LilMissDiva Irene

Thanks everyone... :biggrinjester: This was just a fun moment for me. Being this far out the NSV's are less and less so when I get one I just have to jump on it... LOL! Julie, that's funny you mention the booty thing. I was looking at mine today and noticed the surgeon took some out when he did my lipo. I suddenly felt a little worried like I hope he didn't take out too much!! That would be a tragedy!!

Its possible you might have taken in more sodium than you think and for me, that always leads to the scale being naughty. Idk... I wouldn't really worry too much to be honest. I've just come to realize that's a natural part of the process. I go up and down all the time. If it goes up, I just flush with more water and it's usually gone in a day or two. HTH

I have learned in this journey that, if I have to work so hard to make a friendship work - then it's really not a real friendship at all. I just let them go. I have WAY too much on my plate right now than to add in some coddling of frustrated people! Since then, I've been sooo much happier. See? :biggrin: :biggrin5: :biggrin: :biggrin5: :biggrin: :biggrin5:

Hi fell4, welcome to VST!! If you need anything, just let me or anyone here know. This place is the best!!! Much success on your journey!

WELCOME!!!! WELL DONE!!! :uwelcome: :youcandothis:

Ohhh sweet Meggie!!! WELL DONE!!!! :Banane08: :Banane09: :Banane10: :Banane13: :Banane23: :Banane21: :Banane34:

I'm positive it does have a lot to do with it. I hope you can get this figured out! (((hugs)))

MsLady!! Whoohooo!! It's here! Please check in when you feel up to it. And that's right, do ya damm thang. You will be sooo glad you did. (((hugs))) Well wishes for a speedy recovery, walk, sip, rest REPEAT!!

CT, you've done great already!! Congrats I knew you'd be one to do well with this. I also had this problem to in the beginning. I'm very comfortable now with myself and I really highly doubt I'll ever gain my weight back. I've learned too much, come too far and love the new me far more now than any amount of food could take the place of. Just keep doing what you're doing, you'll be just fine. Still speak with someone though, that will also put some spin on things that might uncover things you didn't think of. The more insight we all have of our addictions, the best chance for coming out for the better. That said... you need to update your ticker!

Absolutely, if you can find another surgeon who is just as experienced and reputable don't worry about making the change. This is YOUR journey, no one else's. It does sound like you have boundaries on when is the best time for you to have surgery. Having to wait an entire extra year and paying a lot more out of pocket is a major reason to seek alternatives. You will want to do this with as little stress as possible, because just having this surgery is stressful enough. You said so, you only spoke to this Dr. one time. You are not bound to him at all. Hugs! You will figure it out.

So... I seen my shadow and was like... WTF (scuse the french but its true!) IS THAT??? So, I took a picture. Sharing my journey has its interesting fun moments too!! WHOOOHOOOOO!!!! Please note everyone... I used to be over 330 Lbs and wear a size 28W!!! I just can't believe it STILL sometimes...

Sweet!!! Hey ladies... you can do it!!! I can't wait to see those celebration posts. :Banane27:

Yayyy Sleeve of Steel! That's a great compliment! And congrats on hitting Onederland!!! WHOOOTTTT!!!

Welcome all new members and future sleevers!! Best think I've ever done for myself. Hang out and read up. There is sooo much info here.

Good luck on your last 4 Lbs!! I don't think I'll ever know what it's like to not have a goal before me... if anyone can share, that would be great.

HI Bryan WELCOME!! I'm glad you decided to join in! Everyone here is very sweet and always ready to help out. Lucky you, being a guy you'll likely lose your 100 Lbs in no time at all. Keep us updated on how you're doing!

coops... my dear friend. It's there, you just need to know where to look. Here's my opinion, now it could be or could not be the case. Regardless here is what I think: I think you are placing WAY too much emphasis on what could or should be and not enough on the here and now. What I mean is, live for today. Don't fight against tomorrow or the future. I cannot tell you how much RELIEF I felt when I finally gave up on all the time related challenges and weight loss goals. I know that is ultimately what you are going after... but maybe changing the type of goals you are setting for yourself will make the world of difference. Maybe instead of weight goals, make inch goals or clothing goals. Instead of challenges for Christmas, maybe make workout goals. Instead of focusing so much on the goals so far ahead, instead focus on the one right in front of you. I absolutely could not in good sanity think so far ahead. I'm pretty sure most here already know what I think about BMI's. But guess what? I'm but a hop skip and a jump away from breaking below 25. So I will be considered normal. I never thought so far ahead that I really let that set into my mind and let that bring me down. I can't. I had WAYYYYY too far to go. I used to be nearly a 53 BMI. It still doesn't mean that much to me, I'm just saying, I always picked one battle at a time. Something about me is that I'm an extremely impatient person. I want it all and I want it now. I would drive myself NUTSO!!! if I thought about all the millions of goals I set for myself. One mountain at a time is all I can handle. THAT is how I always kept my motivation throughout my long long journey. Hugs. Remember: One mountain at a time. ETA: I cannot respond on the menopause issues, but I'll listen to any advice you get! LOL

Thanks Ladies!!!! I'm sooo glad I'm done with all this It will be fun taking photos and posting the final product in a few months. It's been a long and nerve wrecking ride. For me and here out I'm just going to recover, do my workouts, eat properly and do a tiny bit of spot toning until I fit in my itty bitty fours. LOL!! I did buy some Size 0 jeans from Zappos which based on the measurements are exactly the same as those 4's hanging on my closet door. It will be fun putting those on! Vanity sizing or not. However long that takes, I just don't care. I'm here!!! :cheers2:

Yayyyyy MEG!!! Outstanding!!!! Congrats!!! You are truly one of the inspiring stories around here.

Warrior, GREAT JOB!!!! I bet you just feel on top of the world right??? CONGRATS!! My the differences one year makes with our sleevie friend. Whoohooo!!!

Wowzaaa!!! Totally amazing!!! Keep up doing such an excellent job! You will be at goal in no time at all.

Basically you just have to do what works for you and your body, while maintaining good health. If doing low carb makes your body ill, then definitely don't do that! You can more focus on your calories instead. Because seriously when all is said and done, it is all calories in / calories out. I mean, even someone doing low carb can't eat 3,500 calories per day and only burn off 2,500 and lose weight. Not gonna happen. I didn't do super low carbs or no carbs. I did eat more balanced meals but did watch my carbs some. It mostly was because I did Protein first and green veggies second (mainly for iron's sake) and I would still have some carbs. It came out to about 60g per day, but I would make that my limit. The reason was because I found that was what my body found acceptable and maintained health and good weight losses. I'll tell you this though, I did limit my SUGAR a great deal, and sodium. Sugar was my real enemy, not good healthy carbohydrates. And sodium would always blow me up like a fish and give me false readings on the scale. We are all doing this first and foremost for our health. Don't feel discouraged because you aren't doing what majority is doing. As long as you are losing, then you're doing it right!! :smile1: HTH

I'm checking in: Today is day 3 Post Lipo. I'm doing really really great! I'm quite surprised. I was expecting it to be much worse considering what I went through last time. I'm sure the bruising is coming, I have no doubt about that, but honestly - the pain is nowhere near what it was for my inner thighs and knees. It goes to show really that the area treated makes a BIG difference. It kinda just feels like I worked out really hard around my waist area pretty much. Here's a great story here, as I was getting prepped and the surgeon came in to "mark" his territory.. LOL ... he told me he wanted to do a straight up and down leading from the upper outter thigh (saddle bags) and go all the way up to my waist. Now, he wasn't supposed to, but he threw in the hips for FREEE!!! Whoohooo!! I love free... heehheeee!! He said it would yield the best results because if not I could have too much of a "boxy" look. Well, since I was going more for "foxy" I gave him the green light. Ok, so with my compression garment you can really see the amazing curves he left me. Wow, this guy really knows what he's doing, and I'm SOOO GLAD I made the right choice in waiting for him to be available to do this for me. He is A+++!!! So, it's all downhill from here for me. All my plastics procedures have been completed and in three months I should be left with my final results. Here is what I *hope* to end up with once I'm completely healed and I get into my new dreamy goal pants. Whoohooo!!! I'M SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!

130 Lbs in 6 months... WOWWW!!!! Ok, so you want to know where motivation comes from? My dear it sounds like you have plenty of it. You seem to be doing just fine right now. That said, yes I realize you mean workouts. For me, it provides that stimulant in my brain that leaves me feeling like I'm on top of the world. I literally, positively, absolutely, without a doubt LOVE LOVE LOVE to workout. I love the way it makes me feel both mentally, spiritually and physically. You mention feeling sore for a few days after a workout... well the only thing that helps that is a bit of the hair of the dog if you know what I mean. No, I don't mean a stiff drink... LOL!! I mean getting back at it the very next day and doing it all over again. You can't give your body the chance to get used to inactivity. It's almost like atrophy... the less you use the muscles, the less chance for them to be able to handle any type of movement. Do you think a personal trainer would give you a break? Nuh-uh... no way. IMO, start small. Start with some type of general and basic function type physical activity such as walking. Perhaps 30 minutes or so. Leslie Sansone makes a great DVD called "walking off the pounds". Its like walking in place (as its getting a bit cold to do this outside now) and she will get your heart pumping. This type of activity is one you can do daily, not like muscle toning. Muscle toning should be done every other day if you are targeting the same areas. You have to make it fun, but really... the first few days won't be. You have to build up to it, learn to appreciate the results you get back from hard work and dedication. Your body will start responding positively instead of screaming at you and crying out in pain... PROMISE!!! You got this... no worries.

LMAO!!! Girlie, take it and run... I think that's awesome.