The New Kel

I am curious about tummy tuck financing. Once I lose the weight if I ever want to consider it, is it strictly out of pocket pay? For those of you who have had it, dod you pay it all up front? What is the average cost?

Before I got really heavy I loved being active. The gym cardio equipment gave me a huge rush, and I love the after effects an hour or two after a good workout. I always felt so good! My husband is super active. He runs a lot and he hikes. One of my big reasons to have surgery was to get back into shape to join him. Today, I go back to the gym for the first time in ages. I'm excited actually! I would like to try yoga/pilates once I get fit enough.

I will totally look into the red light therapy, thank you!!

@@gustavio, I can understand! I am terribly self conscious, and the gym can be so intimidating. I am going today for the very first time since I just go my OK from the surgeon. All I can say is that you rock for going, no matter what anyone may or may not be thinking. You are miles ahead of those who don't go at all. Everyone has to start somewhere, and I think you should be commended for going! If you really are being judged, screw 'em. The group of ladies you saw coming in when you were leaving might be a great way to start enjoying yourself, perhaps try to go when they go, introducer yourself and get workout buddies! Hang in there and don't get discouraged. You have all of us in your corner, all of us also heading to the gym with the same feelings. Keep the rewards in mind!

Congratulations! You look incredible!! That is quite a success!

Holy Moly! You look amazing!! Congratulations!! You have inspired me, as I am just beginning. And I love your style in the after pics...something I would love to wear, you're rockin' it!!

Hi everyone, happy Friday! I was just looking at the back of my hands, and suddenly they look very aged, wrinkly and dry. I used to have nice looking hands, even if the rest of me didn't. It must have something to do with what I am now eating/drinking compared to a month ago. I am almost 3 weeks post-op. I've been drinking enough Fluid, so I don't know. Anyway, this led me to go online and suddenly I was looking at spas near me. Since I have been heavy, I have only dreamed of going to a spa to get skin treatment, massages, nails done, all that fancy stuff. I never go to spas, because I don't feel secure or that I deserve it. I think of all the pretty women going and getting pampered. So when I am at my 50% to goal, I am going to go. I want to reward myself and feel pretty. Even more than shopping for nice clothes, I have wanted to go to the spa, and feel "normal" there. I would feel so privileged! I predict I will hit my 50 percent sometime around April, early spring. A perfect time for a spa treatment! I'll treat myself since that's my birthday month. Can't wait to come out of this shell of shame I have been in for decades, and start treating myself now and then. PS: any ideas on how to rejuvenate my hands at this stage? Anyone else having this?

That sounds great!!

Today I tried out canned tuna mixed with a bit of low fat mayo. Wow was that good. Then for a snack I had a deli turkey slice with cheese wrapped in it. Went down very smooth without pain! I am actually close to 60 grams of protein today, its getting a lot easier to get the protein in now with food!

Oh it sure is nice to bite into something and actually chew! I was so excited about chewing yesterday that I bit my Cheek during my first bite of tuna! I am being vert specific in the grocery store now too. I used to throw anything in the cart that looked appealing. Now I really think about it. The portions are so funny. I was at work today with this teeny condiment cup of tuna. And boy was it good, and filling!

Yes, definitely better days! I'm very happy that fish and soft chicken are on the menu!

The eggs and spinach sounds awesome and yummy!

I saw my surgeon and my NUT today, 16 days post op. I was thrilled to graduate to soft foods! On my way home, I stopped at Whole Foods. For my first meal after a full month of liquids, I had two of my favorite things: Ahi tuna Sashimi (I had three little slices, about 2 oz total) and tonight for dinner I had about two bites of salmon and the "meat" of very soft steamed artichoke, about 3 leaves. It was so funny to look down at my plate and see my teeny tiny dinner! And I was full soooo fast. I'm very happy to be open soft foods. I love to cook and experiment, and I love fish, so...yay!

Congrats! Best wishes for a speedy healing!

I'm just two weeks post op but I found some WLS friendly sushi recipies. Basically, don't use rice or anything fried in it. I would check with you surgeon but my best guess is we can have it after purees.

Congratulations! You'll be feeling great in no time! Welcome to the boards, they are wealth of info. Wishing you all the sucess on your journey!

Hi @@facebro29, I will be starting purees tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect or how I will feel! Keep us posted on how you do. hopefully you will get some good advice here.

Thanks @Raynbolite. It's going to be new habits for all of us, and definately new coping skills. Best of luck to you!!

Thanks for these kind words @hmvjoyce. I know that most of us on this journey got here do to our relationship with food. I am happy that my "letter" has resignated with so many here. It's the first step, recognizing our issues. Best of luck to you in your own amazing journey!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Awesome, thank you!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for the replies. I literally feel as if bad food is an entity that lives with me. It unlike a partner. Now I understand what "monkey on your back" actually means! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@simpsongrad, Congratulations on the start of your journey! The 25th will be here before you know it. I understand fully about the food crutch. I can say already that I know the mental aspect of WLS is going to be the toughest part, but surely rewarding once the demons are dealt with . Best of luck to you and wishes for a smooth recovery! :-) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am two weeks post op today! I feel like October 3rd was a second birthday for me. On that day a new way of life was launched! Physically, I have been really fortunate I think, regarding healing. Surgery was uncomplicated, and recovery has gone fine. Not much pain. The only pain I have had regularly is in my deepest incision site. But that is finally almost gone! I didn't have much gas, and not a lot of nausea post-op. I am still on full liquids and trying to be creative so I don't go crazy. I have my protien shakes (which are begining to make me nauseaus), non fat sugar free yogurt, and strained soups- tomato basil is fantastic! I really needed something non-sweet tasting with protien so I took a carton of non-fat cottage cheese and I put it in the blender till it was thinned out to the consistancy of yogurt. Sounds disgusting right? It works for me, I eat 1/4 cup or less at a time and it helps the cravings for savory. I have had a couple days of extreme weakness. As in having to lay down for hours. I realized that it was not drinking enough of the Protein. Emotionally, it's been harder. I realize now I was a food addict. So, so many aspects of my life revolved around food (bad ones), pre-surgery. Now post surgery, I find that I have hours of time that I have to fill with new, healthy activites and hobbies. The biggest eye-opener for me 2 weeks out is how much time and mental attention that I used to give bad food. It was my life! So....reinventing now. So, this is my experience two weeks out! I see the surgeon and NUT Wednesday. I am hopeful to graduate to pureed or soft foods! Stats: HW: 239 9/23/16 SW: 219 10/3/16 CW: 211 10/17/16

Dear Bad food Habits, (love of my life and lifelong comforter), This is sad but I'm breaking up with you, at least I'm taking a long time out and I know our relationship will never be the same. The cloud of delusion is lifting about us, our relationship, just two short weeks after my surgery. Let me start by saying you have always been there for me. When my parents weren't there, when I felt alone, and then in the good time too, when I celebrated, when I was happy, stressed, let's face it. You were there as my go-to for any emotion, really. And I loved you, a bit too much. The problem with our relationship, Bad Food, is that it's dysfunctional. You confort me immensley but you leave me empty later, feeling guilty. There is no true substance in what you give me. What I take from you has hurt me physically and emotionally for 30 years and the end result is isolation from my own life, neglecting friends and family functions, hiding away. I am ashamed at what our relationship has done to me. I have come to realize that almost every single activity of my waking life evolved around you, the thought of you, the joy and happiness that I felt when I knew I would have you again. It is this dysfunction that I have to change, Bad Foods. Its not you, it's me. No one ever forced you into my mouth repeatedly. I chose you. It's not easy but I am taking steps to refocus, away from you and towards things that make me healthier. Surgery was just the first step. Look, I know I will never forget you, afterall you were my first and longest love!I will continue to see you everywhere, you can't be overlooked. Fastfood restaurants, the bakeries, the parties, football Sundays. You have an allure and charm that has worked on my like magic and I have become addicted. My family still loves you so you will be in our home sometimes. But my relationship with you is over, in terms of the way we were. You know what? I think we can still be friends, and we might even hang out on rare occasions. But not for a long while. I need to get right in the head. Good bye, I'll miss you, my lifelong comfort. The New Kel