Teachamy

I think you will find a wide variety of opinions on this topic. I gave up coffee for about 6 weeks post-op and when I returned I really tried to cut down on the caffeine. While the link between caffeine and ulcers is not 100% proven, I do NOT want to get an ulcer on my tiny tummy. At home I brew half-caf to cut down the caffeine.
That being said I very much love my am cup of coffee!
I'm 3+ years post-op btw...

I was talking about not craving sweets one day 3 months post op and that night I had a dream I was a cake baker and had convinced myself I had to sample each cake I made! I "tasted" each bite I took of all those cakes lol

What would life be without forum drama? And popcorn.< /p>

They have GMO cows now that are bred to not have livers or tongues... or perhaps Mcdonalds bought them all up.
You can look, but just don't touch or we will send out the veteran with the ruler to smack naughty boys and girls hands!

I'm right here...I'm just not a she. My man-boobs disappeared long ago thankfully. Replaced by something resembling pecs. I'm happy about it.
Gamergirl is in fact traveling abroad. I talk to her on Facebook occasionally. Laura is taking a break. I have just been kinda busy with life's craziness. It's nice to know we were missed though.

Maybe the disappeared to the "veterans" site that we're all not worthy enough to see.

I keep busy, quit weighing for 2-3 weeks, and yeaaaa, the scale moves! Good luck!

Stalls are evil! My last one started the day after Christmas and just ended late last week. I complained about it... a lot. They are just so so frustrating!
But, all the while, I would work to remind myself that our bodies are designed to take on and hold onto weight just planning go a famine. Then, when the famine arrives, to expend that energy slowly just in case we need it later. What I just did to my body with the surgery easily put it into 'famine mode.' While I might be frustrated during a stall, I also try to remember that my body is just trying to save my life.
Soon enough, it will realize that I really am still eating and it can let go of a little more weight. Then, it will probably freak out again because we're still losing the famine safety net that its been building all these years. If you read accounts of the longer term vets, many say that the weight loss isn't in a straight line, but rather steps down as their body adjusts.
Basically, I understand your frustration and will probably be complaining myself again here too. But don't let it make you feel defeated! This is what your body was made to do! You'll get through it!

Remembering Vitamins and getting in my Water throughout the day.

Start26. Now 132. May 17 13......

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Not me. Once I realized this surgery could rid me of sleep apnea, high blood glucose levels, asthma symptoms, high cholesterol and hbp, I was ready to try it. I also read an article where a doctor said to his patient, "Look around you, how many 70 year olds do you see that are as heavy as you?" Not many. And most of those that do survive are plagued with everything I already have plus an increased risk for heart disease and cancer! I want to live a long, happy life, and I wanted that new life to begin as soon as possible!
That being said, your hesitations and questions are totally valid. We all go through some amount of soul searching before taking this step. i hope you find the right option for you!

So I'm pre-op, but I HAVE had abdominal surgery before. I'm a very pale redhead that scars / marks easily, and it took a couple of years for the redness to go away. That was 14 years ago, and you can still very clearly see the scar, but it's mostly "skin" colored now.

If you click on my profile and look through my pictures, I posted a 6 month scar picture. I will never be a bikini model but I could care less! I weighed about 175 lbs in the pictures.

Whoever "she" is, she'll be wearing white jeans, thigh-high boots, and hats I bet!

Did that topic title entice anyone? My DH is sick of me showing him by brownish/reddish scabs on my stomach. (Odd, huh? He used to think I was sexy!) I am hoping you will indulge me in this conversation since I really am interested. My longish scar has lost some of its scab, while the little ones remain intact. The scar underneath looks pink and looks like it might fade. I guess it doesn't matter because my bikini plans were dashed by stretch marks. LOL! I s'pose there's always laser treatments. Anyway, my question is...did your scars fade? How long did it take? I am one month out tomorrow.
Best,
Amy

Not me. Once I realized this surgery could rid me of sleep apnea, high blood glucose levels, asthma symptoms, high cholesterol and hbp, I was ready to try it. I also read an article where a doctor said to his patient, "Look around you, how many 70 year olds do you see that are as heavy as you?" Not many. And most of those that do survive are plagued with everything I already have plus an increased risk for heart disease and cancer! I want to live a long, happy life, and I wanted that new life to begin as soon as possible!
That being said, your hesitations and questions are totally valid. We all go through some amount of soul searching before taking this step. i hope you find the right option for you!

Whoever "she" is, she'll be wearing white jeans, thigh-high boots, and hats I bet!

I'm only 8 weeks out so I don't have a ton of experience yet, mine are definitely not as noticeable as they were...but I had kidney surgery at 16 and about a 5" scar on my side and I have to look for it bc it's hardly noticeable....maybe my agent the time I don't know, but I'm super hopeful!

Of my clients who struggle with compulsive eating those who have a strong desire to live a joyful, healthy, peaceful life are the most successful in moving from living in the insanity of food obsession to the serenity of a healthy relationship with food and weight. This is because a highly respected and well-nourished body is the foundation upon which such a life must be built. When a person who is overweight and/or a compulsive eater desires to feel good physically, emotionally, and spiritually her motivation to make peace with her body and food is multidimensional; it is not simply wanting to see a particular number when she steps on the scale. It ‘carries with it more weight’ (pun intended!). However many people do not understand that what they eat directly affects their every experience. Do You? Take some time to think about how your weight and relationship with food affect the following areas of your life:



Soulful Living



Food Addiction Part 1



​(Part 1 of this article originally appeared in the WLS Lifestyles Magazine in my Soulful Living Column)



Louisa Latela, LCSW, LCADC


Of my clients who struggle with compulsive eating those who have a strong desire to live a joyful, healthy, peaceful life are the most successful in moving from living in the insanity of food obsession to the serenity of a healthy relationship with food and weight. This is because a highly respected and well-nourished body is the foundation upon which such a life must be built. When a person who is overweight and/or a compulsive eater desires to feel good physically, emotionally, and spiritually her motivation to make peace with her body and food is multidimensional; it is not simply wanting to see a particular number when she steps on the scale. It ‘carries with it more weight’ (pun intended!). However many people do not understand that what they eat directly affects their every experience. Do You? Take some time to think about how your weight and relationship with food affect the following areas of your life:
Physical Health: Are you overweight? Do you have heart disease, diabetes, shortness of breath, sleep apnea, decreased energy, or chronic joint pain? Are there other ways that your weight and food consumption affect you physically?
Emotional Health: Do you harshly judge yourself; feel shame, guilt, anger or self-hatred in relation to your weight or what you eat? Do you experience periods of depression because of your inability to control your eating behavior? Do you ever feel anxious if you do not have certain foods available to you?
Finances: How much money do you spend on food that you use for bingeing, overeating, or avoiding uncomfortable feelings? How much money have you spent on diet books, diet supplements, diet foods, consultations with weight loss professionals, and seldom used exercise equipment and gym memberships? Do you miss time at work because of health problems related to how you eat? Do you believe your weight prevents you from getting a promotion or new job? Are there times that you are not as productive at your job because of how you feel (emotionally or physically) in relation to what you did or did not eat?
Relationships: Do you use your weight as an excuse to avoid relationships? Or, conversely, have you ever stayed in an unhealthy relationship because you believed no one else would want someone your size? Are people in your life inconvenienced by your food related emotional or physical problems? When you eat foods that zap your energy or make you feel ill, are you sometimes nasty, short, or cranky with family, friends, or co-workers?
Sexual Experiences: Does your weight physically or emotionally prevent you from having a satisfying sex life?
Mental Clarity: Do you ever feel a bit dull or foggy in the brain because of the quantity or quality of food you eat?
Activities: Does your weight physically or emotionally prevent you from engaging in healthy, fun activities like hiking, bike riding, swimming, dancing, or playing with your children? Are simple activities of daily living like putting on your socks and shoes becoming increasingly difficult? Do you avoid certain social situations because you don’t want to be seen at your current weight or because you are afraid you will overeat?
Time: How much time do you spend thinking about food or weight issues? How old were you when you first thought you had a problem with food or weight? How many years have you been dealing with this? How many precious moments of your life have you lost to your preoccupation with food and weight?
The purpose of answering the preceding questions is to not elicit feelings of self-blame or harsh self-judgment but rather to increase your awareness of how your current weight and eating behaviors may be preventing you from living a normal, productive life. Understanding that what you eat affects your every physical, emotional, and mental experience can serve to increase your motivation to cultivate a healthy relationship with food.
If you are still riding the yo-yo dieting roller coaster you may have an addictive relationship with food.
Addiction, as defined by Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary, is “the persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful”. Sound familiar? Studies have shown that compulsive overeating and drug addiction share many of the same biological characteristics. For instance, when people eat large quantities of sugar and fat they develop a tolerance for these substances and need more sugar and fat to satisfy them, much like alcoholics and drug addicts who, over time, require increased amounts of alcohol and drugs to get high. Other research has revealed that many obese people and drug addicts have a lower number of dopamine receptors (the feel good receptors) in their brains which make them more likely to crave things that boost dopamine like sugar, alcohol, cocaine or heroin. Also when some people are suddenly cut off from sugar and certain carbohydrates they experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, depression, irritability and strong cravings for the substance from which they are cut off, just like alcoholics and drug addicts do when they are detoxifying from alcohol or drugs.
However; neither acknowledging the depth to which your relationship with food is negatively affecting your life nor understanding the biology of addiction will in and of itself cure your obsession or right your relationship with food.
You may be thinking “Well I know how to eat well and what I need to do to lose weight.” Do you really? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. How many times have you gone on a diet proclaiming “This is it! I will never again be overweight! My eating behaviors have forever changed!!” only to find yourself starting a new diet the following Monday morning? Three, four, five or more times? Sounds like insanity to me! You may know how to diet and temporarily lose weight, but you have not made the internal psychological and emotional shifts necessary to sustain a healthy relationship with food and permanent weight loss. Moving from the insanity of a food and weight obsessed life to the serenity that a loving and respectful relationship with food affords you requires the willingness to consider a new way of thinking and being in the world.
For many it requires learning to live a spiritual life.
Cultivating a relationship with your Authentic Self, looking at yourself through kind and compassionate eyes, being willing to listen to and act on the guidance you receive from your Inner Knowing, and understanding that your true essence is pure love are all part of nurturing your spiritual self. As you mature spiritually, behaviors that no longer serve you will fall by the way side.
On page 15 of “A Course in Weight Loss” Marianne Williamson writes:
“Spiritual growth is a fascinating process if you allow it to be. It is an inner journey from one insight to another, in which helpful realizations fall into place as you are ready to receive them. Twisted thoughts become untwisted once you see them for what they are. Your journey from blindness to spiritual vision precedes your journey from dysfunctional eating to a healthy and wholesome relationship to food; in fact it is a necessary prerequisite for it. As you understand more deeply the roots of your weakness you lay the foundation for the cultivation of new strengths.”
To be continued.....

Not me. Once I realized this surgery could rid me of sleep apnea, high blood glucose levels, asthma symptoms, high cholesterol and hbp, I was ready to try it. I also read an article where a doctor said to his patient, "Look around you, how many 70 year olds do you see that are as heavy as you?" Not many. And most of those that do survive are plagued with everything I already have plus an increased risk for heart disease and cancer! I want to live a long, happy life, and I wanted that new life to begin as soon as possible!
That being said, your hesitations and questions are totally valid. We all go through some amount of soul searching before taking this step. i hope you find the right option for you!

Watch out, he may end up having a heart attack!!!!!!!
Mr. McButterpants is just happy I bought new, smaller underwear!

I was thinking black leather jacket and high boots too....ye haw!!!!!!!!!!!

It means he's hot to trot!!!!!

I showed them to him and he said you little vixen!!!!!!!!!! what does that mean....lol

Next it will be a tube top...LOL You go, make your hubby happy. ( and a little smile inside for yourself!)