Finding Erika

MsMiamiMami- wow! 92 lbs for you too?! You ladies are amazing! Keep up the exercise but like you said- be careful with the knee- worst would be to have an injury that prevents us from working out- yikes! You're incredible! Keep it up and share your secrets too! Pretty please?

LadyB- congrats! 100lbs(!) in 6 MONTHS!!?? Whoa! You're my hero! I'm only down about 60 since 7 my months ago- and I was stalled for 4 MONTHS!!! No joke- no exaggeration- 4 MONTHS! And as for losing your pizza cravings? You're amazing! Keep it up and please tell those of us who are barely (if at all) creeping along - how have you done it- what are your tips and tricks?

Hey guys Alexis- I'm so sorry- I didn't see your question about my hair loss until now- I'm a little behind [emoji15] Anyway- It's hard to tell percentage wise/ I can tell you that I have to clean out my brush every time I use it- it used to be every couple of weeks- my hair is everywhere! In the car- the carpet- all over my family- ha! I would say that when I put my hair up in a pony tail it's about half the amount I'm holding in my hand- and the other part that sucks is that the hair that's left is kind of scraggly- if that's a word- [emoji12] The GOOD news though is that it seems to be slowing down! It's not as much in the shower drain to wipe off each time (I'm trying to only wash my hair every other or even third day) AND baby hairs are growing in!! I'm 5 days away from being 7 months out so I guess it's right on schedule- but still it's been disheartening- I used to have this thick, soft red hair but I will again- they say that it grows back exactly as it was- and the baby hairs are signs that it's coming back in!!

Whoa! Well done girl!

Holy crap! 43 pounds in 10 weeks! That's awesome! Way to go! Sounds like your diet is right on too- are you exercising? Try to build up to 30 minutes of walking at this point- I know they say EVERYday but let's be reasonable- you're still healing and we can't always do it every day- I sure can't and I'm almost 7 months out- I am doing resistance training with a trainer (ha!) 3x a week and walking quickly before each of these sessions- I work 14 hours 3x a week so I only have one other day of the week I can get any exercise in and I try to walk 30-40 minutes outside if it's nice- Since I started my resistance training - and trust me - I HAD to hire a personal trainer for myself- because otherwise I'd still be sitting at home watching tv or reading and never move my butt- so since I started doing more weights I have FINALLY broken a 4 month (!) stall- and yes- I said 4 months- it has made such a huge difference- Even just get some cheap dumbbells from Target or a stability ball and do "push ups" on it- or a DVD- we are taking in so few calories that we are wasting lean muscle that burns fat constantly- it's just made a big difference for me-

Hey Wedding Dress I love your name! As for the numbness- it's totally normal to cut any part of the skin below the epidermis means you're going to cut nerves- now it's not like cutting a major nerve like a vagus nerve that controls your heart rate or anything- but "sensation" nerves nonetheless- it takes a while for them to regenerate if they will at all- I have a surgical scar on my R ankle from when I was 17 (I'm 43 now) that still is numb around it- no big deal though- it may itch as it regrows or not. Much better than being obese like we were though I think

Hey Smiles It sounds like everyone has covered a lot of your questions! As for nail polish- the O2sat monitors can read through it and even if they had a problem- we have tons of nail polish remover in the hospital [emoji6] What to bring? Literally just your pillow, cell phone and charger, hair clip and chapstick stuff- you're wearing their clothes and socks- they'll give you toothbrushes- as for shampoo- I didn't have time to shower in the hospital- you're focused on pain control and walking and sipping- that's really it- it's so streamlined and they are so good at all this - they have a system- just follow your nurses instructions and you'll be golden! Being a diabetic is par for the course with our crowd and the nurses and docs know how to manage your sugars in the hospital- let them- they will monitor it very closely especially right after surgery- they will make whatever adjustments need to be made and you don't have to even think about it- just focus on your walking and drinking- As for not eating anything good again- well that's just another thing to put on the back burner- like the above poster said- everything will taste differently and you may not even like your favorite foods anymore- you may start to like new ones- you never know! And in the beginning when you're healing- that's all you need to focus on- healing- so that's why you start on liquids then mushies then solids- and it takes a while to get to solids because you have to heal- trust the process- you won't even want to eat that much in the beginning-- your relationship with food is going to change whether you try to change it or not- so let it happen- it will- you just have to trust the process- You're going to be amazing at this! You have all the right education, best surgeons and nurses lined up and all of us here to support you! Try to enjoy this - it's worth the ride! Muah!

I'm here too- I certainly don't have all the answers but I can try to find them if we need to- and I'm always here for emotional support- God knows I need this stuff too so I understand- I've asked stuff on here before and I'm always nervous to put my questions out there- but eventually I get replies- we are definitely here for you- just let us know what's going on and what you're wondering about

Holy crap! You look AMAZING! I think we had surgery around the same time if I remember correctly- I was 12/6/16- and I'm still 40 pounds heavier than you are! I know I'm a really slow loser but you're incredible!!!! You go lady! Congrats on all the hard work! Now...you have to tell your secrets like what does your program look like? How much exercise have you done, fluids, etc etc- I'm so frustrated so I'd love to learn from the old pro here

And Blondie thanks for the reset info- I'm going to have to google it- I have to cut out all carbs I suppose- it's really tough- I know we all have this issue- I'm getting my protein shakes in and fluids thanks to skim milk and I don't even like alcohol so that isn't a worry- And thanks for clarifying about the "slowing down" stuff at 6 months- it's nice to know that it's really up to us- and not at the whim of a predetermined slow down- By the way- how many calories/carbs/protein do most people have recommended in their programs at 6 months? My program just says 60+g of protein and doesn't measure anything else except fluids- so I'm just wondering- Anyway- thanks for the replies ladies I'm really lucky to have this group- you all are awesome

Hey MsMiamiMami! Thanks for the encouragement! You look fabulous!! I am so excited for you! You look amazing! And yes- the exercise will definitely help- it has helped me a ton- maybe not in losing tons of pounds but definitely lifting my mood which gives me the positive outlook I need to keep persevering- I have always hates (!) exercise- it was actually so intimidating and I was so embarrassed for anyone to see me exercising that I avoided it like the plague- but now I've actually started to love it! I look forward to "my time" - I so hope it turns into that for you

Warning! Long post ahead! Sorry guys- but thank you for reading it - your support has been tremendous to me! Hey everyone- I'm sorry for the double post but as I wrote the last one it stirred up these yucky emotions that I just need to get out- I hope you don't mind-- I had surgery on 12/6/16 and my official weight was 226- (I had started at 240)- since then I've lost only 38 pounds- [emoji37]- I was 188 this morning- That's 52 pounds overall which I'm thrilled about but I have been in the 180's for about 7 weeks- and before that I was in the 190's for about 2 1/2 months! I just want to scream! So here's the bigger problem- I'm such an "all or nothing" kind of person so either I'm all in on this program or I'm just going to eat terribly- well when I thought about my weight loss I feel just like I always did before when I failed at yet another diet- it's depressing- I feel like I'm right back where I started- so what did I do back then? I ate crap! And that's what I've started to do over the past month- it's like since this isn't working then why bother? I'm so angry at myself, feel like a failure again, feel guilty, feel like I blew it already-all the old feeling of self-doubt, self-loathing and lack of confidence- all the things that had finally been removed since surgery- it's sickening! I know I have to stop eating the garbage but it's what I "always have done" when I fail - I just feel like I shouldn't even bother- I'm really worried because everyone says the weight loss slows drastically at 6 months - which is only 2 weeks away- how can it get slower when I'm not losing now? Thanks guys for listening- if anyone has any encouragement or tricks of the trade that have worked for you to keep the faith and keep yourself on track - please let me know- I just feel so down about it all- thanks again for your support - you all are so brace to share your stories, successes and failures- it is so appreciated-

Hey Alexis! Sounds like you're living my life too! Isn't life crazy sometimes? Congrats on losing 60(!) pounds! That's amazing! You've worked your tail off! I'm having the hair loss problem- I asked my NUT about it as well as my surgeon and they both say that I don't need extra biotin because we're getting tons of B vitamins in our supplements- that said though- I've considered taking the biotin- I've bought it already and just need to start it- I just can't get myself to take yet another pill! My hair loss started around the beginning of month 4 - and is still happening - I'm at 5 1/2 months now- surgery was 12/6/16- and I'm a slow loser too- I've only lost 52 pounds- so frustrating! And that's from my highest weight- since surgery it's only been 38(!) pounds- Anyway- have a fabulous day! Hope to hear more from you soon

Hi everyone- I'm really just at a loss for what to do. I have been hanging around on these boards for the past 4 months since surgery but only posted a few times. I keep hoping to find someone else that is having the "I'm not losing enough weight" problem that I'm having. I started at 240 a year ago and went into surgery at 226 pounds on December 6, 2016. I'm 4 months post-op and have only lost 37 pounds. After month 1 I was down 19 pounds- and I was thrilled. However, after months 2, 3, and 4 I'm only down 12, 2, and now 4 pounds, respectively. I've only lost 6 pounds in 2 months! So basically when I started to eat real food (or more than an average of 600 calories a day) the weight loss stopped. I did have a problem at 7 weeks post-op where my gallbladder flared up and I was hospitalized for a few days. I then had it removed at 8 weeks. Since then I stopped losing. I've been cleared for exercise for the past month and since then I've been increasing my walking to now where I can walk 40 minutes at around 3.3 mph and not die- lol. I walk 2-3 times a week, stretch and do yoga 2 other days of the week. I'm definitely getting in my Protein (around 90g per day) and I make my Fluid goal of 64oz- sometimes more but usually right at that because too much fluids make me nauseous. I'm eating fat-free cottage cheese with 1oz of no-sugar-added peaches for Breakfast. Then lunch is usually a tuna pouch with 6-8 rice crackers and a tsp of olive oil mayo. dinner is some sort of stir fry (maybe a tsp of sesame oil) or a piece of chicken breast and broccoli. In between the meals I'm drinking a Premiere Protein shake each time. My program says to only 2oz per meal until 6 months. Isn't this pretty small compared to everyone else? I'm trying to stick with that but I'm still pretty hungry and so I go back and eventually eat about 4 oz when all is said and done. I'm drinking Powerade Zero, unjury Chicken Soup sometimes in place of one of the Protein shakes, and sugar-free hot chocolate in the morning- 1 cup. All of these foods are on my "allowed" lists from my doctor so I don't know what is going on - except that I'm eating 4 oz at each meal instead of 2. I have PCOS and have always found it impossible not to gain weight. Is this why I'm not able to lose it? Am I doing something wrong? Not doing enough? Please help- I'm starting to get pretty down and feel like maybe I should just resign myself to always weighing 189 even though I should weight more like 130-

Hi! WOW! This stuff must be magic! [emoji5] I really want to read them all but I can't get them to open properly - eeeek! Would you mind emailing them to me? I hate to ask but I really am excited to see what they say-

Maggie- thanks for the encouragement I'm quitting the peaches and rice crackers as of tomorrow- I already packed my lunch and breakfast without them! I really hope it is just a stall- I am tracking everything that goes into my mouth on MFP- and my protein is around 90g a day (60 from 2 Premiere Protein shakes) so I guess my food is 30g? We were never told to watch carbs or calories- sounds insane now that I see everyone else it doing so- so can you tell me how much you we're supposed to be having at 4 months out? I looked back and my carbs are averaging around 50g a day- depending on how many veggies I eat- is that high? By the way- Where does everyone get these guidelines? From their individual surgeon? Or another magical site somewhere I haven't found yet? [emoji12] Wow! What a whole new world we're living now- it's wildly exhausting but so freeing at the same time- I'm just afraid of going back to that old life- it was dark and lonely- just sad- I know everyone understands this- so when I stopped losing like I should I kind of freaked out- (maybe just a little bit- [emoji39]) because I'm so afraid of the old life- So thank you everyone for responding and listening- what a wonderful group I've found here - I am very lucky -

Hey Lauren- wow! Your friend is a rock star! How many calories is she taking in? Does she even get in all of her proteins? I'm so impressed with her! I think I could totally do her diet- the thing is that I guess I'm an "all or nothing" kind of girl with my food addiction- is anyone else like this? It was much easier in the beginning when I could only eat very little and it was a small menu to choose from- but now - (I mean I know we have a still small menu but) we have more choices that can get us/me in to trouble. I have to just get into the "nothing" way of thinking I suppose- lol - and that's fine if that's what I have to do- but it feels like before a little but where you never really knew what you were doing with a diet- But I'm going to just get back to basics- probably have to really increase my fluids- ick! And not have the rice crackers I was having with my lunch- but that's ok- we'll all make it through - And yes! You WILL be 189 pounds before you know it AND you will be way lower than that soon afterwards- just keep on following your plan- it will all come together

Blondie -thanks for writing back Do you really think that's a lot of food? Wow- I'm really confused then- I thought most people were eating 3- 4oz meals plus 2 protein shakes in between- maybe I misunderstood what I've been reading on these boards- if it is too much the. That would explain it and I'll have to cut back- Also- did you have the nausea problem with big amounts of fluids? Is that why you couldn't get them all in at this point? I wonder if people use Zofran for this kind of nausea- just an idea- thinking out loud-

Catwoman- thanks for putting it right out there- that's what I really need- I am carb sensitive so I don't know why I would think that I wouldn't be after surgery- duh, Erika! [emoji5] Maybe because my NUT said not to worry about fruits and veggies- even oatmeal, brown rice, pasta and sweet potatoes are all ok- albeit we're supposed to eat our protein first- but these are all supposedly ok- I'm going to have to cut them out completely though- thank you for the encouragement -

Hi JBLady Thanks for the reply- I will definitely be upping my fluid intake now that you said this- congrats on your huge loss! You're amazing! I guess I will have to cut out all carbs to -besides veggies - I'm really happy for you that the PCOS symptoms are lessening- that's awesome! Hopefully they will continue to go away- Thanks for the input- I'm learning a ton from my peers here-

Joules- we sound very much like surgery twins! That's what I've been trying to tell myself too- that maybe it's just healthier to lose slowly - less skin sagging and more chance to keep our muscles from atrophying too quickly- keep your chin up! You're DOING this! You're making it! Be PROUD of how far you've come! Can you tell me. What your program is like? How many oz are you out uploaded to eat and how often? How much protein and water are you supposed to take in? How much exercise are you doing? I'm just trying to see where I can improve- Thank you for replying and the support- I so need this [emoji4]

Thank you Lauren- it's so sweet of you to reply I'm so sorry you have the PCOS stuff too- good news for you is that I had my son with no problems (he's now 16- yikes! How did THAT happen?!)- and although we suffered 4 miscarriages before I was diagnosed, we put me on met form in and the 6th time it worked like a charm! We ended up having a crazy pregnancy but it had nothing to do with the PCOS - and our daughter is now 9 1/2! She's healthy and sweet as can be- so you will have babies- I just WILL happen- you have to have faith - Now I don't have the hirsituism. I never had the hyperandrogenism with the excess hairs- I'm a really fair redhead- and my cycles have always been generally normal. They found my PCOS because of the pearly "bag of pearls" appearance of my ovary during routine sonograms during my miscarriages. Then we found my insulin resistance and my cholesterol started to go wacky. But I'm telling you the Metformin has saved my life! To not did it give me our daughter but it stopped me from gaining as fast as I was. And you're right about weight taking longer to fall off the lower your weight is. I guess that's just what we have to accept but I think 6 pounds in 2 months is ridiculous. Like you I didn't go into this for 37 pounds- I needed to lose 100 pounds. I really hope it's going to happen like you said where you don't lose for a few months and then it all comes off in a whoosh! I keep praying- hard! Like all day! My rosary is starting to fall apart [emoji23]. But you're doing great! At 3 weeks out and having lost 16 pounds- especially after losing 20 pounds before your surgery! You're ROCKING IT! Those who lose a ton before surgery end up not losing a much the first few months- so way to go! And PLEASE- ask your friend who lost the 124 pounds in a year how she did it! How much did she eat, how often, how much protein, water, exercise? Ok- sorry- I'm just full of questions! Keep doing what your doing- you're already wildly successful- go Lauren, GO! Keep us posted!

Oops-

Way to go Redmaxx! That's awesome that you're now the old pro that gets to help others! AND that you've lost so much! How much have you lost? Tell us your words of wisdom so we can all succeed like you have? Also-for anyone- my surgeon never gave me a goal weight- how did they determine yours?

Wow! You don't even look like the same person! Fabulous job! So tell us who are trying to los this much how you did it- what was your plan like?