I feel great!  Down to 190 lbs.  Lost about 80 so far.  I've slowed to a crawl though, because I can eat anything I want.  Some days I literally have to make myself not eat.  THe surgery definitely didnt affect my appetite.  Sure, some of that is head hunger.  I can tolerate almost anything, the problem I have is still taking too large of a bite and not chewing enough.  2 protein shakes a day.  My hair has fallen out so badly!!! But overall I'm very pleased.

I made it to the 50 lb mark!! I had a mini goal for myself to be there by 8 weeks, and made it.  Now I want to be under 200 by Easter.  20 lbs in a month?  Not sure I can make that one, but gonna try anyway.  Continue walking, elipticalling, and some weights to firm up.  

Nothing really is bothering me.  I still have some trouble with meats, but I'm not pushing it.  A few days ago on pool night, I grabbed a chicken wing like old times, and scarfed that bad boy down.. First bite I went to swallow and thought, "oh you dummy what did you just do!!!"  I was immediately sick.  I had to get rid of it fast, but it wasnt budging.  I finally got it out and was nauseated the rest of the evening.  

Reminding myself to eat in the new way is still a concern for me.  I do eat absentmindedly which is not something we can do anymore.  But I'm getting better about it. 

I hit the -40 mark today, woo hoo!!! I'm walking on the treadmill at the gym every day, lifting some light weights to help with strength and to shape certain areas, and enjoying feeling thinner.  When I stand at the mirror I'm beginning to see that 'thinner' look.  Definitely gonna have the belly sag.  But  hopefully we can take care of that later.    I'm losing my butt!!

Having problems finding something satisfying.  I dont even like the taste or texture of meat,  ugh.  I gag with it or if I do manage to get some down, I am throwing it up or keeping an upset pouch.  Funny, as much as I loved steak before, ugh it just isnt good any more.  So I try to get my protein from shakes, cottage cheese, cheese, edimame, etc.  I tend to want something salty like peanut butter crackers.  So I'm not forcing it for now.  Gonna stick to softs and soups til I get some appetite back. 

I've lost 30 lbs so far.  I went this evening with my family to a buffet-type steak house to celebrate my Mom's birthday.  I ate a couple spoons of mashed potatoes and gravy, two bites of salmon, two baby carrots and three green beans, lol.  I also sucked on a couple of pieces of raw pineapple just for the juice.  I wasnt sure if I could tolerate raw pineapple, so I didnt try it.  But I had to keep asking them not to pass the yeast rolls by me, lol.   

Everyone was watching what I ate, and amazed that I had 'willpower' to only eat so little.  I reminded them that I cant hold it, its not so much willpower.  But I guess it is, because I certainly could have eaten more, with head hunger striking me.  All that food was very tempting.  But I did really well.  It was hard to measure what I ate, but I"ve been so careful about that, that I can pretty much tell the amounts I have.   

Constipation is going to be a big problem for me, like before.  I cant stand Milk of Magnesia, so I've got to find something else.  Cathy, the head nurse, suggested some kind of tea.  I have to go find that.  I havent 'been' in over a week now, and I"m sort of nauseated and full tonight.  Definitely going to hunt the tea tomorrow.  

I'd love to be up to 60 lbs by my birthday in May.  I've seen others up to 60+ lbs in less than 10 weeks, so maybe it'll happen for me.  Walking, working out, and eating right are the secrets, I know....