Dooter

Hahaha...thanks! We don't want anyone to have to wear a "Bro!" (reminds me of that Seinfeld when Kramer invents the man bra... )

WElcome to the club. I am the president, vice president, secretary AND treasurer of the "can't drink all my liquids" club. All you can do is try. Don't forget to count the liquids in Protein drinks, juices, etc... they all count for 'fluid' intake. Your capacity to take in fluids will continue to increase. You'll get there. Maybe I will too.

Oh, when those first pounds come off..you'll think you're the hottest thing walkin'!! I've only lost 40 and it's exciting to see my waistline reappear! You WILL be happy and you WILL accept yourself when you start feeling so energetic and fitting into smaller clothes!! Who is your surgeon? I traveled to Dallas for my surgery. Don't be nervous. (you will though) Everything will be fine. We all had the jitters pre op.

I'll try, but ACK!!!! A MONTH????? Two more weeks of this will kill me....

Well, I can't speak directly to your situation like "do it!" or "no, don't do it!" That's something you and your doctor need to decide if it is safe for you to undergo surgery. If he says it is, then remember, it's in God's hands. The day you leave this earth is set in stone already. (That's not to say you can be careless...but you get my point...) I think this can only improve your quality of life. Getting up from a flat position is hard for a couple of weeks, but you generally need to sleep in a raised position for a while so it's easier to get up from that anyway. If you are flat, you need someone to give you an arm up because it hurts a bit to try to use your stomach muscles. Well---I had a hernia repair, so it may have intensified that effect. It may not be as bad for everyone. I was freaked out about not surviving the surgery too, because I have a husband that adores me and three little boys who count on me. I had no logical reason for thinking I wouldn't make it. I was thinking of some fluke or mistake or something. I had an excellent surgeon though, so I could talk myself down with that. There was more chance of something happening to me if I did NOT start losing the weight and even possible gain more had I not taken this step. My two cents. That and 4 bucks can get you a cup of coffee!

Awww Jimmy, I thought you were going to make some comments about man boobs!!!

I think it goes to past experience. My first 20 lbs ALWAYS comes out of my boobs. I always return to my smaller bra sizes. (Well- c cups) Everyone is different though. If you came out of puberty with huge boobs, then they may stick around. Just keep em hoisted up so you don't bruise them with your knees. HAHAHAHA just kidding....a little humor..... (you may not be old enough to worry about that.

All of these things come back to you. Just smaller. I enjoyed dinner out with my family last night. I just separated roughly 4 oz of food, and slowly ate it and asked for a box. You get used to not drinking with the meal. Drink some before you order and while you're waiting, then push it aside. It's better to do these things on your OWN terms now. Imagine if you were forced to do these restrictions against your will due to some grave illness brought on by weight or even something worse. Just start imagining the success right now, and the different lifestyle right now so it won't be such a shock when it happens. It's good. It's good. You won't regret it.

It seems that many of us are in the throws of large stalls right now, so I want to bump this back up. I think it is very inspiring and helpful. Is it pinned? If it's not it should be.

"Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!" --author unknown

I've heard it said that it takes 6 months for ALL of the surgical swelling to completely go away in some cases, and that is the point where your capacity increases to about 6 oz. if it hasn't already. I'm 5 weeks out today, and I've noticed my capacity, and therefore, caloric intake have increased already. This could be contributing to the stall I'M in as well. I like the word "plateau" better than stall, because at the other end of a plateau is usually a big drop off! Just keep on keepin' on! A wise person once said "....it is the courage to continue that counts!"

This is one of those hot button issues, like whether or not to drink soda. NSAIDs and sodas will get hackles up all over this forum! Hehe... My doc said NO MORE NSAIDs due to risk of ulcer. Other people will tell you they are perfectly fine. If you had any bad stomach issues before surgery, I wouldn't mess with them. This wee stomach has to last you the rest of your life. Be careful what risks you take with it. That's all I can say.

Oh sure! I've heard many people have wild emotional roller coaster-like rides after surgery. Mine all happened beFORe surgery. It's exciting, and nerve-wracking, and happiness over loose clothes, and sadness over losing favorite foods.....ya, a little weeping over a loose shirt is warranted! And normal.

You just had surgery! Give the poor bod a chance to adjust. I was told they did not expect any big miracles the first week. You're fine.

That's a very good response! I'll keep that in my pocket.

Yes. I have a heater in my car. :lol:

Bethany, I love your 'stache!!! hahahaha

I belong to a very tight knit church family. A small congregation that cares a lot about each other. I am a Christian, but i have to say, Christians can be very judgmental. I did not share my surgery with everyone. Just A few close friends who would have felt robbed of the opportunity to pray for me, and of course my husband and mother...people like that. I did not want everyone's opinion going into this, and I did not want to be put under a microscope coming out- "how much weight have you lost? how much weight have you lost NOW? It doesn't seem to be working. What can you eat?" (My friend's husband is CONstantly asking me how much i've lost. OYE!) Also, there are a lot of people around me that need the attention because they are sick or dying or have serious problems in their lives, and I do not want to funnel any attention or efforts away from them. I am healthy, I don't need all of that. I just wanted to do this...under the radar so to speak. But that said....when I start melting away, and people ask--I will probably tell them. For now though...I'm just feeling.....private about it. I like to stay unnoticed in dark corners. I don't like the limelight of center stage. That's just me.

I'm right there with you!! I'm at a 2 week stall that almost EVERYone experiences, yet I'm still sitting here having my 600-800 calories a day thinking "this is it. 40 lbs is all I'm getting." I KNOWWWWW that's not true. Every single "diet" I've been on my entire life has had periods of non-loss even though I was doing everything right. Then the drop would come. So, why wouldn't it with this all the more? It will. We just have to keep knowing that it will.

Good for you!!! That is SOO awesome!!! I can't wait to catch up to you!!!

Yep, drinking is just the most important thing you can do. OH, and walking!! That really helps how you feel. I was still on clear liquids at four days, and some people are on clears for as long as two weeks. (yuck) Try to get started on your chewable multivitamins ASAP.

Don't forget the word "but." That always really drives it home. "But you have such a pretty face!"

SO TRUE!! THANKS :x

HAHAHA!! YAAAAA!!!!

Still on a stall-- day 12 I know, I know....it won't last forever....but WHEN?!?!? I want it NOW!!! hahaha