Beni

@@AuriP Well done, you look amazing. Your face really looks different and gorgeous. Features are coming out. I did have a long stall but my scale is moving again. You may want to call your NUT, 21 days is a long time. Perhaps some exercise next week will do the trick. I feel for you, it's so devastating when the scale doesn't move. However, look at the whole picture and your success is already amazing. Don't despair, this WLS will work for you some more. I am better then halfway to my goal and the weight loss so far is the greatest in my life as well. Isn't it like a miracle? To think that just 3 months ago we were so different.

There are always new beginnings. Yes, it will be a little harder but it's nor over. It must feel wonderful to be vindicated. Use that power to help you. I assure you, once the weight comes off your joints will feel better. I used to go up the stairs one step at a time. One leg to first step then the other leg to the same first step and so forth. I also took two Aleve pills at least 5 times per week. 61 lbs later I can run up the steps. Yes, my knees still make sounds but they don't hurt anymore. There is hope.

@@finallyaloser I laughed so hard at your losing the pants story. I so can relate. When I put the pants on, I am thinking, yes, this is a little big but I'm okay. Then hello, the pants slide right down, I can't even catch them fast enough. Last week, I was organizing the storage area in my basement that has all the Christmas decor. It was a huge job and I had these stretchy pants on. I must have pulled them up a 100 times before I went - Heck, I can't do this anymore, my pants are seriously slowing me down. Now, I can't remember ever having suffered from this predicament in my entire life. I cannot tell you how many times I pull my pants up. This is why I finally moved all the clothing that didn't fit out of my closet (most of it). It was driving me baddy. Even the pants I had moved the button an inch in were falling off. I have lost 7 inches off my waist. I get how moving the button one inch in is not going to solve the problem. Lol, WLS problems. Belts help but asking a belt to address a 7 inch problem is like asking for a miracle. You know how there are "First World Problems" such as 900 channels and nothing to watch on TV. Losing your pants is for sure worthy of "WLS problems."

I had high blood pressure before surgery (as high as 160 with meds) and in the hospital right after surgery (because of anesthesia, I was told) but by the time I went home I was cured. At all my other appointments my blood pressure has been excellent. Hurray, no more tiny pills twice a day for me. I even checked the blood pressure again to be sure. Nope, I am cured! It was just like a switch turned off. Freaking unbelievable. I have the same blood pressure I had when I was 20 years old.

@@Luna222 I can't fit in my stretchy clothes either. The pants fall off. I too had a melt down the other day and took everything out of the closet that didn't fit. It was like everything. I was just so tired of putting something on and going - Nope, this looks ridiculous or these pants are for sure going to fall off. It was exhausting.

@@finallyaloser Congratulations on making it to 299. That's wonderful. I am sure you can't believe how well you are doing. Isn't this amazing. Success only helps even further. It's a great motivator. Well done!

I was told to lay on left side for pouch pain to help empty stomach. This is because the roux limb is on the left. And lay on the right to slow down dumping. Like if you have too much sugar or fat and start getting the shakes. By laying on the right side you are slowing the progression of food from stomach to intestines. It is this rapid emptying were the name comes from "dumping" from stomach to intestines too fast. If you realize you are dumping early on and lay down pronto you may be able to slow it down enough. However, I try laying in whatever which way seems to work, usually my back. I stay as still as possible.I also run around when I know I ate too much. If it is only a little too much it works but when I ate way too much (2 extra bites, lol) nothing works.

@dc0502 You have kidney stones, wow, so sorry. Those are supposed to be extremely painful. My brother had then and he couldn't even walk straight.

I am sorry but this journey is his to take and it's not really one that can be shared. All you can do is support with "that's great honey." Without counseling I would focus on activities that you both enjoy and do those together. It seems that you are both very food centered. Do things together that don't involve food. Even things you have not tried before. Place the focus where it needs to be - your relationship, not all this little stuff.

No breaking out but I had a period pronto and I had not had one in 1 and 1/2 years since my Nuvasure procedure. My periods were so heavy I had it done because I was anemic. So, it does mess with your hormones but I think once everything settles down it will be a better balance. I am almost 3 months post surgery and I feel fantastic.

I know every doctor has a different plan. Mine does not recommend Protein shakes after the initial phase right after surgery. I was advised to get my protein from food only. I am only to use shakes if I can't get to food or if I am exercising a lot. My Nut says it can slow down weight loss. I certainly am not advising you not to follow your plan but I just wanted you to be aware not everyone does the same thing. I have lost 61 lbs and my surgery was October 28th, 2014. I walk and do my own version of exercise. It includes power cleaning. I figure if I'm going to move I might as well have a spotless house. Something that helps me a lot is to write down what I am going to eat that day. It makes it fun to plan and I know exactly what to eat and look forward to the built in treats. A cup of warm herbal tea, a saltine, whatever. This way, I don't have to think and search for what to eat when I am most vulnerable - hungry or in a hurry. Also, eating slow is key because quantity is a given determined by our pouch but the 20 - 25 minutes eating creates the feeling of full for the 4 hours until the next meal. Of course it's very boring to eat 1/4 of food for 20 minutes. I actually do stuff while I eat. For example I sit at the computer or even window clean as I eat. My breaks are for drinking because I find chewing to death so boring but drinking is easier as long as you wait and don't drink 1 hour after you eat. Just adjust a little and all will be well. I too have stalls. 3 so far and they are devastating. I usually try to move more to get out of them. When I say move more it can be window shopping for several hours or dusting the whole house. Good luck!

Scandal, Orange is the new black, Downton Abbey and yes, Breaking Bad was the bomb. It was the only TV show ever that I watched twice. I also liked Weeds on Netflix. I watch a few other shows but I don't follow them.

I think it's probably because of the 6 incisions. That's why you have to be very careful not to pick up (push) anything too heavy in the first 4 weeks post surgery. But there maybe something else I am not aware.

@@brown eyed girl I have a little bread here and there. Just a tiny bite, I call it a crumb and as long as it doesn't become a meal I'm okay with it. I also have a bagel chip crumb here and there. It's amazing how just having that tiny bit makes me feel less deprived but I am very careful because I am not losing sight of my goal and diet - NO WAY

@@layknee I am glad they are doing tests. This surgery sometimes has side effects but gallbladders are not essential. Hope they figure it out. How are you doing otherwise? Please let us know what they say.

@@amylynns It sounds like you are doing your best. That's all you can do my friend. I am glad they did blood tests but the gallbladder going bad is a possibility but I know someone who had it removed. The symptoms were very painful. You would know. She had to go to hospital pronto. But you should mention the stool color to the nurse. Let us know what the blood test results are. I have been wondering why your energy level is down.

Oh, I'm going to try salad then. I have not because I was afraid of the dreaded grouchy pouch. I usually do baby spinach and kale in my fruit smoothies (only a tiny bit) but I am willing to try. My celebratory day was a bust. Kids stayed home as school was cancelled due to snow. Had to cancel the MedSpa but rescheduled. Will report once I find out what miracle cures they have for loose skin. I also made an appointment for another one. Might as well check it out as it comes highly recommended. We have Nordstrom's in Virginia but I usually only buy shoes and purses from them. Their women's department is not so great (I have bought jackets and an outfit here and there) but I will check out the misses now that I am regular sizes. I need some pants very badly. All my spandex/elastic pants are falling off now too. All day long I have been pulling them up. Perhaps I can shop tomorrow if they don't cancel school again.

Everyone is afraid of the unknown. I should have done this surgery 10 years ago but I was afraid. Lost 10 years and that's the truth. If I had known I would feel this amazing after losing 60 pounds I would have run to the doctor and begged for Bypass surgery. With a BMI of 49, your life is on the line. Mine was too. Just to give you an idea and these are the little things: I can run, cross my legs, run up the stairs, shop all day, sight see all day and those last are without sitting down breaks. Could I do any of this 4 months ago? NO. I also have no pre-diabetes or high blood pressure and my knees and back don't hurt all the time. I was afraid I couldn't take Aleve after surgery. But Hello, I don't need it. Miracles do happen. One is happening to me right now.

I had RNY and I don't dump but eating too much (even a bite) gives me nausea and I did vomit a few times because I tried to push more then the 1/4 cup of food early on. It's just hard to believe you can only eat 1/4 cup at first. During the holidays I did have some fudge and it made me light headed. I think if I had eaten a bunch I would have dumped but a bite I can handle. For example I drink tea with a teaspoon of sugar with no problem. I don't do it very often. Eating healthy is surprisingly easy when you don't have the raging hunger.

Sounds like an allergic reaction or some other medical issue. I would talk to your doctor, especially if it gets worse.

Just discovered another milestone. My BMI is 34.9 which means I couldn't qualify for surgery through insurance because I am too thin. With my insurance I would have to be BMI of 35 with co-morbs. I know it's only by 0.1 but when we miss getting in an car accident by 0.1 we celebrate, right? I'm feeling pretty awesome right now. That's not a feeling that I usually have (I feel awesome about others not me) which makes this all more wonderful. Okay, I'm gonna cry. Heck, I'm crying already.

Oh no, school was cancelled and there is not a flake of snow on the ground. Northern Virginia goes crazy at the possibility of snow. I am near Leesburg Virginia and the forecast calls for a "dusting to 1 inch" and hello school is cancelled.

Hurray, it happened! Look at my weight tracker. Isn't it a thing of beauty? Halfway to goal. Lost 60 freaking pounds. If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is. Must Celebrate today. I actually had an appointment at a Medspa for a consult on skin rejuvenation today. I am considering some facial treatments. There are a bunch of things I could do and I'll have a chat with them. There is also a Laser treatment for loose skin on neck. I have never done anything like this but I thought I should at least check it out. Lucky it's happening on the very day of one of my major milestones. Then I am going to buy something nice to wear. Funny thing, don't know where to go to shop because now that I don't fit in Lane Bryant and other larger size brands I am a little lost. Help, I don't know my new style. I'll have to reinvent myself a la Madona. No pointy bra though, lol!

@@layknee I did have pale stool early on right after surgery. This was back in the day of horrible constipation but I think it was because of the Protein shakes and the very limited food selection. Now I make food concoctions with different vegetables. Like homemade hummus with 4 different tiny bits of cooked vegetable blended in food processor or fruit smoothies with all the right stuff for regularity. Please let us know what they say. Hope you feel better.

@@amylynns You bring an interesting point regarding weight goals. I can't even remember why mine is 150 Lbs. I am sure I researched it. I was looking at expected weight loss with bypass surgery and for my weight and height the average weight loss places me at 170Lbs. I would be okay with that but I hope to do a little better. We'll see, only time will tell but I sure feel a lot more hopeful about my ability to reach my goals then I ever have in my entire life.