LindaS

Last weekend I went out with my husband and in-laws. I picked up a green tank top to wear because of St. Patrick's Day, and I bought it without trying it on.
When I put it on later, I learned that it was showing off a lot of my breasts. My nipples weren't in danger of making an appearance, but it was a LOT of cleavage. I don't normally show cleavage. I wore the shirt anyway.
My husband didn't say much other than to ask if I was sure since it was a lot more than I usually show off.
When I first arrived, my father-in-law introduced me to an old friend of his and the friend's wife. The wife was giving me a look like I was incredibly loose. I started to feel a bit uncomfortable and started crossing my arms in front of me, but I stopped when I realized what I was doing. It wasn't covering anything, and it was stupid. Who cares what people think?
I went dancing and had fun, and I never worried about what I was showing off.
It's been a week today, and my husband and in-laws are still talking about my shirt and all the men who were appreciating my shirt last weekend. My husband makes comments to me when we are alone, and his comments are appreciative. My in-laws mostly comment about the people looking. I don't respond.
And yes, I do plan to wear the shirt again. Frankly, the women from Survivor show more cleavage. I think this was more remarkable to my husband and in-laws because I don't usually show that much.

Last weekend I went out with my husband and in-laws. I picked up a green tank top to wear because of St. Patrick's Day, and I bought it without trying it on.
When I put it on later, I learned that it was showing off a lot of my breasts. My nipples weren't in danger of making an appearance, but it was a LOT of cleavage. I don't normally show cleavage. I wore the shirt anyway.
My husband didn't say much other than to ask if I was sure since it was a lot more than I usually show off.
When I first arrived, my father-in-law introduced me to an old friend of his and the friend's wife. The wife was giving me a look like I was incredibly loose. I started to feel a bit uncomfortable and started crossing my arms in front of me, but I stopped when I realized what I was doing. It wasn't covering anything, and it was stupid. Who cares what people think?
I went dancing and had fun, and I never worried about what I was showing off.
It's been a week today, and my husband and in-laws are still talking about my shirt and all the men who were appreciating my shirt last weekend. My husband makes comments to me when we are alone, and his comments are appreciative. My in-laws mostly comment about the people looking. I don't respond.
And yes, I do plan to wear the shirt again. Frankly, the women from Survivor show more cleavage. I think this was more remarkable to my husband and in-laws because I don't usually show that much.

Last weekend I went out with my husband and in-laws. I picked up a green tank top to wear because of St. Patrick's Day, and I bought it without trying it on.
When I put it on later, I learned that it was showing off a lot of my breasts. My nipples weren't in danger of making an appearance, but it was a LOT of cleavage. I don't normally show cleavage. I wore the shirt anyway.
My husband didn't say much other than to ask if I was sure since it was a lot more than I usually show off.
When I first arrived, my father-in-law introduced me to an old friend of his and the friend's wife. The wife was giving me a look like I was incredibly loose. I started to feel a bit uncomfortable and started crossing my arms in front of me, but I stopped when I realized what I was doing. It wasn't covering anything, and it was stupid. Who cares what people think?
I went dancing and had fun, and I never worried about what I was showing off.
It's been a week today, and my husband and in-laws are still talking about my shirt and all the men who were appreciating my shirt last weekend. My husband makes comments to me when we are alone, and his comments are appreciative. My in-laws mostly comment about the people looking. I don't respond.
And yes, I do plan to wear the shirt again. Frankly, the women from Survivor show more cleavage. I think this was more remarkable to my husband and in-laws because I don't usually show that much.

Last weekend I went out with my husband and in-laws. I picked up a green tank top to wear because of St. Patrick's Day, and I bought it without trying it on.
When I put it on later, I learned that it was showing off a lot of my breasts. My nipples weren't in danger of making an appearance, but it was a LOT of cleavage. I don't normally show cleavage. I wore the shirt anyway.
My husband didn't say much other than to ask if I was sure since it was a lot more than I usually show off.
When I first arrived, my father-in-law introduced me to an old friend of his and the friend's wife. The wife was giving me a look like I was incredibly loose. I started to feel a bit uncomfortable and started crossing my arms in front of me, but I stopped when I realized what I was doing. It wasn't covering anything, and it was stupid. Who cares what people think?
I went dancing and had fun, and I never worried about what I was showing off.
It's been a week today, and my husband and in-laws are still talking about my shirt and all the men who were appreciating my shirt last weekend. My husband makes comments to me when we are alone, and his comments are appreciative. My in-laws mostly comment about the people looking. I don't respond.
And yes, I do plan to wear the shirt again. Frankly, the women from Survivor show more cleavage. I think this was more remarkable to my husband and in-laws because I don't usually show that much.

I don't count calories, but I do count Protein. I've found I have to track my food intake to make sure I am eating enough protein.
For low cal drinks, I like Sobe Water (the zero calorie kind), Propel (also the 0 calorie kind) and I have tried some low-cal Hot Drinks like spiced apple cider (10 calories) and diet hot chocolate (25 cals).
For low cal drinks with protein, I love the BariWise Fruit Drinks especially the Peach Mango flavor. These offer 15 grams of protein and have 60 to 70 calories depending on the flavor. I also love the Bariwise strawberry banana shake, which is 100 calories and 15 grams or protein. It tastes like a yummy shake and even has bits of real strawberries in it.

I joined a gym near my house!!! This was my birthday week gift to myself!! I worked out for almost an hour..7 miles on the bike and a little stretching!! Gonna get my rebounding on in the AM. And go back to the gym tomorrow evening (it was a little crowded for me at 4pm)..
Yeah me!!!

Hi everyone! I live in Chesterfield (Macomb County) and I will be sleeved at Hurley Medical Center in Flint by Dr. Wagner on April 4...I'm soooo excited!!!

Yay! I sent my before/after pictures to Nina, and she asked if they could feature them on Dr. Aceves' website. Pretty flattered - definitely an NSV!

Well I finally plucked up the courage to join a face to face bariatric support group yesterday, and it was great!!
Most people were pre-op, so I got a few slightly puzzled looks when I walked in, but when I explained who I was and why I was there someone said to me "Thank you so much for joining us, you are what we all want to become".
In my logical mind I know I am at goal, but I was so shocked to hear it.
I'll definitely stick with the group, I'm hoping it will start to help me cut through some of the psychological issues!
Thanks for listening x

Got the biggest kick today! Just realized I now really actually weigh what my drivers license says I weigh!
Hopefully by the time I renew, I can (probably for the first time in my life) tell the truth about my weight and it will be lower than it is right now. It's a good day!

Well I thought I would give an update on this. SOOOO...things are 10000000% better with my husband. It took a lot of counseling and a lot of tears with our Pastor and his wife but our marriage is in a place it has never been in the last 10 years. Amazing how God can work even the worst situations out for His glory. We have quite the testimony of what He has done for us now
SO that also means I am moving forward with the gut tuck!! We were able to get my insurance to cover it and surgery is next week. THank you all for the encouragement!

Gosh, I hope she doesn't mind me doing this but not everyone reads personal statuses. Sleeve 4 me has always been an encourager and a ray of light on these boards and she's going to have cardiac stress tests tomorrow. Let's band together and send prayers and best wishes for her. I'm sure she needs comforting right now and we are like a family,,so let's be there for our sleeve sister.

My mood has changed. I didn't think I was unhappy before, but I was tired and constantly thinking about my size. I would sit in a chair and think about the sides digging into me, etc. I wouldn't say anything to anyone, but my negative mood about that came through in my interactions.
Now, I'm not thinking about how I fit (or don't fit). I don't have that negative talk going on in my head, so I am more positive outside of my head and in. It's a change that people have noticed. I didn't have an unhappy life and nothing has really changed in my life, but I no longer have this negative self talk interfering with me enjoying my life.

So... I have had about 4 NSVs in the last week....

Last night I went to the Grand Lux Cafe.. When we were taken to our BOOTH, I just slid right in and my tummy didn't touch the table!!!! (I almost cried!! My best friend was smiling so hard I thought she was gonna have a coronary!!)
On Saturday, I was sitting on my sofa and without thinking and much effort.... I crossed my legs!!!!! Comfortably!!!
My bariatric center has a yearly celebration of life dinner/dance.. It's tomorrow.. and I haven't been able to wear heels for 2/3 years (and I have over 20 pairs).... anyway, I was like..let me just try these on and see if I can walk in them... Well, I tried on a pair of black 2 inch, brown 3 inch, silver and a few others... I walked around in them for a while without pain, stumbling or anything!!!!
Finally, due to a back injury and left side nerve damage, I've walked w/ a very noticeable limp... I happened to look at myself walking down the hall at school today... and it's almost gone!!! This is the best NSV I've had to date!!!!

Stay encouraged guys and appreciate every step of this journey to wellness, wholeness and the revelation of a new and improved you!!!

Something really really funny and cool happened to me this morning!
Me and my brother were at a cafe talking and catching up on stuff and a few minutes later his friend (whom i know well but haven't seen for about a year) comes over and sits down. There were no introductions just "hi" and "hello" as my brother and i did not have a slightest doubt he would not recognise me!!
So when i realised what had happened i chuckled and decided to see how long it would take for him to actually know who i was!
Guess what? We talked for about an HOUR and he had no idea!! He thought i was a friend and not even related to my brother!! When we decided to leave my brother dropped the bomb and he was like.. " NO WAY! NO "*beep* WAY!!"
I've never laughed so much and so hard! His reaction was so intense he just stood there staring at me for a minute. We ended up sitting for another hour discussing my surgery LOL.
Just wanted to share this with you guys and hopefully lighten the mood of sleevers who feel a bit down for one reason or another
Have a nice day all of you

I can TOTALLY understand your frustration and dread the day I get to one of those long stalls. BUT...In what universe is someone who has lost 85 pounds a FAILURE??? You have lost an anorexic teenager!!! What baggage!! Cry for a little bit if you need to, but don't soothe yourself with food. Dry your tears and go buy yourself something new to wear in a size you could only dream of at this time last year. Then put your scales away for another month. Your body is adapting, and sooner or later if you do the right things it will start responding again. Hang in there!

Ugh. I know how you all feel. I have been stalled for a month now, with a 3 lb gain in the middle of it. I am starting to get so frustrated. I had read and read on here about stalls, knew they would happen, and would feel bad for people who were stalled but wondered why they were upset when they had to know it was temporary. It's TOTALLY different when you're in the same boat....I have been EXTREMELY discouraged, to the point I am eating 'bad' and not coming here as often as I should. The biggest problem? I am NOT losing inches, either So I am really, really down. I logically know it's temporary, know I will lose weight again, but it's so hard emotionally. We have been so abused by diet failure after diet failure....our little fragile minds are all twisted up and we think we're done lsoing weight, when we know we aren't.
I just gotta say, I hate this. I really do. And I haven't reached out on here yet cause I know everyone will tell me it's temporary, and I need to exercise and drink my Water, and not eat carbs, or shock my body, or stand on my head and chant three times (just kidding! :wub: :wub: I so love everyone!!) but I know all that myself. I just need the scale to move again. I know it will....just so tired of waiting FOR A MONTH!!!! I think it was Lissa (?) who had a six week stall? That's the longest I've seen...I think I may break her records. I may have to go ask on the board what the longest stall was...without inches lost.

This is a picture of my dad and me when I was about 16 years old. My dad weighed over 400 pounds. This is the only picture I have where you can see his stomach because he was very good at making sure his shirt was long enough to cover it up.
He died in 2006. I was 35, and I was so MAD at him because he died from complications of his weight. For the last 10 years of his life, the quality of his life was horrible. For the last 5 years, he spent most of it in and out of hospitals.
His highest weight was almost 500 pounds. When I married in 1989, he was at the lowest he had weighed in many years at about 350 pounds.
I loved/love my dad. I never saw him as fat.
But when he left me (died), I was so angry at him. At the time of his death, I wasn't that overweight. I weighed about 180. I gained weight after he died. And when I finally realized what the weight was preventing me to do, I tried losing it. This is why I finally decided to have WLS. When I was about 10, my dad was going to have WLS. It was scheduled. He made it into the surgery room and something the anesthesiologist told him scared him. The guy said my dad had a 50/50 chance of not making it through the surgery. There was some concerns about his weight pressing down on his lungs.
I wonder now that if he had gone through it, what would my memories of him have been like? I remember him sitting or laying down on things. He would tell me to get this or do that for him. He had a bell he would ring to get my attention. I was his legs. He didn't go to my concerts or games or talk to my teachers.
If he had weighed less, he would have been more a part of my life. He would have been a full participant in my life instead of someone watching from the car or hearing about it later. My kids would know him.
As an adult, I remember thinking how great wheelchairs were because it allowed my dad to go with us places he couldn't walk to.
I loved my dad. I love my kids. I chose this surgery to give my kids something that they don't even know they would have missed.
In grad school, I wrote a memoir titled "Fat Man's Daughter," where I dealt with many of my issues about my dad and myself. Here's a link to the first chapter: http://lindasherwood.com/wp/category/fat-mans-daughter/chapter-one/
This Suethsayings blog talks about the "conspiracy of silence" surrounding weight loss surgery. I want people to know about the impact not doing something has on lives. If my dad had WLS, I think he might still be here.

I was able to use it earlier today, but it quit working for me. I have tried to "like" over 20 posts and it hasn't worked.

I was able to use it earlier today, but it quit working for me. I have tried to "like" over 20 posts and it hasn't worked.

I click on the "like" button, and a green status bar shows up briefly. Before it updates, the status bar disappears, and the button hasn't been pressed.

I'm using Firefox 9.0.1.

You look fantastic, Wishes! Great job!

This is a picture of my dad and me when I was about 16 years old. My dad weighed over 400 pounds. This is the only picture I have where you can see his stomach because he was very good at making sure his shirt was long enough to cover it up.
He died in 2006. I was 35, and I was so MAD at him because he died from complications of his weight. For the last 10 years of his life, the quality of his life was horrible. For the last 5 years, he spent most of it in and out of hospitals.
His highest weight was almost 500 pounds. When I married in 1989, he was at the lowest he had weighed in many years at about 350 pounds.
I loved/love my dad. I never saw him as fat.
But when he left me (died), I was so angry at him. At the time of his death, I wasn't that overweight. I weighed about 180. I gained weight after he died. And when I finally realized what the weight was preventing me to do, I tried losing it. This is why I finally decided to have WLS. When I was about 10, my dad was going to have WLS. It was scheduled. He made it into the surgery room and something the anesthesiologist told him scared him. The guy said my dad had a 50/50 chance of not making it through the surgery. There was some concerns about his weight pressing down on his lungs.
I wonder now that if he had gone through it, what would my memories of him have been like? I remember him sitting or laying down on things. He would tell me to get this or do that for him. He had a bell he would ring to get my attention. I was his legs. He didn't go to my concerts or games or talk to my teachers.
If he had weighed less, he would have been more a part of my life. He would have been a full participant in my life instead of someone watching from the car or hearing about it later. My kids would know him.
As an adult, I remember thinking how great wheelchairs were because it allowed my dad to go with us places he couldn't walk to.
I loved my dad. I love my kids. I chose this surgery to give my kids something that they don't even know they would have missed.
In grad school, I wrote a memoir titled "Fat Man's Daughter," where I dealt with many of my issues about my dad and myself. Here's a link to the first chapter: http://lindasherwood.com/wp/category/fat-mans-daughter/chapter-one/
This Suethsayings blog talks about the "conspiracy of silence" surrounding weight loss surgery. I want people to know about the impact not doing something has on lives. If my dad had WLS, I think he might still be here.

I was able to use it earlier today, but it quit working for me. I have tried to "like" over 20 posts and it hasn't worked.