Margie122

Congratulations! It's a nice place to be!!

Awesome NSV! [emoji106]????[emoji5]

You look great! Way to go!!!

Interesting article. I was lucky to have insurance that covered it. I would've had to go to Mexico in order to afford it if I had to pay on my own. Insurance companies can and do pay for obesity related complications but not for the surgery to cure it. It's maddening.

ProudMomof2 - I see him this afternoon. I'll let you know

meganliz0824 I can imagine what he said was hurtful. It sounds like he is doubting your success. Is he overweight? How long have you guys been together? Could he be scared of losing you so he is trying to sabotage your weight loss?

shellyd67 - I have my 6 month post-op visit with the surgeon and the NUT today. I had some constipation early on, but Miralax took care of that issue. Congratulations on your success!

NatashaSaysRawr - search for "embrace the stall" and "3 week stall" - you are NOT alone. It's normal. You did not break your sleeve. I had a stall at week 2-3 and then again when I got down into the 220's and again now in the 190's. AGAIN - it is NORMAL. Continue to do what your surgeon and nutritionist told you to do. SIP SIP SIP Water. Get your Protein in. The first few weeks it is hard to do, but continue to try. A lot of people have doubts - I know I did...but if you use your new tool the way it was meant to be used, it will work. It's not magic. You have to do the work, but it can be done.

Unless I know for CERTAIN someone is pregnant I would never comment! I also never say "what a handsome little boy or a beautiful little girl" I use the generic "what a beautiful baby!" because it's just TOO hard to tell sometimes and mother's get CRAY CRAY sometimes when you make a mistake

Has anyone read this book by Brian Wainsik? It was pretty good. My NUT recommended it. There were tips to set up your "food radius" to fat proof and help with mindless eating. Your food radius is your house, restaurants you frequent, grocery store, work, and possibly school. There were some interesting points about how just sitting in a certain place in a restaurant makes you more prone to ordering more food/drink/dessert! It was definitely an eye opener and I'm going to implement some of the techniques. Some of the techniques I'm going to do are - smaller plates/bowls/glasses, no food out on the counters, make sure healthy options are at eye level in the fridge, wrap up tempting leftovers in containers that you can't see what's in it every time you open the fridge. Some interesting facts from the book: "For instance, the average woman who kept potato chips on her counter weighed eight pounds more than her neighbor that didn't."

Mom26 I remember reading your post about your son and praying for him! I know there is a long road ahead for him and all of you...I will keep praying that he will be cancer free! And you are doing so well with everything the world can throw at you.....being strong for your son and taking care of yourself. Congrats on the 198.4 you are a tough lady.

WLSResources/ClothingExch you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I found it helpful.

I like the new look! Just wish I could see people's signatures.

I had a terrible time with the Vitamins. I didn't do the gummies but you should be ok taking them pre-op. Some of them are expensive. I take Celebrate - chewable...because I get my Iron in it and I only have to take two of them. I was taking the Celebrate pills, but sometimes if I didn't take them immediately after eating they would make me wicked nauseous to the point where I threw them up. Also - don't make big investments pre-surgery....your tastebuds will change. I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE unjury Protein shakes...now I can't stand the taste.

I switched to decaf and I'm limiting myself to two cups a day in this frigid weather. I really don't miss the caffeine.

Ok proudgrammy - you are right. What living in Syracuse did do for me though was make me appreciate HOME even more! You guys get way too much lake effect snow for my liking.

betterme38 I lost a decent amount of weight before my surgery. This is what I did. 1) I started eating like a bariatric patient - protein/veg - cut carbs drastically. I also drank no Water 1/2 before or after meals. I found that I was less hungry doing this. 2) I drank a ton of water at other times. I have a 32 oz bottle that I filled twice and made sure I drank throughout the day. 3) I replaced one meal (breakfast) with a Protein shake. I found one I liked and stuck with it. On weekends I would have scrambled eggs instead of Protein shakes. 4) Healthy Snacks - yogurt, string cheese, etc. 5) I hit a plateau and was stuck at a certain weight for a few weeks...the only thing that helped me get through it was upping the intensity of my exercise. You can do it! Oh and practice CHEWING each bite 20-30 times and put the fork down between bites. The other things I did - I bought smaller forks/spoons and plates. I still eat off them now. It works.

My surgeon said to wait a year before having alcohol again. I'm not a big drinker so this isn't a big deal. I think they are worried about cross addiction and drinking your calories.

I would contact the office and ask them. Do you know why you are up? A particularly salty meal? That time of the month? A new medicine? Have you not been tracking or overeating? .5lbs isn't a lot. I would NOT freak out about it. I don't know if this would preclude you from getting approved but I have to think you are NOT the first person this has happened to. Don't freak out until you know you have a reason to freak out. My only other advice is get back on track, drink lots of Water, and review your health policy to see what the EXACT pre-qualifications to have surgery are. GOOD LUCK!

I like Siggi's plain - for recipes in place of sour cream. They have a delicious raspberry and strawberry yogurt too. They've got other flavors but I don't care for those fruits. A serving is 100 calories, 0g fat, 12g carbs, 11g sugars, and 14g of Protein. The stuff is YUMMO.

nicky2221 I promise it gets better! Walk to get rid of the gas and sip sip sip. It's not going to be easy, but every day it gets better....trust!

I had to meet with the nutritionist twice, be cleared by psych, have a sleep test, and have an EKG and ECHO. After that I saw the surgeon and was cleared. It did take a while. I started 4/1/2015 and had surgery on 8/17/2015. It's a lot to keep track of, but stay on top of it It will go by quickly! I know you don't think so ... but it will!

I worked in Syracuse for 3.5 years and still have friends there...does that count?

Jeanette1246 - it gets better. Trust me. Right now you are swollen, etc. and even a little sip of Water could hurt. Just try to sip sip sip and get your fluids in. You do not want to get dehydrated. I was not able to make my water and Protein goals for the first few weeks but I did try. Every day it gets easier. There is no need to be embarrassed by having surgery to lose weight. NONE AT ALL. You did something positive for yourself so you can lose weight, be more active, and be there for your family. I know you said they didn't ask questions, but did you volunteer any info to them? Did you ask them to come to an appointment? Could it be your husband doesn't want to feel like he's intruding? You've got three little boys that I am sure you are busting your butt to take care of. Remember, you can't be there for them if you aren't taking care of yourself. Sometimes you need to ASK for help. Just my .02 It does get better food/water/protein wise! It really really really REALLY does. I've lost over 100lbs and I feel awesome. Right after the surgery I was readmitted with terrible dry heaves and nausea for an additional 3 nights...it wasn't fun....but I got through it and I don't regret a thing!

Jeanette1246 sorry your feelings were hurt. Are you sure it's a stricture? When did you have your surgery? Who did you reach out to for support - family, friends??? You didn't give us enough info. After my surgery I was very swollen and food did feel like it got stuck, but I didn't have a stricture. Let us know more of what's going on so we can see if we can help.