McButterpants

Yes! Support groups are important. Networking here is good stuff, too. We're all going thru the same thing and it's great to communicate with people that just like you. While my husband is really supportive, he doesn't understand my food issues and my want to lose weight faster than I am. You're not alone. I am 12 weeks post op yesterday and I have such a different outlook today than I did at 4 weeks. I feel so much better - physically and mentally. I consider myself a slow loser, but I've come to terms with that. I'm at a lower weight today than I have been in 15 years. That amazes me. This journey is chalk full of ups and downs - I truly wasn't prepared for the emotional stuff. I was all ready for the surgery and the physical aspects. I have had to address emotional issues with food that I have never addressed before. It's all good stuff, but it's hard. You're going to do great - you're off to a great start. Just keep working your plan and everything will fall into place.

Not me...I almost backed out the day before surgery. And the morning of, while in admitting, I thought to myself, "I could walk out of here right now and only be out $500." I was scared to death. I was angry - angry that it had come to this, angry that I had to have surgery to lose weight. I talked myself off the ledge by thinking about the reasons I wanted to have the surgery in the first place. This is a life changer - it really is.

Hi there. I am no alarmed at anything you said - it seems like you're following your doc's plan. It's all good stuff. At week 4 I was at about 18 pounds, so not far from you. A couple of suggestions for you - 1. Don't compare your weight loss with others - this is hard, I know. Your journey to 241 pounds is different than my journey to 256 pounds. We didn't get here the same way and we're going to lose it differently as well. 2. Take your measurements if you haven't already. I was surprised, really surprised, at the number of inches I lost. I lost inches when I wasn't losing weight according to the scale. 3. Look at your body - really look at it. See HOW you're losing weight. Take pictures of yourself. I can see I'm losing weight differently than before when I would diet. I attribute that to losing FAT. 4. Are you cleared to walk? I was cleared to walk immediately after surgery - nothing strenuous, but walking. I walked a lot. 5. Most importantly, be kind to yourself and your new tummy. We all want to lose faster and are expectations are high. Your body is going to lose weight at it's own pace. All you can control is what you put into your mouth - continue to follow your doctor's plan. Best of luck to you - hang in there. You're body is going to catch up - I promise.

I just watched an episode of Dr. Oz - the first time in many months. He had on a woman who weighed 56 pounds. It was horrifying to see her and her condition. Then I got to thinking about all the other Dr. Oz episodes I've watched and realized they were all about losing weight in some way, shape or form. And I agree, he promotes really expensive products that aren't available anyone living outside NYC or L.A.!

Hi there. Yep, I'm sorry to say...You're completely normal! :-) My emotions were all over the place. I told my husband if he doesn't like my attitude right now, wait 5 minutes and I'll have a different one. I kept trying to think about all the reasons I was doing this - it made it easier. I also thought about post-surgery life when I went to bed. What I was going to look like in a year. What kinds of clothes would I wear. Surprisingly, that made sleep better. Rather than going to bed with fear in my mind, there was hope. You're going to do great! Best wishes.

Hi there. Yes, I went to Dr. Umbach - traveled there from out of the area. It was a great experience. Couldn't ask for a better team.

This is such a personal choice - everyone has their own reasons for doing what they do regarding telling people. Some can shout from the top of a mountain, "I had weight loss surgery!" Others, like me, keep it to themselves. Here's my story - I told 4 people...My husband, son, parents and best friend. I chose not to tell others - I live in a small community and have seen how some "friends" talk behind others' backs. I didn't want that. Here's the thing - I've lost 50 pounds now and my brothers and their families haven't commented on my weight loss. I have had a couple of people recently comment on my weight loss, but haven't been put in a position to explain it or even really talk about it. I got some compliments and it was left at that - no need to elaborate. I've been in situations where I have had to eat with business associates and friends and no one has commented on how little I eat. These were both things I worried about before surgery - having to explain the rapid weight loss and the amount of food I eat. We all just need to do what's best for our individual situations.

If it doesn't go away, contact Dr. Umbach's office - they are more than willing to help! He's a great surgeon and has a great staff. Congrats on your loss so far!

I used to live in Tarpon Springs - loved that little quirky town! It has a great sense of community. I don't miss summers there, but I do miss the winters!

Wonderful post, Sandee! At 12 weeks post op (has it really been that long????), I can say I feel awesome. Better than I have in years - not only physically, but mentally. I wake up in the morning and feel good - no headaches, no aches and pains (unless I had a hard workout the day before LOL), and I look forward to what the day has to offer. I no longer feel like I'm trudging thru my life - I'm living it and I'm happy. That's a 180 degree change from 4 months ago. This is an amazing journey - I know that it's not all sunshine and lollipops every day and I have ups as well as downs, but I can tell you the good/great days outnumber the bad ones 10 to 1. I wish you all the success and happiness!

Love it!

I live in the purple area - yep that's cold. I'm visiting San Francisco right now and it's 50 and rainy and cold. I need to take a trip down to Florida to thaw out!!!!

Well said, Jane! Celebration - I like that! I will add for the OP...Sometimes for me, eating a royal pain. It's more of an inconvenience. There have been times that I've taken 30 minutes to prepare a really great dish and get it on my plate only to look at it and not want to eat it or taking a few bites and not being hungry any more. I would like to eat more, but I can't. While that's a good thing, it's frustrating. Other times, I have found great enjoyment out of eating. It's weird. I enjoy certain foods so much more - I have to eat slower and really savor the food. Eating has taken a whole different place in my life - right now, I eat for fuel, I don't eat for enjoyment any more. It no longer has a hold on me. And, like Jane said above, I am no hungry all the time. I don't think about food all the time now. It's liberating.

Gas is normal...Walking was the best way for me to get rid of it. I used Gas-X strips, but those didn't help as much as the walking.

I had lots of food funerals before I started my 2 week pre-op diet. But as I got closer to the date, it just got old. I ended up starting my pre-op diet a day early because I felt doing otherwise was counterproductive. If I had it to do all over again, I'd limit the food funerals - pick maybe 2-4 things, then be done with it. Quite frankly there are foods that I mourned that I no longer want (specifically fast foods) and there are other foods that I have mourned that I have been able to have once my doc said I have no restrictions. The anxiety over I created for myself wasn't worth it. You're fast approaching your surgery date - take this time to prepare for your post-surgery life... Practice eating slower (I use an app called Eat Slower) Practice taking smaller bites (I used appetizer spoons and forks) Integrate a shake or two into your day - experiment with different flavors and textures Practice mindful eating techniques (eat meals at the table with the TV off) Start exercising - I walked a lot before surgery; walking helps you recover more quickly; be in the best shape you can. Best of luck to you!

Thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Wow - congrats! You look fantastic. What an inspiration!

Metamucil and a good quality pro-biotic worked for me. I also took some Colace when things were really difficult - that was the only thing that helped me when I wasn't eating veggies. Once I started eating more veggies, things got moving a little better and was able to stop the Colace. I still take the Metamucil and probiotic every day.

A B S O L U T E L Y W O R T H I T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm 11 weeks post op - it was worth every Protein shake I drank, every mile I walked, every tear I cried. I've had my ups and downs, but I'll tell you, for me, this was the best decision. I'm in San Francisco this week traveling with my husband for our yearly trip here. I used to dread all the walking you do in a city because, quite frankly, I was fat and out of shape. I've been able to walk up VERY steep hills and outlast my husband on our walks thru the city. It's fantastic. I feel great. The pre-op diet sucks. But, once you accept that fact and you start feeling better, you'll do fine. You are so close to your surgery date - how exciting! You got this!!!!!!

Everyone is different - I lost immediately, then stalled at 3 weeks. I know a couple of people that weighed more at the one week visit than they did right before surgery. Your body is going to do what it's going to do - just be kind and gentle to your body. Follow your plan. If I had to do it all over again, I'd lose the scale for the first few weeks after surgery. It saves your sanity. Just remember - you didn't get to 224 pounds over night, don't expect to lose it overnight! Best of luck to you.

My 14 year-old son stayed with his grandparents, so he was getting spoiled by them! :-) I found the biggest thing for him was he wanted to talk to me. He wanted to ask questions about the surgery, my recovery, other people that had surgery that day, the doctor. I was fascinated at the questions he asked. It's great you set up skype - they'll be able to see you and see that you're doing well.

Great story! We were at a great place last night for dinner and ordered the bruschetta...It tasted so good. I wasn't able to eat a lot, but I savored every bite, including the bread. My husband had to remind me to slow down - I'm glad he did!

At about a month out I decided to really limit my carbs - like down to 20. That was a mistake for me - low energy, lightheadedness, etc. I then talked to my NUT who said, 80 grams of Protein minimum and 50 grams of carbs would be OK, just watch what kinds of carbs. All carbs are not created equal Good carbs = Good. Bad carbs = Bad I stay away from processed foods - limited bread and sugars. These are your bad carbs. I also stay away from "carby" fruits and veggies - the ones that have a high glycemic value (potatoes, ripe bananas, carrots). The way I added more carbs in was - fat free refried Beans, 1/4 cup of berries in my shake, carb balance tortilla, etc. When I'm at 50 carbs, I feel good. YOu may have to play with the numbers a little to find your "sweet spot"...no pun intended! :-)

Yep - it's normal. Here's a great article from Butterthebeans signature - it's worth the read. http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html#.Uu1dZRaTNdg Just follow your plan - get your mins in regarding protein and fluids. Walk if you are able and approved. I also suggest not weighing every day. Weigh in once per week - longer if you can stand it. My husband hides the scale from me and it comes out on Thursdays. That saved my sanity.

Nice job, Reverie!!!!!!!! Congrats.