IcanMakeit

At two weeks out, I was still on a full liquid diet. What does your program call for at two weeks? If you're on liquids, you can have Greek yogurt with artificial sweetener and vanilla. This was a special treat to me at that stage. If you will have advanced to purées by that time, maybe you could make a parfait with Greek yogurt, sugar free jello and puréed fruit?

157 this morning! I verified my scale at my doctor's office, so I shouldn't have any more uncertainty.

161 today. Turns out that I had not solved my scale problem and have been living in a fool's paradise. It was nice to believe that I was below 160. But now mean old reality is slapping me in the face. Now I'm going to have to really stay focused if I'm going to make my goal.

I'm sure all hospitals are different, but I'll bet most at least ask you for your weight on the intake form (mine did), and some probably make you stand on the scale. You should check with your insurance and ask if there are any circumstances where authorization could be revoked on the day of surgery. It seems like that would be extremely unfair.

Thanks for sharing your photos. My belly looks very similar to yours. I already consulted with a plastic surgeon a couple of weeks ago. She told me to come back when I stop losing weight. I didn't want to wait! I hate my wobbly bits. But seeing your photos makes me realize that loose skin isn't really that big a deal. You look great. Since I'm 60 and I was obese for a long time, it isn't likely that my skin will tighten up much on its own. But look how great you look in your clothes. Instead of obsessing about loose skin, I should learn how to dress better.

The first thing you should to do is stop looking backward at your mistakes. You can only change the future. As far as getting back on track, it is definitely not too late. To get started, go ahead and meet with your nutritionist or just dig up and re-read all of the information you were given at the time of your surgery. The steps you took to lose 60 lbs will work again if you follow them. It may feel insurmountable, but you just need to start moving forward to overcome your inertia.

I share your frustration @geelynn. I have lost a noticeable amount of weight, but I still wear a 1X top. It's almost like I'm losing all my weight from the places that aren't covered by clothes. LOL. I'm just hoping that when I get to goal, I'll be able to shop in the regular size section.

I am glad that this thread was revived. I have long believed that my past diet failures happened because I did not view the diet as a new way of life, but rather, as a temporary remedy. This led me to really question my nutritionist's and surgeon's post op diet advice. It seemed too much like my former diets. In the past I could do diets, I just couldn't do maintenance. But even though I was unsure if this would really work, I am following their program as best I can. I figured, they must know something I don't. But in the back of my mind, I still believe that changing your eating patterns has to be done in a sustainable manner. And I often question if a 1000 to 1200 cal diet is actually healthy for the long term. I know it wouldn't be if we were not taking vitamin supplements. Reading the debate contained in this thread has given me much to think about. I really want to be successful for the long term, so reading what works for others is very instructive.

It is great that you are so concerned about your friend. I also admire your sensitivity in coming here to ask for advice rather than confronting your friend. It is very hard to hit your caloric and Protein goals for the first few months after surgery. This is a common problem and does not, by itself, indicate any disorder. If your friend is developing a disorder, she might become defensive when questioned about her eating/exercise habits. Since you don't know whether or not she has that problem, it's better to offer her advice about the problem you know she has - not getting enough Water. There are lots of helpful hints on this site to cope with this issue. At 500 cals a day it is also possible that she isn't getting enough protein. You might be able to ask her about that without making her uncomfortable. And you could suggest that she talk to her nutritionist for tips on raising her intake.

I'm really hopeful about this challenge. Starting weight: 160; Goal weight: 150. I want to get within striking distance of my ultimate goal.

I'd love to have a TARDIS! That way, I could visit myself in 2015 and have a preview of the new me. (Yes, I know fellow Whovians, it's against the rules to interact with your future self.) I'm still not 100% confident that I am doing things right or that I will be able to maintain my new, healthier lifestyle. I want to tell my future self to stay the course. But since we have to go through things one step at a time, we should trust that our preparations and determination will carry us through -- your surgery and post-op period, my long term health goals. And let's remember to reach out to others when we need support.

This is a good thread. Reading everyone's accomplishments is very motivating. My three favorite outcomes so far: 1) Diabetes is GONE. 2) I feel more confident. 3) I can walk for miles without a problem. Six months ago, I could barely walk a block.

It's a bummer to turn down work, but you might have the same problem getting enough nutrition that so many of us had. Better safe than sorry.

I don't know your age or general state of health, but I personally needed every day of my two week leave, and I have a desk job. My first few days back to work were rocky because I had so little energy. I just couldn't get in more than a few hundred calories a day for the first few weeks.

Each person loses at his/her own rate and comparisons just drive you nuts. But there are some techniques that generally seem to help weight loss: measuring your food rather than "eyeballing," tracking your diet (using MyFitnessPal or some other website or app), staying very low carb (particularly if you have metabolic syndrome), and gradually increasing the frequency and intensity of exercise. All that being said, your weight loss so far is pretty good. You must admit that losing 49 lbs is usually an occasion for celebration. I don't think losing 100 lbs in 7 months is very average with any type of surgery. The Lexapro might be a possible contributor to slowing down your rate of weight loss, but you should talk to your doctor about that. Note: in case you are still comparing, my stats include 42 lbs of pre-op weight loss.

I'm no veteran, but it sounds to me like you are a prime candidate for the sleeve. The key to long term success with the sleeve is a permanent change in lifestyle and faithful adherence to the dietary guidelines. Seems like you have already made great changes, now you need the tool. The fact that at your current weight you are not losing weight on less than 1500 calories a day means that the extreme low calorie diet generally prescribed after weight loss surgery is probably necessary for you. Even though you have become more active, your metabolism is interfering with weight loss. And as you know, an extreme low calorie diet without weight loss surgery is just a yo-yo waiting to happen. Whatever you decide, don't give up your new healthy habits. They will serve you well.

Oops. Maybe I need a new scale. I checked again, and I'm back up to 159. So I lost 4 lbs in a week, not 8. I was so happy, that I wanted to believe it.

I have been afraid to try GwinnieBee. What happens if you stain or rip the clothes? What if the clothes don't fit? Does that still count as a rental?

Ree: I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you have plenty of loving support. My final check-in for the Labor Day challenge is a head-scratcher: 155 lbs. How does one lose 8 lbs in one week? I must have been retaining water like crazy. If this isn't a temporary anomaly, I have exceeded my goal for today by 8 lbs!

I had a great NSV at the Elizabethan Theater in Ashland a couple of weeks ago. On my first visit, a year ago, I couldn't walk up the stairs to the balcony without stopping to gasp and rest. This year, I just walked right up without giving it a thought until I was at the top and remembered how I felt last year. I am ecstatic that I can now walk and climb stairs without difficulty.

I love the back. Keep it.

I posted out of frustration, but of course there are solutions! You guys don't let me feel sorry for myself. Thanks. I do have some smaller sized clothes in the attic that I can go through. And although the thrift stores never seem to have anything that will fit my bust size, Ross is still around. I'm sure I can find something if I look. Time to stop complaining and do something about it.

I'm about two thirds of the way to my weight loss goal and am in a bit of a dilemma. Most of my clothes are too big and look sloppy on me now. But when I try on new clothes, I find that I still need to buy plus sizes in tops and dresses. Most of my weight loss has been from my bottom half! And my bosom has hardly shrunk at all. I've been hoping that things will even out as I get closer to goal and intended to wait before getting too many new things in a (hopefully) interim size. But my baggy clothes are starting to get me down. Although I hate spending money on clothes that will only fit for a month or two, I guess it's time to break down and do it. I just wish they made clothes for us apple-shaped women. It seems that most things are made for pear shapes. I feel like starting an apple-shaped women's movement. Hmm. I need a slogan.

I have lost 40 lbs since my surgery on May 12 and 82 lbs since January. My biggest challenge has been getting used to my decreased capacity at mealtimes. I get full so fast that I often don't enjoy eating. Since I'm pretty hedonistic, this is disappointing. My biggest surprise is that although I am 60, I'm no longer as old as I thought I was. I am now riding a bike for transportation and exercise and routinely walk rather than drive.

I am going to try to convince my insurance company that I "need" a panniculectomy along with breast reduction. For me, the main driver is not aesthetics, but comfort. My "apron" is in my way and my heavy, pendulous breasts keep me from moving as much as I would like. Not to mention the pain in my back and shoulders.