Orchids&Dragons

This is a thought provoking question. It makes me think back to my younger, thinner days when even then I was never happy with the way my body looked - if only I knew that it was all down hill from there! And now that I have worked from being morbidly obese to reaching my goal, I am wondering if I should lose more because maybe a size 6 will be better than a size 8. I think many of us, especially women, need to explore our body image issues a little deeper. What does it take to feel satisfied with being you? Does the weight loss make us happy, or do we need to focus on our inner happiness and just being happy with who we are? Difficult questions I think.

I needed a raincoat yesterday and my husband grabbed one of my son's old ones. Score.............

I just had to order new layering cami's, because my old ones were too baggy. Size, medium! Crazy!

Wow!

Wow, congrats!!!

I've been getting myself ready to quit. The surgery is my biggest motivation. I like that reply i got from michelleintheacn from above about putting a bunch of cig. Butts and ashes in a jar and when I want a cigerette go open and smell it. I bet that smell could turn anyone off smoking.

Father and son with eyes locked on each other. We're witnessing a lifelong bond.

Yea, I'm with you. Sometimes I feel myself slipping. But I usually leave my drink in the opposite room after dinner because I know I'll forget and take a sip.

I bought a 30 min "hour" glass just for this! I use my phone when I'm out... but at home, when I'm not paying attention because of the TV or whatever else is pulling my attention away, I just flip the hour glass and I'm certain. Good on you for forcing those changes to stick... THAT'S what' makes this surgery work long term. Changes.

Congrats on recognizing that and nipping it in the bud!

That must have felt amazing! Congrats! I certainly haven't felt "small" yet, but I did start seeing myself as more "normal" looking last week. I felt like I'd crossed the threshold of people seeing me and not immediately thinking "Wow, she's huge!"

I filled up a jar with cigarette butts & ashes & kept it tightly sealed in a kitchen cabinet. Every time I wanted a cigarette, I would take out the jar, put my nose to it & smell. It somehow took my urge to have a cigarette go away. It was gross, but it worked. That was 1991 & I haven't smoked since. I was a 3 pack a day smoker. They didn't have patches & gum back then that I knew of. You can do it!!!!!

Four years ago I quit for good. It wasn't easy but was SO worth it! The difference in surgical recovery before and after was incredible.

I'll pray that you can give them up forever! Leaves you a lot more spending money for new, smaller clothes!

It's good to see that you channeled your anger into something productive! If we'd all learn to do that we probably wouldn't have weight issues. Very inspiring! and congrats on finishing the workout!

OK, gotta ask - why are you naked"ish" in Panera?

I think you look great! Give your skin a bit more time before you get too hung up on plastics. Even losing slowly, you've lost a lot of weight in a short time!

Pulled up my dress to use the toilet lol and the mirror is placed right I'm front of it...

OK, gotta ask - why are you naked"ish" in Panera?

Good luck!

Thank you all for responding,. I am new to this site and tryng to figure some things out. SleeveinIl, I am from the Chi as well. I was referring to meal prep and getting things ready for the hospital stay.

Orchids&Dragons, thank you for the tips to posting in group. My surgery is this Thursday and I am excited. Thank you so much and keep in touch.

Welcome to the boards! This is a very friendly and supportive community. There are lots of veterans who are willing to share their experience and also those who will be having surgery the same time as you and want to share the experience.
The "status updates" like you've posted, generally don't get many responses. If you'd like to get more input, you would do better to create a thread. Your best bet would be in the "pre-op" forum or even (I think) there's an "introduction" type forum.
Best wishes for a smooth surgery and a speedy recovery!

For me they appear to be, I wasn't big on them until recently so that may be a factor, but Im counting them amoung my high calories low restriction food groups and I want to monitor how often I eat these items.

That's terrible! Glad to hear you're on the mend!

Have you checked with your team? I think the majority of us were put on liquid diets for the first two weeks.