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I have not posted in over a year, but today I went on my annual zoo trip to celebrate my new life. I had my surgery in June 2012 and I am 3 years post op. I had a rough first few months. I threw up a lot and generally thought I had made a mistake. However then the weight started to come off and I was able to get into smaller and smaller sizes. Finally my pouch and I figured things out. I am able to eat anything I want at this point. I feel like I finally eat like a normal person. I got my dream job about a year after surgery. I am really active now and completed my first triathlon in October last year. I started out weighing 256 and today I weigh about 143. I went from a size 22 to a 2-4. Please know that things get better and the weight will come off. All your dreams are possible! I have added my official before and after picture that I take every year at the zoo!

I am 2.5 years RNY post op. I can eat anything I like, however there are foods I will never go back to. Soda is my big NO food. I will have a sip here and there, but I always regret it as it hurts my pouch. The first year is all about learning your pouch and what it will and will not tolerate. Everyone is different.

Congrats on the race. I was bitten by the triathlon bug! Ran my first race in October, and it feels great! Keep running and maybe soon you will at a A half and full distance!

I had a drink about 6 months after my surgery. Wine tends to make me feel ill. It is too sweet for me. My advice - make sure you are not alone your first time having wine. It does go to your head quickly.

I have my eyes set on an Ironman as well! I have a lot of training to do before I even attempt an ironman. Summer 2015 I am planning on doing a century bike ride. The feeling of crossing the finish line was amazing.

I am 2.5 years post op and today I crossed the finish line of my first Triathlon. I want to encourage all the newbies to stay strong. Remember the first few months are the hardest and every struggle is worth the reward! You can do it and achieve all the dreams you think are now impossible. Dream big and keep your focus off the silly number on the scale.

You should read her book. She talks about the mental game. Just make up your mind and do it! You will run into hard times during training, but every time you overcome that hardship it makes you stronger.

About 6-7 months ago I found myself unmotivated to workout and stay active. I woke up at 2 am one night and thought about running a 5k. While searching I saw info for a Tri and I thought what the hell that might be fun. I have always played soccer and needed a new challenge. I found a sprint tri that was set for October and figured that would give me enough time to train. Once I got started with training I was hooked. I am the type of person I need a goal to work towards. I have never been worried about my goal weight. I wanted to be healthy and active for the rest of my life. If you strive to be healthy the numbers will fall in place after the surgery. Go for the race! When you cross the finish line it will be worth all the work. I recommend reading a book by Meredith Atwood called triathlon for the everyday woman. She is very funny and motivational. While it is geared towards Tri's and you are training for the kayak race, she talks about doing the races no matter what your physical condition is. I saw people today that weighed 250-300 pounds doing a Tri. You just have to make up your mind that you can do this!

The hair falls out due to lack of protein. However there is several weeks lapse in seeing the effects of lack of protein. You must get in all your protein in.

You cook them just like any other egg. If you are adding them to drinks or shakes make sure it is double pasteurized egg whites and not the stuff you buy at the grocery store.

There is also something called voltren gel. It is a prescription anti inflammatory that goes directly on the joint. I have RA and that is what I use

Look into other forms of exercise that are easier on your knees. Water aerobics or cycling are easier on your knees. There is also something called voltren gel. It is a prescription anti inflammatory that goes directly on the joint. I have RA and that is what I use.

Time to talk to your doctor. There are meds that they can give you to help. They will also want to make sure you do not have a stricture. Also this will pass and is normal to feel regret. We all go through it. Things will get better and easier.

I could use some advice from everyone. I am 2.5 years post op RNY. I have an acquaintance that has posted on Facebook that he is about to have gastric sleeve. He has also posted that he has really bad acid reflux and other issues with his esophagus. I have heard that the sleeve is not recommended for patients with reflux and other issues. My question is should I say something to him, and if so what should I say. I am worried that the surgery will not work for him and he will have complications.

My advise is to find something you enjoy and will keep you motivated. I love competition so to keep me focused I try to find races or sports. I am 2 years post op and play soccer about 3-4 nights a week, and will be competing in my first triathlon in 3 weeks.

I had regret at about week 3 post op. It is normal! I am 2 years post op now and do not regret the decision! Below is an idea of the stages you go through in the beginning. It has so much to do with your hormones and brain. As you lose the weight your fat cells release hormones. On top of the increase hormones your brain is having a temper tantrum. You are not able to give it what it wants - food. So it does everything it can to make you give in and eat food. It will pass, but the first month can be difficult, but afterwards it is great! You can survive the first few months! Here is my experience of the stages. The hardest was the emotional part. I hated being a teenager and I really hated feeling like an emotional/hormonal prepubescent teenager at 30+ years old. Stage : 1 - what the hell did I do 2 - first stall - usually hits around the first month - people usually freak out a little during this stage. No it does not mean you have failed No it does not mean you are done losing weight No it does not mean you are a failure 3 - what the hell did I do stage - again 4 - stage 3 is closely followed by raging hormones. You feel like you are a pubescent teenager. Crying at everything and feeling in the mood for a little "fun" ten minutes later. Please be careful during this stage as we become very fertile. 5 - finally hit your groove. Once you survive all those stages in the first 6 weeks you realize you got this and can get through everything! Oh and that's about the time you get to go shopping!

Polly, You came to the right place for support!! I would be happy to answer any of your questions about RNY. I am two years post op RNY. Best decision I ever made!! Samantha

Go slow. I played an indoor soccer game 8 weeks to the date post op. I got through it, but looking back it was very stupid. I could not get enough water to feel hydrated. I currently play soccer 3-4 nights a week and I am training for a triathlon. You can do anything you set your mind to!!

The only food I stay away from is soda. I have had a few cokes when I have had a bad headache, but it is not worth the pain in the tummy. I am able to eat anything I want. I am 2 years post op.

I had many of those symptoms. Yes call your doctor! I found mine to be due to dehydration. My BP would bottom out and feel like crap. As for the nausea there are meds to help you through that.

When you are in the dressing room and realize that the size 8 is too big.

Not sure when you had your surgery, but it is more than likely head hunger that you have not actual hunger. To figure that out - next time you have that hunger feeling drink water. If your hunger feeling goes away than it is head hunger.

This is what the container of egg whites look like

I have problems with eggs when they are cooked still 2 years post op. They tend to sit heavy. Egg whites are different. You just add the egg whites to a flavored drink. You don't taste them. It sometimes changes the texture a little, but most people would not know they are in there. Also try to find a vitamin shop that will allow you to try the different shakes. Where I get my egg whites will mix up shakes for you to try them before you buy the entire container. Protein is very important - you already mentioned the hair loss. When it comes to the hair loss it takes your hair about 2 months to show the lack of protein you are getting now. Please know I was you 2 years ago, and I know how hard it is. Don't give up - things will get better!

I hate protein shakes as well. They leave such a bad taste in my mouth. I was able to find a protein powder that I could mix with just 4oz of liquid and I was able to tolerate it for a while. You have to be very careful with protein bars as some of them are just candy bars with protein powder sprinkled on top. I use egg whites to help with my protein intake. I add them to any flavored drink. Powerade and egg whites seem to mix well together. However you must by egg whites that are intended to drink raw. Do not buy the ones at the grocery store. Mine are double pasteurized and meant for raw intake. While you stomach is still healing you still need to get in your protein. It helps with healing and giving your body the fuel it needs to function.