LumpySpacePrincess

Is it possible? Sure! But what happens when you have your first bite of real food after 5,6,7 months and it tastes so good that you can't stop yourself? I tend to over-restrict when I'm on a diet, which at some point will lead to an enormous binge when I finally do eat. My surgeon told me that we have to start eating solid food at two weeks out because if you don't, your digestive system gets all messed up and your stomach won't function properly. To give you a really grim example, I know a woman who was liberated from Auschwitz after the war. She said many people there had been living off some strange broth for months before the liberation came in. The soldiers made the mistake of giving some of these people their solid rations and many of them died within a couple of days from the shock to their system. Stomach cramps, diarrhea, irregular insulin production probably in there, too. So while its a good idea in theory to try to lose weight, it won't work in the long term.

I have the same goal! My birthday is June 16, and last time I weighed I was 208. I'm not weighing again until my birthday because I want it to be a surprise. Good luck!! I'm sure you'll have a great birthday when you see that 1 as the first number!!

I had them, and I got my approval in about 6 days. Longest 6 days of my life, but thrilling to hear I was approved at the end. Good luck!! Who is your surgeon?

Over the last month or so, I have noticed an increasing shift in my view of other overweight individuals. Yesterday, a friend of mine who is considered super morbidly obese posted an article about fat acceptance. Part of the article talked about how doctors need to be nicer to obese people and not blame everything on their weight. Most of the rest just talked about how overweight people should be loved no matter what. Before surgery, I would have completely agreed with 100% of this article. Now that I am on the other side, my perspective has changed drastically. In no way do I think anyone should be put down or pushed around because of their size, or any other part of their appearance for that matter. Everyone is equally deserving of love and respect. However, I have a decreasing tolerance for these "beautiful as you are" campaigns as they relate to obesity. They are basically telling women we are fine the way we are, don't change. The problem is, they are being used as emotional security blankets for so many people to not make the necessary changes to become healthy individuals. How can I, as someone who, until very recently was considered super morbidly obese and had 100% of all my health issues resolved when I lost the weight simply tell other overweight individuals that they are fine the way they are? I understand doctors so much better now. I was embarrassed and humiliated when my OB/GYN told me a few years ago that I was one of the largest patients she'd ever seen, and she also treats metabolic problems in women. I didn't want to go back after she got upset because I'd gained 40 pounds on metformin. But now I realize one crucial point: doctors are not trying to be cruel, they're telling us a truth we're not ready to hear. That same doctor saved my life when she told me I needed weight loss surgery. I had to write to my friend privately and tell her just that. I told her I love her and I believe she is a beautiful individual, a talented professional and so gifted in so many areas of her life, but I can no longer tell her that being obese is OK because that's just who she is. I'm wondering how many others have changed perspective after losing a lot of weight? I hope I'm not coming across as harsh, but I see the years of denial I went through and don't like to see others suffer the same fate. The truth might be heartbreaking for some to hear, but it would be even more heartbreaking to not say something and watch someone slowly suffer.

At four months I was eating about 1/4 to 1/3 cup chunky foods, or about 6 ounces of things like yogurt and thick liquids or purees. At 5 months out, I can reasonably eat about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of chunkies and about 8 ounces of purees, but I always keep my portions to 1/2 cup, except for greek yogurt which my NUT told me to eat the full 8 ounces of. In terms of what I eat...well, the only things I don't eat are rice and Pasta because they fill me up too fast. I tend to try to stay away from breads and starchy veggies because they are sliders for me. I do occasionally have a treat, like Cookies, chips, etc, but I keep it to one single measured serving or less per week. I tend to lose at a steady rate even when I eat these things, but I know many people who can't; I consider myself lucky. I get in a single serving of veg per day, and try to get in a couple servings of fruit per week (apples mostly). I will usually cook up a big pot of something on the weekend and eat it three meals a day for almost a week. Last week was turkey chilli with beans; this week its Thai green curry with chicken and veggies. Next week I'm thinking low-fat beef stew or low carb spare ribs. The only other thing I eat daily without fail is the 1/2 cup of 2% milk I put in my Cappuccino in the morning.

Take some children's liquid tylenol and see if it helps the fever. If it does, then you're fine. If not, then I'd let your surgeon know.

It depends on the insurance. I had completed the 6 month diet before I even considered surgery. It was at the end of that 6 month diet monitoring that my doctor told me I needed surgery because I kept gaining weight. It didn't affect my insurance approval, it actually showed that I couldn't lose the weight on my own. If you are unsure, call the surgical coordinator at your surgeon's office. They are very knowledgable about what each insurance company is looking for and can help you.

I think it really depends on the people in your life. I told everyone I know via Facebook, and then called a few people on the phone and told them there as well. I have a ton of really supportive people in my life, and even the one or two who were skeptical I just ignored their comments. Now at 5 months out I can say everyone is happy I told them. I think a lot of people have reservations about telling others because they are afraid they will be seen as a failure at losing weight on their own. To me that's like saying someone who goes through chemotherapy is a failure at beating cancer on their own. You are doing the absolute best thing for yourself and you should be proud that you are taking the steps to regain your health and your life.

OK almost all of us have been through the hair loss stage after surgery. Right now I look like a reverse Bozo the Clown with no hair on the sides and tons on the top! But what about a sudden spurt of new hair growth in weird places? I'm suddenly growing a lot of hair...well, between my "cheeks". Like TONS of it. Am I the only one, or is this common?

Totally normal! At a month out, you'll be telling people this was the best thing you've ever done! Its scary at first, but wonderful as the months go on.

I say go for the courthouse wedding and invite a few close friends out for dinner after. Weddings usually aren't for the bride and groom, but more to show off for everyone else. I will say that my first marriage sounds a lot like the setup (family problems etc) that yours is, and we would probably still be together if we had kept family out of it and just eloped. Instead the wedding turned into a big fiasco and years later his family still hates me because I didn't take his grandmother's advice on my hairstyle. Look at it this way: get married now because you want to be married. If you want a big party later, you can always hold a wedding to renew your vows. Take the money you'll save and have a really nice vacation, just the two of you!

I'm down a little over 100 pounds, and even though I still have over 60 to go until my goal, I'm wondering if its time to think about a panni. When I lay down, you can easily see my ribcage, and my stomach fat and panni just kind of sit in this...hole on top. Or everything flops to one side all loose. For those who have gone through plastics, have I lost enough to be considered for a panni? I don't want a tummy tuck because my muscles under the fat are fine and firm. Did anyone pay out of pocket, and if so, what was the cost?? I am really eager to get this thing removed. It started growing when I was about 12 years old and never really shrinks. It feels like the fat isn't even attached to my body anymore, just kind of sitting inside this skin sack on my stomach. Thanks for the advice!!

I go to Red Lobster all the time and order the steamed crab legs. Crab is really low in calories but high in Protein and goes down so smooth. I almost ate one of the biscuits once, until I saw that a single biscuit is 150 calories! EEk! Maybe when I hit goal, but that's just too much for me!

My brother does this since his wife is highly allergic to wheat. They use a Zyliss Julienne Peeler and just shred the zucchini that way. Its really cheap but a great tool for all sorts of things! Just a tip, you only need to toss the zucchini into hot Water for a few seconds for it to cook. It can get mushy fast!

Try Kiyonna plus sizes. They have dresses with sleeves that are very fashionable! I bought one for a wedding back in February and loved it!

You probably would be fine to go to your own place, and most insurance will cover a visiting nurse at least once. I was up and around doing chores the day after, albeit slowly and pausing a lot. I was back to normal by day 5, just a little more tired. The air mattress would be nearly impossible. Getting up and down off a floor is just not going to work. I'd be wary about staying with someone who thinks they have bedbugs as well, because even if she doesn't have them, there's still a chance and you don't want to have to deal with dragging those back to your own place. Did your facility actually say that you can't come back there after surgery, or just that they can't be liable for anything that happens? You might still be able to go home, they just won't be able to have people monitor you. Honestly, though, you probably won't need it.

People who have never been obese will never understand that its not just eating less and moving more. They don't understand the complex metabolic problems we go through, the disordered eating patterns and thoughts surrounding food. They don't understand because they've never had to learn about it, and probably never will. Rest assured that if she had been in our position, she would be looking into surgery as well. I don't think people try to be offensive, I just think they truly don't understand.

Yeah, I think you just have to maintain your weight, not lose. But now would be a fantastic time to start using the tools a lot of us post-op'ers utilize, like calorie trackers (my favorite is sparkpeople.com) and your BMR calculator to figure out how many calories you can eat to lose or maintain. Track your calories every day to make sure you don't go over your BMR. Again, you don't have to lose, just maintain your weight! I know its frustrating, but it will all be worth it in the end...I promise!

Starting to, yes! Our hormones are finally back in balance!! Being obese suppresses so many hormones that are essential for healthy sexual functioning. Honestly,though, I don't know why you'd be here reading this when you could be gettin' some! lol

I am in therapy for binge eating disorder and bulimia. I know exactly what you're going through. I will say that professional help for me has made all the difference. Finding out you can't eat something you feel very attached to is a major lifestyle change and it would be beneficial for you to seek counselling. If you need help finding someone, please PM me. I have a lot of resources I can put you in touch with.

I had a Tanita and it was pretty accurate with the scale at my surgeon's office. That said, my therapist and I recently took a sledgehammer to my scale. lol I will only weigh in at doctor's appointments now. I need to trust myself to eat and do the right things and that my body will do its part when its ready. I actually feel pretty free about it.

Cravings and true hunger are very, very different. Cravings are psychological. When they pop up, its helpful to look at what's going on around you and in your own mind that could be causing you to look for something sweet as a security blanket. Real hunger feels very different post-op. It isn't the same physical sensation that we are used to. I found that what I used to think of as hunger was really just stomach acid from my former GERD. Usually now when I get that feeling its because I need some Water or I ate something that digested weird. I'm not saying that its impossible for you to feel hungry, but honestly its probably not the hunger you think it is. Sit with the hunger and analyze it for a little while. Most of the time when you find the root it will go away.

I don't feel embarrassed at all to tell people I'm down over 100 pounds, and I don't think I'll be ashamed of it when I have lost the whole 175 of extra weight. What people see isn't the scale number of what you used to weigh, what they see is achievement, a strong person, and usually someone who has done something they admire because they struggle, too. It might be helpful to look at it differently; instead of thinking "they noticed my body" its more accurate to think "they have noticed the hard work and effort I've put in."

Remember that your Protein shakes (or any non caffeinated liquid) count toward your daily hydration. Its very common to feel lightheaded in the first week or two as your body adjusts to the very low calorie consumption, but I think you'll be fine. Try drinking some chicken broth (not cream soup) a few times per day to keep your sodium balanced and you'll feel better.

I had really bad GERD for years before my surgery. I still had to take a PPI for about two months post-op while my stomach was healing, but now I only have heartburn when I go too many hours without food or Water. Its actually surprising when I get heartburn now, so yeah its pretty much completely gone.