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I read somewhere that the first few weeks it's 5-10 lbs a week then 2-3 pounds a week on average (of course most of us had the expected 3 week stall). I initially lost maybe 8-10 total in the first 2 weeks then it dropped to 3/week then 2 a week steadily unitl the 6/7 month mark when I hit my goal of 70 lbs. Everyone is different.

Thanks for this insight. Lol, so even though we desire different body types, we can agree that plastics are the final “reward” for all of the hard work and dedication that we’ve gone through. Confession: when I was 13, I first learned about cellulite. I learned about it when I was in a changing room with other middle school girls and I was literally the only girl to have it—massive amounts to the point where one of my friends legit asked me what in the world was “all that”. I was 5’6” and probably not even 120 pounds and I had cellulite on top of cellulite. I also had DDDs, which garnered all kinds of attention I didn’t want and never asked for and quite frankly it overwhelmed me most of the time. At the time I was playing volleyball and that’s probably one of the very last times I wore short-shorts in either public or private. Meanwhile my cousins and siblings are all long-limbed, naturally lean, and have zero weird pockets of cellulite on their limbs. After a much-needed facelift, I’m going to get these damn thighs/knees worked on and I don’t care how painful the procedure is or how long the recovery process it. I’ll be damned if I get to a size 6/8 again and still have shame on half my body. Lol, waiting will be tough, but I do know I need another 10-12 months (outside of a facelift) for anything else. Sigh..., yet another summer of not being able to wear shorts or a swimsuit. 😔

I agree with all of this. So many people seem to drop 10-20 lbs below where they think they're going to end up - or at least temporarily, anyway, and then there are lots of people who have a 10-20 lb rebound once they think they've hit their goal weight....and often that doesn't occur until c. 3 years out. Plus things do sometimes shift around for many of us, even if we manage to stay the same weight. I think you're better off waiting - although I know how you feel - I was impatient, too (however, I didn't have plastic surgery until I was 3 and 3.5 years out (I had it in two phases)). At that point, I figured I was safe.

These stalls suck and do a number on your head. After hitting GW last month, I too decided to just kind of play things be ear for a few weeks and then this last week I’ve gotten a bit more serious bc I want to get a couple pounds below 150 to give myself some wiggle room for vacation. I too think I set a high-ish GW (155, 5’7”) and I’m okay with it bc I’m older and I’ve always had a lower RMR and I want to be able to eat 1200-1500 calories some day and quite frankly I could kill myself to try to get below 140..... but why? I guarantee if I did, then I would immediately gain 5-10 pounds the moment I started eating >750 calories/day so why stress it out? I think your lifting goal is awesome and where I plan on changing my body later is through plastics (for sculpting and skin removal) and through Pilates and running. Okay, so my GW has now shifted to any weight

No worries about hijacking this post, it's all good! I agree if anyone wants answers from a broader group then is participating in this thread, then their own post would be advised. Isn't it funny, we all have our ideal body type. Mine is total 50's pin up, wasp waist and curves for days! I wasn't put off at all about what my pcp for the day had to say. It was just annoying he would presume to know more than I do about my body or plastics. Just a bummer to choose another dr.'s office. I've never been to this one in 3+ years, but it is walking distance from my house! As far as timing of plastics. My answer now is very different than it would have been a year ago. I was super impatient for plastics, as I am about most things in life 🤣. I am grateful I am having this surgery at 22 months out vs. 10 months or even 18 months. First, no one can really predict where their final weight will end up at. We've seen it repeatedly in the maintenance thread, people think they are permanently stalled out, or have happily reach goal but then drop some more. And for me, those last 15-20 lbs made a HUGE physical difference. (RIP boobs & butt ) Getting a breast aug when I was 10 lbs heavier would have been disasteroius. Also even though I have been within a 5 lb range for 10 or so months, my body has shifted and changed. I can't put my finger on exactly how. But I know my butt has kinda slid down, in a not very attractive way 😂. Also my waist has gotten smaller, potentially also having slid into my pooch? I can mainly tell because some of my favorite clothes from 9 months ago are now a little baggy So my advice from an (incomplete) study of 1 ... I'd really suggest being at a stable weight for at least 6 months. I really think the result will be better if your body is more settled.

I went with stretchy and comfy today. My weight loss is legit stalled out, which after some soul searching, I’m ok with. I’m solidly out of plus sizes and feel pretty dang good. My plan is to maintain in the 160s (another 12-22lbs), which still has me “overweight”, but will have me in 8s-10s, and that’s a good size for my figure. I won’t be “skinny”, but I never really wanted that anyway. As a result, I’m adding in some snacks and increasing my cals up closer to 900. I’ll still lose, but will feel a lot better and be able to really focus on weightlifting again. I lifted Monday and am not thrilled with how weak I am, so that’s gotta change. anyhoo - here is today’s work outfit. I went with a slight western vibe.

Yesterday, Tues, Nov. 19 Maintenance : 5'2" / 1yr PO Sleeve / 115.9 lbs ...ok, so I haven't slept yet. Minor crisis last night and the girlfriends rallied to support one of our own at my place. We stayed up all night with her and of course I had a food spread laid out (because it is ingrained in me to provide endless food and drink to everyone who walks through my door...why is that?!?). And I picked at said food all night. And I feel so unbelievably icky right now, like I need a cleanse or something. Or maybe I just need to sleep. Warning: yesterday's food log is not for faint of heart. I was considering not posting it out of concern of setting a bad example, but I decided I'm going to stick to full transparency. Look away if you have a tendency to judge or are prone to suggestive snacking... 8:00am - earl grey tea w/ stevia + coffee w/ stevia 11:30am - salad greens w/ vinaigrette + 2.5 oz apple + 1/4 jalapeño pepper + 1 tbsp fried onion topping + 4 oz grilled chicken 4:00pm - salad greens w/ vinaigrette + 2 oz apple + 1 oz almonds + 1 fl oz pumpkin seeds 7:30 pm - salad greens w/ vinaigrette + 1.5 oz apple + 1/4 jalapeño pepper + 1 oz almonds + 2 oz ginger beef + 2 oz green beans w/ butter 11:00pm to 7am this morning - 2 Chocolate Coconut Keto Fat Bombs 1 Love Good Fats Keto Chocolately Almond Bar 1 Love Good Fats Keto Coconut Macadamia Bar 1 tbsp almond butter 1 oz almonds 1 fl oz pumpkin seeds 4 oz candied ginger 6 Toffifee candies 2 x 1/4 cup Haagen-Dazs Coffee Ice Cream 4 oz Brie cheese 1 oz Parmesan cheese 3.5 oz smoked turkey breast Totals: 2880 cals - 143g Protein - 179g NET carbs - 165g fat

One week and counting until surgery... VSG surgery date is 11-26-19! Is there Anyone else out there that is planning to have surgery early next week? I'm Looking for a few people to follow and compare our Journeys... Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My date was the 24th of September 2019. So, I'm definitely new to this journey. 😊🤗

@FluffyChix, @Sheribear68 @GreenTealael just a thank you for making me feel ok to write this post that I put off out of sheer exhaustion due to post exertional malaise from myalgic Encephalomyelitis chronic illness that effects my entire body life and self. And autism spectrum that makes me fear speaking openly in a forum. My words are not brief enough so I apologize in advance. And if I can’t stay on topic or veer in various directions too. This has been a long time coming a longer fight than my surgery alone. I was reminded of my mom saying how when I was little I said something like what do I do when I get big and my clothes don’t fit as if I’d suddenly be grown up. i had a very unexpected weight loss win that came upon me sudden and overwhelming. I’ve very little energy not due to surgery. that’s a long story but I’ve been trying to make my bedroom a real bedroom I’ve never settled in since moving and my bathroom finally is almost done being fixed and bought a nice MCM dresser for very cheap on Houzz but my ocd I needed drawer bins to organize myself. I had my clothes in plastic bins in the closet. (Another phobia) After surgery I started to wear compression Capri shorts or pants both because they fit a size range, for orthostatic intolerance aka pots benefits and to hold in jiggle. I also wore oversized men’s t-shirts. I was always a denim and tshirt person. I don’t usually have a lot of clothing. I had a bin in my closet for a long time with brand new shorts that didn’t fit Levis I think size 6 and size small men’s tops. I had another bin with size medium compression bottoms that I got after surgery. And then the bigger siZes that were much too tight by the time I had surgery, I got exhausted getting too big for my usual denim shorts so fast. I buy when I find them cheap less than $10 no more than $15. I’m on a tight budget. I found a pair of size 6 jeans in target and thought these will never fit me. But they were awesome for $10 beautiful matte black with buttons and short enough for me, I thought they wouldn’t fit. I thought My size smalls will never fit me. Even if they run bigger than usual. Which they do. I admit which is fine. I wore a large size xl on the size range and switched to the smaller size large and large men’s. In the past I wore tight size 16 jeans and plus size tops. I’ve been there before. a week or so ago I said I will try on the jeans and was shocked they fit and then all the clothes fit and my old bras no longer fit but I had back ups of undies and sports bras put away and now I’m glad I did. and I had to finally organize my clothes in my dresser kon mari style and I’ve never had this much clothes. Never. Might not seem like much but to me it is, That even the denim shorts fit so it’s overwhelming. I need to get them in a Smaller size for hot weather again. But needed pants for when it’s chilly. And I started looking at swimwear. I haven’t even done that ever in my life. Though I want Bermuda length bottoms and rash guard due to wrinkly saggy skin. All of a sudden my clothes are smaller than I thought they could ever be again. my body image I don’t feel small still. Just oddly bony in all the wrong places. And too big in others. And wishing for skin removal. And wondering if anyone has discussed this with their surgeon. I suddenly have the desire to be able to wear shorts that I probably didn’t since I was eight years old the last time I might have been considered thin and maybe a Tom boy. I want to be that kid and not how old am I? I know I can’t get it back but when you fight your body for so long you want simple things. Other people let it roll off their backs. Look away but we see ourselves every day. i think I feel if I post this it will jinx it that my weight started to go down a little faster than I expected. I’m still a ways away from goal at my height. But I’m ok with that. I’m exhausted and overwhelmed at the same time, my eating needs to be careful and calculating and I slip up in small ways. Find myself tempted by old habits developed because I was losing my ability to taste the food I was eating and having to back step from adding salt or butter or ketchup or carbs. And realizing some things can’t change and I have to keep adapting. I still don’t know why I can’t taste food properly one would think it would help I thought surgery changed it but it s going back to the way it was so I need to adapt again. You still want foods to taste good the bites you do eat. We struggle with our perception of food and nutrition. And not always fitting the norms while trying to succeed. I admit I added evening coffee because it helps things move along and sometimes sleep a little better but some days it’s not as effective at calming my heart rate or stress due to ADHD, orthostatic intolerance. I can’t be as active as most people either. gotta keep the gut moving. But I had some problems there too I’m still working on. My gastroenterologist is the only one in the area and tests showed colitis of some kind but not my colonoscopy. Plus he did the balloon dilation this time and tore my esophagus. And I’m not due to see my surgeon for a few months, I’m needing to see a new neurologist, spine doctor, cardiologist so I’m the opposite of most in needing more doctors. Weight loss isn’t a easy answer or a cure but don’t let it hold you back from trying, I am also dealing with crazy emotions and can’t process my weight loss. And can’t explain how I feel because this is a permanent change in a life where I can’t control anything else. I’m now in menopause due to recent surgery and need to manage new chronic conditions along with existing ones. and ones yet to be diagnosed. Ie. A neurological cause of dysphasia muscle weakness. my thoughts have been scattered and exhausting and I’m in a difficult head space because of where my life couldn’t go. And won’t. it was either give up and lose because of my chronic illness or keep gaining weight. And lose even more of myself. The surgery just exposed weaknesses that I didn’t expect but need to adapt to. The weight was killing me faster hurting me more. My mom has someone in her life and he needs to consider bariatric surgery he is 6’ over 330lbs has diabetes, high blood pressure is on a lot of meds, thinks he is eating healthy enough, thinks protein balances carbs and sugars, needs knee replacement. says he knows what’s right. But he judges me and my weight loss journey, comments how I look and how he thinks I should feel about it rather than focus on working on himself. And I’m finding that hard. Because he is capable but he wants the doctors and pills to do the work. And maybe because I never trusted the doctors or pills I see things differently. But it’s hard to be around people who watch how you eat or don’t eat and think it too strange for them to understand. ive spent my life on the outside and people can’t understand my chronic illness, or what my weight was doing to me overall, and that I will never be well but couldn’t continue on the path of gaining weight and the burden it put on my body. i wish someone could edit this so it could make sense. I write things and then panic about what I said. I hold back words most of my life and now I am trying not to in hopes it can reach the few people who feel as weird as I do. Struggle with health, body issues, life itself. And just want to have a body they feel good in for themselves and skin they can be comfortable in for themselves. Not just image but how we feel in clothes how we feel in our life whatever type of life it is. And not let the people around us define it or alter it yet not have to disconnect from them either. I don’t have much in my life and I’m hanging on as hard as I can to what is left. And my weight was part of this to try and have something I never could. I see my age I feel older and I’m trying each moment to stay on my feet upwardly mobile and not bed bound. Which honestly I am much of the time. Not by choice. And no one in the Weight loss journey talks about this side of things. The people that can’t be as active but struggle with food issues too. And that diet and exercise, especially exercise can’t fix. I haven’t had a normal life my body has been old before anyone else. I live around 90 year olds more active than me. ive been writing this over an hour and I’ve exhausted myself and Im putting it out in a public forum and that scares me. Especially since it’s scattered and long. Like all my other posts. I try to check in and answer what I can and took a while to come around to post my update. I’m shocked at six months and I’ve gone from 5’ 0” over 208 lbs BMI of 40, to around 130 lbs. I weigh myself dressed so I don’t feel shocked at changes. I weigh myself daily. Log my food the best I can. Do this for you and no one else, do this because you are ready even when you feel you aren’t. Do this for your health but also your wellbeing. Do this knowing that you need to still put in the work. Do this knowing each persons experience is different but yours is yours and as important as anyone else’s. im most resistant to changes but sometimes we have to adapt or die. Ignore the numbers or what other people desire, and do this for ourselves. I need a brain edit. I’ve said too much but only touched the surface. I know this is a public forum and I probably didn’t stay in a linear train of thought. My hormones are all whacked and I see life staring at me taunting me. We just want to fit. Even when we think we never will. I know my experience isn’t much and I’m terrible with words. If this needs to be removed that’s ok. I just felt I needed to say them.

Day 19: Biggest splurge item Years ago my husband bought me a new car for my birthday. (We knew we were going to get a car anyway, but he surprised me with one that day.) He had it done in custom leather and a few other cool features. I would never have gotten all the "fancy", but I did love it and drove it for many, many years. Interestingly, that is actually the only brand new car I have ever owned in my entire life. I loved driving it, but was less thrilled with making the payments on it. I now drive an old mini van! 😜

Banded back in 2009.... loved loved loved my band. She was removed in March of 2017 due to a slip caused by the flu/stomach bug. I knew when it happened... worst day ever. I love what the band taught me and with that knowledge I "only" gained 30lbs in the years after. But as I get older the ability to keep the weight off with diet and exercise and no WLS has been a huge battle. So 12 weeks ago tomorrow I had the sleeve done (8/28/19). SW this time was 173.5, Yesterday at dr. office for check up 143.0. I do see and feel the differences between the two. I feel hunger with the sleeve vs the band. I can eat stuff just now its 2-3 bites and done. I don't have port pain. The left-arm pain when full is worse. Of course, the no fills. I only had 1 unfill due to the TT (tummy tuck) I really wanted the MGB, but, my dr. doesn't do them. Before i found him i was going to head to Mexico($8800). But, i did the pros and cons and went with the sleeve here.... my dr is only 10 min from my work. It was the knowing if anything went wrong i was only a call away. I didn't weigh enough for the GB and had no other issues. So i was self-pay $14k. I will tell you the removal of the band was not hard at all. But the sleeve was by far the easiest sx i ever had.... (2) c sections, gallbladder, hysterectomy, band, TT, band removal and now sleeve. The RN yesterday said she wished all her patients were like me..... hehe.... She said the band taught me well. I miss all the band members that use to come here......

Day 19. I've heard people say they forget to eat and it has been such a foreign concept for me until this trip. I get so immersed in the activities plan that I literally forget about food!! (In the past, the reason vacations were pleasurable was SOLELY for the food!!![emoji3]). That being said, when I do eat, it's been not so clean. We were at an Indian restaurant and at the end, I couldn't resist saffron rice but could only have 4 bites and had that COMPLETELY stuffed feeling and it was over.... Splurge Item: After 15 years of marriage, my husband upgraded my wedding and engagement rings this fall. They are both exquisite and beyond measure a splurge that if I'd known beforehand could not justify. BUT, I'm extremely grateful for and LOVE it.[emoji176][emoji176][emoji176] B-Side Question: Does Thanksgiving/Banquets make you nervous now? This will be my first Thanksgiving and we'll be traveling out of town for it and while I know it will be semi stressful because I won't be on my own turf and my sister in law is probably one of the best cooks I know, I'm not worried about the food part at all. The major reason I'm thankful for the sleeve is knowing my capacity, I will want to eat/hit the high notes of the meal and WALK AWAY from the rest easily and easier than ever before........... like I said, first Thanksgiving post surgery, we'll see what happens years out[emoji6][emoji28][emoji176] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

No nsaids, no times release, tablets must be very small to have time to absorb. I am concerned about needing toprol but it’s timed release so I haven’t approached my dr about it. I am autism spectrum and adhd. I started drinking some caffeine in the evening again to try to help with that since I can’t risk adderal. My chronic illness causes meds to have serious side effects. I can paste an informative post about meds post op though. I hope it helps. my personal tip is to inquire about liquid forms of medication for the first months. 21 medication rules after gastric bypass There are certain pills that you should not be taking after surgery because they will either irritate your pouch, such as all pills in the NSAIDs catagory or pills that just won't be absorbed like they should. Any pills with enteric coating (kind of like a candy coating) or any extended release type med may not be absorbed like it is supposed to. If any of your meds do fall into those catagories you will want to get them changed. Those meds need the gastric juices to break them down and after RNY those juices just aren't there to do the job until well down your intestinal system which won't be enough time to break those meds down. So basicly, you want to avoid any meds that are extended release, delayed, controlled, sustained or any medication that is an NSAIDs. Over-the-counter NSAIDs are: Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Orudis KT, Ibuprofen, Excederin Prescribed NSAIDs are: Motrin, Naprosyn, Anaprox, Toradol, Lodine, Feldene, Indocin, Daypro, Relafen, Voltaren and Celebrex. There is the belief by some surgeons out there that even one NSAIDs can cause some kind of damage to your pouch and they strongly recommend staying away from them, if possible. If medically there is a reason to be taking them, such as the use of low dose asprin for heart conditions, it is okay to take them but you should also be placed on some kind of protectant such as Carafate or Cytotec. If you are unsure if any of the meds you are on fall into any of these catagories talk to your Pharmacist, they will know. It isn't a bad idea to let your Pharmacist know that you are a Gastric Bypass patient. They can list it in your information almost like an allergy so that if you are ordered a med that you shouldn't be on an alert will be generated. There are ALOT of physicians out there that don't know this kind of information it is our respondsibility to make sure they are aware of it. Here are 21 basic rules we should all follow in regards to our meds: 1. If side effects appear or increase, consult your doctor or your pharmacist about dosage or other medication options. 2. First-pass effect medications may not provide effective absorption at the currant dosages. Check dosage or check for alternative medications that do not have first pass effect. (your Pharmacist will know if any of your meds are "first-pass" meds) 3. Medications that are in a liquid or solution form will be absorbed faster than those that are solids. Check for liquid forms of medications. 4. No extended-release, sustained-release, controlled-release, timed-release or osmotic pump medications. 5. Many medications can also have gastrointestinal side-effects like gas, diarrhea, constipation or intestinal cramping. 6. Read the pamphlet attached to the prescription bag for potential side-effects. 7. You should not take any NSAIDs without a protectant such as Cytotec or Carafate. EVER!!!! 8. Be able to recognize an NSAIDs when you see one. 9. Use a protectant if taking daily low-dose aspirin for heart health or to prevent stroke. 10. Check all PMS over the counter medications (OTC) for NSAID ingredients. 11. Read all OTC medication packaging to check for NSAIDs ingredients. 12. Inhaled steroids for asthma are okay. 13. Taking steroids of any kind, even by injection, requires taking a protectant as well. 14. Medications commonly used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis such as Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva have the potential to cause gastrointestinal ulceration. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives. 15. Do not continue to take medications that have been discontinued. 16. If dosages have been changed, do not finish out a previous dosage just because it is there. CHange the dosage immediately unless instructed otherwise by your physician. 17. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your medications are fat soluble. If so, stay in touch with the prescribing physician and report your currant weight every month for possible dosage changes. (as the amount of fat in your body changes your dosages may also need to be changed) 18. Tell all medical providers about your status as a weight loss surgery patient. (Lap-Banders too!) 19. Keep all your scripts at one pharmacy if possible. 20. Meet and get to know your local pharmacists. They truly can be invaluable friends. 21. Remember to have everyone work as a team for you! You're worth it! (Used with permission of Little Victories Medical/Legal Consulting & Training. All rights reserved) One other word of warning when it comes to taking Tylenol. You MUST watch the amount of Tylenol you are taking. No more than 4,000mg in a 24 hour period. You can cause yourself liver damage with Tylenol overdose. You need to read your labels. Look to see if things have Tylenol or acetamenophin in them. Vicodan has Tylenol so if you are taking Vicodan or Lortab make sure you aren't adding a lot of Tylenol on top of it. That is why it is important to read the information on those pharmacy bags and on otc medications.

Hey, playin around with my new toy (portion mate rings from BP store) = seriously heart these things. I made a salad with them today. Plopped them on a bread plate and weighed salad into it. I thought I had the 1/2c ring but accidentally used the 3/4cup ring. I firmly packed the romaine into it and then just cut the other veggies into it, so all total the salad measures about 1 1/2 cups in volume which is about what I eat for a salad serving, give or take. And here's what fit into: Basic Chopped Salad: (1 1/2cups volume=2oz by weight) 3/4c Romaine (28g) 3/4c Mixed Veggies (40g cucumber, 14g cabbage shredded, 14g purple onion) Totals: 19 calories; 0g protein; 0g fat; 4g carbs; 1g fiber; 3g net carbs. I saved this in MFP as a meal for: chopped salad, basic (1s=1 1/2c vol) 3/4c romaine + 3/4c veg)(rom, cabb, po, cuc). Here's the meal with 1/2c volume tuna salad (112g). I accidentally made it too soupy, so more sliderish, but I will mix it up with the salad like a dressing. Will be interesting to see how much I eat. It's another magical meal with the cals. Meal Totals: 114 calories; 14g protein; 3g fat; 8g carbs; 1g fiber; 7g net carbs.

At my pre-op class yesterday, we were told that unless you have a physical job requiring lifting or pulling over 10 lbs that you would be fine in 2 weeks for work. They said it sometimes depends on your previous experience and that if you’ve never had surgery or a broken bone etc., you may have more difficulty than someone who has. Good luck!

Day 19: My car for sure. About two years ago I needed a new car and I began my search with a budget in mind. My dad told me about a car he thought I should get and once I googled it I fell in love. I went to my local dealership knowing it was wayyy over my budget and I bought it anyways. No regrets.

Try just sipping it slowly over say like an hour. I had RNY on 10/11 and I still can't drink a lot at once or I feel like its coming right back up. My protein shakes still take me an 1 - 1 1/2 hrs to drink. I struggle with getting all my liquids in daily as well, but its starting to get a bit easier. Just go at your pace and don't force it. Good luck!

Day 19: What splurge item to you own that you are most grateful for? I'd have to say the upgraded features package we got on my car. Totally don't need any of those features, but man, now that I have them, I dunno how I can drive a car without.

Thank you all very much for the kind words and support. I have 2 days 11/20/2019 . Wow it has finally happened for me to be on the losers bench. Still crazy nervous but very excited. I can’t wait to feel better. My starting weight is 220.3 today and 5’1. Best wishes to everyone on this journey. Has anyone made a YouTube channel about their journey. I’m really thinking of doing it to hold myself accountable.

My Md had guidelines that I could only eat strained creamed soups and liquids the first 1-2 weeks. That included yogurt, protein shakes 2 days after surgery and then cottage cheese and refined beans began at week 2/3. However it is hard to drink or eat much initially. I used a shot glass to get 2 ounces at a time and a timer so every 15 minutes I would drink 2 ounces. Once I was on soft foods like 1 egg or tuna it initially took 45 minutes to eat that then a week or so later 30 minutes, then eventually 20 minutes etc. Food wasn't appealing and after a few bites I felt like I just ate a Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn't painful but just that blah I'm done feeling. I think around 3/4 months I could drink a 11 oz. protein shake in 30-45 minutes, eat a 5oz cup of yogurt or 1 egg in 20 minutes but not much more in one sitting. Suddenly at 6 months I could comfortably eat about a half cup of food total if some of it was soft. Not a half cup of chicken, but a 1/4 cup of protein and a 1/4 cup of soft veggies. Now at 9 months sometimes I can eat almost a cup in one sitting in a normal amount of time like 10-15 minutes but usually it's closer to 1/2 to 3/4. I don't feel deprived or over full.

Today, Mon, Nov. 18 Maintenance : 5'2" / 1yr PO Sleeve / 114.5 lbs ...found my super-filler-food: JERK PORK. Holy cow, it took me over an hour to finish just 3.5 oz of it alone, and at the time of this writing it has been over 3.5 hours since I ate it and I am still pretty filled. I am DONE eating for today..I can tell if I eat anything else I'm going to hurl. I'm ending today with waaaaay too few cals though. There are still lots of jerk pork leftovers in the fridge, I'm probably going to have to stick to eating 1 oz portions at time. 10:30am - earl grey tea w/ stevia + coffee w/ stevia 1:30pm - salad greens w/ vinaigrette + 1.5 oz apple + 1/2 an avocado + 1 cherry tomato + 1/2 tbsp bacon crumble + 4 oz grilled chicken + 1 tsp crunchy chili oil 4:00pm - 3.5 oz jerk pork Totals: 581 cals - 52g Protein - 23g NET carbs - 29g fat

MOM'S CHEESE PIE Low carb cookie crust, optional (I used Ellie's Peanut Butter Cookies) 16 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 1/8 cups granulated Splenda or equivalent liquid Splenda Dash salt 3 eggs 3/4 teaspoon vanilla Topping (optional) Topping: 1 cup sour cream 2 tablespoon granulated Splenda or equivalent liquid Splenda 1 teaspoon vanilla Crust: 1 1/2 cups Ellie's Peanut Butter Cookie crumbs, about 16 cookies or 5 ounces 6 tablespoons butter If using a crust, melt the butter in 9 1/2-10" glass pie plate using a microwave. Add the crumbs and mix well, then pat over the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of the plate. Press firmly and evenly into the pan. Freeze while preparing the filling. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the Splenda, salt, eggs and vanilla and beat just until well-combined. Pour into the crust and bake at 350º 20 minutes. At this point the filling should be pretty much set but not too firm. Remove from the oven and let cool 15 minutes. Meanwhile, raise the oven temperature to 450º. Mix the topping ingredients and spread over the pie. Bake 5 minutes. Cool, then chill well before serving. Makes 8-12 servings Can be frozen (see note below) With granular Splenda: Per 1/8 recipe: 484 Calories; 45g Fat; 11g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 9g Net Carbs Per 1/12 recipe: 323 Calories; 30g Fat; 8g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 6g Net Carbs With liquid Splenda: Per 1/8 recipe: 469 Calories; 45g Fat; 11g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 6g Net Carbs Per 1/12 recipe: 313 Calories; 30g Fat; 8g Protein; 4g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 3g Net Carbs

This is a great thread and a topic I've been thinking about personally, because I'm not sure what my answer is. I think my doctor's goal for me is somewhere between 120 to 135, which would put me in the normal BMI range. I'm currently about 165, so only 30 pounds to go to hit the high end of that goal. The highest ever recorded weight for me was 303. I started the program at 284 and had surgery around 243. When I was 15 I weighed 150 after unhealthy dieting. I think mentally, I'd like to reach 125 to prove to myself I can do it and to give myself a 10 lb leeway to the top of that range. But I think honestly, if I could maintain at 150 I'd probably be happy. We suspect I probably have about 10 to 12 pounds of excess skin. I don't yet know if I'll have surgery to remove it. If money and pain were not part of the equation I would 100% fix all my terribly saggy skin. And I'm too early to decide about skin anyway. I've hit a plateau, which is frustrating. My NUT wants me to consider doing the bariatric shakes for two weeks to try to break through the plateau. I told her I wanted to give it a month before considering it. It's been 3 weeks and no changes, so I think I'll try it when I see her next week. My husband is going to enter the medically supervised program with my NUT office, so I think it will be easier on both of us if we're doing it together.