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I'm not a frequent poster...actually have been so busy I'm not even a frequent viewer lately. But it occurred to me today that yesterday was my 3 month mark, so I thought I'd check in. Crazy how time flies. I started my journey at 244, and am now down to 193, total of 51 pounds. Weight loss has definitely slowed down, but I'm eating differently now than I was right after surgery, so it's not surprising. Generally losing about 2 lbs a week, though. Still no regrets and no problems. I was in India in late September for a business trip. I'd generally stick with Protein shakes and bars during the day, then would have some local food for dinner with my coworkers. I tried to be smart...nothing too spicy or crazy, mostly chicken. A couple nights we went to buffets and our hosts would bring plates of a variety of things to try. I tried everything, to not be rude, but in very small bites. Actually lost 5 lbs that week. We also just got back from Italy last week...too many carbs and not enough Protein, but it was a special trip with my husband to Celebrate my 40th birthday, so I tried to just enjoy it...with very small portions. Several times, my husband and I shared a dish, and I ate about 1/4 of it, and he'd eat the rest. Only lost a pound, but that's better than most of my previous vacations. I've been very blessed in that I'm not ever gotten sick, and have tried a multitude of foods and had no issues. Water is always a challenge, sometimes I just don't think of it. But I've also learned pretty quickly that I feel lousy if I don't stay hydrated, so I'm getting better about it. I'm about another 50-60 lbs from my goal...weight training and running are the next things on my "do list" which will help me get there sooner. My son wants to do a Spartan race with me on the Spring, so I guess that's my next milestone. So zero regrets and zero problems, I'm thrilled I did this. Don't get me wrong, I hate that I had let myself get to where I was...5'4" and 244 isn't a good place to be. 262 was my highest weight during one of my pregnancies a couple of years ago...so I'm not proud of where I was. But I'm proud of where I am now and of the courage it took to do this. And I'm proud of where my life is heading...I made the right decision for my health, my family and my future. Cheers. No matter where you are on your journey, I hope you're on your way to getting healthier and happier for all the right reasons...starting with you.

My only post-surgery issue was a wicked rash with my incisions. Got some steroids and antibiotics and I was good to go. I've not missed any work, nor had any issues with food, so yes, I've been lucky. All's well...

I'm a director in IT. My job is very sedentary, but can be stressful. I had surgery on Thursday at 8am, out of the hospital Friday night. I was back at work full time on Monday.

Ha! No worries on the technology, you'll get it. Glad to hear your process is moving along. I know the financials can be daunting...but keep in mind, you'll save a ton on food, and yes, on meds, as you drop weight and get healthy. My journey is going well...39 lbs down in not quite 2 months. I think I'm at week 7. Weight loss has definitely slowed down, but still steady. Few pounds away from the 100s. My next few weeks will be interesting...I leave for a business trip to India this week, am there for 10 days, then a month from today I leave for Italy for a getaway with my husband. I'm not having any major issues with food...I've tried bread once or twice and that gave me a kind of crampy feeling, so I'm avoiding that. Otherwise, I've not had any issues. Grilled fish seems to go well, I've had pulled pork, cheeses, yogurts, baked beans, soup (chili and others) baked potatoes, eggs, hummus, cottage cheese, deli turkey and ham. Obviously, very small portions of all of these foods...and slow...but so far, no major issues. For breakfast, I'm usually hustling out the door, so I usually grab 2 oz. of cheese and eat it on the way. At lunch, 2 oz. of yogurt or something like that. At night, I usually try to eat a couple of bites of what my family is eating. The other night, that was tacos; so I had a small spoon of taco meat sprinkled with some cheese and a few toppings, a couple tomatoes and some shredded lettuce. I drink protein shakes most days, although some days I'm just not in the mood; I figure as long as I get them in most days, I'm good. So all's well...no regrets, and no problems. Keep focusing on the future, and let your fears go. You'll be fine, and be on your way before you know it.

I'm 31 days out, and I can tell you I would do it again tomorrow in a heartbeat. My only regret is not doing this sooner. I'm not obsessed with food anymore...and I've lost 30 lbs. When you start to get psyched out, think about why you're doing it and how great you'll look...and it will be faster than you know it. All these medical tests lined up are for a reason...and while no one loves it, it's just part of the process. Sit back, relax, and imagine your skinny self. Plan to feel lousy for a couple days...that's just the reality of it, but every day is better than the one before, and before you know it, you're better than you've felt in years. Small price to pay...

I had my surgery on July 25...started at 244 and am now down to 215. Wish I'd done this sooner, to be quite honest. The 25th was a Thursday, my surgery was at 8am, I was released on Friday evening, and I was back to work on Monday. I work in IT, so while my job can be stressful, I mostly sit at my desk or in meetings. I've been very lucky...only issue I've had was a wicked rash from something post-surgery...doc thinks it was the extra adhesive they put on the surgical tape to make it stick longer. I wanted to scratch the skin off my stomach...and I've never had an allergic reaction to anything...so it was definitely weird. But in the grand scheme of complications, no sweat...steroid and antibiotics and it was gone. food has been fine for me, no reactions or stomach problems to date. I've been mostly on yogurts, cheese, cottage cheese, apple sauce...stuff like that. I've started to dabble in other foods for the next phase...cautiously, but with no issues. Nothing tastes different to me, at least yet. I am struggling to get my Protein in...it's a constant battle, but I'm getting better at it. liquids I seem to do pretty well with...I'm usually in the 65-75 oz range. I did my first Couch 2 5k jogs this week...hoping to get back into running and lifting to tone up. My surgeon made my day when I had my follow-up the other day...said he could really see the definition in my cheek bones coming out. Yay...my face is less fat! A work in progress, for sure...but I couldn't be happier with my results to date. If you're on the fence, don't be! Do this for you, your family, your kids, your spouse/significant other...whatever inspires and motivates you. I did it for all of the above...and I did it for my career as well. I have a great job that I love...and I didn't want my weight to get in the way or slow me down. For those of you pursuing approval, keep trying. For those of you scheduled, best wishes. For those of you who are post-surgery, keep rockin' it! All the best...

Thanks, everyone. Those of you who are nervous as anxious, try not to be. I'm not going to tell you surgery is easy or fun...I'm not a fan of hospitals and doctors and having to ask someone to help me pee. I could not wait to get out, but one long weekend of discomfort and blah was absolutely worth it. I was literally a lazy bum over the weekend after being released on Friday...watched lots of movies in between walks. But on Monday, I worked a full day and went to a soccer meeting for my son after work...and felt great, except for my itchy stomach. Like most of us, I didn't have time to be down for long...so I went into it knowing I had to hit the ground running. Keep the faith...don't let your head get in the way of what you need to do for your health.

I'm not ATL, but I'm gonna reply anyway. I do love ATL...does that count? I was in at 6am for an 8am for surgery on a Thursday. Released Friday night. Was a vegetable on Saturday and Sunday, other than getting up to walk, and went to work on Monday. I have a white collar desk job, keep in mind...nothing crazy. But I've felt great and had no issues. I'm almost a month out, down almost 30 lbs...started at 244, now at 215. Zero regrets!!!

Just got approved this week...took about 10 biz days. Had a little confusion in requirements BCBSIL needed, but got it worked out within 2 days. Surgery date coming soon!