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I like this guy!!!

I too was scared - especially after my first "throw up." Just remember... listen to your body. ---When I eat too fast - I burp a lot (gasy...is that a word?) ---when my food bites are too big, I get pain in my shoulders. Learn from what your body is doing each time you eat something new. Mantra - slow slow slow.... It helps.

how fun.... I too am married and someone at the gym come up to me to ask how I keep losing all the weight. Then he asked if we could work out together. What a nice treat.... especially since I am old.

Here is an article my surgeon gave me for a Pulmonologist who was not supporting my decision. He has changed his toon somewhat - or he no longer says it to me when I have my check-ins. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587%2815%2900009-1/abstract

So last year at this time I was meeting with my PCP to talk about options. I had another trip to the ER thanks to my asthma and allergies. After the meeting, set up my first appointment with the surgeon. Needed to wait the 6 months and lose weight. I was glad for this requirement and I think it has helped me in my success. Now here I am 1 year from my surgeon meeting and 6 months from my surgery. Down a total of 108.5 pounds as of this morning. Not at goal but getting closer each day/ week. I do not regret my decision and know its going to get easier. The first 6 months have been hard, but I would not change it for anything. I have never felt better in my life. "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels" Before After

This has been a struggle for me too. I have two close friends who have gotten closer during my experience and I have one friend who has distanced herself. I am totally amazed at how they are responding. Regarding my friend who was no supporting me, I finally had a discussion with her asking why. She confided, she thought I was cheating - surgery was the "easy" way out. I must admit - I sorta lost it..... I then explained how hard dealing with food has become after surgery. My relationship with food is different and I cannot believe how she was not being a friend for me. Now that I have been looking at it for the past 2 months, I personally think she is sad because I cannot be her "eating" buddy anymore. In other words - I made her feel good about her food choices because of mine and now I do not provide that for her. I had to say goodbye to over 7 years of friendship. I am truly sad but I am also confident it is the right thing for me to do. I wish you luck - this is really hard... we know.

I missed my first period after the surgery and then when I did get it.... flood...... If you are worried - talk to you OB - mine has been so helpful during this whole process.

Congrats..... you should be so proud!!!

Hi Bay Area folks... I found a group in the Meetup site. There is a planned meeting with a local psychologist Oct 10 - here are the details. I am thinking of going and give it a try. http://www.meetup.com/SF-WLS-Group/

@@BLERDgirl - those are cool!!!

what about the 0% Fage with honey - where you mix yourself. That one I like.

I travel for business at least 50% of the month. My biggest challenge has been Protein. I used to find stores and buy Protein shakes where I am going. That normally has issues. So now I get the single packs Protein powder from GNC (made by quest) and I travel with my mixer bottle. This way I can always have my protein - without having to find a store nearby. As for Snacks or things to bring to parties, I have found the following help. meat and cheese burritos (thinly sliced meat wrapped about deli meat) Beef and Turkey Jerky - there are single sized packs now P3 packs and those are great for purse fillers - walgreens has then Quest Protein Bars - these works the best for me - and taste the best for me Have a wonderful TRIP!!!

Totally normal. This about it like this, you lost a bunch of weight and your body is freaking out. It wants to reset itself, give it a week (sometimes two) and the weight loss will start again. I am 6 months and so far I have 5 stalls - almost one per month.

Good topic, I have not thought about this yet. I started using a Neti pot (sinus rinse) because I am afraid of getting sick too.

How funny... love it!! Great way to start the week.

Same issue here. Now that I am 6 months, I am taking a fiber chew. that is helping a lot.... too bad it 20 calories. Oh well.... I was nice bathroom visits.

you mean the cream I just spent 90$ on does nothing. I am bummed... at least it smells nice.

I had IBS for at least 15 years before my surgery. Now that I am 6 months post op, I have no signs of my old behaviour. Sure I had some diarrhea right after surgery but I think that was my Protein shakes and not IBS. I have no needed any of my meds ever....

I will offer one point - 3 Protein shakes a day. so I was taking an international trip and decided to just have Protein Shakes so I was full but not getting into trouble while on the flight. And three shakes gave me bad bad bathroom visits. I guess I blocked out the diarrhea I had at the beginning of my journey. Beware!!!!

Also try gluten free breadcrumbs - maybe your pouch does not like the breadcrumb you are using. I make mine with ground beef (91%), parmesan cheese, egg white and gluten free breadcrumbs (it's a yellow box at the grocery store - and cannot remember the name).

Next weigh in 243.

@@amyallthetime - how cool. I am in pacifica. Let plan something for soon! Look for message soon!

I have tats too... this is scary. so far I am down 100+ and they look ok to me. The next 60 pounds I am sure will mean more. I figure - it's all part of me and this journey... so what happens will happen!!!

Great advice so far. Yes it gets easier but I must say... that first meal was so important to me. I really planned what I was going to have - and Salmon with string Beans was fantastic..... so so yummy.... In fact, I really love the smell of food now. I take the time to smell food before I get it. My other senses (other than taste) really are stronger now.

I am sure it will be over before you know. And I totally agree with you decision!!! You can wait... it will all go GREAT now.