KindaFamiliar

@@Babbs In the Year 2525 - Zager and Evans @Everyone else including the OP I do see your point... We all have the right to ask questions/expect answers in a polite, courteous and even respectful manner... But at the same time, we all (if we choose to) have the right to say EXACTLY what we think... Some time ago, I became tired and bored with editing/censoring myself to appease those who are lacking of heart and feeble of mind... This applies to life both 'in here' and 'out there'... While at no point have I set out to cause angst or to enflame situations, I'll not go out of my way to 'sugar-coat' my opinions... Anyone and everyone has the opportunity to ignore/scroll over/respond to my (or anyone's) posts should they choose to... I've no issue with being ignored or passed over... Such things happen... So as far as I'm concerned, unleash the (verbal) beast!!! Say what you like, however you like...* Use as much profanity as you like...* Misspell even the simplest of words to your heart's content...* Perhaps use words or phrases out of context...* But do so knowing that this is the internet - so there's always a chance that ye shall reap exactly what ye sow... Of course, I could be wrong... * - I'm in no way implying that the OP or anyone in this thread is guilty of such things... But let's face it - It happens!!!

I don't know whether you any of you realize it but each and every one of you is fu**ing gorgeous... You're all incredible... Don't ever doubt it... And don't ever forget it...

Great job Chef... You should be well pleased with yourself... Congrats!!

Yep, I did... This was my first time under anesthetic so I had some major fears... I dealt with them by simply telling myself that the slim chance of dying on the table was much better than the certain death I was facing if I continued to be fat...

Thanx all... I really do appreciate your kind words... There seems to be a bit of angst in the ranks at the moment, what with all the deleting of accounts and so on... But I can say with all honesty, that no matter why I've posted here in the past, whether it be to seek support, to support others, or to simply d**k around a bit, I've never felt anything less than supported... What we have here is an incredibly knowledgeable, inclusive and supportive network of people... It's a shame that some can't see that... @@DeepBlue I'm sorry you didn't feel supported. I've not read the thread to which you refer so I cannot comment on the specifics... All I can do is tell you that here, support comes in various forms... While we may not realise it at the time, the fact that somebody bothers to even respond to our posts means that they give a shit... The experiences in here are many and varied... And most people believe that their experience or advice is THE BEST... It worked for them, so it should work for you.. Of course, this is rarely the case... But it explains why they're so passionate about it.. My advice to you is simple... If you post looking for information or support, keep reminding yourself that most of the replies you get are opinions... They're not rules... They're not gospel... They're opinions... Take whatever information is useful to you and disregard the rest... If you feel that one or two responses are negative, ignore them... (Of course, don't ignore this.. This information is GOLD!! ) Just don't be put off by what you perceive to negative... Because the positives FAR outweigh them... Good luck to you on your mission... Should you need any information in the future, don't be afraid to ask.. Anywhere!! Thanx...

Thanx @@Islagirl#1 Much appreciated...

Oh yeah... I'm also going to sing (just karaoke) in public again... I've only sung once in quite a few years... And that was at a friend's wedding, so hardly 'in public'... That'll be the same night I'm wearing the jeans... Anyway, more 'doing stuff' to come this year...

... I've looked the list up and down several times and this is as close to accurate as I could get. I'm not ranting and/or raving... It's not a 'men only' thing... It's not a boy/girl thing... I'm not 100% certain that it's a 'success story' thing either because the story isn't over yet.. It's just a thing.. Anyway, here's the s**t.. My story is similar to many others here. Got fat... Got sleeved... Lost weight... Hit a "stall"... (I use the " around stall because technically, it wasn't all a stall. In the beginning it was. After that it was Christmas, New Years, holiday, drinking, not watching intake...) I've posted about my "stall" before... Unfortunately, the "stall" happened when I was floating around the 100kg (220.462 pounds) lost mark. I went from 98.5 kg lost to 96 then back to 98.7... This went on for four weeks or so leading up to Christmas... Once Christmas came, I knew it wasn't gonna break in the near future so I stopped weighing. So for a month, I stopped worrying about calories and carbs and all that stuff. Yes, I made sure to keep up the Protein and Water, but that was all. Then, once I was back at work and into my routine, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and weigh in. I was scared that I'd gained... Scared that I'd undone some of the good that I'd done... So with great trepidation, I stepped on the scales (first thing in the morning, straight after a pee, naked apart from my reading glasses). I could not believe what I saw... The scale hadn't moved... I was still within a couple of kg of my 100kg lost. Well, that got me going... It was head down and arse up for the next two weeks, making sure I watched EVERYTHING that went in, got right back into training and all that... No cake at work morning tea. No waffle fries at the baseball. No alcohol at the races... (I know, right??!??!) Protein, water, protein, water, good fat and carbs, repeat... Tonight, as I walked in the door, something told me to check my weight... I dunno what it was... The universe maybe... (Please don't make this a God thing... That's a whoooole other story...) Whatever it was, I listened... I weighed myself.. No fear... No trepidation.. And I'm pleased to say that, as things currently stand, I have officially lost EXACTLY 100.3kg (221.124 pounds) since Feb 25 last year. I still have approx 50 kg (110 pounds) to go and hope to have that gone by year's end.. But I'll think about that tomorrow... Tonight is for enjoying the moment... Please... If there's anyone reading this who is struggling or needs support - PM me. I'm more than happy to answer questions or give opinions/anecdotal advice. Thanx for reading... Kinda...

Hmmmmmmm... Tempting...

I currently have them... I don't need support or advice or anything like that... I'm ok... In fact, they kinda make me laugh... Anyway.. Just making conversation...

I'm gonna wear jeans... I've not worn jeans since 1996... Really!! Of course, there's more... But the jeans thing is imminent...

I'm very supportive but I'm not for the faint of heart.. If you need the kind of 'support' that involves telling you (or anyone else who'd like support) how it is (or my version of "it") then let's go... But if what you're looking for is to play the victim and be told that "it'll be ok" when you think you've screwed up, I'm not gonna be much help... Yes, I'm aware that this probably makes me an arse... But I'm an up front arse... There are very few surprises with me!!

I said "PICS!!!"

Hello...

Well done mate... You're well on the road now... Your wife will certainly know there's no 'placebo' once you're onto 'real food'... Keep up the good work!!

You'll be sweet as...

Congrats to you... Well done!!

I'm 11 months (and three days) post op... I'm down 217 pounds (98.5kg) and have been thereabouts for weeks... Admittedly, I've not watched my intake and I've had MANY alcoholic beverages recently, so I'm certainly not complaining.. My aim is to hit 220lb (100kg) lost by my anniversary... That'll leave me at around 70% to goal* of 320lb lost by Christmas this year... *I don't actually have a number as a goal. I have a "feeling". The day I wake up and feel right is the day I'll reach my goal.

Good job!!

I'm 11 months out, nearly 220 pounds down and still have no appetite... As I've posted before, I get the fancies for things every now and then, but I'm yet to feel hungry...

I have at least one triple shot espresso every day... Usually two... I waited until about 8 weeks post op before I had my first but it's been fine since then... There are a lot of myths related to coffee, as referred to by a previous poster... I think the biggest issue that really comes from coffee drinking is the milk and/or sugar that people add to it to make it enjoyable to them... I managed to wean myself off the sugar and now have none... The good thing is, it's still coffee!!!

Or, you may just be lacking in Vitamins... If I get run down or neglect my diet, I will develop something similar to 'cold sores'... They come up in a lump on my lip, in particular in the corners of my mouth... They're like a cross between a cold sore, an ingrown hair and a mouth ulcer.. Painful stuff!!! I've had them checked out and they are not viral at all... They're simply a physical manifestation of poor diet and/or lack of taking care of myself... Before you decide that you've picked up the virus, go and see your GP.. He's probably slightly more qualified than a lot of people...

Congratulations!!!!

Not me... But I've considered something along those lines for my skin removal surgery if/when it's time...

Oh well... You'll just have to settle for feeling better, looking better and being healthier... Birthday cake and Coke is a small price to pay... Happy Birthday!!!