Hi- How many grams of protien is recommended to eat everyday? I thought it was 28 grams, but someone told me that it was 48? I would think that would be impossible with as little as I can eat now, I know my surgeon does not like protien shakes so that is out of the question. Any other suggestions for getting protien in other than cottage cheese, string cheese, beans, chicken, etc? any help would be greatly appreciated. Am three weeks post op now and not regretting it!

Good Morning Everyone; I was reading a post from before and felt I needed to ask - Is there anyone out there that is 3 or more years out from the VBG? I am 2 years on 11/4 - I have lost to date 172 pounds and have reached goal weight. As well all know the number of comments we have heard and probably will continue to hear that we will gain it back. It makes me crazy - I actually have nightmares of blowing up over night, gaining back the 172 I've lost. It is so frustrating. I just don't see how it is possible, my doctor tells me that I will eventually be able to eat more, 2 years later and I still can't eat anymore than I did before. Some days I can't eat at all, nothing seems to settle right, and then other days I can eat my normal few bites, it is a real rarety that I could eat say a whole egg for example. Funny I am scared that I will get too thin, and then I am scared I will gain it all back. Does anyone out there have these conflicting emotions? And does anyone else ever want to slap the heck out of these people that feel the need to rain on our parade?

Ms. Gloria... honey... you have lost ALOT of weight..You have done a fabulous job.. 91 pounds is better than nothing at all.. be greatful.. and ignore the ignorance... take if from a pre-op with over 100 pounds to lose.. you are definitely on the right track.... and don't let others dictate what you do to your body... keep doing what you were doing, cause what ever it was.. it was working pretty good! Just imagine what you are going to look like in 5 more months.. you will probably be at goal!!! Casey

I TRYED ATKINS TODAY. LAST NIGHT WENT SHOPPING FOR MY FOOD. WANT TO SPEED UP THE WEIGHT LOSS. THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. I HAVE BEEN SICK ALL DAY. MY HUSBAND ASKED ME WHY? YOU LOOK GREAT. THIS WEEKEND WHEN I WENT TO WORK. ONE THE WORKER ASKED IF I WAS STILL LOSSING WEIGHT. I SAID YES. NOT AS QUICK AS AT FIRST. SHE SAID MARGO LOOKS AS IF SHE IS LOSSING QUICKER THAN YOU. I WAS CRUSH. MARGO HAD THE RNG=Y DONE 1 MONTH BEFORE MY SURGERY. SHE IS ONLY 31 YEARS OLD I AM 52. SHE IS STILL WEARING ALL THOSE LARGE SCRUBS. THAT IS REALLY TO LARGE. I AM WEARING MY SIZE I LOST TO . I WENT FROM 24(NEEDING A 26) TO A 16 IN 7 MONTHS. I TRIED NOT TO LET THAT BUG ME BUT IT DID. SO I TRIED TO DIET REALLY HARD. I REALLY DO NOT EAT A LOT OF FOOD. ONE OF MY OTHER CO WORKER TOLD ME SOME IS WRONG WITH HER EYES. YOU ARE MUCH SMALLER THAN THE OTHER LADY. YOU LOOK GREAT. I REALLY THINK YOU ARE SMALLER THAT THE LADY AND SHE IS VERY UP SET, SHE DO NOT LIKE IT. THAT IS ABOUT THE WEIGHT LOSS. I WILL HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH THIS. I SEE THIS AS BEING A BIG PROBLEM TRYING TO MAKE A COMPARSON WITH TWO OF US. HELP FAMILY GLORIA -91

Hi Mary, Yes, what you are feeling is very normal. I felt pretty good while in the hospital, but when I got home I came crashing down. I called an old friend who had the old fashioned stomach stapling years ago and felt much better after talking with him. I did`nt know about this site at that time. I did take antidepressants, Effexor xl and felt sooo much better. It also helps with hot flashes! When you realize how much better you feel, when you can get up and down out of a chair easily, when you no longer become exhausted just from doing simple tasks, when your back no longer hurts, when your blood pressure goes down, I`ll go ahead and stop there. The list could go on and on. And of course you may not have had the same symptons I had, but I think you get the picture. I am 3 years out and life is indeed back to normal. Granted, I can`t eat near what I used to, but that is a good thing. I am just now able to tolerate some things, such as steak. I was able to eat most of the 7 oz filet at Outbacks recently. I really did enjoy it too. Hang in there. Talk to your doctor about the sleep, because that is important for your healing. Keep us posted and take care of yourself.