Rogofulm

Sounds like you're doing well. You might want to keep taking the tummy pills they probably gave you in the hospital. I take Protonix (generic=Pantoprazole) and it really helps. But when my first prescription ran out and I stopped taking them, my stomach got really uncomfortable. But 45 ounces and 40 grams after 2 weeks? I'm proud of you!

I'm cold all the time! And the decaf, sugar free Crystal Light I drink all day (without ice) makes me even colder. I used to pooh-pooh the concept of decaf coffee – now I drink it all the time, and hot tea too, just to warm up. Still, it's SO worth it!!

Wow – I'm exhausted reading all this! I'll preface my thoughts by saying that my journey may be different than some others. I'm somewhat obsessive about staying on track and reaching my goal as quickly as possible, and then figuring out the rest of the journey from that new place. Some insights from the weight-loss battlefield: Weight loss surgery and its aftermath are very personal, very selfish things. (Sorry, but it's true.) In order to succeed, we need to put our priorities first – at least where our eating habits are concerned. That being said, we crave the affirmations and really appreciate all the nice comments. Again, it's selfish, but that's part of what keeps us going. If we're doing well, we look in the mirror – a lot. It's part of our reinforcement. I don't think we'll all end up being narcissists, but for now we are very self-focused. As a result, we talk about our journey – again, a lot. The hope is that one day we will be at a place where the novelty will wear off, and it's just the way we live now. Then finally we can shut up about it. We hope our significant others and close friends can keep their eye-rolling to themselves and just tell us we look great, because their "constructive" input is not really relevant at the moment. But our doctor's is. I'm on the scale 2-3 times a day. I don't get upset when I don't lose because I understand it, but I'm aiming for a goal weight and the scale helps keep me on track. My goal is a reasonable, healthy goal, according to my doctor. My wife and mother wish I would stop losing now. I just say "thank you", and keep going. Again, my doctor, the bariatric surgeon, has approved my goal. And finally, I really appreciate the wonderful support my wife has given me from day-one to now. Okay, those are the precursors to my thoughts about your particular situation. Hopefully you see that from the weight loss perspective, I can put myself into your fiancee's shoes. I understand his situation and his perspective. And, as others have caveated, I'm in no way a qualified counselor or therapist; just a married guy who's going through the same process as your fiancee. So, with that being said.... If you're characterizing it all fairly, it sounds like he's being a real prick. He's shutting you out completely and actively sabotaging your own weight loss efforts. When he makes bad choices, he doesn't want them pointed out, but he does want affirmation when he makes good ones. I get that, but he has to take some responsibility for the bad ones too. This process can feel threatening to our significant others. Those of us who are changing, physically and emotionally, have a responsibility to keep reinforcing to those who are affected by our journey (and supporting us along the way), that we love them and find them attractive. He's using you for emotional and financial support, and, again if you're giving us the whole story, he's providing you absolutely nothing in return. Do not, repeat, DO NOT marry this guy without going through some serious counseling. I'm a big proponent of pre-nuptial counseling anyway, and your story sounds like a really bad start to a life together. And, as others have suggested, I think you'd be well served to stop living together. I just had a crazy thought... In fear of acting like a therapist myself, what if you showed him what you've written here and asked him to write up what his response would be? (No talking/fighting about it out loud – it has to be on paper so he has time to think about it first.) You could combine your segments into one concise, cohesive document that would thoughtfully communicate your feelings and perspective. Might he go for that? Ummm.... Maybe you'd better run this idea by a real counselor first, though. If all this leads to a break up, accept it as a good thing in your life. Again, if your story is not one-sided, it sounds like you'd be better off without him. We all wish you the best of luck in resolving this dilemma. But please, do think of yourself and your needs – that's what he's doing.

So to get this thread back on track..... You know you've lost weight when you look in the mirror and identify with the slimmer person looking back at you!

Ah, yes. That thought has been forming in my head for some time. One day I came to the realization that anyone I meet now will only know me as a slender person. They have no idea that I used to be a "big" guy and are therefore free of any preconceived notions (or prejudices) that go along with that. I've noticed that many people who lose a substantial amount of weight look backwards at who they used to be. Some even look in the mirror and see a fat person disguised in a thin costume. To my mind, that's counterproductive thinking that can make it easier to slip back into the eating habits of their former selves. So... If I try to see myself as new acquaintances see me, then I can accept that I am a normal-sized person – with healthy eating habits! Then I'm more likely to make the choices from the "new" person's perspective, and less likely to be waiting for the time when I can eat all those foods I've been avoiding. The new me either won't be tempted to eat sugars and starches, or will be able to eat them in very limited quantities. That's my plan, anyway. It's all part of my deep belief that we have a limited amount of time after surgery to get our heads in the right place for the future. If we don't, we are at risk of slipping backwards and having to re-start our program at some point. And I'm working very hard to try and avoid that! Does that make sense?

Hi @@skinnygirlwithin – Not sure which of my recent posts you're referring to. Please clarify and I'll try to give you a thoughtful answer.

That's wonderful! Good luck with that last one, and remember, be choosy - you're worth it!

That's great! Try to see yourself as if you were just meeting you for the first time!

Yessssss!!!! Congratulations, loved this post!!!

Hi Susan, I was out-of-pocket yesterday, but my weight was 159. YAY!!! Thanks for doing this!!! Rog

Didn't your doctor have ideas and suggestions? At 6 weeks you should be able to eat fairly normally -- for a post-op bariatric patient, that is. Go back to your handbook and make sure you are doing all the right things every day. 60-80 grams of Protein? Carbs only from non-starchy vegetables? 64+ ounces of fluids? Walking/exercising regularly? If you're doing all these things every day and still can't lose weight, I'd engage your doctor or nutritionist for help. Good luck!

My dream is to jump out of an airplane for my 56th birthday, which will be just about one year after my surgery!

Without question I'd do it again! What surprised me the most is how much fun I've had on this wonderful journey!

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!)

You're doing great! When you see the smaller person in the mirror, believe it! Set many small milestones, and hit them. Identify with the new you and leave the old you behind. If you can do that, you'll enjoy this wonderful journey!!!

I'm 8 lbs from goal and stalled for 2 weeks. We just need to keep on keeping on and we'll get there. Good luck to us all!

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!)

Wow, great question! And a great answer! As someone who is within 10 lbs of goal, this is fascinating. I'm still going for the goal, but it makes one wonder.....

Same here. I can gulp away with no problem, and often suggest to people who complain of hunger that they use fluids to keep their sleeves satisfied between meals . BUT... I sometimes worry that keeping my stomach full of Fluid is just a substitute for keeping it full of food. Should I be concerned that I haven't got my head right yet because I still like to feel full? I mean, I drink all day long. Like 120 oz. a day. I have my 6 month surgeon appointment in a few days so I'll ask him about it. If it's anything to worry about, I'll post it here.

Wow, @@livvsmum, don't want to jinx it, but.... wow!

Hi Susan! Stuck at 162 this week. Cheers!

I find that if I keep my sleeve full of fluids, it stays satisfied. So... I bought two 24-ounce Tervis Tumblers (and handles) at Bed, Bath & Beyond; one for work and one for home. At least 30 minutes after Breakfast (and after coffee) I fill one up with sugar-free, decaf Crystal Light (or generic) iced tea and sip it all morning, finishing up at least 30 minutes before lunch. At least 30 minutes after lunch, I fill another and sip it all afternoon. (Sometimes I work in a snack, sometimes I don't.) Then, at least 30 minutes after dinner I fill my last one at home and sip it all evening. That's 72+ ounces of Fluid every day! If I have to go somewhere, I bring my tumbler in the car with me. And if I'm hungry and it's not mealtime or snacktime, I drink even more. If I'm going to a casual party where there won't be anything "appropriate" for me to drink, I bring along more tea in a cooler. A bit obsessive? Perhaps, but it works! Including coffee and green tea, I'm probably getting about 120 oz of fluid per day. And the more you drink, the more your body craves. I can polish off a 24-oz tumbler in just a few minutes sometimes. Not sure if that's a good thing, but it keeps me hydrated, which is good for weight loss AND skin elasticity!

@@madwife2002, are you drinking enough Fluid? I have found that whenever I get hungry and it's not a planned mealtime or snacktime, it's because I'm thirsty. I top off my tank with Crystal Light and I'm satisfied until my next meal. If you're having trouble getting the fluids in, ask me and I'll share my tricks. Good luck and stay the course!

Yeah, I agree with most of these posts.... We feel and look younger overall, but with more "character" lines. Sure beats the way we used to live, though, even if we did fill in our wrinkles!

Wow! Just...wow! Congratulations!!!!!