Hi everyone! Haven't posted for a while because I have been a busy bee! My Hubby and I just re-opened our business at a new location and I have to say that my eating habits have suffered. I am almost 4 months out and have lost a whopping 5O#'s( that was sarcasm!) I've been eating from the fast food category and it has not been easy. I try to pick the higher protein things but lets face it DelTaco has beans, chicken and beef but it's loaded with every kind of flavor filler imaginable! a friend of ours gave us a refrigerator for our shop and What I did was stock it up with protein type stuff, eggs, sliced turkey, cheese, yogurt, for my ever present sweet tooth and even some frozen sausages. The thing is I still don't think my choices are good enough. I am sooooo tired of the basic proteins, but its what I seem to tolerate best. The other thing is that I am feeling a bit depressed because I am for the first time seeing the trade off for my new found health and energy. I can't EAT! my mind wants a whole sandwich, with lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard maybe sliced cucumbers on the side. My Pouch will accept 1/4 of that sandwich minus everything but the meat! amazing, yes. maddening, even more so. I'm not complaining, I am very happy and very healthy, I just want to figure a new approach to this new reality. So I would appreciate some suggestions for proteins for a fast paced and busy busy life style and maybe a little advice on the mental food issues! thanks in advance to all my WLS brothers and sisters. I know somebody has been here before. Your words mean the world to me.

Hey Jen!!! Congratulations on the amazing weight loss!!! I've currently been stuck on a plateau for 3 weeks myself, bleh!!! I hope all is going well and thanks for the inspiring post!!

Hi, all! I just wanted to post a message since I just made it through my first really significant plateau and I know so many folks are also going through this now. Technically, according to the ObesityHelp magazine, it's not a plateau unless you're stuck at a weight for three weeks. But, I was stuck at the same basic weight (193/194 pounds, down from 257 on my surgery date of Sept. 9, 2003) for two weeks. This was incredibly frustrating. Rationally, I knew not to let the stable weight get me down. I was mindful of the advice of so many post-ops who experience mini-plateaus at about this stage of the journey. I recalled the words of my surgeon who noted that our body is doing some internal renovations, and sometimes the weight loss slows or stops temporarily, despite all the construction going on inside. Rationally, I knew everything was okay. But, I was still frustrated. Well, I'm thrilled to say I've finally broken through that mini-plateau -- and in a big, big way. It's only been two days, but I was down to 189.5 this morning. I even called my mother this morning to declare, "The whoosh has begun." I've been eating and exercising really well over the past four days or so, in an attempt to get the weight loss back on track. But, really, I think this was a mini-plateau I just had to wait out. In the meantime, there wasn't much I could do to change things; I just needed to keep living and eating healthfully. At any rate, I just wanted to share my happiness -- and encourage anyone else upset with slow loss or even a plateau of their own not to give up. Good luck to everyone! You can view my weight log at: http://www.ace-reporter.com/bariatric/log.pdf You can view my weight graph at: http://www.ace-reporter.com/bariatric/graph.pdf

I am so glad you pointed out what you started out at. I think,and I am very guilty of this, getting frustrated about losing slowly. We dont take the time to stop and consider what we started out as. I started at 258. Naturally I am going to lose slower than someone who started out over 400. Fact of the matter is, no matter how bad we hate it, our bodies are going to lose in their own time frame and their own way. I have come to the conclusion that no matter what we do, eat, drink, excercise......its going to come off when its the time for it to come off. yes we can help it along and aid it, but we can not MAKE IT come off any faster. I think the key to being successful is to enjoy each ounce that comes off and treat them as if they were 10 lbs. We will lose the weight and we will be successful......but as in all good things......it comes to those who wait! Patience guys.....we made it this far, what is one more step to being happy, healthy and gorgeous! I am the worlds worst pouter when it comes to my scales not moving, but ya know, the truth is, I would not have lost what I have on my own, by myself without all of ya'll or without this amazing tool that we have been given. Treat it with kid gloves, take care of it and treat it with respect, its the only thing that has worked for many of us so far and when we get frustrated and give up, its going to give up. Each ounce is a victory, each ounce is a milestone and each ounce is a miracle.WE are all doing great, we are LOSERS and you cant ask for more than that! Much love, hugs, peace and skinny thoughts! Carol 9-22-03 Lap Rny Dr. John Matthews, BMC Princeton, Birmingham, AL 258/191/110, on a wing and a prayer!

Evelyn, I am so sorry to hear all the post op problems that you had to experience! Hopefully that is all behind you now and you can really start enjoying the new you!!! Good luck!!!