Ashbeaux

Hi Everyone,

I can not take credit for what I am posting. I have stepped up my exercise program and I am now walking 4 to 5 miles a day and I am walking 7 days a week. I NEVER walked this many days or this far when I was losting weight. I have been reading a lot of information on line and found this article to be very encouraging. Listed below is the Web Site that I got this information.

Hugs,
Suzanne

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http://www.the-fitne...of-walking.html

Improve Your Body and Mind With the Benefits of Walking

There are so many benefits of walking. As with any type of exercise, you can expect to experience:
* lower blood pressure
* increased energy
* ability to fall asleep quicker
* overall improved stamina In addition, there are more exciting benefits to share with you!

Benefits Of Walking

As promised, here are the health benefits that have been directly linked to fitness walking.

Live Longer. Yes, you read that correctly! A recent article published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that how fast you walk is related to your life expectancy. The researchers found that The those who walk about 2.25 miles per hour faster lived longer than those in their same sex and age category who walked slower.

Keep in mind this doesn't mean you will live longer if you start walking faster, warns researcher Dr. Stephanie Studenski. Instead, Dr. Studenski advises that you handle any medical issues that may be slowing you down, such as heart conditions or obesity. For more details on this incredible study, visit EmpowerHer.

Increase your resting metabolic rate. This helps to burn off extra calories and keep them off permanently. Fitness walking revs up your metabolism and you will burn more calories all the time, whether you are sleeping or watching TV!

Because it is considered a low to moderate impact activity, fitness walking is easy on your joints and bones and doesn’t cause injuries as often as high impact sports like running. Prevent or control coronary heart disease, some cancers, and diabetes. There have been many studies that have shown that walking can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and diabetes.

Improve your moods and reduce anxiety. A psychology professor at California State University, Long Beach studied individuals over a 20-day period and found that the more they walked, the higher they rated their overall mood, happiness and self-esteem. Other studies have found that exercise can help by reducing the symptoms of major depression.

Reduce the risk of memory loss and brain deterioration. In 2001, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, found that women in their seventies who walked at least one mile a day were less likely to lose their cognitive abilities than women who walked only a half a mile a week.

In 2007, researchers from the University of Illinois found that exercise, such as brisk walking, reversed brain shrinkage and increased brain volume in older adults, ages 60-79.

Slows the physical signs of aging. Exercise is vital to keeping your body feeling younger. It can strengthen your bones and improve your circulation. Keeping your body in good physical condition makes you look and feel younger. If you would like more anti-aging tips, please visit Effective Antiaging Tipsfor more in-depth information.

Boost Brain Blood Flow. The Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital's Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine in Dallas found that women age 60 and older who walked briskly three or four times a week improved blood flow to the brain by 15 percent in just three months.

Improved blood flow to the brain increases oxygen, glucose and other nutrients that are important for the brains' health.

You can read more about this research and the benefits of walking on the brain at UPI.

Believe it or not, fitness walking can also strengthen your wallet and improve the environment! Here you can read more about these amazing benefits of fitness walking.

Wow! Are you inspired yet by the array of benefits of walking? Walking can help to improve your life in so many ways.

It is easy to see why fitness walking is the perfect exercise! You may begin to experience some of the emotional and health benefits of fitness walking during your very first walk. So, let’s get started!

Good luck Ash!!! I hope it all works out well this time!

I have been dreaming about weight-loss surgery for years. I talked to my Mom about it over Christmas break to talk about the sleeve option and I was really excited about it. My insurance doesn't cover WLS so I thought I was probably going to have to wait until I was done with school and worked a job that would hopefully have an insurance plan that did cover it. Long story short my dear Grandpa decided to help with financing my surgery. A few months later I was scheduled and began long-distance correspondence with my surgeon's office. I flew from Montana to Houston on 5/6/12 and I was sleeved on 5/9/12 by Dr. Yu of Texas Laparoscopic Consultants (http://www.tlcsurgery.com/). I am 3 days into the pureed food stage and actually find myself having to set reminders to eat because I'm just not hungry! I hope this is the beginning of a new healthier me and I'm excited for the journey. Hope to learn some things from this site and also make some friendships.

Hi everybody, my surgery is scheduled for May 23rd., in Houston, TX by Dr. Yu. I was originally set for April 11th. but after I arrived and got prepped for surgery I found out I had a UTI that I had no symptoms of so I had to go home, take antibiotics, and reschedule. At the time I was devasted and felt like maybe it wasn't meant to happen, but now I'm ready to go again. I get the pleasure of doing the 2 week liquid pre-op diet all over again... YAY! The first 4-5 days were the worst but after that it was pretty easy. Good luck to everybody else and update!

My surgery went so good, I almost felt guilty. I was nauseous for about a day and a half, then never again. I was walking a mile then two within a couple days of surgery. If I overdid it, then I took a pain pill and a nap. But pain pill usage was very minimal. Don't hurry through your food stages and enjoy the ride. I'm 8 weeks post op and have lost almost half of my excess weight!
Good luck!!

Thanks and good luck!

Hello! My name is Samantha and I'm 23 years old. I'm currenlty living in New Orleans, La and I'm a full time bar tender. I was sleeved just 8 short days ago. So far I'm feeling amazing.
I had my sleeve done by Dr. David Treen at West Jefferson Hospital in Marrero, La on Monday April 30th at 7:30 am. It was a pretty easy time for me all and all. He said the surgery went perfect and there was nothing to worry about. I went to my mothers house after a one night hospital stay. I took my last dose of pain medication on Tuesday May 1st at 8:30pm. So far I haven't had any real pain to speak of.
I guess that I'm posting this to inruduce myself. When I started my jounrey I joined another forum, that I love, but have found that there is not many sleevers on there. I came here in hopes to find some of the answers me and the other sleevers are looking for.
I hope to be a strong part of this forum and that I get to make lots of new friends a long the way.
-Sammie

Hi everybody, my surgery is scheduled for May 23rd., in Houston, TX by Dr. Yu. I was originally set for April 11th. but after I arrived and got prepped for surgery I found out I had a UTI that I had no symptoms of so I had to go home, take antibiotics, and reschedule. At the time I was devasted and felt like maybe it wasn't meant to happen, but now I'm ready to go again. I get the pleasure of doing the 2 week liquid pre-op diet all over again... YAY! The first 4-5 days were the worst but after that it was pretty easy. Good luck to everybody else and update!

I hear ya! At first it was really hard to cook tasty things for son and husband. But once the weight started coming off I realized I'd rather not eat the same things as my family than not be able to enjoy family adventures because of my weight. What I also did is buy a pretty tablecloth, a pretty vase and pretty wine glasses. Then I drink my Protein Drink out of a nice glass and sit with my family at a beautiful table and make chit chat. You will survive this. Good luck!

Hi everyone! I went to the WLS seminar at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA over a year ago, and something rubbed me the wrong way about the surgeon. I just didn't feel like it was right for me. He made a comment about how only 2% of obese people can lose the weight and keep it off. So I said forget, let me prove him wrong. I went out and bought an incline trainer and joined Weight Watchers (for the 3rd time) well a year later I was the same weight I was when I went to that first seminar! I work at Emerson Hospital so I had heard how they are no longer affiliated with that Surgeon (that I didn't care for), and that the WLS program was partnering up with Mass General. So I decided to go to another seminar and see if I felt any differently. The Surgeon started talking about the sleeve (which was not an option with the other Surgeon) I was suddenly excited and I knew this is what I wanted. I never wanted the lapband, but was scared of gastric bypass. I think I just knew instantly this was right for me. I made an appt that night for 1/16 and from there my journey started. I have a date for May16th for Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy at Mass General Hospital and my Surgeon is Dr. Ozanan Meireles.
I look forward to sharing my journey with you, and building friendships!

I feel amazing today! I am 3 weeks postop today and am down 35 lbs. from my highest weight (287), 21 since surgery day (273). I had a stall of sorts for almost a week but the scale is moving again now (252). My incisions are completely healed and really feel like I never had surgery, except for the lack of hunger and the tiny amounts I can eat I am still on purees for another week and am doing great - everything has really gone down quite well, I just get full really fast. I am getting in liquids just fine and still struggling to get enough calories and Protein, but working on it every day. I've been hitting the gym since last week and doing just cardio for now - elliptical and treadmill. I am still able to wear most of the same clothes I started in (mostly size 20) but they are getting really baggy and feel way different and TODAY I put on a top (size 14/16!!) I bought quite a while back to "shrink into" and it fits! It is just a stretchy knit top and isn't super loose but with my Shapewear (ha!) I feel comfortable and confident in it and that hasn't happened to me for AGES! I am by no means in a 14/16 in pants (I think I am solidly in an 18 now) but I will take what I can get, considering I am only a fraction of the way to my goal weight
I think this is just one of many wonderful days to come and I just cannot say how happy I am that I took this huge step for myself and my family - I would recommend the sleeve to anyone contemplating WLS!

Well, I am on my full pre-op diet now. I sort of eased into it before I had to be on it. I did have a grilled steak this past week and last night I had some Pasta, but now, I have gone full tilt on the liquid. I truly don't have to start it until April 11, but to be honest, I am afraid that if I don't start today, I will "fall off" and not do what I am supposed to do. So, I opted to make today, Monday, a clean break of all the old past and move on with the new.
It was good read other's posts about the pre-op diet phase. I think I will get some sugar free candy and some sugar free gum in different flavors just to have that boost if I feel like I am going to stray. So far I have had a Protein Shake and now I am "enjoying" a cup of hot chicken broth. I was getting too hungry and feeling sick to my stomach.
One week from today I will be in surgery and truly on my way to a new life. My congrats to all those that have been sleeved so far this month and my very best wishes to all those getting sleeved this week.

Hi All--
I was sleeved in Buffalo, NY with Dr. Posner on April 3rd.
Surgery went very smoothly and I was home the following evening (the 4th). Had some pain from the 'pumped in gas' from surgery (shoulders and chest) but that subsided more and more the past couple days. They found I had a hiatal hernia and fixed that at the same time as surgery (got a two-fer..lol).
Today I'm kind of wiped out as I had my first post-surgical visit and my drain removed...glad it's out but wow, that was intense for me. Many people have told me it was not a problem for them at all but it was almost passing-out kind of pain for me. I'd recommend taking a lortab before if you're having this done just in case.
Still on liquids for another week, then moving into purees, then softs a week later. Looking forward to some texture...they explained to me that the reason I"ve been hungry is that liquid just moves through quicker than solids (makes sense to me).
Happy to have our group of 'aprils'...nice to know that there are other people in our same shoes out there...we can do this.
Amy

As i browsed through the forums i noticed a large amount of people either complaining or asking questions about loooose skin, and no that was not a typo lol. For us when we lose massive amounts of weight we are clearly and visibly aware of unwanted saggy skin which may be on our chin, neck, arms, legs, and stomach areas. Most us ask the questions, but never really find the answers you were looking for. Well here are 20 ways to tighten up your skin. Doing this pre-op as soon as possible, we will be able to limit the loose and saggy skin we dreadfully detest or will come to detest.
Here are 20 ways to tighten skin after weight loss
1. Lose Weight Now!
As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity. This means that the younger the age at which you lose weight, the better your skin will rebound. if you have a weight issue, lose weight now! The sooner you lose weight, the better the chances your skin will tighten on its own.
2. Don’t Yo-yo Diet
If it seems like you’re always gaining and losing weight, more than 25 pounds each time, that’s yo-yo dieting, and it’s terrible for your body, including your skin. The constant growing and shrinking puts stress on your skin, so stop the yo-yo dieting. Rather than gain and lose weight over and over again, talk to a pro about making a few PERMANENT key lifestyle changes. These healthy changes will help you lose weight, and keep it off, long term.
3. Don’t Lose Weight Too Quickly
Slow and steady wins the race, and helps tighten your skin after weight loss. Your skin tightens slowly, so help the natural tightening process by losing weight safely and slowly, too. Besides, losing weight permanently by making broad lifestyle changes takes time, but it also helps prevent yo-yo dieting, something else that can help tighten skin after weight loss. Bonus!
4. Scrub to Tighten Skin after Weight Loss!
Scientists think the reason using sea salt scrubs (or other scrubs) helps tighten skin after weight loss is that they encourage increased blood flow, which in turn encourages healthy, elastic skin. Whatever the exact reason, it does seem to work for many people… try using a good scrub in the shower twice a day, several times a week, and see if it helps you!
5. Use a collagen Cream
Another way to tighten skin after weight loss is to keep it nourished with a collagen cream, one designed specifically to cope with loose, sagging skin. They can be pricey, but well worth the expense when they work. Note that collagen creams won’t work for everyone (nothing ever does), so ask family and friends for recommendations before you invest in a range of products that aren’t effective.
6. Try Massage Therapy
I have a particular friend who swears her weekly massage therapy helped her tighten skin after weight loss. She complain of sagging skin, particularly on her upper arms and upper thighs, and is delighted to show off her non-saggy parts now. Why not give it a go? At best, it will help tighten your skin… at worst, you get an invigorating massage.
7. Perhaps a Wrap?
Another friend tells me his skin was tightened when he got a seaweed wrap at a local spa, and now he goes every 6 to 8 weeks to enjoy its benefits. Online, I’ve found rave reviews on the local spa he frequents, and not a single negative review. Find a spa near you and do some digging… are their clients as happy as the clients at m local spa? If so, give them a try!
8. Add Weight Training
Chance are, you used weight training to help you get to your goal weight, but if not, it’s time to add them, to help tighten skin after weight loss! If you’re worried about looking overly buff and masculine, don’t be. Simply add weights to your workout three times a week, because building toned, lean muscle under your skin will help it look tighter.
Lunges are great for sagging skin on the upper thigh. In order to tighten loose skin by exercise, you need to pinpoint the right exercises that will target the area you wish to tighten the skin on. The upper thigh requires lunges, in which you tone the gluteus, upper thigh and hamstring, pulling the skin tighter to the thigh and creating a more attractive thigh area.
Squats also assist with your lower body sagging skin. Squats are a dream to tighten loose skin by exercise. They provide an ultimate lower body workout for the gluteus and thighs. With your feet shoulder length apart, you simply keep your back straight as you lower yourself into a sitting position as if you were sitting in a chair.
Bicep curls target that nasty underarm hang. The arm skin that hangs down has been called many things by its biggest haters. This problem seems to be one of the ladies’ biggest woes and can be targeted with bicep curls. It is important that when you tighten loose skin by exercise you perform exercises that are toning the muscle, and therefore the surrounding skin.
Planks work that stomach flab. With your hands under your shoulders, hold your arms out with your legs straight and toes holding your legs up. You get the most abdominal toning with this exercise the longer you hold the stance. The recommended time is 20 to 30 minutes.
Crunches are painful but highly effective. When you are seeking the ultimate way to tighten loose skin by exercise and targeting the stomach skin flap, crunches can be the most effective. Crunches provide complete toning for the abs if performed appropriately. The back should be straight with the chin level, and you will raise your torso to your knees, fighting the resistance. This will be one exercise you will feel later.

9. Drink Water to Help Tighten Skin after Weight Loss…
Healthy skin is hydrated skin, and despite the debate in the scientific community about whether or not drinking 64 ounces of water a day can help keep skin healthy and happy, I’ve seen the results myself. Perhaps it’s because, if you’re drinking that much water, you’re not drinking soda, loaded with unhealthy chemicals… or perhaps it’s because healthy, elastic skin really does need water. Either way, it works.
10. Practice Yoga
Yoga will help you relieve stress, be more flexible, lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, and even help your skin rebound after weight loss. They key with yoga, and any other regimen for that matter, is to Start off slow, and within a few weeks, you’ll be surprised how much more flexible you, and your skin, can be.
11. Be Patient
I suppose I ought to mention that after a significant weight loss, your skin can take up to six months to tighten to the new, slender you. Be patient, then… if your skin doesn’t rebound immediately, keep in mind that it may take a little time. Just like setting realistic weight loss goals is important, setting realistic goals for your body to adjust is important, too.
12. Do Calisthenics
Calisthenics are great for building lean muscle, great for your heart, and they’re even great for tightening skin after weight loss! Add a round of calisthenics to your weekly routine, three or four times a week, and enjoy the jumping jacks, push-ups, windmills, and more… they can be fun, and they’re helping your skin readjust at the same time. Shaun T's Beachbody P90, P90X, Insanity are great suggestions.
13. Eat Plenty of Lean Protein
Adding lean Protein to your diet will also help tighten skin after weight loss. How? First of all, it helps build lean muscle, which will make you appear more toned (well, you WILL be more toned!). But lean protein also contains the collagen and other nutrients your skin needs to stay elastic. Protip: consuming lean protein after a workout will help boost the muscle-building effect.
14. Avoid High-fat Foods
Foods that are high in fat are a dieter’s worst nightmare on two fronts. First, obviously, they can wreck your diet. Second, they do your skin no favors. If you’re trying to keep a healthy weight, or tighten skin after weight loss, avoid foods that are high in fat. Even the ones that taste really, really good. ESPECIALLY the ones that taste really, really good! Studies have shown that these high fat foods can even be addictive… so stay away!
15. Try for Five
The USDA recommends we eat five servings of fresh fruits and veggies every day, to give us nutrients we need, and to help us maintain healthy weights. But did you also know these five servings will help tighten skin after weight loss? That’s because most fruits and veggies have a high water content, which your skin needs to rebound. And again, they’re very good at helping ou maintain a healthy weight!
16. Avoid Sulfates to Tighten Skin after Weight Loss…
Sulfates are used in lots of body washes, soaps, and shampoos because they’re good, cheap cleansers and they make lush lather. But sulfates can also over-dry and irritate skin, stripping it of vital moisture and making it less elastic. If you’re trying to tighten skin after weight loss, shop around for sulfate-free products. L’Oreal offers a great line, for a very reasonable price.
17. Don’t Tan
The tanning process is horrible for your skin, especially when you’re using a tanning bed to boost your melanin. You might think it makes your skin look smoother and healthier, but it doesn’t. Wear sunblock when you’re outdoors, and don’t fake and bake. You’ll see your skin tighten more quickly, and you’ll also avoid a greater risk of skin cancer.
18. Rinse Away Chlorine
Excess chlorine from swimming pools and hot tubs can dry out your skin, making it less elastic, and less likely to rebound after weight loss. If you swim to keep fit, be sure to shower immediately after, and use cleaners designed to remove chlorine and moisturize your skin. Also, remember that you don’t need HOT water to rinse chlorine away, use warm water instead, which will also help keep your skin hydrated (hot water can strip away natural oils).
19. Dress The Part
Even the skinniest person can have a muffin top if their jeans are too tight. You may not have excess skin, or loose skin, after weight loss… you might just need to wear clothes that fit better. Give this some serious thought while clothes shopping.
20. Consider Surgery
If all of these tips fail to tighten your skin after weight loss, and you’ve waited six months since you dropped that last pound, you may want to consider surgery to remove the excess skin. As with any surgery, there are risks, but for some, those risks are outweighed by the benefits. Talk to your doctor.
You’ve already done the hard part — you’ve lost weight! Now follow these tips to tighten your skin after weight loss, and you’ll be bikini ready in no time… well, at least within 6 months! You can do it! Or… perhaps you already have? Which of these tips worked to tighten your skin after weight loss? Or do you have another skin care tip to share? Please do!
Credit goes out yo Meghan, for taking her time to write this...

I get lots of questions regarding how to get back on track. This journey is tough, and one thing I've learned is that I'm not perfect - but if I'm going to move past that I have to figure out how to forgive myself. For me, the main factor in my obesity was my inability to overcome this. So I would give up and gain all my weight back, and even more. I cannot do this to myself!!! I have to pick myself back up and keep it moving. I didn't go through 2 torturous painful weight loss surgeries to just keep giving up. Heck no!!!
So, along my Sleeve Journey, when I noticed I wasn't doing well and needed to get back on track this is what I did:
The BASICS BOOTCAMP:
For 5 STRICT DAYS I will eat only...
Proteins: Seafoods, Poultry and eggs, Dairies, nuts/seeds including Peanut Butter.< /strong>
Veggies: Green only.
Fruits: None.
Breads/Cereals/Other Carbs: None.
Fluids: One gallon of Water (128 oz.)
Protein Drinks (RTD or Powder).
Avoid: Sugar and Sodium
Once the 5 days are over, I am pretty much over the Sugar Carb Demon. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate carbs! I do need them to live a healthy life and since I workout a lot it is important I have them. However, I need GOOD carbs. Whole grains, fruits, veggies... But I don't need processed sugars. White carbs, in cereals, breads, rice... etc.
Lots will do the 5 day pouch test. liquids only is simply from being threatened with my life (post op) or if I'm just feeling sick and to let my Sleevie rest. That's it.
Good luck everyone! This journey is tough, but nothing worth doing is ever easy. Xoxo

This happens to everyone. I know it is hard to see past a stall, but it will happen. What is going on is you are losing fat, and your body is replacing it with Water and the exercise is creating new muscle, which we all know weighs more than fat. You need to measure your body with a tape measure and record that...I am willing to bet that although the scale isnt moving.....the inches are still coming off. Keep your spirits up.....it will start to move again!

Today I have enough energy to hang out with family and friends outside all day long. I am now able to eat a little bit of cottage cheese, a little bit of yogurt, plenty of Water and even a small sliver of cheeseburger patty. I'm down a total of 25 lbs today (including that which i lost during the pre op diet).
I can actually say that I feel pretty good about my decision to get surgery.
Cynthia

I'm five days post-op and my skin looks amazeballs!!!!

Had my VSG surgery on 3/22 at Scripps Green hospital in La Jolla. I was up and walking (slowly) within 3 hours of getting to my room. Of course the initial pain was there, but I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I improved. I was not allowed to drink anything until the noon the next day and after that I struggled to get 3 oz of chicken broth down. Once they removed the catheter (fun) I was able to get out of bed and walk without the nurse. I was released to go home later in the evening, 36 hours after my surgery began. All in all, it was much easier than I anticipated.
I struggled a bit with getting the whole sipping thing down, but like the surgery, each day it has gotten easier. That being said, I'm sure getting tired of broth!

If you can weigh yourself monthly, you'll be MUCH happier, trust me. In the beginning, when the big changes occur, you'll be even happier because you'll see even more weight dropping.
And when you get further along on your weight loss journey, you'll also be happier because you won't drive yourself bonkers over normal little weight fluctuations.
That being said, most sleevers are glued to the scale at the beginning, with some even weighing themselves daily, and beating themselves up for "not losing a pound yesterday." That's just crazy, in my opinion.

I am scheduled for April 11. I am scared/nervous about the 2 week Optifast pre-op diet, afraid of failing. I am also terrified of complications. I am a mother of 4 very active girls and need to be there as they grow! Its really a double edged sword because w/o the surgery I may not be there to watch them grow. I am confident in my surgeon so I am trying to stay positive and not let my natural paranoid, over analytical self take over. I am looking forward to watching myself and all the other April sleevers succeed in our journeys!!!! :-)

Ya know... You guys have become such a big part of my life and I anxiously await updates on so many of you that I feel like you've become this special little family I've chosen to be a part of.
I'm bursting at the seems to share something that makes me feel so alive and really confirms in my mind just how far I've come since VSG 12/5/11.
In the year and a half prior to surgery I had no interest in sex. AT ALL. The very thought of it made me want to crawl under a table and die. There was no drive or desire for it, I felt fat, ugly- definitely not sexy!
The last month of my life since I started seeing who I will refer to as Mr. Motorcycle and I feel alive. I've known him four years, and there has always been a flirty thing between us... But when we met I was actually dating his friend- then he was in a relationship, and we have just been friends supporting each other through lifes ups and downs. In the last month though I feel beautiful, sexy, desired, and comfortable with who I am and the changes I am going through, and comfortable with him being a part of my life during this amazing journey. I swore when I started all this I was going to stay single and work exclusively on me until I was done getting where I want to be. But he just fits into my life right now.... Maybe it wont be forever or anything but right now he's the perfect fit.
So.... last night... I don't know if it's because it has been two years for me or because of him, or because of my body.. But WOW!
I feel so cheesy this morning... Why? Well, who here watched Breaking Dawn? That scene the morning after the honey moon where Bella is all in awe and flashing back while she washes her face? Yeah, that's been me all morning. I'm never gonna survive a day of co-workers teasing me.
And why am I sharing this with you guys? Because I'm lame and have no one else to share it with right now and I'm bursting! My best fiend is at work and I won't get to talk to her until like 6 tonight so- gotta share..... I'll prolly just end up deleting this, but...
Am I alone in this whole- I hated the thought of it and now it's better than ever?

Yes, it's amazing how much longer your arms are when you and the spouse aren't both fat We can actually touch our wrists around the other now!

OMG! Almost to 3 weeks and easing into mushies... And I had no idea that grits and eggs could be so good!! All mixed up in a bowl... And so much like real food! Maybe I'm just desperate... But it's so good!

It sure is tough not to let our nerves to hold of us, but we are all going to be GREAT!!