Holly5.3

Just noticed my eye lashes are growing and look thicker! My bottom lashes were so tiny I could hardly get mascara on them. Today, swipe the wand across and there are lashes again-not little short hairs! Does all this protein make hair grow? What about nails? My skin looks great too and I have psoriasis and excema on my hands-not a single crack, they look smooth, soft and beautiful. Anyway, anyone else growing lashes and nails?

Hi lessofme! Search the topic on excess skin here on VST-I found a lot of tips and helpful ideas to do whatever I can to minimize the damage. Massages, sea salt scrubs and making sure you get your liquids were a few. I will most likely need a tummy tuck at some point, but if I don't -great! Good luck!

Wow! I just had surgery a week ago today and on the way to the hospital my husband made a comment alluding that I probably will never feel sexy again because I always promised him I would and never got my weight low enough to get my sass back! He was 100% right about that, but my plateau and subsequent weight regains did not happen without me putting up a fight! but I got so mad! He Is selfishly worried about himself and his labido! We've been arguing every day since my surgery! It doesn't help that my mom came from Florida to help out, but she's been wonderful-cooking, laundry and helping me. I was like, do you think I would go through all this if I didn't want a drastic life change? My job, my weight and my marriage are all being re-evaluated! I suppose I'm having my mid-life crisis! Thank God! Maybe he's scared I'll start having a life outside my office snd home. I used to be very social, he never was. But I let my size be an excuse to not being out there as much as I would love!

Great website! I love before and after photos! So inspirational!

Great posts, everyone! I like the 'medically supervised' program (hate the word diet!) response. It alludes to a possible 'medical problem' that most discrete people will not push further for answers, especially in a work/office environment.I must be getting better-I miss work! 

Everyone I'm close to knows about my VSG last Thursday, 10/11/12. I'm a secretary in Principal's office in an elementary school so a lot of people, teachers, aids, parents and community members, see me regularly. What do I say to 'random' compliments about weight loss, when asked how I did it (of course this will happen in a public arena so God knows who else will hear my response!) When I last lost 70 pounds on Jenny Craig-I was open about it to everyone and anyone. (Thanks to my success, at least 7 women I knew went on JC-we all stopped and regained the loss-typical!) I feel like saying "diet and exercise" but I know that's a lie! Should I openly respond that I had surgery, and if I do, do I risk the chance of an extended Q and A session for all the world to hear (and keeping me from my work--my boss would not be thrilled!). Help! I go back on Monday - rumor has it that I had 'back' surgery...not Bariatric. (Gossips tend to distort story! They got the "b" right and the "k" at the end, but the middle ...WTH! The old "telephone game" played out right before my eyes!)

Good luck! You will be fine. I'm one week Post-op w/manageable asthma but the fall is my worst season. The hospital gave me my usual preventative meds (Claritin and Advair) and I used my inhaler when I felt tight (hard to cough/expectorate so lungs were a little wheezy). CPAP in hospital, machine for home was just delivered yesterday. Fun!! God bless you with a speedy recovery, you'll be great!

Last night was my 1st night at home with CPAP machine and it was torture! In the hospital I frieked out there was so much attached to me, so they kept scaling down the mask until I was OK. I finally had a little 'pig snout' mask that wasn't so claustrophobic. They want me to stick w/face mask covering my mouth, too. Once I fell asleep I was ok(thank you Tylenol PM!) but when I woke during the night to use bathroom it's like I forgot it was on and I frantically rip it off my face like it's a jellyfish suctioned on me! Will I get used to that claustrophobic feeling? My surgeon explained how the apnea untreated could affect my healing so I appreciate how important it is, I still don't like it! (Lucy cry, "whaaaaaaa!!") Lucille Ball circa. 1950's.

Thanks so much for the PB2 link-been meaning to find it snd order some!

I'm just starting to feel head hunger today and I would be fine if like right now as I sip my cream of celery soup my mother wasn't downstairs frying corn fritters-my childhood favorite! For the love of God, woman have you no mercy! I was thrilled with my cream soup addition to my diet yesterday but the smell is making me naseaus and craving to eat it at the same time! Ewe! So greasy! She's trying to kill my family! I know she means well, but she's here from Florida to help take care of me. She's enjoying the fall weather. Yesterday it was roast pork with gravy and mashed potatoes! Aaaaahhhh! And she's always been trim! It's all good! Had to vent!

Whoo-whoooo! You rock southern girl! You look fabulous! I can't believe how fast and how much! I pray I do 1/2 as well! Similar stats: 5'5"- start: 255.5 day of surgery 10/11/12 (Pre-op 5 weeks 8/15/12-278). Today 248. So psyched! Keep up the good work.

No. Because I gave my response to the thread question and do not want to engage in texted theology debates when I'm on this site for support re. my surgery. Find another weak Christian to debate your atheistic views, im not in for that.

It's so weird not having counting calories be a major part of my life! I rather focus on what I can have over what I can't any day! Thanks for feedback!

Hi 10/11/12ers! I am down 8-1/2 pounds since surgery and a total loss of 32 lbs. since started Pre-op diet on 8/15/12: Start weight: 279 8/15/12 Surgery: 255.5 10/11/12 Today: 247 10/18/12 (Halloween mini-goal - 240)

I would ask! Tell him you love it and just have to know the name! (act like your buying it for a guy as a gift) it may open the door to a discussion (date, dare I say!). If nit, no harm no foul, you were complimenting him. Good luck!

OMG! Love it! Your hubby sounds like mine!

I just started entering my meals into MyFitnessPal -I was losing track of protein-very scatter-brained since surgery last week, and I can't find anything from my nut. regarding daily caloric limit. I'm sure it's less than 1,000-more like 700-800, I'm guessing. Anyone have info. on calories?

If you don't like cooking every night- I don't! I cook up a batch of something I can reheat all week. Portabello mushrooms became a favorite on my Pre-op diet! I make different stuffings or fillings each week, then they're my go-to for lunch or dinner. I find the largest ones, too. I then have a homemade meal within the constraints of my diet for 3-4 days without cooking (for mr, at least. I still have a hard working hubby and 2 teen daughters to feed!)

Unjury unflavored and chicken broth has been my protein od choice since home from hospital. After my adorable 17 year old daughter fixed me a cup of the broth my second day home which was a cup of huge globs of protein (the sight alone almost made me sick!)- I now have a Pyrex cup where I'll pour boiling water in. Add candy thermometer then when temp is under 140 degrees, add water slowly to protein, constantly stirring.

Confused...were Popsicles adding to liquid quota? How much liquid does a SF ice pop count for? Have you found any with Protein?

I hope you're doing better today! I was sent home a day early-I was glad, all the doo-dads attached to me were getting claustrophobic! Once home and off IV, it was really hard to get protein and liquids in for first 3 days. Finally at day 4, I got my min. Req. in. My stomach still sounds angry! Still gassy and burpy- just not as severe! Crystal Lite literally saved the day-the only beverage that still tastes good after surgery with unflavored protein powder. Best to you today!

I'm praying for your speedy recovery and comfort! The prayers from my family and friends, from NY to CA, nNew England to Florida were what , I believe, are helping me heal more and more each day! Stay peaceful!

Wow! Sorry I shared!