Babbs

First, just breath. Everyone is different. When they cut your stomach and remove a portion and staple it back together, nerves are involved. Everything is swollen and looks like Frankenstein. Some people don't feel the sensation of fullness or restriction because of the need for all of that to heal. Also, a lot of people, me included, didn't really feel true restriction until I started eating more solid, substantial food. I even questioned whether the surgeon even DID the surgery. Give it time. Concentrate on getting your fluids and Protein in for healing right now. The rest will follow.

I didn't have one either. 18 months later I'm alive and thriving

It all has to do with skin elasticity and what they can salvage during a lift/implant procedure.

At 6 or 7 weeks out like you, 700 calories is acceptable. At 1 year out, 700 calories is NOT acceptable.

I was taught by my grandfather to try anything, as far s food goes & never say anything negative about something you have not tried. What one might do easily with cauliflower is the topic of this thread & perhaps a positive contribution would be much more appropriate than talking 'crap'? Dude. Chill. She's only kidding. I guess people aren't allowed to express foods they dislike now? Was that a trigger for you or something? Lighten up a little, eh?

Cauliflower Fried "Rice"! I made this a couple weeks ago, and it turned out yummy! RECIPE: - Cauliflower - 1 Tbsp. of sesame oil - 1 Tbsp. of garlic - 8 oz beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu - 1 cup of diced carrots - 1 cup of frozen peas - 2 eggs - White pepper to taste - 3 Tbsp. of soy sauce - Chopped green onions for garnish Break down a head of cauliflower in a food processor until it’s the size of rice. Heat sesame oil over high. Add garlic and fry until fragrant. Add the beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu and cook until 80% done. Add carrots and peas, stir until thoroughly incorporated. Push ingredients to the sides of the pan to create a well. Pour in 2 whisked eggs and let it set for 15 seconds. Scramble eggs and fold into the cauliflower rice. Season with white pepper and stir in soy sauce. Garnish with chopped green onions.

Reading these responses, I just got serious goosebumps and tears in my eyes. You guys are so darn inspiring!

I never get annoyed with compliments. Most people mean well. Even the "How much weight have you lost?" people. I'm proud to tell them, because I've worked damn hard to get here. *Shrug*

No flak for the Weight Watchers comment. It's all part of the yo yo dieting we've all come to know and dread so much. There's no doubt about it, constant dieting f*cks with our metabolisms. I would say my reasons for gaining are very similar to yours. Even the phentermine. I got to my all time high weight stopping phentermine after a 40 pound loss. I'm going to try my hardest to finally jump off that dieting merry go round this time. So far, so good

GREAT article and a must read for everyone!

Guys, don't stress. Stalls, although really annoying, are actually part of the whole weight loss process. If you looked at weight loss on a graph, it looks more like steps of stairs as opposed to a solid downward slope. In the first stages of weight loss after surgery, stalls are just the body taking a break after the large losses. A little further out, our bodies get used to the calorie deficit and gets complacent and stops losing. That's when it's time to re evaluate your plan and maybe change things up a bit to get things moving again. And sometimes you just gotta ride them out Like I said, annoying but a normal, natural part of the weight loss process that we begrudgingly have to accept and even, as the awesome @@Inner Surfer Girl says, embrace.

Exactly! Me too! Remember thinking our parents who were in their 40's were ANCIENT??

I'm still getting over the fact the the OP said 45 wasn't young. *Goes in the corner and cries*

It was the first thing I thought of

My baby. As you can see, she needs WLS.

@@CowgirlJane Hang in there, my love. You're such an important part of this forum, and sometimes we just need a break. Your posts are always spot on and enlightening no matter what the topic. I for one have always enjoyed them, even if there were times I didn't agree with you (although I can't think of any at the moment). Here's a concept: I don't necessarily think other people are wrong just because they have a different opinion. Imagine that! Now if more people felt that way instead of being in a constant state of-what's the word? Oh yeah. Butt hurt.

You sound like you would do just great with the surgery! I like the way you acknowledged already making changes in your diet. That tells me you already understand the surgery is just a tool (albeit a very effective one) to lose the weight and have a chance of keeping most of it off. It's completely normal to be scared and nervous. I would be worried if you weren't. But I can almost guarantee you won't regret the decision down the road. Good luck and keep us posted!

You probably only have 2 or 3 pounds of loose skin. I've lost 95 and I'm sure that's all I have, so there's no way you have more than that. Also, most respectable plastic surgeons want you to be at goal or close to it and maintaining for at least a year before they will consider doing surgery.

Stay safe all you East Coasters (and some of the south!) We've been flat out balmy here in Idaho for the last couple of weeks. High 40's and some rain. I'll take that as opposed to 2 feet of snow! Although snow days can be kind of fun just hanging out watching movies and whatever else....

I don't know what hurt worse. Getting your arms almost ripped off in Red Rover, or getting slammed in the face with red rubber ball in Dodgeball.

I used to say the same thing. That I carried my weight well and didn't really look like I weighed 235. Now that I've lost the weight and look back at pictures of me at my heaviest, there was nothing "small" about me. And no, I didn't carry my weight well. It will take you to lose the weight for everyone else to get a little perspective, too. You'll show 'em.

It took me a year to lose 85 pounds. I guess I'm a failure.

*Looks at OP's profile* Yup. A guy. You NEVER see women asking that question, lol.

If you can understand that the scale will fluctuate and then sometimes not move for weeks at a time without it driving you crazy, by all means weigh every day. If seeing those fluctuations and stalls are going to drive you crazy, then limit yourself to once a week or even once a month so you don't see them.

If you're not tracking your calories, carbs, and Protein, start. It's hard to see what changes need to be done if you're not sure where you're even at. Thee are several great tracking apps out there. I personally like My Fitness Pal.