MIZ60

Last weekend we went to see a favorite band that we had not seen for at least a year. The girl that sings and plays guitar is more of an acquaintance/facebook friend than a real friend. She is probably 30 years old. Went up to say hi to them when they took a break and she said "You look great--you have lost a **** load of weight!! I just laughed and said "I have" but I did not take it negative in any way since I know she is not the type of person to be rude or catty. A couple of other acquaintances that I have seen in the last month have simply told me I look great and only one has asked how much weight have I lost....I guess I don't easily get offended since I know people mean well.

My SIL has sold Nerium products for several years and swears by them. They have a firming cream that I think I am going to try on my arms and legs. Will report back here if I do. I use bio oil daily all over as well as my usual Lancome stuff on my face, chest and hands. Nothing short of a face/neck lift is going to help those areas.

Sorry for all your complications and wishing you smooth sailing going forward on your journey?

I need vodka in there somewhere since for me that is what starts the highway to hell cycle...js

Thank you Fluffy....her other daughter (blue dress) is an RN in Houston and actually running in a half marathon today in Houston.

Sadly, the cancer found in her lymph nodes was a year after she had major surgery at MD Anderson for stage 3-4 bladder cancer. She has an ileostomy and has adjusted fairly well to that. She is 68 years young and I pray every day that she has some more quality life once she is through this protocol. Her daughters are also my close friends. She is in the top picture in the white top next to me at the "Brunch and Bubbly" shower I hosted for her daughter who got married last year.

I really do love the place but most of the time I do not know what I am looking at. My friend makes her own kimchi and it is wonderful. You are right, their fruits and veggies look great. I just need to get over it and go. Won't be the same without her though....she does not want to be out and about during cold and flu season which I totally understand.

You might consider giving medical weight loss a try just to demonstrate to them that you are able to follow recommendations and lose some weight without surgery. Pills are only one option and you do not have to take them. Get active in a local bariatric support group even if you are pre op. Commit to whatever level of daily exercise you are able to do. Suppose you can lose 50# on your own in the next 6 months. That might go a long way to getting approval from the surgeon. If things are "rocky" at home you need to assess if you will have any support from family or friends if you do decide to have surgery. Do everything you can to reduce/eliminate stress and focus on your health. This is hard enough even with support. And, in the future, get another opinion about WLS. It is not magic and only fixes part of the problem with morbid obesity. Good luck to you.

That sounds really good....I rarely eat soup because I am still hungry afterwards. Do want some taco soup but I need to come up with a substitute for the tortilla chips.

Around here that brand is in the Mexican food section but they do have a lot of products.

I wound up ordering a brand called Navitas (organic, made in Japan, good reviews) at a decent price point. Should be here in a few days. Not sure if totally necessary but I got the bamboo whisk thingie too since the whisks I have are big and metal from a restaurant supply. Looking forward to trying it!!

Quick question for Fluffy and GT--in reading about matcha the consensus seems to be ceremonial grade from Japan packed in a tin or jar. Is there a certain brand that is best or just any that meets the above criteria. There are a LOT of different ones and one that I saw at HEB also had some brown rice fiber or something in it. I just want to get the best one available since it is pretty pricey.

https://savvytokyo.com/japanese-superfoods-goya/ Just found this article while researching matcha which I am going to get asap. May have to go to Austin but going to try the Asian market here. Have to avoid my beloved Korean pears while there. Sadly, my Korean friend is in the throes of chemo and not leaving the house since I am really intimidated going in there...

I was told decaf only for the first 2 weeks. I then went to regular coffee after the nutritionist told me that was fine unless I was having trouble getting my water in. Absolutely no problems. Good luck!!

So so sorry to read this....condolences to you and your family.

Hey, I just got an email from a place called silversingles which is a dating site for those over 50. Unless George Clooney or Sam Elliott are on there I don't think I would be interested but maybe someone else on here is.

I had the exact same thing that came on randomly for about the first week post op. I think it is normal and a result of all the air they pump into you to lift the abdominal wall off your stomach during surgery. Try to walk as much as possible and drink slowly. I also found having lukewarm fluids was easier. Try not to worry but certainly call your surgeon if things get worse (fever, vomiting).

We flew Jet Blue out of Austin last time and it was okay except spending ALL DAY (ship docks 0700) in the crazy pre Christmas Fort Lauderdale airport so I may look at other options or just spend another night in Ft. Lauderdale and leave the next AM. Only downfall of travel during the holidays but driving it would take 2 days and too much luggage to go on the bike?

No we embark in Fort Lauderdale and have 2 sea days (sigh...) before Cartagena and only there for the day. We do have an overnight in Aruba so looking forward to planning that since we have never been there. Mr. is going to recertify in scuba so he can dive in Bonaire but you could not pay me to go that far under water. At this point, I actually like less port intensive itineraries because we have so much fun hanging out on the ship and relaxing.

I just booked our 11 day cruise for December 2019 to celebrate our 35th anniversary. I LOVE planning shore excursions, reading about ports (this time Cartagena, Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Grand Cayman) and it drives my husband over the edge. I do a spread sheet for our wardrobes (including shoes, bags and accessories) and he is not allowed to take Harley Tshirts anything without my approval. I really enjoy it and can't wait already.

What, did he go to school with Marcus Welby or something?? Sounds like he needs some current education.

What, did he go to school with Marcus Welby or something?? Sounds like he needs some current education.

Seems you have solved your problem....this site is certainly not for everyone. Have a wonderful day!

I honestly do not know what size I was at the beginning because I did not have any clothes that fit other than super stretchy leggings/jeggings that I wore all the time. I think the largest size was 22W. At almost 8 months out I have gotten rid of everything with a W in my closet and am currently wearing a regular XL or a L in some things. I just bought a pair of Seven7 skinny jeans in a size 16 that fit well. I bought the same ones in a 14 for the future but I can a$$shove my way into them but they are not appropriate for public wear. My motorcycle jeans are 14 and 16 and fit fine. I have done well as I have gone down selling things on eBay---especially new stuff that I missed the window on. I still have (many) jeans down to a size 12. Since I am no longer working I do not wear dresses and and they and my dress pants from before are mostly too big. I need to go through them and weed out sellable vs. donations. If I do decide to go back to work I will have to get some new stuff but still deciding. I think this thread is great since we have a lot in common and I do not think it was designed to exclude anyone but these days it seems there is something about EVERYTHING that offends SOMEONE. Why not just avoid participating in a thread instead of calling people names?