WorkinOnMe

Today's weight is 185. Ugh .... still!! I know, I know .. embrace the stall. Just frustrating when I don't see that scale move AT ALL from one week to another. {sigh} Time to step it up at the gym and push a little harder, I guess.

Congrats! I think most people are nervous ... it is a life changing decision. However, not everyonr has negative things to say or negative experiences. Mine was super positive! From all my pre-op appts, to insurance (it was a breeze), to my actual procedure, to my recovery. It was all a relative cake walk. I am now 8 mos post-op, off all previous scripts, and have lost 125 lbs. Embrace the nerves and look forward to the future!

Congrats on Onederland!! And listen to @@Babbs ... she knows what she is talking about!

If I had it to do all over again I would have started trying foods in liquid/pureed form earlier. There were some things that I like that I figured I would just puree and be all set, when in reality once I did that I couldn't stomach the texture. I also would have experimented more with the various Soups and seasonings to make them taste better. I finally got my hubby to doctor them up, but it was a few weeks into it all. I did things like: curry and cumin in the golden mushroom (blended up) Soup, garlic and adobo in cream of chicken soup, and basil and other italian seasoning in tomato soup. This made it all sooooooo much more tasty! Not on food topic, but I would have bought underwear in a few smaller sizes. I went through them quickly and HATE that saggy butt feeling!!!

So, I haven't seen my PCP since July and had a maintenance check up for my labs. When I arrived at the office she was getting on the elevator just ahead of me and I was headed for the stairs, but I smiled and said hello. She kind of half smiled back and turned into the elevator. Five minutes later she entered my room and and her jaw hit the floor! Apparently she didn't recognize me downstairs and thought I was just being polite when I said hello. I have seen her every 3-4 months for the past 7 years!!! Made me feel great. Now on to the funny ... I was commenting to a coworker about how I need to buy new clothes, again, specifically underwear as I am starting to get the "saggy butt" feeling and it drives me nuts when I feel like my panties are just hanging between my legs. She gave me a REALLY weird look. I guess she wasn't sure WHAT was "hanging between my legs" but says to me "GEEEEEZ Girl! I didn't think you'd have THAAAAT much extra skin down there!!!!" I just about cried I laughed so hard!

My initial study was a home study ... they gave me a little machine with a chest belt and an ox monitor. It was much more comfortable, I was at home, and I slept (or didnt sleep, as the case may be). This was enough to show I had episodes of lowered respiration at a certain number per hour, and was enough for a diagnosis. It also qualified me for a more in depth study had I wanted to go to the hospital for one, but I knew that sleep would be impossible there and opted out. SOOO ... I guess, if they study doesn't come back where you need it to maybe you could look into or ask about the home study and see if that will help?!?!

Try making sure what you are eating is well moistened ... drier foods made it harder for me. At 8 mos post-op I can eat whatever I choose to and rarely have the "stuck" feeling I did at the beginning.

8 months post-op, I've lost 125lbs and 8 pants sizes (from a 28/30 to a 12) ... and my brain still hasn't caught up with my body!!! I'm okay with that though. When I look at photos I can see the difference and the scales (yes, multiple scales because I never believe the first one is correct!) aren't lying to me. The most important thing for me is no longer having the co-morbidities ... my diabetes is under control, I am off my blood pressure and cholesterol meds, and I don't need a cpap machine at night. I figure I will adjust what I "see" with time, and if I don't, that's okay too because life is great!

The Couch to 5K program is a good one, and I plan to use it to boost myself from walking to jogging to eventually running. Background ... I am almost 8 months post-op. At just over 1 month post-op I walked my first ever 5K race. I have been trying to do 1 a month since then. I still walk, but my time has improved from 56 minutes on the first one to 45:06 on the last one in Dec. I am at the point where I feel I can't improve any more unless I start jogging, however I have really bad knees from previous injuries and running has never suited me well. A family member used the Couch to 5K program a couple of years ago after having her 4th child and she was very successful with it. Think that is the direction I am headed in. Good Luck! I'd Love to hear how you do when you start your 5K's!!

I can completely relate to this!! People are calling me "Skinny" and "Slim" and other similar nicknames and it really bothers me. I know they mean well, and probably think it is a compliment, but it really rubs me the wrong way. *I* do not see myself as skinny. I know I am thinner than I used to be, but I am in no way skinny!! I have tried to just take a deep breath and let it roll off, but some days that is just soooo hard to do!

It depends on your insurance and your program/surgeon requirements. I didn't have a pre-op diet until 2 weeks prior to my WLS, however I had to lose at least 10lbs. and keep it off until surgery. Some insurances require a monitored diet/weight loss program before being allowed to have the WLS.

Haven't posted an update in a while & thought I really should! Photos are from Nov 2014 (pre-op), July 2015 (2 mos post-op), and Nov 2015 (6 mos post-op). I haven't taken a new full body comparison photo in a little bit, so I probably should do that soon! HW - 305 SW - 275 CW - 185 (almost 8 mos post-op)

Today's weight is 186. Goal for this round is 179. (I changed it a little) Thanks again for taking this over!!

Thanks for taking this over Sarah!! I am in this round with a goal of 180 lbs.

My final weigh in is 185 lbs! Made my challenge goal and then some. Thank you again Steph!! These challenges are so helpful in keeping myself on track. Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I was told to look for protein with 5-7 carbs or less. My requirement was 70-75g per day. I had a hard time finding stuff I liked, so I recommend that you try some samples & see what you like prior to surgery.

Hit 185 lbs. this morning!!! Goal for the challenge was 187 ... so freaking psyched!

@@TammyDTM - don't get discouraged!! Everyone hits these bumps. The scale will move again soon!

Woohoo!!! good for you!

Seven months out for me and my body LOVES this game! Not really a "stall" as I do keep losing minimally, but then, BANG! 3 lbs all at once. I only weigh once a week now and it is easier to take the wacky ups and downs for me.

189 for me today ... woohoo! almost to my goal for this challenge. It is so much easier to watch it go in small increments and make the mini-goals. I feel so much more successful!!! Thanks again Steph!

LOVE this topic!! I am about 7 months post-op, but I created a NSVs wish-list when I was pre-op. Here is the list and how I am doing so far ... 1. Weigh less than my husband DONE! 2. Wear something in a smaller size than when I graduated HS (20+ years ago) DONE! 3. Give away all clothing that starts with a #2 (28, 26, etc) DONE! 4. Shop in something other than a plus store/department .... Kind of for jeans that I like, but not for long as they are now getting baggy in the butt! 5. Buy/wear tall boots DONE! And Skinny jeans too! 6. Buy/Wear a "little black dress" and actually have it be little 7. Walk more than a mile without being breathless DONE! I am now walking 5K races. 8. Fly without needing a seat belt extender .... Hopefully when we go on vaca! 9. Go parasailing ... This summer, for sure! 10. Go mountain biking ... as soon as the weather is nice enough! One that was not on my list, but just recently happened ... being called "skinny"!! Totally loved it, although I do not consider myself skinny.

I switched to decaf about 3 month pre-op. Had my first cup just over 3 weeks post-op. Have never had a problem with it irritating my stomach, and can now do ONE cup of caffeine once in a while if I want/need to. Dr knows and is fine with it. I would say, talk to your surgeon or NUT and as long as they are okay with it then try a bit to see how you do. Everyone is different.

Weigh in for 12/14 ... 190lbs!! That's a total loss of 115 lbs so far. Happy dance!