Arts137

and I am not a female, but am not bothered by any info. Remember, we've all had people playing with our insides and removing a majority of our stomach. Please see your OB-GYN. Very likely homonal see for basics: http://www.paleoforwomen.com/the-physiology-of-womens-weight-loss-part-i-estrogen/ And yes, menstruation and anemia can certainly go hand in hand.

Donegon and Broncho are right. Just do it, even if so, so, so very hard. Celebrate your hard work, with things other than food!

Coach while we all are different, I lose cravings IF I can avoid processed or simple carbs for 3/4 days. If I give in, I've got ANOTHER 3/4 days of craving hell to go through....

I agree with ManBat (and I am also 64) I believe I have come to agree that silence and a smile, or a "Why do you ask?" response is generally appropriate. BUT REMEMBER, there is a reason why I believe this way. At the core of my being is the strongly held belief that "When I want your opinion, I'll beat it out of you". I do NOT give advice unless asked, and I do not ask for advice (generally preferring my own research) Made school fun. Teachers sure got tired of me.

I'd LOVE to see the quinona/bean salad and the Greek Yogurt cheese recepies!!!

YES, MD or ER... Dehydration is a bad thing

Lets work backward. I will "pass" on mashed potatos and dressing/stuffing. But I bet that I see brussel sprouts and cauliflower on the holiday menue. And HUMMUS is a great low Glycemic Index snack, but not on chips or crackers...

SLOOOOOW... not too much discomfort, and I enjoyed the good hospital drugs!

My program askes for a 6 month wait. I followed that even though I LOVE wine and have a fairly large "collection". Two reasons, alcohol can irritate the healing stomach and they worry about transerring our addiction from food to alcohol. I am now part 6 months and have had a few glasses of wine. My tastes seem to have changed some... liking the 'meatier' reds now. Had a sip of brandy, but could tell that my stomach was not happy so I stopped!

OH, and popcorn is a SUPER High High Glycemic Index Food!

At 423# my BMI was about 55. I went with the sleeve since it can proceed to bypass if needed, but this "bigger" procedure might not be needed... My options remain. I am 6 months out and have lost 100# from my highest weight at 46# since surgery.

You will feel better day by day. Get the Water in. Move/walk as much as you can. I used to sleep on my side, but now I sleep on my back. Go figure???!!!

All of life is choices. The sleeve is a BIG choice. A cookie is not a BIG choice. Who knows what you will choose then? Let's home that your choices will let you continue your journey!!! What you want then might differ from what you want now.

You sound like a Cool Bird, then and now!

Hang in there "This too shall pass"

hmmmm ASK, there IS a point to the pre-op very low calorie diet, it shrinks the liver and that helps the surgeon. BUT some surgeons do not ask the patient to do this...

Madame, you can still have the butter AND the salt... (but maybe not the bread) And I, having grown up in the 60s, admit that I HAVE reformed but I have NOT repented!!!

RJ's, and all: You said: "People are talking about me...People are waiting to see me...People are looking at me..People are making judgments about me. I just wanted to become invisible...No one would look at me because I was no longer morbidly obese..It does not seem to have happened.....I was scared! " One of the few GREAT things about being fat was invisability. All people would see is "oh, there's a FAT guy" and never look further. And I LIKED being invisable. But no more (though being an OLD guy is not bad for the same reason). Again, a GREAT and honest thread. In the end, what choice do I have? Really... The choice for me is life or death, and I still want a little more healthy years. The payment may feel steep, but all in all it's a fair trade. PS, I love you all... all my "newly visable" compatriots!

This is a terrible story. "RATE HIM" on the site!!!

This was me! I slept all night and took naps during the day whenever I could! For me it got better, but not till 4+ months out!!!

Some lose fast some slow. Some lose more of their excess weight, some less. But when watching these boards EVERYONE has stalls. My BIG one was the 5th month out...

AOK, then that's your plan.. Mine was a two week Optifast fast, but surgical practices differ!

Mommy, Not me, before OR after. (and I am sure you are as lovely now as you were in your picture AND that you will be lovely after you lose your weight!)

TOTALLY depends on your surgeon's practice. My drain was pulled right before my discharge.

I waited 6 months for wine, and it was OK. I will remain fairly strict during the holidays and focus on the family and the love rather than the food. That's just me!