bakawaka

I think that stalls are normal. I lost a lot of weight and then stalled for two months, lost some more weight, and stalled again. I can only recommend to "follow the rules" and eventually the weight loss returns. The main issue is whether you are improving your health. I wish you the best of success.

I wish you great success. I remember the time just before my surgery. I was very afraid. Now I am no longer afraid of surgery. Weight-loss surgery was one of the best things I did for myself in my entire life.

Amazingly it was not that scary. I had full confidence in the surgeon and hospital staff. I was discharged from the hospital today. Surgery took care of the obstruction. Surgery was laparoscopic and it really was not that painful afterwards. I was in the hospital for two nights. The lesson I learned is to be sure to go to the emergency room if you ever suspect a bowel obstruction. Taking care of it early is key. It turns out that the complicating factor was that I ate too much high-Fiber food too quickly. My instructions upon returning home were to follow a high-fiber, low-cholesterol, low-fact, low-salt diet, which is what I have been following anyway. Even with this complication, getting gastric bypass was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life. I remain grateful for the privilege of having this surgery.

recipe i've been using lately: Ingredients: (1) egg whites (for protein) (2) pureed apple (for fiber) (3) cornstarch (to thicken) (4) wheat germ (for Fiber and nutrients) - this changes the flavor and not everyone will like it (5) low-fat yoghurt OR tofu (6) almonds or walnuts (for fiber) (7) Splenda or Equal for sweet flavor (8) cinnamon mix in blender spray non-stick spray into bowl pour mixture into bowl microwave 3-5 minutes Variation: savory instead of sweet Ingredients (1) egg whites (for protein) (2) low-fat/fat-free cheese (can vary the flavor depending on the type of cheese - parmesan or mozzarella are delicious but so is cheddar (3) almonds or pecans or walnuts (4) cornstarch (to thicken) (5) tofu (for protein) (6) salt and pepper to taste (7) one variation: add white truffle or black truffle oil or salt to add flavor other variations: add frozen vegetables that were previously steamed in the microwave mix egg whites, cornstarch and tofu in blender pour into bowl that has been sprayed with non-stick spray mix in cheese and/or nuts (some will like the cheese and not the nuts) microwave 3-5 minutes this is fast food. it's not gourmet. it's not beautiful. it's convenient. it's quick. it's edible. it cooks in the microwave. i can eat out of the same bowl that the concoction is cooked in. low-fat, low-carb, low-cal (assuming not too many nuts). it works for me and hopefully others can find this technique useful.

i am one 11 months post-op. I have lost around 70 pounds and am essentially at goal weight (I had Class I obesity instead of morbid obesity) I can eat more than in the past. My biggest concern is regain. My weight fluctuates up and down by approximately 5 pounds. I have had essentially no complications - I have vomited only one time during the entire experience post surgery. My expectations were that post-op would be much harder than it has been. But it really has not been hard at all. Friends of mine who have had the surgery experienced a lot of vomiting - so I thought I would as well. It just hasn't been the case. I also expected to have a lot of loose skin. But I don't. Yes, there are some wrinkles. But it's really not a big issue. I don't know why. I found recovery from surgery painful due to having to keep the surgical drain in for three weeks post-op. That was the painful part. For several months after surgery I had a lot of fatigue. Now I have a lot of energy. Cholesterol problems are resolved. I still have high blood pressure, however. That is a genetic problem that weight loss did not solve. There are days when I am hungrier than others. Dumping: I don't think I've ever experienced it. I can eat anything. I do feel weak when I eat high-fat foods (which is not often). Again, my biggest concern is regain. I enjoy being at an appropriate weight. It has made life better for me. I always wish everyone a successful weight loss journey.

I bought high protein tofu noodles, microwaved them and sprinkled Parmesan cheese on them. A little salt and pepper. Very quick and convenient.

I use a lot of Splenda as equal every day. Stevia leaves a bitter aftertaste. Equal and Splenda taste great - especially in my coffee. What are your thoughts about using Splenda or equal?

I had the bypass and have not experienced food getting stuck - I chew thoroughly and think that is why

Tofu noodle with grated Parmesan cheese

I chose bypass over sleeve because my surgeon (excellent surgeon) advised that bypass is better for people who like baked goods. I am 11 months post op and pleased with the decision.

DL, what food-logging app do you use?

I restarted my food-logging based on the prompts from posters on this forum, particularly DL Coggin. I am using My Fitness Pal. When I search for foods in the system, there are lots of "network errors." It is very slow. But it is an effective program. I am using it via iPhone. But for searches of food, I find that I have to go to the website via my laptop instead of through my iPhone. I am "saving" the frequent meals - and those seem easy to use in the iPhone.

Here is another perspective: we are all going to age and no matter how thin or fat we might be, the skin is going to sag. I am trying to be at peace with it.

I was also a last-minute switch from sleeve to bypass and I am very glad with my decision. I chose gastric bypass due to my surgeon's advice regarding how gastric bypass would be more effective for me long-term and for dealing with my love of baked goods. My understanding, however, is that regardless of surgical technique chosen, the long-term actions and behaviors are the same. We have to change our habits. The surgical technique helps us change our habits. I have no regrets and remain grateful for my surgeon's advice. I can only advise following your surgeon's advice regarding which surgical technique to use.

DL, I know you are right about food logs. My goal is to make food logs a habit. It will take me some time to get there. How long have you been maintaining a food log? Did you find it easy to make it a habit? Did you find it annoying at first? I know food logging is natural for you now. But did you find starting to use food logs difficult?

Stalls are common. I am 9 months post op and following around 1,000 calories per day. I have had stalls of two months. My perspective is to remember that I am in better health today than I was yesterday due to weight loss. I am now losing about one pound per month. And I am happy with it. My surgeon (whom I consider to be excellent and privileged to have as a surgeon) explained to me that unless I become an athlete, I will always be "chubby." I very much appreciated his insights. I personally never set a goal weight. I set a goal to lower my blood pressure and cholesterol. You have accomplished a lot. I very much admire your discipline in exercise and calorie control. I wish you and everyone in this forum great success in the weight loss journey.

At 9 months post op I am convinced that flatulence will be an ongoing issue, no matter what foods are eaten. It is frustrating. But I prefer extra farting and being thinner to farting less and being fatter.

I am hoping never to drink alcohol again because of the calories. My colleagues are frustrated by this development but I prefer being in good health. I would much rather drink a protein shake than alcohol.

i do not like to cook but need low-cal snacks. here is one that works for me: hearts of palm right out of the can flavored with seaweed. low-cal, low-fat, quick & convenient. some people won't like the seaweed but that could be substituted. anyway, it's an idea and maybe someone else will find the idea useful

At 9 months post op, yes, I would do it again

I do not regret surgery at all and would do it again If necessary. I had excellent care in the hospital. I had a great surgeon and great nurses. I am very grateful for the surgery.

Thanks for the suggestion re pampered chef - never heard of it before but will check on amazon. Sounds like a great idea. Another benefit of the microwave: less to clean (something else I don't enjoy).

Never heard of lentil crackers but what a great idea - will look for those at the grocery store

Here are my thoughts: I aspire to keeping a food log but forget. I know that it helps with long term success and you, DL, are proof of that. But I have not made the transition to naming a food log a habit, despite having an app on my smartphone.

So what is a good daily calorie goal for maintenance? I know that for the weight loss phase for me it has been 1,000. But should maintenance be 1,000, 1,200, 1,500?