Pookeyism

I have had a very long stall too. I seem to be stuck at 204 lbs. At first I panicked because I felt the old "here I go again" and the inevitable gain. But a week passed and another and then a second week and a third I lost 2 lbs. and agian I stall. It seems different to me now, somewhere along the line I realized it isn't the same. I won't regain it and if I have hit the weight I will be so be it. It isn't where I wanted but it sure isn't where I was. I am no longer hungry, I am no longer worried about wiping out a hip on a downward slope on my bike. I eat well and carefully and I have not lost much hair at all. I enjoyed an NSV the other day when I was finally prodded into shopping and I went into Old Navy and bought two "L" tops...They fit. The size 16 pants will be very loose soon. I am somehow, at least for right now, content with the loss I am experiencing. If I loose 2-3 lbs a month that is fine by me. I want more and I am working on it. Onderland is where I plan to reside. For now I am content to coast along after some very hard fought for victories. Keep my new good habits and stay active. Hope this helps!

I can say I thought I understood it enough, and had accepted it enough - but after surgery I did realize I needed to work through it more. Counseling can be good but it needs to be a counselor who is experienced in cognative process and food habits. The issues around your food can be a big deal too. The journal thing - even if it is scribbled in like a post-day planner can be really helpful. It can show you where your patterns are likely to pop up, so you can work on them. There is no way I can post enough to really help you, you will have to do it on your own, and it isnt just an ephipany and all is well, it is a daily process. Just remember - you are not cured from being overweight. There are studies that suggest you fill fight this the rest of your life. Your "meds" now are your sleeve, and the understanding of good and bad habits with food, activity, stress, and other factors such as real meds (many real meds used to fight obesity related conditions in them selves make weight loss harder!). I also suggest you read and reread books on the subject...I am currently reading The Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery, and (an old friend from wayyy back in my high school daze) The Way of The Peaceful Warrior. Good luck!

I have heartburn from just water and ice. I am more likely to need tums after that than I am after a protien shake, easy.

Just be very careful with the things you don't feel a restriction on. I've had to remind myself of that over the last few weeks. I've had alot of trouble transistioning over to regular food (3 months post op) and couldn't peg why. I noticed how much liquid I was able to get in, and started moderating it more...so many ounces, wait, like I had to to begin with. I think I was keeping my tummy sore with liquids! Gone back to liquid protien in moderated amounts for about a few days to a week, and going to go back to mushies after that, and see if that doesnn't help the solid food phase more. About the pills - as the dictor but do not wait to be told. Some time-releases are done so out of convenience or expense, and can be transitioned to a similar med that is not time released - and thus easier to digest.

Oh! poo! the whole point I was going to reply to! I am going to experiment on sleeve friendly protien bars! I will let you know how it goes!

Mootopia (HEB) is a milk that has half sugars, 12g protien. I take 8 ox and mix with 3 oz water or alot of ice, and a scoop of unjury unflavored. It isn't everything you need, but it is about 40g protien.

Prayers going out to you! By now you are in recovery and it REALLY all begins! yayyy! Speedy recovery to you and welcome to the rest of your life...

Yup, possibly thrush or such...with the protien drinks you have to be sooooo on top of brushing your tongue and rinsing out your mouth. It may be a Vitamin deficiency or even getting too much of something. Keep in mind if your Vitamins are out of whack on the amount of an ingredient tht could be an issue too - there was a case of too much selenium in a vitamin supplement that killed people. If I were not at work I would research it more for you.

Not familair with him but 8000.00 is great. keep your incidental expenses in mind, too. I recommend you begin to "pay" now, you have 6 months to save up - and that could drop a signifigant amount off your bill. If you could get enough you could possibly do a small micro loan and save alot on interest. If you have not already, request terms and conditions for your loan and check on what the fees are for the loan. I have heard of people paying upward of 20% to finance self pay. I opted to draw some funds from savings and 401. Still lost a bit off the top but nowhere near the 20%. Don't mean to be a kill joy but what was the specifics of the bariatric excellence award time frame? 125 surgeries does not seem to be alot for 6 months. Be sure you are getting all of the answers straight up - check with other sources, and confirm his accreditations. Do some research and make sure the hospital did not fall out of favor with the old doctor for another reason than they state. Make sure you doctor has not gone downhill somehow, too (no kidding leading heart doc in 80's that did my Papaws heart surgery would go to prison on repeat drug charges ((him doing not prescribing!)) 12 years later).

It ttook me almost a decade and researching and deciding against ALL of the other WLS options before I did this...It is odd, how long it can take until you realize you have had enough. I have literally fought my way back from the dead before, and yet I could not accept WLS for a whole decade. I wish I understood that more. Enjoy your returement, and never look back!

Search for other topics related to this - there have been a few recently and all had good suggestions. Good luck!

I encourage you to read the article, very interesting! http://asmbs.org/2012/03/asmbs-special-alert/

Way to go! It's a great way to start a weekend!

There is a procedure but not a filler - they pull the upper lip up slightly. I forget the name of it. I would not get filler but might would consider the other procedure. You can have the fat under my chin for your lip if it makes it cheaper. lol.

Thank you for the reminder!

So sorry you had to go through that! What lessons we have to learn - and remember, while going through the first several months! (((hugs)))

Make sure to dress for comfort! Best advice I can give.

I have lost over 500 miles of blood vessels! So yes, very good on the heart! BTW - the blood vessels and such in the fat are consumed for energy also! You also are moving alot of waste - that is why water is soooo important (one reason).

http://www.omg-facts.com/view/Facts/28212 Interesting!

Sorry, I am at work and for whatever reason I can't read but the first few posts - I am lucky I can read any - most stuff is blocked. In re: bewbs...but not just bewbs, the saging arms, te lateral small folds on the back just below the arms, etc...and unfortunately belly and legs, etc. I have heard alot of people say they will not have plastics but I absolutely plan to because I am actually really concerned how I would maintian those areas as I got older and goodnes forbid bedridden or needed assistance. I may very well focus on the surgeries intended to modify the folds only, as opposed to "body revision". As far as bewbs specifically my surgery will be extensive and painful. I dread it so much, I don't know how I plan on talking myself into that waiting room, lol.

6 lbs away from onderland! I haven't been less than two hundred in at least 12 years, maybe longer. I want to hit onderland before my Hubby returns from Trinidad, so hopefully in a couple of weeks. I have been in a stall now for awhile!

Thank you very much!

My Hubby has to travel to Trinidad for awhile. His company says about a week which means at least two, and possibly three. He travels alot and this would stil be a short trip at three weeks, but I feel like I am not prepared for it. I am in a stall currently and REALLY hope to fight off the head hunger monster that creeps in every evening when I am winding down, and keep looking for a spouse that isn't around Support, suggestions and anything else you have, friends, please...I don't understand where it is coming from but this feels like it is going to be a long (yet short) trip. I would really like to counter this with positive time and activities...wish me luck!

I wil be following this closely. I have never took a birth control pill, ever. We have even been told I will probably never conceive - but now I am being told I am responding so well to the weight loss (it has only been 2 months post-op but I was loosing since January '11) that they are concerned my body may reverse "whatever" it is doing. I have not even fully transitioned to daily mushies yet, so this really scares me - that would be so bad for a child! TMI but Hubby is like "what??!!!" when I handed him a sleeve of his own...so that isn't going to last in the long run (and is wayyy not effective enough).

Thank you so much. It is always so helpful when someone takes time out of their day to write a really good, encouraging post!