BobbyD

This has been a fantastic ride so far. I started at 276 and have been at 190 for several months. I can breathe much better, and I am a LOT more mobile. I got off the breathing machine. I walk much more, and am overall healthier than I have EVER been. So, what is the problem? I feel guilty to even gripe since my life is infinitely better. That being said, it's this last darned 5 lbs. I've been trying for MONTHS to get my final five off and they will not come. I exercise, eat right, do not deviate from the plan, to no avail. Please, I realize how fortunate I am to have such success. It is low priority from a logical standpoint, but in my mind, I still become frustrated. Maybe it's there to keep me humble.

I am almost 10 months into my journey. It was the best decision of my 62 year old life. I struggled with weight since my early 20's. Up and down, at least 5 major times, and many more mini times. My weight ALWAYS came back after the initial loss, be it 35 lbs or 100 lbs. Usually, I would reach my goal and within 6 months of attainment, I would have 90% to 100% back, and within 9 months I would ALWAYS weigh more than the original starting weight. By the time I was 61 my weight had ballooned to 276 and I was still going up, unable to stop it like I had so many times in the past. When I had my surgery last November, after many months of research, I had limited expectations. Now, for the record, I have followed my doctors instructions EXACTLY. I am very disciplined because I do not want to go back to where I was. I have lost 86 lbs. and feel great. My life is infinitely better and I would recommend this surgery to anyone who is seriously looking for a new life. My only advice is to follow the plan.

I had sleeve surgery on November 18, 2015. By May of 2016 I had dropped from 276 to 191. Since then I have stayed at 189-190. I use a similar strategy. I have a Premier Protein shake for breakfast, then a small lunch and a moderate dinner. I walk between 3 and 5 miles a day which I could have NEVER done in the past. My next big life change will be to start weight training.

I truly believed I had a crummy metabolism. I had no idea how much I ate till the nutritionist had me log everything in. It was an eye opener for me.

My doctor told me that the loose skin around my belly could be surgically removed. I told him, that at 62 years old, all I wanted was to be healthy. My "being pretty" days have long since passed me by!! If I started trying to surgically alter all of my flaws, Donald Trump couldn't pay the bill.

@ OKC Pirate https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=blazing+saddles+kinky

My wife lectures me about being too skinny. I am at 191 still considered "overweight" till I reach 178. She is just not used to me being a normal weight. That being said, I am not wanting to lose more weight, but the way I've learned to eat compels me to continue losing VERY SLOWLY. I've only dropped a couple of pounds in the last month. People just need time to adjust to the new us.

Maintaining is so weird. At 6 months I am exactly where I want to be pound wise. However, each week if I do not lose, I am disappointed. I feel as if I am not being successful. I've maintained perfectly for one month varying less than a pound either way. It's just that inside, my brain tells me "LOSE GOOD, GAIN BAD, MAINTAIN BAD"....I am so grateful for my new life that I am really uneasy about tinkering with the diet. Any ideas on how to adjust my mindset?

well, let me just say this, as I've aged, my ears have "buffed up" some so I could easily attach the jumper cables to them. That being said, I think I'll take the advice of going by how my clothes feel first. If I'm not satisfied, then the cables may be in my future.

Same problem here. I tell them it's not up to me to stop. My body will adjust and until then, we'll all have to deal with it. I am at 192 and still considered overweight till I reach 178. But, their perception is their reality.

I am having the exact same thoughts. People are constantly coming up and telling me to STOP LOSING WEIGHT. I know the drastic change is what makes them say it because I am still technically overweight for another 15 lbs. I do wonder though, how to stall effectively. I'm still at 1300 to 1400 calories a day. Obviously I can't overeat too much at one setting, but I don't want to get in those old stinkin' thinkin' modes that will cost me in the long run. I am eagerly awaiting responses to this thread.

black Beans almost daily

At 5 months out, I'm consuming about 1,350 calories a day. It seems to be the right amount as I am losing about 2 lbs. a week.

I had my sleeve surgery on Wednesday and was back to work the next Monday morning. Luckily Thanksgiving week was upon us so I only had to work Monday and Tuesday, then off for 3 more days. I really needed them, but I did survive the two days work (at my desk only). The following week I was good to go.

Non insurance goes a bit faster but I still had to do all the tests, such as a swallow test, ekg, upper GI, psych evaluation, blood tests plus a sleep apnea exam ( I had it of course). I started in August and was done on the 18th of November, soooo, 3 1/2 months. It seemed like an eternity at the time. It was well worth the aggravation.

I'm not sure IF our brains will ever catch up to the reality of our weight loss. I am down 76 lbs. and still only notice the flaws. People say things to me daily now. It's just hard to register after all these years of failure. My standard answer to any compliment about how good I am looking is..."yeah, well let's wait till next year and see if I REALLY keep it off this time". I am trying to learn how to accept an affirmative remark without being self deprecating. Other than that, I am sooo grateful for the new me that continues to be able to walk more, fits n restaurant booths again, ties shoes without struggling, etc. etc. ad infinitum. Now, if I can just get it in my head........

What I know at 5 months out is........ the weight WILL COME OFF. I was soooooo impatient. My advice is RELAX. Take it one day at a time. You will be losing large amounts of weight and it won't come off in equal increments. Trust the process. 64 oz of Water daily, as well as 80 grams of Protein when you're able. Once your get your legs back under you be sure to WALK as much as possible..... Final Suggestion, TRUST THE PROCESS. Don't get too anxious, as the weight will come off. You will have stalls. Don't panic. You will average a lot of weight loss per month for the first few months for sure... Enjoy the ride.

Most of my life was spent in sales,,,, goals and objectives, goals and objectives. YOU MUST HAVE A GOAL... we were taught.. Well, with weight control, my goals are... 64 + oz of Water, 80+ grams of Protein, 6000 + steps per day, and enjoy the ride. I have NO end goal in sight anymore. I already am weary of people telling me "You are about to wither up and blow away!" Seriously? I'm 5'10" and 202 lbs. Not hardly blow away numbers. So, this is an inside job, not an outside beauty contest. For the first time in 25 years I am actually healthy and feeling good both physically and mentally. I don't want to mess that up. So far, the simple 64/80/6000 is good enough. Wherever I land, I will be grateful for this new opportunity at a good life.

I think we have a negative connotation of the word "snack". For us, timed eating is a new way of life. I have to eat every few hours to make my individually designed system work. I am unable to eat enough in three sittings to get the desired amount of nutrients needed for one day. Thus I eat 5 or six times a day. Now, is beef Jerky a snack? I think of it as an added source of Protein. Is Greek Yogurt a snack? Again, I use it as a valuable source of protein. So, snacking or timed eating, is the way I have been successful.

Life is full of tough choices.

My thoughts resonate with everyone else's. I hated my picture being taken, and tried to always be the one TAKING the shots. I never got in a situation where water was involved. Most of my life has been one of compensating for my size. Even going to Sears or Penny's I would tactically miss the aisles that had mirrors so I wouldn't have to look at myself. I hated flying due to the close seating arrangements, and the tray wouldn't go down all the way because of my stomach. I could never keep my shirt tucked in and dressing every morning was a pain to find something that looked halfway decent but not too uncomfortable. I couldn't sleep because of all the extra weight. I would constantly wake up sucking for air. Fast Forward four months later and my life has completely changed. I should have done this MANY MANY years ago.

It gets easier and easier... At four months out it becomes fun, because for the first time in many years, it feels doable. Now, it appears that success, rather than failure is happening daily.

The process to be accepted for surgery was grueling. Many tests, procedures and interviews tested my resolve. After jumping through all of those hoops, I was not accepted by insurance therefore my operation was "self pay". All of these factors were enough for me to put my entire being into making this a successful endeavor. And now, almost 8 months after my journey first started, I am down 73 lbs, with no more horrible knee pain, no more sleep apnea, my diabetes has been stopped, my blood pressure is down, and I can sit at a booth in a restaurant (not having to ask for a table). I fit comfortably in airplane seats and can exercise nonstop for up to 45 minutes. All in all, I'd say the trade off has been a good deal for me. We all have to decide for ourselves if it is worth it. All I can do for you is share my experience.

I wish I enjoyed exercising. It's a chore for me.

Be like an accountant. Work it out with a pencil.