OKCPirate

@@Andrea72 Before surgery I tried the C25K Program. Injured myself so bad I could barely walk for two week. One of my goals post surgery was to do the Redbud 5K in OKC. I still enjoy running 3.5 miles in my neighborhood 2-3 times a week. However, I'm now looking to push into the 10K zone. Why? Because I just want a challenge. No, that's not it really. My girlfriend is a "real" runner, however she has wiped out the cartledge in her knee and she is really limited to 3.1 miles at a time. I know I am not going to beat her at a 5K, so I'm going to out distance her .

That is a great story and it rings true with all my experience. If people notice you at all, it is usually because they are really supporting you. It's like this "tribe" here in WLS land. It's a highly supportive community.

I realized when I was there why the infection rates were so low...they have huge rooms, they mop three times a day, and they don't cram the room with equipment which isn't as clean as we'd like to think in the states. If you don't have any conditions which makes for complications, get it done in Mexico. The people are nice, language is a small barrier but not huge. Now I would not say the same for plastic surgery, that is very different and I will shop for the best surgeon because that is as much art as it is science.

We really are not. We are rooting for one another.

@@OKCPirate - remember when you said that? Allow me to direct your eyes to the quote below: I hope that is ok !! No problem here

@@OKCPirate - remember when you said that? Allow me to direct your eyes to the quote below: I told you, women flocking to the beefcake thread! I stand corrected. The women here will treat us like a side of beef (albeit a much smaller side of beef)

I'm moving more, eating less (technically very true). And THAT is all anyone else needs to know. I only share with true seekers who are trying to change their life for the better.

Invest in these: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/345876-ratchet-belt/?hl=%2Bratchet#entry3893733 I hate wasting money on belts , but I'm glad they keep getting smaller.

@@FinallyFit50s - glad you are paying attention...I'm heading off for a weekend with HER. Oh this is so cool and worth all the dang work and numbers. When you finally find the one, it makes you really appreciate it.

Your butt is smaller and that affects the inseam. (At least it did mine)

@@KristenLe - I am with you. It is not my style to yell (well I did have at least one rant that I had to apologize for). I was just trying to explain the style difference. But as far as the alcohol thing, I am all in favor of adults making their own calls (see: http://www.bariatricpal.com/page/articles.html/_/healthy-living/bariatric-realities-%E2%80%93-medical-professionals%E2%80%99-guidelines-about-alcohol-use-wls-r601). There is great danger in the "absolute shall not" and nothing good comes from it.

@@2goldengirl "I haven't found that insulting people encourages behavior change, BTW." It actually has the opposite effect. I didn't object to @@Stevehud's tough love though. He made some good points, and while everyone has their own online tone, he's been around long enough to earn some grace if it appears abrasive to you. While shame is not an effective motivator, I am reminded of the Proverb, "as Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." I don't think the gender was accidental. This is not a persuasion tool for men to use with women (and children) and not every guy either. But there are times I need another guy to get in my face and tell me, "dude you are screwing up." And we all need a kick in the butt every now and then. It may not be the case here, and I know this isn't in the guys room, but that is often the way guys help each other.

Gravity wins every time. If you want it back, do an inversion board in the morning and get your height checked then. It will give you that extra 1/2". But wait a minute ladies, I thought you all said size doesn't matter?

What part of IL do you live in? Everything I have read that if you are trying to develop an exorcise habit, your best chances of success depends on location. If it is a pain to get to a gym, you won't go. So my first suggestion is to make a list of what's available. Use Groupon's to try out a variety of activities until you find the thing you find challenging. I found I enjoy "wall climbing" however, it is a pain to get to, so I don't do it. However my gym is 24/7 and three minutes away...so it's tough to make an excuse not to go. The place where I did yoga closed and moved an extra 10 miles further away from my house and with traffic when I could attend, that was actually an extra 30 minutes, not worth it to me. Fun also helps. When I am traveling, and there are mountains/hills to climb I go enjoy nature and get some cardio in. So start with what is available, and then start trying. It can be an adventure and fun.

For coffee I use SweetLeaf vanilla creme. It's Stevia with vanilla extract. That and some cinnamon and I'm ready to go in the morning. http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Vanilla-Flavored-Liquid-Stevia/dp/B000E8WIAS

I learned that if you are mentally ill, you are really screwed. And I would not use her as NUT. She said there wasn't any long term studies on success, and that's flat out not true. I really hate when someone takes a dogmatic, "Stay off the web" stance. I don't mind the cautions, but her recommendations are too extreme. But to her credit, she seems to specialize in working with hard case eating disorder people. I don't think her advise applies to anyone who is more "normal*." *Everyone is "normal" until you get to know them.

That is a great point. That helped during my stalls...BTW, this makes the job much easier: https://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/tradeshow-promotions/body-tape-measure.htm?variant=BLANK&imageID=37698&gclid=Cj0KEQjw6Ya5BRDdyOewyo_Z_64BEiQA-fVKez4PBIecKLaU8m-FHCs6CtjJdq60af-w8Ld0E8aqYBEaApNA8P8HAQ

I didn't fear death, but I'm a single dad, so I had all my estate planning up-to-date. Prepare for the worst but realize the odds of any complication are really, REALLY low. I never heard of a death, but with this many people getting it, the odds that a fat person will die having any surgery are what they are.

@@Mr.Cat Respect your sleeve and remember it's a tool, not a magic wand. Tough love out of the way, good luck and enjoy the ride. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Be sure to check out the men's room. If you suddenly want to watch Chick Flicks (and that is not your usual taste), it's just a normal hormone dump which happens during rapid fat loss.(Just saying because I wish someone had told me early on)

I had an idea where I took pics in a shirt that was too small and would take a new one each week, the problem was within a few weeks, the shirt fit and then got too big, but I never got the right effect.

The private rooms in Mexico are great. Mine was in Juarez. I think the quality of care was great, the cost savings spectacular.

It is almost embarrassing how cheap dates have gotten. My girlfriend doesn't eat much, and I sure don't. We have gotten into the habit of splitting a plate. I don't drink when I eat, and she just has Water sans ice. Think about it...if I go out by myself, I take home my left overs and get 2 additional meals out of it. So if I spend $30 on average for dinner...Before surgery, three days = $90. But post surgery, 3 days is $30, saving me $120 a week, or $6240 a year. I think this should pay off my surgery in a year in food savings. 3/4's of my kids are out of the house, so I now go to Whole Foods, get really great meat, but a pound of grass fed beef lasts nearly all week, not one meal. So that is a major savings, tastes better and better for me.

Einstein said "No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." That said, arguing about the surgery apart from the benefits is false discussion. I suggest you read this thread for inspiration: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/195065-you-know-you-lost-weight-when/ And have your husband read: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/219760-sex-oh-my-god-sex/ Keep your eye on the prize and good luck.

I used clear isopure protein drinks from day 2 post surgery...my energy level never waned. So I don't think your experience is unique

I have hip bones and visible shoulders again, but need spanx, eh compression shirts, to tuck in my sagging stomach and my inner thighs flap. Wouldn't change a thing, at least until I have a few weeks available to recover from plastic surgery