a.walker

I'm doing the couch to 5k program as well. I suck at running and I hate it, but I'm hopeful that I can change that. Here's the program I am doing http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

My insurance didn't cover VSG, so I went to Mexico self-pay. Sorry I'm no help there!

Welcome! Congratulations on quitting smoking and best of luck with the pre-op weight loss. I actually gained weight also when I first scheduled my surgery (lots of food funerals...especially pizza!) , and then on my actual 2 week pre-op diet, I lost some, so I was actually not too far from where I started when I had my surgery. I know you can do it, too. I didn't have to follow a liquid diet, but I did do very low carbs for that two weeks. It wasn't terribly painful, as there are lots of things out there made for low-carb lifestyles. I suggest this kind of diet because it's close to what you'll do post-op, and it's not awful. Good luck to you; I know you can do it! Let us know when you get your surgery date!

THose are great boots! You look awesome; congrats!

I was also sleeved by Dr. Rodriguez. My husband and I both had surgery the same day, actually. He has lost more than me, but that's my only complaint! (Kidding, but why do men always lose faster?!) We both had excellent care, and loved all the doctors in Dr. Rod's group. We have lost weight and feel great. I have heard good things about many Mexican surgeons, but it's good to do some research as well. Good luck to you and your customer getting the sleeve.

Way to go! You're little bikini girl is soon going to be past that halfway mark, and then before you know it, she'll be at goal! Congrats on doing so well so far, and I love your positive perspective in all your posts. I hope you take a picture with the boots and share it; I'm jealous, because I'm nowhere near being able to wear boots yet, but I'd love to!

I like the Atkin's bars and Pure Protein. Mostly because they have lower net carbs, and they still taste decent. The Pure Protein ones come in two different sizes, and the small ones are perfect sized, but I can't eat a whole large one in one sitting.

Yeah, if that's "very loose and saggy", I'm screwed. I definitely need a boob job. Already. And I still have nearly 80 lbs. to lose.

Way to go! You are looking great. I like 3,5,8,13 the best. I think 8 will make a fabulous Christmas card. Your dogs are adorable, and apparently amazingly well-behaved to have taken such great photos. Congrats on the awesome weight loss, and the really great photos as well. I think you'll be glad you took these photos of the "during" part of your journey. And I'm sure your family will be glad to see your pretty face as well, since you've been allergic to photos for awhile .

This sounds good, and I've never heard of it before. Some days I feel like I need a sandwich, so I'm definitely going to try this!

That is awesome! What a wonderful way to celebrate being in onederland...really enjoying those grandkids. Thanks for the great story, and congrats on such a wonderful job so far.

You look great! COngratulations!

Way to go! I am trying to become a runner, too. It's tough going at first, but feels good. Congrats on Onederland! That's awesome!

So, I looked at your pictures, and I thought "Damn, I wanna look that good!" Then I realized that was your before pic, because in the next one, I was seriously taken aback by how great you look. You look fabulous! Congrats on an awesome job so far.

I am wearing a size 20 currently, but can't find jeans that actually fit decently. I guess I'm shaped wrong. I definitely don't have an hourglass shape like most plus size jeans are meant to fit. I have a huge waist, so when I find jeans that actually fit well in the waist, my butt and legs are swimming. I look just as sloppy as in my big ol' 26s from pre-op. I wish I could lose weight in my waist, but it's been slow going there. Does anyone know of any brand/cut of jeans that are a little more forgiving in the waist? Or maybe there's another kind of pants I can wear? I have usually worn Lane Bryant clothes, and they are just not fitting me right at all when I tried them on in the smaller sizes. I have also tried on some at Maurice's, with no luck. Anyone have any ideas?

Congratulations! How great to reach your surgeon's goal in 5 months! Woohoo!

THose are both awesome NSVs. You're doing great!

PMS and Halloween candy definitely make for a deadly combination. Everyone has their bad food days/weeks. I think you've got the right idea by getting the candy out of the house. The PMS will go away, and you'll feel human again. This journey is so much more than just the surgery. The emotional/hormonal part is tough, and I know I feel like I'm failing myself every time I make a bad choice. It's not true, though. We're just more used to failing at this weight loss thing, so it's hard to wrap your mind around the fact that this time it's actually going to work. Some candy will not sabotage you getting to goal by New Years, as long as you don't let it. Get rid of the candy, and try to get rid of the guilt, too. Then, just get back on track. You know what to do to lose weight; you've already lost most of it. You already look great, but imagine how awesome it'll feel to be at goal by New Years!

It sounds like the hoop-jumping is nearly over! That's a big accomplishment in itself. Congrats on your weight loss so far, and on your surgery date. I hope your insurance approves you soon, so you don't have to worry about it anymore. Welcome to the board, and hopefully we'll see you around a lot!

Hooray! That's awesome; can't wait until I can say the same thing. Congrats on such a fabulous job. You're so close to goal!

Thanks! Yes, we had surgery with Dr. Rod on the same day. It was a good decision

I know sausage and bacon have lots of fat in them, but I occasionally have that for breakfast. I like to have an omelette or some eggs sometimes too. If I'm going to work, I usually just have a protein bar, because I never give myself time to make something. If you like eggs, you might like eggface's bites. It's a woman who has a blog all about cooking after gastric bypass, and she has some bites, which are like mini-quiches. I love them. They freeze well, too, so if you need something on the go. Here's her website, and specifically all her "bites" recipes: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/10/party-time-confetti-bites.html

I never could find a good way to use the unflavored stuff. I could smell it and taste it in everything I tried, and it made most everything inedible to me. My husband used to put it in his Crystal Light drinks, and got in lots of protein that way right at first after surgery. He didn't notice it at all as long as he added a flavor to his water and then just one scoop of protein per 16.9 oz. bottle. I have had much more luck with the flavored versions. I like almost anything chocolate flavored, so even chocolate protein tastes good to me.

You are doing great! I think 21 lbs. in 4 weeks is awesome. Keep rockin' that sleeve!

I didn't have to do liquids,so I can't tell you how it worked for me. I had to do really low carbs and sometimes that was hard enough, but it's 2 weeks, which will probably suck, but will definitely be worth it in the end. I remember I stuck with the cabbage soup diet for 2 weeks once. THAT was torture. I truly believe you can do it! I hope your two weeks goes by really fast, and the evil fries quit begging you to eat them.