Eureka-C

I take 2-3 servings of benefiber a day. If I still haven't had a bm in three days, I take a stool softener or two. Always does the trick. It was better after 6 weeks when I could start eating veggies. I also do better if I get my 64+ oz. Water.

That's the best compliment!

I went on a cruise this month and with food readily available 24/7, I gained weight. That's okay because I planned for it and mentally prepared myself, mostly. Anyway, on the 22nd of each month, I look at what I have lost for the month, and realized I only lost 1 measly pound this month. So I tell myself that it's still a pound, and with all I ate on vacation it could have been worse, but I was still a bit bummed and disappointed. Then Monday, I was getting dressed for work, and although I can fit an18/20, I was holding onto some 22 pants for work. I put them on and realized they were too baggy to wear. Hurray! So then I stopped by Wally-world and tried on some 16's and they fit. I bought a 16 top, cuz i didnt really like the pants. But they fit. I really needed this. Even though I didn't lose pounds, I lost inches. I try to be a positive person about all this. I try to maintain perspective, but some days it's really tuff. I know this seems a teeny victory, but it's huge for me. I last wore a 16 when I was 17 years old.

I added powdered milk to my milk. No soy and a good protein boost. More carbs though. I don't like the smell of soy in Protein drinks.

I think it's important to realize that losing 200 is not the same as someone who never had that weight. I mean I know we all know that, but knowing and seeing it on yourself is difficult. I also think some people are never happy. Haven't you ever met that beautiful person who was so quick to point out their own flaws. Besides, if you really want, you could always have a nip and tuck. Personally, I am still far from skinny, but I definitely like how I look in clothes again. As for without, well it could be worse. My grandma used to walk from her room to the shower and back naked and at least I don't look like that...yet.

Thanks coops, you always inspire me.

I started replacing one meal with a protein shake and changing my between meals to high protein. I then upped it to two meals a day. I started tracking my intake, even though I usually ate about 1600 calories, it helped me get used to paying attention. I also tried lots of protein shake samples. My liver was fatty and soft in June and by my surgery in November it was firm. This is in spite of several binges and setbacks. I kept just plugging away knowing the surgery was just around the corner. You can do it.

I was trying to imagine him lying with a bunch of pillows under the butt to elevate it above his heart. The image and impossibility of it made me laugh. Seeing all the bits and sores helped me to remember I was still healing on the inside as well as the outside. Annoying I know, but this too shall pass.

Android. HTC EVO.

LOL.

Somewhere there's a terrifying post about coconut forming a ball in the stomach for months. Absolutely terrifying. Totally supported my bias that coconut was not meant to be eaten.

I didn't like them either. Before surgery was fine, but after, it took me so long to drink, and they just kept getting thicker, like glue the longer they sat. It got so the smell just gagged me.

I don't think it's crazy at all. The tipping point for me was getting on a ride at six flags and they couldn't lock it down. I had to get off. Depressing.

I really agree with Lanette about not beating yourself up. I do eat Protein at every meal, choose protein rich Snacks, and count my protein to see if I need a boost with a shake or a bar. However, unlike others on here I don't watch the carbs. I do eat veggies before starches. I find that I can't get in the bread, Pasta and rice like I used to, so it's really no problem. I eat a few bites when we have it, and have no cravings. I do however crave sweets like I never did before. I have never been a sweets eater, now I see them everywhere and want them. Working on willpower over that new problem.

I can't eat just one more bite because it tastes good like I used to. There is no stretch. If I eat one more bite, then I suddenly feel it sitting there on top of my stomach and I start salivating and have to throw up. Usually only that one bite comes up, so it's not like being sick and vomiting. I also get that same feeling if I eat potatoes or bread to fast or too large of bites, even when not full. It can even be the first bite. I still have to wait about half an hour to try and eat again. Unfortunately, if I wait an hour, I can eat another couple of bites, even though I am not hungry, but only a couple of bites. I think we ate almost every hour while on our cruise, major grazing, very bad. I can't drink for about a half hour after I eat so it's no problem there. I can take about 3-4 large swallows of liquid when thirsty on an empty stomach, then feel full. Don't wait until your thirsty to drink. If I do that, I get full before my thirst is satiated. And NO you can't push through it, but you learn what foods are easier to eat more, and you can graze.

That is truly awesome!

I have had several mini-goals. 1. 250 lbs- done 2. 75 lbs or 50% to goal - done 3. 225 marriage weight - done 4. Size 16 - when I graduated hs 5. 199 - onederland 6. Size 12 when I last felt thin 7. Size 10 the smallest I have ever been I need to look up my obese to overweight and my overweight to normal numbers and add them in. Love this topic btw.

I weigh twice daily, once in the morning at my lowest and once at night at my highest. I like to know what to expect with my body, I found out many things. I usually lose 1-1/2 pounds as I sleep (diff between morn and night), sudafed makes me retain water, I lose fastest the week after my TOM, my weight fluctuates and stalls a lot no matter how "good" I am. What I do to focus on the big picture is I only document my weight once a month on the 22nd to see the loss for the month. This is what works for me.

That's basically what I put in my letter, the family history stuff, emphasizing I wanted to prevent my body from falling apart due to diabetes like the rest of my family. My prayers go out to you. I finally was sleeved in November and I have lost 75 pounds since this all started. It is an awful feeling, that phone call. Just don't give up hope.

I usually lose all my weight for the month the week after my TOM. I stall for two weeks and gain for about three days before. Everyone is different. Pay attention to your own body. Step back and look at the long term.

I just got back from a cruise. It was a blast. Best of luck to you.

I started chewing too fast and too little about 3 months out, and a few times felt like something stuck with too much gummy food, especially potatoes, tortillas, and bread. It was horrid. I try to remember to chew and swallow smaller bites even 51/2 months out. That being said, I think I eat normally.

I noticed I could eat more early out too. Now at 5 1/2 months, it has been leveled out for a while. I think for some of us, the swelling goes down faster. Also, people have different length stomachs, so even with the same surgeon, the same bougie, etc. You can have people with 2 different size stomachs. I can now eat a "normal" amount. I used to be able to really pack in the food. Tonight for dinner, I had about 2-3 oz pork chop, 2 thick slices tomato, 6 asparagus, 1 bite smoked sausage, 4 bites wild rice w/ veggies, 1 small dinner roll. This is more than a lot of others say they can eat. But I am highly satisfied. Before surgery, I would have eaten 2 cups rice, 2 pork chops, a whole tomato, 3-4 rolls, a link of sausage, and 10-12 asparagus, then thought I was starving 2 hours later. Instead when my family had dessert 2 hours later, I only had the top crust and filling of a small piece of pie. This surgery has totally made food manageable and normal for me.

I really had a problem with that too as I had to take supplemental iron. The iron, the protein, no fiber, and the rebound from anesthesia nearly did me in. I took 1-2 doses of benefiber daily, and at 3 days no bm, I added a stool softener and upped it to 3-4 doses of benefiber. It was around 4 months post surgery that I could stop using benefiber. Recently, at 5 1/2 months, I got constipated again. I too say no way to laxatives if at all possible, but benefiber, miralax and stool softeners are worth every penny.

Hooray for you. Glad she was able to see the light.