M scheduled for my surgery April 26th and I was curious to see who else would be walking in the shoes of April with me. Tell me how you feeling? What's on your mind? Any worries? Second thoughts?

April 27th here and doing great!

Down 55.3 lbs post op and 16 lbs pre op. So that's 71.3 lbs total. My shirt size before was a 30/32 and now it's between a 1x or a size 22. My pants were a 26 and now they're a 20 and even those are becoming a smidgen to loose. I keep fluctuating 3-4 lbs but I believe that's due to TOM.. I'd like to see more pounds dropped but when I think about it 55 lbs in 3 months is holy craptastic amazing!! lol I have to constantly remind myself of this...lol

I spoke with my surgeon and found that my inability to get in my proteins from meat is not uncommon. Has anyone experienced the same issue please give me some ideas.

Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

Meat is normally how I get all my protein in. I buy these steak strips from walmart and 3oz of that is about 19g of protein. I eat that 3 x's a day and that get's me a total of 57g's... I also eat green veggies as a snack and also a tiny bit of carbs and fat because I want my diet to be well balanced as much as possible..Then some time later in the day I'll have my protein shake..which is 25g's and that brings me to a total of 82g's plus whatever protein I'm getting from the veggies.. So I say I average between 82-90g's a day....My diet is pretty strict and routine because of this, but they're all foods that I like and it's working for me...

Have you figured out a way to get all your protein in?

kiki - 3 week stall! Ugh!

I've been plugging right along. Every day the scale scoots down just a bit. From surgery (4/10) I'm down 52 pounds to 172. Finally I weigh less than my husband!! I can feel bones I have never felt before. On a funny note (boys, cover your eyes) when I lie on my back, my boobs have shrunk and tend to slide to the sides, but I now have my rib cage poking up, that looks like low boobs. Well, can't have everything, right?! At least my ribs are my highest part when I'm on my back instead of a tummy mountain.

Shopping has been weird. I've nearly shrunk past all of the clothes I had that were too small. I've picked up a few things at Target but I'm not sure what size to buy. And the selection! Isn't it strange to be able to shop the whole department?! Before, it was "Well, this fits, I guess I'll take it." Now I can hardly decide what to buy because everything fits. Amazing.

With food, I'm still sticking to soft protein. I've got years to eat chicken and all that. I want to eat easy food that I know will make me feel good. Good luck everyone - we're doing great!!

What do you mean by soft protein?

What do you mean by soft protein?

Soft protein: cottage cheese, greek yogurt, scrambled egg, tofu...

I also have no problem with what I call ABC meat. Already Been Chewed. And no, it's not really been chewed, but it's been ground. Like a turkey burger or turkey tacos. And protein bars are easy to eat, too. It's those fibers in meat that make it so hard to digest.

Soft protein: cottage cheese, greek yogurt, scrambled egg, tofu...

I also have no problem with what I call ABC meat. Already Been Chewed. And no, it's not really been chewed, but it's been ground. Like a turkey burger or turkey tacos. And protein bars are easy to eat, too. It's those fibers in meat that make it so hard to digest.

lol.. after I typed that question I realized what you meant.... Sometimes I'm slow on the uptake...hahahaha...

I saw my son today, he's been out of town since the beginning of may and the first thing he said was I look so small. I know I'm still big but that made me feel good :-)

Went shopping and went to Victorias secret and was treated like I belong there ! I was never "helped" before or told they don't have my size! I also bought a belt! Haven't worn that in 20 years!!!!!! Very happy!

Went shopping and went to Victorias secret and was treated like I belong there ! I was never "helped" before or told they don't have my size! I also bought a belt! Haven't worn that in 20 years!!!!!! Very happy!

Victorias secret I can't wait to be able to buy bras there again! Congrats!

On March 28, 2012, I had my pre-op consult, which officially started my journey! I am now halfway to goal and I couldn't be happier.

I used to get frustrated while getting ready for work because I didn't like how my clothes fit because they were too tight. Now, I have to try on my clothes out of my back closet, once too small, to make sure they fit and aren't too sloppy. Never imagined that problem.

Everyone in April is doing so well! Keep on working hard!!

I might win the slowest loser award, but I am still gonna get there!!! Sleeved 4/23. Starting with high weight 213 and now weigh 177. 36 pounds so far with goal of 140. Halfway and 1 pound there.....

Joni - I'm going to be right with you on the slow award. I started at 262 as my highest weight and have lost 48 pounds so far. I think you are losing less because you had less to lose to begin with. At least you are halfway - YAY! My goal is also 140 so I have 74 pounds to go. Perhaps I haven't been the strictest with my diet but I want to have a little fun along the way.

Everybody is different and i'm very pround of you!!!

I'm not half way there yet either - still have 70 to go

But your losses are losses! We are all different, but will get to goal! Cheering you all on!

Randi - I'm with you! I haven't been the strictest either. I indulge in carbs at times and other things that others would not do, but that's me and I'm still determined to get to goal. It's so very true we are all on this journey together, but we follow our own paths to get there. I just love the support here!

Ok, so my goal was to get to 269 by August 5. Well, today I am 268.5. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. My next goal it to make it to 259 by September 5. Ultimately, I would love to make it to 255 by September 2nd. My birthday. I also realized today that I only have 17 more pounds to lose to make it to the half-way point. That will leave me 116.5 more pounds to go. Daunting to some, I know, but to me, very doable considering where I have come from and how far I have come. Let's make August a super month for all and my congrats to all of you no matter the number of pounds. Every ounce counts!!! Cheers everyone!