Orchids&Dragons

But why wouldn't they stare? You've lost over 100 lbs.! If they already knew you, of course they're curious. I would be!

My hubby is also the Nervous Nelly of our house. Remind yours that you've both been through this type of surgery before. Try to get him to focus on the future, not the present. What the two of you will be doing in a year, in 5 years, in 10 years. How does that future look without the surgery? Best of luck with your surgery!

I think my proudest 2018 moment was when I hit Onederland???

Ooooh, you are soooo bad! ?

No offense, but I'll let you ride this train alone. A few nuts a day keep me on the tracks!

Thank you so much for sharing and congratulations on your long-term success! We need more input like this from vets!

Omgosh, I'm trying to be good and get back to logging everything. Hell's bells, I ate 1500 calories yesterday! Yikes, the demon is loose!

I'm in, better late than never. My goal is to quit grazing all day. I've been doing it ever since February and it's GOT TO STOP!

Hope you get better soon! Sending prayers your way!

Fantastic progress, congrats! Keep up the great work!

14 lbs. over the holidays, woohoo!

Hit Onederland over the Holidays! Congrats!

Thank you, I really like that explanation of our fatigue and the solution. I'll have to spend some time figuring out my 5-year plan.

Sure, only requirement is 6 months post-op! Happy to have you!

Congrats on starting your journey! Take your measurements! There will be times when you want to hit the scale with a sledgehammer. It can be very fickle. But when your weight isn't dropping, your measurements probably are. That will help get you through stalls, which can be very discouraging. Take "before" photos as well. They'll help keep you motivated during tough times. Try to connect with a few people who have surgery at the same time as you. It is really helpful to swap stories and encourage each other. Do plenty of research. If you have multiple surgeons available in your area, compare their programs, the support offered (as in continuing access to the nutritionist, psychologist, etc.). Look into (and attend) support groups near you and ask questions of people who've used your surgeon, hospital, etc. Good luck!

Here's my final tally! Thanks for the challenge! Challenge Starting weight: 168.8 Current weight lost: 114.2 Losing or maintaining weight: losing Fitness/exercise goal: To get back to walking 7 days/week Total weight loss at the end of challenge: (Post January 1st 2019): 11.0 lbs. Check in: Tell us how you are doing - (How is your diet and exercise plan going? Any struggles? Stress level? What have you overcome? Any strategies that have helped) Well, working on controlling my grazing. Now that I can eat enough food at one sitting, I have no excuse other than I like it. That will be my challenge for 2019.

Just call the local hospitals. Someone can put you in contact. At least in my area, you can go to any support group. It doesn't matter where you had your surgery. I go to two different ones. Best wishes!

Somebody put on her smart-@ss panties this morning! ?

Damn! Those look good! Are those corn chips or actual tostadas?

Happy New Year to you, too!

Thank you, @sideeye ! I did an "official" Jan 1 weigh-in this morning. Even though I backslid a bit over Christmas, my official total loss for 2018 is 114.2 pounds. Looking forward to hitting goal in 2019!

It is a shame that you were given so little support back then, but that's history and you can't undo the past. There are a lot of support groups now. Is there one in your area? If so, get to a meeting. You'll find other vets there who can share their challenges and successes. Follow up with a bariatric surgeon in your area, even if it's not the one who performed your surgery. They can help. If you get their pre/post-op eating plan, go on it. Pretend you're doing another surgery, but just follow the plan. Even if you've stretched out your pouch somewhat, it's still nowhere near the size of your original stomach. You can try intermittent fasting. There is a thread in the forums with a lot of information and some people to talk to. If you search, there are several other threads, as well. You can regain control, but don't put it off. Now is the time to act. Good luck!

I'm so jealous that your hair is growing back. Mine is falling out by the handful again, probably because of the second surgery! I'll look like Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future soon!

Nope, you've gotta be dead. It's in the rules ? I vote embroidery!

You can also think about how their situations teach you that you can't take this success for granted. Once the honeymoon is over (and for some unlucky folks, that's pretty darned quick), the rest is hard work. We need to remain vigilant or the pounds will sneak back in with our old bad habits. Keep in mind, a 10-20% "bounce back" is considered perfectly normal and isn't considered a failure since the people are still so much smaller than they were.