Rogofulm

Great point, KeeWee! It's also an excellent motivator to look at your license and think, "No way in H-E-double-hockey-stix do I want to look/feel like that again!"

Yup, Crystal Light (or the generic equivalent) has a decaffeinated, sugar-free iced tea. I think it's too sweet, so I water it down a lot. It's supposed to make 2 quarts, so I make it in a 3-quart jug and it's perfect. Halfway between tea and water. Very refreshing! As for caffeine, I'm drinking more coffee now than I ever have. Probably because I'm cold all the time, and sometimes need the energy boost. Another source of energy while losing weight is Vitamin B-12. Many people take the sublingual variety, but I find that makes me jittery. I take a time-release B-12 every day, and it really helps!

Are you getting enough fluids, or have they dropped off over time? Often hunger is really thirst in disguise. I find that drinking TONS of fluids keeps my sleeve full and I stay satisfied longer. Just something to think about. Good luck!

Have to admit that I was worried about hair loss too. But 7 months and 110 lbs. later it hasn't happened. All I can say is that I've had a 30-gram Protein shake every single morning for Breakfast since before my surgery. And ever since two weeks post op, I eat at least 80 grams of protein and drink 64-120+ ounces of Fluid every day. And I take a Biotin supplement every night. Maybe the hair loss is still on the way, but my doc thinks I would have seen it by now. Don't know if that's the winning formula, or if I'm just genetically blessed in that regard. But I do know that it's a great formula for weight loss. So for you newbies who are worried about hair loss, why not give it a try? It certainly can't hurt!

For what it's worth, here's my "typical" day's menu: As for carbs, mostly I get them from my shakes, Greek yogurt, and the very limited veggies I'm able to fit in after my Protein. Other doctors and nutritionists give you carb targets, but my doctor just says to limit them as much as possible. If you're not logging your food yet, I'd suggest using http://www.myfitnesspal.com/. It helps you keep track of your protein and fluids, but also can help you figure out if anything is going off track and affecting your weight loss. Okay, here's an example of my day: I keep a 2-quart jug and a 24-oz Tervis tumbler (with a handle) both at home and at work. I count my morning Protein shake as a meal, not a Fluid. (30 grams of protein) 30-60 minutes later, I have a cup of coffee. (Count it as a fluid if you like.) After that, I drink a 24-oz. tumbler of decaf, sugar-free iced tea, like Crystal Light throughout the morning. (Lots of frequent sips) Then I walk for 40+ minutes. Then it's lunchtime - tuna salad or chicken salad, or leftover protein from dinner. (16-22 grams of protein) and maybe a bite of veggies if there's room. About 45 minutes after lunch, I'll fill another 24-oz tumbler of iced tea and sip that throughout the afternoon, finishing by 30 minutes before my afternoon snack. At around 4:00 or 4:30, my afternoon snack is usually a Greek yogurt (12 grams of protein) or some leftovers. (This is also a good time to get in some veggies or a V-8 if you're getting enough protein at other times.) Maybe a cup of hot tea in the later afternoon. (Count it as a fluid you like.) Then dinner – again, getting 20-25 grams of protein from lean steak, fish, chicken, or pork, and maybe a bite or two of veggies. Finally, another 24-oz cup of iced tea or Water 30-45 minutes after dinner that I sip throughout the evening. If I'm hungry later, sugar-free Jello or sugar-free popsicles are good. And if I'm short on protein or still hungry, another yogurt or protein shake. (I'm not worried about the calories because this menu only provides 700-900 per day.) So that's 70+ grams of protein and 72+ ounces of fluid, with some exercise as well. If you have a regular enough schedule, you can follow it every day. If not, maybe a modified version will work. The big trick is in pre-planning your meals and your fluids, especially if you're going to be away from home or work. In those cases, I always make sure there will be something I can eat, or I bring along a Protein shake or some kind of meat to carry me through. I've also gotten pretty good at restaurant eating. I avoid the bread and salad, order chicken, steak, lamb, fish, or pork, trade in the starch for a second veggie, skip the dessert.... and end up taking half of the meat, and almost all of the veggies home. I know we need to learn to eat "normally", but I'm not there yet – especially when it comes to carbs. When I get to goal weight, I'll work on finding my new low-carb "normal". Hope that helps! Rog

I had no problem with either the host or the tiny sip of wine. You might wait a few weeks after surgery, but after that you'll be fine.

Yeah, I've been kinda cranky too. (Just ask my wife.) But a month or so ago she pointed it out to me, and since then I've made a concerted effort to cut it out. And for the most part it seems to be working. Just being aware of it can help a bit.

I'll echo what so many others have said. My wife was completely supportive, while my mother was concerned about the surgery. "Can't you give dieting another try?" Look, I've been "dieting" for 48 years. How was that working out? I had diabetes, apnea, asthma, high cholesterol, and borderline diabetes. I told my mother that I appreciated her concern, but that I had made up my mind and I would like her support. Then she got on board. Now, I'm down 110 pounds, ALL of my diseases are gone, and my mom is bursting with pride. As is my wife. It's the third best decision I ever made behind marrying my wife and having a child together. (Oh yeah, quitting smoking was right up there too.) Now, I hope to live a much longer and fuller life with my family. So, if as @@SuperDave suggested, your mom reads this thread, I'd like to tell her that you really need her support right now, and I predict that in a few months she'll be thrilled with her happier and much healthier daughter! Good luck!!!

Since you're at the 3-week mark, here's a heads-up.... Very soon you may reach 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!)

Congratulations! You have reached The Dreaded Week-3 Stall. You just may have gotten there a little early. 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!)

Haven't gotten my new license yet, but I hardly recognize the picture! My actual weight when I got it was 65 lbs over what my license says; now it's 45 under! Guess I should get a new one since this one doesn't expire until 2021.

Or when you now have three very flat butts that look kind of like one of the New England Patriots deflated footballs.

That ain't gonna happen!

Hi Susan, 197 today, only 3 pounds to goal. Have a safe trip! Thanks! Rog

A couple of thoughts for you.... Remember when you first started the pre-op diet? The first thing that has to happen is to detox from the sugars and carbs. That takes a few days. So, can you try and go 3 days without a sugary treat? Start with one day, then add another, then add a 3rd. Drink TONS of Fluid, because that will keep you so full that you don't have room for the treats. Remember, sugar craves sugar, and carbs crave carbs! (I know they're the same thing inside your body.) Maybe if you can detox from the sugar, the cravings will go away. Good luck, and keep pounding the fluids. That's what keeps me on track!

Hi Susan, 157 today. 3 pounds from goal! Have a safe trip! Rog

Hi Susan, 157 today. Three pounds from goal! Have a safe trip!!! Rog

Hi Susan, 157 today. Three pounds from goal! Have a safe trip!!! Rog

At my one-month appointment, I complained to my doc about getting hungry. He told me that hunger is often thirst in disguise; and I've found that to be true. Are you getting enough fluids in? Try increasing them, especially when you feel hunger. Fluids are your friend, in many, many ways throughout this process. Yes, they help you stay satisfied. But they also fight off constipation and provide elasticity for your skin. Something we all care about eventually. And, while Protein is the key to minimizing hair loss, I think fluids may contribute to it as well. Good luck!

Caution, thread gone out of control..... Recommend termination.

To @@kimmyco, since you're not anywhere near week 3, the message below doesn't really apply to you, except that the link explains the science behind some stalls. Keep making the right choices and it should end. And to @@winter1023, please read the message below and follow the link. It won't make your stall go away, but at least you'll understand it. Good luck to you both! 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!)

Great advice, @@sugar free! And congrats on your terrific weight loss!!! Keep it up!

Bwah-ha-ha! My plan to make everyone aware of The Dreaded Week-3 Stall is working.....

5 weeks seems like an awfully long time for the week-3 stall to last. Usually it's 2-3 weeks long. Might be worth a call to your doc or nut to see if they have any advice. Otherwise, just hang in there. If you know you're making the right choices, it will end eventually. Here's a good article that explains why stalls happen. Good luck!

If you're worried about going too far below your goal weight, that's a good reason to call your doctor. I'm approaching my goal so I asked him what I should increase when I get to maintenance. I mean, the only place we can go is carbs, right? He told me that when I'm ready to stop losing, I can add back a few carbs, BUT – only the carbs you would cook up at mealtime. So... a little brown rice, a little Pasta, some sweet potato, etc. Nothing you would go to the pantry and grab a handful of, like chips, crackers and Cookies. (I'll admit to being a little nervous about that "slope".) Congratulations on your weight loss and good luck in maintenance!