Essence46

@@Essence46
awwww
bet you say that to all "us" cuties
remember i used to say i am cute as a button!!
now i am CUTER than a button!!
"stepping" up
having both the sleeve and face lift
2 best things i've ever done for myself
no regrets ever
keep doing your great job
great weight loss
take care my friend
kathy

My favorite person here. You are beautiful inside and outside. Congrats to you on stepping up and doing what makes you happy. You being happy makes me happy.

..of weight loss surgery. I used to have trouble walking a single block because of the joint pain, extra weight I carried, and the shortness of breath. Today I walked from Manhattan to Brooklyn and back. No pain, no sweating like a pig, no heavy breathing.

Congrats to you!
Weight: 202 pounds
Height: 5'9.5"
Pants size: 10
My goal is to be able to buy a size 8 and have it fit perfectly.

@@NewMeLinZ, thanks for the suggestion. Even though I didn't ask the question, your answer has helped me too. I have an appointment next month & will ask about that.
To the op, I personally adjusted within two weeks. I did have to switch from the mask to the nose pillows & it made a big difference. I hope you can find a solution that works for you.

I made an appointment with my sleep doctor soon after surgery and was switched to one of the new adjustable machines. It works great.

You need the new respironics auto adjusting machine. No set pressure. The pressure auto adjusts all night based on your needs which will be great as you lose weight!!

Well I am so happy about the changes in me. Even though I have had a ruff time losing the weight I am finally losing it quickly. I once weight 350 lbs and was not happy with myself. Went to a GYN doctor and he told me that I was diabetic. I was able to lose 100 labs. I have struggled with this for a long time going down to 180 lbs and then gaining it back. Now I was 265 when I had my sleeve, with in six month I went down to 204 lbs. Then I gain 16 lbs. This has been a long journey but I am happy I have not given up. Even having a lot of negatives around me I have managed to come out on top. I am Happy to say my goal weight for my body size and shape is 150. I am now 188 lbs.

This worse part of the whole process (surgery included) was the Constipation. Gas wasn't too bad but the constipation was awful. It took days for me to finally have a bowel movement. It only happened then because I took something to make me go. I would suggest taking stool softeners before you surgery so that will already be in your system.

This worse part of the whole process (surgery included) was the Constipation. Gas wasn't too bad but the constipation was awful. It took days for me to finally have a bowel movement. It only happened then because I took something to make me go. I would suggest taking stool softeners before you surgery so that will already be in your system.

This worse part of the whole process (surgery included) was the Constipation. Gas wasn't too bad but the constipation was awful. It took days for me to finally have a bowel movement. It only happened then because I took something to make me go. I would suggest taking stool softeners before you surgery so that will already be in your system.

Instead of getting on the scale every day, I would suggest picking a weigh-in day one day a week. I was driving myself crazy getting on it every day so, for my sanity, I switched to once a week. It has really helped me calm down and not stress out so much.

Instead of getting on the scale every day, I would suggest picking a weigh-in day one day a week. I was driving myself crazy getting on it every day so, for my sanity, I switched to once a week. It has really helped me calm down and not stress out so much.

For the first time in so many years that I can't remember, I wore a swimming suit. Took my kids to Wisconsin Dells and I actually participated. It was kind of cool because first off, I never would have considered going prior to my surgery...secondly...there are weight restrictions on some of the Water slides and I was well within the restriction limit...and yes...they have a scale at the end of the line and if you think you can sneak past, you cannot...there were quite a few making the walk of shame back down the line...not me.......felt........amazing!!!! (and my suit is sooo cute)

Highest 2/2015- 256lbs
Surgery 5/12/2015 -236lbs
Today 7/14/15 - 199!!
I honestly never thought I'd see under 200lbs. Even with surgery, my mind knew I would but my heart just couldn't believe it. It's an odd feeling. I stalled last week and felt negatively about my progress but I stepped up and worked harder and today I hit that magical number.
Thank you to everyone on the board for their support and encouragement. Not just for me, but as a whole. Your words to each other keep me focused, motivated when I need it and hopefully
Happy Tuesday everyone!!!

The weirdest thing happened..... have to share.
On 7/3, a house 3 doors down from mine had a Pig Pickin' for the neighborhood. It was my first "outing" since surgery on 6/22, so I planned to just say "I had gall bladder surgery last week and haven't gotten my appetite back yet" if someone noticed I wasn't eating. There were a lot of new neighbors there that I hadn't met yet. The hosts of the party (Rachel and Ron) asked if I had gotten enough to eat, so I gave them my pre-planned speech. Rachel said "oh goodness, I had surgery last week also". She said she had her gall bladder removed in May, then hernia repair the week prior to the party. I remember thinking to myself "This girl is about my size, isn't eating at her own pig-pickin', had "surgery" last week (both can be related to my surgery)....wouldn't it be funny if she is a bariatric patient as well". I even mentioned it to my best friend the next day, then dismissed the idea. Fast forward 2 weeks.... today I had a nutrition class to attend at the surgeon's office, arrived at 8:30 and there were like 10 people in the class. There was a girl was in the corner waving at me like crazy, I smiled and nodded. Then she came over and said "how long did it take you to get here today"? Then I realized.... it was Rachel. We talked afterwards and exchanged contact info and plan to get together to talk.... My original instinct was right, she's a bariatric patient as well. She lives 3 doors down from me and I had never met her before the party. She had the same Surgeon I did (there are 5 in the practice, and this is one of many practices that do this surgery in the area), and her surgery was the SAME WEEK as mine. Amazing, huh?

Tonight I went to "Two Step Tuesday" at a local country western bar and took a $2 dance lesson - yes, 2 step which I have never attempted before. Here was the coolest part - I had the courage to go alone and so my partner was the hottest guy in the place... about 6'2", tall, dark, handsome and did I mention...hot! and... he could dance!
Too bad he is closer to my son's age than mine, but It was a fun hour of being in dance frames called stuff like "the cuddle position". I could get used to this.
Know where I will be next Tuesday evening?!?

I feel great. Took this pic photo this morning. It makes me smile.

Congratulations!!! Keep up the good work!

I feel great. Took this pic photo this morning. It makes me smile.

We are told any kind of carbonation is the devil! LOL!! I get that way sometimes for a Pepsi. When I do, I will buy one, take two swallows out it (Just enough to get the taste) and throw the rest away. I didn't do it until I was about 6 or 7 months though.

I feel great. Took this pic photo this morning. It makes me smile.

Coke Zero fanatic here! It's like giving up my first born. Dang. ????

I quit smoking before the surgery, and giving up Diet Coke was harder for me, lol.

I feel your pain! When was your surgery, I'm 5 months out and do not crave much of anything. I was a Coca Cola addict. It was nothing for me to drink cokes all day seeing that McDonald's is right across the street from my job. I generally averaged (4) 20 oz at work and another 2 to 3 (2 liters) when I got home. The colder the better. And yes my acid re-flux was getting worse by the minutes. It was funny tho, right after surgery I craved eggplant Parmesan. I mean I would dream about it to the point of salivating. Funny thing is, I never had it before.