Lissa

That's the way you shake your body out of a stall, by changing your whole routine up! You already know you can't eat like that every single day, but I have days where I think OMG about my food choices. The key is to not let that become the routine.

Wow!! You're looking great!! It even shows in your facial expression. You look happier, IMO.

Tinfoil, I have a gas mask too. A survivalist friend of mine gave it to me for my birthday a couple of years ago.

Not sure if this fits your criteria, but my pulmonologist told me recently that my new EKG is "the sexiest thing (he's) ever seen". I had one done last year pre-op with him and he did a follow-up last month. That was his exact comment. It was a little weird because at the time he said it I had my back to him and I first thought he was talking about my booty! LOL

I almost don't eat food in restaurants anymore because I got tired of having 40 leftover containers in my fridge at all times. I do portion things up and freeze them as soon as I bring them home these days. If I buy steak or a roast, I'll cut it into manageable pieces for me and then cook one piece at a time. I've also found lots of frozen foods (chicken and steak fajita meat) that I can eat a little from at a time, which helps me a lot.

I'm talking to a sleeved guy. It's cool, but weird, too. He knows every issue I'm going through, which I am not sure how I feel about that yet.

If you say "Female Surgery", most people won't ask any more questions.

Mine is just with straight milk. Goes right on through in under 5 minutes. Drink the milk, hit the bathroom. I have no problem with yogurt or cheese. Cottage cheese is iffy for me. Sometimes it's okay, other times it's not. I just don't eat it much, maybe once every two months or so.

PQ, You handle everything with such grace and style! Here's hoping it will just be some small quick fix to get you past this! You're in my prayers!

OMG, PeaceQueen! Your journey has just been so hard! Hopefully this will be an easy fix compared to the rest of your journey! (((Hugs)))

I remember the happy dance I did upon getting out of the 300's! Congrats to you! You're doing an amazing job with your sleeve!!! BTW, Here's your gold-plated scale (in place of an Oscar)!

Nikki, I was self-pay as well, so I understand what you're saying about missing all the pre-reqs. I've been seeing a therapist since before surgery and we've finally found a topic that she can't help me with: body image. She's a tall, slender runner who has never had a weight issue, so she's thrown when I talk about how I see myself (still huge, even after losing 110 pounds). But, even though she's not a bariatric specialist, she has helped tremendously on my journey. I had a tendency to eat my problems and I'm learning to be more assertive. The first few times I had a problem after surgery, I was literally lost because I had no idea how to cope. I think a lot of folks here can relate to that. I think that therapy helps a ton with coping skills and helps us to not have cross-over addictions to alcohol and/or drugs.

You'll need that one night, at least, in the hospital. Congrats on taking this first step for the rest of your life! I remember being so nervous the night before surgery, but so excited as well! I couldn't anticipate the many wonderful ways my life was about to change, and it's been even better than I thought it would be! Good luck and welcome to the loser's bench!

You look fantastic!!! I don't see a need for shapewear, either. Congrats on the baby! I hope it's a super easy pregnancy!

The VERY short version: I'm 10.5 months out, have lost 110 pounds. I'm fitter, healthier and happier than I was before surgery. I was given a year to live in June, 2011 if I didn't lose a significant amount of weight. It's been more than a year since that prognosis and my future is so bright I gotta wear shades!

Nikki, Please make an appointment with a therapist for yourself. Nobody wants to think they have a problem, but we all have a problem with food or we wouldn't be having most of our stomachs removed to deal with it. A few sessions with the therapist may help you get your mindset where you need it to be and might make all the difference in your head hunger issue. I'm not sure if you're on an acid reducer, but that can help with some of the "hunger" you are feeling, if you are experiencing that sensation. I hope you didn't damage anything either. It's good that you spoke to your doctor about your struggles. I think he should have given you a referral to someone to talk to at that time. Good luck!

Derel, YOu're proof that men lose faster than we girls lose!!

I started at 352 before my pre-op diet. I'm 5'8 and I'm 10.5 months out and 110 pounds lost. I see and feel my goal weight coming. It IS doable!!! At goal, I will have lost 162 pounds and I'll reevaluate my goal at that point. I'm seriously considering plastics as well, breast lift/augment and tummy tuck because it's looking like I will need them.

Go to the reunion and enjoy the fact that you look great! Most of them are now gaining weight at 40 years post high school and you're losing it like crazy! You'll be the hottest chick there!

Great job!! Congrats on the loss!! You do look great! And younger!

Mishy, I have to say that we all make mistakes, but this one could be really serious for you and your body. I see that you have committed yourself to doing better in the future, which is awesome! I hope that you do take the advice to see a therapist to help you deal with your food addiction. I'm not slamming you. I've been pretty open that I see a therapist for my food and other issues. I want to see you posting your successes as time goes on and I don't want to see a thread from you that you have complications because you couldn't wrap your head around the post-op requirements. This is a tough journey. Asking for help is a good thing and you've done exactly that by posting here. I agree that using My Fitness Pal is a great thing. It helps you know exactly where you're at in relation to your goals. It also gives you a way to track whether you're meeting your Water and Protein goals per day.

Love those NSVs!!! Congrats!!

I don't have one. My surgeon said it's an unnecessary expense, so I skipped it. I do, however, have my card saying that I am sleeved directly behind my driver's license in my purse and my cell phone has a note under ICE (In Case of Emergency) that says "See Notes". My Notes section (iPhone) has a section labeled Medical with details about what I take, no blind tubes, no nsaids, and my surgeons name/phone number. Hopefully that's enough information for a medical responder. My son, who is a type 1 diabetic, has a tattoo on the inside of his wrist with the AMA symbol and IDD underneath it so that emergency responders always know that his is an Insulin Dependent Diabetic. He and his dad have matching tats and his dad's actually came in handy while he was working out of town.

You look fantastic!! I know you've had a rough road, so it's great to see you celebrating your successes!!

Congrats on your date!! You'll be sleeved before my one year surgiversary and you're absolutely right, your life will change tremendously!!