SlowlybutSurely

The largest culprit is probably the eating out! Stop eating out and buy low-calorie meals such as Healthy Choice which are simply microwaveable. I HATE pre-packaged meals but Healthy Choice meals are EXCELLENT! For exercise, get hand weights and concentrate on building muscle which will burn more fat. They are also small. You can use the wall to exercise (push-up except against the wall, not to mention floor exercises. I know you're bummed about the regain but you can lose it again so don't beat yourself up too much.

Some do but I'm guessing it's because they're returning to their "old" eating habits since at that point, you can pretty eat anything in larger quantities as well and the exercising is probably slacking off. When calories go up and exercising goes down, you'll gain again regardless of the surgery.

MissMeli, I weighed 308 when I flew to San Diego on Southwest and was concerned about the seat as well so I purchased my own extender off ebay. Turned out that I didn't need it because the seatbelt fit but on my return flight AFTER the surgery, I used it anyway for comfort. It would be nice if all the seats were the same because you never know if you'll fit or not.

Is that Tijuanna Mexico? Small pillow for ROUGH (Tijuanna, Mexico) van rides and Gas-X (but they didn't work for me), cash for tipping, and check with your cell phone company because most don't work in Mexico or they charge roaming. Also if using a debit card, most banks won't allow you to use out of the country without you calling them first and letting them know that you're out of the country. I used my credit card mostly but when I went to use my debit card, it was declined and of course it was on a Sunday and couldn't call bank until Monday morning. Credit cards are a lot less hassle. You primarily just want loose fitting clothing and of course I never travel without a trusty pair of socks.

Good for you! I had little to no pain as well when I was sleeved in January. That's always a good starting point to the journey. I recently noticed that my scars probably will be noticeable but it's not like I'll be wearing bikinis or anything so I'm okay with that. Again, Congrats and wishing you continued good health.

I have the problem with burping. Even though it's an antacid, try chewing on Tums throughout the day to keep the gas down. Also, you might want to watch your carb intake since it a major cause of gas. Gas-X didn't work for me at all but ever since I started chewing 3 or 4 tums a few times a day, my burping is barely noticeable even though it's still there and like you, I burp even when drinking Water. It's kinda depressing though to hear that you're suffering from this two years post-op. I was keeping my hopes up that it was temporary since I'm only 2 months post-op.

I'm 2 months out (03/10) and for the last week, I've been having pain when eating. I'm chewing my food but even mashed potatoes hurt when they hit my chest area. I mean pretty severe pain. I'm to the point that a couple of days I simply drank Protein shakes since they only make me burp. I don't want to go without eating though because that will surely sabotage the little metabolism burning that I have left. I suffer with severe reflux but this is not related. This feels more like someone has literally kicked me in the chest when I swallow. Has anyone else experienced this type of pain?

My advise to you is to work on your "flabby" areas as much as possible now and try to start building muscle there now before you start to lose the weight. Once you start the weight loss, keep up the Protein to retain the muscle and lose the fat. You don't have a lot to lose so I'm guessing you probably won't have a lot of excess skin.

Losing about 35 or so pounds in 2 months is an average of about 4 pounds a week which I consider a decent weight loss. That's about my average which I like because it's slow and steady. I too have stalled but I actually eat more, instead of less and it jump starts my stalls within a day or two. Of course, what I eat more of makes a difference since it's lean Protein or the shakes, salads, etc but I eat 5 times a day instead of three, but to each his own.

I wasn't afraid to have my surgery in Mexico (Tijuanna) this past January because I personally knew of horror stories from procedures performed in the U.S. I knew a woman that went home and died 5 days later. I knew another woman that never woke up from the surgery and was in a coma for months and months until she eventually expired. In 2003, my sister had surgery and had to have two follow-up surgeries. I can vouch for the fact though that Mexico's level of sterilization is not up to standards with the U.S. I don't know how they can change dressings, etc without rubber gloves. I would always clean myself with alcohol after they tended to me. I'm almost 2-months post op and have had not issues or complications other than reflux which I've always had.

I use the over-the-counter Zegrid. Amazing reflex meds and I really hate to endorse meds but gotta have them.

I've always had mild reflux but it's been severe since my sleeve surgery. Once I had to sip Water every 5 minutes or I would burn and cough uncontrollably but Zegrid helped that little episode which was the worst I'd ever experienced. I'm pretty sure I will end up with an ulcer or a damaged esophagus simply because every single morning that I wake up and quite often throughout the day my stomach hurts so badly that I want to cry. It even wakes me up during the night. I had a doctor tell me many years ago that I should always chew on antacids throughout the day to help keep the acid down. I never tried it until after the sleeve and it definitely helps a lot and makes a difference with my stomach pains and reflux severity.

Again, I'll mention what I do whenever I stall…..I actually eat MORE! Healthy and calorie conscious of course, such as more Protein (lean meat), Protein shake, salad, etc., but I eat 5 meals instead of 3 and so far this has gotten me out of 3 stalls within just a couple of days. I can't say that it's scientific but it works for me but I actually got the idea from someone that posted it on this site so apparently there must be something to it.

I'm sure you knew you would get those type questions when you posted the picture so it shouldn't have been a surprise. People often ask those questions because they too want to lose weight and are struggling and are all seeking some big "secret" to achieving their weight loss goals. I do understand though that most people don't want to post that they had WLS on the FB page. I don't think those people meant any harm in asking you those types of questions. Maybe you should explore more your reaction to their comments.

It's probably best not to since they can cause stomach issues. Ask your pharmacist to recommend something else.

Are you on a lot of different meds? Certain meds can surely sabotage your weight loss and actually make you gain weight. If so, ask you doctor whether your meds or the combinations can be affecting your weight loss.

March 10th will be 2 months for me and I've already experienced 3 pretty significant stalls. I don't recommend this but I can tell you what worked for me. I actually ate MORE and within a day or so, the scale started to move again. I didn't eat unhealthy foods because that would be defeating in the purpose but I ate MORE Protein and lean meat, a little bit more salad, Beans, etc and it has gotten me out of my stalls every time. I got the idea from another post on here where she said during stalls she would eat 5 meals a day instead of 3. I don't know why it works, but apparently there's something to it. Once I'm past the stall, I go back to eating normally.

Congrats! Your weight loss is awesome! But it's so strange to me how one person can lose 80 lbs in 3/4 months and another only loses 40 or so. The body is a wonderfully complicated organism!

I too am 5 weeks post-op but I actually start to burp when I'm full but it's more of an internal burp as opposed to an external burp. I read that it's gas and we should take antacids throughout the day. I was out of town this past weekend and didn't take my Protein shakes (can't deal with the ready made ones) so it was well after noon yesterday when I decided to eat something. I bought a fried chicken breast for the protein and was going to pull all the skin off and only eat the white meat. I pulled one chunk of white meat off and it was succulent and juicy and that little chunk was all I could manage to eat. Didn't have anything else to go with it either. I couldn't believe it! As badly as I wanted to eat more, there wasn't any room.

Almost everything. It seems they took out the portion of my stomach that held the taste buds. I'm halfway glad and a little scared that I'll never experience that "Mmmm, this is so good" feeling again.

I've always heard horror stories about breads, crackers and pasta post-op so I'm thinking I'll wait until at least 6-months post-op before I even try them.

I miss my favorite...Hot wings dripping with hot sauce! Now I know that I can still have them BUT I'm so cheap that I refuse to buy six wings when I can only eat one, two at the most. I'm thinking about going to my favorite place and telling them my story and asking if I can buy a child's portion. I also miss the occasional Five Guys burger but I would only buy that about once every six months anyway but that was usually when I was treating myself. Luckily I was never a "sweets" person. I can truely say that being a recovering "sodaholic", I'm really blessed NOT to miss sodas. Haven't even been tempted. That alone makes my surgery worth it...LOL!

Everyone is different. I live alone and had no pain and I went to TJ for my surgery. I say keep that person on reserve just in case you're sore post-op and need a little assistance but hope and Pray for the best. Keep in mind though that you won't be able to lift anything heavy so I carried my laundry to the washer practically piece by piece. Better safe than sorry!

Why do people think that fat (obese, corpulent, BBW, etc.) people are fair game for jokes, ridicule, and embarrassment? I personally don't understand why anyone think that picking at/on another human being simply because they are different is funny but there are all types of ignorant, self-centered, mean spirited and plain stupid people in this world. I work for the government but on a small college campus and one day last spring ('13) I was walking on campus right before school started and these guys riding by took it upon themselves to holler out their window and comment on my weight. "D#@! you fat". I assume they figured I didn't hear them so they so helpfully repeated it again. I ignored them and didn't even look back and figured I'd just not let it bother me but of course, as any normal person with feeling would, I did let it bother me. For the last year, all I've been hearing in my head over and over again is that voice that shouted "D*#@ you fat". When I'm at work and getting ready to make a presentation I hear that voice. When a guy looks and smile at me, I hear that voice and walk away. Sometimes when I'm just watching TV I hear that voice. I find that I'm keeping my head down as much as possible because I don't want to see anyone looking at me and thinking "D#@% you fat". I do what I can to make myself invisible no matter what I'm doing. I won't even wear jewelry or shoes that I think would draw anyone's attention. I can't help but wonder if this will change if/when I lose the weight because trying to be invisible is harder than trying to lose weight.

I found this online and though it was an excellent sample of planning menus after surgery. I've never been good with planning meals so I really like the sample planned menus (for dummies) like myself and wanted to share. http://www.regionalhealth.com/documents/Bariatrics/bariatric-stages-sample-meal-plans.pdf