HYCIERRA

Jeaniek, I'm exactly where you ate and I've followed the plan to a t. Started at 272, I'm at 178. So whatever you are doing you sound on track to me. Next, I messed with the same 2 lbs all of December! Lose 1 gain 1, down 2 up 2. I just think month#6 is a rough one! Last weekend, I decided to go back to basics and only eat proteins and cut my carbs. It worked! It pushed me over the hump and got me down 3lbs. Proteins and water. Cut carbs and watch those sneaky snacks!! You can definitely get that last 20 off. Don't give up and don't settle. You'd be doing yourself a disservice. Best of luck getting over this minor bump in the road.

Ojon revitalizing and thickening shampoo is amazing! I use to have really thick hair and starting at about 3 months it fell out by the handfuls. It got so thin that you could see scalp. I did some research and so far the best product I've found was this ojon. I got it at Ulta. It's like $25 for the shampoo and another $24 for the conditioner, but we'll worth the money. I wash my hair every two days and it instantly began to feel like my old head of hair again. I love, love, love it!!

You look absolutely amazing. This is my first Christmas since surgery and it was a success. I finally feel like I'm in control of my life and my health. Congrats on such an amazing accomplishment.

Hi Denise! I too am in the chicagoland area. NW suburbs. I had my bypass in July and I'm official down 90lbs. My experience has been nothing but amazing. I did not catch you stats, but I have a ton of clothes from 2xl to size 16 if you need anything. I'm not looking to sell them, just want to give then to someone who could use them while downsizing I'm in the Crystal Lake area if you ever need some moral support, I'd love to stay in touch. I'm not familiar with dr chand, but wish you a successful surgery! What better gift to give yourself than the gift of health!

Hi. So many of us have a goal weight in mind... do any of you have a goal size? I've been up and down my entire life. The biggest was a size 22/24 (just prior to my surgery)and my smallest size was a size 5... 20 plus years ago. Remembering back, I think I felt my healthiest at a size 10/12. That is what I'm aiming for. I'm currently a size 16 and only 4 months post surgery...so maybe I'll make it to a 6 or 8, but would be satisfied with the 10. What's your goal...or is it all about the numbers on the scale?

I had my surgery in July, I have several little kids at home who always need me for something. My surgery went very well, as did recovery. I never really picked up my 2 and year old immediately after surgery. I would always sit down first and then they would crawl up in my lap for mommy time. They were also my best napping buddies! I was really tired for the first couple of weeks. I tested as much as possible. Due to my husband work schedule, I pretty much resumed my normal activities as mom during that first week. If you have help, that's awesome, but if not...it's manageable.

The needles are incredibly tiny and you put them into the fat on your tummy. I never even felt them! Definitely nothing to stress over!

I'm currently 190 and in a size 16. I think it's probably just my body type. I've had 6 kids and I've definitely got a mommy pouch. I just don't want to set myself up for failure by saying I want to be a size 6 if it's not a reality for me. I'd LOVE to be a size 6. . . But scared that I wouldn't be able to achieve it and get frustrated and discouraged.

Ah, good point. I didn't think about including my height... I'm 5'3. :-) height definitely makes a difference.

Please remember...this isn't a race. This is a marathon. We've all done the fad diets, "eat this today and lose 10 pounds overnight", only to gain 15 the next day. Please don't be so critical of yourselves. The losses will come. Today, tomorrow, next week, next month...and believe me it all adds up. We aren't competing with each other. We aren't even competing with ourselves and previous diets. This is our new life. One day at a time, with a smile on our face, knowing that we made the right decisions to give us the optimal chance at a healthy life. Love yourself, love your decision, and enjoy the stroll.

My surgeon recommends lotrimin for those types of rashes. I get them too.

I was really blown away with how responsive my doctor was when I mentioned my interest in having bypass. In fact, he has probably been one of my biggest supporters throughout this whole process. I was nervous to bring it up as well, everyone has an opinion, including your doctor. I was scared he would suggest more exercise, weight loss programs, anything but the surgery... but when I mentioned it to him, he lit up with a big smile and said he thought it was a fantastic idea, we discussed what I wanted or of the procedure, if I had surgeons in mind, etc. You may be pleasantly surprised by your doctors response! No need to be scared.

Ahh, love when you come home from the hospital and your significant other ways in front of you... especially if you've been on liquids for what seems like an eternity. I say stab him!! Lol! For me, it was tough watching my family eat desert in front of me, and I do believe during those first couple of weeks after surgery, I shed my fair share of tears... and anger, wow was I angry! And yes, I do believe I threatened to Stan my husband if he ever ate ice cream in front of me again... anyway, just want you to know your reactions are normal. We all go through a wide range of emotions, especially following surgery and anesthesia. Don't beat yourself up over it. If it's too difficult for you to be around others eating, remove yourself from those situations. The time will come when you are comfortable enough to be around it. Until then, I say do whatever it takes to keep yourself on the right path. It won't always be like this.

Love auto correct. The pain stuck around for a couple weeks.

Remember that the surgeon had to cut through muscle to get to where he needed to be. I to had 5 incisions. (Also remember these are deep cuts). The one that have me the most pain was the one he had to put the drain into, so it was a little larger. The passion sick around for me for a couple weeks. No fever or discharge, just painful. Take advantage of the passion needs they give you. Stay ahead of the pain and get plenty of rest. Your body has just went through major surgery. I wouldn't be concerned unless you notice discharge, a foul odor, or ran a fever.

You must likely won't feel full at this point. Due to the surgery, the nerves being cut, the swelling, etc, your body doesn't seen to recognize the fullness at first. That's why it's critical at this point to measure and weigh everything and only eat/drink what your surgeon advised. That fullness will luck in soon. I think for me it was a couple weeks when the swelling had gone down that I started noticing it. I'm almost 4 months out now, and I can definitely tell you after eating small portions, you WILL feel full and satisfied fur probably the first time in your life. It's an amazing feeling!!

I think all of us go through various steps and stages of acceptance. This is something many of us have prayed for, planned for, wished and dreamed for, and for it to become a reality is overwhelming. The emotions don't quite know what to do. For me, I was numb when my approval came through. 20 years and 3 separate attempts and finally I was approved. Part of me didn't want to get to excited, as I expected the insurance company to come back and say "oops, we made a mistake, no surgery for you". The other part of me was trying to grasp the concept that I was on my way to getting healthy, and dreaming of what the outcome would be. All I can say is cherish it all. The good, the bad, the process getting to where you are going and the journey to follow. Being scared is totally normal, regardless of how bad you want something...the unknown can definitely be scary! Best wishes for a healthy new you, and an amazing 2015!!!

So I was thinking, before surgery, we go on diets, many diets. Some of which limit food quantity. Our stomachs shrink in size. Correct? After surgery, and we have our tiny little pouches, everyone is worried about stretching them out. For those who may have had surgery a while ago and fell off the wagon and gained substantial weight back, is it plausible to think that if they were to get back on track with eating proteins first, limiting portion size, drinking their water, etc. Following the plan, that their pouch would shrink back to it's post surgical size? Once cut, does our pouch lose elasticity and become unable to expand and contract as it did prior to surgery? Just a thought. I'm 4 months out, doing amazingly well, but every once in a while run across a post where someone is struggling. I never thought to ask my surgeon about this. Now, I'm just curious.

I agree with previous posters, your comfort foods change. I use to be a sugar addict. I wanted sweets ALL the time. Let me just say that one bout with dumping and your priorities change, and FAST! Lol. Seriously, I don't even crave sweets, they don't sound good anymore. I want meats. I want nutritious foods. My go to snack right now is a fresh apple. Before surgery, I'd go years without eating an Apple!

I have to tell you, I'm much like you in my thought process of hating to have attention drawn to me. I don't like to be the center of anything. I don't dress flashy, I prefer a more behind the scenes role rather than the lead. That being said, I Erik say that I've put in a lot of hard work, exercise, hours and hours of planning meals and making healthy choices. Recently I ran into an old friend whom I hadn't seen since before surgery. I've lost over 70lbs since she's seen me and she didn't make any comment at all, as if nothing had changed or she didn't notice the difference. After we went our separate ways, I caught myself feeling down because she hadn't noticed any difference. It sounds silly... but I think in a way I've enjoyed the little comments of recognition that I've been getting lately. It's affirmation that I'm on the right track and all my hard work is paying off! So while you may truly not like the fuss... it really is a great feeling to know that people recognize all your hard work!

Autumnpunkin... absolutely beautiful and inspiring!!!!!

This may seem like a silly question, but is it possible for us to still get the flu? And if so, what would it be like? I'm talking the stomach flu, vomiting in particular. I'm 4 months post surgery and all is well, but was just curious. In the past, vomiting for me has been violent. I've gotten food "stuck" once since surgery causing me to vomit, but it was nothing like in the past. Obviously the pouch holds nothing in comparison to my old stomach, so hopefully it wouldn't be too terrible. Just a curious question.

You look absolutely amazing!!!

Surgery was 7/8/14. Starting weight was 270, current weight is 197. Still a ways to go, but so happy with the results do far. Went from size 22 to 16 in 4 months!!!

Omg, my hair is falling out literally by the handfuls. :'( I'm taking 5000 mg per day, broken up between morning and night. I'm getting so scared that if this keeps up I'll be bald by next month. My hair has always been super thick. Note it's thin and limp. Is there anything else I can take that works?