Ava324

YAY! YAY! YAY! Congrats, Ginger! How are you going to celebrate? I'm getting close to my goal and one year anniversary, and I'm not sure what I'll do yet..

I steer everyone who shows interest in surgery to Bariatric Pal. It's been the best resource for me - hands down.

It's super cool! Congrats on being a "poster child" for a successful lifestyle.

Super congrats, and whoa! I hadn't heard the bowling ball comparison before. It really puts it in perspective!

Thanks! I think you're referring to hyoscyamine sulfate, which I do take as needed. Sublingual, right? It does seem to help. I asked the surgeon if some people's sleeve just don't like the surgery, if the spasming just doesn't go away sometimes, but they said absolutely it wasn't normal. Some days are better than others. Sometimes it's every 30 mins and sometimes I only notice it happening twice in a day. Today's been a low frequency day.

Persistent abdominal pain. >< I get a wave/spasm of pain in my upper stomach about every 30 mins to an hour. I had spasms right after surgery that were supposed to go away. But it's only getting worse and more frequent.. It's gnawing and is worst when my stomach's empty. My brain thinks it's hunger pains, so I want to eat my arm and I get very hangry. Eating doesn't relieve it though! I'll want to eat my arm again 30 mins later. It's more of a nuisance pain. Just bad enough to make me grimace and say "ow ow ow ow". It's not even bad enough to interrupt sleep. They've ruled out my gall bladder (ultrasound and HIDA scan), and they've ruled out strictures (CT scan and GI/barium swallow). I want to know what it is and have a fix! Next is an endoscopy to look for ulcers. If everything's normal on the inside too, the surgeon suggested exploratory laproscopic surgery to look at the outside.

Joining my gym was the best thing I ever did! Pre-surgery I was a member at a big fitness club (pool, cafe, computer area, etc.) and I was real uncomfortable there. Too many times I'd go, get in gym clothes, buy a smoothie, hop on a computer for a bit and then leave. The small Anytime Fitness I'm at now is perfect. The trainers greet us all by name. Early in my membership I missed 10 days in a row and they actually called to check on me. Distance is a huge factor too! It's just 5 minutes from my house, where the big club was 10 and a few to find a parking spot. Just that little bit matters. Best wishes on finding a gym that work for you!!

Congrats! Too funny that you accidentally found yourself in the Plus section. I'm sure you're rocking those 8s, and I'm glad it improved your mood.

That's tough... My husband favored BBW before I had surgery. Honestly, I preferred bigger men as well. I've lost 118, and he's lost 65 (w/o surgery), and happily our tastes have just followed each other's body types. Turns out we're just attracted to each other, period.

Congratulations!!

Thanks everyone! I've been overweight since I was 8 years old and went on to become morbidly obese. This is surreal. I wish you all the best of luck on your own weight loss journey!

Congrats on the loss! Not carrying that around anymore is a big deal!

That IS a big accomplishment. Super congrats! Glad you enjoyed it so much.

My first one is 8/15, and I'm even more inspired. Thanks!

How did it go?

Have fun, and good for you for not backing out when your support has!

Congrats!!