Rogofulm

Obsessing about such a big part of your life may not be bad. I've been pretty obsessive about my program, and I'm thrilled with the results so far! Try to focus a lot of your thoughts on making good choices, and following your doctor's program to a tee. Also, realize that you have 6-9 months to get your head in the right place to manage the rest of your life. Understand that this journey won't be easy, but if you put in the effort and dedication, you will be well rewarded. Good luck to you both!!!!

That's fantastic! Congratulations! Enjoy the progress and keep it going!!!!

Congratulations! You may be a little early, but you have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

Because I'm not at my goal weight yet, I have a different approach than many others. I figure we'll all have to learn how to eat "normally" eventually, so why not plan to learn it from our goal/comfort weight, rather than slowing ourselves down along the way? Stumbles and setbacks are far less painful (physically, mentally and emotionally) when we're at a place where we're comfortable in our skin. That way, if you try expanding your food list and a few pounds come back on, you only have to lose those few pounds and not "all the rest" too. By the way.... When I asked my doctor about how to eat in maintenance, he suggested only adding back carbs that you'd cook for a meal (brown rice, sweet potato, pasta) and not anything you'd go to the pantry for a handful (or slice) of. Once our bodies have gotten used to being at the new weight, maybe then it's time to be a little more adventurous. But for the rest of my life I'll try to always eat Protein first, veggies second, and (except around mealtime) fluids, fluids, fluids....

That's kind of my thought too. But in case you need it, here's what my doc said when I asked about maintenance.... If you want to introduce some carbs, choose only the ones that you would cook for a meal (brown rice, sweet potato, pasta), not anything you would go to the pantry for a handful of. I know you'll do great!!!

Congratulations, that's fantastic!!! You must be very proud!!! Do you have a plan for maintenance? Those of us who are getting close would love to keep hearing how you're doing. And if you find any tricks that would help the rest of us when we get there, please share them. Best of luck in the new phase of your journey!!!!!

Bariatric doctors are not there to judge you, they are there to help you. Believe me, they've seen this a thousand times. And they'd rather see you now, than in another 30 pounds or more. Also, if there are bariatric support groups in your area, I'd suggest going to them. There will be other folks who are also struggling with their journey and together you can inspire each other to get back on the horse. Good luck! You've taken the first step, now, and we all wish you great success in re-establishing your program!!!

Yup, diet hot chocolate in the evening. Add Miralax as needed.

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

That...is...so...fan...tastic! Congratulations on making it to goal -- you must be very proud!!!!! So now, what's your plan for maintenance? Seriously, those of us who are getting close would love to keep hearing how you're doing. And if you learn any tricks that we can follow, please share them. Good luck in the next phase of your journey!!!

Time to get back to basics. You remember how this thing works, right? Protein, Protein, protein.... fluids, fluids, fluids. I wish you all the (renewed) success in the world!!! And please keep us posted on your progress. Your's is the kind of cautionary story we all need to hear!

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

Not interested an anything from Mickey D's. I could eat a 5-6 ounce beef pattie with a bite or two of veggies, but that's about it. But I'm only 7.5 months out.

I'm with ya!!! I got to within one pound of goal for about five minutes. Since then I've bounced around 2-4 pounds above my goal for over a week. I also have a stretch goal that's four pounds below my stated goal, so this is killin' me! Okay, not really. I feel good at this weight, but I'm a numbers guy, and I'm sooooooo close! Like you, I'm determined to make it, and with that attitude, it's just a matter of time until we do. I've never "done" anything to break a stall, just kept on keepin' on. So let's just keep doing what got us this far, and when the time is right, we'll get the next drop, and then (eventually) the next one until we make it. Good luck!!! Just wanted to let you know you're not alone.....

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. It's perfectly normal, and just about all of us have suffered through it. You're not crazy, and your doctor didn't screw up. In fact, you might not lose any weight for two weeks or even longer. But don't worry – after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. And, the inches will continue to come off even while the scale isn't budging. Here's a good article that explains why it happens and why we all have to go through it. Hang in there. Pretty soon it'll be in the rear-view mirror and you'll be dropping weight again! (Apologies to BP regulars who have seen this repeatedly, but it's a big deal to those who are going through it!)

I echo what everyone else has said. It won't happen until he's ready. Sounds like he may be depressed over your success and his failure at weight loss. No point in encouraging/nagging him any more because we all know that won't work. So tell him that while you're really worried about his health, you still love him unconditionally (assuming that's true). Then continue to be a shining example of what he *could* be. And don't bring any unhealthy foods into your home. If he wants them, he'll have to go get them himself. Oh, and if you haven't already, start using smaller plates at meal time. Good luck! I'm hoping that once you take the pressure off, he'll figure it out for himself.

You bet! My wife didn't have anywhere near as much to lose as I did, but she has adopted many of my new habits, only not to the same degree. The whole family now eats off of smaller dishes, and many meals feature 2 veggies instead of one veggie and a starch. I, of course, only eat the Protein and some veggies. My weight is now below where my wife started, so she strives not to let me catch her.

I've chosen to use a "normal" BMI as my target. So my stated goal is exactly one pound into that range. But in order to maintain that, I'll need to get below my target. Since my goal is BMI-based, it would suck to go "overweight" every time I splurge during maintenance. So my stretch goal is four pounds lower. But whatever system you use to determine your goal weight, go a little below it to give yourself a cushion, and use your original goal as your upper weight target. If you start approaching it, you'll need to buckle down and get back to your "cushion" weight. Does that make sense?

I'm almost 7.5 months out and one pound from my original goal of reaching a "normal" BMI. After that, I'm going for 4 more pounds to give myself a small cushion so I won't go "overweight" every time I splurge a little.

Hi Susan, My number yesterday was 156. Thanks! Rog

You're an inspiration, Steve! I'm 7 months out and 5 pounds from goal. Once I get there, I may ask you for maintenence advice. What about the skin? Did it redistribute by itself over the 2 years? Thanks and congratulations!!!

My doc's advice was to keep carbs as low as possible. So I don't bother counting them, because the only carbs I get are in Protein shakes and green veggies and legumes. As I get to my goal weight, I'll need to intriduce some more carbs. If my weight starts going up as a result, I'll definitely start counting them.

I second the B-12 nomination. I find, however, that the sub-lingual variety makes me edgy and cranky. The timed-release ones last all day and keep me on an even keel. That and 3 cups of coffee throughout the day.

If you aren't already, you might try taking B12 supplements. Most people recommend the sublingual variety, but I found that they made me crankier, like being over caffeinated. But the time-release B-12s keep me energetic and happy all day long.

This is a very interesting article with some good insight, but I must point out that is was written in 1980 and is geared towards bypass patients with a pouch. Still, many of the points are helpful, although those of us with other surgeries may need to pick and choose what applies to our situation. But the discussion about why WLS can fail is eye-opening. Thanks for sharing this, @@bcal2015!