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That's excellent news! But I totally understand, it's hard not to get discouraged throughout this journey (due to the scale and other reasons), glad you're feeling so much better.

Laura, Three pounds since Saturday is excellent! I wouldn't worry much unless you have a stall and then look at switching some things up.

Nikki, I'm sorry you are going through this right now. I think you are doing FABULOUS! Right now you have an average weight loss of 19 lbs. per month. But if you really think the DS might fit your maintenance lifestyle/weight better, then maybe you want to give a surgeon a call because in another few months you'll probably be too small (you really are working your sleeve well) for them to do another surgery. Good luck and try to not let what others think (even on here) sway your decisions. Did I say that your doing a wonderful job;-)

That's good news, I never really cared for the protein drinks either.

You too will be one of the great success stories! I understand how hard it is not to compare. I see a lot of people that get to goal in 5 to 6 months, which is my hope, but their goals are so much lower than mine (I set mine on the high side of normal).

Mini-Me, I used my surgeon's nutritionist throughout the process and she was okay. I saw her three times as a pre-op and for a 3 hour nutrition class and 3 times post-op. She was knowledgeable about my surgery and nutritional needs, but I wish she was a little more with it as a facilitator. I'm the type of person that if I'm going to spend time attending an appointment then I want to get something out of it, not just check it off that I was there. Before surgery there were definitely things I learned especially about a high protein/low carb diet since that was the one type of diet I had never tried and Vitamins. After surgery she just seemed pleased with how well I was doing with the weight loss and incorporating exercise. My opinion: even if the results are phenomenal (which they weren't that great), there is always room for improvement and that was her job to push/challenge me to the next level, which she really didn't do. I feel she is there to help teach me and help me grow in the area of nutrition...I don't know it all or I wouldn't have been in this situation. As a teacher myself, my gifted students get as much feedback on how to improve their work as my struggling students...that's my job. Two years ago I managed to lose 40 pounds by going to a bootcamp program 3 days per week, Jazzercise 3 days per week, eating Jenny Craig food, and seeing a nutritionist every other week. I really clicked with her because she provided the appropriate amount of support and push. She really wasn't too keen of the Jenny Craig program when I first began because it was a "pre-packaged program that couldn't be sustained for life." Over my time with her (and some professional development she did on her own) she began to understand that some people might always use some form of packaged food in their diets whether it was from a structured program like Jenny Craig or Healthy Choice (etc.) meals from the super market. We had a great relationship because it was a learning experience for both of us and she really knew her stuff. I stopped going to her when my schedule changed for the summer and just never returned. I guess it just depends on what you are looking for. I'd say you'd have to try until you find one that really fits your needs, you can only learn so much about someone's philosophy/style on the phone. Good luck to you on your search!

I'm glad you updated us. The first few days were rough for me, but then each day got better and better.

Congratulations Beaglemamma! You have definitely rocked this sleeve. Your willpower is amazing with both the food and exercise, good job. I really want to pick it up a bit on the strength training, this post inspires me.

Welcome to VST! I found my own by googling for counseling services and found a clinic that listed weight loss surgery evaluations on their service page. I did a quick search for Seattle and this one doesn't say, but they do say they do assessments. Might want to give them a call and explain what you need. Sound Mental Health As it turns out I continued seeing the counselor who did my evaluation and it was really beneficial throughout the pre-op process and early post-op. Unfortunately I changed jobs and it was no longer feasible to keep going. Good luck and congratulations on your date! Keep us posted.

I'm so happy things are going well. Great job on the weight loss so far, that's excellent!

Tiff is correct, you need go back to basics. BUT I also want to let you in on a little secret...I do not always eat super healthy. I really try to get my Protein in through food and don't use Protein drinks if I can manage it through food, but this is tough because I also try to watch the amount of calories and carbs, I don't want to be grazing all day long in order to get enough protein. I completely understand that it is a tough time to stay committed to healthy eating, but I've found that if I prioritize: what is coming up this week, which days do I need to cut back on carbs because I know this special thing is coming up? it makes it so much easier. Long before I was even thinking about surgery my grandmother sent me an article that compared thinner/average weight people's habits to overweight/obese people's habits; it discussed how the average person would naturally scale back in areas to compensate for a splurge where an overweight person might just "give up" feeling "I blew it now, I might as well enjoy it." I don't know how scientific this article was, but I'm really trying to live with a different mindset now and train my mind and body to naturally compensate. For example last Friday I had a holiday party to attend. So for all of last week I didn't allow myself many extras...didn't have orange cream bars in the house (my vice), didn't go out to lunch (although I usually only get salad, but with teriyaki sauce), and I don't think I even went out with my husband to dinner, just in preparation. I didn't feel deprived or sad, it was just life. On Friday I was able to snack on appetizers and NOT feel guilty. I did not drink any alcohol or have any of the Desserts because I wanted to snack and chat. It was great! I am in no means trying to make you feel bad for your eating, we all must figure out what works for us. Just trying to maybe give you an idea of the way things are working for me. It's not that I will never have junk food...today I got a bag of chips from Subway with a salad and ate a lot of them on the way home (I'm having cramps), but for dinner that means I have the second half of that salad and probably no evening snack. I'm okay with that because I made the decision (probably not the best one) to have the chips and I'm not going to beat myself up over it. Good luck! You CAN do this...you just need to find your rhythm, the pouch test might be a good way to start.

Today I posted a thread about New Year's resolutions and responded to one of Chancie's posts regarding something that has changed for both of us: being cold a lot of the time now, instead of always hot and sweating. Both these things got me thinking about how much has changed in my life so far and the changes that are still yet to come. My husband loves baseball (still relives his high school glory days:blush:). We had season tickets for the first few years that the Washington National's first came to town. They are currently a horrible team and we did not renew our tickets for last year, but it had more to do with my health than their record. During the hot months, I could barely make it from the parking lot to the stadium and after the game had trouble making it back...we started taking golf cart rides because of my knees. I had so much trouble not passing out from the heat during the spring/summer games. There were more games than I can recall where my husband insisted we leave early because he was so concerned about my health. I felt horrible for him, I felt like a lousy wife. Last year we resorted to buying club seats when we went so that I could sit in the air conditioned club level in the back, where I'd stay for the majority of the game leaving him in the seats by himself. I'm so looking forward to this new season. This year we purchased a partial season package (1/2 of the games, I mean they really are a crappy team, it wasn't completely my health that made us stop getting full season tickets) and I am so happy that I can do this with him! Another big change that hit me today happened when I went into this little boutique in my town. They opened last April and I've always admired their window displays, but had never gone in. Today after going down to the post office I walked over to the bakery and passed the boutique. On my way back to the car I decided to pop in and they had some super cute stuff, although a lot of it more trendy than I typically wear. The owner came over and asked to start a fitting room for me and went and exchanged the medium dress I had for a small. She explained that the dress ran large and the small fit more like a medium. When I went to try it on she was right. I spent about an hour looking through the different racks, it's pretty small. For the first time in my life I realized what it must be like to be a normal sized person shopping for clothing. I've never had a problem shopping (actually have had problems in the past with shopping too much) and have shopped department stores and boutique stores, I just never had been in one where every style in the store actually had my size. I didn't have to dig to the bottom of the pile to look for the largest size. Also, the only boutiques I'd shop in were ones I'd been to with my skinnier friends and saw that they had clothes that fit me. This was a wonderful experience. I can't wait to see what other changes are in store. I LOVE BEING (sort of) NORMAL. I never realized how much my weight (and health) impacted my daily life and the kind of concessions and adjustments it forced me (and my husband) to make on a daily basis. Sure I was pretty happy before, but it's like the old saying "You can't miss what you've never had." I've never had a normal weight (okay I still don't yet), so I didn't realize all of the things I was missing out on.

I'm so happy for you, you're well on your way!

Carolyn, I totally agree. I feel that I'm lucky to get through the holidays with any loss. I'm still trying to work it, but between the special events and being emotional, I haven't truly worked my tool to the best of my ability. That's one thing I love about though, it will still be there and it keeps me pretty on track even now. Chancie, that is AWESOME! Yes, I too always am cold now that I've lost weight. I need to get a good winter coat. But, I'd rather be cold than fat any day of the year:-)

Tiff, I don't think your worry about quitting to be ridiculous at all. I've known a couple friends to gain weight after they quit, but I've also known one person (my brother in law) who quit last spring (doctor finally got through to him, I forget what the problem was) and he started exercising and is now down 50 lbs.!!! Good luck to you and I know you know that we are all here to listen when/if things get hard and you need to vent. I also haven't done New Year's resolutions for a few years, but mine were always pretty specific with a sort of time line attached, except the "lose weight" one that never seemed to pan out. I just seem to be in such a better state of mind and health and once again looking forward to the future, I feel like I'd really like to set some new goals.

Welcome and GREAT job so far! If you're doing this well pre-op, you will totally rock your sleeve. Good luck and let us know how you're doing.

Has anyone started thinking about the resolutions they might make this year? I've just been reading through one of my favorite threads here "What do you want to do that you couldn't do before the sleeve?" trying to figure out some goals for this new year...and coming up blank. I'd love to get some ideas from others.

I love your outlook on this!

Joyful, I find it hard to guess people's motives at times. It might be jealousy, a genuine concern for you, or something else, sometimes it's hard for us to let people we care about live their own lives without our input...I'm sorry people are thinking you should live your life their way (and I don't quite understand it if they personally have had wls, because you are trying to live like them sort of). BUT, here's an example, I would love any of my overweight friends or family members to look into this surgery (unfortunately most are not heavy enough for U.S. standards), but when I think about my little sister doing this same thing, I don't want it (I know crazy, it doesn't make sense). I have a sister who is 14 (from my dad, not my mom), who I have not seen in a year. Like me she has been overweight since she was about 3 mos. old, but she also has a very good self-esteem. I'll be seeing her next week and although I sent pictures last week so she wouldn't be too shocked, I worry a little because she's always looked up to and copied a lot of what I do. It's not necessarily that I don't think she could ever follow in my footsteps, I just think a big part of my success are the things I've learned along the way with my failed attempts to lose weight other ways. I just wouldn't want her to start looking into it now and getting it at 18, without getting her mind prepared through attempts and lessons learned from other methods...people fail at wls too! But I know it is her life and although for me it took years of yoyo dieting, she is a different person with different experiences and does not need to follow MY path to be a success, it's hard as someone who loves her so much not to want to push my ideas on her. I hope this makes a little bit of sense and not saying this is the motive of whoever is discouraging you, it's just something that has been on my mind this week and seemed to sort of give a little insight to why someone might not seem super supportive. You know who you are and in the end it's up to you to make the best decisions for your life. So you can always employ my method...smile and nod;-)

Stoongal, that was one of my goals also and it happened to be 184 as well in order to make it. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Wow, that seemed to go by quickly. I'll be thinking of you.

Not in the least, this has been one of the best things I've ever done for myself both for my physical and emotional health.

Welcome to VST! I don't have any answers to your questions regarding your surgeon and facility, but I wanted to say it's normal to be nervous. Each doctor requires a different pre-op diet or no diet, with mine it was dependent on each patients' needs. I'd suggest that from today forward that you follow your doctor's plans for you. Good luck and keep posting your questions and concerns.

Judy, it makes me so happy to read this! Congratulations on working your tool. Merry Christmas to you as well!

Tiff, I love your honesty. I completely understand about trying to figure out the best way to lose the last pounds, "back to basics" or just being "normal" and eating a balanced diet. My surgeon told me at my last post-op visit that once my weight was stable 2-3 months we could start trying to conceive...I of course took that to mean 2 months after I reach goal. You'd think I'd rush to lose these last 8.5 pounds, but I'm enjoying being normal--eating normal. Sorry to hear about the food police situation. One of my good friends started that up around 2 months when I went to regular food, I stopped planning anything that included eating with her, it must be so super annoying because you can't do that...I was at my wits end with her and I only saw her on weekends for the most part, I don't know how you're dealing with it. I think the new year is a great time to commit yourself to working out. You've done amazingly this past year in getting healthy, so this next year you can tack this on to your journey.