Beach Lover

This was very interesting and completely validates my thoughts. I have always believed in the Atkins diet and with the help of my sleeve it is completely doable. Carbs are just a big bad no no for me and will only be in my diet for special occasions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Fortunately my sleeve does the job and keeps those limited also! Thanks for posting this.

These look really really yummy!!

I have to hurry up and finish my Christmas shopping because I am finding that I buy something for someone and then 1 for me! For so many years I stayed out of the stores and now I am rapidly becoming a shopaholic!! I just got home from the outlet mall (Thank God there is one close by!) and my 2 daughters and I were in the same dressing room trying on clothes and it was so much fun!! I feel so liberated from Lane Bryant!!

She is adorable!! Happy Holidays!!

LOL That is me all over the place!! I have a new freedom and sometimes it is overwhelming but I am having a lot of fun with it! My daughter doesn't look it but she is actually going to be 23 in 10 days and graduating from college in the spring with her bachelors of science (teacher). So when we go shopping I have to try and beat her to some of the racks!!

My word!!Should I pass I hope I come back in the next life as I beautiful young in shape female surf instructor!!! You know I have often asked myself why can I have a skinny athletic daughter and have the body type that I have. She honestly was one of the reasons why I had had enough of being obese and wanted to live again. I will never look like that but I can be healthy and shop in the same stores with her now. I loved shopping with her but was always sad that I couldn't buy clothes in the same stores. The other day we went into White House Black Market Outlet and bought the same top. for me that was a victory! Thank you............. But I think you have a couple of beautiful children yourself!!

Actually I was thinking you look really skinny! I didn't even think to take any of me yesterday. I have spent so many years running from the camera. It is going to take me some time to get comfortable with it. You look really good!

You are looking fantastic!!

Merry Christmas to you!! Goal and 22,000 saved!! I am very happy for you!!

Thanks, who was your surgeon? My surgeon was Dr. Shillingford. I was a self pay and he charged $10,500 and did a fantastic job!

I'm in Palm Coast but my surgery was in Boca Raton. Best of luck to you!!

Those kids are so adorable! So which one is the surf instructor? (Of the daughters I mean, not the grand kids so much ) The younger one is the surf instructor. Thank you about the grandkids I can't kiss them enough!

This is a few of my pictures of my family yesterday. I did the cooking and they did most of the eating! The first one is my youngest daughter with my grandchildren and the second one is my oldest one with her new baby.

You have a beautiful family and you are looking amazing! Your beach is absolutely beautiful and I am sure you had a fantastic day spending Thanksgiving with your family in such a beautiful setting!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! 5 pounds down!! Last Week 224 This Week 219

Welcome Dani!! You will be amazed at how quickly you can lose the weight and begin a new life! The key to success is to change your lifestyle that caused the weigh gain. Please use the forum help. You would be amazed at what we all have in common and how we can help each other!

I am so sorry to hear that you are back in the hospital! I wish for you a speedy recovery!! You will be in my prayers!

I would have to say there will be a certain amount of self satisfaction the next time you see them. I am glad you don't need their acceptance because quite frankly they would have to work for mine after being that rude. The most important thing is your personal happiness and the relationship between you and your husband. Good luck to you with your journey!!

Hi Bea, CW is 221 GW is 211 I hope I go past that but I will be happy with reaching the goal! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Nope no soda for me. It was a bummer and I still on occasion really want one but I don't partake. I too have read the information that diet soda does cause weight gain. More than anything I gave it up and don't want to start it back up. I have taken to drinking tea and half decaf coffee (1 in the morning) and obviously Water.

Wear very loose clothes to the hospital. You will only have them on for a few hours and you can then wear them home. Bring your toiletries, pillow for travel home (put on your stomach to help with the bumps in the road), Gas X strips, chapstick, phone and that's it. You won't be able to wear your pj's because of the IV's, they will give you nonskid socks to walk around in and you can use a 2nd hospital gown as a housecoat so no one will see your business. I was way to loopy to use my laptop that I brought with me so that one is up to you. When you are pre op ask the nurse for a private room if you can get one that is when they assign you to your room. When you are post op ask the floor nurse for the flavored sponges. They hydrate your lips and mouth...........A lifesaver for me! Best of luck to you!!

You are looking absolutely fantastic!! Way to go girl!!

Relax.............This is totally normal just as you said. I too had the same feelings. Now I am 5 months post op and the only thing I wished was that I had done it sooner. Think of all the positive threads you have read and how grateful people are for having done this. It is an adjustment but not something you can't do. You can do this and be very successful. I was a size 22/24 and now I wear a large and shop off the racks of any store I want to go to. My blood pressure is now 100/66 and I feel terrific. Hang in there..........You got this!!

No not at all. I wondered if that would be a side affect but nothing happened just new hair growth.

It is very true that acid mimics hunger and the acid reducer is the magic cure. I take 1 in the morning and sometimes 1 in the evening. I used to take it in the evening all the time but don't seem to need it as much now. The miralax is something that a lot of people take daily or colace which is what I take every morning to avoid the dreaded constipation.