Forsythia

I'm not sure what my BCBS IL plan was, but I had a 6 month obligation to a diet. I do know I had a PPO. I've heard that the 6 month thing has been changed since I completed my program. Call them up and ask!

I took a week of work. While I did tell a close friend at my job, HR did not know. I just took PTO, not medical leave. And even if you are taking medical leave, you are not obligated to divulge what you are have done.

Your team will let you know. Once I went in for pre-op testing, I was instructed to bring a list of my meds, supplements and dosages and they determined what I was to take and to stop taking before surgery. Friday before surgery (since I was Monday first am), the intake nurse called to confirm the details with me.

I was on purees the day I came home from the hospital. True story. I was in the hospital 2 days. My program does not have a pre-op liquid diet either. So it really does depends on your program. Oh, and my program is part of a bariatric center of excellence as well. My advice is to try to follow your program's directives, even if you see yahoos like me saying they were on purees two days post op. And don't beat yourself up about any lapse you might have. You are only human. This is a learning process and a life long journey.

I made a pizza today for lunch. The reason I got the sleeve was so that I could have my favorites, just way less of them. If I feel like I'm able to eat what I like I'll be less likely to give up. I had one small slice and put the rest away for another day. There are probably people rolling their eyes at pizza talk, but I'm never going to be a clean eater. So I might as well have a bite or two of the foods I do like.

Size 9. Awesome. I'm down 95 lbs since surgery. 18 lbs until I'm below 200. So from my last post on this thread 9lbs in the last month.

Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, TJ Maxx, Marshalls. And the clearance rack at Macy's. I got a pair of $94 Jones New York trousers for $16 on the Macy's clearance rack. Don't forget to clip their coupons or get them texted to your phone to bundle the savings.

@@IcanMakeit pretty! Love the red. That's sassy.

@@deedadumble holy crap! @@Miss Mac make sure to take a picture when you slide into those babies!

So, is there anything you have ever wanted to buy but thought you were too fat to wear? Or that you were afraid to wear (maybe you were always one of those "If I wear all black no one will notice me" girls?) Post a picture of yourself in something you thought you could never wear, or an item you want to buy when you hit a goal. I'm about 18 lbs from being below 200 lbs. So I've decided that when I get below 200 lbs I am going to treat myself to this Kensie dress from Macy's.

At 6.5 months post-op, I am 218lbs. I want to be 212 by 7 months out (12/5). That will be 100 lbs gone from my program start weight of 312. I want to be below 200 lbs before my birthday (February 7th). I will do it. I think as a stretch I could be 192 by my 38th birthday. I've come so far, but the finish line (150 lbs) still seems so far away. The weight will go when it wants to go. In fits and spurts.

WAT? Are you in So Cal? There are people here in Chicago still wearing shorts when it is 50 out. LOL! But if you are somewhere like San Diego, I can see why you would never hear of cuddle duds! They are quite similar to your long johns though. http://www.cuddlduds.com/women/layer-by-warmth/lightweight/softwear-tailored-legging-with-smart-layer.html

How many calories are you eating? You might consider upping them if you are on the low end of things. By two months out my nutritionist said I should be getting in between 800 and 1200 calories a day. For me, I lose more consistently when I am between 1000 and 1200, especially on days I am exercising. But this is what works for me. You need to experiment and see what works for you. Sadly, there is no one formula that is universal!

No liquid diet at Northwestern Memorial here in Chicago. You just low carb for two weeks pre-surgery. It was very Atkins-esque. I took it as permission to eat steak (I lost 18 lbs on this diet) Also no drain. And post-op you are only on liquids the two days you are in the hospital. You go home and are immediately on purees.

I tend to take a frozen meal for lunch every day. But different ones. So If you are trying to low carb you might try following an Atkins type plan (the frozen meals are quite good if you take a lunch to work). You can also think of your plate as being divided into three sections with Protein being the biggest slice if the plate. There are a gazillion ways to make chicken interesting. Bake it. Stuff it with Feta spinach and bacon. Glaze it with honey mustard. No need for it to be grilled with nothing. Also, don't necessarily try to go full throttle right off - make simple changes. This is why people fail out. They are all gung ho and can't handle sweeping changes Swap white rice for brown rice. Or a Quinoa brown rice mix. No need to go full on kale right off.

You need a mantra. Like "I will what I want." As in your willpower will get you what you want. Start by purging the Snacks and trigger foods. Go back to basics. A shake in the morning, grilled chicken and a veggie for lunch, healthy snacks - a banana for example. Log your food to keep yourself honest. I can have the snack, but if I put it out there on myfitnesspal and my diary is public, everyone else will be able to see what I am eating and keep me accountable. And remember, you are only human and we all fall off the wagon now and again. Every day is another chance to turn it all around.

I'm terribly saggy. And I am not too old (37). But I've been fat most all my life. I just lotion the hell out of my entire body to keep the skin pliant and hope some of it will snap back a bit once I am done losing. But naked It's a hot mess right now. My thighs and arms and sides right by my breasts look horrible. Also, my booty hump is literally sliding downward. But considering that I spend most of my time clothed I just encase it all in super awesome clothes. I also do lots of squats and lunges, try to work the muscles in my butt and thighs to make up for the droop!

The main incision, plus four little holes. So five total. The one that hurt the most (other than the main one) was the one up north for where they lift the liver up.

I do too, but I know mine are too big. Until now, they were only for when it got butt ass freezing. Like, last winter when it was -10F out and they canceled school here in Chicago. Otherwise I never think about them! But they are in the stores now so it's a good time to pick some up.

Surgery was at the butt crack of dawn on May 5th. Went home on May 7th. No other organs were removed or repaired at that time. My program keeps everyone in the hospital for a minimum of 2 days.

Have an orange. See if it agrees with you. I usually pack an apple for a snack between my meals. But sometimes I mix it up and have a banana or grapes. Some people have trouble with the skin on fruits like apples, plums and whatnot. So you might want to cut and peel them initially. I'm 6.5 months out, so I don't have any issues with the skin (I actually never did, but some people do).

You know how in the winter the department stores sell cuddle duds and thermaskin underlayers for when it is cold? I'm just gonna get some of those because they are thin and layer them under my normal tops and pants. That's the key to layering. Not bulk, but thin layers.

I think skinny can have negative connotations, just like fat does. I try to use thin or svelte rather than skinny. Skinny to me implies you have no muscle tone and are out there hungry and scrapping for food in poverty. Having said that, I am not skinny, nor do I think once I get down to my goal weight will I be skinny. I come from a line of people with birthing hips and lots of booty.

I'm cold all the damn time. Before I left my job, I had a dedicated sweater. But the sweater was not cutting it so I had a blanket. I KEPT A BLANKET AT MY JOB!! Who keeps a blanket at their job? This broad. I layer my clothes. Normally I detest summer, but this summer was so mild here in Chicago. I would try to go outside from the froze AC of my office but it was only 60 degrees outside when it should have been 85 and humid. I could never get warm. Right now in my own house, I'm wearing a fleece, a cashmere scarf and my winter hat. The heat is on. So yeah, that aspect sucks. But I would not trade it for being 312lbs and diabetes again.

I'm 6 and a half months out. I post most every day. Swearsies! I had a sleeve but I do try to answer as many questions as possible. You can also send a PM. Occasionally someone on here will send me a message (especially people local to me who have questions about my surgeon or hospital) and I will always answer!