Hi all, I had my surgery on 12/16/02 started at 273 and have been just under 200 off and on for the past 30 days. Honest, the scale simply does not move - I fluxuate between 198 and 201 and have since July 1st. I am getting SO frustrated! Don't get me wrong, I am very, very happy that I am rid of over 70 lbs - but my goal is to hit 160 if at all possible. I am 5'5" so I guess I should really weigh in at about 140 - but I would be very happy at 160, The nutritionist at my surgeon has suggested more exercise. I try to get to "It Figures" 3 times a week and will pump that up, but gads, folks - I am REALLY trying very hard at this and don't quite know where to go from here. My caloric consumption is minimal - I'd say no more than 800 calories a day. I stay away from carbs, drink a minimum of 64 oz. of water a day and still.... have not dropped a pound in 31 days. I'm wondering if protein is the answer - How much should I be consuming a day? I get mixed messages - don't drink the high calorie protien drinks, get 60 to 80 gms of protein a day, etc. etc. Meat is very difficult for me to eat and I'm not too crazy about any of the protein drinks/bars on the market. Is this my problem? If so, I guess I will force myself to eat/drink them. Both my internist and my nutritionist at the surgeons have indicated that I may be where I am going to end up. Then only thing that will take off any more weight is increased exercise. What do you all think? Any advise would be VERY much appreciated!! Thanks, everyone! - Jayne PS I am 60 years old and I'm thinking my age is really playing a big part in the slowdown of weight loss.

Hi Diane, I hear what you are saying about having an appeite at times. It scares me also. Some tell me drinking while eating can stretch the pouch but my doctors office says no. I wish I knew why it was possible at times to eat a normal meal it seems and some times its not. Maybe its the way we chew it, I don't know. If you get answers to this please let me know. I am happy to know that I am not the only one that experiences this. How is the weight loss going for you. I am almost 8 months and its not nearly as fast. I seemed to hit a plateau when I started the gym. That was depressing but I didn't give up. I do believe though, if consuming to many carbs can cause more eating cause they are empty calories. Try more proteins that seems to make a difference for me on the days I don't seem to eat as much. Good Luck. Mary from MI

I exercise at a gym and walk as much as possible. I feel absolutely wonderful and hope to reach my goal by my anniversary date, December 3, 2003.

It's been a little over seven months (Lap RNY 12-11-02, this post 7-26-03) for me, and I started at 243. I am now holding steady (TOO steady) at or right below 150. I hate plateaus, and I am afraid I've lost all I'm going to lose. Anybody else?

cONGRATULATIONS NADINE!!! mY NAME IS LESLIE AND i HAD MY SURGERY ON 12/23/02 AND i HAVE LOST 100 LBS AS OF JULY 5TH. fOR SOME REASON, i SEEM TO be messing up. i'm staring to crave the wrong foods, and I want to be by myself lately. I have a great, well wonderful husband of 7 years. He's totally blind, and just graduated form Purdue University with his Bachlor's Degree, but he can't find a job, and he didn't work enough to receive Social Security disability. He was receiving SSI, but they cut him off 2 months ago, because of my income. I'm the only one bringing in the money, and i'm real tired. I want to move and get my on apartment, but I know I will be talked about, and I'm sorry to hurt Darrell, but I'm not happy. I dream about having my own space. Before weight loss, I never wanted to deal with myself. i ran from relationshop to relationship, and this is my 5th marriage. Please don't laugh!!!! I could care less about a man now. I'm having the best time of my life. doing stuff I havn'et been able to do for 30 years. I am 50 years old, as of May 4th. pease respond when you can. I'm not askign you for advice, I just need someone to talk to. Leslie