kmwheel

I want to go to a Water park and enjoy myself, that's just one of mine

I want to ride bikes with my kids, bend down easily to tie my shoes, tuck in my shirt and put on a belt without feeling self conscious. Run, jump and enjoy life to the fullest!

Just curious what other's goals are after loosing weight? Your living bucket list...
Personally, I'm hoping to enjoy amusement parks again with my family, not feeling alone in a crowded room and (hopefully) going skydiving again.

Well to state the obvious... that was a bad idea. And ur body is already showing you. Will the cake cause a leak? ...Prob Not...
Are you gonna be sick....Yes. Like someone else said. You are now a baby.... would you give ur 8day baby cake...Hell No. Although ur baby tummy will grow up quick. Pls wait on it. When everyone sits down to eat get up and take a walk...call a old friend. We are here to HeLP

I questioned how her surgeon was getting a non-covered procedure covered with Tricare after years of it being denied. Our bariatric program has been shut down at our MTF where I had my revision. Every spouse is getting referred off base and the band or bypass are the only allowable surgeries. Congressional complaints, appeals, and all the hoops have been filed and jumped through with zero approvals. We went round and round about it via private message some time last year. I should have recalled the screen name when she posted, but because I quit frequenting this forum, my memory lapsed. And, I was truly hoping it wouldn't be turned into a drama fest of my surgeon got it approved.
Other military wives are struggling to get this surgery. It's cloak and dagger stuff, and it saddens me that others have struggled for years, postponed surgery, or had to self-pay because the codes used won't get disclosed. It's all secretive and in my opinion unfair if there is a way to get it covered, yet the information can not be shared unless you go through this particular surgeon. Out of the hundreds of denials, how in the heck is this ONE surgeon getting approvals and getting paid by a government ran insurance program.
It really saddens me that this surgeon is not willing to help others in other states get approval. The rules of our insurance is strict enough as it is. IF there is a legal and legitimate way to get VSG covered with a civilian surgeon, it would help 1000s of other military wives/dependents who deserve to have the surgery they need.
Like I said, Medicare has approved it, Tricare will follow, hopefully sooner than later.

Thanks, Wheetsin! I'm starting to feel like a Protein shot hater around here, but they are so useless to us that I hate to see people spend their hard earned money on them. In addition, they give folks a false sense that they ARE getting in their Protein, which is so necessary, when that protein isn't even usable by our bodies.
I think we need to gather up all of the information about Protein Shots being bad, put it in a thread and ask for it to be pinned in both Pre Op and food and Nutrition.

Before I became "addicted" to VST, I was "addicted" to Pinterest. I have tons of recipes, most low fat ones. They were not liked/pinned with the Protein content in mind since the majority of them were liked/pinned prior to any thoughts of WLS. I like the idea of having a board specifically for recipes that are more protein focused. However, I'm not out about my surgery to a lot of my followers so for now, I won't be doing that. I will however, put the recipes on my computer to refer to and use in the future.

You can do 1/2 cup of fat free refried Beans and chopped onion blended and then put a little shredded cheese on top of it and microwave it. Delicious!

So, I finally broke down today and went shopping for some clothes. Specifically, I was looking for jeans, work pants, undies, and a couple of tops. I've floated through six different Goodwill stores, but hadn't found anything in an 18 I even wanted to try on, much less buy, even at discount prices. So, today I went to the Outlet Mall near my house.
I tried on several pairs of size 18 pants and jeans, but they all fit way too loose in the seat area, although they were comfortable at the waist. Finally, the saleslady suggested that I go down a size to 16s... and they fit. The waist is a hair tight, but they fit perfectly in the butt/thighs. That was the jeans! For work pants, she brought me a 16W and that fit perfectly as well!
So I totally skipped 18's!! Even better, I bought undies in a size 14. I bought 5 pairs because I know this size won't last long and the 14 is a perfect fit. I've always bought one size smaller than my pants in the brand I prefer (Cacique) and it was the right choice today as well!
So, from a 24/26 pre-op to a 16 today. I think I'll happy dance a little bit! Join in, please!!!

:-) At the end of the school year, I went summer-clothes shopping and actually burst into tears in Penney's because I felt so disoriented--I knew exactly where to go for "my" clothes--the women's department, duh, and Lane Bryant, and Avenue--in these "new" stores, it seemed there were so many choices, and I had no idea what size I wore or how to find anything! I had a little melt-down.
At that time, i was just about a year out from surgery. I was almost used to being at my goal weight, and I was almost used to NOT being "the fat one." I can tell you that in three short months of summer, somehow I have blown right into "YAY!! I can shop anywhere, anytime, for anything!!!!" and it's a fantastic feeling! YES you will get past that discomfort. YES you will learn your "new" body and its sizes and what looks best, and YES it will be FUN.
This is a HUGE deal for me--I, too, have to dress professionally for work, and I always dreaded trying to find appropriate plus-size clothes (I wore 26/28 prior to surgery) that didn't look like tents.... SO difficult! And I used to sweat so much during hot weather or when I got hot working (I'm a conductor, so a pretty physical occupation) that my clothing also had to not look gross when dripping wet--another layer of complexity. Now all those problems have been solved--I rarely break a sweat any more, even in this HORRID south Louisiana heat and humidity, plus I can wear button-up blouses without worrying about a clothing "malfunction." Oh yeah, you'll get used to it!

This is why I reply frankly to the "So I'm post-op, when can I eat french fries, Doritos, cheese Doodles, etc.?" posts. I'm not trying to be judgmental. There are just some folks who do not change their eating habits and I want to help.
I would absolutely cry to see people gain their weight back. That to me is worth posting a million "Eat this, not thats."
You mention Eggface. I just love her. I think she is partly responsible for any success I have. She taught me that I could eat healthy and still be a total foodie. I won't use cucumbers as crackers like she does, but her Protein ice cream has replaced store bought.

well, i'm voting for my transfer addiction from food to be sex. i mean, if i have a choice, that would definately be it.

Well, if we are letting our inner feline out... The ex is always an easy target!
Lol mine lives in the USA, so next time I see him I will be at goal weight.
But I have this one friend--- super competitive and showy-- I love her for lots of reasons-- but, I can't wait to weigh less than her and rock her favorite fitness class! At 80 lbs overweight and her at goal she is always asking me to
Go with her and encourages me to take the low options-- oh, I'm gonna go-- but there ain't gonna be no low options!!!
I cut my hair from my bum to my shoulders recently and she nearly died... My hair grows very fast... So at goal I'm sure it will be long enough to flick as I smile!! Lol

I would like to weigh 145 pounds, have a perfect flat tummy with perky breasts, round ass and hair flowing down my back. I want to be walking down the beach with a new love in daisy duke shorts with a tank top on while my ex-husband (who bought me a pig once and made some oinking noises telling me that I reminded him of a their species) is standing with his latest bimbo longing to be with me again. Actually, he did me a favor by cheating on me so maybe I dont want him wanting me again.

I'll go first...
As a divorcee who shares custody with my ex-hubby, I have found myself not wanting to meet in public places but rather just send the boys out to his car at the curb. My ex is 6'5" and 300 lbs so it's not like I have anything to prove and I am not any heavier than I was when we were married BUT he is about to marry his 3rd wife and she is thinner than I am - I have never met her only seen a picture. She is no beauty but I do find myself challenged that she is thinner than me. I know it's petty. I am usually pretty confident in most situations but I have had a wicked fantasy about being at goal weight and waltzing into a place dressed to the nine's. As I write this I feel like a high schooler but part of getting better is shining light on the dark corners and owning how one feels. So I would like to leave my ex drooling and his new wife in shock as I leave with holding hands with my two boys and their new 30 year old, model beautiful, built to high heaven step-daddy. There I've said it! PLEASE SHARE YOURS!!
BTW
Katrina - 5'5" 195# 44 yrs young Sleeve Date: July 27, 2012 GW: 135

How wonderful. You look terrific. Thank you for posting these pictures. It helps us pre surgery folks with some encouragement that we're making the right decisions for ourselves and our families. I'm just starting my clear liquid diet today and everything seems to be going very well so far. August 1st is my surgery date and i cant wait for it to get here so I can start my journey. Good luck to you and keep up the great work!!!

This photo was on May 31, two weeks before surgery
Transformaion_AmyDownsPagelayout.pdf
This picture was made today, July 22, 52 lbs gone forever!!! It has been a rough 5 weeks but when I look at myself now I just want to cry, I'm so proud I did this for myself and my loved ones.

I saw Lisa Lampanelli sneaking out of my surgeon's office! Obviously, she's not out about her surgery!

Wow, what a trip! It sounds like it's going to be amazing. 63 pounds is nothing to scoff at, you should be proud! Off the top of my head just some ideas that maybe will help:
- browse through some old pictures to remind yourself how far you've come
- write a list of all the things that you can do now that you couldn't before
- write a journal of how you're feeling and see if maybe it is tying in at all to other things that are going on in your life
- get in a good hard workout, endorphins always help pick up my mood when I'm down
- ask a friend/close family member to help you identify positive changes you've made that they've noticed
- make some you time to maybe get a mani/pedi before you go or do one of your favorite activities and just have the chance to appreciate yourself
I hope that you feel better! You deserve to really enjoy this trip =)

Surgery was March 7th. I'm not a fanatic exerciser, just 3 times a week sometimes 4. I think it's the quality of my exercise. I'm doing mostly strength training and I can FEEL the difference in my body. It's not just weight loss. It's muscle toning, body sculpting, and weight loss mixed together. Plus, I don't eat a lot of junk (can't really. It makes me sick). Just yesterday I went to Rita's and got a cherry/vanilla gelati. I had maybe 5 bites of it and had to give it to my husband. The sugar just sits weird in my stomach. So I'm a grilled meat/veggie girl. No fast food, fried food, and very little sugar.

I'm going this week (wow that sounds strange!!)
To have surgery with Dr. Kelly and he doesn't use a coordinator. Omar is his assistant and it has been a pleasure communicating with him over the last few months. Can't wait to finally get over there and meet everyone!!