wantingabetterlife

I totally did this. I went to college at age 38, so I know how you feel. I had to take all the placement tests and I was scared to death since I hadn't been in school for 20 years. I bought a book that helped me brush up on some of the info that would be on the tests. I thought I would pass out on my first day of class! But you know what, I wasn't the only "older" student in there and I survived! It is way more intimidating in your head than it really is. Once you get started and get into the groove, you will be finished before you know it and relieved. Best of luck to you and remember, you can do it!

I totally did this. I went to college at age 38, so I know how you feel. I had to take all the placement tests and I was scared to death since I hadn't been in school for 20 years. I bought a book that helped me brush up on some of the info that would be on the tests. I thought I would pass out on my first day of class! But you know what, I wasn't the only "older" student in there and I survived! It is way more intimidating in your head than it really is. Once you get started and get into the groove, you will be finished before you know it and relieved. Best of luck to you and remember, you can do it!

Stay positive and as the NSVs add up, you forget how much you miss certain foods. I do miss my old go to's from the past but as I lose weight and have victories, I realize exactly why I gave them up. Hormones are a big factor here too. As you are losing fat, hormones are released. It can make us irritable, mad, sad, or just plain hard to be around! This is a hard stage to get through but you will! Keep your head up and stick to your plan, it's worth it!

I totally did this. I went to college at age 38, so I know how you feel. I had to take all the placement tests and I was scared to death since I hadn't been in school for 20 years. I bought a book that helped me brush up on some of the info that would be on the tests. I thought I would pass out on my first day of class! But you know what, I wasn't the only "older" student in there and I survived! It is way more intimidating in your head than it really is. Once you get started and get into the groove, you will be finished before you know it and relieved. Best of luck to you and remember, you can do it!

I am 10 days post-op and am struggling, too. Today was very emotional (crying at the drop of a hat, very fragile emotionally) and the head-hungry food cravings are making me insane!!! My loving and supportive family have no idea what I'm going through, so their love and support is just irritating me. (Did I mention I am a little emotionally fragile? Add irritability to that). I know this stage is temporary...soon enough we will be able to return to eating food (a lot less, a more healthy) like human beings. We will start to feel normal again. Things will get better. But today? Today I reserve the right to have a mini-breakdown, cry, and wallow in self-pity. I reserve the right to be mad at myself and mad at the world. I reserve the right hate my liquid food and exercise, too. But just for today. Tomorrow will be different. Hopefully better. I hope it is for you, too.

@B Autumn I had a hard time with Vitamins too! I was taking the Flintstones chewables but now I am taking the VitaFusion Multivites gummies. They have a decent taste and don't nauseate me!

@B Autumn I had a hard time with Vitamins too! I was taking the Flintstones chewables but now I am taking the VitaFusion Multivites gummies. They have a decent taste and don't nauseate me!

Glad to hear so many are doing well. I am in "stallsville" and it quite literally stinks! But it will pass and all will be fine. My hair loss has slowed down, thank God. I thought it would all fall out. Other than that, It is going great and I am happy and getting healthier! November 16, 2014

Glad to hear so many are doing well. I am in "stallsville" and it quite literally stinks! But it will pass and all will be fine. My hair loss has slowed down, thank God. I thought it would all fall out. Other than that, It is going great and I am happy and getting healthier! November 16, 2014

November 10th for me. Slow going at the moment. Sooooo close to Onederland!!

How is everyone doing? I hit Onederland today! 196.4 pounds to be exact! Down from 275!! Here's some before and current pics!  

11/25 surgery, doing well

@@Casey235, Welcome to the forum!



You don’t have to exercise to lose weight and keep it off, but it sure helps. It’s not just about the calorie burn, although it does help to burn off a couple hundred extra calories each day. Exercise also helps you lose weight because it helps you stay focused on your goal. You can feel yourself getting stronger



And exercise isn’t just about the weight loss. It makes you feel good – proud, confident, and strong. And it puts you in a better mood and relaxes you. But you’ve probably heard all that before.



You don’t ever have to set foot in a gym. You can walk, hula hoop, dance, or do workout video. You can work out at home or in the park. Shoot hoops in your backyard or at the park. The point is, you can find something fun. It doesn’t matter what, as long as you’re moving. Even the gym can be fun, even if you don’t like the traditional treadmill, bike, or weights. Try a new exercise class – almost all of them can be modified to your own level of ability. Work out with a buddy. Whatever you do, make it fun. That’s the key. And don’t be afraid! Nobody cares if you look silly. We all start out as beginners.

Good luck on your journey, and it’s great that you’re thinking ahead so carefully.

You can definitely tell the difference! Congrats to you! Keep up the great work

You can definitely tell the difference! Congrats to you! Keep up the great work

I am 55 pounds down and made a trip to Goodwill like many others. I also took two large bags of too large clothes with me to donate. I bought two or three pants in current size and two sizes smaller. I also bought shirts in medium and large. My 3&2 XLs started looking ridiculous on me! Can now easily wear XL and some larges. But I got everything at a great price so I don't mind only using them for a short time!

I have a separate gastric doc and he said I will probably be on them at least a year, possibly longer. He said our smaller tummy stills produces quite a bit of acid. I did have heartburn/GERD issues prior to surgery though.

I heard the Mexican sleeves crave more Taco Bell. Haha, just kidding!

So this morning I'm getting dressed and pull on my sports bra and undies. Something didn't quite look right in the mirror and I realized I had put my bra on backwards....and it fit fine! Thats how pitifully tiny my boobies are now. I literally laughed out loud and flipped it around the right way. But I don't think that's what they meant by "reversible".

For those just getting started, remember that drinking TONS of Fluid can help your skin stay hydrated, which should help maintain some elasticity (and it really helps with weight loss). I definitely have some "Sharpei Belly" going on, but it's a whole lot better than where I was before! And working out with weights has helped reduce my excess arm skin. Hmmm.. maybe I need to do more planks and crunches....

Bravo Alex!

Congrats to you! You look great.

@@JamieLogical You always give such great advice! It's people like you that make this sight so helpful....just saying! I will be checking with you once I get to goal and allow some time for everything to shift as it will.

Instead of watching an unrealistic "reality" game show, maybe they should spend that hour on Bariatricpal. They could then see the countless number of lives that have been changed for the better by the so called irresponsible way to lose weight. And let's not forget the lives that have been saved from debilitating health conditions and possibly even death.
If everyone on this site could dedicate 8 hours to exercise and even more time to preparing their meals every day, then I guess we could be considered responsible. PLEASE, who has that kind of time in their life??? And the people on the show will have to return to their jobs and lives after it is over. Is it realistic to believe they can continue with their schedule?
I agree with @@Alex Brecher, we need to grow another layer of skin and speak out about WLS. We have been there and most of the posts I have read only regret "not doing it sooner" We are the voices that can tell another side of WLS. I personally, consider WLS the most RESPONSIBLE choice that I have made for the betterment of my life! And I refuse to let some TV show make me feel less for that choice!

It was not bad at all. Actually, it was a wonderful experience. They do so much Medical Tourism down there that they have got it to a science. You would be amazed at the number of people showing up for WLS, plastic surgery, etc. My only other options were to have lapband (didn't want it), complete gastric bypass (was scared of being malnourished in a few years), or do nothing.