3 month update for us Marchers!

Lets get some 3 month updates going for us Marchers.

I am down to 275 pounds, from a pre-op testing (around Valentines Day) weight of 340.  So that makes 65 pounds, gone, but not soon forgotten!

I am now in a size 50 waist pants (down from 56, pre-op).  And even then, they are getting too big!  I am also wearing 2 XL shirts, down from a 3 XL.  And, I was recently given some shirts by one of my wife's cousins, and, mixed in, was some XL shirts and gym shorts, which FIT!  Wow!

I can tolerate most foods.  That is not to say I haven't dumped.  Boy, have I!  Only twice was it overeating (I just couldn't resist that chicken breast I was eating, and the piece was WAY bigger than I thought!).  I have learned I can't tolerate salmon burgers, and, when I go to a buffet, I really have to watch rich foods, like beef stroganoff (I dumped a few minutes after having 2 VERY small pieces which were well chewed and eaten slowly!).  I also dumped slightly yesterday by eating cut vegetable sticks.  I think that was because I got them ouot of a vending machine at work (another mistake I won't make again).
 

The exercise I do need to ramp up, though.  I go walking almost every day, and I go to the gym once a week.  I think its time to up that to 2 times.

BobF4, that's awesome!!

I had surgery on 3/3/09 and I'm down 45lbs. since then. I've lost 68lbs. since my orginal weigh-in with the surgeon back in May '08 and 78lbs. since my highest weight in early May '08 (I lost 10lbs. prior to getting weighed in at the surgeon's office).

The best part of all this for me is that my "skinny" clothes are getting too big! Oh, there are other wonderful benefits too, like feeling healthier, sleeping better, etc., but fitting into clothes has got to be the best!!

I had only 1 episode of typical dumping syndrome. It was from eating Morningstar Farms crumbles/fake ground hamburger. I thought I was going to die!! I can eat most anything, but find grains, potatoes, rice, high fat and high sugar foods make me feel a bit "yucky" and sometimes give me an "power surge" or "hot flash" for those who are familiar with the symptoms of menopause. (I'm not menopausal, yet.) I've had no problems eating fruits, veggies, meats, dairy, beans and nuts. If I stick to "real" foods, I'm more than good.

I'm still amazed at how little quantity of food I can eat and be satisfied. My grocery bill has been cut in half! It's just great. Good luck everyone.

You guys are doing great! Congrats to you!
I had surgery on March 2 and since pre-op I lost 82lbs. Since surgery 60lbs. I'm trying new foods lately, like lunch meats and hamburger and salad. I'm just now starting to feel normal. I have good days and bad still. For some reason I've noticed one day I can eat a couple slices of ham, the next day I'll try it again and it won't go down! So weird.
I'm happy to say I haven't experiences the dumping yet and I hope I never do! I've noticed I'm able to eat a little more lately. So I'm up to about 700 calories a day but my nutritionist wants me at 800-1000. So we'll see...

I'm doing well.  I have surgery March 17th and am down 36 pounds since surgery (plus 22 pounds pre-op, so 58 pounds total).  My surgeon's office was concerned that my resting metabolic rate was too slow so they ordered it tested.  I had that done yesterday and my "projected RMR" based on my weight (236), sex, and age was 1750, my actual RMR after the test was 1280, so she said it is at least 30% slower than it should be.  So I meet with the NP next week to see what they can do to help me out.  I was supposed to have those issues addressed the with endocrinologist that the surgeon's office has on their staff, but my initial appointment got messed up and they didnt' leave enough time for it so the appointment was supposed to be in May and now it's not until July 22nd.  So, until then the NP will do what she can do.  

Other than that, I haven't really had any foods I couldn't ever eat, other than reheated foods don't often settle well.  I have times where food gives me the foamies, but it's not consistently the same things, although usually it is meat of some sort.  I haven't experienced dumping at all, I don't think I'll be a dumper.  I've been doing well on my protein, vitamins, water...my calories are generally around 800 a day, sometimes more, sometimes less.

I've been exercising, using my EA Active, the surgeon's office doesn't want me doing aerobic activity at this point because they say I will burn off more muscles with my calories as low as they are, but they want me being active at a moderate pace and doing exercises that will build muscles, so I click off the running and focus on the squats, resistance band things, etc.  I enjoy the boxing on the EA active a lot, and tennis is fun too.  

So, I'm just trudging along.  :)  Sounds like everyone is doing great!

Melody I'm so glad they're testing you. I know how concerned you were about losing slowly and now you have justification. Any idea what they can do to help you? So glad you have some answers! Hugs girl, you'll get there!

Thanks a lot Shannon!  I'm not sure what they will do yet, but they did say there were things they could do, so that is encouraging to me.  I'm actually doing ok with my weight loss right now, until I read how much other people have lost, lol.  But I am still glad that they are addressing the metabolism issue!  It gives me hope that I will actually get to goal!  :) 

I am almost at my 3-month.  I had surgery 3.16.09.  I weighed 307 on surgery day and now I am at 249 - down 49 lbs.  Yippee

I am loving also that my old "skinny" clothes are also too big.  I was wearing a snug 22 and now I am wearing my 20's and they are falling off --- I haven't bought any clothes yet, but I think I will need to go shopping this weekend, because my clothes look so sloppy it is ridiculous - I look like and unmade bed.  And my job is a very professional occupation, so it is time to just go buy some -- I was thinking of just a few separates to hold me over for a few more weeks.

I have to admit.  I pretty much eat anything I want.  I don't eat donuts or ice cream or fried chicken or anything (and heck, I don't even like chocolate stuff, so it is easy there....) --- but I haven't really limited myself since about 8 weeks.  I eat all fruits, all vegetables - I have eaten some roasted potatoes and bread.  I eat a LOT of chicken and turkey and seafood - I am not a big red-meat person, so another easy thing to not be tempted by.  But I do eat VERY small portions of everything.  I also still supplement with protein and other vitamins.  I have never dumped - not even close.  The whole process since the surgery has been extremely easy (minus a few days in the beginning) and certainly rewarding.  Even the surgery itself seemed so much less pain than I expected - I hardly ever took the pain meds.

Due to my work schedule, there are often days when I do not have time to eat at all - so, I get a Jamba Juice with 3 extra protein boosts and drink that for about 3 hours off an on.

I am losing hair....  Of course, no one notices............but I do.  I can tell that my hair is thinner - but at least my hair started out very thick - maybe I'll get a discount next time I get it colored....lol

I hope to lose about another 80 lbs - to be down around 180, as I am 5'10"ish.  I hope for another 60 by December - that is 10 per month and I think I can do it.  I am thinking about joining a gym for at least the summer.  Being in CA, the weather is going to get too hot outside to exercise, and I think swimming would be a nice treat to stay motivated.

Good luck to ALL and let's check-in again in another month.  I really enjoy reading everyone's updates - it is so encouraging to hear that you are on track and that other people face the same struggles.

Since my March 2 RNY I am down 81.4 pounds and I am so happy. I can eat almost anything. About the only thing I cannot tolerate is BBQ sauce. I dump really bad on it. So, no more experimenting with different kinds, it is just a no no from now on.  I have gotten a lot of confidence and I have started going back to school. I started 4 weeks ago. I have a 98% average. As for my physical well being, I am able to ride a bike again and I love it. I don't exercise as much as I should, but I am working on it. I am down from a  size 32 to a 22 and 2 X  stuff. I am off of my insulin and some other meds so I am extremely happy about that. My blood sugar stays in the low to mid 100s. I hope to get off of some more meds soon with a few more pounds gone. My pcp is being terrific about monitoring me and adjusting my meds accordingly. I couldn't ask for a better PCP. I am really happy with my progress and I would do this over and again in a heartbeat.
Emily

Thanks for posting.  It's great to see everyone's progress and hear what is working well for others! 

I had surgery March 9th and have lost a total of 72 lbs.  That includes my 2 week pre-op diet weight loss of 19 lbs.  I am happy to be down 72 lbs.  I was in a size 22 pants and now fit in a size 18 so that fees good! 

I'm still amazed at how little food makes me feel full.  A couple of bites and that is about all I can eat.  I can tolerate most foods such as meat, veggies, fruit, crackers, toasted wheat bread.  I too have had the 'foamies' quite a few times but I think I have figured that out now it was because I was eating too big of bites and not chewing good enough.  I haven't tried anthing with sugar in it so I don't know if I am a dumper or not.  I have had some rhurbarb crisp that I made completely sugar free...that was delicious...but I was only able to eat a couple spoonfuls.

Keep up the good work everyone!  It's encouraging to hear from others who have had surgery around the same time. 

hello gorgeous marchers!!!
i had surgery march 3rd and boy it's been a rollercoaster!
2 weeks outta surgery i passed out at school from low blood sugar, and about 2 weeks ago i was severely dehydrated and gagging a lot, couldnt eat or drink anything cause it all just made me gag...had to go to the ER for fluids and passed out when the nurse was taking my blood. BUT i've been amazing since then! i'm down 72 pounds [278-206.5] so im almost in ONEDERLAND!!! im about 5 pant sizes down and those are getting big and my shirts are all XL! i wore a pair of size 15 shorts today too! i have an overload of confidence and even notice myself being looked at more! my surgeon said i will probably have to get the extra skin removed once i'm  a year out sooo im waiting for next march to come along!! im going away to school in august and i know ill be in hopefully the 180's-low 190's then so im excited! ive found a few things i dump on but i slowly introduce them back into my life after a couple weeks. i've even drank half a diet coke and almost a full glass peach daquiri! [i just turned 21...i had to lol]  fat makes me dump a lot more than sugar...i have cravings for mostly snack foods [i eat a lot of pringles now...but always make sure to eat everything im actually supposed to eat and then treat myself =]  ]  ive even introduced chocolate back into my life and i cant tell you how happy i am lol! i know it sounds like im just eating a lot of crap but im not just excited i can still eat little amounts of chocolate and tons of pringles haha. i loooove my RNY and couldn't be happier! i'm even ready to jump back into dating...havent since i was like 18 and thats a long time for someone young! who knew a surgery could make me feel this amazing?!!!