FieryRed

I was on the lowest dose of Lisinopril (for BP) and Lipitor (for cholesterol) before surgery, due to diabetes-related hypertension and elevated cholesterol. My BP was not tremendously high (highest was 154/90) and the cholesterol wasn't horrible (175 total) but due to family history of both parents having two strokes a piece, it was better to be safe than sorry. I've since lost 50+ lbs and was taken off my Metformin (for diabetes) the DAY AFTER surgery, and my bp is better than ever, but the doc wants me to stay on the Lisinopril and 1/2 of the lowest pill dosage of Lipitor. My bp now hovers between 110/75 and 120/80 with the pills (and before surgery was higher, even with meds) and my cholesterol is 140 total. Exercise and losing weight is what will decrease your BP, not the surgery itself. And don't be offended if the doc wants to keep you on BP meds at lower doses as a prophylactic (a "just in case"). Doesn't mean you haven't made great improvements, but sometimes, if you have family history, it's better to stay on them...trust me, my goal was to be off ALL meds...but considering how many Vitamins I pop every day, two more TINY pills don't matter amongst the MONSTER vitamins I take. lol

Something else to remember...it takes a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose a pound. If your Basal Metabolic Rate (the rate which your body burns calories just for being alive every day, without any exertion) is say 2,200 calories and you're eating 800 calories, that leaves a negative of 1,400 calories. Without exercise of any sort, that means you will only lose a pound every 2.5-3 days. Which is about right. If you exercise to burn say another 500 calories a day, that will burn another pound each week (500 calories/day x 7 days = 3,500 calories). That would put you at 3-4 lbs a week. That is a more than reasonable expectation of loss, honestly. 3-4 lbs a week gives your skin and your face the chance to catch up with your body weight loss as well. I'd love to drop my last 46 lbs by tomorrow but yet I'd look like a DEFLATED GUMMY BEAR if I lost it that fast!

At my heaviest (253), I was pushing a 22 (though I refused to buy bigger than 20 in pants! lol). Preop I was 238 and size 18/20 (depending) and 44DDD bra. Now am 196, size 14 (comfy!) and 40DDD. Goal is to be a GOOD size 10/12. Boobage goal will vary. lol Am just glad I can now FIND bras more easily. Granted DDD is not the most common cup size, but 40 is definitely easier to find (affordably and aesthetically pleasing, than 44).

I'm so sorry, darlin...can only imagine how you felt when they told you. Do you know how long until they try again?

Darlin, You're doing GREAT! I'm 3.5 months out and have lost 41 lbs since surgery and 56 since my highest. 3 pounds a week is a great rate of loss and probably more realistic than some folks' expectations. Keep in mind that it also depends on how much you have to lose and what your eating habits and metabolism were like BEFORE the surgery. Hang in there...every lb is a victory!

My fave (so far) has been Zero Carb Isopure Cookies & Cream. It comes in lots of the usual flavors, plus some fruit flavors like punch, etc. It also has water-based ready-to-drink bottles. But I used the powders. It, too, is a little pricey but definitely goes down well and doesn't smell like baby formula. lol

I had anti-nausea meds (multiple times) and didn't ask for any pain meds after the first dose when I woke up in my room. I'd rather be in terrible pain than be nauseous, so for me, that was my focus. They called me a trooper for not wanting it, but I really didn't have a lot of pain, but everyone is different in their tolerances. Just know that the staff will cater to how YOU feel and what works/doesn't work for you.

First, you look FAB, girly! Truly beautiful. I still find it amazing how our double chins recede pretty dang quickly, huh? The face usually is noticed as far as weight loss...before the body...when people comment on the changes. It took almost 45 lbs before some folks (who see me EVERY day at work) finally said, "Have you lost weight???" lol Keep up the great work, doll!

I found Zero Carb Isopure Protein mix to be my favorite. It's 25g protein PER SCOOP....and it has a wider variety of flavors than most (everything from vanilla to Cookies & Cream to fruit punch). Most of the fitness and health food stores carry it (Vitamin Shoppes is where I shop). That way, even if you can only handle a small volume, each scoop (mixed with Water or skim milk, depending if you get a fruit-flavored or a typical vanilla/chocolate) gives you the most bang for your small tummy buck.

I LOVE eggs and can still only eat about 1-1.5 eggs scrambled for Breakfast. And iceberg lettuce DESTROYS me (only did it once and it was MISERABLE) but all other greens are fine so far. Bread isn't worth the horrible overly full feeling (though I have indulged in small ways a few times, it definitely makes me think better of it -- and was definitely a favorite of my fat self). I opt for a couple crackers with cheese and a snack now, instead when the bread urge strikes.

Thanks, everyone! Sounds logical but I still can't imagine only eating 200-250 calories a day (on the fast days), even just 3 months out! lol

My 2.5 cents: I'm in your club, too. I lost 15 lbs in the months before surgery and had a pre-op weight on 10/16 of 228, the IVs tacked on 10 lbs of Water and I left the hospital at 238!!! Now, more than 3 months later, with MULTIPLE stalls (am in one right now), I've gotten to ONE-derland finally but have been at 199 for a couple weeks already. I figure, though it's frustrating, the slower we lose it, the more likely our skin catches up (at least somewhat) and we have less chance of those awkward points where we look a little "ill" until the face catches up with the body. So my expectations for the movement of the scale have been adjusted and am figuring if I drop 8 lbs a month from here on out, I'm good, stalls and all. Had a goal in my head of 150 lbs when all is said and done but because I haven't weighed even close to that in over 20 years, am not sure if that's the right goal or if it will be higher or lower...so have learned to be patient and flexible and take the fact that I've gone from size 22 to a 14. The clothes and how they fit are a far bigger indicator of my success than the scale.

KayVon, My hubby has voiced the same fears. Though he is a tall, handsome, THIN beast....he still worries that I'll "find someone better." Really? Makes no sense to me. He loves that I've dropped weight and am still dropping but he still worries that the "new me" won't like the "old him" anymore. It's a typical worry of our partners, I think. Now if you're with someone who has his OWN weight issues...and he's doing nothing about it...then it's truly a VALID worry. You can't have people around you who are not supportive or being self-destructive (at least I couldn't).

pureed and soft foods...I LOVED egg drop Soup. I STILL eat a LOT of egg drop soup...but now I can get WONTON egg drop soup. lol When I got to soft foods, I would add the crunchy noodles, too, but wait until they softened in the broth before eating them. I loved pickled foods, in general, and have not had one issue with them but didn't really started eating them again until at least 2 months out.