Chicago1962

I have never heard of any of these books? So are they fiction books or biographies? Is the character fat or trying to lose weight? I'm confused - BUT INTERESTED!!! One of my favorite books (autobiography) is Showing Up for Life. Very good. Now I want to read all these books!!!!

I have lost 108 pounds since my surgery in June. I am thrilled and thankful. For the last few weeks I find myself eating a lot when I get home from work - through the night. I eat a good dinner - but later I start to crave and munch on things like rice cakes and popcorn. I sometimes eat a Protein Bar because it's good and a bit crunchy (20 grams of protein). Bottom line - I want FREEDOM from my food addiction!!!!! Don't we all? Any suggestions would be great. I still have 90 pounds to go and certainly don't want to hurt myself with food. This is when we learn super healthy habits - so I need your help to re-establish control, discipline and a bit of sanity in the midst of this insane food addiction! Grrrrr!!!!!! Thank you, friends! Amy in Chicago

I confess… - that I drink 1/2 a diet A&W root beer almost every day - that I move the scale over a bit if I don't like what I see - and sometimes it lowers my weight - and that is the weight I claim that day - that it's a bit hard for me to be "normal" now - because being 397 meant people kinda took care of me and now I am taking care of myself and don't need help - which is newer for me and something I am proud of but still adjusting to - that I sometimes stare at myself in the mirror and smile from ear to ear because I think I am looking so darn cute - that I think about sex a lot more now and pray to God that I met a great man soon - that I try not to stare but sometimes can't help it when I watch the VOLUME of food people consume during meals - and I think to myself - that is disgusting (knowing darn well I could have eaten them under the table five months ago)

I have a whole woredrobe of great clothes I need to get rid of. Contact me and I'll send you pics.

Did I say many are brand new with tags? Yup!

What about your primary doctor? Do you have one you trust you can talk to and get a referral from? Your primary has your overall health in mind - not just the surgery - so he/she may have insight and ideas and will hopefully go to bat for you. I agree with everyone - you have to own your health and find out what is going on. What state are you in? Maybe put a note on the main page that you need a referral for your state. Praying for you now - and asking God to heal you...

I am 4 months out and eat about 1200 calories a day - sometimes a bit more - sometimes a bit less - if that gives you a reference at all...

Wow - I can't imagine this as an outpatient surgery! This is MAJOR surgery. I was in the hospital two nights and very ready t go home after that. I took two weeks off - though due to boredom I worked from home after a few days.

Why do we compare ourselves so much? We are our own worst enemies. Each of us has a different body - and each of us will lose at our own pace. I pray I am thankful for every pound - no matter how long it takes. We are in this for the long haul. This is a new beginning. Our negative self-talk got us here. We have got to fight it now or this won't work for us. FIGHT FOR YOURSELF, Cantwait! Fight the urge to compare and celebrate what you have accomplished. 32 pounds is GREAT!!!! You are doing great!

Yeah I've read a lot about constipation on here. Take the meds and keep things moving! (smile) I feel for ya! Not fun!

I make my own chili. I use a super small custard cup to dole out my serving. I can eat that cut but barely. 4 months out.

Perhaps that is true for you - but not for all of us. I lost 30 pounds pre-op eating a SW grilled chicken salad from McD's almost every day. <400 calories with dressing. I get an ice cream cone one or two times a week now. <200 calories. Do I think we should visit McD's daily or indulge in cheese burgers and fries? No way! But our goal is to live in moderation, health and sanity,,, and I didn't get fat on grilled chicken salads. We need to use wisdom when choosing what to eat, no matter where we are at: http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/getnutrition/nutritionfacts.pdf So very thankful to be alive today!!!! Amy from Chicago

I know it feels like you are starving - but this is the time to learn that what your brain says isn't always true. You have 1/4 of a tummy now. Hunger is different now. For you it may be more intense - so I trust that it feels like you are starving - but - if you are drinking what your doctor told you to and following he weekly plan, you are fine. This is not a walk in the park. This is a new chance at life. Turn off the TV and any food commercials. Focus on telling yourself why you did this. Pray. Get your mind off food and hunger and worry. Be patient. You can do this. Popsickles are great. Lite pudding. Lite yogurt. Water with flavoring. Napping. Car rides. Etc. You won't die from the sensation of being hungry - head hunger or real hunger - you can make it through. You deserve this!!!! You can do it!!!!

I eat salads no problem. I am 4.5 months out. Started eating salads at about 3 months. I do lettuce, cheese, cottage cheese, sometimes carrots/celery, and light dressing. Feel great - down 102 pounds. Everyone's tummy is a bit different. Follow your doctor's recommendations and don't rush anything. Take good care of yourself and treat your tummy with love! (smile)

I weighted 397 when I finally got approved for surgery. I lost 30 pounds pre-op eating two shakes, some lite yogurt, and a McDonald’s southwest grilled chicken salad a day. I had my surgery on 6/12/12. It has now been just over three months and I have lost an additional 56 pounds - so 86 in all. I had various goals that meant a lot to me over the past three months. One was getting under 350. One was getting under 340 which is what I weighed when my mom died 19 years ago. Then it was getting under 320. Now it's getting to 307 which will mean 90 pounds lost. My other goals have revolved around movement. When I started this process I had to illegally park in the visitor parking at work each day. I simply could not walk from the parking lot - and could barely walk from the close-up visitor spots. I now park as far out in the parking lot as possible and even walk around the parameter of the very large parking lot several days per week at lunch. This has been HUGE for me. I cannot really see much difference in my body yet. 311 is still a very heavy body. But I can sit in a booth now. I have moved my car seat up several times. I no longer need my seatbelt extender. I can sit in outdoor plastic chairs with arms. My clothes are falling off me. My rings are too big. My bangle bracelets fit again. And my feet don't hurt nearly as much as they used to. I think I am craving some connections with people who are over 350+ because so many of the stories I read here are about people who weigh so much less. I realize we are all on the same journey - but those of us in the "super morbidly obese" category have a much longer road ahead - and I for one want to walk that road with some of you who know just what I'm facing. I'd like to hear your stories - support you - cry and laugh with you - and seriously do this journey together!!! Amy in Chicago

Weight before surgery: 397 Date of surgery: 6/12/12 Current weight: 295 Goal weight for competition: 293 Weigh in every Sat

Thank God for liquids and popsickles!

Hi Bryan - It's wierd for me - I look forward to food - but then when I start eating it and don't feel good after a few bites there is a let down. I'm getting used to it - but there is a grieving process for sure. You will learn what you can and can't eat - and how much you can eat. Tasting food doesn't change, meaning you can taste anything and have one bit, but you can't overeat like you used to. At least I can't. But food is finding a totally different place in my life. I'm moving so much more - and I have so much more energy that I'm able to get out and do things instead of eat. As for caffein, I have it very, very sparingly. Bryan - this is worth it! Seriously - I have no regrets at all!!!!

Shell - you are so normal! You are letting go of what has been your #1 way of making it through life! We are addicts - and addictions don't die easily. That said - you must start again, and again, and again. The more you lose now - the better for your surgeon and you when you have the surgery. Take that very, very seriously. This is how I got through my three weeks of liguid - I DIDN'T! LOL I didn't do 100% liquid. For two weeks I ate this: Breakfast - big ole protein shake; Lunch - diet yogurt and protein drink; Dinner - 1 McDonald's SW grilled chicken salad with ranch OR another big ole protein shake!. Five days before the surgery I went to all liquid and yogurt. I lost 30 pounds. I don't think I could have done it alone! I had friends and family checking on me - lovin on me - helping me get my mind off food. And I prayed a lot. And wrote every single bite I ate (or drank) in a journal. You can do this! Make a plan you can do - and make it workable for you! But - to be honest - it's time to let go of pizza and other really unhealthy stuff. Cry through it if you have to - but it's time. You will probably be able to have it again three or four months after surgery - and you can make it till then. Your addiction is lying to you. You can do this! You are worth it! We are here to help you! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!

You can't really get him on board. He has to do that. You can help but he has to work on his own issues. Just keep being honest and keep the communication going. You will go through quite a process as you move toward surgery, have surgery, start to recover, and continue on your journey. You will change - a lot - in ways you have no idea about right now. He will change too. I say keep talking to him, lovin him, letting him walk his journey and you concentrate on getting yourself well. You can't control his recovery or his being on board - you can only control you. I'm super proud of you for taking this courageous step! Way to go!!!!!

I agree! This is a huge victory! Way to go! Nice job taking good care of yourself, isajck!

I agree! This is a huge victory! Way to go! Nice job taking good care of yourself, isajck!

Way to go, James! Super proud of you!

Here are the protein parts. Thanks for the article, iggy. Very helpful! Failing to Meet Protein Recommendations Because protein is an essential nutrient, consuming too little can have serious consequences. The continued health of your cells and muscles -- including your heart and the lining of your digestive system -- depend on adequate protein intake. Additionally, you can lose muscle mass or suffer muscle weakness if you don't consume enough protein. Fatigue, slowed or halted growth, weakening of the immune system and eventually even death can occur if you consistently fail to consume enough protein. Protein Protein is an essential nutrient -- and one of the three macronutrients you need for survival, along with carbohydrates and dietary fat. Protein provides your body with amino acids, which help activate enzymes and hormones, and repair and build cells and tissues, such as skin and muscle. The Institute of Medicine recommends that you consume .8 g of protein for every kilogram of bodyweight each day. To find your weight in kilograms, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/517511-caviar-protein/#ixzz29WO9inZ8 Above and Beyond Protein Recommendations In some cases, a high protein intake can be beneficial. Research published in the April 2011 issue of the "Nutrition Journal" indicates that high-protein diets promote increased fat and weight loss, as well as lower blood pressure, more than diets lower in protein. However, it can also be detrimental, as MayoClinic.com notes that following a high-protein diet may cause or worsen liver or kidney problems. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/517511-caviar-protein/#ixzz29WO3uzQX

After my surgery I asked what happened to my tummy? Where did it go? What were they doing to it? etc. I didn't want it in a jar or anything - but it was wierd to think they could just take a part of me and never let me know what happened to it. I get what you are saying. Your tummy has served its function. You can let it go now. Other parts of your body will be healthier without it - so it's worth it...