legal loser

Other than softball, I was the same way about not having run. I started slow and have worked up to my 20 mins. Some of it is endurance, but a lot of it is mental! You can do it!

Don't let others deter you. People are typically so engrossed in their own workouts, they could care about anyone else. Put on some headphones and get in your own world. Don't know how to use a piece of equipment, ask someone! I get beet red and sweat drenched, but I feel better and don't care what others think!

So, I had a little break up with my scale and as of January 1, 2013, I have been avoiding it and measuring success on different levels. I do not plan to use the scale as a measuring tool until I hit my 1 year on April 24th. So, I started training for a 5k. I am now up to jogging 20 minutes straight. While I may not be the fastest or the best looking runner, it is an accomplish. Working on endurance right now, then speed. Haven't picked an actual race yet, but I will do this! Tonight, while waiting for my one basset to finish his dinner so I could let the puppy out of her cage, I was messing around and stretching and realized I can bend over and touch my toes! Oh My Freaking God! I can't remember the last time I could do that! I am so happy that I have finally found ways other than the scale to measure my success. I would love to hear what other people have accomplished off the scale!

My program is net carbs so I subtract fiber. Ask your doc or nut how you are suppose to do it.

Hope all goes well! That's where I had mine! Which Dr? Walk the halls when they let you!!

As a melanoma survivor, please consider the risks of tanning. I tanned for several years in a tanning bed and now have a 7 inch scar on my back to show for it. It's your choice, but be smart and educated! I am first to admit tanning is relaxing and helps relieve minor aches and tension.

Congrats on the progress fellow post-ops!!! Good luck to all of you in the process!! I was sleeved 4/24 and love it. Weight loss has slowed, but I'm sticking with it and trusting the scale will catch up!!!! Training for a 5k. I am hoping to run The Color Run in Nashville the last weekend of March!

Applesauce. Puréed fruit. Jam.

I'm with you! I am planning to do a week similar to my week pre-surgery (4 Protein shakes a day and liquids only) to see if I can shock my system, get the body out of its carb and sweet craving and kick some butt!!! We can do this. We stumbled, now we have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and kick some a$$ and take names later!!! Let's do this!!!

It gets easier! I have found it toughest when out to eat with others and I'm finished eating and we are just sitting around chatting. At home and in the lunch room at work, I don't have a drink handy. At restaurants I do get a water and play with it and a straw sometimes. My one coworker who drinks a lot of water will sometimes swap our glasses so it doesn't look strange to others.

I won't lie. I found myself slipping back into old habits and the holidays "killed me". I am frustrated with myself and need to get back on track. I find myself eating because my brain tells me too, not because I am hungry. I've let self doubting comments take over my actions, which is not acceptable. I CAN do this!! It's time to recognize that, regroup, and focus. I am making this promise to all of you and hope that I will hold myself accountable to you. I am just over 3 months out from my 1 year surgiversary and need to get down about 30 pounds by then so as to not be embarrassed when I see my doctor. Here's to a refocused me starting now!!

Zumba class is on my list for 2013. Bought some new workout clothes tonight!

I go to the Y. Elliptical and weights. Walk my dogs daily.

I'm in Nashville. Sleeved April 24, 2012 by Dr. McDowell at Baptist.

That's one of the best things!! I love my boots!!!

Turns out the cold never truly went away and that's why it seemed it came back again.....it is now a sinus infection. On an antibiotic....had to educate the GP a bit to come up with best medicine!! Had 6 month follow up and labs done last week. Will ask nurse what I can take when she calls to go over them!

I am six months post op and working on 3rd cold in 2 months...with this one and the last one just about 2 weeks apart. I used to be able to go a year with maybe one cold.....anyone else find themselves getting sick more often post op??

6 months and 61 pounds gone for good according to my doctor's schedule. I've struggle the last few months, but my today my doctor assured me that I am right where he wanted me to be and that he is proud of my accomplishments. One thing we discussed is that while the scale has slowed down, my body is changing. Clothes fit differently and I'm buying smaller sizes. I know that the number will catch up and move again very soon. Time to amp up my workouts and go back to the basics!! Had blood work done today and will get those results next week. We scheduled my next appointment on my 1 year surgiversary!!

I freeze just about everything as well. I live alone so I have leftovers on a regular basis. It's actually very nice to be able to pull tomorrow's lunch out of the freezer and put in the fridge at night and by lunch the next day it is thawed out. When I was first post op, I froze portions in ice cube trays and then moved to plastic bags. Perfect size control. Now that I can eat approximately 1/2 cup, I tend to freeze in containers. Experiment on what tastes good after being frozen and what doesn't work for you.

Check with your doctor!! I was allowed Tylenol up until midnight the day before surgery.

The skin darkening in certain areas can actually be related to medical conditions like insulin resistance. If the underlying medical condition goes away, the skin darkening should as well.

I was in the same boat, in a sense. I am a melanoma survivor (diagnosed in 2009). My surgeon was extra cautious and wanted details and approval from my surgical oncologist as the staging of my melanoma as well as her opinion as to the surgery. This made me even more comfortable that he was concerned about my health as a whole, not just making $$ off the surgery. While I was frustrated with the delays (especially since I was self pay), I was very appreciative of his concern.