AJW

Congrats, Tracy! Glad you're doing well and that they could revise you to the sleeve without complications. That's great news! Yes, keep us posted on your progress.:lol0:

Great job, Deedee! Keep going and you'll be at goal before you know it!

Carolyn, go here and read about how to register as Non-Union: Central Casting

I used to do background work in films and television. I was about a size 12/14 at the time which is too big for camera work. You have to be a size 6 or below to get featured roles to make the work itself any fun for you, cause there isn't any money in the jobs. IF I can get down that low, I might try it again, just for fun. I've been a size 6 before but it was in the mid-90s and before I broke my leg in 1998, which was my real downfall into obesity. We'll see how it goes. Some time next year I figure I'll be there.

You're not doing anything wrong, except that mushy foods should only be started when your doctor gives you the go ahead and all docs are different. After I lost 12 pounds I had a little stall - a few days - and started thinking "boy I did all this just to lose 12 pounds!" Of course that wasn't true. Your stomach needs to HEAL, ladies, and your body will hold onto fluids to surround the healing parts. When that's no longer needed, the fluids will let go and the fat will go with them. You guys need to be patient. I know that might be a foreign word in some people's vocabulary, but keep it in mind. In fact, I basically already posted this in response to the other poster.

Well crap, I was down two pounds less last week and have gained two pounds doing nothing different. Don't know why; my body likes to screw with my head. However, my size 12 jeans arrived today and they fit like a glove. By the end of Dec. I so want to be at 170 pounds as I'm going on a cruise. When I hit 179 I thought OH YEAH, I'll get there. Now I'm back to 181! I broke down and took a diuretic today. I know that's a sin against weightloss kind but I'm tired of holding onto the water! I'll be down tomorrow and then watch it creep back up as the fluid is replaced. Oh well, screw it. Doing the best I can and am thankful that I'm in my size 12 pants anyway. Hope things go back to my normal down .2 to .4 a day routine pretty soon.:001_tongue:

You're still healing so your body is probably holding onto fluids for awhile longer. Give yourself time. I don't think this is really a stall; it's your body's way of saying I'm holding onto fluids until my tummy heals and I figure out that you're not starving me. Then I'll be OK and let go of all these fluids. You're not even a month out yet. Be patient.

Way to go, Chickie! Congratulations to you. I remember the feeling of getting under 200 and it wasn't that long ago. Keep doing what you're doing as it obviously works for you. Keep us posted.

I think you may just have to have that lipo'd off if it doesn't shrink enough for you.

You are a skinny lady, that's WHO you are, Missy Tiffy!!:001_tongue:

I weigh daily too; I'm way too anal to not do that. That way if I get too far off track I can catch it quick. If I didn't do that, I'm afraid of losing control and I need to be in control of this. You type A's know how that goes, right?! Even you type B's. LOL!

Glad you started this thread or I was going to. Last week I was 179 even. Had a party on Sat. night. I was GOOD, barely ate anything and by barely I mean I ate my regular diet foods during the day, and at the party I had 2 small pieces of cut up cheese, 2 small crackers, 1 raviolli, nothing exotic in it, no deserts, and wine. I was conservative on the wine, too, but I was on my feet all evening mingling with my guests. In the morning I thought good, I barely ate, maybe I lost another pound. NO, I was up 1.6 pounds! I'm like WTH, I didn't even eat! So I figured fluid retention from all the walking around and wine. So yesterday back to my basic diet foods (Medifast, I follow their plan). And this morning weight was up again another .2!! I don't get it and now feel at a loss (and not in a good way!) about what's happening. I do not have periods so it's not that. IDK what's happening. My husband's, who's on this journey with me W/O the surgery but eating Medifast, weight was up 2 days in a row too. We're scratching our heads here. What do ya'll think?

/ Ah shucks, Ma'am, thanks! I appreciate that. When I told people I have about 50 pounds more to go, they were like "What?! No, maybe 5 pounds more." Yeah, OK, they aren't seeing me naked yet. LOL! No, 50 more to go and I'll look basically the same only in smaller proportions. You look great, too, Missy; thanks for the nice compliment.

All the best to you, Tracy. My God woman, you've been through hell! I originally had looked into the band but had also read some horror stories and knew it was not going to be right for me. I got sleeved in August and have been doing great with it. I just posted some new photos taken yesterday evening at our holiday bash. Best of luck to you and I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. Your surgery will be fine. Don't worry about going to Mexicali alone, a lot of patients do. You'll be fine, trust me, and there will be people there for the same surgery and you'll meet them all. Pretty soon you won't be alone, and you have all of us here. Take care, sweetie!

What about bat wings under the arms? I never had big arms but with the weight came bigger upper arms. Now that I'm half way to goal, the under the arms skin is loose. Will this go away or tighten up or will I have to have it taken off? What do you guys think?

My goal is to be at 170 by 12/31, the day I leave on our NZ/Australia cruise. I'm 179 today so hoping I don't run into any stalls before then. Last cruise was in Oct. 2008, and I was dragging myself everywhere and so uncomfortable after being on my feet for hours that I was taking pain pills to stand it. That's horrible to travel in that condition. Not this time; this time I'm up for most anything.

Congrats Helen. I just ordered a size 12 jeans today. My 14s are too big now, and wasn't that long ago I was in 16s since surgery. Shrinking down.......love that! If I order something and it's too small, I just save it until it isn't. Wearing a T-shirt today that was way too tight when I received it; now it's still a little tight across the bust, but fits elsewhere. :tongue_smilie:

Thanks VA! Unfortunately Santa Cruz Nutritionals does not sell or even discuss their products on their web site, and Sam's Club does not list the product on theirs, either. Oh well.

Glad we survived Thanksgiving. I went out to dinner with friends on TG and fortunately, I didn't find the food all that appealing so didn't overeat. We were also on a trip for the whole 4 days. I could feel myself retaining fluid so to me I looked like I was gaining weight from eating out in restaurants every meal. But weighed in this morning and had actually lost .2 from the day we left, so happy about that. Going on cruise at the end of the month and am worried about how that's going to affect me. I always hover weight-wise when I travel and don't lose like I do at home. I'm only 3.5 months out, though, so weight is still coming off. Had my labs done and everything looks GREAT; glad to hear that news.:001_tongue:

Glad we survived Thanksgiving. I went out to dinner with friends on TG and fortunately, I didn't find the food all that appealing so didn't overeat. We were also on a trip for the whole 4 days. I could feel myself retaining fluid so to me I looked like I was gaining weight from eating out in restaurants every meal. But weighed in this morning and had actually lost .2 from the day we left, so happy about that. Going on cruise at the end of the month and am worried about how that's going to affect me. I always hover weight-wise when I travel and don't lose like I do at home. I'm only 3.5 months out, though, so weight is still coming off. Had my labs done and everything looks GREAT; glad to hear that news. Hope you all did fine as well. Now to get through Christmas.

What's the name of these wonder gummies?

I looked this product up on the Net and see that it used to be Rx, but not now. It states 1 dosage in a glass of liquids, and drink. It also says not to be used for more than 2 weeks. What is proper dosage to just soften stools without becoming dependent on a laxative? Let me know what you guys do. I don't usually have a problem, but lately have been straining, in my opinion, too much and don't want to do that any more. Thanks......

Hey Linda, I was reading your stats and we are almost twins! I had surgery on Aug. 10th, started at 246 highest; time of surgery was 220 due to pre-op diet of my own choosing; now at 184, with a goal to 135-125 depending on how it looks/feels when I get there. Congrats on your journey - glad we're all on it together.:thumbup:

I take in approx. 600-800 calories a day and have a BM every day - most days - without the need for laxatives. I am derelict on getting all the fluids I should, as well. I think what is normal is what's normal for YOU, and on this subject you cannot compare yourself to others' BM habits.