Inner Surfer Girl

I have severe lymphoedema and lipoedema in my legs but it ends at my ankles. That said, since I have lost over 200 pounds so far, it is much easier to wear shoes! No boots anytime soon, though.

Now that I can buy off the rack, I have gotten some suits at Target. I wear 2 piece tankinis, etc. because my bottom is bigger than my top. Before this summer, I got a lot of my suits from Woman Within. They have a pretty broad selection. Before I got too big for them, many years ago when I could wear a one piece. I loved Lands End suits.

No, I just use the regular or low sodium.

You are very welcome. I am learning along with everyone else. Post-WLS life is so different from anything we have known before!

No, I don't wait after Protein shakes because they are liquid. Being protein "obsessed" is what works for me and it what I have learned from my awesome surgeon. Protein is critical for healing and weight loss. I would be curious to know how your NUT's patients are doing over time with both their recovery and progress. Has she been doing this a long time? Does she work primarily with bariatric/WLS patients?

Congratulations! I don't have any answers to your questions but these sound like great questions to bring to your NUT. Best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing!

I just take a big whiff and remind myself that I just experienced the best part and that eating whatever won't improve the experience,

Initially, while I was still healing, I sipped something all day in order to get in all my 100 grams of Protein. As I healed, I could eat more purposeful protein-focused meals and Snacks I still have to eat more than three times a day to get 100 grams of protein.

I ate a lot of ProtiDiet tomato basil soup on my clear phases. It has a decent amount of Protein. I also started drinking V8 during my clear phase. As long as it is allowed on your post-op food plan, why not?

As @@KristenLe said, it is gas that is used to inflate your abdomen. For me, I only really felt it in my left shoulder. People do use GasX but I am not sure how much good it does because the gas is not in your digestive tract. Walking, moving, a heating pad, raising my hands over my head, etc. helped the most.

So dumb question why is cold water difficult? I prefer my water cold and haven't noticed any issues with it. HW 341 lbs 07/19/16 - 298 lbs 08/09/16 DOS - 286 lbs CW 270 lbs I don't know either but I think it has something tondo with water tension (at least in part). You will just have to try different temperatures and infusions to see what works. It took a while, but I can drink a lot of ice water now.

Post-op, one thing I have learned is to be satisfied with the aroma of some foods. The smell is often better than the taste anyway.

Don't listen to them. It sounds like they don't know how to deal with change. That is on them. You have made the decision that is right for you. Best of luck with your surgery.

I had an excellent therapist once who thought that almost all food issues were inextricably linked to sex and intimacy. This is an outstanding personal essay that really resonates with me. What do you think? http://hazlitt.net/feature/hunger-makes-me

I was full after a few sips (or even 1 sip!). I also had no appetite or desire to eat. Right after surgery we are swollen but it gets easier. It really is hard to describe the difference between pre-op and post-op.

Congratulations! You can gripe all you want, but YOU REACHED YOUR GOAL! How awesome is that?

Thank you all for your tips! this pre-op is hard ..... I cheated today, I ate a cookie Good luck to all of you as well....!!! It isn't a cheat it's a choice. Next time, you feel the urge to "cheat" try to reach for something on plan (sugar-free Popsicle, a protein shake, even a piece of turkey). You can do this. It isn't forever and it is for your benefit.

I bought all kinds of things pre-op, too! Small food containers Good measuring tools (cups and spoons) Food scale Heating pad Shaker bottle Water bottle(s) Decaf and herb teas Mio drops, crystal light

Warning: this is graphic, but I found it fascinating. It is a video of the removal of a pulmonary embolism. https://www.facebook.com/nursefitco/videos/842021302591488/

I just came here to post this link in a new thread. You might find this article helpful: http://www.success.com/article/if-you-want-to-change-your-results-you-have-to-change-your-thinking-first

Whether you are trying to decide whether or not to have surgery, or just need some motivation, this article has some great questions that you could use as journal prompts to help assess where you are and where you want to be: http://www.success.com/article/if-you-want-to-change-your-results-you-have-to-change-your-thinking-first

None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls, slow downs and weight fluctuations. Stalls are a normal, natural and necessary part of the process of losing weight. Just follow your program and focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids, and stay off the scale. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

You need to get more protein. For me, I could count all fluids toward my Fluid totals so I tried to have protein in as much of my fluid as possible. Premier protein is great because you can get 11 oz of fluid per 30 grams of protein. I also like ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates and Syntrax nectar.

My sister and brother-in-law saw a couple of shows in NY this summer. They LOVED Kinky Boots. Now, that is what I call the compression boots I use for my physical therapy!

Just to add: Her life is not fabulous. It could be, but nothing she is doing right now is going to make it so. I think her life is very sad. She can't dance. She LIKES to dance (which is great), but she has no skill or technique. She "teaches" dance but doesn't have the skill or endurance to do so. I think she is wasting a HUGE opportunity to create the life she wants with this TV show. Rather than a showcase for her need for attention, she COULD use the resources and time filming this show doing so many more productive things (whether or not related to her weight).