Update your stats!!!!

Hi All! I know I don't come "home" much anymore and post but I really love to catch up even if I can't come back on a daily or weekly basis! I want to know where you all are in your journeys again! Time for an update! Some of you have already made goal or are close to it, but refresh me! Michele? How are you doing? I know you mentioned plastics soon. Patty? You are at goal now right? Brandi? You should be having surgery soon, right? I should be going back and checking these things out but I haven't. We need to hear from everyone who's reading....even if you don't have time to post on the boards (like me) on a regular basis, I really want to see how you all are doing! As for me, I'm surprised but I did lose 3 lbs last month. I fluctuate quite a bit up and down but still am seesawing down slowly. I am STILL above 200 though and hoping to see Onederland soon. I'm at 206 right now (-119 since surgery, -132 from my high) and know I really need to put some effort into it to get the rest of it off. I've become somewhat complacent lately. No one to blame but myself. Otherwise I am doing well. I am interested in seeking out plastics soon myself. If I could get to 185, I would be happy for long term. I would love to be 150, but honestly, I've only been that for a micromillisecond back when I was 14, so if I'm going to base my goal in reality, it would be closer to what I'm at now than anything. I am somewhat frightened with how much I can eat though. I can eat a 6 inch Subway sub (they go meager on meat and I go heavy on veggies). I was shocked at that but realize now that with that many veggies it is likely going through quickly. I can eat a huge salad. Anyway, I've found that some people around my time out can eat about the same amount while others still can only eat about half that. I learned from my local surgeon I established with that the type of surgery I had left the stretchy part of my stomach intact (the upper ball is intact whereas most surgeons cut straight down and eliminate that from the pouch). So I have to be careful. I never eat until I'm sick or hurting, so I know I'm not pushing my limits. Anyway, I have found that if I eat solild protein, I do get full quicker, so I really need to psych myself back into an Atkins style diet and get with the program. Anyone else having issues like this? Dina

Welcome home Dina! It's so nice that you care about us and our progress. I am not at goal, but not too far away. I am down to 165 (165 lost from surgery date - a year ago this month) with hopes like you of getting to 150. I guess it means I am officially half the woman I used to be! When I feel like there aint no more coming off, I tell myself that the apron of skin hanging around my stomach is surely worth 10 pounds right? That would put me REALLY at 155. And didn't someone say that our bone density is heavier from carrying so much weight around all those years, which is worth about 15 pounds. So that REALLY puts me at 140. I will grasp at anything to explain why I can't seem to make that final stretch. I get pretty panicky at how the scale doesn't move much anymore, but I have never experienced any weight gain - and it does continue to go down here and there. I have lost 9 pounds since spring break..those pounds here and there can suddenly be a whole new category (as in the 160s vs. the 170s.). You, my dear, are way past the century club! That's 19 more pounds than last I heard from you. I also read on the main board a post from a guy regarding ratio. I am really bad at math, but I think I got the point - and I do think it is an important one. A 2-3 pound loss at this point is equivalent to the 5-6 pound loss when we were higher up. It doesn't seem as victorious, but it actually is. And, isn't there a bit too much emphasis on numbers, anyway? Our joy need not be quantified to qualify as joy. I am always worried about how much I can eat. In addition to being the one that has not once thrown up, felt like throwing up, gotten anything feeling stuck in my chest, dumped (anything I forgot) I have also been able to eat what sounds like more quantity than my peers. It must be right for my body, because I have enjoyed great success. Still, I can't go with that - I have to fret and worry that I am eating too much. Especially now that I am out further, and can really eat so much more than I was eating. Couple that with the NORMAL slowing of weight loss, and I am convinced that I am not being "good". I work with those perceptions with my therapist, but I figure being on guard for failure is probably a good thing. I have come to realize that some of my "perfect" eating behavior this last year was because my appetite just wasn't there. Now I actually have to fight more with wanting more, or wanting things I just didn't want before. I find more carbs and sweets in my week than before, but again, compared to my past life - or even the life of most non-WLS people, it is O.K.! The fact that I am so aware and worried about six chocolate kisses, or a 1/2 cup of goldfishes, is all part of my altered lifestyle. I have yet to find anything I can't tolerate. I have probably tried just about everything, but I do not include fried foods or sweets as an option. I don't do any fast foods, but I do Mexican about once or twice a month. I can eat an ear of corn and a filet mignon steak. If I go out to eat, I can eat at least half of the dinner salad and the entire protien portion of the entree with a dab of the side dish. Probably once a month I eat an entire piece of pizza (with the crust) and maybe part of a second one. I get really worried that I make a turkey sandwich using a whole Noah's bagel and eat it all. I used to eat half, but now after half I am still hungry and eat the other half. Is this stuff too much? I never feel sick or in discomfort. On the other hand - just because I can eat it, does that mean I should? Between the above types of eating, my most all the time behavior is light small meals. Sometimes I will eat small and light for days. Other times I seem to be really hungry for a couple of days. This is all part of this scary "after the honeymoon" phase. I think it is understandable that we are so scared of failing after how far we have come. It is great to hear from others on how they are doing at various stages of the process. I am incredibly happy with my new life. I feel healthy and in control. I have posted an updated picture on my profile. Haven't figured out how to get it on the little box that shows up with my posts yet. Good luck on that next six pounds! Patty

Your soo sweet! I just had my consult with Dr. Patterson on the 21st. I am currently playing the waiting game for insurance approval now. I am scared to find out the answer. I keep thinking that I have hope now, I am so sure I will get approved, but what if I don't? So I am not going to call, I just can't handle it, the thought of calling and them saying "no, fatso" It's too much! You are such an inspiration to me! Brandi

It's great to hear from you! You're sorely missed on the board! My loss it basically at a standstill. Ugh! My body has still done some changing but if I only look at the scale, it's not moving. I'm stuck at 203 so my post-op loss is 112 and loss from my high weight is 240lbs. My weight goal is 150, but my goal for PS is 170 as recommended by the PS's I've spoken to. Figuring I'll lose 10-20 lbs of skin. As for eating...it comes and goes. I've been really struggling with getting my protein and water in. Eating some very evil carbs...stress related! I need to get myself back on track. I have upped my workouts and making sure I get in 3 times per week and I'm feeling better with it and enjoying it. So, yes, I'm with you dear girl....gotta get back to an Atkins frame of mind! We're going to Vegas next month so I bought a new swimsuit. A tankini in a size 14. I'm currently wearing 14/16 depending on the style of clothing. Thank goodness I have a nice black sarong to wear over my Sharpei legs! Ugh! And I'm stressing over baring my arms in a tank top, but dang it gets warm down there so I'll just "bear with it" and "bare it", lol. Michele

hey everyone im checking in, you guys probobly dont remember me, its been a while. my name is marla c ive been working on trying to get approvel the last 2 yrs.. in a nutshell ive been denied twice,the last denial was because none of my providers all my life never documented my weight issues, diet pills, and diets and currently am on another supervised 6 month diet... august will be the 6th month, wish me luck. glad to see everyone one is progressing,Its awesome talk soon.... mc ps... Brandi i read past notes on this website, im praying for u youve been through alot too..

Hi Dina, et. al.! I'm kind of computer illiterate but I want to post my monthly pictures and provide a link on my profile. Is this easy to do? I've been re-born as far as staying on a good diet! I guess after finally seeing the scales budge it inspired me to do better. My weight loss is at 79 pounds now. On May 10th it will be 6 months since surgery. Kathleen

Hi Dina.. I have today lost 125 since my surgery august 31st.. I am riding my bike and walking everywhere... could not have done that last year.. I also can eat far more than I thought I could .... but it seems to be about the same as you.. does anyone else have problems with their actual weight and their head weight.. I still think like I am huge.. reach for the larger sizes in clothes.. and they all fall off... in fact I am running out of clothes.. I miss every one and feel bad that I have been absent.. but I have been busy with school.. going to graduate on June 11th.... which is something that I have been working hard at.. I need to update my picture.. I do not look the same... but I do not know how to do that.. Help someone please..