8/18 check in and thoughts

I was just wondering how all the 8/18-ers are doing and was wondering if anyone out there was having any of the same expierences.... i had a lap rny and am down 58 pounds. i haven't tried steak, lettuce, or carbonation yet, as the Dr said i have to wait until 6 months out. the only food i had an issue with tolerating is bread (no toasted), it felt like it just sat there like a lump in my stomach, but it's getting better. i haven't been exercising, which i know i need to do, or getting the right amount of water. i have had several problem with painful bm's which i think i****er related... so i am working on that. i am having trouble with the iron, as it's turning my teeth black (do the chewables do that too???) i found a protein shake (Amplify) that i like so i get my 60 grams from that, and then still try to get more in (i still can't eat enough "bulk" to get all the protein) let me ask you all something... did you ever feel like you spent more time dealing with other peoples issues about your wieght problems, than you did your own? i have people tell me all the time now that i "look so much happier and/or confident" funny thing though is that i never hated myself for being overweight, i don't really feel more or less happy or confident, i feel fine and love myself just like i did then... i think that those people are happier and feel more comfortable ABOUT me losing weight.... they are seeing what they want to see.... Laurie

I had mine Aug. 9th and I am down 71 pounds. I can pretty much eat anything now. About the only meat I cant tolerate yet is pork. I've tried bread just to see how I would handle it and if I eat it slowly its okay but I try to avoid it. I am bad about the exercising and water too. It's so hard to get all the water in and working two jobs I dont have much time for anything else. Now at least I have an idea why my teeth keep getting black. I found that brushing them with baking soda gets that off. Couldn't figure out why it was happening to me all of a sudden, lol. It's amazing how many people ask me about the surgery and about my diet and how much I've lost. I feel really good about my weight loss right now and can't wait to be able to fit into my jeans. Patty

Hi Patty I had my surgery on 8/9/04 also and I am down 70 lbs. I just walk on my lunch break maybe like 2 times a week. I know I should exercise alot more. I just can't seem to find the time. I get alot of questions and compliments about the surgery. I am proud of myself, I happy with the weight I've lost so far. My first month post-op I was hating life, but life has gotten so much better, I can eat anything. I havent and don't plan to eat sugar. Thats one thing I havent tried in any form, especially sodas, I was told by my doctor no more sodas the rest of my life.

Hello, Laurie. Thanks for checking in with us August girls and guys! I'm an "8/17-er" and I'm down 50 pounds. I exercise regularly and have since 7 months before my WLS. I go to Curves for Women---it's a 30-min. workout, designed for the "regular" woman. I think you'd like it, if you gave it a try. I have had a chance to eat steak, salad, and soda since my surgery. Steak is a favorite, but I choose a finer cut of meat and slice my portion into tiny bites. I chew carefully also. Lettuce is almost a daily part of my diet now. It's mostly water anyway, so I don't have any problems with it. In fact, I love it so much because I "think" I'm eating a huge portion, and really it's about the same as a regular, small meal. See my conversation about it on a previous board submission: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgdate-forums/08-2004/postdetail/6388.html?vc=0 Soda is a different matter. I didn't drink it at first. In fact, it kind of hurt the first couple of times I had it after the surgery. I used to drink several diet cokes a day, but now, I probably drink 2 or 3 a week at the most. I like the 7Up Plus with Calcium. It only has 10 calories a can! I sometimes mix it with a diet lemonade and a spash of orange juice and some crushed ice, and it makes a huge punch that I can sip on for hours! By the time it's getting low, there's not much carbonation left anyway. If you're thinking about trying lettuce, I recommend you get a small side salad from Wendy's. It's only a 99 cent investment, and if you don't think you can tolerate it, you can throw it away. I'm not upset about my slower weight loss because my clothes are really fitting better---and I'm in smaller sizes of everything! Even shoes! I can't wait until next week! I am ready to get back to my regular Curves workouts! I think you'll find exercise much more enjoyable now that you're down so much weight. You will feel so much better if you try! Good luck! ~Laura