MoreganK

Ty

You're welcome. And I also forgot the other great first week mushie food, Greek Yogurt! Its smooth, easy to swallow, and has a high protien count.

My first blended food was actually applesauce, followed by egg salad (which became my favorite), and fat free refried Beans. After the first week, I got braver, and started adding things like mild salsa and a sprinkle of low fat cheese to my Beans, and did tuna and chicken salad blended.

Just take baby steps. I went as far as getting small bowls and baby spoons to use those weeks, to help me take small bites and remind me to eat slow. I also tried to do other things while eating like read a magazine, so I would take a bite, chew, and swallow all while reading and it made me eat slower.

Genie bras are the way to go, I have found them at Walgreen's as well. Mine does rest on my incision, but actually helps because it kind of holds pressure on it & feels good!

I've bought a knock off brand of Genie bra at Target that are just as good too!

Huh. I've not heard that... pretty interesting... I'm super curious now! I must research! :ph34r:

I was lucky in that I was allowed a 3 week LOA from work, so I went without that entire time... getting used to wearing them again was actually sorta challenging. LOL I started using Genie Bras and I love them! They're comfy, work pretty well and as you shrink they sorta fit better than your standard bra or sports bra.

I didn't really have pain lifting my arms up, but I did have discomfort if I stretched to deeply, or twisted to much. Just be slow and careful. Its silly, but my doctor said, if it hurts don't do it. If it doesn't slowly proceed.

There are other options!! It takes some creativity. There is this wonderful blog, you'll see mentioned here or there on this site. Its called the World According to Eggface, and the writer had gastric bypass surgery. Since our surgeries are so closely related, her site is a wealth of information!! Here is the link to her shakes... remember after surgery that you'll need to avoid any of the shakes that have fruit with seeds (like Strawberries) until you are healed up. http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2007/06/my-favorite-protein-shake-recipes.html

Congratulations! Best advice at this point, is stay strong, stay focused, and always remember where you are going and never forget where you've been.

You can also try adding more Water to your Crystal Lite than it calls for to help disolve more of that sweet taste away. Also remember that if you still drink a Protein Shake, that counts towards your liquid for the day. Hang in there!

I went from a size 20 to a 16 with out realizing it. It took me reaching 50 pounds lost before I was ready to look for smaller clothes, and I tried 18s and they were too large. I think its just everyone's body changes shape in different places in different ways.

I'm sooooo happy for you, hon! *high fives* I love reading these goals posts! Yours espcially just seems to pour out the happy!

Since its only a half a pound, I wouldn't worry. That could just be a little Water retention, and if it is "weight" gain its more than likely not "fat" gain, but muscle. If you're building muscle thats good, it means you'll start burning more fat. I'm sure you've heard before that saying that muscle weighs more than fat. Don't freak out too much!!

Oh, and I should add that my relationship to my boyfriend got better because I started being me again. Happy go lucky, outgoing, silly, and funny.

This is a good question, by the way, its really made me step back and think about what has changed and how.

If you can eat scrambled eggs, one of the best tricks I found when I started on soft foods, was to take one egg, mix in about 1 tbsp of skim milk, and one laughing cow cheese of whatever flavor you like. Scramble really well, you might have to mash on the cheese to break it up, but it melts down into the egg. Delish and fluffy, and creamy eggs... just make sure not to over cook and dry them out.

I also would just scramble and egg the same as above, but use a plan old slice of American cheese, and mix up my spices. Garlic powder, onion powder, basil, pepper, what ever you like. I also used Pam spray to keep away the extra fat.

Hope one of those works for you!

Thanks, guys!

Hello friends....

I'm needing to find some black, tan, or gray slacks in a size 16. Any one have some they've already become to small for they're willing to part with for cheap to free? I'm open for conversation!

My confidence for sure! And then my mood... I'm happier more often now than before and I think that those two things together has attrached people to me. Folks in my office who never smiled and told me hi now stop me in the hall to chat, and I've been at the same office for over 5 years.

I think I must come off as more approach able because I seem so happy and open, instead of frowny and dodgey.

I'm going to be posting some more clothes online (eBay) hopefully tonight. I'll post a link when they're up. The clothes I'm posting will be posted in outfits, there are jeans, dresses, and slacks all 1x, 2x, size 20 or 22. All in good condition. I'm also switching to flat rate shipping... cheaper and easier.

Sadly, I ended up having my first negative eBay experience during my first round of selling clothes. I'm really heartbroken. I had flawless feedback, and one lady was impatient and fearful and ruined it. I had two packages I botched the address zip code on, and they were returned to me. I managed to reship one of them, out of my own pocket because it wasn't that much money. The other one would have cost me $10 to ship a pair of pants she won for a $1. I informed her of the issue, and that I was planning to refund her, but Paypal wouldn't let me because I had not added my bank account yet. So, I add it and Paypal says it takes 3-4 days to clear. I let her know all of this. She opened a case on me anyway, and I refunded her anyway as soon as Paypal allowed me too... and she leaves nasty negative feedback. I'm really sad that during the whole process I was in communication with her and honest, and she still treated me like I was a crook. Sigh.... if she is here on this site and sees this... I'm sorry you have such trust issues.

vent over.</end>

WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOO HOOO!!

I want to do this very thing! Your pictures look amazing!

Way to go!

Not sure that you will top the house thing when you hit goal. Unless, of course, you are single and gonna have a life partner move in the new house.

As a matter of fact, my boyfriend is moving with me! We've been dating 3 years, and best friends for 15 years. :wub:

Awesome for you!! I feel like you - my eyes haven't adjusted yet though! My friends dog me for wearing baggy clothes - but it's a weird thing going from a 3x shirt to an XL and 24 pants to 16-18. Congrats!

We are exactly alike! My eyes haven't totally caught up yet either. I know I'm smaller, I can tell in everyday situations (sitting in booths at resturants), but I haven't wrapped my head totally around it yet. I've been wearing my 2X shirts and my size 20 jeans, and finally realized that they all were way to big. I'm now wearing 1x shirts and 16 pants!

way to go, I get sleeved on 9/198

Good luck to you! I hope it all goes as smooth as possible!

I had to make a post because I'm so stinkin' excited! I'm just a little past my half way mark! I have 54 pounds to go to reach my goal weight! A weight I've never seen as an adult! I am beyond happy at this point with my decision to have this surgery. I have moments of frustration, but... it's been so worth it. I've now lost 58 pounds, I'm off all medication, except acid reducer at 20 mg once a day. My PCOS is still showing up in my bloodwork, but my results came back with vast improvements! Next time it won't be there! My blood pressure and cholesterol are perfect.

I bought some size 18 pants thinking they'd fit better than the baggy 20's I started with, and the 18's are too big too!

AND... what did I do the weekend that I hit half way!? Started the process of buying my first house. Thats a hella halfway gift... I'm not sure what I'll do for reward when I make goal. LOL

SO SO SO HAPPY!

Weight before surgery 286

Date of surgery 6/27/12

Goal weight for competition 204

Current weight 229

Yay for 5 pound weigh losses in a week!

I had grand plans to take my laptop, as my hospital has free wi-fi. I last minute left it behind, and figured I had my iphone for netflix, games, and texting. I also brough a book, had my sis-in-law bring me some magazines. I brough a full gaggle of tolitries and a change of clothes. I didn't use any of these things. I used the hospitals soap, toothpaste, and toothbrush when that time came. I slept a lot and talked a little with my boyfriend who spent a lot of time with me. When I wasn't sleeping, I was trying to walk. I didn't even turn on the TV in the room but once. I had an extended stay, and I think the only thing I wish I had, was my last night there I wish I had my own nightgown and robe to have changed into. After 4.5 days of hospital gowns, I was ready to feel comfy cotton fabric.

I'd suggest traveling light though. Its nice when you get discharged, to not have a bunch of stuff to carry back out with you.

I just purchased the Twin Lab Bariatric multi Vitamins , I get sleeved monday ... wish me luck on surgery and on the Vitamins lol

Good luck! Hope its smooth sailing. Let us know what you think of the mulit-vitamins. I've been taking Bariatric Advantage, and they're awful.