Chicago1962

Oh Sharon - I'm so, so sorry. I totally get the grief-food connection. At least a 100 of my extra pounds are from grief/pain. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm proud of you and want to hear more. You can do it!!!!

a We are ALL an encouragement because we finally took the step to get well and we are walking this journey toward health every day. I have a real tender spot for those of us who have 150+ pounds to lose! You guys are amazing and I am so, so proud of US!!!! Please keep the stories coming!!!!

The Chicago walk is on 10/20 - so next Saturday. Maybe I will see them! :-)

I forgot about Dannon Lite Yogurt! LOL I eat that regularly also! :-)

Cool! What town/state is your walk in?

Hi Kellie - Breakfast: 1 20 gram Protein bar, or Protein shake, or one scramble egg with cheese, or lite oatmeal Lunch: 1 grilled chicken breast, or salad with cottage cheese, or turkey sub w/cheese (I eat almost no bread), or Lean Cuisine (or similar). Dinner: Chili with cheese, or McD's SW chicken salad w/ranch, or Lean Cuisine (or similar), or chicken nachos, or cheese burger w/salad (no bun)... I eat pretty much anything I want - but about 1/4 of what I used to. I always cut my meal in 1/3 at a restaurant and immediately put the 2/3 in a box and enjoy the 1/3 on my plate. It was funny - one night I went to Olive Garden and really wanted lasagna. I ate like 3 bites and was full - but the rest of it lasted for a week! (smile) Snacks: Vic's lite popcorn, or caramel rice cakes, or apple/banana with Peanut Butter, or strawberries with lite whip cream (my fav), or an ice cream cone from McD's/Burger King I get 60+ grams of protean a day - most days. I eat just about anything I want - but there are many, many things I don't want any more. Chicken is very, very hard for me. Not sure why. Hamburger is no problem at all. Chili is packed with protein so I am eating that a few times a week now. Thank God I can eat salad - some can't. I eat the chicken first - then the lettuce. I did have a single size pizza one night for dinner. Was able to eat half. That was like heaven. Exercise: I walk moderately - nothing major, though I am increasingly able to walk and move more and more. I walk about 1 mile 2x a week. I have walked 2 miles once - and will walk 3.2 next weekend. I am buying a pedometer and will shoot for movement and steps vs. long, long walks. I am also starting to dance! I used to dance all the time - so next Sat I'm going to a BBW dance and plan to move all night! I am also going line dancing in a few weeks and plan to take lessons. I hope that helps. Try not to compare yourself with my loss cuz your body is different than mine. I have a long, long way to go, so my weight loss is still fairly fast. I anticipate the next 100 will go much more slowly. Please feel free to friend me and shoot me a private message any time. I’d be happy to encourage you and cheer you on any way I can. You can do it!!!!! Amy

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield. Thank God they dropped the pre-op requirements earlier this year - or they may have never approved me!!!!!! It took me two years to get approved - but I hear that is not normal. My doctor was so frustrated - he sent them a few letters for me. I don't know why they all of a sudden dropped the requirement - but they did and I thank God they approved me. As screwed up as our insurance system is in the US, I am so thankful for BCBS and that I was able to have the surgery. They have been wonderful since the approval was done - no issues at all.

It is almost four months to the day that I had my surgery. I weighed 397. Today I weigh 297. After 20 years over 300 pounds, I am finally in the 200's, I am so, so thankful that I jumped through all the hoops (and there were so many), had the surgery, and am where I am today. At times I didn't think I would make it. I got denied over and over again by my insurance company. Give us 3 more months of attempted weight loss. Give us 3 more months. Try again. And again. And I did - and I kept at it - and FINALLY I got the ok. I am so grateful to my regular doctor who kept encouraging me and writing letters to the insurance company for me. I'm also thankful that I found a really good surgeon - someone I trust. A week from today I will walk a 5K in Chicago for Diabetes. I have personally raised $1000.00. My story has inspired my friends. My weight loss has touched the hearts of people who saw me struggle for energy, breath and movement at 397. How cool is that!!!! And me, walking 3.2 miles! Are you KIDDING!!!! I could barely walk from my driveway to my front door. I now park as far away as possible, Seriously? My goal is 200 pounds - so I have a long, long road ahead of me. I need you guys to walk this journey with me. I read your posts daily and they inspire me - and kick my butt at times. This is not an easy journey. Losing weight has not miraculously healed all the pieces of my life. What it has done - what the surgery did - was give me hope that I have a future and I can actually show up for it. I was dying - and now I have a fighting chance for another 20 years of life. So humbling. So amazing. For those of you with 100+ pounds left to reach your goal – I am here to cheer you on! We can do this together. Don’t go it alone!!! I am praying for you – and I could certainly use your prayers. Learning to care for ourselves is a new muscle we must exercise. Let’s do it together!!! God bless you - my sleeve friends! Big hug from Chicago!!!!

Here is the deal with me and protein bars. They can't taste like cardboard - I won't eat 'em. They can't taste like candy - I'll eat too many of them. The one I like that is good tasting and fills me up so I can't eat more than one is the Pure Protein Bar. Worldwide Sport Nutritional Suppliments: www.eatgoodlookgreat.com. I buy a box at Walgreens every few weeks. Chocolate - Peanut Butter. 20 grams of protein. 2 grams of sugar.

Very good article... http://gastricbypasstruth.com/life-after-gastric-bypass/hair-loss-after-gastric-bypass-tips-for-losing-less-and-regrowing-more-faster/

Way to go! Loved the two pics with your daughter. She will have a dad to walk her down the isle now. Congrats!!!!

You can't do this until you are ready. Seriously...it's a huge commitment. BUT - a doctor's appointment isn't a commitment to surgery - it's just taking one step - and you can do one step. Get information, ensure you trust the surgeon and his/her team, talk to a dietician, research the procedure, etc. Just take it one step at a time and if the doors are to open, they will. Do this for you! COURAGE IS BEING SCARED TO DEATH, BUT SADDLING UP ANYWAY! (John Wayne).

gman - you rock! Thanks for the song!!!! cmom - I'm so sorry you are hurting. I kinda "freaked out" about a week after my surgery too. There so much hype and preparations prior to the surgery - and then the first three days were rough pain-wise - then I was home and the reality hit me! What the hell did I do to myself! I think I had to go through it. I really do. I turned the TV off for two weeks cuz I could not deal with the commercials. This AM, I went to Breakfast with a friend. I ordered eggs and they came with hash browns and pancakes. I literally could only eat like 1/4 of the eggs and a few tiny bites of hash browns. The rest all came home with me. Pancakes went to my friend. He asked me if I was ok - knowing I had all this food sitting there I could not eat -_]and I said YES!!!! I would not change things for the whole world. I have lost 95 pounds the last 3+ months. I am about to walk a 5K for the first time in my life! My clothes are falling off of me! I can BREATH! DANCE! BEND! FIT IN A BOOTH! cmom - don't give up! Keep reminding yourself why you did this! You are going to be so thankful as the weight starts dropping off and you continue to heal. Turn off the commercials (or at least mute them). Pop in a kids tape vs. crummy TV for your child. Or play a game!!! You will be ok - and you are AMAZING! It took so much courage for you to do what you did! YOU ARE A SUPER STAR and I, for one, am so, so proud of you!!!! Feel free to friend me - and I will send you my phone number. I'd be happy to listen any time you need a friend to talk all this through with. I've been there and I care! Big hug!!!!! Chicago (Amy)

Love it!!!! Now I'm praying to God my tummy looks like the pic one day! LOL

I get a Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha a few times a week: tall, skim milk, no whip, one pump vs two, caffein free... I know, I know - you may be saying "what is the point?" It's still so darn good to me - and at 240 calories I totally enjoy it!

If you have read my story before, you know that I waited 15 years before having WLS. I just was not ready. But once I decided to have it - I was so committed - the excitement made the fears go away. I can tell you that I believe in WLS more than ever now that I am 4 months post op. My body is FINALLY on my side and I have a fighting chance to really lose weight and make a positive impact on my health. YOU CAN DO THIS! It's ok to be scared - but trust in this decision and in your surgeon and the hospital team. This is one of the best things you may have ever done for yourself. Change is uncomfortable. But change is good!!!!! We are all behind you. You are not alone. "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway!" John Wayne Saddle up, Partner! Yee Haw!!!!!

I didn't know there was a choice. I just went with my doctor's wisdom. I think he removed 75% of my tummy. Thank God! I am so, so happy that my body is on my side now!

Wolf - you can do it!!! Stay strong!!!!!

Boy did I need to hear that today. Thanks for the kind words. I am inspired by YOU!!!!!!! Wow - 3 years! Awesome!!! Had a not so great weekend with food. Long story but I was with others who are eating lots of stuff that isn't good and I let myself dip into it. But I am home now, had a good dinner, and did weigh - down another two so at 94 now. Yeah!!!! So very thankful!

It will go away. Try sugar free popsickles. I remember right after my surgery I couldn't eat a whole one. The flavors tasted so good and the cold was refreshing. Be patient. Your tummy is healing. Keep trying with the shakes. Be gentle with yourself!!!!

As I have lost weight (down 90+ now), and my energy is returning, I am so aware of how much I would like to find a man to share my life with. I feel like I have more and more to give - and that there are so many possibilities ahead of me - great stuff - fun adventures - tender discoveries. I am almost 50, no kids, never married, and in so many ways beginning my life over again (or maybe for the first time!) What I have wanted for a long time was a family man - a guy who had a strong character, a good job, cared for his family and friends, enjoyed life and a good laugh, believed in God/church, and had goals for himself (ie. traveling, better job, personal growth, making a difference in the world, etc.) To be honest, I don't think I have ever dated a man like this! (gulp) I am coming to realize that perhaps I didn't attract this type of man because I wasn't treating myself well and was not exhibiting the security and qualities he might be looking for in a woman. Maybe on paper I was... Sure - I went to church, had good friends, a good job, could certainly laugh, and had goals - BUT - I didn't respect myself much and certainly didn't "shine" as the fun, beautiful woman God made me to be. I mean it - I hid - a lot - even in the midst of what many thought was a great life - I hid - behind 200 extra pounds. Today I spent the day going to garage sales, antique shops, and enjoying the gorgeous fall colors with a girl friend and my dog. Tonight I feel like going line-dancing (this cracks me up that I want to do this - but I do). I want to go watch and join people as we move and breathe and enjoy the music. I want to laugh and live! Tomorrow - I want to take a boat over to Washington Island (I am on vaca in Door County, Wisconsin) and find some hidden away beautiful spots to take pictures and sit and read a book. Then I want to see the play about Vince Lombardi and enjoy 1/4 of a steak tomorrow night (lol - we are cheap dates now, aren't we?) Then I want to go to the Mariner Museum and investigate all the stuff they have about old \-time sailors and boats and the wreck of the Edmond's Fitzgerald. Oh - and check in on the Ryder cup and see how the US is doing. See - I'm fun! Could there possibly be a neat guy out there for me? Lord - I sure hope so!!!! Ok my fellow single sleevers - where are you all at with dating? Especially those of you who have sold yourself short in this department and are thinking about getting out there and opening yourselves up to life and love again - or maybe for the first time?

It's ok. Feeling the urge isn't the same as doing it! The urge will pass! AND only you can decide if a bit of sweets are ok for you. I eat a McD's soft serve vanilla cone 2 or 3 times a week. This does not send me over the edge. However - while on vacation with friends - I got into their carmel corn - and I went way over board. Lesson learned - CAN NOT HAVE GRABBY SUGARY SNACKS IN MY HOME EVER! I just can't. So now is your time. Decide what is ok and what isn't - then keep writing us and letting us encourage you! And be sure those around you know your limits too and can help. It's a very slippery slope - so commit to doing it differently this time. You are NOT the same person you were four months ago. LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, ROSE!!!! I am proud of you for writing about it and proud of you for reaching out. Big hug from Chicago!!!!

Way to go Mensch!!!! Every single pound counts - and I am so proud of US!!!!! Don't the 300's feel great? And before you know it you will be in the 200's again! I am thrilled for you and will continue to keep an eye out for your posts! We can do this!!! We can!!!!!!

Yesterday I hit the 92 pounds lost mark. I am so, so thankful. I really can't believe I've done it. Not just the surgery and good eating, but the choosing to really take care of myself. It's been 3.5 months since my surgery. I still have over 100 pounds to go, but I am almost 1/2 way there and I am so excited. On 10/20 I will be walking a 5K at Soldier Field in Chicago. When I think about walking all that way I scare myself. But I will do it. I am committed. I want to be the kind of person who can do a 5K - even if it takes me all day to do it!!!! I think what I've learned the last few months is to just take it one day at a time. To not beat myself up when I blow it a bit. To trust my new tummy and that my body is working for me - wanting to get healthy. I have learned that life goes on - whether I am eating ice-cream or not. That dealing with stress does not necessarily mean overeating. That I can still find foods to crunch and enjoy but that I don't have to eat the whole bag, carton, plate. I am thankful for this chance... this opportunity. And I am committed to helping those who are not able to get the surgery, or who are not ready, to fight the lie that they are no good and that there is no hope. I have been overweight since I was 7 and weighed over 300 pounds for the last 20 years. While I have had a fantastic job, great friends, active lifestyle, and strong faith through it all - I have also hated my body, judged myself relentlessly, and slept through many a party or activity due to exhaustion and embarrassment.. When I think of how terribly I have been to myself - it makes me cry. Hurting myself - hating myself - got me to 398. It was a step of love that had me endure through the surgery hoops, get my surgery, and worked on this food issue the past several month. If you are someone who has literally hated yourself because of your weight (and other things), my prayer is that I can help you and you can help me not be mean to ourselves any longer. I want to care for me - and lead myself in a healthy, active, alive life-style. Please help me in return by sharing with me your pain, victories and journey. Thank you for your friendship and partnership on this adventure!

I was aware as I read your entry, overboard, that you are really focusing on the few weeks of not-so-good eating and even gaining, and totally missing all the work you did, yes YOU DID over the last year. That is our eating disorder talking. It is not the truth. That is the voice that got us here. The black/white thinking. The all/nothing. People who live a healthy lifestyle blow it sometimes - and they let it go and get back on the health path. You can do this. I can do this. It's a lie to think we can't - and we must not let that voice take control!!! I need you to try again - because you are a mentor to me - as are so many of those who had surgery 1, 2, 3+ years ago. You will not gain it all back. You can do this! I do not mean to sound all polly-anna and innocent here - but we must fill our minds with what we CAN do vs. the fear of failure and lies we have believed before that we won't make it. Please don't do that to yourself. Please. Just take care of yourself tomorrow. Then write about it and do the same thing the next day. We are all behind you because YOU ARE US!!!! We must stay connected and push each other in the direction of health and success and LIFE. Big hug!!!! Amy