Tony B - NJ

Personally I would really start to concentrate on specifically what you are taking into your body to make sure you are not over eating. Measure and track your intake to the recommended calorie levels. I would also increase exercise. Unless you simply cannot get in protein, I would try to get more of that. Your body could be craving protein and retaining weight because of that. That of course is a nutritionist/Doctor question.

By yourself a nice Yeti covered drink cup. Put about a third full of ice and the rest with water and it will stay cold for a long, long time. Same with coffee...keeps coffee hot for hours.

I have taken melatonin from the week of my surgery with no issues. The tablets are so small and dissolve quickly so I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to take them. I have also been taking vitamin capsules and my normal meds (up until I no longer needed them after the weight loss). My doctor told me if I could get them down comfortably they are fine to take.

All, I was attacked by another member for telling a poster what I think is the truth to try to give them some tough love and open their eyes to what is happening. When people post on here, it is not a stretch to assume that they have a real problem and are looking at real solutions. What good does it do to reassure people that they are just fine and they are doing the right thing just to make them feel good. They are on here because they have a problem they need help with. If they want to solve the problem, sometimes they are going to have to hear something that may not make them smile. Sometimes the truth hurts and in order to come to a solution, you have to look at everything realistically to make the corrections needed. I was accused of purposely being unhelpful and I take offense to that. I have posted many more encouraging posts to people than the opposite because most people here just need a little reassurance and they are doing the right things to be successful. Once in a while, people are not doing what their surgical team recommends or may be doing things counterproductive and I have said that point blank. Does that make me a "mean" person as this person accused me of? Maybe, but maybe, just maybe the original poster needed to hear the "mean" truth in order to understand what needs to be done. Bottom line is, if people post on here, I again assume they want people to be truthful and helpful, not just be a cheerleader and try to make them feel better. They will feel better when they are successful in their journey.

For your size and BMI, the Sleeve is going to get you to where you need to be weight wise for sure if you stick to the plan and commit yourself to it. I think it is a little less radical than the bypass and a few less issues to worry about like dumping, absorption of nutrients etc. They say you can lose 60-70 percent of your excess weight on it which is I think on the conservative side because I am over 80 percent of excess weight lost and still going (slowly, but still losing). I am more than happy with the result.

You look fantastic!!!! great job.

I think I have a good sense of people and when it seems like they are not being completely truthful or are leaving out big portions of the story.

Such a good question for a post. I have dieted many times, lost and regained. I think for me it is the psychological aspect of committing to do a major surgery to my body to lose the weight. I think it would be insanely stupid for me to put myself through the trauma of surgery and then piss away all the benefits by not committing to weight loss and changing my life style permanently. I am 8 months into this process and the momentum for me builds as I reach new milestones in my weight loss. I am committed to this as I have ever been to anything in my life. I have lost 105 pounds and I continue to lose although much more slowly now than in the beginning...but still losing. My goal is to get down to "normal" BMI....I am getting close to that goal now. Along the way, with the exercise I am doing, I am also as healthy as I have been in 20 plus years. My resting heart rate is down in the mid to high 40 range, my cholesterol is very, very good, my BP is fantastic and my glucose and A1C are perfect. I can run with my grand daughter better than most young people can and I look better than I did 25 years ago when I was in my late 30s. The more benefits I see the more motivated I am to continue this life style change and keep up doing what I am doing.

The only thing I feel these hydration bars are good for is if you went out and got totally fall down drunk and have a meeting to attend the next day. I used it on a work convention I went to once. I got really hammered and had to present that afternoon. I had the IV fluids and I felt much better and was able to function very well. Outside of that, I don't see it.

I have one of these pans as well. It has become the most used pan in our house. Why dirty a big pan when you don't have to. It also cleans up so quickly.

Thank you. Let's move on and try to help others be successful like we have been to this point.

No worries...for what it is worth. I may come off cold at times but I am truly trying to help. I truly believe that people can be successful in their journey if they get out of their own way and commit. Some people need a good boot in the ass at times to open their eyes and get serious.

Thanks....as I said earlier. My intentions were good. I just don't think this person really wanted help.

I was attacked for being honest with this person because I saw what you all saw recently right from the beginning. This person wanted the easy way out, would not weight food, would not give up Indian Food, wanted to have her desserts etc, etc. Case Rested. This was either a troll or someone who just does not want to do what it takes to be succesful and wants to blame it on the surgery, others, human nature etc.

It was not just about your post. There have been several on here, one a couple weeks ago when the poster asked questions and many people answered and the person got very mean and attacked them. I truly just wanted to help. Good luck.

I agree on the gatorade zero...it makes it so much easier to get the liquid down. Be careful not to overdue it because there is a ton of sodium in gatorade zero and unless you are working out and sweating a lot, the sodium may not be good for you. I try to keep it to one per day.

A huge difference between being berated and being told that you are making mistakes and pointing out improvement opportunities.

Thank you for capturing and understanding my intention. Sometimes it takes a little intelligence and patience to read through and understand what people are trying to say!! Thank you again!!

Very true....but I feel it is important to tell people the truth. Maybe my method is a little rough but the heart is in the right place, I can assure you.

I truly don't care how you feel about this. I see you trying to reassure people they are doing the right thing all the time and that is fine...it is your opinion and I never, ever comment on other people's responses. But your approach is different than mine and I think it is prudent to tell people the truth. She even states her Doctor does not think her progress is satisfactory so obviously something is not being done correctly. I think it best for you to back off and keep your opinion to yourself like I do when I do not agree with your approach. My opinion in this particular issue may not be correct, maybe it is correct, but the same goes for your opinion on it. You may be correct and you may be wrong. Respect other people's opinions. Finally, people post on here for opinions and advice. If they expect everyone to agree with them, they should not ask for opinions or maybe just say what they want to hear and everyone can answer how they want to be answered.

Why don't you just mind your business. Cheering her on and telling her everything is going to be alright is not the answer either. Tell me how telling her she is going everything right changes the trajectory of her situation?

I am sorry you feel that way. I was assuming you wanted truthful advice, not just to have people reassure you that everything is going to be ok even if they don't believe that. I will never post to your account again if you don't actually want help to be succesful.

Not the point. The point is that you need to reevaluate what you are doing and make the adjustments that are needed. REALLY count and track what you are eating, do more exercise, drink lots of water etc, etc. Back to Bariatric Basics.

Just give it time. It is way to early to be worrying about weight. With the water weight that they pumped into you after surgery, it will take a while to shed that and you will see the pounds fall off. Be patient...it will happen soon.

Unhelpful and mean? No maam. I just try to be honest with people and tell them the truth. There is something not right about what is going on there. 20 pounds after a year is not success and to say so is not helpful to the poster. If you want to just be told what you want to hear, then do not post. This is trying to help people, not just make them feel good and continue doing what they are doing.