Hi Stephanie!!!!!!!! I know just how you feel. I've become very depressed at times thinking that my weight loss has been slow; then, I have others to tell me that I've done well. My pre-op weight was 358 and according to my scales, I was 315 on 8-24. I had my six weeks checkup on 8-24 and the MD's scales said 320. You talking about a meltdown. I have a big problem with the protein shakes because I can't seem to tolerate the taste. I've tried several, i.e. Hank's (a little too sweet), Slim Fast(makes me gag postop), Unjury(it's okay), Real Meals( too sweet), and Designer Whey(don't like very well). Even though I don't like these, I seem to stomach them although it may be only one per day. I do think that lack of protein stalls our loss. Also, I believe that we need to exercise because I know that when I walk, I tend to drop 2-3 lbs vs when I do not. I try to stay away from carbs although my dietician says I can have mashed/baked potatoes, brown rice,etc. I've got so much going on as well and we tend to put ourselves on the back burner. My DH is a pastor and we've been in revival for the past three weeks and this tends to interfere with my walking. I have a seven year old with tons of homework. I also have a nineteen month old who is all that and then some. In addition, I work M-F 8-5!!!!!!!!!!! So Stephanie, don't throw in the towel yet. We've got a lot of miles to cover and together supporting each other, we're gonna make it. Are you exercising? One more thing, we have the same "birthday"--7-11-06. Email me anytime. I emailed Mariah the other day and she is a sweetie. I was so jealous that she had lost so much and I hadn't...LOL. I needed her secrets. Ree Ree

Dear Mariah- You are an angel for writing me back so quickly...all your information was so helpful, I'm copying it and will refer to it daily for clear, sane advice! I started out at 272 so perhaps I'm not as slow as I thought I was. I'm going to get at least 60-70g. of protein in while I'm waiting for this ulcer to heal...thanks for the advice about carbs...I'm definately ready for an antidepressant...this whole process is more stressful than I thought it would be, especially since we've been through 13 surgeries in two years with our youngest who just turned 2 in July...thought if I could get through that I could get through anything...I'm much better at taking care of others than in taking care of myself...like alot of women, especially. Where can I get the Perfect Protein...? I saw a link to Bariatric Eating...have you tried that site? Again, you can't know how helpful your counsel has been...thank you so much and when I'm "back on my feet" I'll definately "pay it forward" to a newbie in meltdown mode! Fondly, Stephanie

First let me start by saying that I think u are right on target with your wt loss Stephanie, I have a friend I met at the hospital when I had my surgery and we talk on here all the time and she has lost 30 lbs so far. She started out at about 300lbs. I started out at almost 400 lbs. The larger u are the faster u loose in the first few weeks. I lost an encredible amt of wt the first 3 weeks but my wt loss has slowed down now to a more normal level. In part becouse I had alot of water retention and its all gone now. I dont think all this wt loss is fat. A lot of it was water wt in the begining As for your questions about carbs. U are correct, u should stay with complex carbs and totally stay away fromsinple carbs, ie, potatos and the like. I even rarley touch any high glycemic veggie. There are so many good veggies u can have. Try to stick with Healthier choices when possible. Now about the total caloric intake. The more protien u get in the more you build mucle and muscle increases metabolism....thus burns off more fat. When U stave yourself...u go into a starvation mode and u dont gain wt but your body does have a harder/slower time letting go of the stored fat. Its trying to preserve it. So please get lots of protein in. You asked me what protiens I use. I have an Atkins Advantage or Slim fast( low carb only) protein shake usually before but sometimes after breakfast. Then after lunch and dinner I have a Profect protein. I order these online a couple cases at a time. They have 25 grms of protien and no fat or carbs. They are only 3 oz and much easier to get down than a large can of a milk based product...there is no milk in them. They are pure protein. None of this is cheap I will tell u. But Im actually saving vs breaking even since I dont eat out 2-3 meals a day at restraunts. Im glad u are feeling better. I know myself Ive had a few meltdowns and they usually only last a day or two. Just know thats normal when u have so many changes happening all at once and u have a busy life at home as well as taking care of yourself. Take advantage of all the help u have in here. Everyone is a great support and soon u will be able to help someone else becouse of all u have been thru and all u will learn from it. U may also want to ask your dr for an anti depressent for a few months to get u thru all these changes. My surgeon offers them to everyone becouse she knows how hard this is on everyone. Take care of yourself and if u have any other questions feel free to email me Mariah U will find my yellow diet sheets from my surgeon at this link ..it will show u what Im allowed to eat at each stage of my process. http://www.wlsindy.com/planphases.htm

Hi fellow Raleigh"ite"! I saw you are in Raleigh-I grew up there...there and the beach! Where was your surgery done? I also wanted to let you know that my scale hasn't moved as fast either...I only lost 20 after 4 weeks-I'm down another eight pounds...funny, in ALL my years of dieting I never said I ONLY lost 28 pounds...perspective is needed, don't you think...:) Of course being the perfectionistic neurotic that I am, I wanted all 120pounds gone yesterday...oh well... Take good care, Stephanie Southern by birth, North Carolinian by the grace of God!:)

Dear Deb- How nice of you to respond to my email...I think it was rather therapeutic just getting the frustration/fear out...You are so right about the kids...part of the reason I did this was for them, especially for our disabled son who needs so much care. I think my biggest frustration is not having lost more quickly...I have a question-is it true or not that if you don't get enough calories that you actually gain weight? Believe it or not, my nutrionist says yes, the surgeon says no...how do you get all your protein in? My doctor put me back on the the pre-surgery liquid diet until my ulcer heals...I don't mind the unjury and he said in a couple of days I could try soft foods again...Fluid retention is a bummer!!! Are you exercizing? I'm trying to walk 1.5miles and I've started lifting weights last week. My insurance had me work out 3times a week (once a week with a trainer) for 6 months prior to surgery...I NEVER thought I would say that I actually missed exercize! My poor husband-God bless him-he's been so sweet through this whole thing...my problem is I don't let him do enough...you know, mom's way is the best way...:) I'm so thankful for the site...it's so hard to get to the hospital for support groups...again, thank you for your kind response. I look forward to chatting with you again. Be well, Stephanie