Andrew0929

HW: 314 SW: 278 CW: 210

I was (am) in a similar situation and used the story that I was having hiatal hernia surgery. That way I had a reason to be recovering and have eating restrictions afterward. It's worked for me so far ...

I'm still tracking every crumb at 4.5 months out. My surgeon actually said I'm too rigid , but my tracking isn't about to stop.

As others have said -- this will pass. At 5 days post op I had internal bleeding and almost died. Rushed to the hospital through a major snow storm and had emergency surgery. I regretted having WLS for about 1 month. However after losing lots of weight, getting off all my meds and diabetes gone, I'm so glad I did this. I actually would do this again even if I knew about the second surgery beforehand. Chin up ... Things will get better.

I've been using the Atkins chocolate chip granola bars which have 16 grams of protein, no sugar, 200 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 19 grams of carbs.

Thanks ... Great info. I actually don't mind disliking these foods and welcome my new eating habits. Hoping it will stay this way as I'm not good when able to eat anything.

Congratulations on your success!! You should be very proud of yourself as that is quite an accomplishment.

At 4 months out I'm down 100 pounds as of this morning. I'm so glad I had this done as my life and health have improved so much in a short period of time.

Thanks -- All is good now Kathy ... As time passes, my memory of the complications have faded away. Now concentrating on eating right and exercising.

Do you measure yourself periodically? I have found that when I've stalled I'm still losing inches. It's likely that your workouts have resulted in adding muscle which is heavier than fat.

Thank you and congratulations on your success! My weight loss was pretty steady until recently. It's slowed down but I continue to lose inches. I've attributed this to my losing some muscle mass earlier and now adding muscle as I've begun some strength training.

Thanks Dee Dee. You're right that my journey has had challenges along the way but it has been worth it. You're doing very well too and I'm sure you will succeed ...

HW: 314 SW: 278 CW: 214 I'm down 100 pounds as of this morning.

I had the same problem. I'm gagging just reading this. I tried 10 kinds and hated them equally. My pre op diet allowed solid foods which helped. I forced down 1 shake a day pre op. When post op I couldn't deal with the shakes and I know my Protein intake was way too low. My surgeon recommended milk in diet hot cocoa which helped. After 2 weeks post op and on soft foods many options open up. Don't worry -- the pre op diet is the worst part (at least for me) ...

I've told everyone except a select few (siblings and a few friends) that I was having hiatal hernia surgery. No regrets in handling it that way. While early in the pre op process I told a close friend I was considering WLS and he went ballistic on me begging me not to do it and regularly emailing me links for supplements. He's still sending links ...

HW: 314 SW: 278 12/10/2013 CW: 215 1 more pound before I reach 100 pounds.

I'm not a vet but at 3.5 months out I'm down 98 pounds and off 8 of 9 meds. I had internal bleeding 5 days post op that required a second surgery. I regretted having surgery for about 1 month, but that changed quickly. I would definitely do it again even if I knew about the second surgery beforehand.

HW: 314 SW: 278 CW: 217

It does suck, but at least for me that was the worst part. Stay focused -- better times are right around the corner.

Recently while at the grocery store I saw a young girl (18-22) in a scooter who was very very large. My estimate is that she was 450-500 pounds. Is was late at night and the store was pretty empty. She and I were going up and down the same isles and I kept thinking about having a discussion with her about WLS but couldn't get myself to do it, fearing that I would insult her. I wish someone pulled me aside years ago and had that discussion.

I am 3.5 months out and my cardio workouts didn't seem like enough, so I bought a bowflex. Do you think it's too early for me to start strength training ?

I am loving this Bowflex machine. When I was young and playing football, free weights were my preferred option, but at 54 and only looking for toning the Bowflex is great.

Both my nut and surgeon said that coffee is fine. They both said that in the past they restricted it but no longer think its a problem. I've been drinking 2 cups/ day since about 2 weeks out.

My wife and I laughed when reading this thread as we've noticed the same changes. I have to be very careful now to not hurt her as I'm not used operating this large equipment.

My surgeon told me to not expect any weight loss the first 2 weeks post op because they pump you up with fluids in the hospital and it takes a little while to get rid of that. Be patient ... You will lose weight.