My first instinct is to think your friend that is against diets is not very smart. But then I start thinking back on how I used to be. I used to be like that. It's so hard to be so big...it's hard to admit that I was addicted to food and couldn't control myself. I couldn't back then admit why I was overweight or that I had a big problem...I had lots of excuses...and I did what alot do on the outside at least - I said I didn't mind being fat. I had given up trying to lose weight so I didn't want to be apart of any conversation that revolved around trying to become healthier. It was easier to not face the problem and lie to myself. I think alot of us have done that at some point. Your friend isn't a lost cause...she's just not ready for it. I wouldn't push her. There are also alot of folks who lost alot of weight who don't tell people they had surgery. They do not want the stigma or people talking negatively about their decisions...it's hard enough to live life with the surgery much less with people not supporting you. There are also alot of folks who have lost friends and family members because they lost alot of weight. Jealousy and envy are powerful emotions. I know I hated being the fat friend. I usually had more in common and felt more secure with my friends that were bigger. Remember people who truly care about you are going to support the things in your life that bring good to you. WLS sure sounds like it is doing wonderful things to your life. Keep up the good work, try and be positive and surround yourself with positive people. ~ Christal

Congratulations on your loss and your positive attitude! Can you imagine how far you will be next year? I wish you lots of luck and happiness for your future! ~ Christal

I've been finding alot of people's stories that are exactly like yours...and I am one of them. I had my surgery on March 15, 2007. I lost about 108 lbs by around seven months out. I haven't lost any more...I have lost some inches and visiablly slimed some though. I don't eat perfect and I don't exercise. When I start to feel like I should be smaller I just look at my old pictures and realise how very far I have come. I've gone from being considered morbidly obese to being overweight. Most people in the US are overweight...I can handle that! I've gone from a tight size 28 to 18s...I can shop in the normal section of stores!!! I don't have to buy the plus size anythings anymore. I can wear my husbands t-shirts. Try and find some of the positive things that are happening and bring out an old picture and put a new picture beside it to see the differences. When I look in the mirror I don't see a big difference...but those pictures sure do tell a tale! I don't take my vitamins either....shame shame shame on us. It's hard for me to develop the habit is really my only problem. I do eat alot of other foods that are high in vitamins so I think that's why my blood work is just fine...I make sure to get it checked regularly. I really like the fruit flavored calcium supplements that are really for antacid...they taste like candy to me. I don't like the chewable vitamins so I just take small multi-vitamins with iron from the dollar store. They are cheap and tiny so they are easy to swallow. As long as I don't take the calcium supplements at the same time as the multi-vitamins there is no problem. You can also go to the doctor and get b-12 vitamin shots...it's once a month and that will at least take care of that issue. A 5 week stall isn't that bad at all. Your body has to get used to changes and your body will shut off weight loss if your not getting in enough water, protein, or calories. Your body will also shut down if you start exercising like crazy. Your doctors should be very supportive of you. My surgeon has never had a goal weight for me...it was just to lose some weight and keep it off. Other docs would say I need to lose quite a bit more weight...but mine is realistic. I'm in the overweight cateogry which is much better than morbidly obese or obese. His goal for me is to stay around the same weight I am right now. What should I be eating and exercising? He says I should try and eat good and exercise more...but whatever I'm doing to keep the weight I am at is good by him. I really like this sort of outlook...he isn't pressuring me to be perfect which would just put me under stress and prep me for failure. Your doing great. Good luck getting to a place where you are happy.

So far I have gone from a tight size 28 womens to a size 20. (I am down somewhere in the 80-90 lb range...depends on my fluids for the day and what scale I am on. I don't weigh alot...it's all about the clothes! By the way...I have no memory of ever fitting into size 20 or less! It's great)

It seems like a few people think that their hair will be thin forever. EVERYONE'S HAIR WILL COME BACK!!!! They should have told you all about it in your classes before surgery. Almost everyone's hair thins or at least has more hair fall out than "normal" between 3-6 months after surgery. It's from the shock of having our innards cut to pieces! The only thing you can do is try and eat your protein and wait it out. Your hair should start growing back considerably at around 9 months to a year out. Some peoples hair grows back quicker than others but everyone's grows back. Some people don't like it while it's thinning so they cut it. Most people had round faces and didn't want short hair until they lost their weight and didn't mind cutting it shorter. Some people's hair looks a bit funny with new hair growing in and the remaining long thin hair there too...it depends on what's going on with your hair. I've seen people who cut their hair and it looks alot better...and some it looked worse. Just remember it's temporary. Do what you think will make you feel better in the mean time. Right now I am not at the point to go a chopping...but I might. I'm just taking it as it goes...and right now it's all going to the floor or down the drain!!

I didn't mean to suggest you were suicidal. I would like to point out though that there is a significant number of people that are depressed before and after surgery. For some a stall in weight loss is a significant thing. I am glad that your mental health is not in question. Congrats on your compliment...I am sure as you continue to lose weight the compliments will just keep a coming. The compliments we give ourselves as we lose weight are nice and all..but it's nothing like when someone else notices! Good luck with everything.

I'm sorry you had to be one of the ones with complications too. It's just not fair. I imagine your going through some major frustration and some depression due to this. You know..I think that's normal and it's ok. I am glad you can put on a happy face and tell yourself that it's going to be ok. Because it will be ok in the end. One day at a time...one problem at a time...eventually this will all just be a memory and you'll be able to live your healthier and happier life. Good luck with everything.

Congratulations!!!! That's awesome. Keep up the good work!

My doc had us eating mashed potatoes very early on. So I usually order that...I only eat a few bite fulls. My in-laws were visiting for a week and had us eating out almost every meal. I got tired of mashed potatoes really quick so I just started bringing my own foods. I'd pull out my little cheese sticks and crackers. No one ever said anything. Christal

I lost alot of weight right after surgery and then I only lost a little and I was really dissapointed. My surgeon explained that it was because I was dehydrated at first which made it look like I had lost alot of weight. The next weigh in made it look like I didn't lose alot when I actually had because I was rehydrated. My guess is that before you were dehydrated and your 2 lbs regain might be because you were able to get in more water. One gallon of water weighs 8 lbs. Good luck with everything! ~Christal/dionysus_star

Congrats!

Hi. I am 5 weeks out (3/15/07) and I've lost 37.5 lbs. I was only able to get down about 17 oz of water a day for awhile. So I dropped quick. Now I am doing alot better. But it has been really hard. Sometimes I just wish I could reverse it all and go to McDonalds...its terrible to want that I know...I get through it...but it's still hard. I eat a slice of Turkey wrapped around 1oz of 2% cheese...it's really good for lunch. Sugar Free popsicles really save me...taste so yummy. I really like the great value sugar free water flavorings (fruit punch, grape). For about 4 weeks I have been dehydrated because I haven't been able to get the water down and then all of a sudden I can drink 17oz in an hour and a half if I concentrate on it. I like snacking on saltine crackers and cheese-nips. I had some microwaveable beef brisket that was just wonderful....I almost felt normal. I had a piece of wheat toast with penut butter that was really nice...took awhile to go down but great. It's all trial and error. My taste buds are completely different now so old food I loved isn't always what I'll love now. Good luck everyone! ~Christal/dionysus_star

I had surgery on 3/15 and I lost 34 lbs in the first two weeks then I only lost 4.5 lbs the next two weeks. I was kinda upset but still happy that I had lost 38.5 lbs in a month. My surgeon said it was because I had been dehydrated and that makes it seem like you had lost alot of weight...but now I am properly hydrated so it seems like i haven't lost much weight in the past weeks. But I can see the differences and I can feel them. I think looking at the total weight loss is important to keep perspective. Weighing yourself everyday is a bad idea. Some days you may be retaining water, dehydrated, constipated, gaining muscle, etc. Weighing once a week or every other week can give you a more accurate idea of whats going on. Just remember you are doing great and everyone loses at a different rate but YOU WILL LOSE WEIGHT! Keep up the good work and keep positive! ~Christal/dionysus_star