Chelenka

Where can I get the Protein cookie? Is there recipe or is it a store bought item? pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

Listen to your body and go slow. Your job right now is to stay hydrated. The first week post-op is the hardest and your thru that. When you start incorporating pureed food go slow and careful. I got cream of wheat stuck cuz I was do excited to get to eat something. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

My dear, you look AMAZING!!! Love the close-up of your beautiful face! 91lbs is pretty damn awesome in my book! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

I had the grilled chicken sandwich at about 2 month post op approx. could eat about half pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

You look AWESOME! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.2

So today is my official 6 month Surgiversary and I am so happy to report that I am down 71.8 lbs! So this week, not only did I lose the 3 lbs I gained on vacation I lost 2 more! I worked for it because of the gain and the past month has been more of a challenge as I am able to eat more and want to eat more and my weight loss has slowed. I am enjoying exercising so much more now though as it is so much easier than before and I want to start setting some fitness goals for myself. My experience of this surgery has been so easy compared to some of the horror stories I've read on this forum. I am very thankful to have had such an easy ride. But I now am in the nitty-gritty and will need to work at it to keep losing and reach my goal. Have a great day everyone! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6; 6 month post-op 253.8

You're beautiful! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

WTF! I wasn't done yet! As I was saying, I have a chronic issue with my neck. Chiropractic care has helped and also using a contour pillow for sleeping. Make sure your head is properly supported when sleeping on your side. Since I've lost weight my poster has improved which has helped as well. My shoulders aren't being pulled forward so much by the weight of my boobs! Yoga can also help. Lastly, if you clench or grind your teeth when you sleep that can cause neck muscles to be tight. I tried acupuncture but it wasn't helpful for me. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

My neck has been chronically sore on the right side and the shoulder trapesious (sp?) muscle also for many ye pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

Already lost 2 of the 3 lb gain. Phew! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

Yeah, I've been feeling somewhat discouraged. Just came back from my vacation and gained three lbs. probably more from drinking than eating but I was very active, rode my bike every day, so thought I might stay the same or lose a little. Something about drinking any sort of alcoholic drink, and I really don't have very much, just a beet or one or two glasses of wine, makes me bloat up like a Water balloon. I should just avoid my family, their a bunch of sugar junkies and boozers LOL! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

Great post! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and congratulations on your wonderful success! I have no doubt you will attain your goal and stat there! I have a ways to go but hope to get there too! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

I am pasting in a link from the Vitamin Shoppe for Dynmatize shakes. I particularly like the cafe mocha flavor. I found this brand to be more satisfying than the Syntrax although I used their vanilla Cream Wafer flavor too. If you have several flavors on hand the variety helps get you thru. Also ask your Dr and Nut if you can have some green veggies. I was allowed this but every program is different. I oven roast my veggies at dinner so I had something to eat and that really helped me get through it. The first 5 days though I was a total basket case. Hang in there, you can do it! http://m.vitaminshoppe.com/mobile/store/en/search/productListing.jsp?facets.enabled=true&maxResult=10&startIndex=1&br=true&restrictBy=category%3d018_b1062&taxonomy=private:common&rankBy=popular-noindex-(int):descending&categories.include=node:018_b1062&categories.enabled=true pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

You are doing great! Recognizing the old pattern is HUGE! By all means put your own well-being in the forefront! That's why you had the surgery! You can't effectively care for your family if you are not taking care of your self. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

I just would feel a sensation of pressure in my chest at that stage. Also burping if I ate too much. Go slow and pay attention to your body's signals. Also, you are still healing and somewhat numb so the sensation may be quite subtle and will evolve as you continue your healing process. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

Try going outside and walk around for 10-20 minutes. Get fresh air and some sunshine. Can't say this will make your bounce back immediately but might give you a lift for a while. I think you have to accept your body's rate of healing. It takes time to fully recover and get your energy back. You just had major surgery. Everyone's rate of recovery is different. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

That's awesome! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

I would try a cold compress. If it continues to be painful talk to your Dr. My large incision hurt for quite a while but it wasn't too bad. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

Hi Fellow Feb. 2013 peeps. Feeling frustrated this morning. I was really hoping to reach the 70lbs gone milestone today but, alas, I am 4 tenths shy of that number. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!! Sigh, really struggling with emotional eating which is, no doubt, contributing to the slow rate of my weight loss. I am still losing but sometimes it's just a few tenths of a lb. I made the mistake of buying some Blue Bunny mini ice cream cones 110 calories so seemingly harmless. They taste so yummy I've been eating one or two every day. It's too much sugar and that is my addictive behavior acting up. I will never buy those again. For some reason I didn't think the little ice cream cones would set off my sugar and eating demon but obviously I was in denial, knee deep in de Nile, as I like to say! That's my old MO. Really need to work harder at being mindful about my food choices. Calorie count isn't the whole story. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

One more piece of advice, after you've fully recovered from your surgery maybe start looking for a new job. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

In the beginning you physically can't eat very much. However, now that I am almost 6 months post-op I can eat more and I've been struggling with emotional eating. I can't do the same level of damage that I could pre-op though. Everyone struggles with emotional eating. We all have to find a way to cope with life's difficulties without using food as a drug. It is a constant process of self-awareness for me. The fact that you are aware is an important step. The surgery doesn't change your brain but it does give you a really good tool to fight the fight with. You are probably both bored and stressed at work. I used to do secretarial work and was always eating. Also, you must find time to exercise. You will want to, more and more as you lose weight. Moving your body is not only important for your weight loss it is important for your mental health. I find I crave exercise now (not as much as chocolate LOL!) because movement is sooo much easier and I have much more energy. Also, if you had to do a psych eval call the therapist and ask for some strategies and/or if there is a support group where you are having your surgery that can be very helpful. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

Stress, boredom (another type of stress really) happy, sad, any emotion will do. pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6

I forgot to mention suppositories. ???? pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2; 5 month post-op 262.6