piercedqt78

I think it should be made known that significant weight loss results in unattractive skin sometimes. It's real, not just all rainbows and butterflies.

I was busted wearing my 12 year old daughter's shirt today. Trust me the liquid diet is soooo worth the end result.

This is Leo, he is my daughter's Cavalier King Charles. We adopted him from a woman that was dying of Breast Cancer, and could not take him to the hospice home.
This is Kammi and Louie, the little guy has been in our lives and hearts for about 6 years now, and I love him with all my heart. The bigger girl is my hubby's little lady. She has had a long life, in just 4 short years. I am also adding a picture of her the day she was picked up off the street. She was still nursing a puppy in the condition she was in, my grand puppy Winston turned out to be a wonderful, goofy big mixed breed boy, that we still visit. She has come a long way don't you think?
This is what I come home to, MY pillow that has been dragged from my bed to the couch, so Princess Kammi can be more comfy. I have bought her the same pillow, I have tried giving her my old one and taking the new one, but she still takes mine, not hubby's or the kid's pillow, only mine.
This is the day Kammi officially became ours. It was the best day.
Louie sunning himself. He LOVES living in Florida, there is always grass to roll in, and since it rains often, he gets to roll in wet grass, yay for him, not so much for me.
This is JubJub, he is a male sugar glider, we also have a female but she is a total snot, and doesn't care for her picture being taken.
Last but not least, our red footed tortoises. We have 2, the larger one is strawberry (they have spots that look like strawberry seeds on their legs) and the little guy is Squirt. I wasn't sure about having them, they live like 30-50 years, and eat a special diet, but now I LOVE them. They are in a large reptile tank on my Breakfast bar, we never used it anyway, and they come out and watch me cook, or do dishes. They know when it is time to be fed, and will tap their shells on the tank if I'm late getting to them. They also LOVE a bath, and I soak them in a small hospital tub (like the ones they use for sponge baths etc) and they are just too cute in the Water. It's really amazing to watch them grow and everyone loves watching them eat. They take such massive bites for something so small. And honestly the cutest thing to ever happen is to see a tiny little tortoise yawn. I don't know why it's so cute, but it is.
That's my little zoo. It's crowded, and feeding time takes forever, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here is my list:
1. I'm a stress eater with a child with special medical needs (rare bleeding disorder)
2. I had thyroid issues in my teens and that started my weight gain, this resolved with pregnancy, but the weight remained.
3. I did too many yoyo diets, and wanted to be Barbie when I was in high school, with thyroid issues that never works.
4. I have an autoimmune disease that causes soft tissue damage, I have had 2 knee replacements, 3 (getting ready for #4) rotator cuff repairs. And can't workout without doing major damage to my joints.
5. I spent 17 years living in Chicago, and the cold weather caused me so much pain I was a hermit for 7 months a year, just packing on the pounds.
6. I was raped when I was 16 by my former step father, and didn't tell anyone until I was in my 20's. I think I ate to silence the scared hurt little girl that was inside my head. food didn't keep me safe, but my mom always equaled food to love, that's why under my user name it says "Food in NOT love". I learned with counseling that feeding people, and overeating myself didn't fill the void in my life, or make me feel any more loved. That was a HUGE step for me.
7. Genetics just about everyone in my family is obese. My grandfather was over 400 pounds, my mom is the oldest of 10 kids, all but 3 are morbidly obese, and those 3 are still overweight, one has a lap band and is getting healthy, the rest seem happy just the way they are.
*I was just diagnosed with the auto immune disorder, in the past my pain, joint damage and soft tissue injuries were ALWAYS blamed on my weight. When I lost the weight and still had issues my new doctor started looking for answers. She said weight doesn't cause rotator cuff tears, and that I shouldn't have been dismissed because of my weight. I started seeing a new doctor when my previous md was not on board with my being revised from band to sleeve. She said just remove the band and do it the old fashioned way.

For packing in your day bag, Quest Bars are great. I can only eat half of one at a time.
For planning your food while in WDW http://allears.net/dining/menu/ is my go to site.

I lost my cat Jenny to old age when she was 22. I was heartbroken and just couldn't get another cat. Since I love all animals, I got 2 Boston Terriers which is what I had grown up with. They are Lizzy and Vicky and the loves of my life! My husband and daughter think I am a bit crazy but I adore my little girls! The center picture is Vicky helping my husband with the planters!
  

I guess working with a rescue and having animals in and out as fosters, temps, and just simply not being able to say no to any animal tends to build up quite a collection of fur babies, shell babies, and of course scaled babies when needed. My Kammi had to have an eye removed, and they drained the Fluid out of the eye they removed, and then injected it into her remaining eye to try to save it. She is known in our area as the miracle dog, all the local vets know her. And we take her to all the local pet adoption events, to show that even the roughest looking babies can look like a show dog with love and good vet care.

We call him "glitter paws"

Thank you so much Mandy. I appreciate all the great advice. I am taking Dexilant and have tried all the other PPI's which I've tried ALL of them. Dexilant is so expensive but my insurance finally approved the meds. It helps so much better than the rest. I know I need to stop the coffee. I need it but I know it is making the reflux worse but the bile reflux is caused from the motility issues. Oh thanks so much for the recipes for the fudgesicles!! I definitely will try those. I love and appreciate all of you so much for helping me!! <3

This is Leo, he is my daughter's Cavalier King Charles. We adopted him from a woman that was dying of Breast Cancer, and could not take him to the hospice home.
This is Kammi and Louie, the little guy has been in our lives and hearts for about 6 years now, and I love him with all my heart. The bigger girl is my hubby's little lady. She has had a long life, in just 4 short years. I am also adding a picture of her the day she was picked up off the street. She was still nursing a puppy in the condition she was in, my grand puppy Winston turned out to be a wonderful, goofy big mixed breed boy, that we still visit. She has come a long way don't you think?
This is what I come home to, MY pillow that has been dragged from my bed to the couch, so Princess Kammi can be more comfy. I have bought her the same pillow, I have tried giving her my old one and taking the new one, but she still takes mine, not hubby's or the kid's pillow, only mine.
This is the day Kammi officially became ours. It was the best day.
Louie sunning himself. He LOVES living in Florida, there is always grass to roll in, and since it rains often, he gets to roll in wet grass, yay for him, not so much for me.
This is JubJub, he is a male sugar glider, we also have a female but she is a total snot, and doesn't care for her picture being taken.
Last but not least, our red footed tortoises. We have 2, the larger one is strawberry (they have spots that look like strawberry seeds on their legs) and the little guy is Squirt. I wasn't sure about having them, they live like 30-50 years, and eat a special diet, but now I LOVE them. They are in a large reptile tank on my Breakfast bar, we never used it anyway, and they come out and watch me cook, or do dishes. They know when it is time to be fed, and will tap their shells on the tank if I'm late getting to them. They also LOVE a bath, and I soak them in a small hospital tub (like the ones they use for sponge baths etc) and they are just too cute in the Water. It's really amazing to watch them grow and everyone loves watching them eat. They take such massive bites for something so small. And honestly the cutest thing to ever happen is to see a tiny little tortoise yawn. I don't know why it's so cute, but it is.
That's my little zoo. It's crowded, and feeding time takes forever, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here is my list:
1. I'm a stress eater with a child with special medical needs (rare bleeding disorder)
2. I had thyroid issues in my teens and that started my weight gain, this resolved with pregnancy, but the weight remained.
3. I did too many yoyo diets, and wanted to be Barbie when I was in high school, with thyroid issues that never works.
4. I have an autoimmune disease that causes soft tissue damage, I have had 2 knee replacements, 3 (getting ready for #4) rotator cuff repairs. And can't workout without doing major damage to my joints.
5. I spent 17 years living in Chicago, and the cold weather caused me so much pain I was a hermit for 7 months a year, just packing on the pounds.
6. I was raped when I was 16 by my former step father, and didn't tell anyone until I was in my 20's. I think I ate to silence the scared hurt little girl that was inside my head. food didn't keep me safe, but my mom always equaled food to love, that's why under my user name it says "Food in NOT love". I learned with counseling that feeding people, and overeating myself didn't fill the void in my life, or make me feel any more loved. That was a HUGE step for me.
7. Genetics just about everyone in my family is obese. My grandfather was over 400 pounds, my mom is the oldest of 10 kids, all but 3 are morbidly obese, and those 3 are still overweight, one has a lap band and is getting healthy, the rest seem happy just the way they are.
*I was just diagnosed with the auto immune disorder, in the past my pain, joint damage and soft tissue injuries were ALWAYS blamed on my weight. When I lost the weight and still had issues my new doctor started looking for answers. She said weight doesn't cause rotator cuff tears, and that I shouldn't have been dismissed because of my weight. I started seeing a new doctor when my previous md was not on board with my being revised from band to sleeve. She said just remove the band and do it the old fashioned way.

I guess working with a rescue and having animals in and out as fosters, temps, and just simply not being able to say no to any animal tends to build up quite a collection of fur babies, shell babies, and of course scaled babies when needed. My Kammi had to have an eye removed, and they drained the Fluid out of the eye they removed, and then injected it into her remaining eye to try to save it. She is known in our area as the miracle dog, all the local vets know her. And we take her to all the local pet adoption events, to show that even the roughest looking babies can look like a show dog with love and good vet care.

Alex, there is no greater love then the love of a rescue. Congrats on the new pup, may he bring your family many happy years.

This is Leo, he is my daughter's Cavalier King Charles. We adopted him from a woman that was dying of Breast Cancer, and could not take him to the hospice home.
This is Kammi and Louie, the little guy has been in our lives and hearts for about 6 years now, and I love him with all my heart. The bigger girl is my hubby's little lady. She has had a long life, in just 4 short years. I am also adding a picture of her the day she was picked up off the street. She was still nursing a puppy in the condition she was in, my grand puppy Winston turned out to be a wonderful, goofy big mixed breed boy, that we still visit. She has come a long way don't you think?
This is what I come home to, MY pillow that has been dragged from my bed to the couch, so Princess Kammi can be more comfy. I have bought her the same pillow, I have tried giving her my old one and taking the new one, but she still takes mine, not hubby's or the kid's pillow, only mine.
This is the day Kammi officially became ours. It was the best day.
Louie sunning himself. He LOVES living in Florida, there is always grass to roll in, and since it rains often, he gets to roll in wet grass, yay for him, not so much for me.
This is JubJub, he is a male sugar glider, we also have a female but she is a total snot, and doesn't care for her picture being taken.
Last but not least, our red footed tortoises. We have 2, the larger one is strawberry (they have spots that look like strawberry seeds on their legs) and the little guy is Squirt. I wasn't sure about having them, they live like 30-50 years, and eat a special diet, but now I LOVE them. They are in a large reptile tank on my Breakfast bar, we never used it anyway, and they come out and watch me cook, or do dishes. They know when it is time to be fed, and will tap their shells on the tank if I'm late getting to them. They also LOVE a bath, and I soak them in a small hospital tub (like the ones they use for sponge baths etc) and they are just too cute in the Water. It's really amazing to watch them grow and everyone loves watching them eat. They take such massive bites for something so small. And honestly the cutest thing to ever happen is to see a tiny little tortoise yawn. I don't know why it's so cute, but it is.
That's my little zoo. It's crowded, and feeding time takes forever, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I didn't read the 5 pages of replies, as I felt they were personal and for you. I will say that I'm a firm believer that cancer is just pure evil. Please take the time to take care of yourself, I know that is hard, but the more you take care of yourself, the more you can take care of your Bear. I lost my father to an inoperable brain tumor when I was 12, and then my grandfather (an angel in my eyes) when I was only 20. Cancer ravaged the men in my life, and it was very hard for me to grieve and let the anger go, it took me several years to allow myself to love my husband, out of fear that he too would leave me too soon.
I believe the coffee maybe a factor in the reflux, there are several low acid coffees on the market, and they really do make a difference. Also ask about protonix, it's cheap, has been around forever and works really great on acid.
I also have a suggestion for the fudgesicles, buy sugar free pudding mix, and make it with almond milk, freeze in popsicle molds and have those, they are only a few calories and really help boost Protein intake. I lived on them during my "whole liquid stage" You could also get the pre-made sugar free puddings and freeze them, they are more limited in flavors, and are about double the portion of a popsicle mold but much easier. I make them for my daughter and her friends, sometimes we layer chocolate and banana, or cheesecake pudding with strawberry and cream pudding. I will make the cheesecake for myself and the girls with crush oreo's into theirs. Since I don't care for oreos (I know I'm un American) I'm not tempted.
Last but not least know that your bariatric family is here, we may be miles away, but we are never more than a keyboard and monitor from you. Prayers and love to your family tonight, and always~Mandy
PS: feel free to email me, my address is in my signature. I'm online and check my mail several times a day. Even if you just need to vent, or want someone to tell you that you are stronger than you realize. (((hugs)))

Yes I agree, and I was replying to post-op people that are still in the mindset of a diet, or that you are cheating if you have something that tastes good but isn't 100% healthy. I did my post-op diet a little different that most people do and my doc is totally impressed with my progress. I have lost 130 pounds, and I went from a size 22 to a size 4 in something like 7 months. I don't diet, I don't skip out on meals with my family. I look at it like this, if I have a meal once a week that is "junk food" the other 20 meals that week that are healthy more than make up for it. I never overeat healthy or not, and I get in my Protein and most of my Water each day. My blood work is beautiful, and my blood pressure and lipid panel is perfect. So I must be doing something right.

I didn't read the 5 pages of replies, as I felt they were personal and for you. I will say that I'm a firm believer that cancer is just pure evil. Please take the time to take care of yourself, I know that is hard, but the more you take care of yourself, the more you can take care of your Bear. I lost my father to an inoperable brain tumor when I was 12, and then my grandfather (an angel in my eyes) when I was only 20. Cancer ravaged the men in my life, and it was very hard for me to grieve and let the anger go, it took me several years to allow myself to love my husband, out of fear that he too would leave me too soon.
I believe the coffee maybe a factor in the reflux, there are several low acid coffees on the market, and they really do make a difference. Also ask about protonix, it's cheap, has been around forever and works really great on acid.
I also have a suggestion for the fudgesicles, buy sugar free pudding mix, and make it with almond milk, freeze in popsicle molds and have those, they are only a few calories and really help boost Protein intake. I lived on them during my "whole liquid stage" You could also get the pre-made sugar free puddings and freeze them, they are more limited in flavors, and are about double the portion of a popsicle mold but much easier. I make them for my daughter and her friends, sometimes we layer chocolate and banana, or cheesecake pudding with strawberry and cream pudding. I will make the cheesecake for myself and the girls with crush oreo's into theirs. Since I don't care for oreos (I know I'm un American) I'm not tempted.
Last but not least know that your bariatric family is here, we may be miles away, but we are never more than a keyboard and monitor from you. Prayers and love to your family tonight, and always~Mandy
PS: feel free to email me, my address is in my signature. I'm online and check my mail several times a day. Even if you just need to vent, or want someone to tell you that you are stronger than you realize. (((hugs)))

I checked with my nutritionist today and she gave me a big two thumbs up on using PB2. More Protein and very little carbs!

I had my 1 year on the 8th but due to a nasty stomach virus I was unable to go, so I went today. I'm down 91 pounds from my revision weight, and 134 from my highest. I had 100% perfect labs, and my surgeon that is normally very to the point called me a "superstar" It just made my day. I also did my measurements and I'm now a 33-28-32. I can wear a size 3 in every brand, and as small as a 0 in some brands. Today was one of the happiest days of my life!!

I guess working with a rescue and having animals in and out as fosters, temps, and just simply not being able to say no to any animal tends to build up quite a collection of fur babies, shell babies, and of course scaled babies when needed. My Kammi had to have an eye removed, and they drained the Fluid out of the eye they removed, and then injected it into her remaining eye to try to save it. She is known in our area as the miracle dog, all the local vets know her. And we take her to all the local pet adoption events, to show that even the roughest looking babies can look like a show dog with love and good vet care.

Alex, there is no greater love then the love of a rescue. Congrats on the new pup, may he bring your family many happy years.

This is Leo, he is my daughter's Cavalier King Charles. We adopted him from a woman that was dying of Breast Cancer, and could not take him to the hospice home.
This is Kammi and Louie, the little guy has been in our lives and hearts for about 6 years now, and I love him with all my heart. The bigger girl is my hubby's little lady. She has had a long life, in just 4 short years. I am also adding a picture of her the day she was picked up off the street. She was still nursing a puppy in the condition she was in, my grand puppy Winston turned out to be a wonderful, goofy big mixed breed boy, that we still visit. She has come a long way don't you think?
This is what I come home to, MY pillow that has been dragged from my bed to the couch, so Princess Kammi can be more comfy. I have bought her the same pillow, I have tried giving her my old one and taking the new one, but she still takes mine, not hubby's or the kid's pillow, only mine.
This is the day Kammi officially became ours. It was the best day.
Louie sunning himself. He LOVES living in Florida, there is always grass to roll in, and since it rains often, he gets to roll in wet grass, yay for him, not so much for me.
This is JubJub, he is a male sugar glider, we also have a female but she is a total snot, and doesn't care for her picture being taken.
Last but not least, our red footed tortoises. We have 2, the larger one is strawberry (they have spots that look like strawberry seeds on their legs) and the little guy is Squirt. I wasn't sure about having them, they live like 30-50 years, and eat a special diet, but now I LOVE them. They are in a large reptile tank on my Breakfast bar, we never used it anyway, and they come out and watch me cook, or do dishes. They know when it is time to be fed, and will tap their shells on the tank if I'm late getting to them. They also LOVE a bath, and I soak them in a small hospital tub (like the ones they use for sponge baths etc) and they are just too cute in the Water. It's really amazing to watch them grow and everyone loves watching them eat. They take such massive bites for something so small. And honestly the cutest thing to ever happen is to see a tiny little tortoise yawn. I don't know why it's so cute, but it is.
That's my little zoo. It's crowded, and feeding time takes forever, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

This is Leo, he is my daughter's Cavalier King Charles. We adopted him from a woman that was dying of Breast Cancer, and could not take him to the hospice home.
This is Kammi and Louie, the little guy has been in our lives and hearts for about 6 years now, and I love him with all my heart. The bigger girl is my hubby's little lady. She has had a long life, in just 4 short years. I am also adding a picture of her the day she was picked up off the street. She was still nursing a puppy in the condition she was in, my grand puppy Winston turned out to be a wonderful, goofy big mixed breed boy, that we still visit. She has come a long way don't you think?
This is what I come home to, MY pillow that has been dragged from my bed to the couch, so Princess Kammi can be more comfy. I have bought her the same pillow, I have tried giving her my old one and taking the new one, but she still takes mine, not hubby's or the kid's pillow, only mine.
This is the day Kammi officially became ours. It was the best day.
Louie sunning himself. He LOVES living in Florida, there is always grass to roll in, and since it rains often, he gets to roll in wet grass, yay for him, not so much for me.
This is JubJub, he is a male sugar glider, we also have a female but she is a total snot, and doesn't care for her picture being taken.
Last but not least, our red footed tortoises. We have 2, the larger one is strawberry (they have spots that look like strawberry seeds on their legs) and the little guy is Squirt. I wasn't sure about having them, they live like 30-50 years, and eat a special diet, but now I LOVE them. They are in a large reptile tank on my Breakfast bar, we never used it anyway, and they come out and watch me cook, or do dishes. They know when it is time to be fed, and will tap their shells on the tank if I'm late getting to them. They also LOVE a bath, and I soak them in a small hospital tub (like the ones they use for sponge baths etc) and they are just too cute in the Water. It's really amazing to watch them grow and everyone loves watching them eat. They take such massive bites for something so small. And honestly the cutest thing to ever happen is to see a tiny little tortoise yawn. I don't know why it's so cute, but it is.
That's my little zoo. It's crowded, and feeding time takes forever, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I guess working with a rescue and having animals in and out as fosters, temps, and just simply not being able to say no to any animal tends to build up quite a collection of fur babies, shell babies, and of course scaled babies when needed. My Kammi had to have an eye removed, and they drained the Fluid out of the eye they removed, and then injected it into her remaining eye to try to save it. She is known in our area as the miracle dog, all the local vets know her. And we take her to all the local pet adoption events, to show that even the roughest looking babies can look like a show dog with love and good vet care.

Jake, Anastasia the Diva iguana, Baxter, Charlie, Sia and Buffy and Sia. All rescues from abuse. I would not trade all of them for one human being ever.