Question:
My doc does not think that anything is wrong so he will not order tests

I am 8 months out (9-7) and have not lost anything in about 6 weeks. I have recently gained 5 pounds and it is not coming off. My doctor says that I have to stop eating so much. Wasn't that the point of this surgery, to curve my appetite? I have been able to eat "normal" size portions comfortably since about 2 months out. I need to know if something is wrong with the mechanics. I have tried to eat "the amount post rny'ers are suppposed to eat" and almost pass out throughout the day from low blood sugar. I lost my insurance but am now on medicaid. I really do not know what to do. Can anyone give me some advice on switching doctors? I thought my starting weight was 286 but according to my chart it was 274. That means that I have lost 65 pounds in 8 months. I think that is crazy slow considereing I exercise, eat protein first and get in my water. Sorry for ramblimg I am just so afraid that I have gone thru this to remain heavy. Another "possible" problem is that now my BMI is 35.9, but I still have type II diabetes so do you think I even qualify for a repair/revision? Thanks for listening any input is appreciated. Reace P.S. What I am struggling with is not "head hunger" it is the real thing. Thanks    — Laureace A. (posted on August 31, 2003)

August 31, 2003
If I was you I would start tracking my food on fitday.com so you can truly see how much total and how much of protein, fat, sugar and total carbs you are eating. You statement about eating "normal" size portions since 2 months PO scares me. I am 7 months PO on Wed and I still do not eat normal size portions, if by normal you mean what people who have not had WLS eat and are eating balanced etc. I eat 3-6 oz total per meal with at least 3-4 ounces of protein per meal. I will have a snack or two of sf popsicles, watermelon or no sugar added ice cream bar, 1/4 to 1/3 of a carb solutions high protien bar etc. But they are small and usually it is only at about 9:00 at night. Sort of like getting in 3-1/2 meals for the day. <p>How are you determining the amount that "post RNY'rs are supposed to eat" since the plans vary drastically, especially in the first 6 months. I'm wondering if you are eating way too many carbs and therefore do not have the protein which will stick with you a lot longer and make you feel much more satisfied. Tracking your food on fitday can be a real eye opener. Are you getting in the fluids? <p>You will have to prove to any surgeon that you are following a proper diet of mostly protein then veggies, then fruit and lastly carbs plus getting is decent exercise before anyone would even consider a revision. I also think that 8 months is way too soon to even think about something like that. It would appear you need to take stock of why you had the surgery and have you truly committed to this new life. I suspect that is where your surgeon is coming from and why he won't order any tests. He suspects you are not giving it your all. The surgery gives us a tool but we will always have to be cognizant of what we are putting in our bodies. Our old eating habits can and will resurface if we allow them to. A RNY's normal is always going to be different than someone who had never had a weight problem because they learned to make good choices early in life or are giften with a metabolism that forgives all of their food sins. Please do some soul searching and get into therapy to figure out of you are doing some self-sabotaging.
   — zoedogcbr

August 31, 2003
First off. No, this surgery does not work by "curbing your appetite" It works by severely limiting the amount you are able to eat and malabsorption. We have days where our appetite is almost the same or worse than pre-op but are simply not able to eat very much. The other poster had a good idea about tracking your food on fitday. What are you eating? Are you "grazing" This means eating every few minutes or taking longer to finish a meal. No, you will not qualify for a revision unless something is wrong with your mechanics and if your doc won't test you, find another one.
   — Delores S.

August 31, 2003
Orginal Poster here. To clarify, I can eat an entire hamburger (1/4 pound made at home) with half the bun. I can then eat broccoli and potato salad to boot. I do eat protein FIRST, I stick to no carb/low carb foods after the protein. I was not saying that this surgery is supposed to "curb my appetite period" but give me a break, nothing at all? I can eat whatever I want except sugar and the only way ANY of this weight has came off is because I DIET AND EXERCISE. I did not have surgery to stay fat. Period. All I wanted to know is how I can go about getting another doctor to check my stomach to see if it is small. Being able to eat an entire plate of food is not "normal" for someone who had open RNY. Being hungry all day maybe. Thats all good but when I eat a hamburger patty shouldn't I be satisified? Well I am not. I do not need therapy I need transected. Thank you for trying to answer my question. Thank you for the advice about fitday, but I use it and I can eat 2,000 calories any given day. Just like I said, I eat like a "normal" person and am not losing weight I am gaining. To me that is a problem that needs looked at. Therapy will not help me lose weight. I am sorry if I sound abrasive but I did not post a queation to get preached at, only to get an answer. Thanks Reace (P.S I walk 3 miles a day and life weights 2 times a week so it is also not that I am stagnent)
   — Laureace A.

August 31, 2003
Hi Laurece (I like your name, btw). I am sorry that you are struggling and feeling discouraged...have you done the cottage cheese test to see how big your pouch is? I am/was a super slow looser, so I can relate to what you're going thru, though I think the whole idea of us RNYers being relagated to medicine-sized cups of food for the rest of their life is highly overrated. What I find is that I can eat like a normal person, i.e., 3/4 of a cheeseburger or so, without all the extras (like fries, which don't even appeal any more, bizaree as that is.) My advice for you is to focus not just on protein, but on DENSE foods that fill you up quickly, like chicken, chili, cheese...y'know, the "ch food group". Also, look into joining Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig or something, if you think it would help...I had done that when I was struggling to get out of my size 14s/12s, but found it didn't work for me 'cause I began to feel like a "sinner" when it came to food...to me, that's been the most liberating part of this surgery...the ability to have control around food, which I think you do, even if you do think you are eating too much. Anyway, I wish you a lot of luck in getting to the root of the problem...
   — rebeccamayhew

August 31, 2003
Hi, Laureace; first of all, what a beautiful name! 2nd, have you tried calling other bariatric doctors in your area to see if they accept Medicaid? Perhaps if you explain your problem, they might help you. Your question reminds me of kind of the same thing Justin Glynn is having, where his stoma has stretched and he can eat much more than should be considered normal for an rny patient. For your doctor not to think there is a problem, I think he's not realizing the full impact of this. I know you must be very frustrated, but don't give up; try to find another doctor who will help you figure out what is wrong. This doesn't sound normal to me. I hope you're able to figure out what's going on! Good luck, sweetie, and God Bless! proximal lap rny, 08/19/03, -18 lbs.
   — Moysa B.

August 31, 2003
Surgery made your stomach smaller -- after that, its up to you. Can you get around that? Sure you can.. eat more often.. and eat MORE -- often... sorry but while I have some restriction, the reason my weight has come off has been diet and exercise. Yes, there are many who will tell you here that their weight came off just like that *snapping my fingers* but the truth is, its work for many of us. I have restriction -- should a hamburger satisfy you? I dont' know -- physically, probably.. although I have to admit -- I don't eat hamburgers, at home or otherwise. You say you eat protein first, how much? What else do you eat? How often do you eat? In terms of exercise, you say you walk and lift weights -- well, after awhile, you have to walk more (including getting your heart rate up there and walking AFTER you do that for a significant amount of time -- eventually I had to start running) and you have to lift more often than twice a week. Three times minimum, but frankly, I lift almost 6 days. Am I perfect, nope... but I'm working at losing weight... so I WORK at it. Good luck... I know its frustrating... but the surgery is just some help, its not a magic cure...
   — Lisa C.

August 31, 2003
Hi: We're practically twins in a lot of ways. I was more successful than you post op because I lost pretty rapidly and got close to goal. However, I can now eat more than you I think, or at least as much. Some days are worse than others, but pretty early on it became apparent that I was able to eat too much for a post op RNY. I quit losing pretty soon, and then stayed around 130 for a short time. Then after about a year post op I consistently gained 2 to 4 pounds every month. At about a 1 and 1/2 post op I realized that I had to do something to put an end to the gain or I'd be right back to where I was preop in no time. I had honestly thought my body would find it's ideal weight and stop. Wish I'd realized earlier that it wouldn't. What really shocked me was that going on a diet at a year and 1/2 didn't do anything. Even with cutting out all the cheating I'd started doing I was still gaining! I went to my surgeon and was basically told the same thing as you. No scope, no second surgery, and nothing was wrong other than the stoma had stretched out more than it should have, but bottom line is it's up to me to stop the weight gain by making better food choices. Being I've always had issues of guilt over being fat, I accepted what he said and went home depressed that I was once again expect to diet. The only offer of any help from my surgeon was to keep a food diary and he'd have the dietitian review it and make suggestions on different food choices. I have been given "helpful" suggestions my whole life on how to eat tasteless, boring chicken instead of red meat, so who needs someone with a degree to reiterate what we all know? So basically I went home and decided I'd give dieting a try and not really blaming a surgical failure. But after coming back to this site and reading about enlarged stoma I'm kind of mad that I really do have a partial surgical failure and that I shouldn't have been made to feel the gain was my fault. I am going to send in the food diary because I think my surgeon should have written proof of how much I can eat at one sitting and that he does have at least one failure. A friend said that she thinks there are many people who don't go back to their surgeons and complain for the same reason that I didn't do more complaining: guilt and a feeling of helplessness. You also likely have at least a partial surgical failure and we should continue to look for surgical help with rectifying this. Sorry I can't answer your question about qualify for a new surgery. I think that if you had the same insurance then you should qualify because it would be considered a repair to the failed surgery. But a new insurance it might be a preexisting problem? I was thinking of trying to find someone who could band my large stoma to see if I can decrease the amount I eat. I can eat a 1/2 pound hamburger and not feel overly full. I can eat 2 cups of cottage cheese. 3 small things from taco bell, etc. You get my point. Like you I can eat pretty much the same thing now, that I could pre op. I DID NOT bring this on myself. If I ate 2 oz. then I'd still feel hungry. I don't, and never had eaten until I was uncomfortably full. I didn't graze, eat and drink together, drink carbonated soda or anything else that was against my surgeon's instructions. I did eat sweets and added bread to my diet after a while, perhaps not chew as well as I should have, but I doubt those things are to blame for the stoma enlarging so much. I think we have to be careful about judging others who are having trouble just because some of the rest of us aren't. We all have guilt and feel bad about our weight anyway, so it'd be better if we tried to stick to just being helpful and keep the negative stuff out. If you're not having trouble then consider yourself lucky, but there's no need to say I was able to do it so you should too. Anyway, I'm off the soap box about it now. :o) If anyone knows of a surgeon or procedure they think would help us with enlarged stomas please post it. But regardless, I think the surgeon should do a scope to see exactly how much it has enlarged just so we know. I'm going to see if my GP will do it for me since the surgeon didn't feel it was necessary. In the meantime, I have really upped my exercise and have started taking diet pills. I've lost 14 pounds of the 41 I'd regained. Hope to at least get below 150 as that was the weight I said would have made the surgery worth it for me. RNY is done to restrict the amount of food people can eat. Maybe a DS would be less likely to have failure, but I don't know. Sorry if I rambled, I tend to do that. Good luck to all.
   — sherry hedgecock

August 31, 2003
All you can do is call around to find another WLS surgeon who will see you. Get a copy of the surgical report. You can get it from the hospital it was done at. You are entitled to this as it is YOUR medical record. However, they can chose to charge you for the copy. Take that along to the new surgeon. <p>If you truly have a staple line disruption, this should be easy to document with a swallow study, which isn't a very expensive test. If it shows a failure then insurance will likely agree to pay for a revision to transect you. If the stoma is stretched I do not think there is anything that can be done about it as I have never heard of a surgeon redoing that part of the surgery to make it smaller. Fortunately mine was made with a round stapler which should help keep it from ever stretching much. <p>As far as Delores and I preaching at you, it would have helped if you gave more info about how much and what you eat etc. You also said all input is appreciated. We genuinely wanted to offer some ideas, but you have already dismissed them. I know you think 2000 calories is normal for an RNY, but it's not, especially at 8 months. I eat 600-1000 calories a day and I am 7 months PO as of next Wed. The days I get in 1000 calories are days I have not made as good of choices as I should. Up to about 850 calories means I am doing what I should. The bottom line is if you are taking in 2000 calories and gaining weight then you are not expending enough energy and burning more calories than you are taking in. You also talk about eating 1/2 a bun with a hamburger and then also having potato salad etc. This is too many carbs. Sorry if you do not want to hear it but it's the truth. You may think therapy is a waste but I assure it is not. It will help you deal with the anger you appear to have when people try to point out to you that you seem to be expecting this surgery to have created a miracle and turned your body into one that never had an obesity problem. My surgeon told me the first time I saw him that I will always be SMO. It shocked me till he explained it. He said he can give me a tool to help me not live like that but genetically I will always have a tendency to go back there. It will always come down to the choices I make of what I put in my mouth. <p>For your sake I hope it turns out there is something wrong with your surgery and it can be fixed because any other option you will refuse to accept and will never be successful long term at this new life. I will struggle for the rest of my life I suspect at times, but I do realize that the success is 1000% dependent on what I chose to do! Sorry if this is too hard to hear.
   — zoedogcbr

August 31, 2003
If you are going to end up with a revision you might consider switching to a DS as it might be a surgery you can more easily live with. For some getting the DS really is the difference between success and failure.
   — zoedogcbr

August 31, 2003
Laureace--I'm sorry that you seem to be getting blasted for eating too much when I undestood your question to be a concern that you are ABLE to eat much larger quantities than most of us can. I did not hear that you wish to eat 2000 calories a day, only that you can (and are still hungry), and don't want to be able to eat that much. I too, think the best answer is to find another surgeon, explain your concerns, and see if s/he will do a scope and possibly a test to check for a staple line disruption. It is possible that you have at least a partial mechanical failure, even if they are rare. My best wishes to you as you move through your journey (please don't give up, just find a way to deal with whatever the problem is).
   — Vespa R.

August 31, 2003
Has anyone else noticed that we have acquired several self-appointed experts? There has definitely been an increase in the "know it all" and negative responses. I understand your question and your concern. I would be concerned too. I would definitely get a scope or an upper gi. If your surgeon won't order it, maybe you could check with your PCP. Also, did you ever consider that your surgeon may be putting you off BECAUSE your insurance has changed? There are several people on this site that had a SLD and had to be transected. At first, they too were made to feel guilty as to their food choices. It was not their fault. Please don't accept the negative vibes that I feel from the answers you've received. If you do have a staple line disruption, please be sure to get a transection this time. Many times, surgeons will want to go back in and just create another staple line. Run quickly to another surgeon!! I like you chose this surgery to feel normal. I am over 2 1/2 years post op and I have never dieted. I refuse to have the diet mentality and label foods (such as carbs) as bad. I eat what I want and am maintaing effortlessly. Restricting certain foods and feeling deprived is what led me to be MO in the first place. I refuse to feel guilty (and neither should you!) for eating a little potato salad and 1/2 of a bun because someone else believes that this is not in THEIR plan. Food is not longer my focus, I am free!! Good luck to you and please insist that you get checked out. Shelley
   — Shelley.

August 31, 2003
"Has anyone else noticed that we have acquired several self-appointed experts? There has definitely been an increase in the "know it all" and negative responses." <p>Shelly put yourself in the exact same category. <p>Just because you got by doing whatever you want does not mean the majority of the RNY's in the world will. The majority of us were not blessed with being the WLS poster child who can do anything and get away with it. It's certainly not good to make others think that post-op RNY life requires no changes as it does for the great majority. I guess we are just imperfect because we need to make changes and choices and limit our carbs and exercise.
   — zoedogcbr

August 31, 2003
Diane, It relates to another question where she was taking the holyer than though attitude that she doesn't exercise, or limit carbs or make choices and it's not required to lose weight. My comment was that for the typical RNY they must do these things to be successful and for the rest of their lives. Shelley is the exception to the norm. I just had it when I saw the "self appointed expert" comment. So if you put the two questions together you would know why my comments were the way they were.
   — zoedogcbr

August 31, 2003
I am so sorry to hear about the problems you are having. I am only 6 weeks post-op so I have no experience here. Right now I am a slow but grateful loser hoping that I won't fail at this as I have in the past. Actually I should rephrase and say that I hope RNY will not fail me. I am working very hard at it. I hope you will find a doctor who will listen to you and that you will continue to find support here. Just remember that we are all humans and many of us here are not willing to hear about failure of this procedure. You see we are still fighting the "outside" world who seem to think we are taking the easy way out. I come here and read everyday so I can get ideas to continue on the road of success. I see many people who have had very easy weight loss and many who have to continue to struggle. As I have said I am no expert but the amount you are able to eat at one sitting does not seem normal. Keep seeking help until you get it. Don't be discouraged by opinions. I think every one here is trying to be helpful in their own way. Thanks for posting your problem. I am sure there are many who are having the same problem and afraid to voice their concerns. Good luck and God bless you.
   — Erica S.

August 31, 2003
WOW, what in the world? Original poster here again just checking in to say I do not feel as though my qustion was understood by at least ONE of us who continues to answer. I appreciate all of the comments from the people who actually understood my question, like Vespa, Shelley, Diane, Erica, Moiasa and several others. I never said that I did not want to exercise or change my eating habits, I have changed my habits and I exercise every day but Sunday. I chose to give that day to God. I am seeing my surgeon on Tuesday, but I will not be posting anything else on here to get twisted and turned around like I am some lazy pig who eats all day. If you would like to know what the doctor says or how the upper GI turns out feel free to e-mail me. I have already contacted most of you and will keep in touch. Thank you to those of you who used this opportunity to encourage, instead of discourage and for future referance if you are going to post several different answers to a question, please be sure you understand the question and that your advice is helpful not nasty. Good luck all. Reace
   — Laureace A.

August 31, 2003
Just one more thing, on your profile Chris D. you state that you do not have to work for your loss and you have guilt issues about that, exercising only twice a week. So why is it that you are preaching to me about wanting it to come a LITTLE easier then it did prior to surgery? Before you start preaching to me about needing to exercise and make good food choices why don't you look at you? I am doing THE SAME THING, actually I exercise MORE then you state you do in your profile, but instead of LOSING weight I am GAINING it. Think about that the next time you get on your soap box. I am going to be so glad when the doctor finds out that I have a problem and then helps me to fix it. I do not even care what you say, or think about me. You do not know me nor do I care to know you. I am just thankful that I am not the one who has to live with you, you are. I will keep those of you who are "in the real world" along with me posted on my progress (we hope).I am sorry to be so abrasive but YOU have been blasting me ALL DAY for no reason and those who tried to answer my question were blasted by you too. Maybe the doctor should check YOUR DEPRESSION MEDICATION before you start telling others that they need therapy. Never cast the first stone.
   — Laureace A.

August 31, 2003
My surgery was easy and so has my weight loss, however many others have problems that are not on the message board. The following is a post from Carol A, from the [email protected] board. "I think a member or two might have gingerly mentioned not too long ago that there is a problem that sometimes happens with our surgeries that few docs acknowledge, and seldom advise of as a possible occurrence. I think it is now time to come out of the closet and shine a bright light on this dirty little secret. Last week I flew to Seattle for an endoscopy and consult with Dr. Ki Oh bcuz I have NEVER felt much restriction from my pouch. I have been SO frustrated when others talk about being absolutely stuffed on 3 bites of something. I have not been stuffed on even 10 times that much. My first solid (soft) food meal was 12 oz (some are supposed to eat only 1 oz; my doc said 4 oz) and I COULD have eaten more--I was not full, or even satisfied. I stopped eating bcuz I knew I wasn't supposed to be able to eat that much. My surgeon turned a deaf ear to my complaints and pleas. He didn't exactly say it was "all in my head." Members of support groups, both online and in person did, tho, intimate that it had to be "head hunger." And that was both hurtful and discouraging. I have spent the better part of the past year and a half believing that I am no better now than I was pre-op: unable to control the cravings and eating more than I should. And hating myself and my failure quite thoroughly. Well, guess what? The scope showed my stoma is 3 times the size it should be. Therefore pretty much rendering my pouch non-functional. Nothing wrong with the POUCH: it's still just 15 cc. But the stoma is too wide and doesn't keep the food in the pouch. It just pours right thru into my intestine; hence, no fullness, no satiety, and the urge to keep eating and eating and eating. Becuz the stoma has a tendency to relax/stretch somewhat over time of its own accord, it is extremely important that the bariatric surgeon make it as small as possible. In Dr. Oh's opinion, judging by my stoma size after a little less than 2 years, it was probably made a bit too large in the first place. The rest of the bad news is that the anastomosis is so close to my esophagus that there is absolutely no room to do anything about it: can't move it, or put a silastic ring on it, nothing. I am doomed to be hungry the rest of my life. Am I mad? Try royally PI - - ED ! Am I going to do anything about it? Don't know. Right now, I'm just struggling to accept the facts of life, so to speak. I am relieved that the stoppage of my weight loss is not "all my fault." But I am just devastated that I will probably NEVER be able to get to goal -- at 70 lbs more to go. I can go more distal, which will give me some greater malabsorption, but it won't do a thing about the large stoma or the hunger. Another misleadig "fact" that was presented by my surgeon prior to my proximal RNY was that the average weight loss is about 70-75% of excess weight. Dr. Oh says that that figure is for patients with DISTAL procedures. The amount for proximals is about 50-55% net loss bcuz of the usual amount of regain. So, dear friends, let this be a clarion call warning. If you are struggling with slow or stopped weight loss, or regain; if you are constantly hungry; if you have never or have at some point become unable to feel satisfied or full after a meal (a normal meal for a bypass patient)--maybe you should get yourself scoped and see what's going on with "the mechanics" as Michelle calls them. Sometimes something can be done about it. Sometimes, as in my case, not. And PLEASE pass this info on to any other lists you subscribe to, so the word gets out. I would that not one other person suffers what I have gone thru for so many months, thinking all kinds of terrible things about myself, my lousy willpower, my lack of moral fiber, my character defects, etc etc. If you know a pre-op considering this surgery, please tell him or her that this is a possible outcome, and that they should query their surgeon closely, in advance, about what size stoma will be made, and where, and what can be done should there be a failure or relaxation or stretching of the stoma. They should know that if a doc says that would not happen, he's not telling the truth or he's got his head in the sand. And if there are any pre-ops lurking on this list, be warned as well. I am not saying that I would not have had the surgery had I known this was a possibility. But I would have CERTAINLY done more and better research, and would have made sure that my surgeon would guarantee that my "mechanics" were constructed in such a way that it would not be impossible to rectify the problem." Please Note this was written by Carol A. My stomas is protected from stretching by a silastic ring.
   — faybay

August 31, 2003
First of all an average of 2 lbs a week is a good steady weight loss.Eating is different for everyone. By all means see a gastro guy to get scoped if it will ease you mind. I would also ask if you are drinking enough water. You need to get in at LEAST 64 oz a day. You seem to be exercising. Are you getting in too many carbs and not enough protein. You might try upping water and upping protei and lowering carbs. Following that might also lower type 2 diabetes problem. You don't give enough details about how many meals but I think if you went to eating 6 small meals a day that might help the blood sugar. You might need more than 64 oz of water. Also please don't discount 'head hunger'. It is a possibility. I am not being critical or trying to be judgemental. Please email me privately if you are going to take offense as I don't think the board is a place for this.
   — snicklefritz

August 31, 2003
To the original poster: I apologize that things got out of hand. The majority of my comments were to Shelley, who is giving the impression that RNY's can do whatever they want and lose weight. That is just not the case for the overwhealming majority. All it does is make people who are not losing and doing everything to a T, think they are failing - asking, what are they doing wrong. <p>This question definitely got out of hand. Trust me, I usually get nothing but compliments about the support and info I provide to people. Trust me my depression meds are just fine and yes I do continue to work with my counselor because I know the benefit of having that resource available to help work through things before they get real out of hand. If you read my profile you would know that, because it clearly said that at the end of the passage you are referring to. Many many people benefit from counseling and it is not a dirty word. It's the people who drastically fight it that should ask themselves why they fight it so much. What are they afraid to find out? It can be a very eye opening process. <p> I wish you well and hope things are resolved soon, however they need to be.
   — zoedogcbr

September 1, 2003
I have been on this website for 3 years. Never have I seen anyone correct so many question "responders". Not only is the original question answered (which I am sure is much appreciated), but if a different response is of a differing opinion, others will then redirect another answer correcting the second responder-often misinterpreting or misquoting. It just gives the board a negative atmosphere and may discourage others from answering because they fear being bashed or corrected. I was not going to respond but felt that my answers and intent were being misrepresented. If others want to read my ACTUAL responses to this question and the question below it, please do so. My intent was to soften the mood that was developing--that a certain plan was the only plan and those that differed were going to fail. Here is a partial quote of my answer-- We all have different beliefs and opinions of what works. As for me, I would never be so presumptuous as to state that my way is the only way to do something. Surgeons can not agree on what diet works post op. Again, what works for me may not work for you. But I would NEVER tell you or imply that my way was the ONLY way and nothing else. Shelley Holier than thou? You be the judge.
   — Shelley.

September 1, 2003
Hi, folks: I just wanted to say that we all know that each of us is different and every one of our surgeons has a different plan. There is no need to bash one person for his/her opinion or the way he/she does things. This journey is different for EVERYONE! Some find it extremely easy to lose the weight and some have more difficulty. Please, Please have respect for the original poster to simply try to answer his/her question. We could always say, "This is what works for me, it may be different for you." If you have a problem with what someone says, please do as Jack recommended and e-mail the person privately. There is no need to publicly bash a person for their way of doing things; that's not what the Q&A board is for. <p>Different opinions are good; we need a variety because someone may come up with an idea that we might not have thought of. I just ask that if you're posting something, please re-read it, and if it sounds like it may be negative, please rethink it. I've had to do that a few times myself!</p> <p>Thank you, for all your experiences and answers; the diversity here is what makes this a great site. God Bless...
   — Moysa B.

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