LisaMergs

Hope you did well! I'm never on this site anymore and just saw this. Dr. D is terrific. Having an EGD with Dr. Linn myself Monday. I've a horrid ulcer that won't behave. Hopefully I'll have good news after it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

If you want advice from a 2 year post op veteran, have some patience someone will eventually answer. Your stomach will not return to its pre-op size, but you'll find that you're able to eat and drink more, as time goes on. Sometimes previous food preferences return, sometimes they don't. Not everyone's story is the same. Disclaimer: this is info I gleaned from previous posts on this site, and some personal internet research. I find that searching the different fora here can sometimes give you the answers you want/need. Sent from my SM-N900P using the BariatricPal App Wondering? How far post op are you? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

LOOK AT YOU!!!!! Simply spectacular!!!!! Sooooo happy and proud for you!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Way to go!!!! Spectacular!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

And a joyful season to you too! Thank you!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@shedo82773 Merry Christmas. You have had such a trial of a journey! Will they be able to do kidney surgery? My moms significant other had cancer in his kidney some years ago, they removed that portion of it and he has been doing very well. His was very localized so no chemo needed... I hope your husband will be the same!!!!!???????????????????????? Good luck! I'll keep him in my prayers. ( and there is NO getting out of holidays here... the troops would rise up and anarchy would ensue! Lol) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Haven't been on in a while-- wanted to pop in and wish you all a Merry Christmas! Typical Italian feast tonight- first, we will do the Seven Fishes, mussels, clams, calamari, white fish, lobster, ahi, shrimp each prepared as a separate dish. Bunch of small sides to go with, including a cheese and vegetable lasagna. Then off to midnight Mass, and back to my house after for the meat dishes, antipasti, and more Desserts. I made homemade limoncello about 6 weeks back, so that will be brought out after midnight, as well. People won't leave until 3 am lol. And tomorrow, we do another whole meal, with roasts and the ravioli we made after thanksgiving that were flash frozen. Crazy times but in our family, that's Christmas. Amazing how I still have no desire to indulge in things that are not bari- friendly. I'm so grateful for the gift the surgery became in my life. I'm weighing in at a whopping 137 today. The scale moves slooooooowly now, and bounces up and down but I'll take it. So...to all of you who recognize Christmas, as we say in my family, Buon Natale, ora tutti mangiare, bere, e celebrare la stagione!!! È una bella giornata per accogliere Gesù! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks all!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

❤️❤️❤️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Lol. Maybe it's the coffee at 8:30 sitting in Starbucks and watching hockey stream while I work that brought about my revelation... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well all, since I hit goal this week, things took a turn for the better. I've been looking to go back to work now for a while. I won't go back into actively practicing dentistry, but want to go into practice management and consulting. My hope was to travel quite a bit, and I've had several options present themselves that I've been interviewing for. After speaking with a long time colleague the other day, he made a few suggestions that I acted upon. The result? I've received four more calls to interview for positions I never would have considered before, each challenging in their own right and outside my comfort zone, but hey-isn't that what this new life is about? There was a fifth call I received from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Now, if you know me, you'll know it has been my intention for YEARS to move to NC! This position is at the dental school overseeing the post-grad dental students who are completing their General Practice Residency. To have a hand in shaping the future of a profession that treated me so well is damned exciting!!! (And let's face it-- the possibility of reduced or free tuition to UNC for one or two of my kids is freaking appealing too if I was on staff!!!) My point is this--- never say never. Never say die. Don't quit. Don't give up. Don't cry uncle or wave a white flag. So many personal things are changing in my life and family life...kids leave to begin their own life, relationships change or go away. The only thing we have control over is ourselves and doing something to shape or destiny. Don't forget you. Don't squander the opportunity. Don't take it for granted. Don't be with people who drain you. Lots of don'ts. But how about this::: DO love yourself. DO live outside your comfort zone. DO expect to succeed. DO expect the people who surround you to bless and enhance your life. DO know that anyone can change. DO know that you are worth it!!! It's pretty simple, really. Look in the mirror and just say "I Do" to yourself. And then as you make it happen, you'll grow like the tulips coming up in Spring. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I do recall just wearing camies the first couple of weeks--the bloating in the tummy area made bra-wearing difficult. It gets better. I promise!!❤️ Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

We did!!!! It's been one hell of a journey, hasn't it??? As for sane? Lol. Sometimes!!! In all seriousness, thank you. I've enjoyed your contributions as well!!' Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Aren't you in Chicago??! We definitely need a meetup! Lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Here is what I have found--- When you lose the weight, YES others are attracted to you simply for the PHYSICAL change(s). I have always had an outgoing, engaging personality. It may have been muffled under the excess weight, but that was more due to my withdrawal from life. Do I find myself approached more? Yes. Unequivocally yes. Did I have a hard time "accepting" this fact? Yes and no. Here is why- prior to weight gain, I enjoyed a great deal of interaction socially ( not romantically- being married and all) from both sexes. It was my normal. Do I sit and think "well screw you, you uppity socialite who NOW speaks to me"? Yep. I live in a community that is both Upper Middle class and extremely wealthy. We all intermingle, but the "super wealthy" women didn't give me the time of day when I was overweight. Now they fawn over me. Ha! Screw them. Didn't need them before, certainly don't now. Here is also something I've seen--- There are those out there who will want to "score" with you, emotionally, physically, whichever, JUST for the hell of it...the game. You MAY find someone who "tells" you things just because...but don't fall for that BS. Be your best person, emotionally, physically, spiritually. Don't derail your happiness and success based on "what if". Don't let anyone or the fear of someone hurting you dictate where you eventually land weight-wise. YOU CHOOSE who you want to let into your life!!!! I'd go so far as to say when the time is RIGHT, choose people who didn't know you pre-op Finally, you only become as invisible as you want to be. Having an outgoing, life-loving personality draws people to me. I don't say this to feather my own cap. It just is what it is. If you are outgoing and engaging, you don't disappear, you THRIVE. If you prefer to keep to yourself, then do that. Summed up/-- you get to call all of the shots. How, when and with whom is up to you. Just don't fall prey to men who promise love and adoration just to score...no different now or thinner. Jerks abound. You're doing this for you. No one else and you don't need their validation. Totally agree with everything you said here. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App