no onions

So I started this at my highest weight ever of 337lbs. My ultimate goal is to be in the healthy BMI range and no longer need cpap (if I'm lucky). I think I need to set mini-goals on the way there.
What kinds of things have you all done?
My current weight is 289 lbs and I'm thinking the following --
1. First consecutive 4 weeks of going to the gym: live theater tickets. I love to go but the seats had become uncomfortable.
2. Hitting 237 lbs - I'm a gadget person and I really want an Apple Watch. Maybe tennis lessons?
3. Below 200 lbs - I'm thinking some kind of vacation. Maybe tropical and beachy?
In the past I might have used food as a motivator. That obviously doesn't work for me!

I have a couple -
1. Fewer slip-on shoes. It had reached the point where I specifically looked for shoes I wouldn't have to bend over and tie.
2. Clipping toenails - my abdomen would frequently cramp from the necessary positioning. * I did get a pedicure on Friday because my wounds won't let me quite bend enough yet.
3. Towels that will wrap around your waist (without being bath sheets).
4. Burning any and all "comfort stretch" waisted pants that are in my closet. You know -- the kind with the "hidden" extra inches. Actually, I will happily donate any clothing.
5. Reduced sweating - hopefully. I'm hoping I don't need to sit under the ceiling fan every morning after I get ready for work, just to cool-down before heading to the car.
6. Removing myself from the big and tall catalogs, mailing lists and rewards programs.
7. Really just looking forward to feeling better overall! :-)

I have a couple -
1. Fewer slip-on shoes. It had reached the point where I specifically looked for shoes I wouldn't have to bend over and tie.
2. Clipping toenails - my abdomen would frequently cramp from the necessary positioning. * I did get a pedicure on Friday because my wounds won't let me quite bend enough yet.
3. Towels that will wrap around your waist (without being bath sheets).
4. Burning any and all "comfort stretch" waisted pants that are in my closet. You know -- the kind with the "hidden" extra inches. Actually, I will happily donate any clothing.
5. Reduced sweating - hopefully. I'm hoping I don't need to sit under the ceiling fan every morning after I get ready for work, just to cool-down before heading to the car.
6. Removing myself from the big and tall catalogs, mailing lists and rewards programs.
7. Really just looking forward to feeling better overall! :-)

@@The Candidate
I'm wondering about our electric bill too! I keep it very very cool. Temp currently at 68 in the house.

@@no onions #5 really hits a cord with me too. I'm hoping my electric bill takes a big plunge after I lose the weight. Hoping I won't need it nearly as much to cool off as I do now. I pretty much have it on at least 10 months out of the year.
I hate that I'm sweating buckets just five minutes out of the shower!

Some of you know me well as I have been around a long time... but for back story I was pretty hopeless about losing weight and especially maintaining it when I began this sleeve journey. I had "failed" with the lapband in an epic way and by the time I revised to the sleeve I was well over 300# (although down from my lifetime recorded high of 332# while banded). I was super morbidly obese and spent a lot of years there. I felt aged beyond my years and besides feeling physically miserable, I was certainly NOT an object of attention from the opposite gender. Hell, i never even had a chubby chaser interested in me.
(I did have a serious relationship, I have never been a loner, but my point is I have always been one to focus on intelligence and personality, not looks or body)
Because of my active lifestyle, I have mostly had slender friends even when I was obese. I never went out for girls night with them, never went dancing, I felt like I didn't belong in those settings. So, after losing a bunch of weight, I had plastics and am now maintaining. I social with lots of people now and feel like i fit in many places, but am still sometimes surprised at my own preconceived notions.
Currently, I am about 5# over my goal and about 25# over my lowest weight - I am 3.5 years post sleeve so this is frankly pretty typical. It can get a little discouraging as I am having a heck of a time re-losing this weight. I am fine at my current size, but i was finer thinner haha... so it is still something I want. You know how your state of mind is when your favorite jeans are too tight.... that is where i am!
Okay, now my NSV Story!
I went out to the racetrack on the 3rd for a big girls day of races and fireworks. I went with 3 very attractive ladies who are all naturally very trim. They range from tiny cute as a pixie (Which also makes her look really young) to that tall blond skinny model look (two of those, one fairly boyish looking the other more curvy - both very very attractive). Anyway, all 4 of us are unloading the cooler, doing stuff getting ready to go in. I was applying sunscreen. this really really really attractive man - probably about 40 (we are all about 50) walks by and looks right at me and smiles and says "need any help with that?". All of us freeze as it processes... he is talking to ME! What? I smiled at him as he walked away (it was only later I thought I should have said "YES") and one of the ladies said "this is going to be a good day".
I don't spend alot of time comparing myself to others, I really don't. But after a lifetime of obesity, super morbid obesity - you never expect to be the one in your group of attractive friends to get the notice.
Looks don't actually matter that much - one of the ironies i have learned in this journey, but it still felt good and my friends were all very happy for me too... That also makes me feel good that they are so pleased with my successes.

I have a couple -
1. Fewer slip-on shoes. It had reached the point where I specifically looked for shoes I wouldn't have to bend over and tie.
2. Clipping toenails - my abdomen would frequently cramp from the necessary positioning. * I did get a pedicure on Friday because my wounds won't let me quite bend enough yet.
3. Towels that will wrap around your waist (without being bath sheets).
4. Burning any and all "comfort stretch" waisted pants that are in my closet. You know -- the kind with the "hidden" extra inches. Actually, I will happily donate any clothing.
5. Reduced sweating - hopefully. I'm hoping I don't need to sit under the ceiling fan every morning after I get ready for work, just to cool-down before heading to the car.
6. Removing myself from the big and tall catalogs, mailing lists and rewards programs.
7. Really just looking forward to feeling better overall! :-)

Completely agree -- talk to your Dr. Hope you hear back soon.
I'm taking 20mg Famotidine (Pepcid) in the morning and 40mg at night. I think it's still working itself out as I feel like I may have acid reflux as I type. It's s few hours before I can take my next dose. I didn't notice any issues the first few days.
I've noticed that eating later in the evening may aggravate this for me. I think yogurt possibly aggravates this for me as well. I didn't have this issue prior to surgery and am hoping that it clears up as my body heals and I drop weight.

Best wishes for a quick recovery!

Hello! How are you feeling?
Honestly, I couldn't have done this without the knowledge, humor and friendships I've found on this forum. I can't even explain how much knowledge I've gained! It's part of what I beleive has made me successful so far.
I've been called one of the big meanies on here at times because I don't mince words. There are a few of us. But honestly, we all have nothing but our fellow WLS peeps best interests at heart. We've been there. We understand how hard this whole thing can be at times. And we Celebrate the victories. Sure, there's going to be disagreements, but ultimately in the end, we are all in this together
Welcome and keep posting on how you're doing!

Did someone say big meanie?

People aren't afraid to help and answer questions. Seems to be that all of us are humbled due to our struggles to this point and beyond so there is a lot of help.
I also love this place mainly due to the sense of humors and just plain funny things. If you have been obese like I have most of my life, we learn to laugh and be funny. To the point that it's funny and not really gouging at someone real hard. Really makes me smile reading some stuff.
I love the light heartedness of a lot of the contributors!
I also love the fact that if you ask...most likely. You are going to get told like it is. No candy coating, cotton candy wrapped or bacon infused BS. Greatness!!!
I am new here and hope to be here during and AFTER my initial journey. My sleeve was done June 29, 2015...gotta a long road ahead of me but with these forums, it will probably be like cruising down to the coast with good conversation from great people.
Ok...that's all the raving I will do right now, I usually won't type stuff like this and I've been a moderator for several business and automotive forums....just nice to see a definite change in personalities! (for the better!)
So anyways...Hello!

If I was going to be a race car driver, why would even I listen to or take advice from anyone who hasn't driven a race car?
It's the same thing with telling people about WLS. If they haven't had it themselves, then why do I care what they think?
All the nay sayers can kiss my size 8 ass.

I did something a little weird about this. I told my parents and siblings, making it clear that this was not a discussion but a decision I'd made (the one exception to this was one of my brother's who is a doctor and I wanted input from a medical "what they don't tell you" point of view but still told him to hold the personal commentary) but did make it clear that this was a health related decision which seemed to matter to all of them very much. I then told the friends I've been closest to over the years... It wasn't completely intentional but I've used the response to decide whether or not they stay close. If they followed up and checked in and cared enough to wish me well etc they stayed close... if they were weird about it they were moved further away. I know this may seem a little harsh but frankly, this is a big decision and it's been only a few weeks so I'm trying to let other people's emotional processes be their own and happen elsewhere if they cant manage to be supportive while I deal with some really big changes.
That said, people talk to each other, and my sister in law's family is massive and of course all in laws now know everything. They're sweet people but "not fat enough" isn't actually a compliment, nor is it a medical diagnosis. Plus I carry weight evenly so whether or not I look "fat enough" my insulin levels and cholesterol (though not thank goodness my actual blood sugar yet) were on the rise and I had no desire to die from weight related issues. On the whole though this isn't something I know how to keep quiet from people I see day to day during the recovery phase. After I return to work etc I'm thinking I'll do my best only to share the info with people who have earned my trust.

I've only told a select few outside of my immediate family. But honestly the ones I didn't choose to tell were based more on things like: knowing they can't keep a secret, or the nature of our relationship is professional not personal, or in one case that they'd had the surgery a long time ago and failed to keep the weight off so I didn't want to rub salt into the wound, or I simply don't want a bunch of peripheral people observing me in silence like an animal in captivity to measure how much I lose, how fast I lose it, and then pass judgment on what I'm eating.
But probably the biggest deciding factor is that I'm a big girl (pun intended) and I did my own extensive research before making the leap, and that's all the opinion I need on the subject.
There's also the fact that I'm a very private person outside these boards, and my life choices are not, and never will be, up for discussion or debate. Period.
Shame never once came into my decision process. I'm proud of what I'm doing. I'm shining in a way I never have before and I'm reveling in the limelight. I feel like I've spent the last 45 years in prison and I'm finally being granted a pardon for a crime I never committed. This is the type of feeling I wish I could bottle and sell because I'd make a fortune! My days of living in the shadows will be officially over on 07/29 and I have no plans to ever look back again!
Why on earth would I allow any naysayers or pompous bags of air in to ruin the high I've been flying on for the last year, while going through the approval process? I made a purposeful decision to only surround myself with people that I knew would support me 100%. And I don't regret it one bit.

I recently found old pictures of myself from my 5th grade graduation ceremony and those from 8th grade. It was during that time when certain adult family members couldn't keep their disgusting hands to themselves. The pictures definitely reflected my pain. I gained 120 pounds in middle school and at the age of 14, I entered high school at 260 pounds! It makes me sad even typing this. I ate and ate hoping to gain weight so that I would no longer be a sexual target. Once it stopped, I still carried those bad eating behaviors with me. Years later as a young adult, through Christ I was able to let go and forgive those who hurt me. Life seemed to get better emotionally for me. Although my weight was still a struggle for me, it didn't control my life. I had the lapband in 2009, unfortunately through a sham get rich quick medical office who was eventually shut down and without much success I had it removed in 2012. My husband, a pastor was very supportive at the time. I decided to get the sleeve in 2013 and during preop I found out I was pregnant. March of 2013, 3 months into my pregnancy I lost my baby. It's by far the worst experience I've ever dealt with in my life. I ate my pain away. Just a month after my husband became physically abusive. I found out he was cheating and his fear of me outing him out to those whom he preached to he beat me even more and eventually filed for divorce a few months later. In a span of 4 months I lost a child, my marriage, my home and for a moment my sanity. I remember waking up crying asking God why am I still here. I was in so much pain emotionally. I begin taking my anger out in the gym and eventually lost 80 pounds and I felt really good about myself. Sadly I only maintained it for about 9 months and here I am a year later at my highest weight ever. I am 27 years old and I know I'm going to die if I don't change my habits. I begin preop requirements for the Gastric sleeve in January 2015. Meetings with the nutritionist, psychiatrist, stress testing, endoscopy, nasal probe, etc. The bariatric team had me pick a surgery date before getting an approval which I thought was weird but I chose June 22, 2015. They waited 8 days prior to the surgery date to do so even after many calls to them bugging them. My surgeon requested I have a IVC filter placed because I have a high BMI and it's just a precaution. It was placed 4 days before my scheduled surgery Date on June 18, 2015. In recovery from the ivc filter placement I get the call that my surgery had been denied for lack of a 3 month medically supervised diet. I went 3 months but it was less than 90 days consecutive. I went January, February and March. Tears just begin to flow down my face. They suggested that we just start the medically supervised diet over again. I saw the nutritionist that day and set my 2nd appointment for July 17, 2015. I estimated I would be looking at surgery in early October. This past Thursday July 2, 2015, I got an unexpected call from the surgeons office saying they had appealed that decision and they won! I'm approved and scheduled for surgery this Thursday July 9!!!!

It sounds like you're doing great - congrats!
My recommendation is to stop weighing daily, lest you become obsessed with minor fluctuations. For all anyone knows you peed less or something. :-)

I'm almost 3 weeks out, and I felt a little left out of things over the weekend at the shore with a bunch of friends. There was some really amazing-smelling bacon for Breakfast one morning that I wished I could eat. I would have liked to have a chocolate-chip cookie another day. And there was a really delicious-looking Greek salad at dinner one night that I was sad I couldn't eat yet. I'm on soft foods, so I brought my own food, and my tiny portions and limited menu were depressing to look at.
But, while I was taking my tiny bites of scrambled egg or refried Beans, I looked around at what everyone else was eating and picking out what I would choose to eat next year on this trip. I'd have a piece of that bacon with my egg; I could plan my calories out to eat a cookie one day; I'd have a piece of grilled chicken with a side of that Greek salad.
And honestly, it was a good opportunity for my friends to see how I'm eating right now and that I'm still recovering. Most everyone seemed positive and supportive about my surgery, but if they had any lingering unspoken thoughts of "she took the easy way out," those would be quashed by seeing me sit there with my 1/4 cup portions!

I hear you on #3. But their mental picture of someone who needs this surgery is just skewed.
And we did have the 'lay it out there' conversation today. Conference call with the 3 of us. I listened, told them I heard what they were saying. Told them I'd look into their specific concerns. Which is why the questions #1 & #2.
They aren't going to change my mind. I'm just looking for some answers to put their mind at ease.
Yeah...Health Nut. Went from being my wild child in high school to like this uber granola mom.

Girl. I used to go so far as to put them over a chair the night before to stretch. Now I put my arms in and it feels as if it's going to be too tight and then it slides right on with room to spare. Size XXL to a medium. Life is good.

Sticking my arms inside my knit tops when I put them on and pre-stretching them out so they fit better.

Hey @@judyoz - I started this topic in a forum called "rants and raves" to avoid calling any particular person out within the original thread. I didn't do it to be mean or nasty, just to vent.

Hey @@judyoz - I started this topic in a forum called "rants and raves" to avoid calling any particular person out within the original thread. I didn't do it to be mean or nasty, just to vent.

My opinion --
I'm not sure you're going to be able to alleviate their concerns. It doesn't hurt to try though (if you have the energy/patience for it). Though I already find "Health NUT" wildly out of step and possibly unswayable based on your own comments.
Just lay it all out there (don't mince words) and tell them to hold their questions until you are finished speaking. Tell them to hold any negative comments indefinitely. Have the conversation once, tell them their concerns are noted and their support is expected.
You don't have to rebut everything someone has to say. I'm sure you've had discussions with doctors, nutritionists, etc., and have come to your decision after much consideration.
Oh and sorry... But concern #3 - someone could stfu if that's what was actually said. RUDE.

As long as you are following your plan, there are going to be normal fluctuations in your weight. Could be bloating from too much salt, hormonal changes, being backed up (poop)....who knows. It takes a lot to gain "real" weight at your point from just overeating. It's almost impossible, because you just can't eat enough to right now (unless your grazing like ALL DAY).
As long as you understand the scale will fluctuate when you weigh daily and you won't let it ruin your day by seeing it, then yes, by all means weigh daily. If you don't want to see them, weigh weekly.