Chaser

It can also be related to low calcium. Try to fit in an extra cup of skim milk if you can.

Your lucky you got some solid food in your pre-op! The sweet thing was so hard to handle. If you bought chocolate or sweet protein shakes for post op, run out quick and try to find something lemony or pineappley.

I remember thinking it was impossible to get all that protein and water in. Just drink what you can. Over time, your protein and water numbers will go up as the scale numbers go down.

Don't worry about slow weeks and stalls early on. Your body is still adjusting. I had my surgery last August and during the first few months had stalls that lasted three weeks. I still dumped 100 pounds in 4 months. Some of us fluctuate between losing nothing and then sudden dropping eight or more pounds in a week. Keep on the plan and you'll do fine. Aside from Protein shakes, I drank, and still drink, sugar-free hot chocolate made with skim milk. I add low fat whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon. It helps with protein and Water totals, plus you get a huge mental boost from having something that feels so damn decadent. It's my favorite indulgence.

Rice is what gets me. That and chocolate ice cream are the only foods I can't take. My NUT calls me weird.

Amazing job! I hope you get a surgery date for sometime soon.

Congratulations! No complications is great. I'm glad you're feeling good. I've got my one year follow up at TO Western on Tuesday. Haven't lost much since my 6-month follow up so it should be fun. I think all Canadians are out enjoying that nice weather. After all, winter is coming.

Try adding Crystal Light to your water. I also had problems tolerating water for the first little while. Adding something seems to help.

Well, nothing's coming off. Ve been gaining and losing the same 7 pounds since January. I think I've fizzled out on weight loss. Still down 120 pounds so I'm not complaining. Just thought So'd get more than 4 months of quick loss. The person who had surgery the same day has also stopped. How's everyone else from August doing? How long did you lose weight? Anyone still seeing the scale drop?

Oh, and I totally understand still feeling fat. When I look in the mirror, I don't see a change. It's only when I catch my reflection in a subway or shop window that it hits me that I've lost over 100 pounds. I think part of it is that the face I expected to see after the weight came off isn't there. I'm 15 years older and the face in the mirror is a stranger. It's do strange.

Don't get discouraged. You look fantastic! My surgery was August 30th and I spent most of March and April in a stall. I lost 6 pounds over 3 months. Suddenly it started moving again a couple of weeks ago. I increased my walking and it helped.

Surgery weight: 304 (Aug 30, 2012) Last week: 195.2 This week: 193.2

I'm totally with you on the boney knees. I had trouble sleeping because they felt annoying with the bones do close. I have a pillow there too. I keep checking out my collar bone. I keep touching it to reassure myself it's actually there.

I think we all get discouraged at some point and feel like failures. Especially when we slide back into old habits that we know aren't healthy. The best thing to do is remind yourself why you went for the surgery in the first place and think about your victories so far. I remind myself that I wanted to be free of pain from an old ankle injury (I am now) and about how nice it is to go out without worrying about fitting in turnstiles and chairs. Our victories make us stronger. When you feel down, dwell on your victories and take strength from what you've accomplished. Those victories and accomplishments are 100% your achievements and no one can take them away from you.

Way to go!

You're doing well. We all fluctuate up and down. Heck, month-long stalls are normal too. Maybe it's related to that time of the month? Or some junkfood? I'm 9 months out and still loves me those potato chips. Try not to get down because of the numbers on the scale. They don't define you. You've already succeeded by taking the courageous step to have bypass surgery and change your life for the better.

I take Biotin. I also use Garnier's Fall Fight shampoo and conditioner. They both have Biotin in them. I was losing hair at about 4 months out but adding the biotin and Garnier really helped. It also helps to make sure you're getting enough Protein. If you're at the low end of the range your doctor gave you, try to get a little more in.

I don't time it but I put my fork down between every bite and move my hands away. I just chew until it's soft and mushy, and I take pencil-tip eraser-sized bites.

I've been through Alesse and Seasonale but both gave me migraines and killer mood swings. I just chucked the pill and am going to take my chances with mother nature. I feel better already. I'm 39 and will be paying off the fertility treatments for my 4-year-old for years. I can't quite believe that I'll suddenly turn up pregnant. Yes, be prepared to laugh if I post I'm pregnant soon.

It really depends on your body. Sugar may cause dumping. About a year out, it's becoming more common to develop reactive hypoglycemia. If either happens, you'll be avoiding sugar. I don't have dumping so I eat things with sugar. I find I don't feel like more than a few bites and then I'm done. Not like before where I'd stuff my face on sweet stuff.

Oops, forgot to mention that I added a little more water to my day, along with reducing the sugar.

I'm 8 months post-op and get bouts of dizziness and nasty headaches. I think the headaches are just from the hormones out of whack. When we burn fat, it releases estrogen. My doc says this can cause headaches. I noticed my dizziness decreased when I avoided sugars a little more than normal. Not sure if that'll help you but it may be worth a try

Current: 198.6 LW: 201.4 HW: 304 Surgery: 08/30/12

Half a cup of lettuce, some chopped onion, 2 tablespoons of light Caesar salad dressing, and 3 pieces of crumbled up bacon. I never thought I'd crave salad but I've been eating it like a madwoman all week.