andromeda9mm

Hey Girl! You look GREAT! I'm 7 months out myself, and I'm stuck at 165 ... just gaining and loosing, gaining and loosing. BUT, this is far better than where I was. If this is the end of my journey, then so be it. As long as I don't gain, I'm all good. For me, just the fact that I can maintain this without feeling deprived, is wonderful. I can eat whatever I want, just smaller amounts. It's lovely. I'm also like you though, I have found if I have to many carbs, about two hours later I have a crash and I feel crazy ... I can feel it coming on, and I *know* I must eat something fast. I think this is some sort of dumping syndrome. I have to eat protiens and fats, and they make me feel better. I have heard some people go back to a liquid diet to jumpstart the weightloss again... you may want to switch to a smoothie diet? Again, you look great! So pretty! Keep it up! Meredith in Utah

The Marriott 5 Days after surgery 168 lbs 168 lbs New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year and greetings from Utah! I hope everyone had a great holiday season. Tomorrow, Jan. 2nd is my 6th month plication anniversary. I have lost 34 lbs and I am currently at 168 (and change). I'd like to loose another 20 lbs. I am 5'8" and I am very comfortable with how I look. If I didn't loose another lb, I would be content. This surgery for me was *exactly* what I needed. Let me be point blank honest. I wanted to loose weight mostly to look better. It was vanity surgery for me. For some people, they may need this surgery to save their life. Having said that, I can't believe how much easier it is to do things, like walking, etc. Being overweight is a trap, like seriously, getting out is nearly impossible.... and then, at least for myself, I would gain it back. I eat small amounts now. I haven't ever eaten too much, because I'm scared I'll get ouchie if I do. I can't drink liquid with food. I eat, then an hour later, I'll drink. I also eat whatever I want ... smaller portions of course. I also drink alcohol, usually daily. I am still not excersizing, but I'd like to start walking casually. We'll see. I just want to be honest with myself. My New Year's Resolution is to drink more water and to loose 20 lbs for 2013, so about 2 lbs a month would be awesome! As I mentioned before, when everything is said and done, I plan on getting some plastic surgery. I have twin skin tummy from my last pregnancy, and just loosing weight I'll def. need a tummy tuck. Here are some photos! (See second post for more) On the way to the clinic from San Diego Airport The Border Inside the clinic Prepped for surgery Getting discharged to go to the hotel

Hey teamies! Today is my four month plicatoin anniversary. I have lost 26 lbs. I am 1/2 to where I want to be. I currently weigh 176. I'm starting to look pretty good, I think. My face and tummy really show the loss. Life is very normal for me. I eat and drink whatever I want. I do not drink soda, though. It's too bubbly. I do not excersize, either. This surgery was the perfect solution for me. I needed restriction to help me eat less, but not stop me from loving food. ha ha ha. I should post some photos. Meredith in Utah

Hey Jonsie! Do no fret! I had the same experience. I seem to go in a cycle. At four weeks I felt I hit my first plateau, then I lost like 4 lbs the next week. So far I have done NOTHING regarding excersize, just the diet alone. I'm just chugging along and I'm comfortable at my pace. I only need to loose 50-60 lbs total, so this is perfect for me. A lb a week is all I ask. I'll be 3 months out next week and I'm down about 22 lbs. I've broken into the 170's. I eat very small meals (like 12 mini wheats for breakfast) and I drink water/black coffee/green tea in between. Don't worry, and take care. Meredith

Hey GSP teamies! Sorry I've been so absent. It's busy here. school starting, we went on vacation, etc ... Good news, I'm down 21 lbs! It's been 11 weeks for me since surgery and I'm doing great. I've noticed a pattern with my loss. I will loose like a lb or less some weeks, then have a huge loss of like 3 sometimes four lbs. I think this also is related to my monthly cycle. Hormones really mess with me. ha ha ha. I will go to a second hand store this weekend and get some new jeans/trousers. I truly/honestly like loosing slowly. For me, it's great because I can and do eat anything I want, in just MUCH smaller portions. I don't feel any deprivation. What I don't like, is I don't get as much pleasure out of eating as I used to. I miss that 'full' feeling, if you know what I mean. Carry on, Meredith in Utah

He Navid! I hear ya! I still tell people that 'I killed my best friend' ... ha ha ha ... My stomach was my best friend. I love food, and fun and drinks with pals. I'm at the point now where I can eat anything! I just eat a VERY TINY amount, but at least I can sample. As far as drinking, I do drink , but like Pam said, it's a small amount and you're buzzed. No carbonated beverages. I'm 6 weeks out and I have lost 16 lbs. For me, this is the perfect weightloss tool. Slow and steady my friend. Meredith

I saw that. I hope she's recovering. My heart goes out to her and her family. He also had the plication done at the same time... as far as I can tell, he is complication free. Of course even with the best doctors, with the best care, at the best facilities, there is always a chance of complications. I wonder if he ever posts here on this forum?

Don' feel sad. I can't believe that a teaspoon of jelly would make you 'gain' weight. I can tell you that I was SUPER gassy for the first few weeks and I'm only 5 weeks out. I was distended. I think my stomach makes too much gas. Please don't dispair, it will improve. Your pal, Meredith

Oh lordy ... I am 34. We get started young in Utah. ha ha ha. My oldest will be turning 13 and she starts Jr. High in a few weeks. The boys are 4, and my middle child is 8. I eat whatever I like, just much, much smaller portions. Carbs don't seem to be a problem at this point, but I'm not sure they were a problem before ... I just ate too mcuh. I am really trying to focus on fiber ... oh lordy, when I was on the protein drinks, I thought I would never poop again. So I guess I'd say my strategy is fiber and protein. I can't believe you are down 25 lbs. That is NUTS! I'm about 13-14 lbs. If I can loose a lb a week, I am satisfied. I'm giving myself an entire year to see the fruits of the surgery. Mer

Hey Plication Peeps, Introduce yourselves. I feel like we've got a lot of lurkers, but no one posts... except Ana and me. How's everyone doing? Your progress? Heck, even if you just want to talk about random stuff. Here's a photo of me and my family:

Check it out! You briefly see my post from this blog at 2:05! ha ha ha. SO cool! Meredith in Utah

Hey Ana! I was hoping you'd check in today! You sound better off than I was in the energy dept. I had my 1 month anniversary yesterday. I lost 12 lbs last month. You are only going to feel better and better! I only drink water and milk oh, and black coffee and plain green tea. I wonder if the pedialyte has too much sodium? Doesn't it feel great to be loosing weight?! Meredith

Hey Ana, Glad to see you back on board. Sorry about the small complication ... doesn't sound too serious and I'm glad you stayed the extra day. Boy, do I know what you mean when you said it's good to be home! For me it was wonderful to be back in my bed. I could have full liquids 72 hours after surgery, is that not the case with you? I can eat anything I want now. I chew my food FOREVER. I also do not drink anything while eating, which is new for me. I'm sure I'll get used to it. I can even eat meat without trouble. Just chew chew chew. I was down another 3 lbs this week to 191. If I loose a lb a week, that is fine with me ... slow and steady. Maybe by this time next year I'll be down to 150. Mer

Hi Vanessa! I'm kind of in the same boat. I lost 3 lbs the first week, 5 the second week, and 3 this week. I had surgery on Monday, July 2nd. I don't think you actually 'gained' weight. I think you could be retaining water or if it's your time of the month, that could also affect things. I know I'm scheduled to start this week and I can already tell I'm bloated, but I'm like you ... eating about 800 or so cals. Fear not, this too shall pass. What are you doing for meals? I'd love to hear what other people are doing. I'm *really* trying to focus on fiber and protien at the same time. Your pal, Meredith in Utah