Bemabound

Hi all, I have been heavy all my life...even in my kindergarten photos! I never saw too many people be successful on diets so I mainly just lived my life and got upto to 440lbs! Pretty happy with my life though...I have a wonderful but chubby husband (who is also doing the surgery after me) and two BEAUTIFUL daughters from China...the most exciting experiences of my life! Well, my deeply spiritual friend and I were having a discussion on my path to this surgery and she thinks I can do this on my own if I just believe and ask God for help. She is baseing this on the fact that I have lost 42lbs and my husband has lost 55lbs on Weight Watchers while we have done the 6 month supervised diet thing with our PCP. I have been a Christian for most of my life and have seen God do incredible things and protect me in the wildest ways! I am not saying this surgery is the easy way out, I have been around this forum for a LONG time and see that it is not and I don't think she is saying that either. I just think she figures that God made our tummys the way they are and that he can restore our minds and hearts without cutting out a perfectly good part of our tummies. In a way, it makes me feel like "why can't I believe God" He has gotten me this far (I didn't think I could lose any weight on my own) or that it would be hell...well it hasn't! But my deal is I want to insure my success and move on....not spend the next however many years counting points! Am I impatient and not letting God work? I believed God brought this to me and have followed the plan to get here...my last PCP apt is June 2 and then my insurance will be submitted....so fellow believers...what do you think...I don't want to be a second rate Christian and God can do anything! Thoughts????? Thanks for listening, Tracy W.

Ok...very touchy subject! I have PCOS and have been on Metformin for a long time which has caused diarrah...which caused hemrroid and ultimately 2 anal fissures! The most painful experience ever!!! Saw a rectal surgeon but this pain has been doing on for almost a month. Has anyone experienced this and what did you do about it. The Dr. says it not surgery worthy at this time but it has been a real pain in the butt!!!! LOL! Tracy

Yes, I use Miralax and the powder form of fiber in my first drink bottle of water everyday. I usually only need about half a dose of Miralax....havent had issues in a year now. If you get fissure and it won't heal...the best bet is a colorectal surgeon who can give you the salve before metioned which will help it heal....Tracy

I feel your pain...thin one day....I don't think I'll ever be thin....not even "one day"! I have been overweight since kindergarten....gave up dieting a very long time ago and tried to make my life full...even at my chubbiest! Got up to 448lbs at my highest....had surgery about 14months ago and now go up and down around 320 to 340lbs with no more loss for a long time. I have a worthless thyroid, PCOS and high blood pressure...now here is the up side....I have a awesome hubby (celebrating our 15th next week)(he had surgery too) and two beautiful daughters adopted from China...my life is wonderful and I have nothing to complain about except the weight that I never seem to really win at. I'm always hungry....always craving carbs and struggle to do the 4 chunks of meat and endless water per day...God help me...I'm so sick of it all! Thanks for listening! Tracy

Does anyone know how to find a good therapist for food issues? Anyone in the St. Louis area maybe? Don't even know how to begin! Thanks! Tracy

Thanks so much, that is how I wanted to live as well...knowing I would never be/nor choose to be skinny but just healthy and shooting for quality of life with my family. My challenge is the slippery slope that food is for me but I will keep up the good fight! You were very encouraging!

Yea MEMEME, you are right....I just find it very hard to maintain the "diet" for long periods of time....I know....that's my problem...I didn't think I would have to originally and now the hard cold facts are what is left! I'm sure there are food issues here.....thanks for the reality check!

Hum...well, that is a great question! I used to be able to eat two fully loaded cheeseburgers, fries and dessert or several pieces of chicken, full baked potatoe and veggies so......because I have the CAPACITY to eat one piece of chicken, half a baked pototoe and a few brocolli spears seems "normal" to me... overall I can eat about a third of what I could before which has gotten me 120lbs down....I guess I'm trying to redefine what "normal" should be now because my version is still to much and that is hard for my "chubby" brain to grasp! Thanks,T

I hear what you are saying and you are right in many ways...but one clarification....I said I COULD eat this at a setting to show capacity...not that I do this every meal or every day. Most meals on most days I do exactly what I'm supposed to down to liquid, exercise etc....I'm just saying I thought I wouldn't be able to and I thought I'd just be able to be like a normal person/eater but it appears like I will have to be more like a dieter to get futher. Hope that makes more sense! Thanks, Tracy

Ok, I'm gonna ask this: Surgery last July 2011, lost 120lbs since 6month supervised until now. I have at least 200 to lose overall at least! My husband also has pretty much the same stats (surgery Aug 2011). We both have a 34bougie. We can eat alot....we can eat a piece of chicken, veggies and part of baked pototoe to give you an idea...of course we are full...but no reprecussions at all...never have thrown up....if feeling full...it is brief...like 10mins....of course we can eat slider stuff....but even when we eat protein first....I am sad to say I'm shocked to see people can only eat 4oz...really???? I can eat a turkey burger on a bun with fries(if i chose to). I was so happy that neither of us suffered any problems, sickness or complications....I won't say it has been easy but not overall a challenge. We are so glad to have done this but I'm still over 300lbs and I'm beginning to wonder if dieting(which I could have done without the surgery) is all my future holds because it looks like we can eat pretty much anything we want. I thought maybe it was the bougie size, we are both tall or did our surgeon leave too much stomach....or are we just doomed to suffering forever with this? Ah well....I've done this since I was 5...it's all I've ever known. Thanks for listening, Tracy

It is a year contract, but I think there are ways to get out of it. I also went 10yrs and then 5 years ago and there were only about 8 machines then....now there is at LEAST twice that many. As I said, it is hydrolic and you have to pump it as fast you can. They have a new system that tracks your personal range and you personal info on it. Also one of the machines is a stair stepper which gives you your heart rate along with a chart so you can track your appropriate heart rate for your age....it doesn't hurt to check it out and see what you think. Oh and they now have a large stretching thing that helps you stretch after the workout. Just my opinion...check it out!

Well, I joined Curves 6 weeks ago (yes it is a year long contract about 36 a month) and I have lost 10 inches and 10 lbs in those six weeks. Surgery 6 months ago. The machines are hydrolic so what you put into it, you get out of it...I love it. I don't think it is a long term solution (I will at least do the year) but I need to get my workouts done asap and I'm pretty happy with my results so far!

Hi all, So I finally have the hair loss after 4 months of none....I have made sure I have had the right amount of protein since day 2, lost about 10 lbs a month on the average and taken my vitamins and I do understand the resting phase etc of the hair as I'm a trained cosmetologist! But now I need to know what is the best brand of biotin and how much to take...I'm a little traumatized (but I knew it might happen) as my hair is the only thing I've considered pretty my whole life! Been chubby since I was 5, I started at 440lbs and now I'm about 333lbs so I'm not complaining but I'd like to keep my pretty hair....LOL! Thanks for the help! Tracy W.

I'm here too! I started at 440lbs, did weight watchers as my dr supervised diet and lost 45lbs, had my surgery in July and am down to 328lbs right now! My challenge is I swing from doing great and losing a couple of pounds to fighting off the carb monster for a couple of days...result? Slow losing! It takes me from elation to pissed off! Ah well, it feels just like a diet to me now...the old will power deal. Glad to hear from all of you....you are inspirations! Tracy

Me too! I have over 200lbs to loose. I had my surgery on July 21st and have lost 112lbs so far....my advice...find an exercise you like....I do Curves. I live my life but try to do lower carb most of the time but if I want something I go for it. We will see what this year brings hopefully another 100lbs lost!!!! Thanks, Tracy

Ok, so I was on birth control for 15 years. I have been off of it for the last few months and my periods have been normal for the first time since I was 14 years old! Yippeee....but I just noticed that I have gained 3lbs and it is just a couple of days before I'm to start...is this normal? What do others gain and does it come off easily after???? Thanks, Tracy

I have interest too...if there is any left? Thanks Tracy

Hi, It was a year ago when I started my dr supervised weight watchers program for 6 months, then my surgery was July 21, 11. I started at 440lbs and today I weigh 330lbs. I just wanted to share my NSV's 1) I'm wearing jeans for the first time in 25 years! 2) I can walk everywhere with my kids! 3) I enjoyed shopping for the first time in a LONG time! 4) I wore my honey moon nightie for the first time in 7yrs! 5) I've decided to go back to school to change my career..big decision! 6) My hubby had surgery in Aug and wow the whoopie is sooo much better! TMI! I am so happy I did this, I have so much further to go and I hope to loose another 100 this year and with the sleeve and faith and persistence I will get there. Thanks for listening and this past years support! Tracy

thanks everyone...you rock!

Thanks guys! Went to the surgeon today and lost another pound this weekend...he was happy as was I! You all are the best!

I believed God brought me to this, therefore He will bring me through this...I wondered if I couldn't believe Him enough, but believe me it is a constant leap of faith and trust to go through this journey! Go for it...God never leaves us and He is always with us!

I feel your pain...I started at 440lbs...as of today 330lbs and I've gone from a 5X to 26/28...I'm happy but it took awhile....helpful hint...when you buy a bra get a little bit smaller size and buy a bra extender like from Katherine's and then you can wear it longer. My challenge..underwear! Keep your chin up and keep moving on! Tracy

Thanks guys.....your helping! Oh and PDXman, I've only been at Curves for just over 2 weeks since I was at the Y for almost a year doing water aerobics so I figured that Curves was bumping it up....so I'm thinking maybe walking on my dusty treadmill would help too! Thanks "thinoneday" I love your name!!!! CAn I use it!

Hi, Ok, I started at 440lbs, between dr supervised 6 months, pre-op and surgery in July '11 I am down to 333lbs..yipee..very happy with my life overall. Now I need to understand something. If I have lost almost 50% of my overweight...well kind of depending on goal. I have read recently that the second half that I have to loose will be much more challenging. I have bounced around the same 5lbs for almost two months...even if I eat as much at 1500 cals a day....at this weight one would think I would still be losing pretty easily. I also work out at Curves 3 times a week. I don't get why it is getting so much harder at this weight...makes me think I'm not going to get much further! I know everyone will say don't eat too many carbs, which I endeaver to do but I'm not always perfect, I must admit...LOL! I guess I'm just frustrated on why it is getting so much harder and I'm sick of 4 pieces of meat or protein 4times a day....gets really boring! I'm so thankful for my progress and I'm not comparing myself to anyone else and I am happy I've done this so this not a pitty party, just want to figure out how to progress so I don't give up! Thanks for listening! Tracy

Pookey, I also get what you are saying. Coming from a person who weighed at my highest 440lbs (I'm a now at 332lbs), I find this incredibly hard to do! I have a sleeve of steel and can eat anything! I take my required vitamins, drink the required water and don't drink soda. I work out at Curves 3 times a week. So I consider all those things good habits I have learned and don't mind doing. Here is my challenge...I have never been normal...I have been overweight since I was 5 years old...I don't have any "thin" years to compare my life to. I'm thrilled that even now I have a much more active life, I went to China twice (a very vigorous trip) to get my girls and now I just want to be around to raise them and see my grandchildren. I was really hoping I could just eat like a "normal" person...proper portion control etc. Now I'm wondering if this is just another diet...albeit a successful one...for that I'm incredibly thankful! But I'm seeing that more discipline will be necessary I think! HELP! Thanks, Tracy w.