Thanks! I feel great! I had lost 35 lbs pre surgery so "only" had 45-50 I wanted to lose after. I've been at my goal weight a couple of weeks, maybe 3. Yours and your husband's weight loss is very substantial! Good for you! So glad I had this done!

Are you sorry you wrote me now...LOL I am talking your ear off. Guess I missed you guys LOL...no really it is nice to hear from you two and wonderful hearing of your news, way to go! I am glad your back eating but concerned that you are still struggling with eating. What has the doctor said? Have you heard anything about taking pills of any sort? Cold pills, headache meds, vitamins etc? They have this new procedure now that Dr. Almanza does now did you see...I forget what it is called but read some woman tried it, haven't heard how it went but she was the Ginny pig (sp) They take the stomach and instead of cutting it and tossing it out =, they just fold it in on itself and sew it up...they can reverse it that way or adjust it...seems to me that would only create more issues, don't you think? I read another woman said he did 21 in one day when she got hers done...! Crazy eh. I am glad it is over with anyways. I don't regret getting it done, but am glad its over. I would not recommend it to anyone with the lower BMI ... they still seem to be getting the surgery. It does not seem like they turn anyone away...eh? It is definitely not a quick fix, it is really tough eh.

So tell me more about you guys and your journeys...big hugs and thanks for sending me a note...LOVE hearing from you...

I really like these seaweed snacks. I get them from Costco and they come in little packages and they have a row or rectangle sheets about 3x3 maybe of salted seaweed...they are really good. I like this to crunch on it is very crispy and satisfies a need to crunch. I do drink when I eat ... something's I cant mix but a lot is ok...usually water. I have been learning a lot about protein bars and what to watch out for and what to look for. Another thing to watch out for is food with "diet" stuff in it...you have to read it and make sure there is no PGX stuff in it...there is a name I forget. Basically it expands in your stomach to make you feel full a lot of stuff has that in it and we should stay away from that...only will know by reading labels...I like going to Fred Meyer and I used to eat the chicken strips but now when I go gas up I pick up this cup in the deli...it has little cubes of cheeses and fruit on top...it is great...I give the dogs most of the cheese, it is a lot but enjoy it with the grapes and berries.

I am not stressing about it all I figure my body will find its happy place on its own. I usually go for big hikes every day...usually 1-1 1/2 hours. Yesterday was 3 hours...I am still a bit exhausted...but enjoy it. I was wearing a 3x in tops and a large in bottoms or 12...I have gotten into 6 now for the bottom and a large for the top. 11 inches off my belly. My feet are even smaller I had to give up all my 6 1/2 shoes, now 6. I have stacks and stacks of clothes for my friends divided into three sections for 3 of them LOL it feels good getting rid of things...LOL even food. I go through the pantry and think, I will never be able to eat this...food back bag it goes.

I had dinner at my friends a few times and I was ok having some potato chips then later when dinner was ready the veggies were fine but only could do a bite or 2 of meat and that was nothing I am in a rush to repeat. I miss how food used to taste. I have PMS right now and notice I still like and try to find the fullness...I do eat more the week before and crave more carbs. I think the plainer the food the easier it seems to be on me. I tried to have a little of a meal...like Easter dinner. I tried to put a taste of everything on my plate and could not do it. I used to like the skin of turkey or chicken that make me ill thinking about it. I have had a McDonalds Happy Meal. A chicken snack wrap and no sauce just a tiny bit of mayo. I will have 1/2 then 1/2 later. Sometimes the mini fries with it but enjoy the apple usually and I save the milk and yogurt. Oh I had a mcmuffin and shared it with the dogs...I am only at 38 pounds...198 originally and now 161...I have been at 163-161 for a few weeks...I am looking forward to the 50's.

I am slowly starting to get into a routine of the amounts and speed...sometimes I fall back and suffer but for the most part I am ok. It is strange, finding the smallest dish and only putting a small amount in and then not being able to get through that. I had a Hershey milk chocolate bar for the first time and YUK that was so disgusting nothing like I want to repeat. I had popcorn at the movies the other day and that was not too bad, just a smaller amount but more then I thought I could eat...I just had some and a break and some and a break and then some. I could not drink the soda. I went out for dinner with a friend for fish and chips...LOL I had 3 fries and about 2 inches by 1 inch of fish and I was done...not wanting to try that again. I like my sashimi...that goes down good.

There is a big shortage here and in WA with the B12 injections...the only one place that produces it for some reason has none...? How about where you are? I usually get that injected every other week...that help with energy.

Have you had any carbonated drinks of any sort? I used to really like pop...I bought one of those soda machines and like that, the soda water. You can control the fizz and just have a little fizz and that seems to do the trick for me...it is a treat once in a while when I have that. I do find that NOTHING I eat tastes good, how about you? I have not had anything I used to love taste anything like it used to. Why is that?

oops tablets, pills are not good for us with this surgery. To find things in liquid form or chews. I have to increase the probiotic every week crazy amounts and then go on a really high one and then after a few weeks go back down to just one a day...she also told me to take cod-liver oil ... it is orange flavor so it is not bad, you cannot taste the bad taste. This will help with all the protein and help us stay regular and help our stomachs get the enzimes it used to make being larger. It has helped I can see a big change.

LOL already got cut off....I try lots of things...no way can eat like I used to but am still trying to eat less then what I serve myself. I am not used to serving myself such little amounts but most times am ok as I tell myself I can eat more later if I want...sometimes I eat too much and feel nauseous...but I have not been able to throw up in a few years so I have to just take tums and get through it. I am struggling to make that 1 egg last 30-40 minutes...I just cant do it, how does one do that? I have been trying out a lot of protein drinks and bars...I figure I need 1 drink and 1 bar a day to get my 40-50grams in and then my iron supplement. I am eating the jelly vitamins and chewy calcium...I went to the organic grocer here a health food store and she told be to start taking a probiotic...guess I will have to take that forever she says...she advised me to empty the capsules into my protein drink thank any tablets are not good for us with smaller stomachs...I will have to send this message and make another so I don't get cut off...

Oh my gosh!!! That is excellent!!~!

You guys are doing great!

I have not really gone on my only talk to you guys. I have not heard from anyone else.

I can eat fine, basically anything now. I cannot eat like I used to tho...my friend that did this hear the one that was almost 400 had so many issues with being sick, and then had to have her gallbladder out recently and still she is sick, she is surprised on what I can eat. She just found out they actually took more then they should have??? I don't know the whole story, hard to understand...I guess I will get clarification on this and let you know. She says she cant believe how and what I can eat...mind you she is all junk food and lots of candy. She lost 100lbs since her surgery a year ago but now it is like 70 and has not lost since Christmas...???

Hi Guys! How are you all doing...it is Christine

I pray you and your husband are doing well. Looking forward to your updates.Hope you have a speedy recovery!

Hope all went well and you both are doing good. Give an update when you are up to it.

Praying for your surgery this week! I will be around the Hotel Ticuan later this week so might run into you. If not please keep me updated on your journey. I know you will love being a "Loser". I sure do! god Bless!

Thank you! I will still be there Wed night. Hope to meet you and your wife. Best Wishes to you both as well. Yah!!