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Thanks Nancy, I can't wait for you to join me here on the losers bench!!! xoxo!

That was weird! I posted a reply but it didn't reply...blond moment, I must have hit the wrong button lol You're more than welcome, I'm always willing to be a goof or make a fool out of myself, after all laughter is the best medicine! LOL xoxo, Renee`

I've lost 37 pounds now...I can't wait to hit 40 pound loss...WOOT! updated my Youtube as well, not sure how many actually watch or subscribe but thank you to everyone that does. http://www.youtube.com/user/SkinnyRenee?ob=5 xoxo, Renee`

First, know that you are never alone. Second, all these emotions are totally normal. I went from Moaning Myrtle and crying a lot to Evil Renee / stark raving mad biatch in the blink of an eye. I was scared, nervous, terrified and second guessing myself thinking "omg this is STUPID! I can do this on my own! I'm strong enough, right?! Wrong. I've had many chances and I wasn't strong enough...I wanted it bad enough, I just couldn't do it. I just made a video on Youtube about this actually, the many emotions I went through before it all. Because one of the hardest parts for me was admitting that I needed help. I don't know why but that was very hard for me to admit. I went into surgery thinking 'omg I could die!' and then thinking 'i'm dying anyway...the weight is killing me' and once I got my head wrapped around that, I knew that I had to have the surgery and that I had to give myself another chance at really living. I'm now down 37 pounds and feel so much better. I have a long way to go still but I know now that I'll get there. I have hope and that's something that I haven't had in a very long time. I know you can do this! You owe it to yourself and your family to give yourself another shot at really living! Renee` p.s. I used to live on Galveston Island...loved Texas!

Everyone handles things differently. Sarsar was next door to me and had the same surgery and she was up running around helping others because she came through it all like nothing had happened. I was sick as hell from the anesthesia and had dry heaves. The pain itself, even right after surgery was like I had been doing a lot of situps. NOTHING major at all. I wouldn't have known someone had cut on me if I hadn't been aware that I'd just had surgery. Odd that you mention this, I just blogged about this and did a youtube video on it a few days ago lol Really, nothing to be afraid of, you'll see. It's like you've just done 100 situps or crunches and you'll move a little slow but that's it! Renee`

My husband works in construction and while he's the boss, he's still out in the field all day sweating and losing electrolytes like crazy. I'll tell you that in the construction field, the guys out here in the desert swear by Gatorade and bananas for lunch to stop the cramps. Drink a gatorade and have a banana a day and I'll bet you anything the cramps stop. If not, see your doctor because it can be a sign of blood clots. In your case I don't think that's it, I think it's just the potassium and electrolytes you're missing. Renee`

Unless you can calibrate yours to say the same things as your doctors office, keep your sanity and listen to yours until your next appointment and then you'll see the difference between the two and are able to do the math. scales rarely say the same thing, even two identical models side by side. Just know that you're losing, pay attention to the one at home and like myori said....only weigh in the mornings. Sensitive scales will show a difference after you've eaten a meal or drank your 64 ounces of Fluid and show a weight gain. I hope this makes sense, I just woke up and am still kinda ditzy / foggy right now (not that this isn't normal even after I've been up all day LOL) xoxo, Renee`

our relationship has been strained for years and so I won't miss her at all. I've totally written her out of my life and I sleep well at night. I'm not stressing over it, she's just not worth it to me anymore. I fooled myself for a few years and forgave a LOT of crap she did to me, including almost destroying my family. Not even exaggerating here, she literally almost destroyed my family. I forgave but never forgot and now that she's pulled this crap I decided it was time to stop taking it on the chin and letting her walk all over me and just end our relationship. So yeah, it's hard but honestly, who needs negativity in their lives? I certainly don't. I want positive people around me and people that support me. Anything else is a waste of my time and energy...energy that I'd rather spend helping others. Renee`

I know that Dr. Aceves does that revision. Might want to contact him

I had one of these today and from all places, my sister. Her comment was "oh great now you're going to get skinny, just another reason for me to hate you." and then "you're so pretty, when the hell are you going to get old and ugly?!" urgh. We're no longer speaking. Sometimes the toxicity comes from within your own family. Renee`

Whoa! You're not failing, don't be so hard on yourself! Calm down and take a deep breath and then like they said above, go over your food log / diary and see if there really is a problem that you can fix or if you're right on track. My guess is you're right on track because you're so worried about failing, I can't see you throwing it all away on a box of twinkies lol Remember, stress plays a huge role in things so take a hot bath, read a book, breathe! Don't stress and it'll happen, k? *hugs!* Renee`

LOL I know it's crazy, but use Whole Cream or Whipping Cream. Yes, it's a bit pricier but you don't use very much at all! This is what Atkins recommends for low carb dieting

Just like you, he gets to make his own choice as this is his body and the rest of his life that he has to deal with. Like ChefNeil said, at the end of the day, y'all will likely be eating the same way anyway. Also, don't stress. Dr. Aceves told me he can convert the RNY to the sleeve with a revision if the person so chooses or if they stretch their pouch out and gain the weight back. Maybe the sleeve sounds too permanent to him? I mean come on, it's scary thinking omg...my stomach will be GONE! No turning back from that! So maybe for your husband it's a little too drastic for his taste. Everyone's weight loss is individual and you get out what you put into it so he may do just fine with the rny and you, better with the sleeve, who knows? Don't stress and try not to stress him out over this. let him know that since it's a malabsorption issue though, he will have to go in for lab work every few months (I think for the first year but not sure about that). Renee`

I would be tempted to put something by shirley temple, or that song sunshine, lollipops and rainbows. Just something entirely unexpected and funny. However, my doctor would expect something like that from me lol My son LOVES 50's music and it would seem there are some good titles there. Personally I had my playlist that I listened to on the way to the hospital and it was a lot of F-U! music to try to get me amped up and ready so I wouldn't chicken out.

ohman...I was laughing so hard I couldn't even read this out loud to my daughter, she had to come read over my shoulder and then she was cracking up too! Thanks so much for the laughs, I'm glad to know I'm not the only "blond" on the board! You are too cute! LOL Renee`

Hey Sarah, make sure you're washing it a couple times a day with an antibacterial soap. I know that Safeguard kills even staph, so I've been using that. Dial also kills staph if you prefer that kind. I hope it gets better quickly! **HUGS** Renee`

This sounds a lot like the New whey from GnC that I tried. Although the New Whey didn't agree with me, it gave me horrible heartburn! To be fair though, most things gave me horrible heartburn at first lol Renee`

Kelly is right, hydration first! Protein will come (or not, in my case...I'm a month out and just recently tried some samples that people sent me and could tolerate those!) in time. It's very hard on the tummy. Some people are lucky and can stomach it right away and others can't. It made my tummy hurt like heck, made me gassy, vomit and then finally diarrhea. They just killed me. Try again in a week or so, this is what I was told to do so I'm passing the advice on to you. Renee`

How weird, Raine and I were JUST talking about this topic on the phone the other night! People are under the impression that this wls is a CURE for diabetes. IT IS NOT! The "cure" happens because of the lower portions and different eating style you've implemented. Diabetes then goes into remission. You will still be diabetic at the end of the day and should monitor your sugars accordingly. Carbs are a big no no, for diabetics as well as wls patients so normally, like I said, the diabetes seems to be cured. If you were a diabetic before wls, you will still be one after. The diet part of the wls is the seemingly cure part of this, so please, if anyone out there is looking into wls, be aware of this. Now people will post after me and tell you how they got off all or most of their medications and that's AWESOME! But I can't stress enough to please keep testing your sugars because this isn't a cure. This info came straight from a doctors mouth but don't believe me, ask your doctor specifically about it being a CURE. I hope this helps people that are looking into wls strictly to cure diabetes because there is a lot of misinformation out there, people just like you that had the surgery to cure themselves only to be disappointed afterward. Renee`

Yeah Starbucks wasn't on my list of things I could have. I will admit to taking two tiny sips of coffee about 2 weeks out and to be honest, those 2 sips were enough for me.

You did awesome! I have to ask, are you going to tell her you're having wls (which I'm sure she'll attribute to her continual 'subtle hints') or are you just going to show up to a gathering a lot thinner?

Thanks everyone! **HUGS!!** and yes, Sue, I was a big sissy! Believe me...I cried so much and then would turn around and be Evil Renee. The mood swings were horrible because my emotions were all over the place. I'm so glad that I forced myself to do it! xoxo's, Renee`

I would end up being a sarcastic b!tch and saying something like **looks her up and down** "You've had gastric bypass? wow..I never would have guessed..." and let her take it how she wants to. I don't like people like that so I tend to say F-U with a sweet smile on my face and walk off and leave them pondering just what I meant by it. honestly, good luck with this one. I certainly don't envy you! Renee`

I did a YouTube video here at and updated my blog at http://www.skinnyrenee.com What an amazing and strange month. For anyone researching weight loss surgery and you're terrified like I was, just do it! I was the biggest sissy ever and it was something I NEVER thought I'd do but I don't regret one minute of it (ok maybe the dry heaves from the anesthesia, but still...). It's your life, you should make it everything you dreamed of...we only get one shot at it so make the most of it. I'm so ready to be healthy and fit and I'm well on my way. I never dreamed it would happen and I never in a million years thought I'd be crazy enough to do it but I'm so glad I found the courage. If anyone here is still on the fence and wants to talk about it, I'm always just a pm away. Everyone is here to support your decision, seriously it's like a big family. If you're like me, I had tons of questions and everyone here is so willing to help you through this so honestly, don't wait. Like Nike says, JUST DO IT! lol xoxo's Renee`

omg you could have been a model and even more so now, you're absolutely stunning! Oh, and great job on the weightloss too! LOL Renee`