Katcloudshepherd

Ladies,
I alas am also an "L" in the ta-ta area. I guess my big belly was in the way before? Now they hang down low, travel to a fro--if I'm now wearing a bra ; >--
Well, I wouldn't trade my two "L's" for what I had before any day!
Have a good one.
Kathleen

My name is Kathleen and everyone started calling me Kat a few years ago. My maiden name is the Polish word for cloud and my married name is the German word for shepherd.

A fear years ago I switched to stevia from all the other artificial sweeteners. I'll use them if I have NO OTHER CHOICE.
I use Stevia. Some people say it has an after taste. It comes from a plant from Asia--I believe. I've grown them in the summer. They love heat and hate cold. I've never processed the leaves into stevia but they have tiny white flowers when they bloom.
I don't like artificial sweeteners because I don't know what the chemical combination will do to my body with heavy long term use of them. I've noticed some food companies are advertising their food is sweetened with stevia. I'll buy those products even if they cost more than the chemical sweeteners. I realize most people on a strict budget don't have that option.
For my gut flora, I drink a 1/2 bottle of Kombucha every day. It's a fermented beverage that has to be refrigerated. It has a very slight alcohol content and has a vinegar taste. I'm used to the taste, some people can't get beyond it. It is chock full of pro-biotics. The brand I use costs $3.49 a bottle at Whole Foods. So it's not an inexpensive proposition. I also take a pro-biotic capsule twice a day. I find if I get my Water in every day and drink the 1/2 bottle it helps me to not get constipated. Maybe it's just the Water consumption and exercise I do but that's my personal experience.
Blessings,
Kathleen

My name is Kathleen and everyone started calling me Kat a few years ago. My maiden name is the Polish word for cloud and my married name is the German word for shepherd.

Kandy12,
I think people who have not struggled with obesity have no clue just how difficult it is. For goodness sake If I could just "push away from the table" for fracks sake--I wouldn't have had 80% of my stomach cut out!!!!!!!!
That's EXACTLY why I'm VERY selective about who I give personal information to. I haven't even told my brothers. They're a few thousand miles away so I don't have to worry about seeing them in person. I just know they're not as supportive--so I didn't tell them. The other reason is when I told them I was joining the Army--the comment I got was "you'll be back in a few weeks." They didn't support that decision so I sure as heck aren't going to tell them about this one. I spent 7 years in the Army by the way and was honorably discharged.

I virtually live on GENEPRO and Quest bars. I find it best to add it to things that are not too hot. I know some Protein powders explicitly state on the label they can't be used at 140 degrees or higher. I don't believe GENEPRO has that warning but it works better if the liquid isn't too hot and you add it very slowly, stirring as you add and allowing it to disolve.
I use Genepro and Quest bars because they are so darned convenient for me. Fast food for WLS I guess you could say.
Congratulations on your surgery.
Blessings,
Kathleen

The reason I don't use support or compression garments around my abdomen is because where I'm at it's just too darn hot most of the year.
Since I've lost the weight though I've gotten considerably colder in air conditioned rooms. May be a consideration now that I'm not an excessive sweating machine like I used to be .
Blessings,
Kathleen

Hello everyone,
Haven't been here in a while. Oh man can I relate to the hunger coming back! I sure hope that Grehlin monster isn't back!!!! That slimy SOB caused me years and years of misery. Some is head hunger but some is genuine hunger. I have to ask myself every time--OK are you physically hungry? Or-do you just want to stuff food in your mouth because your brain thinks you should? I do feel rather proud of myself when I resist temptation and God knows it's EVERYWHERE.
I've gained some of my weight back but I realize it's a daily battle I must engage in to keep the majority of the weight off. I am a compulsive over-eater--sleeve or no sleeve. One Day At A Time, (ODAAT) is how I will have to live my life. I remember from Over-eater's Anonymous, (OA) meetings. The compulsive over-eater monster is outside doing push-ups to battle you while you are successful at keeping it at bay. It just waits for the chance to pounce on you. The program works when I WORK IT--and I AM WORTH IT!
It whispers seductively in your ear--"You deserve to eat that" , "One little bite" , "You know you want it" . All those phrases it whispered in your ear before the sleeve and even more so now.
I just have to keep up the fight--no different than any other addict.
Blessings,
Kathleen

The reason I don't use support or compression garments around my abdomen is because where I'm at it's just too darn hot most of the year.
Since I've lost the weight though I've gotten considerably colder in air conditioned rooms. May be a consideration now that I'm not an excessive sweating machine like I used to be .
Blessings,
Kathleen

I use it. I mix it with my coffee. I love the fact it dissolves easily and has very little taste. I'm going to get some celery, carrots and apples and use my Vitamix high speed blender to start juicing. I can add the GENEPRO and get Protein in the mix. I find it too hard to get my vegetables and fruit in since I eat Protein first. I use the GENEPRO to get to my daily requirement of protein. I order it on Amazon.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Hello everyone,
Haven't been here in a while. Oh man can I relate to the hunger coming back! I sure hope that Grehlin monster isn't back!!!! That slimy SOB caused me years and years of misery. Some is head hunger but some is genuine hunger. I have to ask myself every time--OK are you physically hungry? Or-do you just want to stuff food in your mouth because your brain thinks you should? I do feel rather proud of myself when I resist temptation and God knows it's EVERYWHERE.
I've gained some of my weight back but I realize it's a daily battle I must engage in to keep the majority of the weight off. I am a compulsive over-eater--sleeve or no sleeve. One Day At A Time, (ODAAT) is how I will have to live my life. I remember from Over-eater's Anonymous, (OA) meetings. The compulsive over-eater monster is outside doing push-ups to battle you while you are successful at keeping it at bay. It just waits for the chance to pounce on you. The program works when I WORK IT--and I AM WORTH IT!
It whispers seductively in your ear--"You deserve to eat that" , "One little bite" , "You know you want it" . All those phrases it whispered in your ear before the sleeve and even more so now.
I just have to keep up the fight--no different than any other addict.
Blessings,
Kathleen

yummymummy32,
It seems to be a human trait to always compare ourselves to others. This is one area where it is not fair to yourself to compare. Every body has different DNA from different parents. No two people are identical.
Please do not perceive the following comments in a harsh tone. Would you have lost the 49 pounds in 7 months if you had not had the surgery? More importantly, would you have been able to sustain that 49 pound weight loss? That is the kicker. We all had the surgery to lose the weight and KEEP it off.
Heck, I've probably lost a whole person in all the weight loss attempts I made before surgery but I never kept it off. I hope now to not only loose the weight but keep it off.
This is a battle I have fought for decades. I'm sure I'll be fighting it a year out, two years out and on and on. However, the fight will be easier with this tool and the enemy will be much less strong.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Hello everyone,
Haven't been here in a while. Oh man can I relate to the hunger coming back! I sure hope that Grehlin monster isn't back!!!! That slimy SOB caused me years and years of misery. Some is head hunger but some is genuine hunger. I have to ask myself every time--OK are you physically hungry? Or-do you just want to stuff food in your mouth because your brain thinks you should? I do feel rather proud of myself when I resist temptation and God knows it's EVERYWHERE.
I've gained some of my weight back but I realize it's a daily battle I must engage in to keep the majority of the weight off. I am a compulsive over-eater--sleeve or no sleeve. One Day At A Time, (ODAAT) is how I will have to live my life. I remember from Over-eater's Anonymous, (OA) meetings. The compulsive over-eater monster is outside doing push-ups to battle you while you are successful at keeping it at bay. It just waits for the chance to pounce on you. The program works when I WORK IT--and I AM WORTH IT!
It whispers seductively in your ear--"You deserve to eat that" , "One little bite" , "You know you want it" . All those phrases it whispered in your ear before the sleeve and even more so now.
I just have to keep up the fight--no different than any other addict.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Thank you for the article.
It's so easy to listen to the siren call of food. Ignoring those sweet and dulcet tones saying: "I was ALWAYS there for you." "Come back to me". "You miss me don't you". "Just one bite". The hard work for me is in my head!
So many days I leave work and want to go home and skip working out. I keep going to the gym because #1--I'm paying that monthly membership and not going is throwing money away. Secondly, I know I'll feel so much better after I work out. It amazes me how improved I feel and how much better I sleep at night. The better I sleep the easier it is to deal with my brain thinking I can eat whatever I want.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Hello everyone,
Haven't been here in a while. Oh man can I relate to the hunger coming back! I sure hope that Grehlin monster isn't back!!!! That slimy SOB caused me years and years of misery. Some is head hunger but some is genuine hunger. I have to ask myself every time--OK are you physically hungry? Or-do you just want to stuff food in your mouth because your brain thinks you should? I do feel rather proud of myself when I resist temptation and God knows it's EVERYWHERE.
I've gained some of my weight back but I realize it's a daily battle I must engage in to keep the majority of the weight off. I am a compulsive over-eater--sleeve or no sleeve. One Day At A Time, (ODAAT) is how I will have to live my life. I remember from Over-eater's Anonymous, (OA) meetings. The compulsive over-eater monster is outside doing push-ups to battle you while you are successful at keeping it at bay. It just waits for the chance to pounce on you. The program works when I WORK IT--and I AM WORTH IT!
It whispers seductively in your ear--"You deserve to eat that" , "One little bite" , "You know you want it" . All those phrases it whispered in your ear before the sleeve and even more so now.
I just have to keep up the fight--no different than any other addict.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Hello everyone,
Haven't been here in a while. Oh man can I relate to the hunger coming back! I sure hope that Grehlin monster isn't back!!!! That slimy SOB caused me years and years of misery. Some is head hunger but some is genuine hunger. I have to ask myself every time--OK are you physically hungry? Or-do you just want to stuff food in your mouth because your brain thinks you should? I do feel rather proud of myself when I resist temptation and God knows it's EVERYWHERE.
I've gained some of my weight back but I realize it's a daily battle I must engage in to keep the majority of the weight off. I am a compulsive over-eater--sleeve or no sleeve. One Day At A Time, (ODAAT) is how I will have to live my life. I remember from Over-eater's Anonymous, (OA) meetings. The compulsive over-eater monster is outside doing push-ups to battle you while you are successful at keeping it at bay. It just waits for the chance to pounce on you. The program works when I WORK IT--and I AM WORTH IT!
It whispers seductively in your ear--"You deserve to eat that" , "One little bite" , "You know you want it" . All those phrases it whispered in your ear before the sleeve and even more so now.
I just have to keep up the fight--no different than any other addict.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Hello everyone,
Haven't been here in a while. Oh man can I relate to the hunger coming back! I sure hope that Grehlin monster isn't back!!!! That slimy SOB caused me years and years of misery. Some is head hunger but some is genuine hunger. I have to ask myself every time--OK are you physically hungry? Or-do you just want to stuff food in your mouth because your brain thinks you should? I do feel rather proud of myself when I resist temptation and God knows it's EVERYWHERE.
I've gained some of my weight back but I realize it's a daily battle I must engage in to keep the majority of the weight off. I am a compulsive over-eater--sleeve or no sleeve. One Day At A Time, (ODAAT) is how I will have to live my life. I remember from Over-eater's Anonymous, (OA) meetings. The compulsive over-eater monster is outside doing push-ups to battle you while you are successful at keeping it at bay. It just waits for the chance to pounce on you. The program works when I WORK IT--and I AM WORTH IT!
It whispers seductively in your ear--"You deserve to eat that" , "One little bite" , "You know you want it" . All those phrases it whispered in your ear before the sleeve and even more so now.
I just have to keep up the fight--no different than any other addict.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Hello everyone,
Haven't been here in a while. Oh man can I relate to the hunger coming back! I sure hope that Grehlin monster isn't back!!!! That slimy SOB caused me years and years of misery. Some is head hunger but some is genuine hunger. I have to ask myself every time--OK are you physically hungry? Or-do you just want to stuff food in your mouth because your brain thinks you should? I do feel rather proud of myself when I resist temptation and God knows it's EVERYWHERE.
I've gained some of my weight back but I realize it's a daily battle I must engage in to keep the majority of the weight off. I am a compulsive over-eater--sleeve or no sleeve. One Day At A Time, (ODAAT) is how I will have to live my life. I remember from Over-eater's Anonymous, (OA) meetings. The compulsive over-eater monster is outside doing push-ups to battle you while you are successful at keeping it at bay. It just waits for the chance to pounce on you. The program works when I WORK IT--and I AM WORTH IT!
It whispers seductively in your ear--"You deserve to eat that" , "One little bite" , "You know you want it" . All those phrases it whispered in your ear before the sleeve and even more so now.
I just have to keep up the fight--no different than any other addict.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Great Video!!!!
I work out in the pool as I have severe joint problems and can't work out on land. I feel so much better after a good workout. I went to Water aerobics for years and now do it on my own. I do water aerobics and mix in swimming laps. Works for me!!!
I dont' give a rat's patootie how people view me in a swimsuit. I think that attitude comes with getting older.
Fabulous at fifty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Katheen

Scorpion11,
I completely understand. I have to REALLY push myself to get out of bed and go to work. I'm tired most of the time. I had more energy a few weeks after surgery than I do now. I do work out--have to really push myself to do that too. I go to the pool for exercise, since I pay a pretty penny every month for a gym membership. I go 3 days a week in the pool--30 minutes of aerobic activity in the pool and about 15 minutes of toning and stretching. I think I'm so tired all of the time because I'm only getting in a few hundred calories a day, I'm getting all of the 60 g. of Protein required and the 64 oz. of Water. I just CANNOT fit any more food. I'm 6' tall and I really think the fatigue is because I can only eat a few hundred calories a day. I take all the required vitamins/supplements as well. Can't wait until the weekend when I'll be able to sleep in.
I haven't had hair loss YET. I'm dreading that. I only wash my hair every other day, when I work out in the pool. I wet my hair and apply conditioner before I get in the pool. I've tried various swim caps but none are large enough for my long hair and big head.
I wish you luck. I'm hoping eventually I'll be able to consume me calories and my energy level will come back up.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Great Video!!!!
I work out in the pool as I have severe joint problems and can't work out on land. I feel so much better after a good workout. I went to Water aerobics for years and now do it on my own. I do water aerobics and mix in swimming laps. Works for me!!!
I dont' give a rat's patootie how people view me in a swimsuit. I think that attitude comes with getting older.
Fabulous at fifty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Katheen

I surely hope this will correct the problems. I hope the surgery goes well and you heal quickly. Thank you so much for sharing this since you never know who will be helped with the information.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Thank you for the article.
It's so easy to listen to the siren call of food. Ignoring those sweet and dulcet tones saying: "I was ALWAYS there for you." "Come back to me". "You miss me don't you". "Just one bite". The hard work for me is in my head!
So many days I leave work and want to go home and skip working out. I keep going to the gym because #1--I'm paying that monthly membership and not going is throwing money away. Secondly, I know I'll feel so much better after I work out. It amazes me how improved I feel and how much better I sleep at night. The better I sleep the easier it is to deal with my brain thinking I can eat whatever I want.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Y'all are so funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for the pictures and humor.
Have a GREAT Easter.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Sandstress51,
I just read the string of posts you are referring to. I think many people are coming to this site in a heightened emotional state. People are in different stages of the process--going through the required supervised weight loss, getting all the pre-op work done, waiting for approval, getting approval and setting a date, going through surgery, recovery and subsequent absolute utter complete life changes. During all those stages we are all under a tremendous amount of stress. I think during all the stages peoples emotions are so raw and near the surface that things which would otherwise not bother us--set some people off. People who have not undergone a COMPLETE lifestyle change have no clue just how stressful it is. I don't have any answers but that is my theory as to why some posts turn more negative.
I hope your surgery goes well and you have an easy recovery.
Blessings,
Kathleen