LifetimeLoser

awesome. how is your husband feeling now about it?

very good things to look forward to.

awesome girl! Now for some before and after pictures!!! I need to get mine up also. well my before and "in progress" photo any hows.

this all sounds great! 65 pounds is a lot...almost to 100. how much more do you have to lose?

Congratulations woman! I haven't been on here for awhile so I had to catch up with whats going on with you. So basically in a week you will be having surgery. I'm excited for you. What did you decide on for your accommodations?

Your pre-op diet is different than mine. You must have a lower starting bmi. What are your stats as of now?

55 pounds down.

These are all great ideas guys! Thank you. Sometimes when I am frustrated I can't think straight. yummm...avacados I could totally do that. I never thought of returning my shakes...what a great idea.

awesome lady! Maybe they were talking about a underwire bra???

It is funny. The more people I tell I had surgery the more people I find out have had it too. It is really weird. i think it is more common than people realize.

I am so happy for you. I'm sorry I haven't responded yet to your message. I actually wrote a whole long letter and then the computer I was on shut off (it is not my computer) and everything was lost and I was like crap!!!!!

But as for my opinion...stay in Kailua if you can. It is close by, more beautiful, less traffic, easy to find parking, free parking etc. You don't know how good or ill you will feel afterwards. The less stairs, bumps in the rode, time in the car etc. will be loads better than having to travel to Waikiki. I mean who knows you could wake up and feel absolutely nothing, but just in case. Also if you or your hubby forget something, then your abode is like five minutes away instead of half an hour.

i believe in being honest and saying things in a respectful way.....i have noted on this forum both ends of the spectrum. highly sensitive members as well as people who come across somewhat hostile. i do believe in giving folks honest feedback

I have seen both ends as well. When I write something on the forums I rewrite it a few times because I want to make sure I am saying exactly what I mean to say and how I mean to say it.

awesome... love the part about tying shoes. I used to have to have my husband do it. it is the small things that everyday people take for granted that shows the biggest successes.

Another thing we have in common! I used to be quite obsessive about the gym back in the day. It is definitely something all fall prey to. According to my trainer, there are worse things. I don't like being obsessive about anything, but the gym makes me feel good. STRONG. POWERFUL. Lifting weights makes me feel even better. I stopped really caring about the scale and am excited to see my trainer again to see if I gain any muscle. I'm just waiting...only two more weeks!

I can still eat about 2 0z. of dense food now...so I don't think it will change much.

Are you going to join a gym and get a trainer???

Thank you!. Yes I have noticed the same thing about drinking and eating.

wow that is wonderful.

How much of the cheese did you eat? Did you weight/measure it? At 4 weeks out, and still do at 6 months, weigh and measure everything I eat. BTW 600 calories is alot for 4 weeks out. I only recently am able to eat between 700-800 calories. Don't rush it; drink your shakes and eat what protein you can. Make the most of this weight loss phase to optimize your weight loss. Good Luck.

The cheese was about 3 oz. I do weigh and measure everything I eat. I was eating like 300 calories a day and then hit a stall. My NUT told me to add some carbs in like apple sauce etc. That upped my calories real fast. But thank you for telling me that is a lot of calories because I feel like I am stuffing myself and most people tell me that I'm not eating enough! If I eat protein like fish...I can only eat about 2 oz. So if I was just to eat "normal" and not try to force myself to finish my protein drinks etc. I'd probably be at around 400 calories. How far out are you?

I hit a stall at about 10 days post op and was told to up my calories and carbs...I did and my stall broke a week and a half later. I don't like upping my carbs though...it is just one of those borderline things that if I can do without...the longer the better for me. And I don't like force feeding myself to meet my calorie goal.

So I do think I need to start listening to my body more.

For me, I had no doubt in my mind that I could lose 100+pounds again...key word AGAIN. I've lost my excess weight countless times before since I was 16.

I didn't get wls because I didn't think I could lose the weight on my own. I made that decision because I didn't want the weight coming back, and with all the things stacked against me as far as weight loss goes I wanted one thing that would help me...a tool. I mean let's face it. We are bombarded by food left and right. It isn't like quitting smoking. You can just go cold turkey and never buy smokes again. You can't just abstain from food ever again. Every day you are forced with a decision. The decision to eat something healthy and normal is easier on some days and harder on others. You are forced with making that decision multiple times a day. I wanted some comfort in knowing that I would have a little help along the way.

My decision wasn't only for myself, but for my 2 year old daughter. I want to be able to be active with her instead of placing her in front of the t.v. because mommy doesn't have enough energy to go out and play. I want to show her how to eat healthy and lead by example.

All in all, doubts are normal. You will have to decide what is right for you and what your reasons are for going through with this. I don't think anyone should ever tell you to get weight loss surgery or don't for that matter...it is only your decision to make.

I guess you just have to think of what you have to lose if you do get the surgery? Maybe 100 pounds...and as others put it...as long as you make that right decision...the weight will fall off pretty effortlessly.

Good luck!

wow you look smaller than 242 lbs!!!

Way to stand your ground. It is surprising how many people don't know what weight loss surgery is and what it entails. I had a coworker who thought I got liposuction because I said I was having weight loss surgery.

That must feel amazing for you! 15 years?

yay for you!

Start taking pictures of yourself in the same outfit every month...then you can compare side to side...and you will see the differences for sure. 70lbs is a lot of weight! I do agree with Melissa also...if this continues seek help. Those thoughts can lead to depression and then to other things. I see a psychologist monthly (because I was a binge eater). I love going actually...good insight, someone to talk to etc. And it is always the case....where you see yourself every day so it is hard to see the changes...where as someone who might see you once a week...the changes are more prominent to them. But you have done awesome!!!

I have no buyer's remorse whatsoever. Best decision of my life. I wish I had it done 50lbs ago! I'm trying to remember all of your questions...

The anesthesia...nah...you won't remember anything. It will be very fuzzy before and after. And a huge chunk in the middle you won't even have a memory of. I haven't had any aversion to food...yet. I can basically eat anything I could before hand. The only thing I ate that was "bad" was a couple days ago...I had a spoonful of this frosting that I was making for my cupcakes for a work party. I had never made it before and wanted to make sure it was good (because I didn't have all of the ingredients and kind of improvised) so I tasted a spoonful...well a half hour later...I had severe stomach cramps...and had to use the toilet. I was like never again!!! Besides that I've stayed pretty safe as far as food choices go. My taste buds haven't changed at all. I definitely don't have the urge to eat all the things that I used to.

Loose skin? I know I will have it. When I was 18 and lost all my weight...I already had loose skin on my arms and my belly below my piko! So if I had it then, I know I will have it now, but much worse. I don't know why people talk about being able to get rid of it or if you lose weight slowly you won't have it. That is a bunch of crock. Some people...genetically (like myself) will just have it based on where fat is distributed and skin elasticity. You know your body best...thats something you will have to figure out.

I took 2 weeks off of work, but probably could have gone back 4 days later. My job is very sit down, no heavy lifting...so easy peasy!!! I definitely would take a few days off...just for you to sleep!

slow loser fast loser? Well...my goal was to lose 30lbs my first month...I have only lost 20lbs. I am not a patient person...so I really wanted my numbers to go down before I go to Ny in May. But after really thinking about it...20lbs in 4 weeks is nothing to fret about! all in all...it doesn't matter...as long as it is coming off then thats great!

Dr. Fowler will give you a picture of your stomach if you want it...just ask him...I have mine...it is when he is inside your body. Pretty cool!

I really think Dr. Fowler tries really hard not to make too many incisions. My belly button isn't pretty, but thats not his fault. It was from my teenage years when I had an infected belly button ring. The other 3 incisions look fine too! very small.

As far as the husband goes...well...no worries. You are already investing your time, money and emotions in this. As long as he knows you are going to do it, then he will be just fine...and afterwards...you will prove to him it was worth it.

hey. You know if I can manage it...I can always pick you up at the airport on your appointment days. I just have to know like a month ahead of time...and you have to be willing to chill with my two year old daughter.

6 months flies by. You can do it. Do they have a weight goal for you?

Whomever thinks this is the easy way out is retarded...it is a drastic lifestyle change

My first experience last week was terrible. I thought they would have at least a Tuna melt on the menu, so I would take it off the bread, well they had nothing like that just big French dip sandwiches and burgers not even a grilled chicken sandwich. Everything was battered or deep fried. I ended up with a cup of homemade clam chowder, which I'm sure was a little heavy on the fat. But 4 bites and 4 saltines later I was stuffed:) Husband ate the rest.

yeah I don't think I will be going out to eat for awhile...or if I do it will be with another wls patient...and we can share.