goal weight, the remember to check in every Thursday.

Thanks for coming back here to share this. I can tell you still remember how much the encouragement, and the FRANK talk, means to those of us early on in the journey. It's a HUGE help to some of us to hear the TRUTH from the veterans as well as to see that success is, indeed, possible. Again...thanks so much!

Wow! Awesome! Congratulations on a great week!

Updated: 9/26 3:10pm CST. We have 22 out of 44 reporting in already this morning for a total group loss for the week of 55.5 lbs. Can't wait to see how big this number gets by the end of the day. Woo Hoo! Big Successes! Measures: http://sdrv.ms/19Qmc3j

Thinking [hoping!] maybe my stall is about to come to an end. Looking for better numbers next week. 251.4 LW 251.0 today

Oooh...so close to Onderland! Nice progress!

I've lost an average human leg. Awesome.

Hang in there, sweetie...I feel your pain. For the first time since surgery I too have seen increases of a couple of pounds and you're right...it bites. My last stall (yes, I've already had one) was a little over 2 weeks in duration. I'm a week and a few days into this one already. I like your plan of making some small changes to see if you can get past it as I've also tried some of the same things (and am waiting to see success). Anyway, here's hoping your stall ends soon and you begin dropping again. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

Wow! This may be your most eventful year ever! Long past offering any advice about pregnancy (I'm a great-grandmother) I did want to offer my congratulations on both the weight loss and the pregnancy. Talk about life-changing events! GOOD LUCK!

Certainly, FabMom... jump on in and share.

Your weigh-in next Thursday should be awesome then!

I have to say I'm like you. I think it's cool, awesome, and even inspiring, but am not sure I'll be one of those. I also worry about being the woman that is skinny only from the waist up, or something crazy like that. But for right now I simply try to focus on relaxing, following my new routine, trying to keep lined up on the center stripe on my best days and keeping it between the ditches on my worst. Hope to talk to you again in a year and laugh about how worried we were so long ago!

Okay, I know this one is weird, but by golly this community seems to be FULL of knowledgeable people, so here goes... My intake of Protein and Water every day are really good (protein average for past 5 weeks is 76g, water average is about 80 oz). I have no abdominal discomfort or problems in the bathroom, except for the constipation that I am able to manage pretty well. But just lately I've noticed that I have two sore spots, and I mean REALLY sore spots, on my back just above my [considerable] buttocks. I don't get it. Why would my kidneys be so sore to the touch when I don't have any other symptoms of anything being wrong? Any ideas about this? THANKS!

Updated: Updated 9/19 weigh-in stats: Total group members: 58 Week 1 reporting in: 35 % Reporting: 60.3% Total lost for Week 1: 57.0 lbs! Online stats: http://sdrv.ms/19Qmc3j

Thanks Heather, but my attempt at joking about my rather large arse was an attempt to describe the location that is perhaps the one you describe. Right now, if I take both forefingers and put them on my navel then trace straight around, I get to the painful spots as soon as my fingers pass to the back of my body. This afternoon I can actually press into both areas and feel something solid beneath. I'm not sure it's kidneys, but whatever it is there are two of them, and the pain is in these very specific spots. Oh, and the pain is to the touch, not when I move around. (Odd, I know!) I don't have medical insurance and therefore don't have a doctor, but this might require me going in for a look-see anyway. It will be Monday before I can check it out, if possible, but I'll let you all know what I find (or if it goes away!). In response to some of the questions/suggestions: - I don't take any pain-killers regularly, only multi-Vitamins, Calcium chews, and the occasional natural vegetable laxative - I do have lower back pain a couple of times a week (my job has me in front of a computer an un-godly amount of hours each day) which is why this caught my attention as it feels so different - my husband (64) and I (53) have always been quite healthy which is why we've gone the past few years with no insurance, to save [a bundle of] money. Since my surgery we've decided to opt-in with my employer this year in the open enrollment at the end of the year. Hope I make it that far still healthy!!! Thanks so much to EVERYONE for weighing in on this. At the very least, it keeps me from ignoring the problem which is my most oft-used response!

Great tips...great advice. I do need to start researching items from both "fast foods" and "restaurant" categories, however, that are VSG friendly as I travel a lot and am forced to eat on the road. Of course, that business of being forced to eat out (much more than overeating) is what got me to the place I am now. This is definitely the time for me to develop new strategies for being prepared for the impact my own lifestyle (work-style) has on my health. Thanks for your timely and on-target posting!