desert19

I have the best boss! Each Christmas we have a meal paid for by our department. This year my boss told me they have planned everything in the meal around what I can eat, except for the Desserts. I told her that was no problem for me, as I really am not tempted by sweet stuff anymore. We have a very large department, so I felt that was very sweet of her to plan it around me.

Isn't it just the most wonderful feeling to be succeeding!! You will see your self-esteem growing with every success you have.

I had this several years ago. My podiatrist told me to wear Birkinstocks. That is all I have worn for years and it did the trick for me.

I realized this morning, that for the first time in my adult sons' lives, I weigh less than they do!!

That is awesome! I have found that one little victory like that leads to others, and we find we have confidence in ourselves again. It's a wonderful thing. Best of luck and knock 'em dead!

I had pain on my right side for a long time. I did talk with my Dr and he said it was just the healing and that it would eventually go away, which it did. I would talk with your Dr about it just to be safe.

Where is the selection of tickers to choose from? The email I got has a link, but it basically goes to a page with nothing on it.

One of my favorite lunches is to take a can of drained tuna, add some feta cheese and some light miracle whip and mix it all up. It makes 2 servings. Sounds kind of weird, but it's yummy!

I have had this problem with Vitamins my whole life. I found a Vitamin made by NatureMade that is a softgel. It is the only vitamin that has never made me sick.

I eat melted cheese all the time mixed in my scrambled egg. I have had no problems and was never told by nutritionist or surgeon not to do it.

I have really lost it off my boobs!

I asked if he took the gallbladder out at the same time. I would also make sure the dr knows all the medications you are taking and if he forsees issues with any of them. I asked if I could keep drinking my coffee (my dr said yes, no problem). I was self-pay and I wish I would have asked if there was a max $ amt of my hospital bill included before the hospital could charge me extra (I ended up having to stay an extra night that ended up being paid for extra, which was really hard). I can't remember everything else I asked him, but I know I had a whole page full of questions, and he sat patiently and answered every single one.

I have also put a dent in my credit card the last few months trying to get a whole new wardrobe. I had a whole range of sizes in my closet collected over the years, but now can't fit in a single one of them. I donated 2 laundry baskets full of clothes to our local hospital thrift shop. It has been so fun, and so ego building, to shop in the regular size clothing. Even if I don't buy anything it is fun. I tried on pants this weekend and took 3 sizes in the dressing room - they were all too big around the waist! Love it!

My goal is to lose 20 lbs by 1/1/13. That would put me at 150 lbs, and only 15 lbs from goal weight. My other goal is to be better with my physical activity, it has been so hard for me because of neuropathy in both my feet. So I hearby promise to get back to swimming regularly, at least 3 times a week.

I am 6 1/2 months post op, I have lost 75 lbs. I have not had any Hair loss. I have made sure I get lots of Protein, and I have been taking Biotin supplement pill 2X day. I just buy it at Walmart.< /p>

Well, it finally happened. I took all my clothes belonging to the fat person I used to be and gave them away to a thrift shop. Now there is no going back to the way I was, hooray!!! I will miss some of those shirts though, I really liked them. But I like the new me a whole lot better. I have bought a few new things, but not many, because I am still losing. What a wonderful journey this has been!

Up until the day of surgery I was scared to death over whether I had made the right decision. But I knew I could not continue as I was. I have never regretted having the sleeve, I only wish it had been around 20 years ago, so I could have had it when I was a lot younger. I am now 6 months post-op and wake up each day knowing I am getting healthier, and I feel better than I have in years. Fear is a normal emotion in the face of the unknown. You simply have to decide what you want the most.

Here is another liberal agnostic joining the group!

Welcome, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. My advice would have been just tough it out and think of the long term goal of getting healthy. I had a constant headache the first week of my preop liquid diet, but that eventually went away. You have made the right decision and you have started on a great journey. I was so nervous for my surgery, wondering if I had made the right decision, but it truly was. I wish this had been available years ago. I will be thinking of you on Tuesday, good luck!! (I used to live in SLC, what part are you in?)

My PF has gone away since I started wearing Birkenstocks. I have worn them for years now (both sandals and clogs). I won't wear anything else!

Hi everyone! I hit a big milestone today - actually weigh less than the lie on my drivers license!!

I am from St. George. I had my surgery done on March 14th, so I am 5 months out now. I have lost 61.5 lbs. I have basically been able to eat any regular Protein I want since about week 4. I have started swimming 3-4 times a week, but the heat down here is preventing any outdoor walking. Having this surgery was the best thing I have ever done!

I get massages monthly, and was able to lay down on my stomach at 3 weeks. My massage therapist has been really supportive. I haven't told a lot of people about my surgery, but decided I better come clean with her, as she is seeing me without most of my clothes!

I brought my cell phone, ipod, lip balm, my own pillow, and a nice soft blanket. It felt so good to have something familiar and comforting over my bed.

My surgeon had me on 5-6 Protein Drinks a day for 2 weeks(I chose Atkins). All the Water I could drink. He said if I was really having a difficult day I could have 7 drinks. I only had to do that once. I was drinking the Protein drinks about every 3 hrs. My hardest part was about half-way through, I wanted something crunchy!! Mysurgeon explained that this protein fast is really good at decreasing the fat in the liver. They have to move the liver to do the surgery, and they really don't want it to break. I just kept thinking about the end goal of getting to surgery day. I also found that distraction helped a lot. Don't sit around the house, get out and do something. I did get an awful lot of things done around the house those 2 weeks because I wasn't sitting in front of the tv and eating. Make a list of things you would like to get accomplished before surgery, and do them! Take control of your life, don't let food control it anymore. Good luck!!