catwoman7

you should eventually be able to eat enough to get all 60 grams from your food. I have to have 100 grams a day, else my blood Protein levels tank, so I don't think I'll ever be able to get off of Protein shakes. Fortunately, I don't really mind them.

I've heard it's one of the *best* sources - so what she said is puzzling...

re: yoga - it depends on the style. There are some athletic styles that can really kick your butt. I tend to go for the gentler styles, which may not be the greatest workout ever, but they're very effective for my stress level, which keeps me from eating!

Just stick to your plan - it *will* pass. And try to stay off the scale! My three-week stall lasted for two weeks, but it did end!!

I've had lots of SF popsicles and an occasional SF fudgesicle, but so far no SF ice cream. I'm a little afraid to try it, actually.

hey - *you* are the one who lost 90 lbs, not her. I'd say you're the expert here. She has no business opening her trap. Those kinds of comments really tick me off!

I like Quest and Oh Yeah One bars (the "One" in Oh Yeah One means one gram of sugar - that's the one you want since the other Oh Yeah versions have a lot more sugar) I don't know if sugar alcohols make people dump (I'm not a dumper at all..), but I know they bother some people's stomachs.

statistics are what they are - statistics. There are always people who lose lose more than expected and those who lose less. I'm a statistical success at this point, but I'm still losing - albeit slowly - and my mind is set on getting lower, so we'll see...

I wish I was as "fat" as Amy Schumer. I mean seriously? She said she wears a size 6 or 8 and is considered "fat"? The average woman wears a size 12!

interesting - I had not heard of it either until I saw the article the above poster posted. I wonder if it's the calcium citrate itself or some kind of binder in it. If the latter, maybe some other form of it might be more tolerable?

I told my surgeon at the beginning that I'd be ecstatic if I got down to 200 (or just under), and I'm there now. Having been c. 370 for a few years, 200 lbs seemed like a pipe dream at the time. I'm still working at it hoping to go lower (I'm now thinking 170-ish), but if my body decides it wants to stay here, then I'm OK with it. I'm right on the "obese" borderline, but I think I look OK. More like a large - but not "fat" - person. At least I feel like I fit in now and don't get weird looks or feel like I stick out.

dying from bariatric surgery is extremely rare nowadays. The mortality rate is something like 0.3%. It's one of the safest surgeries out there - safer than a hip replacement, even, and they do hip replacements every day. I wouldn't worry about that part *at all*. I'm sorry you're going through this with your family, though. This is one of those times when you need all their support.

Not in maintenance yet, but #3 would definitely be the best "fit" for me. I don't trust myself enough for #2, and I think #1 would be hard to sustain long term (at least for me....)

that sneezing thing is fairly common, from what I can tell. I just start feeling uncomfortable and I know if I don't stop, whatever I ate is going to come up....

the two brands I like and continue to use are unjury and Syntrax. Unjury you can only get online (from Unjury). You can get Syntrax products either online directly from them or through retail outlets (Web or walk-in stores). BariatricPal Store sells it - so does Vitamin Shoppe. There are probably several other outlets as well. With both brands, you can get samples - and I would recommend that. There's nothing worse than buying a big tub of something that you hate. Protein is not cheap!!

I was at the exact same place at 4.5 months out - about 59 lbs down. People lose at all different rates. Provided you're following your plan to a "T" (and if you're not, do it!), you may just be a slow loser. I am. But I've still lost a total of 168 lbs, so even we slow losers can use a ton of weight in the long run.

when I'm on the road or need a quick lunch, I'll look for a Panera Bread if there's one around. Their turkey chili is fabulous (I get the cup size - not the bowl size). I've also gotten their 1/2 size Thai chicken salad and their cup of black bean Soup.

I still have them occasionally - but I make them differently than I did pre-surgery. Now I use less fruit and add Protein powder (if you use a fruit-flavored protein powder, it makes up for some the loss of flavor you'd get from the extra (real) fruit). I also use unsweetened almond or cashew milk now instead of juice. I usually add plain Greek yogurt to boot - but I did that before surgery as well. and of course I don't drink a giant size amount anymore, either.

the only problem I've had is with constipation (although I've learned how to deal with that). I know some folks have diarrhea early on, but I never did.

I thought the pre-op diet was the worst part. Your hunger will be diminished - if not completely gone - after the surgery. Mine didn't come back until I was about six months out.

one good thing has come of it - now I'm often asked if I want a senior discount! (technically, I'm old enough - but I always looked younger than my age, so no one ever asked me. Not anymore!!)

I had one at eight months that lasted for three weeks. I was afraid I might have hit maintenance, but no....my weight suddenly started dropping again. As the other posters have said, just stick with the program...

all I've noticed is how many wrinkles I have now - egad!

I order something that fits into the parameters (either Protein or protein+veggies, nothing fried) and skip the rice. I eat about a cup and box the rest up. Someone said beef & broccoli - yep - that would work.

Eeek. GERD is common enough, but you really don't want to introduce yourself to a stranger as someone who has a digestive disorder. I wouldn't want the first thing that someone tells me to be either non-attractive or about disease of any degree. If he were a specialist or researcher in the field, okay, but not otherwise. I actually use that excuse all the time - like why I'm not partaking in any of the greasy appetizers someone at my table ordered for the whole group. Or why I'm only eating a cup a food. Works like a charm. But then, I'm old so I really don't care if people think I have GERD. I guess if I was younger and single and dating, I might.