IcanMakeit

Starting weight: 107 Labor Day goal: 110 Since I am already below goal, I am in this challenge to really learn good eating habits for long term health.

My surgeon set my goal at 135 lbs. I'm 5' 3" and my starting weight was 244. I reached that initial goal weight in 7 months but knew I needed to lose more to really feel healthy. My own private goal weight was 125 lbs. That was my college weight, and I remembered feeling pretty strong and fit at that weight. Well I blew past 125 only about six weeks after reaching my surgeon's goal. Now, six months later, I'm down to 107 lbs. I know that sounds scary low, but I actually still have visible fat (concentrated on my abdomen) and don't believe I need any more. I just need to build some muscle so that I won't look scrawny. I'm hoping to maintain at around 112-115 lbs. Let me second the comment about not expecting to look like you used to once you reach your goal weight. The older you are and the longer you were obese, the less likely you will snap back to your youthful appearance. I look much less fit at 107 lbs (and age 61) than I did at 125 pounds in college.

I'm really wanting plastics, too. It's disappointing to finally be thin, but not be able to really appreciate it because of the prodigious amount of loose skin on my abdomen. But on a more positive note, my husband and I just took a long twilight walk (well I walked, he used his mobility scooter) and both of us were amazed that I could walk so much further and so much faster than last year. I'm no longer 60 going on 82. I'm now feeling like 61 going on 45.

I agree with @SuzeMuze. It's the extra skin that keeps me from seeing that I am actually thin compared to the average American woman. I have a pouf in the front that I focus on when I look at myself in a mirror. Makes me wish I had not delayed my tummy tuck.

I just went to brunch at a Black Bear Diner. (Black Bear Diner's are known for their large portions.) For Father's Day they now have a special they call their "Big Daddy" burger. It's 1-1/3 pounds of beef, bacon, cheese, a fried egg, and fried onion rings, served with a side of French fries. My guess is the meal tops 3,000 calories. What a way to show your appreciation for your dad! By buying him a heart attack special. I don't like to think that they sell any, but I'll bet they do.

I really empathize with the "when can I have a drink" posts. Even though I have always been a very infrequent and light drinker, I backed out of getting the lap band about 10 years ago, mostly because they told me I could never have alcohol again. Since then, most surgeons have moderated that recommendation, but the 7 months that I waited before trying a few sips of champagne did seem pretty long to me. I associate wine drinking with fine dining and enjoyment of great company. I'm very glad that (in maintenance) it's allowed as an occasional treat.

@ Let me start by saying that I hear and sympathize with your frustration and disappointment. It is totally unfair that you cannot lose weight on a 1200-1400 calorie diet, especially since you exercise regularly. Although that calorie level is low enough for an athletic person who has never been obese, most of us post-ops have to be on more restrictive regimens to lose weight. That being said, you deserve to achieve your goals. Please don't give up. You have already achieved a lot. A good nutritionist who is experienced with WLS patients should be able to guide you to your final goal.

I have come to believe that tracking is the real key to long term success. The people who track are able to spot problems and patterns right away and adjust accordingly. If you don't know what you've been doing, you can't easily correct it. In the past, I would put my head in the sand and just hope for the magic fairies to take care of everything for me. That didn't work so well.

Final weight: 107. I've gone too low, but I think I've finally hit the bottom. On the next challenge, I'll work on adding a few more healthy calories without going overboard.

We are all so different. I appreciate the taste of beef much more than I did before. Now, in maintenance, I occasionally enjoy "Protein style*" burgers from In and Out. Especially when I get them with lots of pickles. *At In and Out Burger, protein style means wrapped in lettuce, no bun.

Good for you! This post was timely for me. My husband's arthritis frequently keeps him from joining me on my walks, and when he does come, he's kind of slow for me. So for the last two days, after our evening walk, I let him go home and I walk by myself for another half hour or so. This is a breakthrough for me because I have been too timid to wander too far in the evening by myself. But just like you, I find that I enjoy the alone time.

I have a lot of empathy for the people who haven't quite internalized the fact that in order to be successful, their lifestyles have to totally change. I was in their shoes early in the process. Even though I had read and researched and met with a nutritionist, I still, in the back of my head, thought I could keep doing things my way. It wasn't that I didn't have the facts. It just took me a while to accept them. So my head doesn't explode when I read those kinds of posts. I believe that these people can come to terms with their new way of life and be successful, especially when we, who understand what they are feeling, give them the benefit of our experience.

I have always been very specific about what I want in restaurants, long before my WLS. I have been very lucky and have found most places are very willing to accommodate me, but some of them charge extra for the substitutions. I really appreciate the ones that accommodate me without an extra charge. I also live in the SF Bay Area and I am very curious about which restaurant treated you so badly. How can they stay in business with that unfriendly attitude? I can understand them not allowing you to order from the child's menu, it would hurt their profitability if they allowed adults to order reduced priced meals, but a blanket "no substitutions" policy is ridiculous.

I agree that WLS is an extreme step that should only be undertaken by people who are willing to go "all in." The big changes in lifestyle that are required are difficult for many people to adjust to. But if you are serious about losing weight, you'll have to make permanent lifestyle changes anyway. The great thing about WLS is that it makes adjusting to those lifestyle changes easier. I can't really tell you whether or not you should have WLS or try again to commit to a permanent healthy lifestyle without the aid of surgery. I just know that I'm really glad I chose to go through with the VSG. I have reached a weight that I never thought possible and have been freed from a long list of ailments and reduced abilities.

Thank you for organizing another challenge. Even though I'm below goal, I love the accountability. Please add my name to the roster. I'll set my goal after the last 4th of July weigh-in.

@@CowgirlJane I have been assuring all my concerned friends that my current foray into the underweight category is temporary. From what I have observed, very few people have that problem when they are over two years out. That's why I don't want to overreact. My sister (who had RNY) purposely gained when she was told she was too thin, and ended up regaining a significant amount of weight that she is really struggling to lose.

Hmm. I don't really know because I keep my meat/fish servings at 3-4 ozs. I could probably fit a bit more, but I like my vegetables too much. I'd much rather have veggies than more meat. The problem with the way I'm doing things is that I'm still (at just over one year out from surgery) relying on Protein shakes/bars to make my quota every day. I should try eating a bit more dense protein at a sitting and see how I feel.

My doctor told me it was ok to use whatever means necessary to stay regular, but I was afraid of becoming dependent on laxatives and suffered severely for months. I finally got it that he must know more than me and it would be ok to take his advice. So far, I have had no ill effects from daily stool softeners and regular (not quite daily) use of laxatives. I do alternate the different preparations: Mira-Lax, Col-Rite, Milk of Magnesia, Smooth Move tea. I am so much more comfortable now! Also, about the grapefruit. I am below my goal weight and I have now increased my fruit intake. (I was already eating plenty of vegetables.) This is probably part of the reason I have been more comfortable. But I would advise being careful not to add a lot of fruit too early. It will definitely affect the rate of weight loss.

I know that there are far more important things to worry about in this world but I'm really bugged that every top I put on, even the most modest in style, manages to show my bra or bra strap. EVERY. ONE. WTH?! This happens even when I'm wearing something that is properly sized. Am I just a weird shape or does every one have this issue?

Boy can I relate to this! I have given away a lot of my largest clothes, but I just can't seem to let go of the intermediate-sized clothes. I just don't trust myself enough. The other issue is improper attachment. I absolutely love some of the clothes that no longer fit.

108 this morning. I get to add a few more calories this week, but I know a year from now I'm going to be laughing (or crying) about my current concern about losing too much weight. I don't want to overreact and end up on the Regain Express.

I find myself having to control my eyes from rolling when I hear thin people make such pronouncements. Do they think all obese people are stupid and without willpower? Most of them wouldn't last a day on the diets we've been (temporarily) successful on before resorting to WLS. They really don't get it.

I bought a Fitbit and I really like it. It estimates how many calories I'm burning each day, so I have a good idea of how many I should be eating. It has already helped. I'm back up to 109. That's only a pound, but it may mean I'm finding my healthy calorie allowance. Edited: that weight gain was just a digestive fluctuation, I guess. I'm down even lower than before. Now at 107.