KristenVSG2014

I agree. It's like they are scared to do some contouring. They only remove the skin and even then it's not enough. Do some lipo and sew up some muscles! The one woman at the end said she could finally see her progress at the gym and I felt bad for her because her arms still didn't look great...I couldn't see any muscle tone because they left too much skin. Or maybe she's still very swollen. What do I know?

I just found cauliflower 2 for $3! It was just beginning to get little brown spots so it needs to be used asap. I know what I'll be eating tonight!

These are real, acceptable comments I've gotten: Last week a male customer said, "You've lost a lot of weight. You look younger and happier!" My male co-worker I've worked with for 10+ years said, "I just saw you walking across the lobby and didn't realize it was you because you look like a different person." My mom said, "Wow. You look so tiny. You're smaller than me now!" My female co-worker, "Look at that thigh gap! Your legs are so little!"

Garlic mashed cauliflower...Mmmmmmm. Then put it on top of ground beef with veggies for a Shepherd's Pie. Oh yeah.

I've done this before ????

I had my surgery in Mi Doctor which is a small hospital but it was very clean. None of the nurses spoke English but the doctors did. It didn't really bother me because I had my husband and in-laws with me and my husband is an interpreter and my in-laws don't speak English either. I know enough Spanish to know the gist of a conversion but I can't conjugate sentences to save my life. Maybe learn a few words before you go. It will makes the nurses love you and want to help more. As far as what to take with you: 1) Extra throwaway underwear (tip: don't EVER trust a fart) 2) Gas-X dissolvable strips 3) Slippers with hard bottom 4) Q-tips, Neosporin, gauze, tape (you'll need to clean and dress your wounds for weeks) 5) Pillow (to hug on the ride home, bumps hurt, pressure helps)

You caught me. I was only 7 when that song was released. But I also listen to music from the 70's and 80's (thanks, Mom and Dad!) But very true about the height. At 5'7 I'll never have a 24 inch waist. Maybe 28 after my tummy tuck.

To the first two I say, "I'm not sure how the number on the scale changes my marriage vows..."

It is SO worth it. It's a bit more difficult because we don't have a surgeon to follow up with but my PCP has been fantastic. Do you have a doctor back home to follow up with?

That made me laugh... How often do we have a Sir Mix-A-Lot reference on BariatricPal? This used to be one of my favorite workout songs (along with Back That A** Up) but now when it comes on I feel ridiculous because I completely lost my butt. Now I look a bit "knock kneed" but heck, my waist is the smallest it has even been so I'll take it. "Little in the middle" Check! "But she's got much back." Not so much...

Just to give you an example of how I lost my weight month to month: 13.8 lbs (pre-op) 21.8 lbs 1st month 8.6 lbs 2nd month 8.6 lbs 3rd month 8 lbs 4th month 7.1 lbs 5th month 4.7 lbs 6th month 5 lbs 7th month 10 lbs 8th month (ate super clean) 4.8 lbs 9th month 1.4 lbs 10th month 1.4 lbs 11th month 2.6 lbs 12th month 2 lbs 13th month I'm now 1.6 from my goal weight, then I want to lose an additional 5 for a bounce range. As you can see, with the exception of month 8, the amount of weight I lost month to month lessened. There were times I went weeks with no loss then I'd lose some and then I wouldn't lose again for weeks. I actually gained 6 lbs in December (damn cakes and cookies) but I was able to lose it all and an additional 2 lbs but my chart above doesn't show that because I only track my losses from my lowest weight to my lowest weight.

My longest stall was four weeks. Try tracking month to month rather than day to day or even week to week. Just to give you an example of how I lost my weight month to month: 13.8 lbs (pre-op) 21.8 lbs 1st month 8.6 lbs 2nd month 8.6 lbs 3rd month 8 lbs 4th month 7.1 lbs 5th month 4.7 lbs 6th month 5 lbs 7th month 10 lbs 8th month (ate super clean) 4.8 lbs 9th month 1.4 lbs 10th month 1.4 lbs 11th month 2.6 lbs 12th month 2 lbs 13th month I'm now 1.6 from my goal weight, then I want to lose an additional 5 for a bounce range. As you can see, with the exception of month 8, the amount of weight I lost month to month lessened. There were times I went weeks with no loss then I'd lose some and then I wouldn't lose again for weeks. I actually gained 6 lbs in December (damn cakes and cookies) but I was able to lose it all and an additional 2 lbs but my chart above doesn't show that because I only track my losses from my lowest weight to my lowest weight. Also, make sure you are taking measurements and pictures! When the scale wasn't moving, I was either dropping inches or noticed my skin tightening.

I like this. Sometimes we get so caught up in the numbers (raises hand ????????). I weigh myself every day.

I've eaten regular sushi but I only ate two pieces. I prefer sashimi or ask if they can make the sushi without rice and wrapped in cucumber or radish instead. Enjoy!

YES!! I have to stay away from Popeyes. Let's just say before surgery, "red beans and rice didn't miss her" (me). ????

Celery is magical. I love the taste of it raw or cooked. It adds a unique and delicious flavor. Add some onion, garlic, carrots. Oh gosh...that's the base for some amazing dishes. The commercials on tv usually turn my stomach. I love watching cooking shows like Masterchef though!

How funny I am making some today! Hubby woke up sick so I'm cooking a chicken to later make chicken soup then I'll use the bones to make a broth overnight in the crockpot (I've been collecting bones but should finally have enough). I used to use store-bought broth until I started eating cleaner and made my own for the first time. Never went back. The difference in flavor...is incomparable.

Oh. My. Stars. Sooooo cute!!! I love Great Danes.

I used Dr. Alejandro Lopez. I also took my husband with me. I had surgery and stayed in the hospital 2 nights and the Marriott hotel 2 nights. I can't "rave" about anything in particular but I had no complications or issues so I'm very happy with my decision.

Love the pic, @LipstickLady. This is me on New Year's Eve with the 70 and 35 lb doggies terrified and shaking in my lap from fireworks.

Extreme stress and grieving can most definitely cause what you have. First, I am so sorry for the losses you've experienced. No parent should ever lose a child and you've lost a child and a grandchild in only a few months. Second, the only advice I have is to see a therapist and try to eat as much as physically possible until your weight climbs back into the healthy range. Try to pack as much healthy fat in as you can (think spoonfuls of peanut butter, handfuls of nuts, avocados, cheese, etc.)

Yes, I have a 70 lb bulldog that thinks she's a 7 lb lapdog. We actually both fit in the chair together now!! I took two weeks off from work, flew to California, had surgery and stayed with my in-laws while my parents cared for my dogs. That gave me enough time to recover. Now I'm concerned with recovery for plastic surgery which will be at least four weeks. I'm considering staying at my parent's home for the four weeks because my husband does not do well with stitches, blood and drains. He can care for the dogs at home. Momma can take care of helping me shower and change bandages. We only live 10 minutes away so he can come visit me during the day.

1.) "Wow. I can't believe you've lost over 100 lbs. Your face doesn't look old and wrinkled at all!" ???? Uh...thanks? I think? 2.) "My friend had gastric bypass done. She gained all her weight back." ???? I'm not your friend. 3.) My husband says, "You're going to leave me now that you're hot and skinny." ???? How does the number on the scale change my marriage vows?

Don't let the fear of loose skin stop you from wanting to lose weight and get healthy. How much do you need to lose? There are so many factors that play into what your skin will look like afterwards. I have loose skin but no one can tell when I'm clothed.

Almost 70% of Americans are overweight. It's to the point it doesn't matter where you live. If you aren't overweight you are in the vast minority.