MONDAY WEIGH IN!

Hi, Marge: Fall has already arrived in Colorado.  We have a mix of cool days and warmer days (around 80 degrees), but the nights are definitely much cooler now. I have a full week ahead.  We are going to see "Spamalot" tomorrow night.  After a week off, I'm resuming my exercise routine today, so if you hear crying and whimpering, you'll know me taking a week off was a bad idea!    I also have two job applications to work on -- one of them is actually in my field (Immunization), but it's only a part time gig.  If they like me, and want to hire me at the upper tier of their pay scale, I can take the job.  I can't take it if they will only hire me at the starting level, because it's less per month than I get on disability.  Sucks, doesn't it?! I'm also still plugging away on this project my niece hired me to do.  Let me say that the web site I am cataloguing is probably the worst web site ever designed.  I click on a link and it takes me to 8000 other links, which then take me to 52 more links, none of which lead to any information anyone wants.  Blargh! Here are my numbers for today.  I should have posted yesterday, I was a pound lighter yesterday. I ate too much yesterday and it definitely shows. Beginning weight: 530 lbs Surgery weight: 407 lbs Last week: 221 lbs This week: 220 lbs Kix

Hey Marge - congratulations on ever more weight loss!  My stall seems to be breaking, sort of.  Instead of hanging around between 372-377 I am hanging back down around 369.  I hope to see more loss this week.  I've lost all of 3 lbs in month 2.  Ouch.  5 more days till my two month anniversary.  I'm tired of friends asking how much I've lost this month and I have to say 3 lbs.  3 lbs!  I know they are thinking "you could have done that without surgery." Highest weight 445 Consultation weight 440 Surgery weight 402 Last week 372 This week 369 I need to find a Halloween costume that I can fit in to.  What a pain!  Everything is either too small or too expensive.  I am looking for cheap alternatives (besides a ghost!) Any ideas? 

Hi Marge and everyone, I've been in hiding, for no really good reason. I lost my health insurance last Monday, as well as my PCP. I don't know what will happen yet with my surgeon as they don't take the insurance I will get next. The only doc taking the new insurance down here isn't seeing new pts until 2/08. I feel quite vulnerable. Otherwise, "roo" and I are still trying to get to know each other. She may be trying to teach me about myself, as she seems to be very strong-willed, independent, with her own set of boundaries that I haven't quite figured out yet. So far she seems to be helpful, but I am afraid she will let me down. I need her to save me from myself for the rest of my life. I will do the vest I can, but I am going to need to rely on her to stay with me. So, I am embarrassed to say I am not yet ready to give the actual numbers, but here is how much I have lost: Surgery date: -41 pounds Last week: -67 pounds This week: -73 pounds -Julie

I'm not sure why you are embarrased about giving the actual numbers, especially since you have lost 73 lbs!  That's seven bags of potatoes, and three pounds of butter! How are you and Roo feeling?  Are you eating a more "normal" diet yet? Kix

Really? Seven bags of potatoes and three pounds of butter? Isn't that one nights worth of mashed potatoes ? Roo has been splendid to me. Sometimes I wonder if I am doing something wrong because I haven't thrown up, dumped or gotten the foamies. I have only felt queasy a little once or twice. I mostly just feel full, or like I ate past full, and once or twice I felt like I had tiny mucus plug in the back of my throat when I swallowed. I am on diced/soft foods for three more weeks. Usually I'm staying with fish, chicken, eggs, cheese sticks, protein shakes, cottage cheese,  yogurt. Mostly I miss guzzling water, but I am sometimes able to take two or three big swallows at a time now. I need to write about other worries though. Maybe in the next few days......... Sorry to hear about you loss, Kix. I hope you'll take part in the Mourner's Kaddish at Temple. It can be very comforting. -Julie

EXCUSE ME GIRLS.... THE CORRECT WAY TO SAY IT IS "TATERS" LOL  HUGS MARGE

DONT LET US HAVE TO GET DAWG THE BOUNTY HUNTER OUT AFTER YA NOW!! NUMBERS... SMUMBERS LOL WHO CARES.... WE ARE ALL IN THIS BOAT TOGETHER... YOU KNOW YOU CAN TELL US... AINT NOTHING WE AINT SEEN OR HEARD HERE BEFORE... JUST JOIN IN NOW AND STOP THAT HIDING... YA HEAR.... HUGS MARGE

Nothing gained nothing loss again this week. I bounce back and forth all week between 239 and 237 and then on Monday it is 237....again. I am at a stall, I guess and I don't know why. I have lost a total of 125 lbs in 8 months which averages out to a little over 15 lbs a month.  Most of that was the first 6 months.  So how do I start losing the next 6 month.  Before WLS all I thought about was what I was going to eat. After WLS all I think about is OMG what did I eat to make me gain these 6 oz today. Too much salt, carbs, fat.....what is it. This is so frustrating and it is driving me crazy. The crazy thing is that I have lost 2 lbs in the last 30 days but I have gone from a size 18 to a 16.....go figure. Also, can somebody explain eating yogurt to me. I tasted light yoplait at work on Friday and liked it. However, it had alot of sugar in it. Then I went to the grocery store and was reading those packages and they all have a lot of sugar in them. I read alot of post about people eating yogurt. What kind is okay to eat. It would be great if I could pack it in my bag in the morning on those days I don't want to think about what I am going to eat. Something quick    BEGINNING WEIGHT-362(01/13/07 Pre-op consult) SURGERY WEIGHT-357(01/19/07-the day released from hospital) 2 WEEKS AGO-237 THIS WEEK-237.....

Hi, Tricie.  I've seen posts from a number of SMO folks who get "stuck" in the 220-240 range anywhere between 8-14 months post-surgery.  Not sure exactly why, and suspect that it's slightly different for each person, but it seems to hold true for many people.   If you could provide a bit more information about what you're doing (food intake, calories, protein, fluids, exercise, etc.), perhaps one of us can offer some helpful suggestions.  But we need more information about what you're currently doing to offer good ideas.   Regarding yogurt, look for the versions that are "light" or sweetened with aspartame or Splenda.  Even those yogurts are going to have some sugar grams because they are made with milk, which contains lactose which is a sugar.  Personally, I eat Breyer's Light because that's my favorite, but any of the light versions should be okay.   You may also want to try greek-style yogurt; it should be available w/ the other yogurts in the dairy section of your grocery store - a common brand is Fage.  You can also get it at Trader's Joe's.  It has a tangy flavor and is just plain yogurt (not fruit flavored); it's also great as a substitute for sour cream.  I like it mixed with a packet of Splenda, a couple tablespoons of sugar-free preserves, a couple tablespoons of Bob's Red Mill Mueslix cereal (you could use granola or Grape Nuts if you prefer), and some fresh berries when they are in season.  It's delicious and a great source of protein.   Good luck on your continuing journey! Kellie

This is what I eat on most days B-whatever grilled fish, chicken, or beef that is leftover from the night before L-90% of the time I have  my version of tuna salad(tuna packed in water with shredded cheese, lettuce and very little light 3 cheese dressing  D-Some kind of fish, beef, or chicken with a veggie. Snack around 2:30pm at work and most of the time it is sunflower seeds or pork skins.  I have to get my protein from the food because I am allergic to soy and whey protein wont stay down. I am also allergic to eggs I work out 3-4 times a week 45 minutes each