hi, i had my 6 month checkup this week (a little late). everything good. my surgeon doesn't take 6 month bloodwork but i also had an appt with my pcp the next day and she took bloodwork so i'll wait and see about my iron & b12. i am down exactly 100 #s from my surgery date to the checkup date (my scale said a bit more, oh well!). that's 110 #s from my highest weight. she said is was doing great and ahead of where the average is at my starting weight (300 - 400 #s averages 60 - 80 #'s down in 1st 6 months). so that felt great. scars healing well, my swallowing issues have vanished. between my surgeon and my pcp the tips i was told are: increase water use on days i use coffee (i started back on some caffeine because of constipation) stay shooting for 60 grams of protein and 64 oz liquid daily check into viactiv chewables that now come in multivitamin - my pcp thinks the chewables are better for absorbtion they were back & forth about what i could take for my arthritis and my back pain that's resurfaced since i've been exercising/moving/doing more -it is settled on a low dose of celebrex occasionally plus back to physical therapy for ultrasound/massage/stretching/exercising quads & back i'm thrilled that i'm now off my blood pressure meds (i have a benign kidney tumor that keeps it a little bit higher) that's the highlights. oh - brittle/splitting nails and dry skin - the surgeon said that's to be expected until around 9 months. it's from the rapid weight loss. susan

Manda, Are you having any pain? When I had my ulcers, if my pouch was empty,I hurt. After I ate, the pain would subside. It made it to where I wanted to eat all the time. I didn't, I called the doc instead who put me on ulcer meds. If not, are you still drinking protein supplements? Protein helps fill you up. Try going back on them. Myself, I would avoid bread and pizza crusts...lots of calories & carbs for so few grams of protein. Breads will also swell in the pouch (stretching it). Try eating 2 oz of protein and 1-2 oz of vegetable, starch, or fruit to make 5 oz per meal. The dietician also has me on a 2-3 oz snack as well (which I usually have cheese for more protein). A very wise woman on another site, who had RNY over 5 years ago made the statement that if you want to lose weight, increase your PEW...Protein-Exercise-Water. Good luck! Sherri

I found I was able to eat more than before for the last week. I went back and looked at the basic rules and I was drinking water with my food. I went back to not drinking 30 min before, during or 30 min after my meals and my 'fullness level' returned and it also kickstarted my weight loss again. Hopefully this helps. Kell

We had surgery on the same day, but I have had no complications and am down 106 pounds...so we're right in the same neighborhood there. I am sorry to hear of the problems you've experienced and hope that this revision gets you feeling just fine with no further problems. The best to you!

Like you I was considered a lite weight, I was 288.5 on the day of my surgery and at my last appointment with my surgeon I was 218, that was on 3/3. I am also happy with the lost, and just like you recently got into a size 14 . I think you are doing fine, our bodies know how much we need to lose, so just go with the flow. And remember as women we can't escape the monthly water gain whish impacts our loss. Keep up the good work