4ALongerLife

oh darn they took the arseless chaps picture down... sorry moderators, i just HAD to do it lol

oh pardon moi, I should have quoted you first....... (see my prior post)... *still chuckling*

ROFLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL which part of "lifestyle change" do you not understand????????

Hey guys and gals, I just found this group and thought what the hey, I'll join. I had surgery 3/5 and am now about 97 lbs down as of 9/1/12. I would like to lose about 7-10 more lbs, but we'll see. Hope you all are great!

Go to the search bar and input "three week stall"... if you are at four, consider yourself lucky. The "three week stall" is one of the most common ones almost all sleevers experience. Hang in there and do what you are supposed to and it will subside. More stalls to come eventually, but be patient!

and THAT is what the journey is about! Weight loss isn't a magic wand or a magic pill. It doesn't mean all of the sudden you will feel love or be "in the club" . . . that's why sometimes weight loss is so slow. There is so much that we need to catch up with and learn from. Don't be embarrassed anymore on what you weighed because you took steps to change it. Work on those insecurities because 140 lbs lost (I think that's your goal right)... you are gonna ROCK! And obviously you are already well loved. Congratulations sweetie, u r rocking this, continue on and enjoy the journey!

JFAB! You are going to get there. It took time to gain it, it's going to take time to lose it. You don't want it gone too fast because skin will hang worse. So be patient ok? You are doing superbly! Just keep the nose to the proverbial grindstone and BE PATIENT. It WILL happen if you do what you are doing, with a few tweaks here and there, which you are working on. EIGHTY SIX POUNDS LOST!!!!! WOW in a short time. Better than 1/2 way there. ...... it's all about perspective! YOU GOT THIS!

Congrats gorgeous!

I use my fitness pal dot com.... you'll see it referred to as MFP. It counts it all but I focus on calories mostly (what calories I am intaking daily and what I am burning through exercise). I can access it on my phone and the MFP appl has quite a large database of foods already existing from grocery stores OR even some restaurants. Easy peasy to keep up with! I highly recommend it!

I am a 'recipe collector' - I tend to graze at night and my way to get out of that habit is instead to look for new recipes and drink more Water. I keep a notebook of new recipes and once we have them, if they are deemed 'do overs' then they get transcribed to a 3 ring binder that is going to be my 'go to recipes.' Some great sites for recipes are: http://www.emilybites.com/ http://theworldaccor...e.blogspot.com/ kalynskitchen.com skinnytaste.com cookinglight.com myfitnesspal.com (look in the community section, they have recipe threads and suggestions there) and any weight watchers sites - just be cognizant of any non-bariatric site, that you have to pay attn to the carbs and what not. I have some other sites bookmarked in my netbook, but I hope some of these will help you! Feel free to add me on MFP and I publicize my diaries. Anything you see on there, I'll send you the recipe if you want it. And many ppl who said "food is just blah/nourishment only to me now" yes, I agree with you. I struggle with it many a times, but let's change that perspective. Challenge yourself with new recipes, new plates (hey alot of eating is the environment/appearance of things), new cooking utensils (who all has a wok? who knows how to really use it? can you make a sludge? eggface introduced me to that!). It's all about perspective people. When you are feeling blah, it's time to reach out for motivation and we'll pull you out of that as we have to eat every day. Let's make it fun, low calorie, healthy and move on to goal! Best of luck! xx

I have yet to do rice. It's only due to my dr. telling me, as he had sleeve surgery 2 years ago, that it fills him up way too fast. I know the carb content, so I have just chosen to avoid it. One day maybe, but it'll be in small portions (very small) as it expands in your tummy. I agree with sleeve 4 me... balance.

Ask your dr. Whenever I got a leak and asked mine, I was shocked to know it can happen a lot longer out than I thought. But more than likely it won't happen. Ask your dr. to be sure pls.

hey, you will lose more weight on that stage than any other. and since you just had surgery and you have now cut 85% of your stomach off, that's why you have to do liquids for 14 days we all have done it..... believe me, i so totally understand. but this too shall pass. hang in there!

Thank you so much SleevenChica. IDK though if I would have know this to be the price of looking as I do, would I have done it then? I just wanna be "fixed" (back to normal, and by that I mean not sick off and on continually).

So I went for my CAT scan this morning. It was actually two CAT scans, one of my chest and one of my upper abdomen. Jeesh that crap is expensive. Thankfully on this insurance policy, I've met my deductible for the year. Unfortunately I begin a new job next week so I'll have a NEW deductible soon. I am praying that I won't be eaten up with more bills. I am thankful (or rather, trying to be) that God has given me the options of being able to make arrangements to pay most of these bills thus far. I'm praying that continues. And I'm not going to think of Bora Bora or Tahiti, my life long bucket list places that I dream of going, and how I probably could have if I would not have done all of this to myself. Anywho, I digress. Yeah I'm a rambling queen, what's new? So the CAT scan was "interesting"... as interesting as having my large toe cut off slowly. The technician was someone that I knew from prior experience, very nice man. He said that the results will probably get to my pulmonologist either Wed. or Thurs. So then I'll know "what's next". My pulmonologist is a little bit 'different' so I'm praying that experience with him isn't as jarring as the last one that I had with him! You go in and have to drink these two large bottles of clear liquid. It's very sweet stuff, not far off from a protein bullet but not quite as alarming as one of those. I choked down the 1.5 bottles the tech told me to do, then off I went. After the CAT scan was over, I took hubby to lunch. Least I could do since I "made" him take the day off. He was going to 'work from home' and just go with me but I didn't want him half here you know? That was the other day whenever I cried so much I swole my eyes shut that I made him take the day off, but c'est la vie. I am better today after having spoken to my bariatric dr. yesterday. I fully trust Dr. Meyers. He is a skilled surgeon who has helped me so much in all of these bills and figuring out what is next. He told me that if they find a cavity or area of trapped cells somewhere in between my diaphragm and lungs, they would probably have to get a cardiac thoracic surgeon to drill it out. It would be done laproscopically, but still he said to call him and let him know so I can discuss who is on my plan and who is good to do this if needed. If it's not a cavity or pocket of cells, then it might just be 'water' in my lungs leftover from the first surgery... then my pulmonologist can drain that himself per my bariatric dr. I hope that's the case. And I'm praying all of this just gets resolved. After lunch with hubby (btw, we made a 'good' choice today in managing my environment... we went to cowboy chicken and had rotisserie drumsticks with campfire veggies and watermelon and split it). Then I went to macy's... every year I try to remember in August to go look at bathing suits for next year. So this year, I reallllly needed to. I got 10 pieces for $48! And I even got one bikini. Who the hell is this girl buying a two piece? IDK but whenever we hopefully go somewhere next year (or the year after, we'll see) then I'll be wearing that. But not at the community pool, like I need to see PTA peops in a bikini with my scars. Who knows though... I might just get that daring after all. Thank you to anyone and everyone who has been praying for me. I truly don't have words to tell you how much I appreciate it. Felicia you are the bomb btw. She may never see this, but I sincerely appreciate all of your texts and prayers. tc, write soon... xx

I'm wondering too how you are! Hope all is going ok kimberlee!!!!!!!

You can get back on track hon. Be strong! And hey add me on MFP! Try doing anything else whenever you get bored. Go for a walk. And make a list of healthy 'boredom' grazeables like cantaloupe, blueberries, 3 pieces of canadian bacon (97% ff jones brand is 50 calories), etc. then post it on the fridge and if you get bored, only limit those to 2-3 times a day. Just suggesting. Good that you are getting back on track. I hope your pain dissipates and your boredom does too! xx

I came across this website the other night that really hit a resounding clang with me. First, in my non sensical rambling sort of style, let me explain..... at night, I truly struggle with grazing more than any other time of the day. So what I've "resorted" to doing is instead, drinking more water and more water and more water as well as searching for recipes to keep my diet interesting and low fat. In my menu search, one of my stumbles was a site called "canyoustayfordinner.com", written by a lady that has lost 135 lbs by sheer determination and a year of working out. She is also very kind to share her thoughts and insight on why she had issues with food. One of the things that she wrote about was her compulsive eating... "Because my compulsive eating is a problem of psychology, it is deeply rooted in my emotions and it will only be "solved" when I allow myself to feel the things that I run away from." Hmm, so what do YOU run away from? I can so easily see this in others, but in myself, it's a bit harder - as always right? So point to ponder .... She continues to speak on books that helped her with these thoughts (i.e. Geneen Roth's 'when food is love', 'feeding the hungry heart', and 'women, food and god' - all of which I hope to find soon), but she continues to speak on the 'inclination to bolt', defining this as 'the intense desire to leave yourself, to flee, when life becomes difficult. It is the wanting to be anywhere but where you are.' And she describes that 'Food is the place to go and escape.' These thoughts really hit something in me. IDK that I'm 100% a bolter, but I do understand the sentiment, especially of food as the escape. And I know that I have triggers with these sort of emotions, in just the way she described as well. But it's funny/odd, I didn't realize it until I read it from someone else. I never thought of it in that context! THAT is the kind of support that I am searching for in my journey. Learning from others experience and seeing ourselves in their reflection. Just not centering it around food in the process (i.e. let's get together over lunch/dinner/etc). She went on to say 'obsession in any form, is an avoidance of the present. It's a way to survive life.' I know for me, for a while, ashamedly I used food to survive. Once my mom died, it was like my heart was ripped out. To say my father was hateful after her death specifically to me is an understatement. His becoming ill with cancer and the way that he and my siblings treated me, as well as dealing with missing my mother, let's just say I did whatever I could just to survive. Once I 'got it back together' again (which took a while), I could NOT lose the weight. Part of it might be the thyroid issues that I have, but part of it was not. So I had WLS. The point of reading this article for me was what she said she did to overcome her obsession with food. It was the realization of this tendency to bolt. It was learning how to live in being uncomfortable. She went on to say that you have to deal with uncomfortable feelings, emotions, situations in order to not miss the opportunity to grow, learn and be strong. To me, that translates too as learning to 'live in the moment.' And it also leaves me points to think about - how else am I uncomfortable in life lessons that I've turned to food to deal with things previously? We all hear of "mindful eating" right? But it's not only applicable to eating. It's being mindful of the moment, any moment, in which we are living. That's hard. C'mon with all of the distractions that we have (kids, blackberries, conflicting schedules, back ground noise, etc etc etc). And I know it's especially one I struggle with whenever I'm out with a group, out with a comfy set of friends and especially once food is added into that mix. So what does that mean for me? IDK yet. I can't "escape" from food, it's a daily thing I have to have. However, for now, I choose to manage my environmental influences. I choose to remove possible situations and/or people that could result in influencing me to make toxic decisions. Toxic choices against the weight loss that I've already achieved. It means that I have to be mindful and I choose not to have too many toxic choices available in my life. At least for now, as I'm still learning how to deal with this weight loss, I feel that it's what I have to do to be successful. IDK if it's right or wrong, but I know one thing. I am almost to goal but it's funny how I KNOW the food addict just wants to come back out. I don't realize yet that I am that 'skinny girl' that someone is referring to. That I am 'the workout fiend' or whatever. I still am "just me", whatever that is, IDK quite yet. But I am mindful that the evil food addict still lives in me. I'm just not fully cognizant yet of all of the ways she comes about to rear her ugly head. So I'm glad to have stumbled across "canyoustayfordinner.com" because it was one more way for me to consider how to deal with this deeply psychologically rooted issue. It is something that I have to do every day (eat), but I have roots that go beyond just food that I'm dealing with, or rather trying to deal with! And I'll do whatever I have to to be in the 80% that are successful. I want it bad enough that I'm willing to give up things that might be wonderful, but could be toxic for me......... at least right now. Sorry to those that don't understand it, but best wishes to you. This choice, for now, is what I am going to do to hopefully be successful for me. Additionally, a funny item that was included that I'd like to share... "Thinness is like Ikea furniture. It looks great in the showroom, but you have to get it home and assemble it yourself. Most times it doesn't look quite like you hoped." From looking at my naked self, now after 97 lbs lost, all I can say is..... so freak'n true, so true!

Hey if you have a Vitamin Shop (sorry IDK where you are) but you can buy out of their refrigerated section on any RTD's (ready to drink drinks) and if you don't like it, keep your receipt and w/in 7 days, return the container with the receipt and they'll credit you your money back. As for Protein powders, "they" say they are as different as people in the world, as are our preferences. I liked unjury strawberry Sorbet, but after a while, I tried to watch the calories and I like that with milk. My dr. gave me some Chike samples that are 'ok' (hey you can't beat free). But the chicken Soup unjury IS good. Just don't nuke it in the microwave or heat your Water too much or it curdles. nectar Syntrax was good, I bought a vat of the latte but it's sitting here now. I also got unjury unflavoreds in order to make protein jellos and puddings, but after a while, in all honesty? All protein powders made me sick. I just switched as my diet progressed to real protein sources (i.e. fish, shellfish, chicken, meat). Oh another popular RTD Protein Drink is Premier Protein shakes. You can get them at costco or Sams. I liked Vanilla (but now it's too sweet). I also liked Muscle Milk lights but many many many a person says they are disgusting. My apologies, but keep trying them. You will find one for yourself. But yes, try the samples. And Vitamin Shop!!!! Good luck!

stevia rocks!

Can you PUHLEASE post me a good ceviche recipe? Omg my peruvian mami (friends mom down here) makes it so stinking good. Ok here's a recipe I really enjoyed. Shrimp packets. Very low cal from what I remember, but I'd have to look in MFP to say fo sho .... http://theworldaccor...-and-boobs.html Many ideas on eggface's site. I have a few places where I "collect" recipes, her's is one! BTW, what food phase are you in? Is it solids? I just wondered since you said you are working up to salmon.

i believe it's cheddar singles that we use... i know the cheddar melts better!

Call your dr's office. IDK if it's maybe just the muscles in sympathy with all that your body's been through or part of the healing process, but I'd feel better to know you had called and got a medical opinion on this. Good luck.

Well, I'm attempting not to be 'size obsessed' because whenever I do certain things now - like sitting down in the bathtub, I'm thinking "dang that's my bones hitting the marble." Or we went sit on a bench and I put my back against the wall, thinking something was poking out of the wall because ouch for a sec... surprise, surprise, that was my backbone against the wall, wth? lol... I am NOT used to this body yet. My naked body has so changed, I stare at it sometimes with incredulous disbelief of "is that really me?' in all honesty. But you know whenever you are larger, you always want to be a smaller size. For me, growing up, I was always a size 14. I had broad shoulders so let's just say school dances were out. Part of it was my head issues with my weight, part of it was where could you find a formal to fit a size 14 with broad shoulders and trannie feet (lol) pardon me larger feet for a nice, hip, now-a-days style? And I lived in a small town and part of my life my family was very meager. So I just did w/o. So yeah, I'm 38 (almost 39) and I still 'dream' of sample size fits. I know it's unrealistic, but I am digressing into dream territory here ok? So realistically, should I just be happy in a 12 is what I'm struggling with? Or should I push to reach my "dream" of an 8? I'm struggling on that fence to be honest. A number on a scale or in a pair or my pants shouldn't be THE sign of happiness. But am I talking myself out of reaching full "success" of reaching the dream? Not sure! I just need a reality check. Am I being unrealistic to push to an 8? IDK... so just thought my crazed OCD hormonal woman self would ask lol. Thanks for your responses. I am glad I am not alone here (and in some rather great company!). and I don't think I have wide hips... wide girth (belly) has always been my issue!

Ok guys, I've had enough medical crap going on to last me a freaking lifetime - at least for the next 10 years at minimum I want nothing else to be wrong with me. Through all of this, I've been focused on my goal and trying to remain positive. But I have something that is bothering the obsessive compulsive part of me. Dare I come to post it to get a proverbial slap of sense into me? Ok I'd RATHER some polite perspective on ways for me to reframe my state of mind. I'm finally at 160! (Yay me!) I am 5'7" and FOR ME that equates to a size 12 (I wear a size 11 shoe, yes trannie territory I know... but gives you a point of reference that I'm no string bean.... women's size M shirts now, even sometimes rare small mixed in). I work out 6 days a week, heavy on the cardio (60 mins at a time), not as much on the weights anymore because I bulk/muscle up easily and wanted to reach goal asap. My goal is 150, maybe more (like where I am) to 'settle' for life. I doubt seriously I can get to 140 ever, but IDK on that yet. Why am I posting this thread? Seems like many people at my height, 5'7" and weight, 160 are much smaller than I am as it relates to size. I have some "give" in some of the 12's I'm in, but mostly I am a 'solid' 12/mediums now. The 'dream' (obsession) for me is an 8. Am I kidding myself? I'm thinking durn it, at this point, I might just have to be 'over the moon' with a 10. So what suggestions to get me there? (I've been avoiding the personal trainer in honesty, I don't want someone that'll make me puke and they scare me... yep, I said it. The workout fiend that I am, the personal trainers frighten me. They push your limits. Maybe I need that, but maybe I'm ok sitting in the fetal position sucking my thumb in my size 12s, lol). Or do I just need to be patient and give the ol' body some more time? (I'll be at the 6 month mark 9/5 and I worry that I'll hit stallsville, so yeah OCD with pressure.) As I understand it, I've been told that sometimes it's 5 lbs between the smaller sizes. Do you find that to be accurate? Hey tell a fat lady (me) because for all of my life (seriously i've never been below a 14 so a 12 is an accomplishment!) but I could lose or gain 30 lbs and still be in an 18, barely getting into my 16s. For real. I gain everything in my trunk, and now, at 160 - it's the LAST place it's leaving, just like "they" say, it's true! Ok be kind please for my silly (trying to be humorous) post. And yes, I did search first and didn't find anything on this one. Surely I am not the only OCD-ish woman that thinks this way? Well I'll admit my craziness for the hopes that someone else might benefit from it as well so.... let's see... (hoping y'all will 'be kind')! Thanks for your time.... xx