Not Applicable

I got Restylane (filler) to my tear troughs (under my eyes) and to the nasal labial folds (the wrinkles from my nose to the corners of my mouth) to fill out some of the newly defined wrinkles I am seeing on my face! For me, it definitely helped. However, I am a receptionist at a plastic surgeon's office so thankfully I get reduced pricing for fillers & Botox.
Off topic side note: it's not fun being the only morbidly obese person in a small plastic surgeon's office of 8 women (not including the doc) who are all size 6 & under. Especially when they complain at lunch about how fat they think they are.... If they at size 4 are fat, what does that make me???? Sigh.... (Please excuse my gripe).

I can only speak for myself but, I am very happy with my VGS!! No regrets now at 11 months and 112# off. However, I did have complications the first 2 months and wondered whether I had done the right thing. Never true regret. Never posted any regrets, either.
I am Kim and yes, I am a recovering compulsive overeater. I have gone to OA, so I know that there tools to use to get thru food cravings and abnormal feelings toward food. Also, I lost 96# of my 200 I needed to lose on my own while I researched the VSG and waited for insurance approval. Also had to save money for it. So, I guess I've never looked at it as a quick fix/magic cure for obesity. I'm just so darned happy to have my health back, look amazing, feel great!! I have a very busy social life, too. Plus, I still see a therapist to talk to about my WLS journey, the same therapist who gave me his blessing pre-op. I feel sorry for those who have regrets. If there is anyone out there who needs a WLS friend to talk to private message me.

I think some people get thrown by the word addiction. Am I a food addict, heck yes! Did I eat when I was stressed, yes! Did I eat when I was bored, yes! Did I eat in social situations, yes! Did I eat to Celebrate, yes! I totally needed the sleeve to help me get into good habits and overcome that part of my brain that would tell me "You've had a rough day, you deserve that chocolate"! Now to me, that totally sounds like an addict! This journey has been more psychological than I ever could have imagined!
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OK the group leader walked up to me when I was in line to weigh in and sign up and asked me if I were a life timer LOL!
I said nope. They didn't ask about wls so I didn't say, I know they frown on that so yeah.
SO according to their chart I need to lose 4 lbs to get to goal, according to my own personal chart I need to lose 14 lbs. I can do this, I will do this.
Need to stop some real bad habits and start back to the good ones!
Best wishes everyone!

haha...I have some halos around lights at night (common side effect--but I'm used to it now) and sometimes I see a rainbow prism around white light from my left eye only (extremely unusual side effect). It's really the new normal to me after 9 years or so (sort of like how our mind now thinks half a cup of food is a normal portion of food, to keep this on topic) and I LOVE being able to work out (also on topic) and not worry about glasses, especially when swimming, or walking when it's hot or cold (no foggy glasses). Also like to wake up in the middle of the night and be able to see the digital clock.

Down 15lbs from surgery Jan.14, 2013. I lost 55 on pre-op diet which I started last May 2012. Happy with overall weight loss! However, I must admit, I'm a little mesmerized by the huge amount of weight lost by other Jan. sleevers. It's challenging not to compare!

I had 3/4 a Cadbury egg. Considering I usually eat at LEAST 15 a season, I'm not gonna beat myself up. It was delicious. And I didn't even WANT the rest of it. I call that a success!

My feeling about coworkers is that they are just that--coworkers. Unless you're going to church with them, having them over for dinner, or going on vacation with you, they are not your friends, so if you want to keep it your own business don't tell them anything. People will be supportive until they feel threatened, especially in the work unit.
As far as it being the easy way out, why the hell not? The "hard way" hasn't worked, hasn't gotten you anywhere, so why keep doing it. I don't drive my car with square tires either.

I have been on the losers side for 6 weeks now, just a rough 6 weeks.. Lol. Down 38lbs now which is exciting. I still wouldn't change it for anything. Bring it on is what I say, ha. Thanks for the encouraging words, you guys are awesome in my book.

I would highly recommend making an appointment with a psychologist as soon as possible.

I started researching surgical options last January, when I committed to the idea of surgery in June, I joined weight watchers to start me off, at that time I was at my highest weight of 355. I felt starting in a good place was going to benefit me overall. Not only to make me as healthy as possible for surgery, but to get into good habits before the restriction set in. I cut out carbonated beverages overall and began walking more. I was 317 when I submitted my paperwork in September and 296 when I went for surgery in December. I'm now happily down to 245 and am very happy I took the steps I did prior to surgery. I didn't have the added stress of entirely new eating habits after surgery, and felt my head hunger was very much under control. Granted I didn't lose huge numbers as some do after surgery, but I'm slower and steady and I'm ok with that. My doctor said losing a chuck before surgery might make the numbers go down a little slower, but again, I'm ok with that. I'm focusing on the big picture.
Good luck!

2 months out: Grilled salmon with a few slices of avocado on top. Yummy!

I was just thinking how some people I know have questioned my going on vacation to Mexico! To resort towns like Cancun and Cabo, which are totally safe. They aren't border towns known for drug violence, and I am always safe/smart when I travel. I think there are a lot of misperceptions both about Mexico (which is a lovely country with lovely people) and this surgery.

I'm glad sharing my experience helps to calm you anxiety. Reading lengthy recounts helped me a lot too and I wanted to pay it forward.
Amanda Rae

I'm approved!!!!!

I am looking forward to so many things. I had done really well with my band until it slipped, and I was the smallest I've been since jr high. I can't wait to be able to cross my legs again, and fit into the seats at the movies comfortably. And to wear heels again!
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Off topic here. Just wanted to tell you I love your profile pic. Thank you.

I agree with Laura-ven, hydrate before your workout and you should be good. Also, ease into it so you don't overdo it while your healing.

As long as we're complaining can we start a thread on how to spell losing? I can not get over all these people loosing weight! I wanna know what loose weight is!!

Lol.. You reminded me of when I had a question my dad always told me to go look it up in the encyclopedia or dictionary. I'm a teacher and I'm always saying... Google is your friend! LOL.. you crack me up

Do you guys ever regret your surgery? liquid diet? I'm tired of liquids can I eat a taco? I'm always hungry? Two week stall? liquid diet? Slow loser? Telling anyone? Leak? Complications? Diet? Liquid diet? Gas? Bmi? Sex? Time off work? Loose skin? Trolling?
Search bar: does amazing things!!!!
There's a ton of amazing things you can find! If you don't feel like your question was answered well, go to the search bar there's thousands of us! Enjoy!

A couple weeks ago, 2 of Fred's grandaughters left the compound. Yay! So brave. 1 of them was still in HS, but she turned 18. He has had 3 kids who have left now, and several grandkids. A lot of people around here have a theory that Fred is actually gay. That thought makes me smile.
It is tough living here at times, because of him. We have lived here since 1998. That year my daughter went to see the Nutcracker Ballet at our Performing Arts Center. She came home and asked me, "What is a ***?" I cried. Same scenario two years later when my son went with his class. My husband and I were the youth directors at our church for 10 years, and we ran into them frequently. One time at a community event, I was having a hard time finding the church that was sponsoring. It was in the middle of a residential area. I turned around a couple times before I saw WB getting their signs out of their trunks. I parked behind them, waited till they were a few yeards in front of us, then started that way. They led me to the church, where they started getting set up for their protest.
I walked up to Shirley Phelps Roper and and said, "I just wanted to thank you."
She smiled and said, "I am not not sure why, but you are welcome."
I replied, "Well, I couldn't find this place. I drove around and around looking for it, and then I saw you guys. You led me straight here. Without you, I amy never have found it!"
She called me a ***** and a ****. That wasn't the first time..and it wasn't the last time.
I am always proud of the way Topeka rallies against them. Recently, we had two police officers killed in the line of duty. There were thousands and thousands of people that lined the entire parade route so that the Phelps couldn't protest. The funerals and memorials lasted all day, and there were people working together in shifts taking care of our law enforcement families.

This is awesome! I'm in Iowa, which is close enough that we get lots of visits from the WBC. They protested our church a couple of years ago because we allow gay marriage and have held commitment ceremonies for years before that. While they spewed hate, we made them Breakfast.