Hi Heather! Are you getting your water in? I think that is really important. Also your protein. I've noticed that I'll hold at a weight for a week or so and then the scale will move again. I do think it's important to drink the water. I don't know about the foods you asked about, they scare me! I have overcome some difficulties with vominting, and am just about 8 weeks out. I don't want to push anything. I am enjoying the Atkins shakes, sometimes for breakfast and lunch, then try to eat a meal with my family at dinner. I do have white toast, one piece, and it goes down fine. I worry about whole wheat toast just yet. Since I did have trouble with vomiting, I have tried to stay away from a lot of fiber to begin with. It seems to be helping! Keep up the good work, and don't lose faith! It will come off. I know there are days I worry about it, and then days I feel good about it. I think this surgery has given me an emotional roller coaster. I loved dining out and hope that one day I will enjoy it again, right now when I go out with family and friends I just take little bites off everyone else's plates. I guess we shall see what the future brings, we are both new to this! Take good care, Theresa VBG w/sleeve 11/18/04 240/198/???

Hi Heather, It's pretty comon to have a plateau early on because the surgery is a shock to your body. Maybe you aren't eating enough. Sometimes your body believes its starving so it holds on to everything. Try to get in 800 calories if you can. About the bread....I just can't eat it because it gets stuck. Some people can eat it and they do in limited quanity. I wouldn't see anything wrong with eating your toast as long as you can tolerate it. For me I was on normal food at 6 weeks and I did have pb crackers a couple of times. And if you can't eat in the morning have a glass of low fat milk. It's good to get something in your system early so your metabolism gets going. I would check with your surgeon about what foods you can have at this stage because each surgeon seems to have different requirements. Hang in there, you are doing great!!!!! Hugs, Sara 356/289/175

I am a little over 6 weeks out. I lost 20 lbs. in the first week and haven't really lost anything else since. I haven't been able to get to the gym yet, but I have a 16 month old that I chase around and a dirty house that I clean (it seems like all the time) alot. I know that when I get to the gym and when I start work again that I will be losing more weight, but I eat almost nothing and I haven't lost anything in weeks. Any ideas? I also want to know when I can start eating things like: peas corn nuts (all kinds) popcorn I also want to know what the deal with not eating bread is. Is it because of the carbs or is it something else? I stuggle with breakfast because all I want is my low card whole wheat peanut butter toast and I can't have it. I feel like I am failing already and need some help. Thanks. Heather 292/253/151

Hi everybody I also had the same concern. I just wasn't to thrilled with the side effects of the RNY. Like not knowing what I could eat from day to day and dumping and since I was more of a portion person than a sweets person, the VBG was just a better choice for me. I'm down 65 total pounds, I have 35 more until I'm at goal weight. I am confident that I made the right choice. My body thanks me everyday by not creaking and crackin everyday when I get out of bed. I have so much more energy and I have the desire to workout which is something I never had before. I can walk with my head up knowing that I am accomplishing a goal that I've been trying to reach since I was a pre-teen. Good luck to all of you on your weight loss journeys Jae 275/210/175

HAving lived many years in "corporate America" -- and currently being uninsured--I see both sides of the issue. I wonder how it will all turn out...Obviously there is money to be made in WLS--and therefore it will continue to be pushed....and Yet...it is the only way I see myself on a personal basis losing weight. Thank you for sharing these corporate looks at WLS. I'm on the way to Mexico to have a lap band by a docotor who has performed this particular surgery many, many more times than most US surgeons. Amazing difference in costs between having it done in a top notch Mexican hospital with a world recognized WLS band surgeon vs here in the US with doctors who are just venturing into this type of surgery...and with hospital costs and testing..charge 3 X more. Gail