4ALongerLife

Jeesh if you find another promo price, IM me pls! That's awesome!

Hey Cat, do you use mfp? It's helping me and I do suggest food journaling in some way. I'm doing crystal light in my waters and trying to get in 3 big cups a day (that's 28 oz in each). Crystal lights are 10 calories in a pkg (one sleeve). I also like fruitH2O Water in peach. It's like biting a peach - very good whenever it's reallllly cold. Remember you are changing your life - you are healthier, but with a bit of "tweaking" - girl we can AND WILL do this! And yes, cute legos... but I can't find it either grrr.

Girl congratulations! I am wondering where in the world the breasts are being done? That is a GREAT price from what little I know!

Congratulations Lissa on meeitng the 100 lb weight loss mark! That's amazing! Catracks, I suggest varying your routine. I'm having to do it lately as I find I do what I normally love and my body's gotten used to it. "shake it up a bit" and vary your exercises. Also take your measurements and in a month see how they've changed. Make sure you are getting enough Water (which I personally struggle with). Good luck!

LadyIvy, I'm going to have to try your suggestion. Usually whenever I go "backwards" on the elliptical, I end up going faster than normal (like 200+ RPM, where forwards a normal RPM is 150 for me). Idk what it is on the elliptical, but I absolutely love it. Years ago, whenever I first used it, I remember 5 mins and I was dying. But it was a challenge and now I love it. I'm doing other workout classes and incorporating elliptical and the stair master (that killer) every other day rotations between classes (so elliptical this morning, class tonight, stair master tomorrow, class tomorrow night). Yes, I've resumed my workout addiction and currently loving it

Well, what I know is the guy went to lunch one day and had a drink from sonic. After lunch, he went back to work and "threw" the cup back and took a swig. Larger than a sip and that's what he thought caused the leak. My leak was caused from the skin in my tummy rejecting the staple and necrotic away from the suture line. I found it through severe pain in my side, which I don't wish on anyone. I couldn't breathe and was running fever.... but from what I've read/been told it's rare. Don't worry, but know directions are given for reasons is all I can say. Good luck to you all!

My dr. had a patient in 2009 that CHUGGED. Guess what? He got a leak. I tried to remind myself to "sip, sip, sip"... I've had a leak and believe me, you DO NOT want one. The "sip sip sip" mentality helps me to remember to get my 8 cups of Water in throughout the day. To each his own, but I highly recommend following your dr.s orders, they have their reasons for giving them.

You freakin' rock! I hope to be able to have the strength to get where you have. (then I worry will i keep it off? sigh, one step at a time) Congrats!

you know what? frumpy is only temporary until you can either go to a yard sale/second hand or just go shopping. i'd take frumpy over fat and unhealthy ANY day of the week!

jhansen's post reminded me of one of my most frustrating stalls... to get to wonderland (below 200). it took forever. i still have my "up a lb./down a lb." game (last week it was up 4 / down 4 lbs grrr) but i keep on doing what i'm supposed to and VOILA, it finally comes off! (so far) i'm varying my workouts (or rather, trying to) and increasing my Water... and it's helping. hope that helps someone! but don't give up... you can do this!

you know in mfp, you can put in any recipe and the servings and it figures up the calories and all of that for you? just say'n

Very well said dorrie!

Cleo you asked about emotions after surgery....... I think the dr.'s make sure that you won't have other addictions. There are many articles about transfer addictions or crossover addictions. Gambling, sex, shopping, alcohol and even drugs, you name it. But for most overweight ppl, we've used food as a comfort, as a solace... it's maladaptive. I personally believe it's also as you've heard ppl say "alcoholism is a disease" - the only difference b/w us and them is that our 'drug of choice' is food. The maladaptive coping mechanisms we've used for years have to be changed. It took years to establish them, it's going to take time to address them. Further complicating matters is that immediately after surgery you have NO appetite. It slowly comes back, and some ppl have lost a lot of weight in a very short time period. Hormonally, your body hasn't figured out all of the weight it's lost. And you know how emotional women are specifically (ladies don't take my women's club card for saying it)... but imagine an overwhelming amount of estrogen flowing through your body AND now you no longer have the way that you coped. It is a hard time to go through. But I can say, been there, done that and this too shall pass. WLS of any kind is NOT a "magic wand." It's a lot of work after the sacrifice of putting your body through this ordeal, then it's work on your head and behaviors for life in order to be successful. In all honesty, the way you worded your questions Cleo, I'm wondering if you're researching a paper or an article....but good questions nonetheless. Success wished to you all!

Head hunger has me in it's grasp. I'm going to go see a shrink about it next week that focuses on bariatric clients. I was a self pay, so I can't comment on the insurance requirements.

Thanks guys... sorry I didn't know what DS was. Heck took me a minute to figure out IMO lol! So what's the difference b/w gastric bypass and duodeonal switch? I am sure I read on it, but my alzheimers kicked in. I'm going googling in b/w con calls now on it.... Here's what I've found: http://www.duodenalswitch.com/procedure/ds_vs__rny/ds_vs__rny.html

Ok pardon moi, but what's DS?

For any meatloaf, you can use ground turkey instead. It's leaner and cheaper! And if you'd rather a "beefier" taste to it, just add beef bouillon whilst cooking it.

YES! I had those issues ... but here is something that I found and loved... they should pay me as much as I post on them but Cytosport's ready to drink (RTD) "whey isolate" Protein drinks... they are in 16 oz bottles and have 32 g of whey protein. I LOVE them - tropical and tangerine flavors (I don't personally like the watermelon). I buy them at Vitamin Shoppe for 3.79 a bottle. Also many folks like Isopure RTD bottles, but I did NOT. Those are 4.19 a bottle. Also fyi, I love Vitamin Shoppe! One reason: they will take them back if they are opened w/in 7 days w/your receipt. They can be bought (both of the kinds mentioned) in their refrigerated section. Additionally, the powerpak protein is good in chocolate. Those I think are $3 and some change for each. For Butterbean's comment: My dr. suggested taking mirolax whenever I don't go on my own every 2-3 days, as well as acidophilous pearls, which are a priobiotic that helps keep things moving, from my understanding. I also eat a prune or two every couple of days. Hey it helps get that sweet craving out for only 15 cals per prune! And definitely get that Water in. I hate water, but like the fruit20 (peach is my fav) and propel (in berry usually) or crystal light in cherry pom... if anyone can use those tips that is!

Hey Melissa! I'm in the Dallas area.... and from Alexandria, LA originally. My dad was diabetic and I look just like him (an egg with legs - that's the body type and unfortunately I inherited it and his eating habits). You CAN do this! Do some research on who's got the best classes. I was a self pay, so not sure that I'm the best resource to you..... but if you ever need a friend who's had sleeve, as well as we have a few other things in common it sounds - you are welcome anytime to hit me up. Good luck to you and let us know how you are progressing pls!

Why don't you take a cooking class? It'd be a great beginning to all of this.... and I HATE to cook, but do it sometimes. I am blessed with my husband who cooks. I just made the hungry girl buffalo chicken dip and it's easy. You just open some cans and mix it all up. It was a little spicy for me, but you just need easy recipes. Emilybites.com has great lasagna cupcakes (easy to make!) and eggface's site has easy ones too. But alas, I know ... I hate cooking too, no one every taught me - I just follow the recipe. If I don't know how to separate the eggs, google it. Everyyyyything is on the net now! I'm trying to change - good luck wished to you! btw, love your ticker ladyarwenrose!

Are you tracking your intake and output? Come onto myfitness pal. I am loving that as a resource. Have you tried varying up your recipes? emilybites.com has a great lasagna cupcake recipe (that someone posted on the recipe thread here) and eggface has GREAT recipes, which usually incorporate Protein in some way. I personally can't do fruit as Snacks. That hour issue exists for me, it's your insulin - it surges after eating a piece of fruit and an hour later drops as the fruit is digested. Eat things that stabilize your blood sugar more. At least that's what I was told before surgery! I think just tweak your diet by 200-300 cals a day and you'll get there. The problem is "mixing it up" as it pertains to food and varying your exercises. Our bodies get used to our intake and outputs. We are creatures of habit right? I know for me, I LOVE the elliptical. It's hard for me to do anything else, so I'm trying to mix it up - swimming laps this past weekend, yoga the last two sundays with my beloved elliptical in between. And I'm "on the search" for low cal/low carb/high protein recipes. I think that working with the counselor is a great idea. But maybe RNY should be considered once all other options are pursued, but I understand your fears. You are very lucky to have a resource in your hubby!

I am wondering and I bet a few others might be too but.... I have seen it common for a rather large group of us to experience the "three week stall" (right after surgery) - but are there any other common stall times that commonly occur during the post sleeve journey?

You can do it! Be consistent in going to work out and mix it up to keep your body guessing. Grr I just wish my body was a creature of habit as much as I am! The mixing it up is always my challenge. GOOD LUCK!

You know I am mixed on this one. Even with all of my concern on a 12 year old having this surgery done .... the difference her life will now have is like night and day. I'm still like wow on this tho. From a medical perspective, does this damage her in any way? (i.e. scar tissue or IDK what else) What changes will her body experience as she grows up due to this surgery? Is she at risk for more of anything for having the surgery done? Or is it just a long term health benefit as well as one that will greatly help her confidence as she won't have to hear the teasing or taunts, miss the prom or dances or dating.......Very interesting...are there any other case studies at this young of an age with this surgery.... wow, blows me away.... but IDK when is too young for this or any other gastric surgery? Wow, just wow.

Didn't you just overeat like 5 days ago per your blog? Sweetheart, you are missing your coping mechanism. Believe me, I know the feeling so pls don't think I'm posting hate messages or anything ill willed, just maybe poorly said on my part. Remember you did this surgery to save your life - remember you said previously you were glad to have this surgery or you would have gained 30 more lb.s by now? I too understand that feeling. Ok the weight gain didn't happen overnight. It's not going to come off that way either. Relax, practice patience, know that God is trying to get you to learn to work on the head while the body takes it sweet time. Some basics that I try to remind myself whenever I get to this level of frustration: Are you exercising on a consistent basis? Are you drinking your water? Are you tracking your input (calories in) vs. calorie burn (calories out)? To that, I suggest myfitnesspal.com - it's wonderful! You have a lot of stress in your life right now so that's only adding to things. Relax, find a way to 'destress' and practice THESE basics - get your water in, get your exercise in on a consistent basis and track your i's and o's (inputs and outputs) and I BET you $100 you will see the scale move. Don't revert to 'fad diets' like going back to total liquids. You cannot live on those. But I too know how easy that appeals to me too whenever I'm stuck, grr. Practice the 'basics' and know tomorrow is going to be better! Good luck!