Intro & Questions for you all

Hello all! I am sure glad I found this board. It will be helpful to call upon people who are at the same place I am in this weight loss journey. I started at 315 and now weigh 250, have gone from a 26 jean and 3X top to a 20 jean and X-large top. What a wonderful feeling. I asked my doctor if this is the "norm" for someone who is 4 months out and he seemed to think I was about average. **I would really appreciate it if you all would mind giving me your stats.... weights (if too personal... that's fine), sizes or just plain total loss? **I also have just started losing hair (about 2 weeks ago) I'm wondering if anyone knows how long that normally lasts? **One more thing...Isn't it an amazing feeling to be satisfied on such a small amount of food!!! I just love the small appetite that I now have and it's like I keep saying to myself..." so THIS is the "normal" way I should have been eating all these years!" (maybe a little "under" normal...but you get my drift) Anxious to hear from you. Shirlene

Hi Shirlene, I just recently found this board also. It sure makes me sane when I find people who are doing the same as me. When I read on the main board how great some people are doing, I feel like I am failing, but when I do some research, I find I am doing just fine. I Had my surgery Oct. 1st and have lost 69 ponds as of today. In which I am so thrilled about. I started at 260 and today I weighed 191. I have also lost alot of inches. I went from a 24 -26 to an 18 now. I have been losing hair just before my 3 month post op. My hair is really thick, so that does not bother me. It is still coming out and hopefully will cease to fall out soon. Take care, Janice

Hi Shirlene I have lost 62 lbs from my surgery (October 18. 2004). Day of surgery I weighed 282 lbs but when I went into surgery I had already lost 22 additional lbs to qualify for the surgery. So I weighed 304 lbs when I started this. It seems to me that all post-ops feel that they are losing too slow. A month ago I met two women who were both 1 year post-op. One had lost 75 lbs and felt she had lost VERY slowly. The other had lost 150 lbs in the same time and felt that she should indeed have lost a lot more. I guess it's all a matter of perspective. I try not to compare my weight loss to other people's but rather to compare it to how fast (or slow) I have lost in the past. It took me 6 months to lose the required 22 lbs to qualify for the surgery. And I didn't work any less on it then than I am working now. I guess that we need patience and to let our bodies catch up. I didn't gain all this weight in 4 months and I shouldn't expect to lose it in that time. I have been viewing some profiles and it looks as most people are average losers. Good luck to you all Kolla Before pre-op diet -> 304 Day of surgery -> 282 Today -> 220 Goal -> 135

Hi!!! Before surgery I was over 330, on the day of surgery (Oct 18) I was 310. I am now 220!! I went from a size 32 to a size 18! I still can't really believe it as I am typing it. A big thumbs up for all of us!!!!! Way to go everyone. Shawnde

Hi there, sounds like your doing great. This new life is a lot to get use to, but the weight loss is so great that we all can be proud of ourselves. I started out heavier than you, so I have lost a little faster. I am told that is what happens. I see it as we never could have come this far without the surgery so every pound and inch lost is a celebration in its own way. :party. I have not lost any hair, or had to many other problems, thankfully. pre-op-357 day of surg.-333 4 months today-255 pre-op size- 28 and 3x's today- 18-20 and xl's I have never felt better than I do now. I love to hear how everyone is doing so well. We should all be so PROUD of ourselves :thumbsup.

Wow sounds like everyone is doing better than me! I was 278 day of durgery and have lost 50 pounds and gone from a tight 26 to a 24. I have lost 6 to 7 inches from waist and 5 inches from hips. I was hoping to be ALOT farther by now but I guess I am a slow loser and need to be patient. So hard to do though!

Welcome! Hi! Surgery date Oct 14, 04, weighed 310lbs when I started my journey about a year ago. Lost 34lbs before surgery, weighed 276 lbs day of surgery and have lost 68 lbs since surgery. As of today date, I have lost 102lbs, now weight 208. Gone from a size 26X to an 18. I too am losing a little of my hair. Having problems getting protein down. Still working out a solution, will let you know when I find one that better than protein drinks and bars, can't keep them down. As for eating have to remind myself to eat 6 small meals a day. Some days I average 3 to 6. This surgery was the best thing I had happen. Be sure you keep exercising and stay away from sodas & carbonated drinks (the carbonation will stretch your pouch) and sugar. Good luck on your journey!

Hi October buddies! I was 294 on surgery day, I'm 223 now. I've gone from size 3x/26 to size 16. (It helps to be tall!) My weight loss has definitely slowed down and I haven't lost anything in 2 weeks. My hair is falling out - it started about a month ago. No bald patches yet! It's so hard not to compare to other people. One of the people on the Michigan board lost 167 in 6 months and is already at goal. I'm just happy to know that what I've lost isn't coming back and that I know I will continue to lose. I've had no complications from the surgery and when I get off track, I'm back on program within a day or two. When I used to diet in the old days, I'd have a bad day and spiral off into not just quitting the diet but gaining everything back rapidly. It's wonderful not to have to fight myself like that anymore. I'm still drinking protein shakes for breakfast every day, taking all my vitamins and drinking lots of water. I just have to get into a routine about exercise. Be well! Karen

Hi, I'm an Octoberite also! Before surgery I weighed 295lbs, on the day of my surgery I was 283lbs, and as of last Friday at my doctor's office I was 216lbs. I went from a 26/28 to an 18 or 16 depending upon the clothing. My hair has also been disappearing probably since the 2nd month....unfortunately I have thinner hair to begin with though the frizziness does tend to hide so of the loss. I think that it is a relatively fair trade for the upgrade in my life though. My weight loss has definately slowed down now, which is some what worrisome (despite all the encouragement from the doctors and dieticans that this is normal). When you have been fat all your life it is hard not to see every bump in the road as: "OH NO I"M GAINING IT ALL BACK!!!". I'm trying though.... It is so nice to read all of the postings. It gives me a boost.

Hi Shirlene! I had my surgery Oct. 6th and I weighed 340 before surgery. I now weigh 248. 4 1/2 months out. I was a size 26/28 jeans and a 4x shirt. I now wear a size 20 jeans and XL shirt. I have lost 92 pounds. You will do fine just give yourself sometime. I am dissapointed with myself too because I want to lose more. I am at a plateau right now! Congrats on your weight loss and keep up the good work!