1. What types of food did you eat this week? beef stew, low fat cheese, protein drinks, South Beach wraps, deli ham, steak, green beans, popcorn, tiny bit of chocolate 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? walking/Gazelle 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? 4 pounds this week, 94 since surgery, 116 total 4. What was your biggest challenge? Not snacking - I gave in with the popcorn and chocolate. 5. What is happening with your clothes situation? How are you dealing with it? I bought some new clothes in December. I'm afraid to get rid of my old clothes - still worried about gaining it all back.

Julie, That 57 pounds is REALLY gone . . . isn't that amazing? When we've lost weight before we always managed to "find" it again. Not any more! Congratulations on your good check up! Jezia

Thank God for this post!!! I thought I was all by myself. I AM A SLOW LOSER!! and I thought I was all alone. Pre surgery weight 320 lbs., day of surgery 315lbs., currently 245 lbs. I have been at 245lbs. since December 3rd. I keep fluctuating between 245lbs. and 248lbs. I am getting so discouraged. In the past it was due to my period and once my period came on I would drop the weight, but this time it didn't go anywhere. Sometimes I go to 243 or 244 but it doesn't stay there. I am down about 70 to 75lbs. I was hoping to be at -100lbs at my 6th month on January 17th, but I'm not going to make it. My doctor wanted me under 200lbs. by my 6th month, and I clearly not going to make that either. My hair is gone in patches (I had very thick hair before). I have been trying to take in more protein and I have started exercising again. Let's see if it helps. I will be hiring a personal trainer. My new goal is to be in the 230's by the end of January and hopefully well under 200 lbs. by my birthday in June. I just hope I am not one of those people who stops losing after 75lbs. I know that I should be grateful that, because I would never be able to lose 75lbs in 5 months, but damn it I had major surgery!! and yes I do expect to lose quicker than I would on my own. So I expect to do better than average with major surgery. I will do my part....but I want BIG result!! QUICK Ok, I got that off my chest. Yes I am grateful and I will work hard and use my took properly. I am blessed to have lost 75lbs.

I did slow down a little bit at about the 3rd month, but when I did, I'd notice I'd be loosing inches, and would start to fit in the next size down. For me the weight loss went from 5-7lbs a week to 2-3 after my gallbladder surgery in Novemeber that was 4 months post op from WLS. That's OK with me, I'm still loosing and happy! Are you able to eat salad yet? Yes, and I love it! At what point did that work for you? I started at 3 months out, slowly ... even to this day I don't eat much and I try not to eat it before my meal or I get full. Do you find that exercise really has increased your weight loss? I'm bad in that I don't excersise much, I do go to water aerobics and walk when I can, it seems to help. Significantly? How's the excess skin thing going? My boobs hang almost to my belly button ...lol! It doesn't bother me that much though. I know when I'm done I will have a tummy tuck and breast reduction. I've always been very large in that area. The one spot that bothers me the most is under my chin. I've lost all the weight I carried in my face and now sag under the chin, I'll get that fixed at some point too. Has exercise helped with that? not sure Anyone with diabetes T2...are your blood sugars still normal? I stopped all meds for diabetes the day before surgery, my blood sugar is almost always below 100 now. In fact I have to watch that it doesn't go too low. Anyone with sciatica...is it getting any easier? Sorry don't have that. Hope this helps you. Jan

That is WONDERFUL Sandy!!! I feel the same too!! Happy, Healthy New Year!!! Love you too, Heather