The first few October guys and gals will be joining the losers' bench today! Please let us know how you are doing as soon as you feel up to it. I'm joining you tomorrow. :-)

Molly (10/2/13)

Wow! Congrats! You look fabulous!

Wow! Congrats! You look fabulous!

Thank you so much! This surgery for me, and probably for a lot of us is a huge life saver. I have learned so much on this journey, and embrace some of these values.

One great lesson, there is no perfection! Everyone hates something about themselves, so might as well embrace it!.

Don't get me wrong, I will not allow myself to become obese again!

I love this group! Miss you all.

My surgery was 10/9 and I went from size 24 to 14/12...mainly 12 now. I am at 162 and still working on the new me. I had a slow loss the last few months but I am back on track and the last few weeks the weight has starting dropping again. Getting excited again.

Woo-hoo, Shari! Look in' great!

So things have gone pretty well to this point. My surgery was 10/21/13 I was around 245 at surgery and 287 at my highest weight. There are a LOT of food my new stomach doesn't like, eggs, frozen and some raw veggies, bread, Pasta, potatoes, which makes staying away from the naughty foods easy, lol. I definitely having dumping, only had to do that once to know I don't want to do it again. My hair, oh my poor hair, it's probably not even half as thick as it was before surgery and when I go through cycles of hair loss my head itches like crazy, this seems to happen any time I come out of a stall and loose weight. So there's no winning there. I've been fortunate in my surgical victories but just as lucky in my NSVs. Last weekend I got on the roller coaster that marked my rock bottom with my weight. Two years ago I had to get off the ride because I didn't fit, well I fit this time, with room to spare! I have zero regrets about my decision, except that I wish I'd done it earlier. I still have (probably more) body image issues than I had before, but I feel so great that it's still worth it.

So things have gone pretty well to this point. My surgery was 10/21/13 I was around 245 at surgery and 287 at my highest weight. There are a LOT of food my new stomach doesn't like, eggs, frozen and some raw veggies, bread, Pasta, potatoes, which makes staying away from the naughty foods easy, lol. I definitely having dumping, only had to do that once to know I don't want to do it again. My hair, oh my poor hair, it's probably not even half as thick as it was before surgery and when I go through cycles of hair loss my head itches like crazy, this seems to happen any time I come out of a stall and loose weight. So there's no winning there. I've been fortunate in my surgical victories but just as lucky in my NSVs. Last weekend I got on the roller coaster that marked my rock bottom with my weight. Two years ago I had to get off the ride because I didn't fit, well I fit this time, with room to spare! I have zero regrets about my decision, except that I wish I'd done it earlier. I still have (probably more) body image issues than I had before, but I feel so great that it's still worth it.

Way to go cali girl! I love seeing such amazing stories!

So I have slowed down considerably in weight loss, probably because I am so close to goal (27-40 pounds away, initial goal 156 pounds)

How much is everyone losing at this stage of the game per month?

I am losing about 3-5 pounds per month right now. I am grateful to be losing, and it is slow, I just wonder how others are managing.

Overall, I do not feel my weight loss has been slow though, just a fyi

Is anyone facing any struggles they want to share?

I for one struggle with getting Water in, (could be my slow loss issue ). I still find water incredibly painful to drink, and it is extremely difficult. A daily struggle, to say the least.

Edited August 9, 201412 yr by AutumnPunkin

Feeling the same way AutumnPunkin...been hovering 172 now for about 6 weeks.

Drs estimation for 1 year was 165 ( still 2 months to achieve that), although I would like to be a little lower than that.

Still eating small portions which is awesome but not always the right foods.

Water is definitely a hurdle for me too. Not because it hurts but just don't enjoy drinking water.

Wish someone would share a "booster" to get back up and loosing again.

In response to "is anyone struggling?":

I have lost 117lbs and gone from 340 to 223 since the beginning of my 2 week diet before weight loss surgery (RNY) October 15, 2013. I am extremely happy with the health I am now enjoying. No back pain, a lot less knee pain, no high blood pressure, no more pre-diabetes, no high cholesterol.

My struggle is the same one I've always had. I crave carbs and just a taste sets the cravings off. I wish I had adverse reactions to all carbs, and I can't eat rice and Pasta because they slide down. I also can't eat soft bread or sandwiches. BUT, that still leaves crunchy pita chips, English muffins, crackers. I try to limit them and when I eat too many all weight loss stops.

I took a weight loss break May through July. My goal was to maintain my weight, which I did, and now I want to lose 23 lbs before I take another weight boss break. I found that taking the break gave me a chance to explore my feelings about my new size and fully enjoy my accomplishments. This might sound counterproductive to some of you, but it worked for me.

To accomplish my new weight loss goal, I have chosen to eat a whey Protein smoothie for Breakfast and dinner and to eat a salad with just a little protein for lunch. Morning snack is greek Chobani 100 calorie yogurt with about 1/8 cup Great Grains ceral, afternoon snack is an apple and Peanut Butter and evening snack is watermelon or cherries. I'm trying to stay around 1,000 calories a day. I'll let you know how that works out in two weeks. I don't plan to eat this way until I lose the 23 lbs, but I'm thinking of doing 2 weeks on it and 2 weeks off it with high protein, low carb, under 1,200 calories per day

I struggle with carbs. I crave dry carbs like goldfish type crackers. I try not to eat that much but I can not help myself.

I also discovered that drinking while eating helps me get food down but the doctors tell my not to drink 30 minutes before and after I eat and not to drink at all during meals.

I started back on caffeine again and the doctor told me not to drink it. Coffee is my friend.

I also struggle with getting the new skinny me to the gym. If I get to the gym I am ok...it is just getting there.

On a positive note: I really do love the new me. I would like to loose a few more pounds before I hit my 1 year surgery mark. I ride a bike and don't have to worry about making the tires flat. I am active at home with the kids and that is amazing. One more thing, I still have not had a soft drink. I am really proud of that!

Good for you Mommashari. I have always hated the "don't drink with meals" mandate. It is easier to get your food down with a drink. I am committing myself to increased exercise as of today. I already had that talk with myself. Just riding my recumbent bike 1/2 hour 4 days per week isn't enough. But, of course, the fitness person at the surgeon's office said I'd need to do 1 hour of exercise at least 4 days per week.

Stay strong.

I struggle with carbs. I crave dry carbs like goldfish type crackers. I try not to eat that much but I can not help myself.
I also discovered that drinking while eating helps me get food down but the doctors tell my not to drink 30 minutes before and after I eat and not to drink at all during meals.
I started back on caffeine again and the doctor told me not to drink it. coffee is my friend.
I also struggle with getting the new skinny me to the gym. If I get to the gym I am ok...it is just getting there.
On a positive note: I really do love the new me. I would like to loose a few more pounds before I hit my 1 year surgery mark. I ride a bike and don't have to worry about making the tires flat. I am active at home with the kids and that is amazing. One more thing, I still have not had a soft drink. I am really proud of that!

It is so great to see everyone finding a new norm. In the past is was so easy to make excuses to not exercise, but it seems like we all realize how Importabt it is and it seems like we are making a conscious effort to improve that aspect of our lives.

It is so hard to change the old habits, but it is great to see everyone has made that effort to improve themselves. We didn't do this for nothing right? So many people regain weight afterwards, I am going to try my best to avoid that!

Keep up the great work <3

Hi all-

Wow- we are all at around 10 months. What a lifechanging 10 months it has been!!

I hit 164- and have since been bouncing between 164 and 168. Granted, I have not been paying ANY attention to my Protein, calories....etc. I am blessed I havent started gaining. Anyway, I feel like its time to re-motivate myself (thus here I am!!). I want to thank you al for sharing your stories and where you are at. It is an amazing help to me!!!

Want to hear something that is weird, and kind of sucks? I have never been one to have a sweet tooth. My problem was always with the carbs. Anyway- I CRAVE sugar now. Anything sweet, including yummi yummi taffy and smarties. WTH?? I havent had a piece of candy for 10 years until the last few months. Ugh.

Anyway- started with a Protein shake this morning. High protein, low calorie. Yay!

Go team, Go!!!

Hi all..

I started at 255 lbs at pre-op.

In March 2014 I stopped losing weight when I hit 191 lbs and I have remained here ever since.

Its debilitating.

I follow all the rules. I do have some food off plan but as my surgeon said, what I eat should not be making me stop losing weight.

I am always hungry. Can eat anything and everything. Sugar makes me dump so I stay away from it. I struggle with my appetite just as I did prior to surgery.

I am forever grateful I have not gained any weight back.

In October my surgeon is sending me for a barium swallow test to see if structurally there is any reason I have stopped losing weight.

It seems pointless as he also explained there is nothing to be done anyway.

He is not keen on endoscopic revision to make the stoma smallet (if thats the issue).

He did tell me not to worry and that I may continue to lose further. My goal weight was 170.

Im so happy to see everyone's success. .I do wish I was experiencing the same thou!

Just further to my post above - my highest weight pre-op was 280. I was successful in losing 25 lbs myself before starting my pre-op diet.

My surgeon said I was a lightweight and so because of this, it may be a reason why I havnt yet reached goal.

I do find it so bizarre that I lost 64 lbs in 5 months and then absolutely nothing. I have changed many variables such as exercise, Protein and Water. My dietician is great but is also at a loss.

Now I focus on the success. I feel so much better and no longer living in pain is wonderful.

Shopping in normal stores is exciting!