Stephinae Howard

I lost 130lbs and I really didn't notice it until I put a before and current photo next to each other.
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Also keep in mind that weight is a sensitive issue and some people don't want to ask and possibly offend.
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When I had lost about 50% of my excess weight I started getting comments. For me that translated to about 100 lbs from my highest weight.

I'm just wondering how long it took before people actually started noticing your weight loss? I've lost 50lbs and I don't feel like I look any different. Also no one has mentioned anything to me about it. I know it's not a huge deal. I'm very happy with how far I've come. I'm just interested in hearing your stories ????
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You know you are borderline BMI for insiranc paying when you hope to have sleep apnea. I was only 6 pounds over the limit for insurance to pay. At my 2nd surgeon appt yesterday I had lost 3. Normally Id be happy but I was wearing heavy clothes. I flat out asked my doc what would happen if I dropped below the 40 BMI and they said it could be a problem with insurance so maybe my sleep study will show something. Never thought I'd have a doctor want me to have sleep apnea. I have one more weigh in next month before they submit to insurance so hopefully I will stay where I am. I'm trying to start making healthy changes now but am scared to do too well.
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I about had a heart attack this morning when I finally got the bill for my surgery.
A bill for 18k.
For about 15 minutes I was frantic, because I had all kinds of insurance problems with my surgery; apparently the doctor was covered, but the hospital wasn't. They managed to work out a deal where the hospital got paid at the in-network rate and I would only have to pay copay + remaining deductible.
Then, something clicked in my head. Copay + remaining deductible -- I should have owed 1800.
Of all the bullshit I went through to get my insurance to cover my surgery, I could think of nothing but the fact that something had gone wrong and I was being held responsible for a huge chunk of the surgery. And what actually went wrong?
Appropriately enough: a fat finger error. BASICALLY, THE DECIMAL POINT WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE.
They're sending me a new bill, for the correct amount thank god. But I had to share, since I'm laughing so hard now.

Ok, i'm sorry but i really need to vent about two things. First, today is day 1 of a 10-day liquid diet and i'm admittedly miserable. I'm at work hating everyone and everything, i know this is necessary and will benefit me long-term, but i really just needed a bitch session. Also, secondly i had sleep study as a pre-op guideline from the surgeon and found out i had sleep apnea, this was Halloween night. I've been fighting to get a C-PAP machine since, if it's not one thing it's another. First it was my insurance, then it was my doctor sending in the wrong forms, or leaving out his first name causing chaos and making the process not run smoothy. At my pre-op, my doctors said since i didn't have a C-PAP using oxygen while in the hospital was fine. I got a call Thursday saying it wasn't fine and i need to get a C-PAP before surgery, my surgery date is Jan. 23rd--yes, that's in 10 days. I have been calling the place everything was faxed to and apparently they're STILL waiting on some form from my PCP. I am at my whits end, i don't know what to do....not only am i hungry but i have to deal with this C-PAP drama.

I used them crushed as breading so no judgement here. I'd say chew the hell out of one before awallowing. Then wait to see how you feel.
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It's definitely not enough time. There's good reason why everyone else requires two additional nights at a hotel. Most complications occur during the first 1-4 days. It's reckless for them to discharge you from the hospital and shuttle you directly to the airport. They're trying to save $$$ but it's the wrong place to be skimping on.

your egg should be soft regardless of how you cook it.
My typical Breakfast below. Egg over easy, smoked salmon a table spoon of salsa and 4 whips (100 percent cheese)
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I'm in my pureed stage and I am glad you asked! Not stupid at all!
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1. No
2. No
3. Most likely
4. Nope!
Yes I'll admit that I snickered! You are over thinking this a bit. If it can be mashed with a fork and it goes through then you are good to go.

@@moe_2175 It's so hard to get used to a cpap, but you definitely need to use it. The damage you do to your body with the apnea is no joke
Does your machine have a ramp button? It allows the airflow it start at a lower pressure, then work up to what your machine is set for. I put mine one when I'm ready to fall asleep, hit the power and then the ramp...it doesn't bother me at all any more but I struggled at first.
@@anniecorda is right on about finding the right mask. I started with a full-face, hated it, tried one that just covered my nose, hated it too. Now I use a nasal prong mask, which I originally thought I couldn't use because I had been a nighttime mouth breather for years, but it's worked fine. Apparently I was mouth breathing because of the apnea, and when I wasn't having apnea, I stopped breathing through my mouth at night. The company who helped you do the original set up can give you different masks to try. Don't give up, you need to use the machine!

this is actually my mask with the Blue gel inside I hope this helps these are the only ones I have found to be comfortable this one has lasted me for a year good luck Hun
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So I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and am required to use the cpap machine. I just received the machine this Monday and am having a horrible time with it. I have the mask that covers the nose only and I feel that the pressure is way too much for me, so much so that everytime I exhale there is no way out for the air to be released out of the mask (does that make sense?). The technician who came to help me set it up said that it will adjust according to my breathing so give it a few minutes and it should adjust before u fall asleep. That's the problem, I cannot sleep! Everytime I try to swallow, my ears pop. Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in oxygen. I barely got any sleep that first night and last night I had it on for only an hour and took it off to get sleep.
My surgery is set for Monday so I'm highly frustrated with this. Anybody else experienced this?
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Yep. CPAP machines suck. They can get it adjusted. It takes time to get used to things. They will do another sleep study after you lose weight. At that time they will determine if you still need the machine. I'm thankfully off mine. Hang in there.
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I've found a doctor but he will not see me until I've completed a long checklist. I've done almost everything on that list including a 6 month weight loss program. Last day of that program is 1/25/17. I need to go my mental evaluation and I will be ready to see the doctor. I started this journey at 412lbs. I weighed in today and I'm down to 365lbs. It could have been more but the last month and a half my weight loss plateaued. I neither gained or lost. I see it as a accomplishment to maintain. Any advice on what more can I do??
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I'm so anxious! I was originally scheduled for the sleeve for 1/25/17. Today the coordinator called me and asked if I would like to be moved up a week to next Wednesday, 1/18/17. Of course I took it because I'm excited to begin the journey to a healthier me, but now my anxiety and worries have set in. What did you do to combat it?
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Today I am 1wk post-op from my sleeve surgery! Most of the chest pressure from when I drink is gone, thankfully! My bowels are working and I'm not nauseous! Praise the Lord for all these things! My stomach muscles are on the mend but still a bit sore when bending over or getting up. I have lots of bruising on my tummy. Other than that I'm able to do my protien drinks, Soups, sf Jello, sf popsicles, greek yogurt & cream of wheat. My first week I lost 6.5lbs! Yaya!
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At 55, you are well beyond needing your mother's approval. We never stop wanting it, but we sure as heck don't need it. Maybe just stop discussing it with her.
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Yes I could easily get shot in Chicago quicker than getting this surgery. When I tell her to read up on it she wants nothing to do with it, she just wants me to change my mind and I'm almost done I'm not backing down. I even have a have a friend go to surgery with me she says she wants no part of it.

My mom is dead set on trying to keep me from having this surgery and I am dead set on doing it. She knows a woman at her work who knows someone that died from the surgery. I suspect she is asking the same person everyday at her work and just keeps telling me the same story everytime. I'm going to my one support group requirement tonight and after that I have a nutrition class on the 20th of Jan and only two classes left after January. All nay sayers aside, I can't wait. I have noticed that since I started eating more Protein anything sweet I eat makes me nauseous.

@@Toni Ha I deal with sagging skin via compression wear and dressing modestly, since I can't afford surgery. Regardless of sagging skin, I feel fantastic and know I look 100% better (with or without clothes) than I did as a lumbering 350+ lb blob of fat. much chubbier person.

@@_bribri1001 I have lost over 200 lbs. I exercised (and still do) 5-6 days per week but honestly it was not for weight loss, it was for overall health. I never counted calories burned or ate extra calories because of exercise. Weight loss happens because of your eating habits, not your exercise habits.
I was incredibly strict with my eating throughout weight loss. I do better when I have rules to follow and don't give myself permission for any variance. My advice -- do not start down the road with "bad" food. Don't buy it, don't eat it, not even a bite here or there. What you can have a bite of now, you can eat a whole package of some months down the road.
My rules (from my bariatric team) for the first six months:
3 meals per day, maximum 3 ounces per meal
No Snacks other than Protein shakes
Maximum 800 calories and 50 carbs per day
Minimum 75 grams of Protein per day
No sweets, no grains, no starchy vegetables, no tropical fruits (bananas, mangos, papayas)
After six months, the rules changed slightly. Meals could be up to 5 oz total, maximum 1100 calories per day, maximum 75 carbs per day, minimum 90 grams of protein per day. Everything else stayed the same.
For me, this program was hardcore but worked perfectly.

Hi,
Myfitnesspal is the best one for me so far.
I did not find better and it syncs perfectly with my Fitbit tracker for activity.
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