STLoser

That's great news, and will really help you as go through the surgery. Congratulations!

Glad to be of help! I'm sure you will find that your kids are an amazing help and support.

That looks so delicious! [emoji1786]

My son was 9 when I had my surgery in July. He is 10 now. I was honest with him. I told him that I had liver disease caused by being so overweight, and also how much I didn't like not being able to do things with him (he is skinny and very active.), and I wanted a chance to live as long as possible for him. I have him a chance to express any concerns and questions and he has probably been my biggest supporter and cheerleader from the beginning. I'm lucky, because he's a wonderful kid (no, I'm not biased at all lol), but he really handled all of it well, especially since he couldn't see me in the hospital because of COVID. I think most kids are able to understand and it's just best to explain it at their age level. I'm an RN and I've worked with pediatrics a lot, so I just kind of took the same approach I did in the ER when I had to explain things to my pediatric patients.

This really made me laugh [emoji23]

My feet have always been wide, even as a normal size child, so for me, that won't change, but it seems a lot of other people do go from a wide to a regular width when they lose weight. I'm still a wide because that's just my normal feet, but I went from a 10 back to my original 8.5 or 9 like when I was young, so I'm happy! And my already wide feet were definitely even wider when I weighed more, so it is MUCH easier to find shoes now.

Ah! Might as well go for the re-design while you're at it!

Oh, speaking of jewelry! My neck size has also changed.. About 10 years ago is when I really got up in the high 300s in my weight and my neck got big. It was a 16 or 17 I think. I have a TON of jewelry and none of my necklaces fit anymore. I had to use extenders, but even some of those weren't long enough. Now my necklaces all fit again and I measured my neck the other day and it's 14 now!

Yeah, originally my wedding set was an 8.5, and about 10 years ago when I gained even more weight I had my husband have it sized up to 10 because I missed it so much. It's funny because it's not some giant diamond or ridiculously expensive, but it is my dream ring and I miss it so much, and the sentimental value is worth everything to me. I wish I hadn't had it resized now, but I never had any hope that I'd get wls or lose weight. I guess I'll just have to get it sized back down when I get to my goal. Congratulations on being back in your wedding set!

I paid out of pocket for my surgery, but they never tried to sell me anything. I used Premier protein, which was on their list of suggested shakes, but they didn't care what brand as long as it met their guidelines.

I buy Dove dark chocolate promises.. I'm not normally a chocolate person but when I'm pms'ing I NEED it so I keep a bag around and eat one piece when I get that chocolate craving. It's crazy!

My ring size was a 10 or 10.5 at my highest weight. I have a sizer at home and I checked it the other day because my fake substitute wedding ring that I got when my real ones got too big is feeling big. It's an 8. I measure 7.5 now.. That's unbelievable to me. I haven't worn a ring that small since I was in my 20s! I'm 49.

Oh funny. I didn't read the replies, and now I see yours sounds quite a bit like mine! [emoji23]

I don't do it often with food, but I quit smoking in 1999, and I still have dreams that I'm smoking all the time. The funny thing is, I have no desire whatsoever to smoke now and can't stand to be around it, and in the dreams I am always smoking "just part time" and I'm mad at myself in yhr dream for taking up smoking again. It's so weird! The human brain is so crazy!

Omg congratulations!!!! That is so amazing and so inspiring! I believe you had the Loop DS like I did so that gives me great hope of reaching that milestone myself. You must feel wonderful. What an impressive accomplishment! Congratulations!!!

I'm 9 months post op Loop DS and I haven't had any trouble with spicy foods, which are a big favorite of mine. The spicier, the better! I was able to eat spicy food pretty early on, like hot sauce on eggs, and didn't have any problem.

I don't really need other people's support except my husband, son and mom, but I'm also an open book, so everyone who knows me knows I had the surgery. I don't know that many people though lol. That is is a choice everyone has to make for themselves and you are obligated to tell no one! I'm just not good at keeping things to myself so I told people.

I really love Procare bariatric vitamins with Iron. They have everything I need on 1 capsule, besides the calcium of course, and I do take some extra Vitamin K because I had a Loop DS. They are also fairly reasonably priced.

You can freeze pumpkin puree also, so it will last longer..

I absolutely do not regret it. I am 9 months post op.. I was almost 400 pounds. I've lost 144 pounds.. I still weigh 248, so I have more to lose, but it's a world of difference from where I was before and I feel amazing. As far as eating, there really isn't anything I can't have, except carbonation. I didn't drink soda anyway, but I do miss sparkling water. It's worth it not to have it, but after a year I am allowed it in moderation. I never was a fast food eater, but if I really wanted it I'd have it on occasion and just try to make a good choice. I personally don't like fast food so it's not something I have to worry about. I choose to focus on all the wonderful things I have gained by getting this surgery. I can do so much more, I can fit into so many more places, and I feel so much better. I don't feel like I've lost anything except the weight!

I am 9 months post up.. I lost a lot of hair starting at 3 months post op until about 7 months when it stopped. It is finally starting to grow back now. I just kept taking my vitamins and getting my protein. I did just get my hair cut short so it will be easier for the new growth to catch up.

We bought this house 5 years ago. Our last house I had heavily landscaped, because I was much smaller and in better shape when I bought it it in 1999. I have barely done anything to this house and probably never would have. I could barely plant a few annuals without feeling like I was gonna have a heart attack Today i landscaped the whole front yard and I wasn't winded at all. I am so happy!!!

Oh YEAH! These are great ones. And this makes me think of how some things happen that I don't even realize. Like, you just made me realize I don't have to roll over in bed in stages anymore! So many things are happening, and there was so much I had grown accustomed to and now that it's gone sometimes I don't even realize it! That in and of itself is a big NSV!

I would definitely try Gatorade zero to get some electrolytes, and I swear by Aquaphor for dry lips. There is nothing better, imo. I've made my family swear to put it on me if I'm ever in a coma. Lol

That is amazing! Unfortunately, my stupid migraines have not left. [emoji2959] That's a wonderful thing that yours are gone!