Randi

I still go out to eat with my co-workers - I just chose healthy choices. It's really for the company and not for the food.

No regrets. The surgery was a breeze for me, not much pain at all. The recovery time was really because I needed a lot of rest to heal. The hard part for me was to realize that although you can really eat whatever you want (after a couple months) you really shouldn't it you want to lose. I do eat bad stuff sometimes, but only in moderation. At first I kept making the same things for me and my husband and I could hardly eat anything so he would eat the rest - gained weight, got mad. Now I have changed my cooking habits and it's much better. You get to the point where you don't crave the bad stuff - I was a huge carb eater before and now it's protein, protein, protein. The best part is fitting into all those clothes you couldn't before and getting off the meds because you are getting smaller and healthier. I was super nervous and excited at the same time. You won't regret it!!!

Five months ago today I had my gastric sleeve surgery. I am happy to report that i am down 56 pounds!!! 64 more to go to goal!!

I am 4 months out and have only lost 52 pounds, so I'm behind you!! I have been on a three week stall and feel huge today!! I laughed when a coworker told me I looked really skinny. I'm like - um, 210 pounds on a 5' 3" gal is skinny? Compared to 262 pounds I guess it is. We all have our good days and our bad ones. Try not to think about what others say or what you THINK they are thinking - you are most likely way off base. I hope you can get your mindset it a better place. We're here for you!!

I only waited 6 weeks and it tasted terrible. I'm over 4 months out and enjoy a couple glasses of wine at night. Hard liquor is best to try at home - it seems you can't really control it like you used to. It's best to embarrass yourself on your home turf if you know what I mean!!!

OMG, I am so sorry!!! People are so rude i can't believe it. I bet you would have liked to smack her upside the head!!! You have plenty of friends here!!!

I can only have their soups.....used to LOVE the bagels with cream cheese and the bagel breakfast s/w. Not it would make my hurl.

I had 4 mini muffins - made from eggs, sausage, green chilis and cheese. YUMMMMM

YES - it is hard, but you'll get it. I don't always wait the full 30 minutes before a meal, but I try to go 30 minutes after a meal.

I went through the mourning period as well - I think everybody does. Wouldn't it be nice to go out and have a big juicy steak with a baked potato and all the fixings? Well - you can still do that, just maybe it will be 3 or 4 meals instead of one. I look at this as moderation. I'm not a big sweet eater or a snacker so it probably was easier for me. Trust me, it will get easier. Let yourself mourn for a while, it helps.

You go girl!!!

Make a list of pro's and con's. It's a very scary decision and especially if your husband isn't supportive. My husband, parents, friends and family were hugely supportive so that made it easier. It is a lifestyle change but the results are sooo worth it!! I am 49 years old and couldn't find a diet that worked, take care of my disable husband (head injury), work a lot of hours, that I just couldn't make it work. I am not great at the exercise part, but do try to get in 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week. There have been a lot of disappointments with the lapband so that wasn't even a consideration for me. Just my opinion - you're in charge!!

OK - so I went to Smoothie King and they have this category of smoothies called Trim Down and I thought - GREAT!! A strawberry banana smoothie with extra protein will be great for breakfast. Until I got to work and went on their website and saw it had 84 carbs. Are you kidding me? How can that be categorized as a slim down anything??? Off to the garbage it went. It was soooo yummy, but that many carbs? No way!!!

I have noticed exactly the same thing!! I used to hate going out and seeing my reflection everywhere - had now self confidence at all. Now people treat me differently - I'm down 50 pounds to 210 and it's unbelievable what a change it makes. I had a pretty good sense the people treat fat people differently prior to surgery and it's been totally confirmed. People at work are a lot nicer to me as well. It's sad but true, but oddly I like that I'm being treated better. It's really too bad that everybody can't be fortunate enough to have the chance to change like we did!!

Try toast - sometimes bread doesn't work. I can eat both now, but right away spongy bread wasn't good.