Amanda 3.0

For the third time since I've been married (13 years) I had to put my wedding ring back around my neck hanging from the fat chain. BECAUSE IT'S TOO BIG!! WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!!
The other two times were because I was either pregnant or just too fat! NOT THIS TIME!! OH YEAHHHH!!!

I PUT ON MY CHEERLEADING UNIFORM FROM HIGH SCHOOL!!!! Wow! I wasn't able to zip or button the skirt and it didn't quite cover my behind lol, but I still got it on and I was able to completely button the shell (uniform top). That really means something to me because even though I felt chubby at the time, since then I have known that I looked really good back then and have always considered in hindsight for that to have been my "thin" period. New goal - to get that skirt to zip and button by HALLOWEEN!!!! =P

Hi everyone! Today is my 8th month surgiversary and I am down 50+ lbs!!! I know that's not a lot to some, but for me, "slow and steady" is the race I'm on. I'm 66 yrs. old and not much of an exerciser, so I'm happy w my slow pace.
So here's what I"m happy about:
1. I wear a size 12 (from a tight 18)
2. I look great in a bathing suit.....for an old broad.
3. I've cleaned out my closet and love my new organization. I've taken bags and bags to charity. I want to NOT buy so many articles of clothing from now on. I want to be selective and get some wonderful thing I love, wear the heck out of them, then donate and replace. I've realized that I have my favorite items and those few items is what I wear all the time. (that has nothing to do w weight loss.....just a point of view.)
4. I love the compliments I get.
5. Only my inside circle know about my surgery, so when someone sees me and remarks about my weight loss, I just say that I've been working on it for the last year. "It's been coming off slow, but I like it that way". I love my little secret!
6. I love the support of this board! I can't imagine going through this w/o the information I've gotten from this wonderful community!
7. I almost forgot......the love my new energy and love of life!!!!
What I don't like:
1. My hair is dull and I've lost lots of it.
2. I need a neck lift! I hope that will be my next treat to myself at my one-year.
3. I need a Tummy Tuck. Maybe the following year!!!
Lord Jesus bless all of you and continued success to all!!!! xoxo

I am very happy for you, but also sad that you jumped through a bunch of hoops for your original surgeon. IMO, their office staff should have checked insurance coverage before scheduling any of the pre-op procedures.
Congratulations now that you overcame all that! Yay!

Yay after all the drama, Tuesday I called another bariatrics surgeon and it was so easy. They offer financing, he will honor all that I have done, nutritionist, pulmonary specialist, bariatrics psycologist and he will see me the Sept. 11th and my surgery date is Sept.24th. Do I hear a Whoop whoop? Finally after 4 months. Thank you for all the encouraging replys.

I don't mind paying a split charge, but for that they should split it and make sure that the presentation is appetizing.
Tipping is discretionary. I am not concerned with how the waiter is taxed. If a waiter is taxed with the assumption of 10% tips, and isn't making 10% tips, that should tell him that he is not a very good waiter and perhaps he should find another line of work. I am not good at sales, so I am not going to pursue a career in sales, that would be crazy.
I am not trying to be mean, it is just reality. It is not right to tip for bad service and that people expect it these days is ridiculous.

This world is rude, but its up to us how were to handle it, just dont let them ruin your day,that all comes with being over wt,but its not only us that gets this treatment. Well thank God were doing something about our wt,but the rude people will always be there.

We're going for two weeks Dec 22-Jan 5. We'll be up north, near Inverness, but may take the train down to Glasgow or Edinburgh for a day. My husband is a Scottish immigrant and his mum and brother still live in the UK, so we visit every couple of years. Unfortunately, twice this year because my father-in-law passed away in April.
I've never actually been to Glasgow, but really want to visit and check out some of the art galleries (and maybe some shopping!)
Sounds like you had a long, fun trip!

I love M&S and forgot about them having their little shops in the train stations. Excellent suggestion, thanks! I know I'll be able to find some healthy foods at Tesco too, just need to steer clear of all of my calorie-laden favorites there as well.
And I love Pimm's too!

I've traveled several times since surgery, for a week or more, though not internationally. Here are my strategies:
(1) Pack Protein Powder. I usually mix up snack-size baggies of my morning concoction, which consists of a scoop of Unjury chocolate, 2T unsweetened cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. When I'm making it, I blend it with warm unsweetened almond milk. I've nearly always been able to get almond milk when traveling, and in a pinch I can mix it into coffee. (I also pack a measuring cup and whisk, and if I won't have a microwave, an immersion heater.)
(2) Pack Protein bars - I LOVE the Quest protein bars. They travel really well (not prone to melting or crumbling). They're best when microwaved for a few seconds, but are fine at room temp, if a bit chewy. Really great stats. GNC stores are beginning to carry them, but I order online for best selection of flavors. The apple pie nuked for a few seconds and topped with SF whipped cream is heavenly! Ok.. getting off topic there...
(3) Pack other protein sources, like nuts, protein pudding mix, Ostrim (I don't care for jerky).
(4) For the flight, I've often filled the approved travel-size bottles people use for Shampoo, etc. 2/3 full of Water and frozen them. I send them through security like any other liquid, in the approved sized baggie, then they can go back in my insulated lunch bag. Then I can buy something at the airport like hard boiled eggs, cheese, a sandwich (ditch the bread) or a salad with chicken, and keep it cold until I'm ready to eat it on the flight.
(4) I always try to get a small fridge in my room - most hotels can do this if you ask - some medications have to be refrigerated, so it's not an uncommon need for guests. When I get where I'm going, I can hit a local grocery for almond milk, lunch meat, and cheese, and some veggies - easy lunches, and sometimes dinners too.
If you're going to be staying one place for several nights, you can mail / FedEx yourself a box with supplies. This can be great for items like ready-to-drink shakes. Just call the hotel to find out how it should be addressed.

What you ate going through is normal. Know that it does get better. Focus mostly on liquids this early out. You have plenty of time to work on Protein later. I'm only 8 1/2 weeks out and really have no issues with any type of food. A pornography people don't so you will most likely be able to eat what you like soon.

I can't say I feel like that, but I can say that it does get better. Please hang in there and don't get too down. Things get much easier with time.
I am at eight months so not an expert, but I can drink liquids normally, and there is not much I cannot eat. I wish I had done this years ago, I would have so many lost years back.
You have gone through so much in the last week. Give yourself a little time?

Have a great trip Amanda! It sounds so exciting!

I have put the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury strawberry sorbet flavor in my Crystal Light. It is a good way to get in the Protein. However, it is a flavor you may tire of. My lesson learned: Do not stock up on any Protein products.
Another option might be to get the Cytosport 100% Whey (I get the big bag at costco, chocolate or vanilla, ~$50/bag). 27 grams per scoop and it dissolves perfectly in coffee in a shaker cup (if you are allowed coffee). That is my first drink of the day, every day. I haven't tired of it yet, and it has been months since I started drinking it. No sugar or milk, just coffee and Cytosport, and it tastes very good!

I have wanted to suggest this path to a friend of mine. I know she is struggling, but I don't think she is open to surgery, or perhaps insurance will not cover it. I just keep it to myself. If she ever asked, I would love to tell her about my experience, but I like her too much to risk any alienation.
When I see strangers, it doesn't cross my mind so much, because I don't know their circumstances. It does make me grateful for my own progress though.

If you are allowed, you might wish to switch to whole grain crackers. Crackers are a post-surgery love of mine. Fancy, uppity crackers at that (lol). There are a lot of really nice whole grain crackers that will help you feel full. I think the baked Lays will end up being a slider food for you.

I have noticed how badly women treat each other in my office. Since our HR department has nothing to do and needs to justify their existence somehow, they call a lot of staff meetings for no real reason. And then they tempt us all to come by providing lunch. I always find the pre-meeting buffet line and endless source of amusement.
I went to one of these meetings the other day with my friend Joy and we went to the buffet line before going into the conference room. HR had decided on an Italian theme, so there was pizza, lasagna, manicotti, salad, and Italian bread. I noticed that the first people in line were some of the larger women of the office. Now, my friend Joy isn't runway-model thin, but she is by no means overweight. And she's normally a very sweet person, but I saw her flash this evil grin to herself as we approached the buffet.
She walked across the buffet line looking at the food, and in full stage voice she said to me, "Oh, pizza...yeah...too many points! I'm doing Weight Watchers and fattening food has a LOT of points...Oh, lasagna...WAY too many points! Yeah, I'm doing WEIGHT WATCHERS and lasagna has TOO many POINTS for me...You know I CAN'T have that many points..."
Needless to say, the women in line all threw her dirty looks and gnashed their teeth. I was shocked that Joy would be so catty and obnoxious. I even heard one of the women in line say, "She does this EVERY time...why does she always have to ruin it for everyone?!"
Then Joy moved up to the salad and said, "Oh, I think I'll just have some salad. You know, salad so good for you and it fills me right up! Salad doesn't have a lot of points...you know I'm doing WEIGHT WATCHERS..." By this point, I was mortified. I thought the other women were going to start beating her with the lasagna spatulas!
I'm still at a loss as to why Joy behaved this way. It seemed so juvenile and catty. And then she wonders why none of the other women in the office like her...

I would definitely wait until you are at goal, or at least near goal. It might make a difference in your tattoo's final position. It would be a bummer to get it done, and then wish later that it was in a slightly different place!

Hi all,
I'm just getting ready to leave on a long international trip and so thought I would share what I have found about traveling and managing Protein.< /p>
I found out that I can buy Protein powder that, if not the same, is comparable to what I am using here. So while I am packing a canister of powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury, I can buy more in the countries to which I am traveling. I posted questions regarding supplement stores in the TripAdvisor.com forums for the cities I am visiting and locals were happy to recommend stores.
Getting my protein during two solid days of flights is another challenge as I thought I would not be allowed to bring my 11 oz. ready-to-drink Premier shakes. I was happy to be wrong! The TSA will allow my Protein Shakes as medically necessary. I don't need a doctor note or anything, just to declare them as medically necessary and pack them separate for they will screened separately. So, I am taking six shakes for two days of travel.
I called the TSA to verify all this, and they were very nice (although definitely all business). They even offered a confirming email:
Travelers are not limited in the amount or volume of medically necessary food items and liquids they may bring through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening checkpoints. However, if these items exceed 3.4 ounces and are not contained in a single, quart-size, clear plastic, resealable bag, the passengers must declare the items to a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) for additional screening. TSA has established procedures that allow TSOs to screen medically exempt liquids, gels, and aerosols.

To prevent the spoilage of medically necessary food items, TSA recommends, if possible, that food is frozen, securely wrapped, or placed in a spill-proof container before carrying the items through the security checkpoint. Gel packs are permitted in accessible property for the purpose of cooling medically exempt items. Additionally, after clearing the security checkpoint, passengers may purchase ice from inside the secured areas of airports for cooling food items during flight.

We encourage all travelers to familiarize themselves with TSA’s Travel Tips prior to their trip. In addition, our Web site, www.tsa.gov, has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist in preparing for air travel.
If this is not the case when going through airport security, I will certainly report back!

This is such a great topic. I won't be sleeved till the end of the month, but am considering a trip to the UK next March or April (I see that you're about 8 months beyond surgery, and I'd be about 6-7 months out at that point). Please post an update when you return and share what else you learned. Good luck with the Protein Shakes and be aware that European flight security agencies may not be as cooperative as the TSA for your return flight. Are you able to tolerate Protein Bars?

I've not kept it a secret, but I don't tell everyone either. I am kind of a private person in real life so I only mention it if there is a reason.
If I get a vibe that someone doesn't approve, or won't be supportive, I don't bring it up around them anymore.
If someone asks questions, especially if a little more information may help them (or someone they know) in some way, I am happy to discuss my experience openly.
I think you will learn how to handle it in your situation, but definitely don't lie if you can help it.

I am sure I have had the "Flatbread Crisps" but I don't recall where I got them.
Do you not find Cheez-Its to be a slider?
I am trying to steer towards the whole grain crackers, and I really want to make my own. I need to google that. I have a Pasta maker that would probably be better used making cracker dough.

Hi JLOR,
I am also in McKinney. Maybe we are neighbors!
I used Dr. Cribbins in Plano. He doesn't advertise, to my knowledge, but I have been extremely happy. I was sleeved in December.