BigDaddyJoe

Yeah, it can be hard. The headaches I got the second or third day after giving up carbs were unbearable! Pretty good idea to try to ween yourself off of them ahead of time. Don't make yourself miserable longer than you have to though. You really won't crave them the same after surgery, so it is actually a lot easier then.

I make a dish where I use it with some shrimp, imitation crabmeat, stir fried vegetables, garlic and olive oil. It is delicious!

Yes, you will definitely know it! And once you find it, you will want to not ever eat to that point again! It is more of a discomfort in your chest than in your stomach area now.

I assume you meant August 6. I am 6 months out. In the first 4 months, I had 4 separate 2-week stalls, the first one right around the 2 week mark. I am still down 89 lbs in under 6 months. Just keep following the plan. The body doesn't release weight in a straight line. After 1 2 week stall, I lost 5 lbs overnight, then a lb a day for almost 2 weeks, then another stall. It can be frustrating, but don't get discouraged!

Yeah, the ketosis is horrible, and my breath could knock over a horse!

Don't look at it like it is cheating! Look at it like this - before the surgery, would you have stopped, or been able to stop at three spoonfuls? I admit, it is a bit soon to be deviating from the plan. But if you go forever denying yourself an occasional treat, that is no way to live. Forgive yourself, and get back with the program.

I track religiously, which is a complete shock to me. I tried tracking during a previous diet and never stuck to it. I think it was because I couldn't be honest with myself about what I was putting in my body. Now it is easier, because I'm doing mostly the right things. It helps me get to my protein goal every day, and to keep carbs down. It also helps me see when my calories are too low. I had a day recently where I had only eaten about 500 calories by 8pm, so I made myself eat a snack. I tend to stall when my calories are too low, and the only reason I know that is because of MyFitnessPal.

I drink lots of crystal light, and I use the Mio water flavoring. As far as exercise and preventing blood clots, just walk as much as you can. I went for a walk every day, even if it was just around my block a couple times. I didn't do anything more until I was cleared for exercise at 6 weeks. As for what to eat, that all depends on what stage you are in, and your doctor's recommendations. If you tell us what stage you are in (liquid, purée, mushy, etc), we could probably give you some ideas.

Haha, thanks for the laugh Bluto, I needed that!

I go for my 6 month follow-up and nutritionist appointment this afternoon. Other than asking about how to stop the weight loss, and about a maintenance plan, is there anything else I should be asking? A couple other things I was considering: asking his opinion on the medical alert bracelets I've seen debated on here at length, and the restaurant card that some people's doctors give them enabling them to order off the children's menu or smaller portions at certain restaurants. Any other ideas?

It took me 2 weeks before I could sleep on my side without feeling like I was twisting something. The first week I slept sitting up on the couch with my feet on the ottoman.

OK, that makes sense. I just didn't realize they would even do the surgery at such a low BMI, even if it is a revision. Thanks for clearing it up.

Yes GamerGirl, I do now! It was only one person's opinion, and everyone else's contradicts hers, so it's all good now!

Thanks so much, Pixie Dust!

In my profile

Thanks, MIJourney! I'm 4 lbs below my doctor's goal weight of 190. I have people everyday telling me I need to stop losing weight or it will be too much. I don't exactly agree, I'd like to get down to 180, but am happy where I am. I just am not sure how to stop losing at this point. It is still coming off, very slowly, but still coming off.

For me, the magic number was 47 lbs. I started at 274, and when I lost 47 lbs everyone started to notice. And not right when I lost 47 lbs, but at the end of a 2 week stall when I was stuck at 47 lbs. So obviously my body was still changing even though the scale was not moving. What I'm more fascinated by is the fact that you were able to get the surgery, even though you only weighed 174 lbs!

I had 2 separate 2-week-long stalls by 6 weeks. Nothing you can do about it. I'm still down 88 lbs (and below my doctor's goal weight!) in 5 1/2 months. The body releases weight when it wants, never in a straight line.

I had a fairly bad hiatal hernia that was repaired during my surgery.

I can help, because I just had to look for this the other day. Go to the top ride side of the page where your name is, and click the down arrow next to your name. Click on 'My Patient Profile'. On the left side, click the link that says 'My Photos'. That is where you set your before and after pics.

time4me, I do need to dress 'younger'. However, I am 42, and don't want to look ridiculous, like someone trying to hold on to their youth. There's a delicate balance. My stepmother is only a little overweight, not obese or anything. She struggles with it, like most people. My wife suggested she may be jealous, but I don't see it.

Haha, Rebecca! The light jeans were from years ago, the only ones that fit me without looking ridiculous. I've since bought some newer ones that are darker and more in style. I wasn't wearing jeans yesterday, I had on black dress pants and a polo shirt. It was a 50th wedding anniversary, and I wanted to look nice. I usually dress 'hipper' than that.

I can't say that I had a single 'moment'. My wife and I made the decision to do it together. I did it so that I would be around for my kids. I know I was headed for a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease does run in my family, so I still run the risk, but I was definitely headed that way, no doubt in my mind. High blood pressure, sleep apnea. All gone now. So it wasn't a single moment, but I did have my motivation.

Thanks kathp! I think how I was dressed did play a part of it. It was a newer shirt, so it fit correctly, but it was really long. I always wore long shirts before, to hide my belly. Shorter shirts tended to ride up in the front and always made me look fat. Ok, I WAS fat, they just let people see that I was. As for stopping the weight loss, I have my 6 month follow-up with my surgeon and NUT on Thursday, and definitely plan on talking to both of them about it. I tell people that when they tell me I need to stop losing. I don't think they expected me to have lost this much at this point, I sure know I didn't.