Hi Stacy. Thanks for the kind words. You better be pproud of the 55+ lbs you've lost! That is a great start for 3 months. Yes, I can tell just looking at myself that I've lost a lot of weight. I wish more of it had come from around my stomach, but I'll take what I can get! When I was at your loss, I could not 'see' it as much either. The next 30 lbs showed up big time visually and with clothes. About 10 days ago I had to donate nearly everything in my closet to Salvation Army. I was down to wearing 6-7 year old stuff that had been in the every back. After the SA drop-off, I bought *just enough* clothes to get me through a couple of months. By then, the stuff I bought won't fit either (I hope). Hard to ignore the changes when you spend a few hundred bucks on a **temporary** wardrobe! Know what I mean? You hit on something key with the image problem question you raise. Most of us have severe self image and self esteem issues. Mike

I had no clue either. I am having my surgery April Fools day.

Wow!!! You have done an awsome job!!!! Can you really tell the difference looking at yourself? I can't tell much by looking at myself. I feel different, my clothes are looser, and people who haven't seen me in a few months are so surprised when they see me. I get on every scale I see, b/c I feel like maybe mine is wrong. hahahaha. I am proud of myself though. I was just wondering if other people have the same self image problems. But, honestly you look fabulous! Keep up the great work! Stacy

I am down 60 pounds.

Hi Renee, I'm sorry that you're struggling. I scanned through your profile and see that you've dwelling in a negative place emotionally and physically since your surgery. I'll guess that your change of medical insurance coverage is what leaves you without support from your medical/surgical team. It also sounds like your program didn't include nutritional counseling and support to begin with. If my assumptions are correct (they may not be) this is all too bad, because it set you up for the problems that you are having... Here is my blunt advice: 1. Take charge of your eating and simplify your diet if you started eating anything like your pre--surgery days. Stick to the basics and focus on the requirements, everything else goes until you are on track. If you don't achieve this level of control, you will be in trouble. Period. Your rearranged anatomy is a TOOL, not a magic bullet. You use that tool by making better food choices and letting you small pouch help control your hunger and limit the volume that you eat. Rock the tool Renee. Own it, don't try to circumvent it. 2. The basics mean 60+ grams of protein a day (roughly 9 oz of cooked meat, fish, seafood, chicken, turkey, etc.). Weigh it!! so you know how much you are actually eating. I eat 3 oz of cooked meat/fish each meal. I eat 3 sometimes 4 times per day. Some days I can't eat as much as others. I don't make myself sick, but I do have to work at it some days to eat as much as possible. 2A. Chew, chew chew, and eat slowly! This is part of my challenge. I can eat more and feel better when I take my damn time chewing thoroughly and eating slow. Those 3 oz of meat might take you 30 min to eat, and that would be just great!. 3. Drink the damn water and stop telling yourself that it's too hard. You are bull****ting yourself. Just measure out the water each and every day and stop making an issue of it. Just sip it ALL OF THE TIME until it becomes habit. 4. Get the carbs out of your diet until you are near your goal. Again, don't bull**** yourself that you can eat bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, and cereals (hot and cold). Just don't fool yourself about this. If you are eating them, stop today and life will get better IMMEDIATELY. It will b easier to eat your protein and drink the water. I promise. 5. Eat low carb veggies. broccoli, celery, brussels, lettuce (all kinds) green beans, asparagus, cauliflower, etc. etc. etc. Hit atkis.com for a great list of low-carb veggies. 6. Eat fruit as a dessert, but be careful how much because the carbs (the natural sugars) in the fruit can slow down your weight loss. But do eat some fruit, just don't over-do it. 7. Don't each any other sugar even if you can tolerate it. Again, don't bull**** yourself that you can have sugar in your iced tea and it will be OK. It won't. 8. Don't worry about 'breakfast' foods, just get your protein in. I eat largely the same stuff for breakfast as any other meal. I have salmon or scrambled eggs or chicken. Today I had lamb leftover from easter dinner. Make breakfast just another meal and stay away from carbs. 9. I cycle through the protein sources constantly. I'll broil shrimp today 9and eat it over 2 or meals), I'll poach a small salmon fillet and have that for 2 or 3 meals. I'll grill some chicken thighs, enough for 2-3 meals. The secret for me is to cook small quantities, but still enough to always have some cooked food in the fridge that I can pull out and take to work for lunch or whatever. Cook small quantities so you don't get bored eating the same thing for days on end. Mix it up. 10. If you local supermarket has a decent salad bar, hit that for lunches and/or dinners. Remember, some veg, but get the protein (egg, cott cheese, cheese, chick, tuna, whatever they offer) but stay away from any sugared items or carbs (croutons) !!! ---------------------- I didn't mean to offend by my bluntness, but I am very much trying to make a point about YOU owning your post-op life, and not letting all of the BAGGAGE that we all carry own you. Don't look back. Make the changes you need to make and focus on the day to day. Does any of this help? Tell me. Mike