shizwiz

@@Aussie chick Hehe thanks! I was able to get into the page OK...you might try deleting your cookies and going again. The other day I was having issues, too. I gave up after a bit and was able to get in fine about an hour later. Good luck!

I am also going to throw in-- I am NOT going to miss using a TON of lotion all the time. I feel like I use like a 1/2 cup in the morning because of all the surface area. Goal, maybe a few Tablespoons But I'm serious. A full body lotion job once per day (dry, cold climate for me) has me going through a large bottle of lotion about once per month. I basically fund Oil of Olay.

@ Thank you for posting this- I have been wondering the same thing and have been slightly worried!!! But I think @@jess9395 has a good point, though...maybe once we lose some weight, our bodies will not have to be working as hard to get our groove on therfore will not need as much energy (aka food). But I have been worrying because if I don't eat very much...sometimes I get really clammy, hot, shaky and feel like I am going to pass out. I have had labs done and my doc didn't show any issues with my blood-work. I wonder if the loss of ghrelin accounts for being able to work out with little food at all? I guess we will find out, eh?!

@@Kindle Haha you're my favorite! That's funny!!!!

@@Kindle I will probably eventually have to spill the beans to someone. It sounds like it went well with you- so hopefully once the word does get out (after I have had my fun of course!) it will go as smoothly for me as well Cheers!

@@KMendez325 I hate that, too. I had a family member tell me to try doing it the natural way. I was like....have you not watched me yoyo since 1998??? Be strong! I think electing to go with surgery is a strong and resolute action.

I am waiting for this to happen to me when I get back from surgery! I live in a very small town that has no roads going in or out-- and people here gossip more than any other place I have lived. Everyone knows everyone and boyyyyy do people talk. I am SO looking forward to the day when someone finally asks why I am losing so much weight. I am going to have fun with it and pretend like I don't even notice and that they are completely crazy. I am also the Privacy/HIPAA Officer for our only hospital in town, so I know people won't be asking me for my personal information because I am such a stickler for privacy. So cruel, but I gotta have fun when I can!!! Mwuahahaha

I am not going to miss being the heaviest person in the room most of the time when at work or with friends! I am also NOT going to miss thinking about my weight constantly. Oh, and being ashamed to eat in front of normal-sized people. I have no idea why I don't like doing that...I mean, they have to know that I eat...but I always feel uncomfortable at potlucks, company luncheons, etc. Off to go stare at the calendar some more....le sigh....

@@ShannonbKSU I don't have the packets (I got the big ol' tubs), but I believe the individual packets are meant to be a 'one-time use' deal. I think you would use one packet of the Protein powder for one full shake. I use a whole scoop of powder, a full packet of individual Crystal Light mix, and a whole bottle of Water (a 16.9 oz bottle). You could probably use a 20 oz bottle of water and that would work, too. Then, shake it up, add some ice, and BOOM, you're done! I have GENEPRO ordered via Amazon and en route to me...it is a unflavored poweder so I think I am just going to mix it into random stuff and see how it goes. Soup, crystal light, coffee....etc. It has glowing reviews from everyone who has tried it. I will probably post once I try it and give my 2 cents. Also- I bought some Snapware storage containers this weekend for my Protein Powder. The bottles that Syntrax puts the powder in does not fit in my cabinets. I got these for $9 each at my local store and they work perfectly. I just wrote the flavor on a piece of painters tape (removable) so I could tell them apart. Here is a link if anyone is looking for a container that fits a whole jug of Syntrax (or other powder): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004173R76/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER Cheers- and happy Monday to all!

@@Chicarossi What do you mix in with the unflavored? I have been meaning to get some, but do you just put it in Crystal Light or something? Or broth?

@@Aussie chick I have the same date as well! Woot woot! Time is surely going by....slowly for me, but it is still going by!

@@wannaBthinsoon Yay 45%off!!!!! Thank you for the heads up! I'm stockin up!!!

I got mine from Drugstore.com. I also use Alaska Airlines Shopping and got 3 miles for every dollar I spent. If you use AK Airlines a lot, it's nice to get miles for online ordering. I have an online shopping problem because of that...hee hee! The Vitamin Shoppe has Syntrax, too....I think even in the to go packets, but they charge for shipping to AK.

For everyone looking at Syntrax nectar for Protein powder- its good!!! I was weary of fruity protein, but they are certainly on to something over there. So far, I have tried the Roadside Lemonade and Fuzzy Navel and my oh myyyy lawwwd....delish. A previous poster suggested using one packet of Crystal Light, one scoop of SN powder and a bottle of Water. So that is the route I have been following: Today I had SN Fuzzy Navel + CL Lemonade....and whoa. It was like...a tropical paradise drink. It wasn't super peachy- which I really liked. Yesterday I had SN Roadside Lemonade + CL Raspberry Lemonade and that was also YUMMY! It was a bit tart, but I kind of set myself up for that one. They didn't seem to stave off hunger quite as long as the GNC total Lean 25's, but man...I am looking forward to trying the next two: Iced Tea and Kiwi Strawberry! After I have tried them all, I think I will save the rest for post-ops when I am less hungerful. Anyone have some good recipes for Syntrax Nectar? I am thinking it might be good to mix it up with some ice in the blender and put that in a Popsicle mold. Shoot, even skim milk instead of water would be a nice, creamy post-op frozen treat.... Endless. Possibilities.

@@zmt1990 Whenever I start a new diet (so.....all 6 million times) I have skin changes. One esthetician I asked about it said that zits/acne takes a few days to emerge. She suggested my breakouts might be my body ridding itself of toxins/grease/etc in response to a new, healthier diet. Stress plays big time into breakouts as well. I would still call your doc or a dermatologist to put your mind at ease Also, I tried a baking soda & lemon juice mask I found on Pinterest, it did wonders to help clear up some skin issues I had! Take care

@@wannaBthinsoon Thank you! I got the Cookies and cream and tried it with plain skim milk and....I think I was expecting an Oreo taste and was really bummed. Then I tried with chocolate almond milk and was in LOVE, until my body let me know it doesn't like almond milk (it was painful!). So, I was bummed again. Cocoa powder. Genius. THANKS!!

@@Veronica Page Way to go! I have been doing the shakes 2x per day and am also getting a bit bored. My Syntrax just came in the mail and it is nice to shake it up and get out of the chocolate/vanilla boring-ness. However, when my boyfriend makes his Lean Cuisine for lunch, I catch myself drooling. Since I am not officially pre-op, I am kind of blending the 2x shakes with Atkins dinners, lots of veggies and low/no carb snacks if I get hungry. I gained almost 10 lbs in one week while on vacation, and have lost 7 lbs since being back and sticking to the shake/low carb diet. I can dig that!!! Stick with it, kid! You're doing awesome!

@@LezzieLez Thank you for the info! I did check with my coordinator and she said I came in too late (I think 10pm). Good idea on the extra money, too! I am going to make sure I have $$ on my credit cards before or travel!

Also, just to throw it in there, it really helps me when I have all of my plans in one place on my person. I usually print out my flight itinerary, car rental (if I have one), hotel confirmation and any other confirmation documents. I also look up local taxi phone numbers and other helpful phone numbers and have them on a sheet. Then, I put it all in a brightly colored folder and stick it in my carry-on. I cannot tell you how many times having my confirmation had been handy when dealing with a hotel losing my reservation or any other snafu. I also just downloaded TripIt which is a free itinerary app on my phone and it keeps all that stuff electronically as well. I just started using it on my most recent trip last week and it was nice! I didn't have to use my paper folder once. It stores all hotel, car and other confirmations right on my phone- so I will not have to pull out my red file folder anymore

@@Sandyryan I am filing my travel plans with the US Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which you can do online once everything is booked and planned. I know it is probably going overboard, but I am a meticulous planner when I travel. And hey, better safe than sorry. Here is the link: https://step.state.gov/step/ I am also going to download the MagicJack app (another poster suggested that in one of my other posts she is a GENIUS!) so I can stay in touch with my family and friends and be in communication with them daily- or as much as I want. Other than that, I plan on not going out and about alone (A Lighter Me has escorts, so that is a big plus!). Also, remember to pack a small, cross body purse. I went to NYC this summer and brought a big tote. The tote was handy for the airport travel portion of the trip, but when I was walking around with just my wallet and phone in it while sightseeing, I was nervous because someone could have easily dipped their arm in and stolen my suff. Heh heh...live and learn! Safe travels!

@@LezzieLez THANK YOU! This is super helpful!!! I still have about 6 weeks left, but am already getting 'Harriet's going on Vacation' syndrome lol. (Read: wandering around the house fretting about what to bring). I bought some maxi dresses from Avenue but they look kind of weird on me, so I think I will bring my Old Gravy Yoga's (I think we have the same ones) and use those instead. I am going to pack SUPER light as I don't want to worry about a ton of stuff. I tend to over-plan, so your advise is super appreciated!!!! THANKS AGAIN! You are awesome. Congrats on your #s also!!! Woot wooooot!

@@LezzieLez I completely understand. I honestly would have taken the loan if I would not have decided to just use almost all of my savings. There is a limit that everyone gets to with their weight and once that decision is made, we find a way to get it done!

@@proudgrammy LOVE that post Thank you!!! I am certain I will come back in read it over and over! @ You are SO lucky to have your husband doing it as well! My boyfriend and I are both overweight and I am the only one taking the surgery route. I am hoping that MY change will also help him, however, I am also scared that he might be a bad influence on me while trying to recover :/ YIKES! I have also heard (and have seen on youtube) alot of people get baby plates (super cute ones!) and utensils to eat with. Also, I have seen a bunch of people use children's bento boxes to pack their lunches and Snacks in for during the day- the little compartments are smaller and about 2-4 oz each. I am going to get some to use to make sure I am using the right portions when I am post-op I wish you and your husband good luck! Ta-ta for now!

@ WOOT WOOT! January is coming up soon, eh? I am also trying to get into good habits before the D-date....so happy to see you are as well The Water thing for me is pretty tough, too. I downloaded a water reminder app on my phone and am astounded how often it wants me to drink water!!! I saw another user get a water bottle and mark it with how much to drink every hour--- I think I am going to do that. I got lazy and would take a sip every time it reminded me :/

Congrats!!!