Jan.10. 2004, It has been along time since I have updated my profile. There were reasons I have not done so. I was one of the few people that had complications. I was depressed for quite a while. I couldn't have anything by mouth for 2 and 1/2 months. I just didn't feel like posting anything or even getting on the computer. It all started with my original surgery. I remember waking up and seeing my kids, and motioning to them that I was ok, then all of a sudden I was losing all control. I could hear people calling my name but I couldn,t move or respond. I was rushed back to the Operating room and opened up. My new little pouch had developed a bleed. I woke up next in ICU,every thing is such a blur of the days I spent in the first hospital. I know I was having problems with my kidneys. I was in renal failure. I was given a total of 14 units of blood during this time. My kids were very worried about me. They had enough to contend with. Their father died of Pancretic cancer the very day of my surgery. Well my kidneys starting working again, the kids were in and out checking the bag of urine and celebrating when it started to fill up fast. I had my third surgery to repair the leak I had in my pouch on the 4th day after the original surgery. It didn,t work. I spent almost a week in ICU. I was put on IV feedings and moved to the surgercal floor. I developed a infection somewhere and was running a temp. My Surgeon was very worried about me and consulted another surgeon at a teaching hospital in Chicago. I was then transfered to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and Dr Alexander Nagel took over my care. I was giving antibiotics and feedings and was there until Oct 1, when I was finally sent home, with a picc line and IV feedings at night while I slept. I was sent home with the warning of not eating ar drinking anything, " It could be life threating" I went 2 and 1/2 months with out any problems. Then as I was feeling stronger and not sleeping or resting all day, I decided it was time to start cooking for my daughter and grand daughter again( I live with them. I did ok for a few days and then Thanksgiving came around and guess who wanted to do the family dinner. It was me. I started taking little bites of anything that looked and smelt good. At first I would not swallow, I would chew and spit out the food.(just to get the taste). By 2 weeks after thanksgiving I was swallowing my food. I was doing this without the consent of my Dr. I wasn't getting sick in fact I felt better than I had in a long time. I know I had to get off the Picc line and IV feedings. The next appointment with the Dr. I confessed as to what I was doing. He was shocked at first, but he asked how I was feeling, and then said that as long as I felt ok that I must be healed. We then scheduled a swallow test and it came out good. So I have been eating legally since that time. My weight loss has been slow though. I started out at 317 on the day of surgery(Sept 12) and when I left the hospital I weighed 301. I have gradually went down to 263. It seems that I stay on one weight for a week or two and then suddenly drop 4 or 5 pounds at one time. I am goint to up my protein and liquids to see if that helps

Your right this is exciting but it is also terribly frustrating when your scales simply go on strike and wont move. Mine stay stuck constantly unless they are going up 2 lbs! I lose 3 gain 2, lose 2 gain 1. Its a vicious cycle. My inches are coming off slowly as well but steadily coming off. I am down 64 lbs since 9/22/03. But I havent lost an ounce in 3 wks. I have been the queen of plateaus. Any suggestions on how to kick that habit please let me know! hugs to you all and keep up the good work, us slow losers have to stick together guys!

Hello All, I had surgery Sept. 15th and have lost 59 lbs. yes just like all others weight stays the same for weeks on end, then boom, 5 lbs. or so lost almost overnight.... I love clothes falling off, that means inches coming down when weight is not....I love all the compliments!!! This weight loss journey is so exciting....

Hi R.Clark just hang in there you will get to where you want to be it did'nt take over night for us to get to this point in our lives so it will take us a while just keep the faith. I had my surgery 9/29/03 begining weight for me was 453 so far i have lost 82 lbs as of the 16th of December. you will have the success you want . be blessed [email protected]

Hey guys! I also had my surgery 9-22-03 and I am down 62lbs since surgery. I too wonder just what in Sam Hill I am doing wrong? I know being a lightweight that we lose slower but heck it seems that my weight fluctuates between 197 & 202 all the time. I seem to be stuck right there and it wont go anywhere? I have had the worst time with plateaus since surgery. My starting weight was 258. I excercise, walking 2-3 miles daily and I eat low carb, high protein. I get plenty liquids and take my vitamins religiously. I dont eat potatoes, rice, pasta or bread and I stay way away from sugar. So what am I doing wrong? I dont over eat, actually I eat way to little if truth me known. I get my calories from cheese, eggs, chicken and turkey bacon. I eat nuts for added protien. Any tips from other lightweighters? Or anyone for that matter! Authur, from what I hear when our bodies get to the size they need to be to live, our loss will stop. I have also heard that your weight loss will slow and stop when it becomes to the point that it needs to be. Congrats on your amazing loss! You have done wonderful and I am proud of you! Time to get those before and after pics up hon! You have made it to the century club!