bugwitch

Pretty fine. I had pneumonia for a few weeks post surgery (got exposed to crap on my trip back home) but since then everything has been fine. I find some foods are processed and settle better than others. Really rich and/or sweet things make me sick now. Go figure.

Pneumonia is not uncommon, but it is not common either. As as you have access to antibiotics you should be fine. It is definitely nothing to play around with. If you start to get sick, get yourself to a doctor! Yes, I believe it was simply from the traveling. When you compromise your body's defenses (i.e. have surgery) your immune system is thrown out of whack and is gonna be working hard to fix what you just did to it (i.e. removing part of a vital organ). This opens up your body to opportunistic infections caused by all sorts of stuff, such as fungi, bacteria and viruses. Airports and airplanes are some of the most germ filled, nasty places you can find. Almost as bad as a college campus when all of the freshmen come back from christmas break. For information on Pneumonia: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001200/ It is possible that I became exposed while in the hospital, after all...it's a hospital. People do not typically go to them when they are healthy right? I also believe it was partly my fault for not using my breathing thingy-ma-bobber like I was supposed to. I misinterpreted the instructions and wasn't doing it enough. Be sure to do your breathing exercises at least 10 times per hour. Not ten time per day. oops.

I flew back to Ohio from San Diego (Dr. Aceves in Mexicali). I slept for a good portion of the trip, if not most of it. I wasn't in any real pain, just uncomfortable. My tube hole was leaking so I was kind of nervous about that, but it had slowed down by that point. That flight was the first and ONLY time I have ever had to use one of the seat belt extenders on the airplane. Use that if you need it. One thing I would recommend is to have a face mask on for your trip home. You just had surgery, your immune system and bodily responses are therefore comprimised and you are going to be exposing yourself to some of the nastiest places around, airplanes and airports. Tons of germs, bacteria and viruses. I got exposed to something and developed mild-moderate pneumonia after surgery. If I had used a mask, I bet I would have been completely fine I think. And dress comfy. Who cares if you don't look your "best" while you're flying back. You're gonna feel bloated, exhausted, sore and just downright icky. Plus, you're never going to see these other people on the plane/airport ever again.

Hey there. I had my sleeve done in March and currently live in Columbus. Feel free to message me if you want to chat.

I'm a bit late getting here, but I'll get in on this. SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal LilMissDiva.....293...............213.8.............199...........14.8

Don't worry about your actual quota's at first. Just shoot for the best you can do. You really shouldn't be able to drink that much, with all the swelling and everything. After a month or so, you should be getting there. I think the 64oz goals is for when you've passed through all of the different stages and reached your final stage. Just always keep in mind the drinking as much water as you comfortably can until then.

Possibly dumb question....what is the difference between "grazing" and eating those 3-5 meals a day with snacks?

So, I have never liked having my picture taken. I only really like looking at myself while I'm performing, so I'm okay with pictures of me in costume or during a performance. The first picture here is of a performance May 2010 . I really didn't lose much if anything from that point. My surgery was March 2011. The second picture is of a more recent performance, June 2011. I've lost another ten pounds since then.

I had this realization yesterday of a major NSV. I had a date last night and I needed to shave beforehand. Well, it was much easier to shave certain places than before. Thank you sleeve!!!

I was sleeved back in March. I live in Columbus.

I have the Slim in 6 DVD's but have not used them in a while. I should put them back in. In the past, when I've stuck with them, I do tone up very well.

I'm glad this is being discussed. I've been pricing different procedures so I have an idea of what I might be looking at when I reach goal. I know that there will be a long scar. My plan had been to just get tattoo's to cover them. One arm I am planning on being a 1/2 - 3/4 sleeve anyway. The other arm wasn't going to have much in the way of tattoo's, but if I have a big scar, I might have to change that. It's similar for tattoos. One of the more painful tattoo locations is the underside of the arm. I cannot remember why (nerves, sensitivity, something like that).

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Bugwitch........293...............235.6...............225........10.6 Well...just over 10lbs in 2 weeks? Probably not gonna happen. But we'll see. Good luck everyone. Keep up the great work.

Day 2 of Couch to 5k complete. Phew!

I just did my first day of Couch to 5K. I too downloaded an app for my iTouch. I was going to use a podcast I found, but decided I'd fork out the 3 bucks and use my own music instead. It got tough towards the end, but I ran/jogged every 60 second bit. Wednesday off, but maybe I'll fit in some yoga after my exams. Assuming I survive my exams...eek!

I think I need to start taking an acid reflux thing again. I've been getting an upset stomach lately, after I eat. And no spicy food for a while. SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Bugwitch........293...............240.4...............225........15.4 Looks like I won't be making that 225 goal. Right now I'm just struggling to get passed the 240 point. Almost there!!!

You know...there are just some foods it's so hard to slow down eating. It's just so yummy. Like right now, for instance...I have some fresh, home-popped popcorn. It's so fraking yummy! I know I'm supposed to take smaller bites and slow down, but it's just a weird food that it seems not possible! Yes, I know I can, and do sometimes. But...what is it about popcorn that makes it mmm mmm good? Thai food is another...especially if it's spicy. Spicy food is just a little harder to eat slowly. Well, there I go...starting to feel full. Gonna toss out the rest of the popcorn into my compost bucket. Just wanted to share that little random thought over a bowl of popcorn.

Slowly but surely! SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Bugwitch........293...............245.8.............225........20.8

I'm gonna start up Slim in 6 again tomorrow. 6 weeks from Monday will put me smack on 4th of July. Does anyone else out there do this or another Beachbody routine? Who wants to join me on this little fitness goal? It doesn't have to be Slim in 6...Just make your commitment and post here! Let's keep each other motivated!

I bellydance and since I am grad student, my funds are not on the high side of things. I have often used large skirts as fabric, either to make dance skirts out of, or some other use. Do any of you have something that might fit the bill? I like things with embroidery and/or have a sort of Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern feel...if that makes sense.

I have two pairs of jeans which might fit you. I can go through my shirts and see what I have that are really too big. If you haven't thought of it yet...the Goodwill is a wonderful place full of wonderfully cheap clothes!

Student loans, tax refund whatever else I could save. I even sold a few things on Ebay...I was going to sell them anyway....just did it sooner. Forced myself to get rid of some of this random junk I keep in my apartment!

Search the forums for different key words. Especially, look up the names of the doctors who you are considering. Compare their track records and abilities (and after care programs!). Who stacks up and who doesn't? Don't be afraid to ask us (and your doctors) questions.

Thanks everyone!!!

I couldn't resist. I had to get on the scale today. And to my surprise....I saw a most welcomed yet unexpected number. 248.8 SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Bugwitch........293...............248.8............225........23.8 So, what did I do to celebrate? I bought myself something that I have been oogling for quite a while. To top it all off...it's about 50% cheaper than when I normally see them. They are quite rare. Man, I love Ebay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&rt=nc&nma=true&item=280632242873&si=NBC9okOrUP9XzyFWg3%252B7hxRajYg%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT