Updates...Progress Reports...

1. Stats: top weight-360+/ pre-op 325/current 258/ goal 160ish 2. I am still waiting to find out. Hopefully something I get to chew. 3. Had lots of downs to begin with, bile peritonitis complication and a stricture that had to be fixed twice. I finally got "graduated" to pureed foods. It amazes me that so many people that had their surgery long after me are eating real foods. I haven't been able to even think about fruit, veggies, meats or WOW pizza! The weight has been coming off slowly I believe because my body said "you aren't giving me anything more than diet jello -so I am not letting anything else go". the ups would have to be that in September I discovered a swim class that I love. After I finally got some strength back, I am back in the water and loving every minute of it. 4. This is almost too weird to admit, but I found myself watching the food channel. I NEVER watched it before surgery. What is wrong with this picture? I finally decided that it was my strange way of mourning the loss of food. It feels like I have been on liquids for months, oh yeh I basically have been. I am anxious and a little nervous to start real food which should be next week.

The Food Network is ok. I live on it. For me it is not about the food. I love to cook. I try to learn every thing that they do. I never get hungry watching it. It is like cooking classes to me

All, After reading your wonderful progress reports I didn't want to post my update: 1. What are your stats? Pre-op/Current/Goal 314/260/180 2. What is your favorite food(s) now? Wheat thins , Salmon salad, red beans/rice, low fat yogurt, peanut butter crackers and mashed potatoes with gravy. 3. Any ups and downs you would like to share? Ups: I'm off inisulin, heart and HB medication. I'm able to exercise and am going to a physical therapist. I'm moving so much faster. I'm in a size I haven't seen in 19 years. I feel great with the exception of muscle aches. Downs: I can sometimes eat as much as I want without getting full. Therefore, I eat until I want to I had some tough periods emotionally and finally realized that I can't eat my way out of them. I prayed a lot, talked to friends and put away the wheat thins. 4. Anything else you would like to share....I actually gained a couple lbs and stalled for 2 weeks. I had stopped writting down what I consumed because I was emotional eating. I spoke to some who have lost 70-80lbs in the same tiimeframe (about 3 months) and realized that they are fanatics about keepiing track of their intake by using either fitday.com or calorieking.com. I'm going back to my journal and am looking into downloading sometype of program into my Palm. I am now going to two WLS support gooups. I'm finally losing weight again and realized that even when I was stalled the inches were still coming off. Chauncine

You better be careful. You said it took hours to eat that muffin. So just maybe not enough sugar was gettin into your blood stream at any given time.

Oh, I'm also 5'10" and for the first time in my lifetime it's a blessing. I have no idea what I will be wearing at goal weight. The updated photo is from my new work ID. Take care and thanks for listening, Chauncine

1. What are your stats? Pre-op/Current/Goal 240/198/140ish (I am 5'4") 2. What is your favorite food(s) now? Club crackers, power crunch bars, shrimp, tuna 3. Any ups and downs you would like to share? UPs-I am diabetic and my A1C has dropped 3.1 points since my surgery! I am at 8.2 this month and prior I had not been below 10 in over eight years. -Having to get rid of clothes is a therapy of sorts. As I shed the pounds, shedding the closet seems a finality of acceptance. Downs- Energy level is sporadic. I have GREAT days and I have some that make me time my steps to save some! LOL I am back to work (at nine days post op) at 50 plus hours....I just don't have much left over. 4. Anything else you would like to share.... Using like-minded forums like this web site and support groups keeps me focused on taking care of myself. I have learned to put my health first on my priority list. A new concept for this old gal! Vicky

1. What are your stats? Pre-op/Current/Goal 263/218/138 2. What is your favorite food(s) now? Yogurt, cheese sticks, almonds, and watermelon. 3. Any ups and downs you would like to share? Ups - I can finally see the difference and my clothes are undeniably loose. No one else has mentioned it though... not a peep. I finally feel somewhat normal again and eating is getting easier. Downs - I had an ulcer and it caused problems with eating/drinking. I am always dehyrdated, but I'm working on it. I also have no energy - zip, zilch, nada! 4. Anything else you would like to share.... I am finally feeling happy with my decision to have this surgery. The head hunger is gone and it no longer bothers me to watch people eat. I have taken nibbles of what I thought I missed and it tastes yucky now. So, it is really easy to not be tempted. I actually crave fresh fruit, it is so refreshing. Now, if only I didn't try a diet soda... that one I will have to kick to the curb....

1. What are your stats? Pre-op/Current/Goal Size: Pre 32 /current 26-28 /Goal 18 Ht 5'10 383/320/between 185-215--my body and I will know it when we get there---notice not IF we get there---WHEN!!! 2. What is your favorite food(s) now? Anything that tastes good and stays down. I am craving my Daddy's meatloaf, I haven't had beef yet ( 10 weeks post op) 3. Any ups and downs you would like to share? I had to have repair surgery 10 days post op---I sprung a leak!!! That also made me develop peritonitis and ketosis---I was ONE sick puppy for almost a month---but I am WELL now---working full time, partying hard LOL yeah right and dating a doctor--now how about THEM apples?!?! 4. Anything else you would like to share.... I woke up today with literally NOTHING to wear to work. All the stuff that fit was in the laundry baskets----alll the clean stuff is TOO FREAKING BIG---my new nick name from my co-teachers "Miss Droopy Drawers" I DUG through the closet and found a 5 yr old outfit---OMG It fit--its actually a bit too big. just a BIT NO dumping at all for me. Is that lucky? or UNlucky? LOL Breads dont like me---they dont cause dumping, but they just dont sit well. I ate a handful of popcorn at the movies last weekend---talk about bliss!!!

Hi JaNae and everyone! 1. What are your stats? Post: 274/Current: 220/Goal: 135 2. What is your favorite food(s) now?: HA! I still tend to go for the refried beans/mexican food, split pea soup, orange roughy fish, AdvantEdge protein bars, and my Isopure Protein shakes. Getting filled up quickly and not eating enough, but tons of energy 3. Any ups and downs you would like to share? Negatives: Sometimes want to eat more, PMS, hunger before period, water weight before period, sometimes finish a protein bar and feel nautious b/c it was too much to eat, not losing stomach fast enough, flab in stomach and under arms. Positives: Scars disappearing, eating a little more, no vomiting, little nausea, people noticing, face is pretty again, legs look great, exercising more (more energy), working out with weights now, my son is getting more into exercise, I am healing....I am positive 4. Anything else you would like to share.... Not a whole lot. Not living up to my potential as usual, but that will change. I have to keep in mind that I have been doing this for 10 years now and I am in the healing process. I want to take advantage of this 6 month post-op period big time. You lose the most during this time and I want to do everything I can to encourage this. Working out helps, weights really help. Mind healing along with body, still issues are becoming in the forefront as I lose the weight...interesting.... Hope all of you are doing well... Shannon

1. What are your stats? Pre-op/Current/Goal: 269/229.5/? 2. What is your favorite food(s) now? Just the Cheese cheese snacks- lots of protein! 3. Any ups and downs you would like to share? ups- seeing the lbs melt away.. Downs - water gain! 4. Anything else you would like to share.... I'm trying to be patient and live my life and not miss it while I'm watching the scale!