canary1

you said you don't know where to begin but you HAVE begun....by talking to your doctor, writing to this website, talking to your insurance people. You're on your way! I'd say, get your doctor to write a WLS prescription/referral and find out what WLS centers your insurance will work with.

That was a great answer!

I like this idea. My accountability efforts are taken by keeping track of my food intake and exercise in a software program...but that isn't the same as having a person to talk with. If you're gaining weight, start writing down what you're eating. The calories add up fast. Also, track your exercise. The math doesn't lie. Your energy output must exceed your energy consumed. Of course it won't always look that way ("I ate two pieces of cake and didn't gain anything!" --) but the long-term trend will show what you are doing. Sugar is a hidden ingredient in most processed, packaged foods. Find out where it is in your diet and then avoid it as much as possible. Fresh squeezed juices or plain ol' fruit are best but even then, dilute a bit with water (the juice) .... You will win in the long run if you're doing eating right. You only HELP yourself when you write down what you're consuming and doing exercise-wise. The win won't happen over-night. But you WILL win........ Hang in there! Also, remember, the number on the scale is only one indicator. How do your clothes fit? How are you feeling? I take a powder protein supplement that is dynamite for me. I think the protein intake is really important, more than we give it credit for. OK....onward and upwa....I mean downward!

two years out (from surgery). I told my housemate, my doctor (after the fact) and one friend who asked. I have told health care professionals with a "need to know". I'm glad I handled it this way. It would have been a curiosity for some, an excuse to judge for others, gossip for others, a diversion from true relating for others. I'm glad I did not divert everyone around me by making it a topic. Since I lost slowly, no one really made a fuss. And, finally, when people DID ask how I lost the weight, I said, Well. among other things, more exercise than I ever thought I do and less food than I ever thought I'd be able to put up with"..... That is true AND it ends the "discussion". No one is really that interested. Good luck!!

Wow! That's fantastic....and it is what I would suspect for your age range. I'm 60 and feel lucky that the sag isn't any worse than it is......BUT clothes cover a multitude of sins. I can live with it!!

Slower loss may let your skin "keep up" but it won't end up any tighter than it would if you lost more quickly. I like this terminology and is what I mean when I think about the skin problem. I suppose if there is an inordinant amount of skin, it may need to be surgically removed. I lost very slowly and my skin "kept up" with me until the very end. I have a small bit of loose skin that I am willing to live with -- and, who knows, it may "tighten" in time. But at my age, I'm willing to take the trade-off. Thank God for 3/4 and long sleeves!.....and exercise!

I was just wondering how many of you have had problems with loose skin, or with your skin not being so resilient. I was told that because of my age, as long as I work out, my skin SHOULD bounce back.....just wanted to hear everyone elses experience on the subject. I agree: Your age, the slowness with which you lose, and the fact that you will exercise will stand you in good stead. I lost about a lb a week while I was losing. That felt slow. I walked 5 miles a day in addition to shorter walks with my dog. I also "ran" stairs -- about 1000 every other day. I put "ran" in quotes since mostly I dragged myself up them. But it worked and it's much easier now. I do think that exercise is a main key to the whole success of your process. You can't fight your mom's argument so don't try. If you have the money to live your own life, just do it. Ignore everyone else's nay saying. In fact, I'd stop talking about it. Use this and other sites for your support. People here understand. Besides, there's a lot more to your life than this operation and weight loss process. Talk about the other things. Best to you.

wow. Sliming aside, it looks like you're doing great! (Looking at your stats......) Just eat tiny bites and eat slowly. Keep up the good work!

I was just looking at your stats. Wow! You've done fantastic!! Congrats and keep up the good work!

This is a good suggestion. The doctor isn't living in your shoes. Perhaps he is pre-occupied with other issues. But I guarantee you, I'd either win the argument on this one or find another doctor. It's time to take your life into your own hands. You're trying, that's obvious. You have the wrong doctor. Something isn't right here and you need help you have paid for but are not getting.

It isn't a matter of cheating or not. It's a matter of finding your way. If you are eating slowly, eat slower. If you are taking small bites, take smaller bites. Eventually you'll find what stays down. Sliming and throwing up won't kill you but the less the better. (Not that you can fight it if it starts.) 11 days post op, you are still healing. I would allow that to happen before worrying about losing weight. It will happen. And it will likely happen slowly -- about a pound a week. Don't freak. Hang in there. You'll get to goal, no doubt.:tt2: