ryan_86

This happened months ago, but I still get a kick out of it: collar bones. I have them. Hadn't seen them in years. Every morning in front of the mirror, there they are.

I jogged. I haven't jogged in years. I like doing it just for the novelty of being able to.

Sounds like a classic case of her insecurity. Too bad people don't come with an ignore button.

I've been eating Quest bars since surgery and I actually enjoy them. However, the sugar alcohol in them has me farting so frequently I can't stand to be in the same room as myself.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a bar with no sugar alcohol?
Thanks.

Sounds like a classic case of her insecurity. Too bad people don't come with an ignore button.

Sounds like a classic case of her insecurity. Too bad people don't come with an ignore button.

Sounds like a classic case of her insecurity. Too bad people don't come with an ignore button.

I've yet to finish the pizza, but yes, I could if I spent enough time trying. There was a period when I just didn't eat anything "bad," with bad defined as things I can't control myself around. I'm not sure if that is ever sustainable, but neither have I found the ability to have a little bit without craving more. Bored? Eat. Sad? Eat. Happy? Eat. Busy? Eat.

It is all about the mental ability to stop yourself, because your brain is so much better at giving you permission.

I can handle people being afraid for their loved ones, but when someone calls it the easy way out I have this strange urge to spray them with a garden hose.

They don't know anything about it, and if they feel the need to judge, well, to hell with them.

People figure it out on their own. They eventually notice the weight loss, then you take a couple weeks off work, then you lose a bunch more weight. They put it together.

I told the people who I thought needed to know, and among those I was especially close to, I explained why. Everyone else just eventually assumed, but they were always too polite to mention it unless it was by accident.

I briefly contemplated shaving my head before surgery to see if people at work would freak out when I got back and think I had a round of chemo, but I decided that would only be funny to me. I settled for telling people who saw my original work picture that I had been stung by a bee just before the photo was taken, just to amuse myself. Amazing how many people believed that.

Waiting for plane to take off.

Seat isn't as small as I remember it. I don't know what everyone is bitching about. Got plenty of room.

I can handle people being afraid for their loved ones, but when someone calls it the easy way out I have this strange urge to spray them with a garden hose.

They don't know anything about it, and if they feel the need to judge, well, to hell with them.

I can handle people being afraid for their loved ones, but when someone calls it the easy way out I have this strange urge to spray them with a garden hose.

They don't know anything about it, and if they feel the need to judge, well, to hell with them.

I can handle people being afraid for their loved ones, but when someone calls it the easy way out I have this strange urge to spray them with a garden hose.

They don't know anything about it, and if they feel the need to judge, well, to hell with them.

This happened months ago, but I still get a kick out of it: collar bones. I have them. Hadn't seen them in years. Every morning in front of the mirror, there they are.

This happened months ago, but I still get a kick out of it: collar bones. I have them. Hadn't seen them in years. Every morning in front of the mirror, there they are.

I found out after the fact that my mother had told a lot of people, mostly because she was concerned and needed to talk it out with people.

Nursejenny thank you so much for all of your posts. They really kept me engaged and calm leading up to my panniculectomy on Friday and home Sunday night. Your posts have been very encouraging , honest, and informative.....a big help to others. Although, not as complex or complete as yours, I am thrilled with the outcome of my surgery and will post my before and after photos soon.
You are a real inspiration and I wish you all the best in this new phase of your life and your move. I posted mine under panniculectomy....check. Thank you again.
Freelee

I'm sitting here at 4:45 am on post op day 2. I had a circumferential body lift, and liposuction to my thighs. Everything went really well. I came out of surgery feeling great. Minimal pain. The surgery took about 6.5 hours. I've stayed in the hospital 2 nights, and the nurses and staff here have been amazing! I'm at Rose hospital in Denver Colorado. I've been taking Valium every 6 hours for muscle pain, and 2 Percocet every 4-6 hours for pain, they help a lot. When resting, I feel pretty darn good. Getting up and moving is a bit awkward and painful, but is doesn't last long. It is MUCH easier to get up from a chair than a bed. I slept like a baby last night, didn't need any meds, but when I work up this morning I was really stiff, and had a hard time rolling out of the bed. I took a walk down the hall for some coffee, took some pain meds, and am now sitting in the chair and feel good.
Most of the pain or discomfort I have is in my upper abs. Feels like I did 800,000,00 sit ups, lol. There is one little spot on my incision that burns if I move just right, but goes away quickly when I correct. My back incision hasn't given me any trouble, and that was the one I was Moat worried about!
I got a very brief look at my tummy as they checked my incision yesterday, and almost started crying. My stomach is flat. No longer flabby with the fold in the middle leadin to my perpetual muffin top. My belly button is currently covered, but everything looks beautiful. I have three drains in that exit at my pubis area. They are quite the site, and make it a little awkward when using the restroom, but very manageable!
So far the Lipo to my thighs has been fine. Mostly when I sit on the toilet I feel like I've been kicked in the behind by a horse, lol!
Well, I think that's it for now. My dream is finally coming true, and I couldn't be more happy! I'll keep you all posted on my recovery and progress!
Oh yeah...Dr. Folk removed about 7 lbs of skin and fat, and 3 liters of fat from my thighs during lipo! . Amazing!!
Stats:
Highest Wright ever 285lb
Weight at sleeve (July 28 2014) 262
Preop plastics weight: 169
Hope you all have a GREAT day!

I had a new work photo taken. That's the only picture I have of myself before beginning my pre-op, so it's my "before." I was shocked to see my new photo. I almost look gaunt. I don't think either photo looks like me.

Back when i started this process, I made sure everyone knew it was about health, not vanity. And that's true, it was mostly about health. But it's also about vanity.
I want to look good! It's another way of feeling good, and I have every right to feel good about myself and if that makes me vain, so be it.
It's not that anyone has said anything, but I just have had this sense that it's not socially okay to do this for the sake of appearance. But sure it is. Why not?
I feel good. I look good. I want to look better. I'll do what I want and need to make that happen, and I'm going to stop apologizing for it.

Please don't take this as me being a Debbie Downer, but the way my life has worked, I have learned that I can't count on anyone to support me. Many may say they will, but very few do. My husband has been a solid support, but now that I'm 25 pounds from goal, he is suggesting we eat and do things that are not good for my new lifestyle.
Therefore, buck up, Sister -- you've got this. You got yourself this far and will go all the way. While it is nice to have some help from others, this is something you need to do.
You are fierce. You are stronger than you think. You've got this,

Because I'm sick and working like a dog and keep having to cancel vacation days to get work done. Because I'm trying to buy a house. Because sometimes I just want the donut.
I think figuring out when it's okay to not be perfect at dieting is the hardest part of this.

Because I'm sick and working like a dog and keep having to cancel vacation days to get work done. Because I'm trying to buy a house. Because sometimes I just want the donut.
I think figuring out when it's okay to not be perfect at dieting is the hardest part of this.

So the notion that low weight/high rep lifting tones is a myth. Toning is another term for hypertrophy.

The term is usually associated with building muscle mass, but people mistakenly believe that mass is the same as bulk. In men, mass CAN lead to bulk if they have the body chemistry for it and work especially hard toward that goal. Women almost universally do not have the testosterone levels to add enough mass to become bulky. Rather, the mass they build simply adds firmness and some limited definition - that's tone.

The ideal approach to hypertrophy is a median approach. Weight around 65-80% of your max, reps between 8 and 12, 4 to 6 sets.

I'd advise a mix of cardio and weights through your losing phase and a greater focus on lifting afterward.

Your scale may stall temporarily, but adding muscle is harder than losing fat. If you stick to your diet, the scale will start going down even if start lifting again.