Paige Dukes

Woot woot! Congratulations!

Congrats....keep going!

try to get off pain meds if you are taking them and do OTC and save the stronger stuff for sleep. Move around as much as possible. Keep/Carry water bottle with you EVERYEHERE and sip!walk outside, check the mail, stay out of the kitchen....good luck!

Every day will get better. Remember that you just had major surgery so it is okay to rest a lot for a bit. Def sip all day and increase water intake each day. As you heal you won't be able to drink it all but again every day will get better. Good luck!

Congrats! Good luck!

good for you on deciding to have surgery - you will be very happy - congrats on starting your new life kathy

Thank you, ladies!

Go, girl!

that's brave - I still wear black, grey, blue - always have been my favorite colors...

It is a hard thing to wrap your head around. I can accept my size but there are a lot of changes that come with losing weight that are hard to explain to people and have them understand. Replacing your entire wardrobe in a matter of months, and still constantly needs new and different things isn't easy to accept, even if you like shopping.

Thank you all for the reassurance. I wasn't expecting this to all be so hard emotionally. I anticipated missing the old eating habits, but all in all I don't miss my old habits, but I do miss the relative invisibility that came with being so large. People comment quite often on my weight loss and it is beginning to make me uncomfortable. But at the same time, I am incredibly proud of the progress I have made and the hard work I have put in. I think part of the problem is I don't really see much of a difference when I look in the mirror. I can physically feel that I take up less space, but I look at myself and just see 325 lbs. I can recognize I may need some counseling.

When I look at myself naked in the full length mirror, I don't see a lot of change. Everything looks the same, maybe a little smaller. When I put clothes on I can really tell the difference. Also sometimes I just randomly see differences. This week I noticed that my neck is much slimmer. I had to look at pictures over the past few months to realize, yes my face is slimmer too. I can't see it in the mirror but comparing pictures I can. I try taking pictures of yourself and see if that helps.

so far, about 14-16 pounds. I've got about 3 weeks left so I hope this number continues to climb!

That's the way to do it! Keep up the great work. You'll be that much closer to your goal.

That's great!! Way to go!

I've heard of others doing this with success. Good luck to you!!

Isn't that the greatest! I started with a 24 jeans and a 26slacks. I am now in a size 12!

It happens rapidly too! Congratulations on your continued success!

Best thing I ever did was start making small changes after meeting with my nut. It helped me get ready for significant lifestyle changes that were coming my way post WLS. I hope you have a great visit and certainly feel free to reach out with questions.

take notes and ask questions. write down any question you have so when you meet back up you can get answers.

It was definitely difficult when the rest of the family would order the delicious looking fried seafood platter or heavily sweetened mixed drinks, but I stuck to my guns and only ordered grilled or steamed items. I also used it as an excuse to get more active and try activities I wouldn't have before.

I love the fact that we can go on vacation and lose weight in the process. I think it is because we are much more active now in addition to following good eating habits.

What an awesome bonus!

I had to set a daily recurring alarm to remember to take my PM meds. I am good M-F for my morning meds. But I am bad about remembering my PM meds and my weekend AM meds. Not that I am on many meds anymore just vitamins and Celebrex.

LOL setting an alarm sounds like a fantastic idea... I already have trouble remembering things like this -- before surgery, I doubt I'll magically get better after surgery!!! Thanks

I made sure to take my meds correctly and monitored my sodium intake and the 4 pounds already came back off. I figured it was just water weight because my ankles were huge after work and it dawned on me I forgot to take my BP meds. I've set up a new routine now to help me remember.

Congrats! Will be here before you know it!

Really? I get my first fill today too but not until this afternoon. What do you feel?

I'm fuller quicker with high protein foods. Definitely satiated earlier and stay fuller longer. It's not a MAJOR difference but it's something. I think my sweet spot may be with one more fill but I am going to give this a couple of months or so before I contact my surgeon again.

Dont know what problems you have, but hang in there ! A sleep study showed I had sleep apnea, but a few months after being banded the sleep apnea went away, but I still would wake up 3:30 every morn . Trazadone helps some, maybe talk to your Dr, ? Good luck !!

Just a lot of frustration and anger and fear culminated into one big cry fest. Really helped to get it all out, but still can't sleep. just can't shut my brain off.

I think part of my problem may be I am used to working 12 night shifts and when I go to sleep I crash and sleep like a brick. I have been off for 12 days for the surgery and I think my sleep cycle isn't used to the time off.

yikes paige....its ok to have a cry fest, you've been through a lot and yes there is so much more to all of our lives other than just the weight. I use 1mg of Ativan, it helps but not for every one. Sleep deprivation on top of everything is so hard on us ( im not a good sleeper), your body ad mind is out of wack. It will be better soon. xoxox

Sorry you went through this. I have read your other posts and I KNOW you can get back on track.

I had figured I would gain weight on the NOLA trip because of all of the delicious, rich foods. I was so upset when we had to cut it short, though. I'm out so much money for the hotel. I think I could tolerate it all better if my mouth didn't hurt so bad.

Hi Paige! I am so sorry this happened at the last minute. Hopefully they have your antibiotics working and surgery won't get postponed on you.

Try to do something nice for yourself to help you relax the next few days. Take a long hot bath, listen to some music, read a book. Try some deep breathing exercises which will both help your pain and your anxiety. I promise, I use it all the time and I was a non believer for years.

I hope everything gets cleared up and wish you the best!

sorry to hear about losing your canine family member

stay focused on your goal. {{{{{hugs}}}}}

I am so sorry. I get so attatched to my fuzzy friends... It is literally losing a loved one. Hugs from here also

Way to go! I bet that felt awesome! Keep up the good work!

I hear ya! I have conditioned myself to expect it always that way I won't be so disappointed.

I'm trying to get used to the idea that this is how it is going to go as I drop weight. I really gotta stop with the salty foods. I just love strong flavor so much .

try adding seasonings to foods like pepper, garlic or chili powder. I like strong flavored salty foods too. So I here ya...

B12,b12,b12....you can buy it in liquid form so its easy to take.

I have been considering starting taking b12. I will look into it next time I am grocery shopping.

I know that feeling ... 23/07 for me and had tummy turning over a couple of times today thnking about it !

Hugs

Same thing happened to me! When I made the surgery appt, it was exactly 4 weeks away, then over that weekend, I woke up in a panic thinking "it's only 3 1/2 weeks away!" I don't know why 3 1/2 sounded so much closer than 4! LOL! It will go by fast! And anesthesia is always a little scary. It is always the part I dread for any surgery I have had (which is numerous I am afraid). I have had some not great experiences in the past, but the person I had for my bypass was AMAZING! Easiest going to sleep and waking up and without nausea I have ever had. I was very grateful for him! Try to keep your mind off that part if you can.

I'm at an 18 from a size 32. Things are slower, but still moving. Just keep up the good work!

Me too.. a tight 26 to about a 16 now.. The weight loss is a lot slower with lots of stalls in between.

I am right there with you all....from a snug 22/24 to 12/14 and longer stalls...my fault for this one

When I hit the 50 mark ,I am going out for calamari ! Lol

What a great non-food related reward...congrats on the weight loss so far!

I've got the hotel booked. Going to New Orleans for Halloween. Staying on Decatur. I think it's a reasonable estimate to say I could lose 11 more pounds in a little over two months.