glitter eyes

There is a noticeable difference. You are looking fabulous!! Congrats on the weight lost!

Wow that is a fabulous topper. Your hair is beautiful and it looks so natural. I am impressed.

Maybe it just food boredom. I know that sometimes I just get tired of most food and it isn't very exciting- even though I eat a wide variety of foods. I am not as far post op as you, I am only 15 month out, but a bariatric diet can get boring and tedious. Protein, protein, and more protein can get old. I was getting in a rut and losing some of my zeal for eating too, so I decided to change things up. Just this week, I decided to eat more clean and up my intake of high antioxidant foods. It has actually been fun. I have been counting the ORAC levels in foods and aiming for at least 10,000 a day. I have incorporated lots of green tea, berries, and more raw veggies. I am still getting my protein, but this is giving me something else to focus on which is shaking things up and is kinda fun. Maintenance can be tedious and sometimes just boring; but oh so worth it!! You are a great inspiration.

One thing that helped me was I used a medicine cup to drink my liquids from and I made three sips from one. It made me take tiny tiny sips and that helped. I had to sip all day long to stay hydrated. Hang in there it does get easier. The first few weeks are a learning process. Good luck to you!

Don't feel guilty- a lot of us had food funerals. Mine was a homemade German chocolate cake with double icing. It took me two days but ate the whole thing by myself!!! Congrats on the weight you have lost. Good luck on your surgery!!

My surgeon did not require a laxative the night before surgery. I had a two week liquid diet and nothing to eat or drink after midnight before my surgery.

I got lucky, my approval came back in just a few days. If I can remember it was like two days at the most. I have BCBS.

I always overpack so I won't bore with all the stuff I took with me!! Think makeup and nail polish!! LOL However, what were my lifesavers was Biotene mouthwash to help with dry mouth and a small travel pillow to brace my stomach with. Could not have made it without those two items.

I am 15 months post op and have never thrown up. I have been very fortunate.

I love essential oils and have been using them for years. Recently I have branched out and purchased a diffuser for my home and now I am diffusing them. Everyone who comes in my house comments on how wonderful and uplifting it smells. At night I diffuse lavender and it helps with relaxation and sleep. Tea tree oil has wonderful anti fungal and antibiotic properties. Hope you enjoy your new hobby- it's a fun one!

@purz59. Weight loss helped the swelling in my feet and legs. That's one of the things that helped make my decision to have the gastric sleeve was at the end of the day my ankles and legs would be swollen and would hurt if I walked a lot. I am 15 months post op and 122 pounds down and at my goal weight. Foot pain and swelling are a distant memory. Hope your surgery helps yours!! Good luck.

Sorry for all the trouble with your insurance. I know you must feel a huge relief that you have found a way to have your surgery!! You will do great. Excited for you.

@@tinatina119 I had a hard time with water also. I still have a harder time with plain water and I am 15 months post op. One thing you can do is experiment with different temperatures of water. Some people do better with warm herbal non caffeinated tea, some do better with ice cold water. I had to either add flavored drops to my water or drink some type of vitamin water. I went through a ton of different types and flavors before I found what works for me- I drink either peach or black cherry flavored propel water. Also, sip really small sips. I used a medicine cup and made three sips from it. It took sipping all day to get my fluids in. Hang in there it will get better. The first month or so is tricky because you are learning how to eat and drink again. Good luck you can do this!!

I ate the Panera broccoli and cheese soup while I was on full liquids. I strained it really good and ran it through my blender and it was very creamy with no lumps or chunks. I also would add a little non flavored protein powder to it.

I order mine from www.bulfbeefjerky.com I order the honey BBQ turkey jerky. It is amazing and very very tender.

My experience is that I can not drink but a few ounces at a time. I am 15 months post op and can take about four gulps of water at a time. I also struggle to drink plain water. I usually drink propel water or add flavor drops to my water. Hydration is and can be a challenge after weight loss surgery, but it can be done. I carry a bottle of fluid with me everywhere and make an effort to sip all day long. You will be able to do it too!!

Are you pre op or post op? Before my surgery I used to despise exercise. Once I began losing weight exercise got a lot easier and more fun. I try to stay active with things I enjoy such as kayaking, hiking, & swimming.

I am 15 months post op and I am still very cold. I live in Florida and it still isn't hot enough LOL. I am dreading winter. Last winter I had to buy an electric blanket for my bed so I could be warm enough.

I have acid reflux if I eat too close to when I sleep. It will wake me up almost like vomit in my mouth. It burns my lungs. I did not have this before my surgery. I just make sure that I don't eat at least two hours before I go to sleep and that prevents it from happening. It also helps keep me from late night snacking- LOL.

You will have the last laugh when you get to your goal weight. Some people are under the stupid impression that our weight magically disappears immediately after surgery. I had a "friend" say to me when I was four weeks post op. "I thought you would be skinny by now". These people are unhappy and make ignorant statements. I got the last laugh- she is still fat and I am rocking my size 6 pants and a 123 pound weight loss. Hang in there and don't let the haters get to you. You will be successful!! Good luck and congrats on having your surgery.

Just the other day I saw someone I hadn't seen in a few months. They said wow you look so pretty, what's different about you? Did you get a new haircut? I just laughed and said I was rested and relaxed because I just returned from vacation. I so wanted to say hey it's because I lost 123 pounds for goodness sake. I wear a size six instead of a 24. I got a good laugh out of it said thank you and moved on. I have come to the conclusion most people just don't notice others a lot so it takes a huge change for them to notice. I notice and that's all that matters Congrats on your weight loss!!

The pre op diet is very hard. I had to do two weeks of liquids only so I know what you are going through. I tried to stay really busy during my two weeks. I focused on getting my house in order, stocking my pantry with stuff post op, started walking when I wanted to eat, packing my hospital bag,etc. As hard as it is, just try to stay focused on the end result which will be having your surgery and starting a new life. I was also scared to cheat on my pre op diet because I would have felt so bad if something had went wrong that I could have prevented by being compliant. The headaches will get better as the days pass. Usually by day four they will ease up. Hang in there you can do it!!

I probably took it slower than most when it came to exercise. I started walking right after I had my surgery. However, I did not start really working out until about month three. By then I had lost enough weight that I felt like I could do more. I also had plenty of energy. I don't feel this put me at any disadvantage. I lost a total of 123 pounds. My surgery was a year ago in June. I now can run, hike, swim, kayak; and keep up with anyone!! Listen to your body and it will eventually happen, one day you will be running and leaving people in your dust!! Good luck.

Congratulations!! What an amazing victory. All your hard work paid off.

That's a beautiful dress. You can rock your Halloween costume idea. We will all want to see pics!!