aloha everyone, snacking is my biggest downfall. Especially late at night which is why I am here on the boards right now instead of eating. I posted 50 things you can do instead of snacking on my profile in a blog if you want to check it out. You can also copy and paste it to a word document and print it. Stick it on the refrigerator which is what I did. Its helping me. Hugz and BTW I LOVE my OH family members.

Again this site helps ... even 2+ years out. I see we all around the same. 1. Starting weight : 248 2. Lowest Weight: 143 (after TT surgery and afraid to eat) 3: Current weight: 160 4: How many oz can you eat: don't know never have measured 5: Approx calorie intake: don't and never have counted 6: how much exercise: active life but nothing routine 7: how much water a day: 100 (if counting crystal light) 8: anything you stil can't eat: I can eat it and hours later ... I don't feel well - bar-b-q I begin to start burping and it takes like I would assume the charcol would taste like. Also, I have to put spagahetti through the blender in order to eat it - I guess I don't have the patience to chew it to the consistency required to settle well. 9: Back to old habits: wanting something in my mouth during stress times 10: are you still trying to loose: Trying - no; wanting to loose yes. I feel I could easily loose up to 30lbs and still look extremely healthy and not sickly.

Aloha Deb, thanks for sharing in the poll. Looks like you were able to maintain your lowest weight too. That is great. It seems we are all doing about the same which is wonderful. Most of us struggle with the excercise thing as well which is comforting that I am not alone. My first year I was so diligent. Thanks again for sharing and best of luck to you on your last 13 pounds. Hugs

I'm wondering if anyone else has had similar issues: I recently had an endoscopy to try to figure out my reflux issues. yes, during the month of Jan, I pushed my intake of chocolate and caffeine free diet soda and herbal tea, but why is it I've never heard of others having this issue. I realize that dark chocolate has more caffeine than milk, but it's still less than non-decaf coffee and soda. The Dr that did my WLS surgery found my stoma to be a little small so he dilate it (ouch). He's hoping that will help the reflux. He also found bile in my intestine before he should have. The reason is that where the remnant stomach & intestine is attached to my intestine is closer to the stoma than it should of been even though I had radial done. I got a reasonable explanation as to why that can happen (as the intestine is so pliable that it's more of an estimate than easy measurment as to where to reattach whether doing distal or radial). I struggle with this, though I know I sound like a teenager, no one else I know is having this issue of not being able to eat what they want. The dr wants me to figure out if it's bile reflux, which would not be helped with meds, or acid reflux. I'm on protonix, 1 a day. I guess I'm just so frustrated that I want to be able to enjoy the little bit of food I do eat. For the record, I'm within 8 pounds of my lowest weight and 5 from my ideal, so it's not like I'm pigging out. Does anyone have any friendly feedback or personal experience with this? Kar Gal

I am so glad to see everyone is where I am and same issues I have. Sometimes I feel like I am out there all alone. 1. Starting weight - 333 lb. 2. Lowest weight - 160 lb. 3. Current weight - 164 lb. 4. how many ounces can you eat - I eat between 3 to 4 ounces of meat, 1/2 cup vegetables, and sometimes a starch of some sort. 5. apprx calorie intake - between 1600 - 1800. I don't journal everyday, but I occasionally just to see if I am still on track. 6. how much do you exercise - this is where I struggle. Nearly to none. 7. how much water a day - approx. 80 oz. 8. anything you still can't eat - cabbage all the time; ground meat sometimes. 9. Back to old habits - no....(other than lack of exercise). I have not had a cookie, cake, or candy since my surgery. If I want something sweet, then I eat fruit with cool whip or sf pudding with cool whip. 10. are you still trying to loose, if so how much - I would like to get down to 155 lb. I get to 160 then I stop. I really am satisfied at 164 so if I get there I do if not I don't. My 2 year dr. visit he told I didn't need to loose any more weight, just needed to strength train. Maybe one day...maybe after losing 172 lb. I need a rest.