Rogofulm

Hate to admit it, but I weigh myself several times a day. I'm still in the weight loss phase so haven't received any really bad news so far. My scale has one odd quirk, though. It will give me exactly the same weight (to the 10th of a pound) all day long. Don't know if this is by design, or a defect. So I have to trick it into thinking I'm someone else. You're gonna love this.... After I get on the scale, I clear it, then get on again using a crutch to make me lighter. Then I clear it again and get back on to get my actual new weight. It's a little game the scale and I play with each other. One other weird thing... I weigh myself when I first wake up, then again after I shower and shave, and my hair is dry. Believe it or not, I typically lose 0.2 pounds after my shower. Don't know why. I shower every day, so it's not greasy hair or dead skin cells. It's just a happy mystery for now.

Great job, everybody! Keep it up!!! I'm down 70 pounds in 3 months. Feels great!

You may have been in the grips of an extended version of "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 more. But don't worry -- after that, the weight will start falling off if you stick to your program. If you're interested, 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 like crazy!

Agreed. Protein shakes, Greek yogurt, low-fat cream of chicken, mushroom, celery, Tomato, low-sodium chicken broth, etc. are your best bet until your doc and nut release you to other foods. You can do it! And if I may suggest it, you might want to avoid breads and other starches. IMHO, they are the quickest path to less-than-desired results throughout your journey. Plenty of time to reintroduce that stuff (in serious moderation) when you are at, or closer to goal. Good luck!

From everything I'm hearing and reading, carbs – starches and sugars (including/especially ice cream) – continue to be the main problem for people who fall off and then struggle to get back on the wagon. I recognize that I'm still in my honeymoon period after surgery, but I'm striving to put off introducing carbs as long as possible. Also, for anyone who hasn't heard about it, there was a new study published recently that compared low-fat and low-carb diets. In pretty much every way, low-carb came out better. If you're interested, here's a link to a NY Times article about the study. I fully recognize that we all have to find our new "normal" way of eating that can last us a lifetime. But I'm trying to define my new normal as a low-carb normal. Because once that peanut-butter-pretzel genie gets back out of the bottle.....

YEAHHH!! WOO HOO! Welcome to Wonderland. I'll be seeing you there in about 3 weeks, cannot freaking wait!!

Great job so far. My fiancee recently moved into the "just overweight, not obese" BMI range and we celebrated!! (with a non-food reward, of course) Keep up the good work!

Thanks so much; it feels great to be in Wonderland! Keep up your good work too and let us know when you cross over!!!

I'm no expert, but here are some of my considerations when choosing the sleeve. (I haven't included any thoughts about the lap-band, because you didn't mention that as one of your choices.)

• Both are non-reversible procedures.
• Both procedures are being shown to have roughly the same long-term success rates.
• Bypass tends to be for those who need a larger, quicker weight loss.
• Bypass tends to be for those who have severe co-morbidities because it can resolve them more quickly.
  • My diabetes was under control within two weeks of my sleeving. I was able to go off of insulin and pills at that time, and my blood sugar levels have remained well within the normal range.
  • Also, within two or three weeks I was able to give up my CPAP machine. My wife reported that I had stopped snoring, and I only wake up once or twice a night to get rid of some of my 64+ ounces of daily Fluid.
• My understanding was that the "pouch" that is formed for the bypass is made out of the elastic portion of the stomach -- so I worried that I could stretch it out.
• My understanding was that the portion of the stomach remaining after sleeve surgery is the non-elastic portion of the stomach. That appealed to me.
• Both are mal-absorptive, but the bypass is much more so. That worried me about future nutritional imbalances.
• I "only" had 110 pounds to lose, much like you, so the sleeve seemed right for that.

As I said, I'm no expert, but from what I read the sleeve seemed the best path for me. I'm very happy with my choice and wish you good luck with yours!

Congratulations, you look great!!! And I'll bet you feel even better...

Wow! Another wonderful testimonial! This seems to be the day for positive reinforcement. Congratulations on all your success and insights into your challenges. Keep up the great work!!!

Congrats on making, and then blowing by your goal! Keep up the great work!!!

Wow! What a great testimonial. Congratulations on your wonderful success, and keep it going!!!!

Thanks! You're doing great too! Keep it up!!!

looking very good,

From a female admirer

Why thank you, maam! Congrats on your success thus far, and enjoy each and every milestone along your journey too!!!

Congratulations!!

Thanks! You too!!!

Way To Go!! You look great man !

Thanks! You're doing great too!!!

Congrats on doing so well. I'm aiming to break into ONEderland myself.

Thanks! And keep plugging, you're almost home!!!

Broke the big 2-0-0 today! Only 15 more pounds until I'm "overweight". Um.. can't wait!

Here are before and during pix.

Cheers, all!

Perfect! Congratulations for negotiating a tricky event. And CONGRATULATIONS on your 199!!!!!!

I'm 5 weeks post op tomorrow and I finally came out of my 2 1/2 week stall this last Thursday and it's like everyone says the weight starts falling off again so hang in there!

Congrats! Now it gets fun again...

I think you can drink as much as you can tolerate. Just sip, sip, sip all day long, except for the hour around mealtime. As soon as one sip clears the constriction, you can try another. You really need to get your 64 oz any way you can. And I've found that drinking more fluids actually makes me thirstier. Once your body gets used to being fully hydrated, it craves it. And that's a good thing for us! At this point, I can drink 24 oz in 20 minutes, so that makes it easier. Hang in there -- every part of this gets easier as you continue your journey! I'm 12 weeks out from surgery, and last weekend I took my wife to a really nice restaurant for her birthday and was able to eat my entire meal of lamb chops, spinach, and a mystery veggie with cheese (no drinks, bread or dessert, of course), and even had a little room left for coffee afterwards. And since I was really careful the rest of the weekend, I still lost weight! So that should give you hope that eventually you'll be able to have a "normal" life, whatever that means. Cheers!

I'm not sure about the hospital part of it, but my apnea went away within a few weeks after surgery. My wife says I no longer snore, and I can sleep through the night with only one or two trips to the bathroom, depending on how much Fluid I consume near bedtime. We are both thrilled to get rid of that stupid machine!!! And for any diabetics reading this, my need for insulin and pills went away within a few weeks too! My endocrinologist was ecstatic. He even joked, "Damn! Those bastards are going to run me out of business!" Now, wouldn't that be great?!!

I typically throw up as the result of overfilling my stomach, not chewing thoroughly enough, or eating too quickly. It has settled down in the past few weeks, but still happens occasionally. Of course, in your case it's valuable and important meds you're losing -- that's a bigger deal. Might you have taken them too soon after eating? I find that once my tiny new stomach is full, one extra bite will sit there on my "regurgitation button" while it decides if it's going up or down. Frequently, I hiccup while it decides. And more often than not, it decides to come up. I find that when I'm "stuck" I have to quickly excuse myself from the table to go to the bathroom, where one quick finger in the throat brings up the offending bite. Then I feel better, and sometimes, I can even finish my meal. The good news is that it's not stinky or gross-tasting, just kind of slimy. "No gastric juices were used in the creation of this puke." So as with so many of these post-surgery troubles, it's all pretty normal. And if you're only a week or two out, your insides are still very swollen, making it even harder to get stuff down the pipe. Again, it gets better - honest!

I've been to a bunch of social occasions, and on a 9-day vacation during my first 11 weeks. The secret to success (and mental sanity) is planning! Although, as others have said, there should be food you can eat at the wedding, you can't count on it. You need to bring something you can eat if there's nothing appropriate available. Several thoughts:

• Don't go hungry -- eat before you go.
• Bring along a Protein shake in your purse in case of emergency.
• You might even cook up a chicken breast and have it in a small tupperware container. You can quietly drop it on your plate and eat it with a knife and fork.
• Don't feel deprived. You're doing a great thing for yourself and your family. Don't let an event derail your progress. If you make less than optimal decisions, you'll pay for it on the scale. Not worth it!
• And to help you make good decisions, don't drink alcohol! Not only is it loaded with fast, non-filling calories, but it leads to questionable decision making.
• 30 minutes after you eat (whatever it turns out to be), start pounding the Water. You don't want to be hungry when the cake is cut. (That may be a good time for your secret shake.)
• When you make it through, be proud of your accomplishment.
• And if you don't, get back on the horse immediately - not two days later on Monday. That's the "old" way of thinking.

Remember, you're only 7 weeks into a new life. Do your best not to sabotage your progress. As others have said, people may notice, but they won't really care what you're eating. And if anyone asks, just tell 'em you're eating carefully these days for health reasons.

Good luck -- you can do it!!!

In the early days, I felt like that. Nothing tasted good, and it was more of a chore to eat than it was worth to me. Those days are gone. I now eat like a normal person, with small portions. I still start with Protein, then vegetables, and I avoid rice/pasta/bread, but I can pretty much eat anything, and for the most part, it tastes fine.

One thing I do like, though, is that my tastes have changed and continue to do so. I often will eat something that I think I used to love but was fattening (McDonald's fries, for instance) and now when I try one, I just don't like it that well and I don't waste the calories or space on it. That's a huge win for me!

In the early days, I felt like that. Nothing tasted good, and it was more of a chore to eat than it was worth to me. Those days are gone. I now eat like a normal person, with small portions. I still start with Protein, then vegetables, and I avoid rice/pasta/bread, but I can pretty much eat anything, and for the most part, it tastes fine.

One thing I do like, though, is that my tastes have changed and continue to do so. I often will eat something that I think I used to love but was fattening (McDonald's fries, for instance) and now when I try one, I just don't like it that well and I don't waste the calories or space on it. That's a huge win for me!

I love hearing from those of you who are at or near goal that our eating capacity and habits will change, and that someday we will be able to eat more "normally", while making sensible decisions. Congratulations on your journey so far, and I wish you continued success!

Are you taking a regular antacid, or a doctor-prescribed one? I'm on the generic form of Protonix and it helps a lot. When I went off of it for a week, my stomach hurt all the time. Then I went back on and it got better. Not perfect, mind you, but much better. If you're not already on it, you might ask your doctor about it. Good luck!