Maddie

How far out are you from surgery? What stage of foods are you on? In the beginning there is a lot of swelling that makes swallowing uncomfortable. Take it slow with tiny sips, etc. Also, some people find that in the beginning that cold works better for some while warm drinks like teas work better for others. You have to learn what your new tummy likes until it heals. When you eat, take tiny bites and chew, chew, chew. If you are a ways out from surgery and still having pain, you should consult your surgeon.

Believe it or not, it's not a TT or panni removal. It's not even to get rid of those pesky batwings. I am having surgery on my upper eyelids. I have a condition called Xantholasma. Basically it means I have "fat pads" on my eyelid. It's a cholesterol issue. You can see the "bumps" in the pic below. When my eyes are open, expecially when I am being expressive, they pop out and show more. They have also started to interfere with my vision. As a medicall condition, insurance pays for the removal, but that would leave my 54 yr old eyelids tight where they were removed but still wrinkly with excess skin everywhere else. So, for $3,500. I cover the difference to have the entire lid tightened on each eye. I am scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday and will have black eyes for Thanksgiving. LOL I wanted to let anyone else with this condition know that it is covered by most insurance, if you're interested. I'll post some pics after surgery to show how it looks. Then I will post again after the healing is finished to show the final result. Wish me luck, it's a lil scary having someone cut on your face!

LMAO, that's funny! Due to my step dad being so ill, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners will be at my house. I am fixing all the regular stuff. I know I won't be able to resist a little stuffing with my turkey, but I can pass on all the other stuff that isn't good for me. I can still have turkey, ham, and green bean casserole. I'll skip the mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, bread and Desserts.

Dang girl, you look GREAT!

Lots of great advice has been given. Hang in there and keep doing what ur surgeon recommends and you will lose. Best of luck and welcome.

WOW, what a difference. Gratz!

It is wonderful that you are addressing your issues and not hiding from them. I wish you the very best of luck. Gratz on losing 40 lbs!

I had the same thing. It gets better with time. Feel better soon.

Simply AMAZING!

I had so much trouble finding multivitamin that wouldn't make me sick. Finally my dr put me on prenatal vits and they are working great. I use Calcet lemon chews. They are deilcious.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. I know a few girls who have had RNY. Both said that you need to start taking good care of your skin before surgery. Give it the best fighting chance that you can. Even after you reach goal, DO NOT let up on skin care. During the 1st yr after goal. Your body will redistribute some of your body fat and during that year, the skin will bounce back to some extent. As mentioned already, there are also several things that play into it. Race, genetics, age, smoking, bearing children, etc. I exfoliate my entire body twice a week and have hubby rub me down with BASQ Resillient Body Oil. I get it at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It had won awards from Pregnancy magazine and is made specifically for pregnancy AND ppl going through rapid weight loss. I swear by this stuff. However, I'm not suggesting you spend lots of money either. Just moisturize, no matter what kind.

It was several weeks after surgery before I lost a single ounce. We all start at different places, heal at different rates, etc. You are losing! I think that's awesome. I was one of those who compared myself to others and what a mind %$&*. Worry about your plan, follow the rules given to you and you WILL lose. Best of luck to you.

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal LilMissDiva........247..................247..............226................21 Mini-Me...........203...................133..............125................8 Chilo1.............216...................169..............154................15 Kgremmy........225...................221..............199...............22 (being sleeved 12/14/10) Juliarh............303.6.................247..............225...............22 . Sleeve 4 me ...204...................177..............164...............13 lbs.-Goal for start of New Year merieri............240..................206...............190...............16 DJackson........246...................246...............220..............26 Dansha...........220..................220...............195..............25;) Stacy160.........258..................174...............148..............16 Lisalu..............210..................137..............130................7 Laylasmojo......242.................200.6..............185..............15.6 Maddie............257.................167................147...............20

You look great. Looks like you have very resilient skin too. I'm afraid I would need plastics to ever wear a swimsuit in public. Keep up the great work, it sure is paying off. WTG!

Italian food had always been a fave and my all time fave is lasagna. I have been very good not to eat too many carbs, but more than that had heard horror stories from ppl who ate Pasta and were in pain. Well, today I had a lovely lasagna. Instead of using lasagna noodles, I used Won Ton wrappers. Like pasta, they are a flour based noodle. Because they are so thin, though, you don't get a huge ball of pasta in your belly. Also, because they are so thin, you don't have to precook them. It's great because you still get the texture you love, and the ability to stack, without carb overload. Heck, you could use them to make ravioli or any other pasta dish you like. Nom-Nom!

You look wonderful. Hot mamma.

You have come a long way. I'm impressed. And Bravo for coming back here and making yourself accountable. That has to be the toughest first step when you know there are things that need to be changed. Best of luck to you. You can do this and you've proved it by making this post.

A Swan, how sweet! Thanks Mini. (((hugs)))

Thank you Mary. I post the pics because I know how much they motivate me when I see how others have progressed. Best of luck to you.

Thank you all so very much. Honestly, I feel like a different woman. I see that b4 pic and think, "was that really me"? I look different now, act different now, and feel different. It sounds cliche, but I got my life back!!!

Kohl's clearance racks!!!!! Also, I live really close to an outlet mall, so I invested in a pair of Levi's. I have had to replace them since, but at the outlet store, plus watching for when they have sales. Not too bad.

My hubby actually bought me some new panties, he said mine drooped so bad in the seat that it looked like I was carrying a load. LOL Not only did he get me some new panties, but he got the right size!!!!! When I had my surgery, I wore a size 12 and now am in a size 8 panty. YAY Gratz to you for you panty victory, hehe.

Thanks Christie, that means so much.

You are doing so great. I'm impressed and so very happy for you.

I'm 5 months out and I know what I see in photos to be true. But, I still find myself looking for "wide" places to sit, etc. We were in San Antonio last month and my back was killing me. Hubby said sit over there and I was like yeah right. Then I realized I could fit there, it's strange. lol.