PuraVida37

This morning I ran another 5K and I couldn't believe how much I have changed. In the past, on a rainy, cold Saturday morning you couldn't get me out of the bed. The day after Halloween would have been a drunken sugar high crash. But today I sprang up at 6:30am, got my family up too, and got ready to run. It was only 43 degrees out with sprinkles and wind, but being up and outside was almost magical. I love being a runner! My daughter ran a 1K fun run, then it was my turn. With gloves and earmuffs, I started out and ran my best mile ever at 12:14, then kicked ass to finish up at 40:06. When I saw the finish line a half mile off, I'd never tried so hard in all my life. It was glorious!!! My latest goal has been to finish a 5K under 40, so I am just *that close*!! I'm signed up for a Turkey Trot and I'm GONNA DO IT this time.

IDK exactly because the skin is so odd now. Like a popped balloon. But the dark skin I had on the back of my neck looks tons better. I think it also has to do with making better food choices. My acne has cleared up a ton, too!

I was in your exact position. My husband was convinced I could do it on my own. Yeah. Ok, in 20 years I hadn't, so how one earth was this time gonna be different? Sheesh. He's also the guy who thinks you can lose weight just by exercising harder. Yeah, at 300 lbs it's so easy to run. ha. But when he saw how serious I was about the pre-surgical diet, he came around. My weight loss has brought a balance to our family and ALL of us has lost weight. We exercise as a family, I'm more energetic than ever before. But honestly, I was going to get the surgery no matter what he said. I was mentally prepared to get a divorce or separation if it lead to that (glad it didn't!). All I could think of was THIS IS MY LIFE. THIS IS MY BODY. I ONLY GET ONE. I HAVE TO DO THIS BEFORE I END UP AT A POINT OF NO RETURN. I definitely agree to have him go to a support group meeting with you. Is he scared? of losing you? of changing how things are now? of him having to change too? or just of the unknown? It can be a scary thing for everyone involved.

I think it's time to go back to the doctor. Coughing and spitting up is not normal.

PS I explained the liquids only on hiatal hernia surgery...that you have to shrink your organs so they can get in more easily (true) and the special diet is doctor's orders (true also!!).

I don't eat bread anymore and I really don't miss it. Pasta and rice too. I can get them down, but I'd prefer not to get stuck, and that healthy fear keeps me away from them.

What is something that is working for you? I don't mean the band itself, I mean like a special meal you like, a routine, an exercise, certain kind of support or motivation. What's something that you do that's working for you?? I'll start: I love my NutraNinja blender. It makes blah Bariatric Advantage shakes come out like a dream. Please share!! i need some motivation lately. Thanks in advance.

@@ChubMuffin Once you tell, you cannot untell. How supportive is your coworker? Will she blab to everyone in the office? if she does that, how comfortable are you with it? Will she resent you for "changing" your routine with her? She'll notice that you're eating differently, that's for sure. If you don't tell the truth, you'll have to lie about things. Will she give you grief about it and judge you for it? Only you can guess that. I chose NOT to tell, and I'm glad I did. People at my job are super gossipy and judgy and would probably accuse me of "taking the easy way out". Instead, they cheer me on. I just tell them that I'm on a low carb diet (true) and that I run (true too). This is the first big secret I have ever kept to myself. I kinda feel proud because it's part of me taking back control of my life.

I work in a VERY gossipy workplace. I chose not to tell anyone at work, not even my best friend. I told my family, and 2 friends. That's it. Nobody needs to know my business. They all know I am working toward being healthier, but no one needs to know details.

Glad you are mending! That must have been so scary!!

Once I went on the liquid diet, it helped a LOT. I saw immediate success and it helped convince me to take better care of myself. Hopefully you can feel the same success. GL!

It is possible the sudden resistance is swelling. Did you eat something/some way to perhaps cause some swelling? if i were you, I'd call your doc ASAP or go to the ER!! You may have a slip, and if liquids aren't even going down, you know that is life threatening. Better safe than sorry!!

I still get tender a little, but the doc said not to worry, it's minor. I do notice that I am sore after I do ab workouts too. PS I ran my first 5k (ALL the way running!!) in Sept. I love Couch to 5k for getting me started! Woooo

At my latest support group (which is banders and sleevers) the nurse pointed out that newly post op patients should ask their docs about using the bullet blenders because they can add too much air into the shakes. Good to know.

@SandyM OMG!!!! SO FUNNY!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol:

I have always struggled with a B shaped belly. Well now the bottom apron of fat is disappearing pretty nicely, but as I wear smaller clothes, the muffin top is getting worse looking. Besides Spanx or something similar, is there any way to encourage loss in that area? I've done crunches and all sorts of exercise, but the soft muffin flab is really looking horrible. Any ideas?

I think the basic question we all should be asking ourselves is: Are we better off than last year at this time? Are we going in the right direction? Journeys of any kind take a while. It doesn't matter how long, as long as we are making progress.

You've been under once, you'll be fine this time too!! Glad they found what was wrong. You'll be healing nicely soon!!!

¡Bienvenido!

I am glad I didn't tell anyone at work--they are such judgmental ignoramuses sometimes!! My bestie at work wouldn't even understand. She can't understand my unexplained weight loss to begin with, and seems very jealous of it. I don't care. To the original poster, I would confront the gossipy person and make them feel like the heel that s/he is!! Just be honest and say calmly, "You know, I heard about what you said and it really wasn't very nice. Why would you say something so cruel?" and then sit back and watch her/him squirm!!!!!!!!! hahahah

@arch002 Just keep to it!! From about March to July I didn't really lose much, but now it's coming off again. Yours will too!

@arch002 At least you are maintaining! Are you seeing the doctor still? What are you doing for exercise?

This!!!! This sums up WLS for me. This is why I chose LIFE. You stated it just perfectly.

I offer no advice. I just know that I didn't attempt to change until I wanted to. And then there was no stopping me. Good luck. I know you love him and want him around for the next 50-60 years. If he is that heavy, he may not even make it 10 or 20. PS If he won't go to the bariatric support group, perhaps you could just visit it yourself. Talking about it really does help.

I won't lie. It will hurt, it will be scary, you will question feelings of regret, but every day gets better and better. Even the very next day is better. I would go through it all in a heartbeat. It IS worth it! Take it easy, follow your doc's instructions to the letter, and you will be just fine!!!! Good luck!! Keep us posted on how you're doing. PS You won't sleep tonight, but you will sleep a ton during and after!! LOL