Jolie_KeMi

I can't eat a whole sandwich, but I can definitely put away more food than than I could 2 months ago. I wish I could go back to the days of eating 1/4 of a tilapia filet. Now I eat about half the filet.

I am 5lbs to my personal goal of 150lbs, but my doctor's GW for me is 135 (which would put me in the "normal" bmi range). I chose 150 as a GW because it was a weight that I thought I would never see again, and that it would take some real hard work and dedication to get there. It has definitely been a tough journey and I am almost there. I am overjoyed!! BUT...in the back of my mind is that darn bmi chart and the word "OVERWEIGHT" still haunting and taunting me. I love being curvy and really can't imagine myself losing another 20lbs...so I have some questions for you all: How did you choose your GW? Do you believe in the almighty BMI Chart? Should our ultimate goal be to get into the normal bmi range or get to our happy weight?

@IDidIt: I chose 150 because thats what I weighed when I was 18 and sexy fine! LOL! And when I was 27 and miserable I dreamt of those days. @SleeveORama: To be high school skinny again. It's kinda crazy to think about right? @Niahri: I was morbidly obese for years, so I kinda feel like overweight is an accomplishment!

@Kimmy: that bmi chart is brutal! I heard from a few other people that it can be deceiving. @Lisa: Thank you soooo much! I never in my life would think that someone would say those words to me. You've been my inspiration girl! @HappyTeacher: I was thinking about doing this. Getting to goal, staying there for a while, then challenging myself with a new goal. We can do it!

3 weeks after my surgery was Thanksgiving. Imagine my horror!! Lol...but it gets better. You can definitely eat the refried Beans, they are a source of Protein. Add the guac & sour cream for a little flavor. Don't be discouraged. Everyday and every family function will be a struggle, but you just have to be strong mentally. You can do it!!

Looking good girlie!! Congrats!!

Hi Ladies: I am the mother of a soon-to-be 2yr old & my husband and I have decided that we dont even want to discuss having another child within the next 5 yrs. So, I NEED some type of birth control. I had NuvaRing & ortho tri cyclen & believe they contributed to my weight gain. With all the recalls, the horrors of regaining the weight looming, and the possible side effects of an IUD, what's a girl to do?? What are some of you doing or using for birth control? Thank you in advance.

I use a vaporizer. It helped with the pain after surgery. When I get munchies I drink a Muscle Milk light or eat a FiberOne bar. There are smart choices for munchies to. Also, having cotton mouth helps me get water in.

I tried drink cherry coke about 6months after surgery. I will NEVER do it again. It tasted like poison. It was too strong, too sweet, too acidic. It actually burned going down so I had to chase it with Water. Not a good experience at all. Not worth it.

I've lost half a shoe size. Which isn't terrible, so I can still fit most of my shoes.

This situation had me so stressed out, that I was up posting at 330am! SMH... Since all of you have replied with your own experiences and support, I feel comfortable with taking a few steps away from this situation and seeing if she comes around. Like I mentioned, the relationship wasn't all bad. I just kinda knew my role as a fat friend and that was fine at the time. Now that I am almost 70lbs lighter and 100% happier I feel like I am on the same level as my friends and some can handle it, some can't. I'm not going back, so if she can't handle it, she can get lost like the weight! I have gotten closer with some of my other friends who have surprised me with their love & support. I thank God for them (and my family of course). You all have helped me get to a better place with this. Thank you so, so much!

I just want to vent a little bit everyone, because I know there is someone out there who knows what I am going through. I have had a particular friend, "A", for over half my life. She has always been the skinny one. She would say things like "I really need to lose 5 pounds", and annoying things like that from time to time. She would always give me tips on how to lose weight, although she's never had a weight problem. I announced that I was scheduled for surgery over dinner at a mutual friend's house. The 4 other women at the dinner were supportive, asked questions, and were genuinely happy for me. "A" never said a word. When I asked her what she thought, she said: "Why don't you just diet and exercise? Get a trainer, not a surgeon! " Needless to say that cut me deep. But I explained how I'd tried a number of things & how I'd failed. My other friends came to see me in the hospital after surgery & helped me walk around. "A" didn't even call. Now everytime I see her she says things like: "How much more weight are you gonna lose? You're not gonna have me being the fat friend in this group. I can't eat around you anymore. You make me feel like a pig. I know people who lose weight the right way." I just don't understand why someone who I thought was my best friend would say things like that to me. I put on the brave face & the fake smile & act like it doesn't bother me, but I am extremely sensitive. "A" & I don't hang out or talk much anymore. But her vacancy in my life hurts. I feel like she kept me in a certain box, & now that I have shed whatever title she gave me, she doesn't care about our friendship anymore. It's weird... I feel like I'm going through a breakup. My husband told me to just let it go& focus on all the great things in my life, but this has been my friend for 15 years & it hasn't all been bad... Sorry for the venting guys, but has anyone gone through this?

Hey Houstonians! I want to get together with some of you. It would be nice to talk to and hang out with people who know what I'm going through. Anyone interested?

What the hell?! There are horrible people in this world.

Congratulations Cam!! I can't wait until my surgiversary. I'm going to celebrate it like a second birthday.

That was a good video. She hit some interesting points. Thanks for posting MrzSongbird.

I just want to vent a little bit everyone, because I know there is someone out there who knows what I am going through. I have had a particular friend, "A", for over half my life. She has always been the skinny one. She would say things like "I really need to lose 5 pounds", and annoying things like that from time to time. She would always give me tips on how to lose weight, although she's never had a weight problem. I announced that I was scheduled for surgery over dinner at a mutual friend's house. The 4 other women at the dinner were supportive, asked questions, and were genuinely happy for me. "A" never said a word. When I asked her what she thought, she said: "Why don't you just diet and exercise? Get a trainer, not a surgeon! " Needless to say that cut me deep. But I explained how I'd tried a number of things & how I'd failed. My other friends came to see me in the hospital after surgery & helped me walk around. "A" didn't even call. Now everytime I see her she says things like: "How much more weight are you gonna lose? You're not gonna have me being the fat friend in this group. I can't eat around you anymore. You make me feel like a pig. I know people who lose weight the right way." I just don't understand why someone who I thought was my best friend would say things like that to me. I put on the brave face & the fake smile & act like it doesn't bother me, but I am extremely sensitive. "A" & I don't hang out or talk much anymore. But her vacancy in my life hurts. I feel like she kept me in a certain box, & now that I have shed whatever title she gave me, she doesn't care about our friendship anymore. It's weird... I feel like I'm going through a breakup. My husband told me to just let it go& focus on all the great things in my life, but this has been my friend for 15 years & it hasn't all been bad... Sorry for the venting guys, but has anyone gone through this?

Thank you everyone. This is truly helping me. I honestly feel like I've tried to explain why I chose to get the VST, benefits, risks, the whole shebang to her, but I'm through with that. I have other friends in my circle who I have gotten closer with since surgery because I have seen and felt their love and support. I haven't explained to her how her comments have made me feel though, because I feel like that is pointless. She knows what she's doing when she says those things. I'm not giving her the satisfaction of knowing that she's affecting me!! I'm just gonna keep my head up, and sashay away. If she comes around, great! If not, I can't worry about it. I need to worry about getting all my Water in!! Lol. Thanks again guys. You've helped me get to a better place with this. @LittleBits: I'll be subscribing to your YouTube channel. Is it the same user name?

Thank you so much everyone. I just can't believe there are such selfish people in this world. After eading your responses, I feel much better about moving on past this fake friendship. I love the support on this site.

When I had some blood work done I found out I was borderline diabetic, my triglycerides were high, and most of my Vitamin levels were low. A short while later, my dad found out he had type 2 diabetes (he's over 300lbs) and my mother had fibroids brought on my the fact that she is overweight. I felt like I was looking into my future. I feel like I saved my life by getting this surgery. No regrets; none at all.

I regret not getting it sooner. Since losing the weight I have become more social, so I go out more & yes I drink. I used to be able to drink...I mean DRINK! But now I can only drink 2 cocktails and I feel pretty good. The next day I try to drink an extra 16oz of Water and 10 extra mins working out. That makes me feel a little better about it.

I know you are going to hate to read this, but you just have be to be patient. The weight WILL come off! Your body just has to adjust to the surgery. You are 9 days out, there are many, many days ahead of you!!