MoreganK

Try just walking laps around your house. I can't tell you how much of a difference it makes it how you feel.

Oh... and when I say make an offer.. I really mean it. I'll probably say yes.

Could your cramping actually just be air/bloatiness? Have you tried walking around, or taking GasX? Short of that, I would for sure check in with your doc.

At 3 weeks I had just been allowed to eat pureed foods. I still drank protein shakes, water, water w/crystal light, and blended foods, and only a tiny bit at a time. I purred fat free re-fried beans, tuna, egg, and chicken salad (fat-free mayo), I could slowly eat laughing cow cheeses, and that's kinda my rotation for that time period and for about 3 more weeks before I was allowed to start eating soft foods without blendering them first.

Hello Ladies, I finally took pictures of most of the stuff I have to pass on to you guys. I have a lot of items up. The way I decided to do this, was like a few others have on here. I have a Flikr account with some pictures of the items. You can send me a private note and let me know what items you are interested in. Pay me via PayPal and voila new stuff! Most of the clothes up are new w/o tags, or gently used and still in great condition. You will pay shipping, and as for prices of the items... make me reasonable offer. Let me know if you have any questions or you see something you want! http://www.flickr.com/photos/91789622@N05/

You folks are making me hungry. I love mushrooms and onions! I love them over scrambled eggs... tossed with zuchini, on burgers... just so good! :wub: I am a self-proclaimed mushroom vampire. Mmmm....

Not sure how I fared through the holdidays, as my scales battery is kaput. But, I know that I did have 2 days or so with not the best habits there around Christmas. But, getting back on track! I did at least work out the day before Christmas!

I actually really like seeing what others are eating on their weight loss journey. I always worry about eating the wrong things or eating too much.

Sounds like a stall. You can weight it out, or just start changing things up. Eat less, eat a little more, add more exercise, add in weight training. Out bodies hit stalls when they get comfortable. I've had 2 big ones so far and I'm just now 6 monhs out.

I'm 6 months out, and I feel like I eat a lot sometimes too. I eat about a 1000 myself, I know thats the upper end of what my doctor wants me to eat for weight loss. For maintenance its 1200. I too am a snacker, so I've tried to take up a grazing style of eating, since it works well with the sleeve anyway. I eat 5-6 little meals a day, always with a protien.

Oh my gosh!! So sorry you had to deal with that nutter! I agree, the world is becoming such a place full of anger. I don't know what the cause is, but we need to find out how to bring people down from their place of anger, self-centeredness, and greed.

Can't wait to make this post myself! Go you!! *high five!!*

Nooo... not like that. Umm.... I can't really think of a famous person who has the cut I want, unless you're familiar wit the latest Battlestar Galatica? The character Starbuck at one point in the show has her hair cut exactly like I want. Its a longer pixie cut. And I love long hair, like I said, I've always had it. I've also always used to to hide behind. And when I rach goal weight, I want to experience short hair at least once, while my confidence is flying high. Besides, I'm not out to impress anyone but myself.... and maybe my fiance, but he supports me no matter what.

Totally! After my wedding in April, I'm seriously considering I may be rocking a pixie cut for the first time ever! I've always had really, really long hair. Right now is the shortest its been in years.

You got this! Welcome to the new year!

Yeah, I had something like that. I was told I need to to rest for a couple days while I healed up. I pulled an internal stitch about 2.5 weeks after surgery. *head smack* I felt better after about 2-3 days of resting and taking it easy.

Have you mentioned this to your doctor? I think I'd check in for advice from them.

I think that the men on this thread seem to handle the temporary hair loss a lot better than us females. I think for us it is pretty tramatic, not that it isn't for guys, just its easier for a bald man to blend in than it is a woman with bald Patches. That said, I am just now on the other side of the tramatic scary hair loss, and I was FREAKING out for about 2 months. It hit me hard in month 4, and I had thin hair to begin with, so, it really got thin, scary thin, and I thought I would be wearing a wig for my wedding in April. However, I think a combination of things have worked now in my favor that helped. Timing... its going to happen, and usually around month 4 & 5 is the heavy hair loss. I took supplements, recommended by my doctor and through lots of reading. I take 3000 mg of Biotin, 1 silica tablet, 1 zinc tablet and my Multivitamins daily. I also try really hard to hit no less than 60 grams of protien, but aim for 80. I also make sure to stay hydrated. All of those things help your skin, hair, and nails to grow strong and healthy. And its not an instant fix, it is more like help for your new hair that starts growing in. I have new hair growth happening, but my hair has always grown fast (thank goodness). I also tried Garnier Fight Fall shampoo... but everytime I used it felt I lost more hair, so I stopped using it, and took the advice of a hair care expert... I got a good organic, paraben free shampoo and used it. I also made sure to massage my scalp really well. My hair is still thinner than it should be, but I can tell that new hair is already growing in, and am relieved. Just hang in there.

What you said on stalls is exactly my issue too!! Glad to know my secret is not only me. With that... 1) I confess I eat 1 oz of dark chocolate s day 2) I confess that when I get discouraged or in a stall my old self tries to creep back in. 3) I confess I used a straw once... Or twice. 4) I confess I'm terrified I won't succeed and hit my goal weight. 5) I confess this is harder than I thought.

Excellent idea! I'll have to try this!

The purpose of the liquid diet is to shrink your liver some to make it easier for the surgeon to get around during surgery. Most doctors will want you to do at least a one day liquid diet, but all are different. I had to do a one week liquid diet. When in doubt, always ask your surgeon what he/she would like for you to do to prepare for surgery. Congratulations and good luck on your journey!!

I checked in the morning of. And thank goodness for that... the nerves would have been crazy! My surgery was scheduled for 11 AM. I checked in at 9 AM. And let me tell you, the time flew by so fast.

I am now 5 months and 2 weeks post surgery. I've lost 61 pounds. I'm pretty happy with this.. but I've been struggling mentally lately. I hit a stall, and broke it... but, during my stall some of my old me habits started creeping in. I've been fighting them... I know I'm strong enough too. So, my first question is this. How did you all stay motivated? Did you fall off the "wagon" at any point or did you breeze through with super focus? I have 45 more pounds to go to hit my goal. I want to hit that goal more than anything! I've let stress sabotage me a little lately. Second question is... did any of you ever have that moment of seeing yourself one day post surgery, and go, "Whoa, is that me?!" I did this morning. I was walking into work, and caught a glimpse of myself in the windows of my building as I was walking in. I did a double take, like I was seeing myself for the first time. I look so different! I'm smaller... and I'm wearing clothes that hug me, and I don't look bad! My face is thin... my legs are strong.... whoa. I've changed. When was your "whoa" moment?

It depends on your surgeon. Mine insists on a minimum of 2 nights in the hospital. I had some minor complications, not with the surgery itself, but with other things... like a negative response to the anistesheia and them setting me up on a glucose based iv when I was pre-diabetic. So, I ended up being there 4.5 days. I think its different for all of us, but your surgeon should be able to give you an idea. And good luck! What a great way to start of your 2013! A new start!

Yes. You don't need to tell anyone you don't feel needs to know. I told my immediate family and my closest co-workers (who knew I went out on a LOA). No one else knows how I've lost weight. Whenever anyone asks, I tell them what is the truth, "I eat much smaller portions, exercise at least 15 minutes (usually more), and I don't eat white flour, Pasta, or rice." I've only had one "friend" be a little snide who found out. She wants to lose 30 pounds, and go from her size 10 to a size 4.... *rolls eyes* So, she commented one day to me, that, "I've thought about taking the easy way out and do surgery like you. But, then decided I would do it the right way." Lets just say, I've started to distance myself from this person. Easy way!? PAH!