nmck

Girl it's been of the hook!
Now if I could just find someone to do it with..

Ok, so I experienced 2 minor victories today and am kinda happy about them.
1. Got on the scale and realized I now weigh less ( by 4.5 lbs) than my hubby . Grant it he is 8 inches taller than me but none the less, I no longer out weigh him.
2. Today I went shopping at the MALL! Walked all corridors ( minus the food court) on both floors without having to knock anyone down trying to sit at a bench . (Coming from the girl who only a few short months ago could barely walk into a grocery store from the parking lot, then had to cling to the cart for dear life just to make it around the small market).
P.s. it has been over 4 years since I have even attempted to shop at the mall. My hubby said I was weaving all over the walk way as I kept turning my head this way and that to take in all of the sights.

I had a troublesomefirst pregnancy followed by a twin pregnancy and got TONS of unsolicited advice. Also, with all 3 of my kids being preemies, I got more of the same. I learned a phrase my OB taught me and have used it A LOT over the years. "I've discussed this with my doctor already. Thank you!" I've used many variations of this in the years since, and think it should fit nicely in this situation. "I'm following my doctor's orders and am being closely monitored."

I had some one say to me the other day, "what did you do to your face? You look different." One of my friends chimed in and said, she's lost some weight! The face questioner responded, "oh." Ha. My good friend then said I look even more beautiful than before...put that jerk right in her place. Loved it.

nmck, great phrase, which I will steal if you don't mind :-)
And GamerGirl, won't be long before you are being told the same!!!
While I have had a rant, I am so happy to be here rather than where I was. I have also started to get the once over from guys and, trust me, I ain't offended, lol.

I had a troublesomefirst pregnancy followed by a twin pregnancy and got TONS of unsolicited advice. Also, with all 3 of my kids being preemies, I got more of the same. I learned a phrase my OB taught me and have used it A LOT over the years. "I've discussed this with my doctor already. Thank you!" I've used many variations of this in the years since, and think it should fit nicely in this situation. "I'm following my doctor's orders and am being closely monitored."

I just wanted to say before the holiday officially kicks in, please take a moment to congradulate yourself - wherver you are, whatever you are doing- give yourself a moment and just recognize that even just being here makes you pretty awesome.
The food and family for many of us is going to be pretty think this weekend, for others maybe we are lonely as a kiddo is away or grandbabies are back into a school routine. We have too many plans, or forgot to make any - maybe you forgot you made plans and will be (no kidding) touring a BLUEBELL ICECREAM FACTORY -
Just remind yourself to not give in. This is WHY your lost the weight - to have enough evergy to do this, to be here for this, to see your kiddos at holiday or weekends. Let that be a treat, not the cookie or bite of something - even just to see if it goes down.
I suggest this if you get too stressed: take 'savasanna'.
lay down, stretch out - calm, quiet, alone. lock a door. do it in the bathroom or a large closet, if necessary.
breath in and out with a hand on your tummy, the other on your heart, feel the breath come from your abdomen, near your belly button, feel it fill that space back in...when you have a steady pace, relax your arms out casually by your side, make sure you bum is out from under your sit bones, your shoulder blades out and down relax everything - don't forget your jaw!
take a moment to just feel the ground holding you - let the world support you for a change - nothing more needed from you for a few (or several) moments than to just breath, be supported, be awesome....
when you are ready, come back with slow, gentle movements, deep beaths as you come back.
YOU ARE AWESOME!!! YOU!!! YES YOU!!!
Namaste.

Had my 2-week post-op appointment today, and I'm feeling great! Still sore at my two major incision sites (man, I miss sleeping on my stomach!) but besides that, I'm taking multiple-mile walks a day and following the diet prescribed by my surgeon.
He was SUPER impressed with the fact that I've lost 5% of my BMI since the start of this process, woo hoo! I took a new photo of me (and my happy, I've-lost-34-lbs-since-July-26 smile) and loved how much my face has changed since the start of my pre-op diet.
Just wanted to share this small victory, and encourage everyone to follow their surgeon's plan, get plenty of exercise, and remember to stop and enjoy the little victories along the way!
Have a great Labor Day, everyone!

I truly don't believe there are any in the long term. Even the grape skins aren't a problem after you heal despite what some say. I am 9 months post op and can eat anything I choose to, the key is not to choose to eat some things.

Just had my first "oooh surely u can't have any more weight to lose.... got to be careful u don't get too thin"....
I explained patiently that I am still overweight and that I am trying to get to a normal BMI. But there was still a great deal of sucking of teeth before I was told I needed to be really careful or my pretty little face will collapse!
As this person never told me to look after myself when I was overweight, I am treating this as insincere concern ... but getting my defence ready for other comments. This is way harder than comments about the surgery, this feels more personal.... But bring it on, I am sooooo ready for the next comment :-))))

Lol...thanks for the responses. I finally broke down and told my hubby about my concern. His response "you let me worry about your vagina, I know what it needs". Lmao...so glad to have such a a great man. Still worried about her though....have it on my list to buy a hand held mirror!! Will monitor closely and keep everyone updated! Lol

My friend, all the above are good advice.
I worry that the REAL danger of a stall, is to cause your head to give up, and then THAT would be a problem. WE ALL go through times of no loss., followed by a good loss. Just follow your program!!! DO NOT GIVE UP!
I see you are from Syria. I pray that you, all your family and friends, and ALL the people of Syria can remain safe in this terrible time.

Just dropping in to say hi:
I am 2 year and 4 months out. Have been at goal for 1 year and 9 months. Life is so great on this side. The weight has been off almost two years!
At this point I still have zero problem maintian my wieght, I am still not hungry ever!!!
Some things that have changed.
I have found that food just doesn't hold interest for me much anymore. I can take it if leave it. A protien bar is as good as having sushi. I just dont care really. This is a good thing!!!! It took a while to get used to that. For a while it was a little sad ro me. But that passed also. Simple fact. "Nothing tastes as good as thin!" And a time does come where you really aren't controlled by food anymore. What a blessed time that is! Stay focused on your goals and all the new life you will have. It is worth far more than any food you will not eat.
The kids climbing into your lap in a reatraunt booth, riding all the roller coasters at six flaggs with them, kayaking with your sweet heart, running a race, wearing that sexy outfit on a dinner date, buying clothing at any store!!!!! Catching a stranger checking you out, and it isnt because they are afraid you might sit on them, all priceless. Best of all, extending your life!
Go suck the marrow outta life friends! Thats something we can eat our fill of :-)

I thought those leg massager things were the coolest things. Wish I had them at home just for how good they felt.

I had my surgery July 8th & I have lost 37 lbs in total including pre-op diet & 29 lbs since surgery... I don't know if I'm considered to be a slow loser but I'm certainly proud of my results... I don't count my inches but I have lost a lot of them...

I was sleeved on 7/19 and was 319 lbs that morning. I think I am around 300 now, but not sure exactly as I hid my scale in an inconvenient place b/c I was tired of feeling frustrated. I can tell I feel a lot smaller and am looking different to myself. I definitely feel less frustrated not weighing in. Seeing a number higher than I expected was making me feel like I was failing.

Interesting article!
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/scientists-obese-have-higher-levels-hunger-hormone-their-blood-6C10639235

The main point of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver as much as possible. During surgery, a large fatty liver can get in the way of the stomach and make the surgery more difficult. The pre-op diet is not necessarily to lose weight, though that tends to be a side effect, but simply to get that liver nice and dinky so surgery is easier to perform.
I don't think it's a good idea to skip it or shorten it. Just stick with what your surgeon tells you.

This week I noticed that after being down just over 40lbs my seat belt retracts in the car when I get out. I used to have to pull on it to make it go back in place.

Well... My secret is I had surgery! Shhhh......
Don't tell hunny

Amazing! I was thinking this very thing the other day after eating a pitiful amount of food. I was full, of course, because I have a little tummy. Then the guilt set in like it always did when I had the same feeling with my big, stretchy belly.
Somehow, a deeper level of consciousness came over me and I realized that the guilt was a ghost from the past. "I have eaten within guidelines", I told myself, "Wake up!"
I have other ghosts from addictions past: drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, promiscuity, that come to haunt me from time to time either with guilt or invitations to return to prison. I realize and rejoice that I am not that man anymore.
I turn on the lights, they vanish.

Lol. I'm sorry, it just sound so funny. I hope that you never have to experience that again. We're all glad your feeling better and I think you taught us all a lesson as well. I'm 4 weeks post and I know....STAY AWAY FROM chocolate SPOONS.
Take care ( big smiles )

I am 5 weeks post-op and have stuck pretty much exactly to my program's guidelines for diet progression. Today, I made brownies to take somewhere, and I licked the spoon when finished. I did it without thinking, but figured it wouldn't be too bigof a deal for any reason due to the small quantity. Brownies have always given my heartburn in the past, but I certainly didn't expect it out of such a small amount.
I was WRONG!For the next 2 hours, I suffered the worst heartburn I have ever felt. I'm sure I will never do that again. And, how cool would it be if I could not tolerate chocolate??

I am 5 weeks post-op and have stuck pretty much exactly to my program's guidelines for diet progression. Today, I made brownies to take somewhere, and I licked the spoon when finished. I did it without thinking, but figured it wouldn't be too bigof a deal for any reason due to the small quantity. Brownies have always given my heartburn in the past, but I certainly didn't expect it out of such a small amount.
I was WRONG!For the next 2 hours, I suffered the worst heartburn I have ever felt. I'm sure I will never do that again. And, how cool would it be if I could not tolerate chocolate??

I am 5 weeks post-op and have stuck pretty much exactly to my program's guidelines for diet progression. Today, I made brownies to take somewhere, and I licked the spoon when finished. I did it without thinking, but figured it wouldn't be too bigof a deal for any reason due to the small quantity. Brownies have always given my heartburn in the past, but I certainly didn't expect it out of such a small amount.
I was WRONG!For the next 2 hours, I suffered the worst heartburn I have ever felt. I'm sure I will never do that again. And, how cool would it be if I could not tolerate chocolate??