butterbean

I'm a teacher too and go back August 4 and I've begun making a "plan".
5:00 wake up
5:10 drink protein drink and take meds while reading
5:30 ellipitcal
6:00 make eggs, eat, shower and dress
7:10 wake up kid and hubby and leave for work (he is a teacher too but doesn't have to be at work nearly as early as me)
7:30 arrive at school and start first 20 oz of water
9:00 make sure first 20 oz of water are finished
9:30 snack (during a literacy center but what can you do?)
11:12 lunch time (carry lunch EVERY DAY. Keep a few a few protein drinks in desk just in case).
12:00 start 2nd 20 oz of water
3:30 students leave-I have a little snack
4:00 gym or walking/tennis with coworkers
5:00 pick up child from afterschool and spend time with him
6:00 start dinner
6:30 eat dinner (hubby is a coach so 6:30 is the earliest we can eat as a family)
7:00 keep eating as I clean up or help kid with homework (hubby and I take turns cleaning/doing homework)
7:30 start last 20 oz of water No more food after dinner.

This has been my biggest hurdle. My answer is Miralax, every night. Mix it in crystal lite or water and it helps so much!

This has been my biggest hurdle. My answer is Miralax, every night. Mix it in crystal lite or water and it helps so much!

2 months out and 40 lbs down since leaving the hospital.

I had my surgery April 16th. My hair loss is pretty significant but I would still rather be thin with thin hair:-)

This is very hard for me too. My coworkers haven't seen me since 8 days before surgery and I'm almost 2 MONTHS postop. I look different! I saw a few today and they asked too many questions...typical conversation...
Them: You've lost weight? What are you doing??
Me: Thank you! Portion control, eating lean Protein, lot of Water, exercising...just really committed!
Them: Are you taking pills? did you go to the doctor?
Me: Just Vitamins. I've seen a nutritonist too.
Them: How much have you lost?
Me: Since when? Haha! Over a lifetime probably a thousand pounds, this time I'm committed to keeping it off?
Them: Good for you! Did you have a bypass???
Me: CRAZY look on my face...No, gastric bypass is not for me.
I never lie, but I am not truthful. I feel sleezy and dishonest. I teach so I interact with a lot of women, and they don't let things go easily. I just don't want to be judged.

I don't want anyone to know, because I don't feel like dealing with the endless garage of bull**** I will have deal with over being too lazy to do it " the hard way", "taking the easy way out", "cheating and taking credit where IRS not deserved"..... You name it I will hear it. I work with a lot of people who are just snobs in general, but a lot of them are super health snobs/elitists. If you're not making dieting and hitting the gym a second full time job then you're just a big fat lazy slob and not worth the time of even saying good morning to. there are a lot who will not acknowledge my 'good morning'......but will acknowledge my thinner co-workers. Sad, but true.
My husband knows (obviously), my mom knows, my sister knows, I suppose my sisters husband knows (I'm alright with that, he's a really good guy) but that's it. I don't want my dad to know because he already doesn't think much of me (no, really......it has been said, in so many words!). I absolutely under no circumstances want my in laws or husbands family to know. I would never, ever hear the end of it. I would never be able to eat or drink a crumb without being interrogated about whether or not I'm 'allowed to have it', I would always have to recap how I'm 'going', and endure constant criticisms of how I 'should be much thinner by now, surely'. Because that's how it was with the band.......until I didn't turn into a stick insect over night (because that's the ultimate health marker in this family.......if you're not anorexic looking then you are fat fat fat and going to die in about 3 minutes.)
So, I'm not ashamed, but I just don't feel like dealing with all the a**holes in the world any more than I already have to! :-D
I plan on telling people that ask that I'm having lady surgery. It's technically not a lie.....I'm a lady.....I'm having surgery. End of story.

Also, special K makes a mix you add to water that has 5 g of protein....It's pink lemonade. Taste like crystal lite. http://www.amazon.com/Special-Protein-Water-Lemonade-packs/dp/B001AQ9GEO

This has been my biggest hurdle. My answer is Miralax, every night. Mix it in crystal lite or water and it helps so much!

You must be from the northeast:) down south we do chili cheese fries. Or just dip fries into a frosty

Today 43 is the best number. I turned 43 and I am down 43 lbs since starting my journey.
Feeling pretty good except this painful healing ridge
MsVickee

Exactly right, I completely agree with Michelle! A surgeon will consider the sleeve a success if you lose 60-70% of your excess weight within a year...but that leaves you with 30-40% of your excess pounds over your ideal weight. There is nothing stopping you from going further. Our bodies do hit a natural stopping point where losing becomes a struggle, but for me that happened right around my goal weight and under my loose skin is a teeny bit of fat and a bunch of bones! Not much left to lose! So there is no reason to meet his goal and then exceed it, until you reach your own personal goal. I worried about this a bit before my own surgery and I understand your concerns. There isn't a honeymoon here and once you're a year out your sleeve is as big as it's getting - and that means it's plenty small enough to get you all the way to your goal weight if you keep up the hard work.
Best of luck!
~Cheri

backhanded compliments suck. Just remember that jealousy is what fuels them.

I think your count is very realistic, I've seen on this web-site people who weighed more and lost more than that. I think the doctors will give you a basic weight loss expectation but its up to you how far you are willing to go. I wouldn't worry 'bout what they say, its what your dream is! Don't sweat it..

I think you are very realistic. My surgeon has a goal that is for me to lose 67% of my excess weight because that is the average of weight loss surgery patients. However, he even told me "but you don't have to stop there" - that weight would meet his statistic, but I've seen countless people lose all their excess weight & I want to do the same! I'm not stopping at that 67% number because that's not where I want to personally be. They just have to have a number, but that doesn't mean your number has to match theirs!!

Ok guys, I miss pizza. So I've been trying different things to have a good one. This one, we made yesterday, and it was PRETTY DURN good. So thought I'd share.
cheese (or try another kind!)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic (or fresh garlic)
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
TOPPINGS:
1/2 cup tomato-basil marinara sauce (or pizza sauce)
1/2 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
3 slices Canadian bacon, cut into strips
1/2 cup pineapple tidbits
Directions:
1. Shred the cauliflower into small crumbles. You can use the food processor if you'd like, but you just want crumbles, not puree. You'll need a total of about 2 cups or so of cauliflower crumbles (which is about half a large head of cauliflower. Place the cauliflower crumbles in a large bowl and microwave them (dry) for 8 minutes (see Tips below if you do not have a microwave). Give the cauliflower a chance to cool.
2. Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a cookie sheet or pizza pan with nonstick spray (or use a nonstick surface). In a medium bowl, mix the cauliflower crumbles (about 1 1/2 cups since they shrink after cooking) with the remaining crust ingredients. Pat the "crust" into a 9 to 12-inch round on the prepared pan. Spray the crust lightly with nonstick spray and bake for 15 minutes (or until golden). Remove the crust from the oven and turn the heat up to broil.
3. Prepare the pizza: Spread the sauce on top of the baked crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese on top. Add the bacon and pineapple, spreading it out around the pizza. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Broil the pizza 3 to 4 minutes, or until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Cut into 6 slices and serve immediately.
chicken, green onions and smoked gouda
*This pizza is best served on a plate with a fork.

Look at the bright side of it..at least you have insurance and don't have to travel out of the country. many would love to be in your shoes. Count it all joy. Good luck on your journey.

Ok with all the estrogen voicing I feel I should step in being a man and say I think he's scared of you changing and not being able to keep you. I would love to know the divorce rate and relationship break up post sleeve.weight loss. My wife is supportive of me getting sleeved for health reasons. All 103lbs of her. But she has mentioned me losing weight and going else where. My wife is very beautiful and confident in herself and looks but she still made the comment after 14yrs of marriage. Were that couple that everyone sees out and says to themself why is she with him? It's a natural defense to push away someone you feel may hurt you for some reason. Just my 2cents and the way I would be feeling if I was in his shoes.

Just thougth I'd post a picture update. I started at 260 lbs and am now down to 209 with a goal weight of 160. I'm halfway there! Surgery was 4/20/12 and has saved my life. I was wearing a size 20-22 and am now comfortably a 16. I can fit into a 14 but they're tight!

It usually only takes about an hour. So make sure your close to a toilet. I only use it at home.
No cramping, but when it hits it happens fast. It makes it kinda watery, but it moves the bulk too. Very quick relief. About 6 ounces is plenty.

I will finally get a chance to go to the mall today and do my Victorias Seceret NSV!
I get the free panty coupon card in the mail where I shop there for gifts and lotion, etc...and for the first time I will not be giving it away, I will be getting the free undies for myself, lol...
lol

Am I the only one that drinks Prune juice when it's needed?
Man that stuff works! Prune juice-prune juice out! Easy as that! I also make sure and drink my Water.
Good luck!

You can use miralax for quite a while, many people stay on a dose a day as regular maintenance for constipation. I have been using milk of magnesia but I'm 7 weeks out now and I should switch to miralax or prune juice. This post was good as it reminded me.

I believe Miralax is safe long term. My son (who's 15) was prescribed Miralax for everyday use by a gastroenterologist. It works great for me too. Before surgery I was totally regular, but now I need a little help.

I'm time crazy, so for me there has to be a clock, watch, sundial anything around. . what i do is sit down, take a spoonful (forkful) and time myself. . .I chew, swallow, and time myself for 1 full minute, then repeat, until 20 minutes are over. . .if i'm not done eating, the rest on the plate goes to the dog or into the trash. . . using a small spoon and pie fork work the best. . . don't drink with your meal either. . do that about 15 minutes AFTER you eat. . . good luck