BestYet2Come

Kudos to you for posting here and being accountable. Look at your amazing progress! I lost my focus recently and just had my first full week back on track and I feel great. One day at a time...

HW: 257 SW: 241 CW: 194 TPL: 63 TGL: 117 Back to journaling and exercising made a huge difference. I am feeling great about this week and I cannot wait to report a new weight into the 180s next week.

HW (High Weight) 257 SW (Surgery Weight) 241 CW (Current Weight) 196 TPL (Total Pounds Lost) 61 TGP (Total Goal Pounds) 117 (56 to go) Here I am, I did not run away! I lost 1lb this week, I will take it! I am feeling good about re-focusing. I already exercised this morning, drank my shake for breakfast, and had salad for lunch. Can't wait to report good numbers next week! xo to all.

When someone goes MIA from this group, you know it cannot be a good sign, right? Here I am. Same weight since May 27th. The bad news: 1) This is not a stall; 2) This is completely my fault; 3) I was careless and in denial thinking that I had it all under control; 4) I missed a whole month of precious post-op friendly hormones time. The good news: 1) I learned a great deal about my eating habits these past few weeks (i.e: I have the meals under control, but snacking - grazing - is my biggest problem); 2) I take full responsibility for my actions; 3) Seeing everyone's results on this board, week after week, has helped me stay honest and finally snap out of this phase (as I comparatively believe that I should be 20lbs lighter had I stayed the course); 4) I was able to maintain the weight; 5) One of the reasons I didn't follow plan was that I was travelling for a couple of weeks on vacation. So yes, I had a lot of fun; 6) I realized how keeping a diary is essential for me. I want to congratulate all of you for staying strong and inspiring me to come back. I look forward to being more active on the board and feel free to scold me if I go MIA again (I get all updates via email). HW 257 SW 241 CW 197 TPL 60 TPG 117 Best,

HW 257 SW 241 CW 197 Solid size 14. Large 12s.

Just weighed again and I am actually down 2lbs down from last week, I might be breaking another stall. HW 257 SW 241 CW 197 )))) Total loss from highest: 60 Total loss from surgery: 44

HW 257 SW 241 CW 199 Stuck, but haaaaaappy!

Meamo, don't be scared. Breathe. It has been done before. My OBGYN (yes, OBGYN!), got pregnant just 4 months after having gastric by-pass surgery. That was the healthiest of her three pregnancies, her baby girl is now 4 years old and healthy, and she looks more beautiful and fit than ever. You will have to be extra careful and diligent about your vitamin intake, calcium, etc. and stay in close contact with your doctors. Here is her story: http://www.endtheweight.com/bariatrics/shieva.htm On a side note, congratulations!! Is this your first?

HW 257 SW 241 CW 199 Have zipped size 12 pants (though 14 are more comfortable!) and medium sized tops. hair was falling a lot, but it has slowed down.

HW 255 SW 241 CW 205 Cant wait to enter onederland. Loss has slowed down, but my doctor says I am right on track. I had to cut 3 inches off my long hair because it is breaking off and falling down. It is not necessarily falling at the root, but breaking. Hopefully it will stop soon. I guess that is why I am not so upset at the slower weight loss rate, because I rationalize that it is better for my hair (I know, I know...)!!! Good job everyone!

Seriously? You got scolded? Look at your progress, look at how far you've come! Yes, we need to re-build habits for life, but I say you deserve a tight hug and pat on the back my friend! I think it is great that you are tracking your food - I stopped tracking for a couple of weeks and I started cheating - not good. I do think that tracking helps keep you focused, it might be one of those good obsessions to have. Now, should you be obsessing about 1/2 a banana? I don't think so. Let's face it, we did get to where we are because we ate too many bananas! My doctor tells me to stay away from foods that trigger my bad habits. I don't ever feel guilty about too many veggies or even fruit. I believe in eating 'close to earth' and I don't think the extra calories from strawberries will get me in trouble. I much rather eat a banana than some processed low fat yogurt, but that's the organic me. I can tell you for sure that you are doing better than I have in the past two weeks. I have gotten lazy about exercising and have gone off track with my diet. I am tightening the belt again, because 2lbs should never turn to 20lbs extra - ever again. To answer your question, my MD told me to eat about 1,000 calories per day. Eat your protein first, then veggies, then carbs, if there is room. And yes, I do have popcorn every now and then. Especially if it will keep me from snacking on something bad. I do stay away from bread (incl. English muffins) only because they trigger my carb craving. Stay the course, I think you are doing great!

Hw 255 Sw 241 Cw 206 Not focused lately, getting ready to tighten the belt again this week.

Hi friends! I thought we could start a thread of great low-calorie, high Protein, or just plain delicious food products as we re-learn our diets. I recently found this DELICIOUS blue cheese salad dressing that is yogurt based and has just 35 calories for 2 tablespoons. There are different kinds also (Ranch, Honey Mustard, etc.). I have used it on salads (yes, I can tolerate lettuce!) but also to moisten my Proteins (steak, chicken, etc.). I will post more as I remember other products. I hope this is helpful to someone! What is your favorite food item these days? xoxo http://www.bolthouse.com/products/dressings/creamyyogurts

First, congratulations for recognizing early enough that you need help getting back on track. That alone is a sign that you have changed and you know your bad habits. Think back on when you started this journey, did you keep a food journal that you could now copy? I have a friend who had bypass five years ago. Anytime she is slipping, she goes back to Protein shakes - that's what helps her to get back on track and that is probably what I would do also. Best of luck!

Most people are surprised about the pre-op diet and how easy it is to stay on it. Overall, that's the feeling I get from reading all the posts. That was also my experience. I was afraid I was going to feel dizzy, shaky, etc. Instead I felt great! With the constant Protein, your blood levels will be stable and you will not feel physically hungry - mentally it is a bit more challenging. As a result of my non-cheating, my liver did shrink for surgery and the procedure was very smooth. My diet was Optifast 800. 3 shakes/day plus two bars and clear liquids. Good luck!

It is not ridiculous to cry over food, why do you think we are all here? Immediately post op was the hardest phase for me, trust me, it gets SO much easier! Everytime you want to cry or eat, remind yourself of what this truly is: just a temporary post-op diet. Trust me, this is NOTHING like the rest of your life will be like. I am 3 months out today and I can eat everything (just smaller portions). I have zero intolerance and can go out to dinner with my family and enjoy the same food they eat. The key is to keep yourself busy right now. Buy a ton of magazines, find pictures of outfits you will want to buy when you lose the weight, go on Pinterest and browse through the latest in women's fashion, write down an exercise plan, research gyms around your house, meditate....anyway, just keep your mind off of food. You can do it, and we are here for you!!! (hugs)

Dr. Patient, I am reading your posts laughing out loud. I have a couple of storage bins with size 12-16 clothes, what a waste of perfectly good storage! There is nothing in those two bins that I would want to wear now. Don't get me wrong, they are good clothes, but SO early 90s! Very Gloria Estefan! LOL. I too went from a 22/24 to a 16. It is AMAZING to be out of the plus size section of department stores. Yesterday I went shopping and got a couple of items from Vineyard Vines, Ann Taylor, The North Face, Anne Fontaine....okay, maybe it wasn't just a couple of items, imagine when I am a size 10! Woooohooo! My poor wallet. Congratulations, you deserve it!!!!!!

There are so many variables, it is almost impossible to answer. That said, I will repeat what my doctor told me. For someone who weighs approximately 250lbs pre-surgery (my case), expect to lose about 50lbs during the first three months post-op, and then 10lbs per month thereafter. This has been my experience. On 3/16 I will be 3 months post surgery and I have lost 47lbs. Good luck!

Hi Joy, transfer addiction is real. My very well adjusted and successful brother had an issue with alcohol after his by-pass surgery. Congratulations on being conscientious about it. If you have to drink Water and for the sake of others say it is vodka, then that's what you do to ease the pressure (do Irish even drink vodka? LOL). Anyway, this your journey, no one else's. Stay the course and good luck!!

Wishing you the best of luck! Immediately pre-op and immediately post-op are the hardest days. Hang in there and know that it gets SO much better and that all your sacrifice WILL PAY OFF. We are here for you.

HW 255 SW 241 (Dec 16, 2013) CW 208 47lbs gone. Can't wait to get to onederland!

HW 255 SW 241 CW 210 I have made some horrible food choices these past couple of days...time to buckle up for a great week ahead. Congrats onederland buddies, see you soon! Xoxo

HW: 255 SW: 241 (Dec 16, 2013) CW: 213 I had been keeping my daily calories at around 800, but once I increased the average to about 1,000, the weight started coming off. I strongly believe that I was on some sort of 'starvation mode' before. If you are reading this and you are on a stall, consider shifting your calories (up or down) and see what happens. This is definitely not a linear process and I think that adjustments are needed along the way, we just need to be mindful of the impact of such changes and adjust accordingly. xo to all.

Same as before the surgery...get slightly bloated right before it.

Regardless of how prepared I thought I was, I was also slightly disappointed post-surgery when the weight didn't come off as fast as I expected. Today, just a few weeks and 40lbs later, I am thankful that my body paced itself to keep me safe and healthy through this journey. On top of what the previous posts already mentioned, remember that your body has gone through a great deal of stress. Hormonally speaking, there are a billion changes happening right now. Your body does need time to reset and 'understand' what is happening. Throughout this journey, your body will enter starvation mode where it will hold on to weight until it realizes that it is safe to let it go. It is not a linear process. This is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Think of how wonderful you will be feeling by the Summer or by Christmas, not by tomorrow. We totally get your frustration, but as RJ mentioned, patience is your best friend right now. Hang in there, this IS the most difficult part of all and you are almost done. ((hugs))