penman53

Thank you for the wonderful compliment. However, I have plenty of loose skin. My arms are quite jiggly, my tummy has a bunch of loose skin. I also have a really droopy thing I sit on. But you know what? I'm going to be sixty one in September and even though I am not really happy about the gravity issues I am extremely happy about my overall health, energy and future health. I am also extremely happy about my ability to care for my wife who is seven years older than me and in extremely poor health. But thank you for the wonderful compliment I appreciate it so much. Mark Thomas, Edmond Oklahoma

Not one regret what so ever. I have never looked back and am doing nothing but move forward.

Here I am down 185 pounds and 11 months out.

On the 24th of this month I will be 11 months out. at my highest weight I weighed 387 pounds. I now weigh 204 pounds. 186 pounds in 11 months wow. Never thought I would have lost this much weight and I feel great. Mark, Edmond Oklahoma

90 for me, I think ladies are a little less if I'm not mistaken

You can eat the fish taco and leave the shell. I do that when I eat chicken enchiladas or tostadas. I just eat the lettuce tomato cheese and whatever meat is on it and just leave the tortilla. Carbs and fats are bad you know.

Pasta and rice are poor food choices when you can only each about 4 ounces of food and be full. Your much better off eating 2 to 3 ounces of Protein and topping the rest of the meal off with a nice vegetable. I don't do rice, pasta or bread. With the exception of my eating 3 inches of a roasted chicken sub at subway once a week for a treat.

I only had to go to the ER once to get IV fluids but it woke me up. Passing out due to dehydration if not fun. I use a pop top little thermos that I bought at Walgreen pharmacy. It holds about 8 ounces with ice in it. I do not like warm water and see people always at support group drinking warm bottles of water. I need it cold and I also much prefer water with a little flavor. I use Mio in various flavors and just a little squirt goes a long way to helping me down more than enough water a day. Just remember, there is a lot of water in the food we eat also. If you drink coffee, the water in that counts. Don't believe the old wives tale that the coffee is a diuretic and you have to drink another glass of water to make up for the coffee you drank.

Eggs have some good protein numbers by themselves don't they? I also think that some of the egg beaters have increased protein. But I made the mistake of getting some oatmeal over 140 getting mixed with some Unjury protein. What a yucky mess.

Get in all your water and beef up your protein intake. Stick with chicken fish and veggies. I worked for me and I still have four stalls in 11 months but I lost 187 pounds.

Lots of carbs in 1/4 cup according to my fitness pal. It also only has 6 grams of carbs. The fruit will give you fiber also. I don't think eating something everyday is a good idea simply because variety in your diet will keep you from getting bored in what your eating. Why don't you try to add a scoop of unflavored protein like Unjury or something like that with your oatmeal. I will keep you satisfied longer than just eating oatmeal and you will really bump up your protein intake from 6 grams to 27 by just adding the protein. Remember being a bariatric patient is all about the protein. If you want consistent results get in your protein first. I also eat almost the same thing for breakfast every morning. But I have a cup of almond milk and a scoop of Unjury vanilla, strawberry or unflavored protein. Its fast and I have to be at work by 7:00 am in the morning with a 30 minute drive. Good luck, Mark

I have one of these tools and I really like it. One thing that I always do when I use it though is to put the noodles in a cotton kitchen towel and squeeze and squeeze all of the water I can out of it. I then only cook them really fast in some hot olive oil. I add salt and pepper while I am turning them and they come out delicious.

I think you all know that rice is wasted calories. I used to eat a ton of rice, anyway I could get it. But seriously there are better ways to get a fix on this type of food. If you would like a nice substitute that has lots of protein why not eat Quinoa. It is delicious and there are lots of asian recipes on the net that substitute Quinoa for rice. Not necessarily sushi but a reasonable exchange that could fix your craving. Having Bariatric surgery means making sacrifices that we all know we had to do to be successful. I don't want you all to think I'm a buzzkill but sushi? I have not eaten it since I decided to have surgery.

I really would like it if the ladies stayed out of this room. I try not to get too involved in their women's issues. I think it only fair that they do the same.

I no longer have dickie do disease. IAW my stomach no longer sticks out further than my dickie do.

I'm not the young studs like you guys are i'm 61 in September but I never in a million years thought that the excess skin would look like this. I think I look terrible without cloths on. But there is no way in the world I will invest the kind of money you have to do to get rid of it. My good friend across the street from me works for a surgeon who specializes in bariatric skin removal procedures. Maybe I can get her to throw me a bone huh?

I to would like to become a leader in my area for a local chapter. I have discussed this with the head bariatric nurse at Integris Okc. How do i get started??

Congrats, keep it going and going.

Now that I have lost 185 pounds (205 down from 387)I look so totally different that I have people from other buildings where I work to come over and see "if i'm alright". I talked to a supervisor who I don't work for but know and I asked him if he remembered me and he said of course but he was afraid to ask me if I was ok and not sick. He thought that perhaps I was ill. So if people just meet me they are thrilled with my weight loss. Other people that have know me for years when first seeing me will look or act concerned.

Has this just started? Would you mind telling us what you eat? You may want to check with your nutritionist and see if they can give you some advise. I only drink one cup of coffee a day and it takes care of me nicely but if you do drink coffee, perhas you could drink some protein shook up on fresh coffee (I would recommend ice coffee) perhaps with some non fat milk to make it a mocha. The caffeine could possibly perk you up. Let us know how your doing ok?

You need to bump up your Protein and limit your food intake to small meals. I eat Protein shakes for Breakfast, two Protein Bars one mid morning and the other mid day followed by a meal of chicken or fish and a fresh vegetable. I usually have a bowl of sugar free Jello before bed. I drink lots of Water and take a large container of water to bed and drink it all during the night when I get up to pee(wonder why I pee all night lol) I still log every bite that goes in and I have never gained back any weight because I monitor my weight weekly and stay on track with the calories daily. I have never eaten more than 1300 calories since surgery and I am satisfied all the time. I believe because of the frequent small Snacks. Stay the course, don't dwell on the past and concentrate on the victories you've had. Don't let a stall 10 pounds away from your goal let you down. Your stats are fantastic, you have lost a ton of weight and I am sure that you look fabulous. You can do this and never think that this was worth it. Your friend, Mark, Edmond Ok

I have not exercised at all, I had a back fusion in 2009, and my left knee is in need of replacement but since I lost all the weight, it does not seem to be too bothersome. I know I have read about all the people running 5K's and all the exercise. I think that they are fantastic, I never like or wanted to exercise. I lost every ounce of weight via calorie intake and protein intake. I eat nothing but chicken, fish and vegetables. 4 ounces of protein max and then veggies that fit comfortably. An hour later I have been eating a small nectarine or half an apple. Two protein bars from Sam's (detour brand whey protein only) twice a day mid morning and mid day. That's it and plus nothing but one seven eleven coffee on my way to the office and then lot's of water all day until bedtime. That is my secret to my success. Plus I love losing the weight and feeling great. BTW the only two negatives pertaining to my weight loss is my ears ring all the time and my blood pressure is so low that I have to take Midodrine to artificially raise my blood pressure to normal. Good luck guys I'm rooting for all of you.

That's awesome, my hospital here in Oklahoma City (Integris) asked me to do a video testimonial also. I think it came out well also. You can go to the Integris OKC weight loss page and look under testimonials to see mine, I'm Mark Thomas. I was also asked to be on a panel this weekend to answer questions to future bariatric patients. It was really nice for them to ask for me specifically. I am 11 months out and down 185 pounds. Congrats to you also, it is a very nice thing for you to do for your hospital.

I think you look awesome, your a babe.

Oh, by the way, my oxygen saturation went up to 99 percent and I no longer require CPAP therapy and no Insulin Pump. Just thought I would tell ya that also.