Hi Teresa! Getting discouraged is not uncommon...Trust me...BTDT...still doing it. You eat less than what I do but what you are doing looks fine to me. And don't apologize. Hitting a plateau is very frustrating...I have been stuck on my current weight for 5-6 weeks now and its very frustrating. Just keep on doing what you are doing. It will break. As for the exercise, all I am able to do now is just walk. I cannot do anything strenuous until this pain around my incision goes away. My surgeon seems to think that its either a pinched nerve or a muscle strain but its still there so I cannot lift anything heavy or do any strenuous exercises. (Not that I was doing any of that in the first place...LOL) I want to exercise but I cannot afford a gym or find or afford the day care so I can afford or find time to go to a gym....its one ugly vicious cycle. But what you said that you do for exercise is more than what I do and as long as you are exercising you are doing just fine. All I can do right now is walk. (What a bummer cuz I really have the urges to exercise) I don't know if pain can actually hinder weight loss so I can't really say. But all I can tell you is that your routine seems to be very very good and I am so sorry that you are experiencing pain. I hope I have helped in some way. I know it wasn't what you were probably wanting to hear but its all I can offer for now. I hope the pain goes away. Keep up the great job you're doing because you really are doing well. Erin

Thank you so much for the info....I appreciate it....Thanks.... Erin

There is never a stupid question..you have a good question and this is what google says: INCISIONAL or Ventral Hernias may occur in the area of any prior surgical incision, and can vary in size from very small, to very large and complex. They develop as the result of disruption along or adjacent to the area of abdominal wall suturing, often subsequent TENSION placed on the tissue or other inhibition to adequate healing (infection, poor nutrition, obesity, or metabolic diseases). These hernias present as a bulge or protrusion at or near the area of the prior incision scar. Virtually any prior abdominal operation can subsequently develop an Incisional Hernia at the scar area, including those from large abdominal procedures (intestinal surgery, vascular surgery), to small incisions (Appendectomy, or Laparoscopy). These hernias can occur at any incision, but tend to occur more commonly along a straight line from the breastbone straight down to the pubis, and are more complex in these regions. Hernias in this area have a high rate of recurrence if repaired via a simple suture technique under tension and it is especially advised that these be repaired via a TENSION FREE repair method using mesh. These hernias may develop soon after the original surgery, or at any time thereafter. Incisional Hernias gradually increase in size once they develop and become progressively symptomatic. A bulge may not be evident at the hernia site initially, and pain may be the only early hernia symptom. These hernias develop in many cases as a result of too much tension placed when closing the abdominal incision, as stated above. Tension creates poor healing, swelling, wound separation and eventual Incisional Hernia formation. Effective repair of Incisional Hernias must include a TENSION FREE approach. By eliminating tissue tension, we are able to significantly reduce the risk of subsequent recurrent hernias. This fact is not well understood by many surgeons *****pair these difficult hernias utilizing a simple, tissue-to-tissue, suture-only technique. Examination by a trained Hernia Specialist may be necessary to detect these hernias early on in their development, as well as to repair them properly to avoid recurrence and complications later on. I hope this helps!

it varies from day to day... 3-4 ounces is my avg. I have been known to eat 6 ounces (and it scared the crap out me... thought I was losing my tool) I don't have much of an appetite and many days I have to remind myself to eat...(did I just say that??)

I agree with Sue. I have made the decision to keep tracking my calories and protein from now on. It makes me feel better when I do, and there is that accountability that helps me feel more in control. At the year mark, I am going to speak with a nutritionist about exactly how many cals I should be eating. My doc says 1000, but I am tired when I stay that low...but I am just going to do what the doc says. -KT