BrickHouse

Not sure about all the things in the second question, but a small Cherry Berry Chiller (yes, a SMALL) is 200 calories and 49g carbs. All those carbs are sugar since there is no fiber.

Dang, you're a power dumper!

I love this post. I'd like your permission to use a lot of what you've written in my own FB post once I'm sleeved. Your words really hit home and you've effectively explained your position and laid down the law concerning what kind of feedback you will tolerate. I give you so much credit for your candor and honesty.

But you DID IT. Good for you.

As far as the gym goes, most machines have a big QUICK START button that starts the machine slowly so you can go at your own pace and at least be moving while you figure the rest of the buttons out. They're not hard, You will be fine. Any life-changing endeavor is something to think long and hard about, and you have. We'd all be lying if we said we were never scared. I'm more scared of dying fat.

I didn't think it was bad. I've watched 3 or 4. Actually it made me feel better knowing exactly what they are going to be doing!!

Me, too! I want to know as much as possible about what they're gonna do to me. It puts me at ease to have a little bit of an idea. I would love to be able to get a dvd of my surgery! I need to ask the surgeon about that...

I don't think many of us in here have had any trouble LOSING weight. We've done it over and over. It's KEEPING IT OFF where we have the problem.

My husband, who is my biggest supporter and cheerleader, also swore I could "just do it myself," and begged me to reconsider my choice, stick to a program and work out. I patiently (ok, well not so patiently) told him that I HAD reconsidered several times and it's not up for discussion. I have made my decision and I am doing this for me because I deserve to enjoy the second half of my life. I deserve to enjoy and savor food again, and to be able to enjoy exercise again without pain.

I commend the OP for letting her co-worker know that her opinion wasn't asked for and therefore had no value to her.

Go over her head. It was not only unprofessional, but illegal.

I had spinal surgery early this year and I know I'll be using some of the items I used then. There was a long-handled shoe horn, elastic laces (LockLaces) for my shoes, even a contraption that helps you get your socks on (SockAid). My water bottle has a straw and I know I'm swallowing a straw-full of air each time I use it, so I'll be getting a water bottle without a straw.

I'm still a week and a half from my first visit with the surgeon, but it's never too early to start planning!