6th Month Status ( How Is Everyone )

Hi Barb, I am so happy for you,you are doing everything so right. I am now officially passed my 6 month mark, total loss since surgery of 57 lbs. I think I might be the slowest loser from our group, but I also started out pretty light. I think I am doing everything pretty right, but the last month (and from the looks of it, t his month too) I am very slow with the weight loss. Despite leading a fairly active life, walking 4-5x a week and going up 5 flights of stairs the other two days of the week. It's frustrating, and I'm tempted to go back a little to phase 2 to see if that helps. Nonetheless, I am so thrilled with losing close to 60lbs. I just would hate to get to the 12 month mark and only be down 75 lbs or something like that. My doctor gave me a goal weight of 140. At 5'2 that is still considered overweight. I want to be (and feel) normal, so my real goal is 120, but that may be totally unrealistic. Still, that's only 40lbs away. Maybe I'll do it. I am just afraid I've lost the benefits of my tool too early. It truly is a lifestyle change, and I'll struggle wtih this for the rest of my life, but this surgery was a kick in the ass that I needed. God bless, amy

6 months, wow time flies when you're having fun doesn't it? I to found I was just existing, taking up space but now I have so much energy I can actually out do the kids I started out at 375 and as of last week I am down to 251, I am happier than I have been in a long time, I exercise 3 days a week and walk every day and getting ready to join the local Y for some water action. I often sit and think about what if I had not had this surgery would I be here today? would I be able to enjoy my time with my grandson like I do and look forward to the new one that is on it's way? For anyone looking into this surgery, research it like crazy ,educate yourself and know that is a major step but one you will not regret.

Hi Barb, it's always so inspiring to read your posts!! You are so postitive and such a good example to all of us. An hour of exercise five times a week. Girlfriend, you are hot!! I need to step it up, I can see that. Give me some ideas of what you have to eat, your menus. I am stuck on cheese and triscuits!! I don't venture out too much in the different foods. I do at least two protein shakes a day, and sometimes three. I enjoy them! I love the nectar tea. As of today I weigh 190 down from 289! One more pound to the 100 pound mark. I am wearing size 14s and in some of them I can even sit down, walk, and zip them up!! Seriously I do have some that fit, but mostly 16s. I am so excited. I never in my wildest dreams thought that would happen.\ I too have long nails (thank you Tina my nail person who sees that I get them every two weeks!!), and so far, knock on wood, I haven't lost any hair yet!! That's a surprise. I swear by Biotin though. My breasts, as well as my bum, my stomach, thighs, and the rest of me, all look like a Shar Pei pup. Cute and wrinkley. I have a friend who just came back from seven weeks in Brazil for a complete (including new veneers on her teeth) makeover for about 25K whi*****luded airfare and hotel. I can see cashing in my 40ls1! Well I hope you have a nice day. It is cold -- again -- in Virginia. I was hoping Spring was finally here. Oh, and I'm getting rid of all my 3Xs at consignment. But it's a funny thing -- does anyone else feel like this? I hate to part with some of my clothes. Other than the fact that I just like them, I feel more 'me' in them. Sometimes in my new clothes I don't feel like 'me'. Everything has changed so much I guess I want to at least keep some of me, and that for now is some 3X tops!! Yes I swim in them, but I stay home a lot so who cares!! love donna

Hi everyone, I have never been on this forum before but it looks like I need to join in. How cool is it to have a group of people to keep in touch with who are in the exact same stage as me? As for me this 6 months has gone by so fast I can't believe it. Definately the best thing I ever did for myself. I am currently doing 1 protein drink a day with 33g in it, I just started this about 2wks ago and it is really helping me get in my protein. I am required 55-65g per day but have been aiming to get 70g minimum. As of this morning I am down to 184 from 265, sounds like some of us started at close weights too which is neat. Wowee to those who have lost 100 or close to it, that is amazing. I have been a slow loser all along and it has been very frustrating the last month and a half. Last month I only lost 5lbs but it is coming off. I usually go to Curves 3 or 4 times a week, that was all the exercise I was getting. I just bought a treadmill and am trying to add 5 days a week of walking at least 30 minutes to my Curves routine. I really help it will help speed things up. I am down to a size 16 now from a 26/28. I can't wait to get to a 14, I have not been that size in over 7yrs. I can even wear some large shirts, it is amazing the difference that can take place in 6 months. You are all doing wonderful!! I will continue to check back with you, it is fun to see how everyone is doing!

I love roast.... I eat what the family eats. I do no fry food. We steam it or oven cook it. Always low fat butter. Meat first. I eat alot of soup and eat salad alot. I do not eat bread or pasta anymore.I love yougart. And I eat around 14 triscuits a day. 7 each snack, Those are my snacks with cheese. I do not drink milk. I need to. I drink alot of deit tea. I Love cooked carats also. And if I dont excercise the scales move slow. I take The weekends off. By monday I feel blown up. I love to swim. I need to start going to the Base gym to swim. I got rid of all my big clothes. In my new clothes I feel big. But I am not big and need to love the new me. That needs worked on... I wish I did this 10 years ago.... But I am so glad I did this Hugs Barb

Barb - you little hottie you! You look fantastic! Congratulations on your success, health & happiness! Let's see, six months out - I have had a hellacious six months, but completely unrelated to surgery. My dad passed away in November which was very unexpected, then I ended up travelling about 30k miles since September, assisting a friend with her WLS in December, moving cross-country, getting a new job, and keeping busy with packing both my household & my dad's. I am only now finally starting to feel settled again. I have been very lucky that my recovery has been a piece of cake - I've lost about 75lbs since surgery, and have 60-70 to go. My work has a corporate deal with a gym just down the street so I can get a membership for only $24/month. My weight loss tends to stair-step....I lose about 20 lbs, then plateau, lose 20 more lbs and plateau. Lather, rinse, repeat. My three month labs were near-perfect, and I won't know my 6 month labs until April 3rd. Other than that, most people I work with have no idea that I've had surgery - I don't seem any different than them when it comes to eating or bathroom habits, which I'm happy about. A life closing in on normal. That's what I wanted. --BT

HIJACK***************BT YOU LOOK GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have a FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How beautiful you look! I don't see how your co-workers would NOT notice. I haven't seen you on the board in so long...I think since you had surgery... Tanya L 358/264/185

Thank you! These are my new co-workers - they didn't know me pre-op. And yeah, my board time has been severely lacking, so I've only been posting on one forum when I had the chance. Now that I'm settling in again, I should be able to participate again. I've missed talking with you all. --BT

Thank You everyone. You all look great... BT I love you pic. you look beautiful. I love you hair short. Your doing great. Take Care Everyone Congrats on your 6th month

Just realized today is my 6 month anniversary. You have all inspired me to do a honest review. I started out at 409 and am now down to 288.2. So 120 weight loss. I have noticed that I tend to plateu at levels I was before. Breaking the 300 lb mark took time, but was exciting to me. Getting down to 280 is taking longer than I expected from 300. I want to get there by April 11th, my birthday and that was were I was 20 years ago when I graduated from college! I am eating fairly well. I do not get dumping syndrome really, but am very careful on eating sugar--I do eat some sweets though. I get in my protein. About three months ago started some EAS Coffee drinks for quick breakfasts on those crazy mornings or when I need a treat in the morning. They help tremendously in getting in protein. I can find stuff to eat out when I go out with friends at most restraunts, which is nice. I never finish anything there. Exercise is my bugaboo! I don't do it often enough or with consistancy. I need to make it more of a priority. I do move around much more naturally than I did before. So walking more, cleaning more, getting out and shopping or just enjoying life more. Saw my primary doc for the first time two weeks ago. He was amazed at the loss and how well I am doing. My blood pressure was well within normal, probably the first time since I was 12 that it was not borderline. Did the check up labs a week and half ago. No return phone calls, so they must all be normal. Had a cholesterol check at work and got 137, but very low HDL-exercise will help with that. I had high trigycerides too, but again since my first blood test 20 years ago I have had those, lower than before the surgery. I am easily saying this is the best thing I have done for myself. I feel like I have gotten back my life again. I am dating, I am going to places that made me uncomfortable before, I am getting out and enjoying life. I am planning a trip to Hawaii this fall and even seriously thinking of backpacking down to secluded beach and camping there for a few days. What a difference the loss of weight and being able to move makes. It is funny I realize that I am still overweight for people who are seeing me the first time, but for my friends, co-workers, and acquaintances, as well as myself I seem slim. Life is good., God Bless you all.