nyxa

i'm just curious. i've read some people say between 700-900 i used to bodybuild & was a competetive athlete.. all my trainers and nutrition people and doctors always said that you have to get in 1500-2000 calories a day.. and that you can damage your body if you go below that.. because of starvation & it causes your body to put on weight & etc.. so if that's the case, how does wls work? lol i mean, that last bit is a rhetorical question.. but for so long it's been drilled into my head that you have to eat xyz amount of calories, Protein and blah blah.. so i'm curious how many calories you have per day, on average, as well as your other nutrients.. like carbs, protein, fat, sugar, etc.. what are your personal limits or guidelines that your doctor wants you to follow? if you can't put an exact number, that's okay.. can you please guesstimate? thanks for your time!

just curious if you can join the military after you've had wls?

amazing!!!!!

in regards to your boobs... massaging stimulates growth... so.. worth a shot.. massage massage massage! also.. there's the noogleberry.. it's worth a shot. lol http://www.noogleber...iewCat&catId=11 there's also herbs you can take that help stimulate breast growth. stuff for nursing moms, for example.. fenugreek, fennel seed, evening primrose oil, wild yam extract, etc. caffiene is bad for breasts.. so if you drink it, you may consider stopping. here's more info on herbs: http://www.greenbush...rgirbrease.html you could combine all of the above & end up getting your boobies back. there's natural breast growth forums you can join, too. one girl on one that i frequent got her boobs to go from a B cup to a DD & she stopped taking the stuff for a few years & the size was still there. in regards to saggy skin.. there's a guy who lost all his weight naturally, with raw food (vegan).. he doesn't have any loose skin. he was 400 pounds & is now normal.. his secret-- besides raw food.. was that he skin brushed, which helps remove dead skin & help new skin growth.. as well as taking MSM (which is a sulfur compound made from rain Water & is natural)- it's used to lubricate joints and also helps soften skin. and he ate a lot of foods high in collagen.. like berries.. blueberries have a lot of collagen in them.. and they're also low carb.. you can find him on youtube --- http://www.youtube.com/user/lovingraw << he has a video about saggy skin.. one thing i liked about that video was that he said something like "if you're 400 lb and you're worried about having saggy skin, your head isn't in the right place.. you should be more focused on being alive and living.. worry about the skin later, when you know you're going to be alive." lol that was me paraphrasing, not his exact words. he was a lot more eloquent. lol this guy was on the show "the doctors" as well.. here's the skin video that he did: hope that helps you a little or at least piqued your curiosity.

well.. i plan on just trying to consume liquids with protein in 'em.. like the atkin's shakes.. if i do a powder, maybe mix 'em up with almond milk or hemp milk.. when you're trying to get in all your water.. drink fluid with protein in it.. like the almond milk, hemp milk, cashew milk, etc.. sip on beef or chicken broth.. all of that has water in it & has protein. i have right now a bottle of protein powder that is from a company called Garden of Life.. the powder is called RAW PROTEIN.. it's organic & made from raw food.. it's got 80 calories, 3g carbs, 3g fiber, lower than 1 gram of sugar & 17 grams of protein.. i like 'em just fine.. others may not like the taste.. but i'd be combining that with some kind of nut and/or hemp milk, to maximize protein intake and liquid.

LOL one thing i find kinda amusing about this place is how easily y'all can part with body parts.. if my doctor told me he wanted to remove my gallbladder, i'd be like... you better not be getting slash happy inside my body.. i want as many parts as i was born with as possible.. i even still have my tonsils! lol these things are here for a reason! why remove something unless it's absolutely necessary?.. and if one doctor told me i needed to have something removed, i'd be getting 2nd and 3rd and 27th opinions.. freaks me out to think of getting rid of body parts... like.. HEY! i NEED that!.. i know someone on the black market that could use one of those!!! lol (the last sentence is a joke, of course)

i recommend a few toys, too. not just the vibrating kind.. try some made from natural materials.. personally, i love the glass & metal ones.. they're very easy to clean & last forever. they've also got nice ceramic ones and wooden ones.. lol this would also be a great time to start practicing your vagina kung fu. xD weight train with your business & do kegels with vaginal weights or barbells inserted & by the time you get to goal (or whatever) and are confident in finding a guy, he'll be in for a big (pleasant) surprise. lol of course toys are not the same as a dude, but you can manage your horniness a bit better.. til you become more comfortable & whatnot.. and it's always better if YOU know yourself better, because it's easier for a guy to please you, since you'll know more of what you like & want. and things change as you drop weight! expect to be bouncing off the walls before long. LOL when i was thinner, i sure did! xD even as a fatty, guys can't handle this! LOL

i understand what you mean. i'm not saying go out & get into a commited relationship, either.. just saying what's the harm in seeing an attractive guy & going "hey, you're pretty cute.. wanna hang out?" (in your own vernacular, of course).

hey cool! a chat room! lol sweet! flashchat is a nice chatroom.

i wouldn't do that, because then you're leading the guy on.. and if you're not into him, why do that to him?.. it's very cruel to the guy, and besides.. why put yourself in the position of having to explain that you're really not into him, that you were just practicing flirting.. and making him feel bad & undesireable?.. as someone whose been fat, i'm sure you know how that feels.. why inflict that pain onto someone else? when i am at my own goal weight, i'm going straight for the kill. if i see a guy i am interested in, i'm going to ask him if he's attached & then if not, going to ask him out myself. why mess around with the small, yappy chihuahua's when you can finally play with the big dogs?.. i guess i'm not much for subtlety.. i've spent so much of my life in a shell of fat, that when i can finally break free from it, i'm going to take full advantage of it & only date people that i find physically & mentally attractive. i'm going to go out & wreak havoc and take what is and should have been mine all these years.. i know not everyone is direct like me.. so.. but if you meet someone you like, why not take the initiative? it's 2012, not 1957. grow a pair, ladies. worst that could happen is the guy says he's not interested or is attached to someone. in which case you move on, but at least you made someone feel good that day, so it's not a total loss!

yes, so when was it that you were taking me with you somewhere?.. LOL jk that post makes me SOOOOOOOOOO happy, though! i love traveling & sampling food! how awesome! YAY! lol and congrats on the weight loss! that's AWESOME! mind if i am nosy & ask what you do that allows you to travel? or was it just vacation time? (my apologies if that is too personal or rude, it wasn't intended to be, am just curious)

i've spent a lot of time studying sex and stuff. i know women *CAN* have orgasms without a uterus, but over the YEARS of research i've done, THOUSANDS of conversations and posts on forums and studies i've read.. they all say that it's "not the same" that it's "different" etc.. a lot of women can't orgasm or they're not as strong without their uterus. the uterus contracts when you have an orgasm.. that's also why too many orgasms while pregnant can lead to a miscarriage. i've consulted with sex therapists, doctors, etc.. please don't assume that everyone on the internet is a total moron. sometimes i will just say things in a simple way, to get enough of my point across, so it can be easily understood & i don't have to write 100 pages about why i said what i said. a lot of women who have had hysterectomies have regretted getting them, because their sex life has gone totally downhill because they can't get off... with or without their S/O.. you can do your own research. i'm not denying that you CAN have an orgasm without a uterus, but from everything i've read, women i've talked with, read posts from on various forums, and talked with doctors and therapists about.. it's not the same at all & because of that, i would *NEVER* want my uterus removed or damaged. IMO it'd be like a guy chopping off his testes or removing his prostate. it just wouldn't be the same. Quotes from some women: "In the year following my surgery, I have definitely had the experience of having an orgasm and then thinking, "Where's the rest of it? Where's the back end of it? Where's that final cadence and chord?"" "I lost my ability to have uterine contractions when orgasming. I don't orgasm as often (rarely now) and they kind of get to a peak but don't finish. That is with clitoris stimulation. I don't have any orgasms now from penetration. All doctors say that your sex should be the same or better but it is not true. If there was never a problem why do they admitt that some women will have different types of sexual dysfunction after a hysterectomy. It has happened to me! My hubby and I have tried every toy, position, jelly, cream, positive thoughts and prayers and nothing. It is not in my mind or the countless other women who have sexual dysfuntion. Try your other options first so at least you won't regret having the surgery." "Through cancer, I had to have a radical hysterectomy and oopherectomy when I was 44. My gynae told me that I would have sexual dysfunction, ie as my cervix had been removed, it wasn't possible to vibrate during sex, hence no orgasm. He also told me that as I was going to go into an early menopause, I would have dryness issues etc. My experience is that I now find it impossible to orgasm satisfactorily. I can enjoy sex, but it's definitely not the same. He was wrong about the dryness issues - none at all. The other thing that hasn't been mentioned, is that by removing all female organs, I now don't have the natural oestregon that makes you a woman. Not having the same hormone level has definitely had an effect. My skin is poorer and I have aged; I don't feel the same about myself sexually and despite being a really positive person,just feel I'm not the same person any more. I sense a definite loss which I could never have envisaged. HRT definitely helped and I felt so much better in myself. It compensated for all the menopausal issues etc. However, it might be worth noting that one year after the womb cancer, I got breast cancer and had to have a mastectomy so that didn't do a lot for my femininity lol I know this all sounds very negative and I really didn't want it to. Yes it has affected my sexuality; something I miss terribly, but hey I'm glad to be alive!!!" "Don't know whether to feel bad or envious of the women who say their orgasms have not changed or are better post hysterectomy. They certainly never had the full deep uterine orgasm that would put me in spasms of back arching ecstasy over and over again. The orgasms I have now, 3 months after hysterectomy (kept my ovaries and cervix) are all in my clitoral and vagina area. I used to think of these as just warm ups - something I could get to with foreplay or maybe at initial penetration. In the past ocassionally they would be it if I was tired or sick, but now it is all I am getting. I am very sad about this, as I am only 46, but have decided not to talk to my husband about it because I know it will affect his enjoyment knowing the orgasms I am now getting are not the thrill they used to be. The uterus is gone. Nothing he can do can help me feel uterine contractions again." "I had a hysterectomy two months ago now and I also miss the uterine orgasms. My orgasms are still good, just missing the "bass clef" of the song. I thought everyone's orgasms were like that, but I guess we were just lucky to have them while we did. Reading your posts, now I feel normal. Thanks." "I would never recommend hysterectomy to anyone and I despise my surgeon for inadequately warning me. Like yours, he lied about the role of the cervix and uterus during orgasm. I didn''t even KNOW I was having uterine orgasms UNTIL THEY CEASED TO EXIST after surgery. I had no idea. It used to be difficult for me to orgasm but once it happened, it was huge, the kind where you have trouble walking afterward. Now, it''s like, Oh, that tickled. In looking back, there were clues. For instance, unlike some women, I could not orgasm without something inside of me. Now I know why ... the cervix and uterus were very much a part of everything. I no longer have any breast sensation. Oh, I can feel them being fondled, but maybe because of all the nerves that were severed, I no longer feel that distinct, direct sensation in my pelvis from breast play. Maybe that should be the first two questions a surgeon should ask: Can you orgasm without something inside of you and do your breasts and uterus have a kind of "connection" that you enjoy? My surgeon was concerned only that I was uninformed and had great insurance, as evidenced by the fact my hysterectomy was not medically necessary. He removed it during a bladder lift, saying it "would be easier to perform the lift if those parts were out of the way." Stupidly, I consented." "I am 47. On February 5th, I had my uterus removed, ovaries intacted. I had a mesh net built to hold up my uretha. I used to be multiorgasmic by way of clitoral orgasms. I am very sensual. I can't seem to have an orgasm now. We have done ALL things. I get aroused to the HILT, the EDGE.....I press and press and press.....nothing. I hate it. I feel broken. This has been me my whole life and now nothing. My husband feels he is failing me, but he is doing ALL right, I just can NOT release. How do I get my clitoral orgasms back?" and etc.. there's countless THOUSANDS of women out there like that.

i haven't had the surgery, YET... but if i had an option, i would not tell anyone. since i live with my parents, they would have to know.. i've told them that i'm considering weight loss surgery.. and they were SO overwhelmingly negative.. they kept telling me how it's the lazy person's way out, how it's the easy option.. how people who have wls are in hospice where my aunt works because their bodies can't process food anymore.. how i just need to get on a diet & stay on it & the weight would come off.. asking me how i could even think to let someone rip my guts out.. and how crazy it is.. they gave me more than an ear full and we got into a huge fight about it.. i told them that if they even told anyone that i was even considering the surgery, that i'd not want anything to do with 'em. my whole family is in the medical field, though.. well not all of them, but the majority.. so they all think they know everything & know what's best... when only a handful are actually doctors.. my aunt who is an RN at a hospice place DOES see a lot of people who have had weight loss surgery.. mainly a RNY.. and they are duping all of their food & can't process it anymore.. so they're dying.. and they're YOUNG people.. in their 20's & 30's... but they don't understand (my mom and dad) that a lot of the patients my aunt sees have had the bypass & NOT the sleeve. in regards to friends.. i probably would only tell 1 friend.. i wouldn't tell anyone else.. because they'd judge me & tell me the same negative things. and as far as i'm concerned, everyone besides my mom & dad only needs to know that i've changed my eating habits & am losing weight because of that. i wouldn't tell them squat. it's none of their business.

when i had to have a mask on, they gave me the full face one. it freaked me out when i was awake & i had to learn how to breathe with it.. it was a lot like sticking your head out of the window when you're driving at 70+ miles per hour... lol same kinda "omg i can't breathe" feeling.. xD but i can't blame you for freaking out.. it does sound like you had a really crappy tech.. and i'm sorry you had to go through that. i would do what the others are suggesting & report the person to the manager, ask for a different tech next time or better yet, an alternative place to go.. 2 hours is a loooong ways to drive! i just feel so bad for you. poor thing!

yeah.. when you change your eating habits, your taste buds change, too.. everything changes. wouldn't matter if you're doing high protein/low carb or if you became a vegan.. your taste buds would change somehow & your body would change somehow, too.. ie, maybe you'd become more sensitive to salt & sugar, maybe your bowel movements would flow more easily, etc. lots of folks on diets like the atkins diet or south beach diet have some issues with constipation & the bad breath & stuff. guess there's pro's & con's to everything. kinda cool how our bodies are capable of changing and adapting, just by what we eat, though.. isn't it?

there's a guy who lost all his weight naturally, with raw food (vegan).. he doesn't have any loose skin. he was 400 pounds & is now normal.. his secret-- besides raw food.. was that he skin brushed, which helps remove dead skin & help new skin growth.. as well as taking MSM (which is a sulfur compound made from rain Water & is natural)- it's used to lubricate joints and also helps soften skin. and he ate a lot of foods high in collagen.. like berries.. blueberries have a lot of collagen in them.. and they're also low carb.. you can find him on youtube --- http://www.youtube.com/user/lovingraw << he has a video about saggy skin.. one thing i liked about that video was that he said something like "if you're 400 lb and you're worried about having saggy skin, your head isn't in the right place.. you should be more focused on being alive and living.. worry about the skin later, when you know you're going to be alive." lol that was me paraphrasing, not his exact words. he was a lot more eloquent. lol this guy was on the show "the doctors" as well.. here's the skin video that he did:

wow! that's amazing! you look so much happier & alive & vibrant! really, really wonderful! i'm happy for you & proud of you! bet your family is happier, too, cause they know they'll have you around for a long time!

wow!! you really do look awesome! i'm so happy for you!!!!

were you gals moody before surgery? because i am... and if it's that bad, i'm scared.. lol no joke!

i've read on here that people usually consume around 700-900 calories a day.

you could also see a dating coach.. he or she could help you get back into the swing of things and help you gain more confidence when you're out & about there's also books on the topic, if you'd prefer to do the self-help route watching some dating shows could help, too.. like millionaire match maker or something like that. i'm sorry you're getting a divorce, but i'm happy that you're about to be a free woman! since you're not "the fat girl" anymore, you have an amazing opportunity to go out & experience different people and eventually get someone that you REALLY like and want to be with and are totally, physically attracted to! and like COsleeveDude said, you can do all the stuff you never got to do as a fat girl.. wear sexy (yet classy, of course) dresses, go clubbing, etc.. maybe even do the cougar thing if that's what you're into. lol get you some arm candy shoot, that's one thing i'm looking forward to! LOL not necessarily having sex & all that, but that i'll be attractive enough to actually get some hot dudes! don't be afraid to step out there into the unknown.. at least get your toes wet, so you can say you tried it. wish you the best!

you poor thing! just have to try to calm yourself down.. find something else to think about & focus on that.. cpap determines if you have sleep apnea & if you need a machine.. it measures your oxygen levels & they see if you stop breathing & stuff while you sleep. i don't like wires, either.. i kept ripping my heart stuff off when i was in the hospital for my liver.. i even had a panic attack & cried.. just listen to some music or something if you can.. and try to relax.. and ease your way into sleep.. i know that i had an anxiety attack & could barely sleep at all.. it's no fun.. wish i could give you a hug or something to help, if that would help. :/ poor thing. bless your heart. edited: had to fix my glaring spelling mistakes... now that i've had some sleep.. lol xD

COsleeveDude.. you sound like the lady from The Hunger Games... May the odds be ever in your favor! lol you're right, though. also.. if you got the sleeve & then got to goal & then moved away.. how cool would that be?.. you'd have a totally new life!

too bad it doesn't boost your eye sight and hearing.. lol i'd be like hells yes, where do i sign? lol wls makes you superhuman! lol xD thank you guys for your honesty.. and for the lol's! some of you trying to phrase things politely was so funny.

ohhh.. you poor girl, NDN_RN... *smh* jeez.. that must have been really embarrassing.. you poor girl! lol it's nice to know that we're not alone in having these horribly terrible embarrassing moments.. kinda feels like a relief to tell someone about 'em & get it off your chest. lol