TheGh0st

:OFF TOPIC: OK LJM & Mommy I need your help - Please read and comment on my Rant over on the RNR board about my sis. I'm about to lose it here. Doesn't help I've had 3 hours of sleep.

OK, this is my first official Rant. Forgive me if I ramble. I need some advice QUICK! "Brief" Background info - My parents were married 35 years too long and 5 years ago they finally divorced after 35 years of marriage. Dad treated mom like dirt, then had the huevos to claim it was her fault they divorced when she stood up for herself and said she was no longer willing to live under the same roof with him until he agreed to go back to marriage counselling. I'm sure you can all see I have no bias or lasting resentments over this. Right? OK moving forward in the last 5 years Dad remarried, Sis hated the new wife with a passion & was very nasty to both Dad & wife. Other than asking the perspective wife if she was sure my dad would treat her right, I always treated them politely, and respected how the new wife wouldn't put up with my fathers same old crappola. Then mom remarries to a wonderful albiet rough-a-round the edges retired electrician. Here goes my sister again having problems with the whole idea of one of her parents being with someone new. She can barely be civil about the whole thing. OMG! My sis is a full grown woman with 3 of her own children and our parents are in their 60's don't they deserve to find some happiness? Meantime she has made all nicey nicey with our Father and his wife and keeps going on about how much she enjoys spending time with them. YUCK!!! OK believe it or not that was the short version. If any of you are still reading here is my RANT. I am driving 200+ miles tonight to spend the holidays with both my family and my husbands. I am already resigned to having 3 seperate events, Mom, Dad & finally Inlaws. It has been arranged for me to spend Saturday morning celebrating with Mom at my Sisters home and then with my Dad Saturday afternoon at my sisters. Only and here is the kicker... my Sister announced to me over the phone today that she will be taking her family to a movie or somewhere while I Celebrate with my Father (at her house mind you) so she can celebrate her Christmas with him later without me around. Her excuse was that since she is getting along so much better with him lately she thinks life is too short to allow herself to have to worry about wether my father & I's feelings of akwardness around each other might "ruin" her Christmas. WTF????!!!! OK I have issues with my Dad, I think that has been established. But despite my harsh words on this board, I love him, he knows I love him, and our only real face to face problem is that we both feel a bit akward around each other like we are not quite sure what to talk about. In a large group setting like a Christmas party no one would even notice outside of my Dad & I. It only is an issue when we are alone together (on the phone or in person). I told her I understood, I told her I didn't care. But the more I think about it the more ticked I get. It just seems selfish to me. And a bit two faced as she sees absolutely nothing wrong with me having to take the larger risk of her ruining my Christmas with our Mother with her blunt and rude behaviour towards our mom and her new husband. The more I think about it the more I'm tempted to either call or e-mail her and say the following..... I understand that you are afraid having me around while you celebrate Christmas with dad might be akward. I really do, and if that is what you want to do I will respect it and will not be offended. However, I have to wonder if you have considered whether your current issues with Mom & her husband might cause similar problems for my Christmas with her. Using your logic it would follow that I should arrange to celebrate the holidays with our mother while you aren't around so that I wouldn't have to feel uncomfortable over issues you two have that are non of my business. Is this really the road you want to take? As you have said life is short, are you going to allow the chance of a few akward moments to tear this family further apart? ....OK I thought if I wrote her an e-mail I could write it in a way that didn't sound quite so adversarial or accusitory. I guess I was wrong. Maybe I could do better over the phone where she could here my tone of voice and could tell that I wasn't actually yelling at her. I really just don't get why she thinks its OK to say she doesn't want to celebrate Christmas with our father together because of my issues with him but doesn't think twice about how her issues with our mother might effect my Christmas. It's probably only going to make things worse if I call her (or e-mail her) but if you guys don't calm me down soon it's taking everything in me not to pick up the phone right now. I'm just so sick of her doing selfish, childish crud like this and then me (the older sis) feeling I have to take it quietly to keep what little family peace is left.

Love the Cookies and Card, sounds like something I'd want to do but get stopped by my husband's fears of it only escalading the problem. Glad you got it back.Was your trash still in it? Either way, I think you should watch your credit report and credit card / bank statements closely for the next few months. Would hate to find out they stole your identity with something out of the trash.

I kind of hope Kim isn't on it. I never really liked her. And I can't wait to see the dynamics of bringing the couples twist to it. It will be interesting to see if they try to address some of the relationship problems that can come along with weight loss. They should have a counselor of some sort brought into the campus as well as the trainers.

Please keep us posted. You are in my prayers.

I could live with the product placements if it meant less adds. Sadly, No luck there.

As I'm fond of saying "I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV" but I have heard that hormones are stored in our fat and that as we lose the fat those hormones are released into are body causing all kinds of joy for us.

It will get better.

Make33 is right. Also the surgery itself can be a bit traumatic for the body causing you to have some swelling. (i.e. Fluid retention) All of this adds up to not losing and sometimes even gainig weight shortly after the surgery. Shoot, I came home from PS not long ago and despite the fact they removed 10+ pounds of skin I still weight the same as when I went in. I know its HARD but try to not worry. It will get better.

My husband was against it as well. After many long conversations I finally convinced him to go to an informational seminar. He actually went to one by himself in the end as we have a son and its hard to find a sitter. After that meeting he had completely turned around and was very supportive of the idea.

I have the worst needle phobia as well. And to top it off I needed 14 fills my first year. But believe it or not all except the first one have been perfectly fine. Infact after the first 4 the doc stopped using any kind of numbing medicine and didn't even tell us patients. Actually I was kind of pissed he didn't inform me even thoug I had to admit I couldn't feel a difference if anything I felt less. Still everytime I go in for a fill I literally bite my knuckle to focus my mind on that pain and away from any potential pain from the needle. You might give it a try it does seem to help me. Try not to worry. Each person is different but remember whatever you end up feeling during a few second fill is a SMALL price to pay for the resulting weight loss potential.

Congratulations Amy I can't wait to see your results

Both the Spanx and the Body Shaper have an open crotch. Still, the opening doesn't extend far enough back for all bathroom needs, if you know what I mean. Its not that big a deal to pull the Spanx girdle down and back up when needed during a long day at work but the body shaper looks like you would have to complete undress for some restroom needs, making it something I would probably only wear out for a few hours at a time not an entire day.

I have one Spanx girdle that goes high enough up my waist it actually tucks under my bra all the way around. And I'm running on the assumption that my MIL will be getting me a second one for Christmas which is why I'm reluctant to get another girdle type garment. I am also planning on having the breast reduction surgery next year sometime. To take me from an F-cup to a small D. So assuming it has enough strech to it I could use the vest garment after that surgery as well. They said in the meeting that the full body shaper really doesn't do much for supporting the chest and that most women find they still have to wear a bra with it. I guess the more I type, the more I'm convinced I should go with the vest. I can use my Spanx outfits for the bottom half and the vest for my top half. The upside should be that it would be easier to get in and out of when necessary in the bathroom. The downsides would be that the Spanx I have only goes about 2/3rds the way down my thighs and sometimes you can see a hem line on my thighs through my jeans with it, plus there may be some small seam line going around my waist where the two overlap each other that might show in a one piece dress (that I don't even own at the moment). Shoot after typing the above it almost sounds like the two piece option isn't as good but then again not having to complete undress when nature calls still trumps a few potential "panty" line marks. I'm too afraid that if I got the one piece I would only wear it on rare occasions when what I want is something that can help me on a more daily basis. UHGHHH!!!!! Where is the icon that shows my head spinning? Vest Pro's - Easier when "Nature Calls" - Easier to put on (i.e. would wear more frequently) Vest Con's - "Panty Lines" around waist where it overlaps the Spanx and additional lines around legs from current Spanx. Body Shaper Pro's - Would have no "Panty Lines" - Would cover legs better - Is more expensive and therefore a "Bigger" Prize since they said I could pick any outfit out of the catalog for free regardless of cost. Body Shaper Con's - A Bear to get in and out of (Especially in public restrooms) OK I think I've got it!!! The door prize allowed me to pick any one item for free no matter the cost. So with the Full Body Shaper being the more expensive item I'll ask for that one as my "Prize" then I'll purchase the vest out of my own pocket. The reason I want both is that The Full Body Shaper will probably give me the smoothest "Panty Line Free" shape for special outfits and occasions but as BooBoo said be an absolute bear on those occasions when nature calls (especially in public restrooms). The vest on the other hand can be used daily tol give me a smoother look in the back while still being relatively easy for me to get in/out of the bottom half for those times nature calls. Now to get my measurements and call them. I'll keep you all posted on how I like them. Sorry for such a long stream of conscious post but it really helped to put my thoughts in writing.

I haven't got any new photo's I can upload with me fully dressed but if you go to page 9 you can see before and afters of me in my briefs.

This thread was pretty dead but thought I'd post this link for anyone that hadn't heard. Looks like Fig has gone out of business. I had my concerns about lipodissolve but my heart goes out to all the employees that are now out of work just before Christmas. My prayers go out to AJ and all the other employees. Lipodissolve Company Shuts 17 Offices - News Story - KCTV Kansas City

:Banane20:YIPEE!!!

Well I think I'm officially out of it. Hubby still won't budge and it's a bit hard to argue that I think we can afford Vegas while I'm also telling him he can't spend $200 on a camel colored cashmere suit jacket he wants that I think is ugly. Oh well. Maybe this summer.

Hey there Tracy. It was GREAT to finally meet you as well. She had two she showed as I remember. Do you mean the one that came with the built in bra? I'm so confused right now. But I'm leaning towards one that covers my arms (at least to the elbows) and the annoying back fat bulge that I have around the bra line area. Actually my back doesn't look that bad without clothing but once I put on a bra and the dreaded Spanx girdle then I feel all lumpy in the back.

Opinions Please!!! I need help! I braved an ice storm and went to a local band-support group this weekend. They had a guest speaker in to talk about compression garments and I really wanted to see what she had to say. Low and behold I won the door prize which was that I could pick any one item out of their catalog for free. No matter what the price. Now my dillema. I only have the one girdle like spanx that I've been hand washing several times a week so having a second garment would be great right now while I'm having to wear one 24/7. BUT my MIL has probably bought me one for Christmas and I don't really need 3. So here are links to the 2 I've narrowed it down to. Full body suit arms, legs, the whole works: I like this as it can be custom made to my size and it would cover my stomach and inner thigh as needed by surgery as well as help with my upper back fat issues I have from my large chest. But I worry it might be overkill and difficult to get in and out of to do things like go to the bathroom with out fully undressing each time. Style 28S - Mid Calf Body Shaper with Sleeves by Silhouette I'm sort of leaning towards this one as it would address the back fat and flabby arms and could be worn in addition to the Spanx girdle I already have for my stomach. That might make it a bit easier to go to the bathroom. Style 24VS - Vest with Sleeves by Silhouette I really would like some input. PS - if by some chance anyone sees these links and thinks they are interested in buying something for themselves. I'm told there is suppose to be a link thru from another site that will give you access to a 20%-25% discount on most items. I can track down that link if anyone needs me to, but I don't know it off hand.

I'm feeling pretty normal now, or at least I think so. I came down with something the week before Thanksgiving along with the rest of my extended family, and am still a little tired from that but so is the rest of the family so I can't really blame it on the PS. Really I do feel back to 100% and the doc has technically cleared me of all weight restrictions, but I still feel more comfortable asking for help on is lifting some of the heavier items like the 40 pound bags of cat litter I bought over the weekend or asking my 45 pound son to crawl over my stomach when he climbs in bed with us. The doc still has me wearing a compression garment 24/7 (except while showering) for another two months. And he wants me to massage the scar line twice a day with Vitamin E lotion. I've been trying to follow these rules but I have to admit once or twice this last week I've slept without the compression garment and I'm really only massaging the scar once a day now. My shoulder hurts so bad right now that I just can't bear massaging my stomach twice. Not to mention who am I rubbing this scar for? For my bikini line? *HA!* unless I win the lottery and have an inner thigh lift that is just not in the pictures. For my husband? If he wan't it so bad he can offer to help with the massage at least once in a while! So far he's done it once in 9 weeks and under protest. And for now I can't feel any scar tissue forming under the incision line. I'm not going to stop massaging it at least 2 out of 3 days as I feel it has really helped keep the scar tissue from building, but I just can't see getting worked up about doing it more often unless I start to feel some scar tissue forming. OK I think that last paragraph didn't make much sense but I'm at work and don't have time to reread and edit. Hope you can make sense of it.

I know it sounds twisted for me to feel jealous but who says I have to be rational over this whole weight loss path? My jealousy (all in good spirit mind you) is in the speed of your scale moving downwards. It all good and well to say the closer to goal you get the slower it moves but it is a whole different form of hell to actually live it. Even worse when you keep thinking who the *bleep* am I to be complaining about the scale not moving when I'm as far as I am. But I still do. All different levels of guilt. So many years of being messed up when it comes to food and dieting not sure I know how to stop the rollercoaster of emotions just yet. But I'll get there someday.

I'm afraid I hate lemons with my cold water. But I like the idea of adding honey & lemon to some warm tea that might just taste pretty good. I'll give it a try tonight. I also haven't been drinking near enough water lately. So far today I've had 2 diet cokes & 1 slimfast drink. NO WATER. Work ran out of bottled water a week ago and no one (including myself) has got around to replacing it yet. But that is no excuse I know.

Actually I'm leaning towards trying to get into my regular doc and seeing if I can't talk to her about the whole menstrual connection and also see if she won't prescribe me the diuretics. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good over the counter diuretic?

No I haven't made an appointment. Don't know if I should. The swelling is not just limited to my stomach area it is over my whole body. I noticed yesterday that even my face is just a bit puffy. When I push on my forehead with something hard like the cap of a pen, it makes a little dent that stays for several minutes. My rings are also more snug than usual. OK I realize all of this makes it sound like a no brainer to call the doc but he had prescribed me a diuretic (Lasiks?) before only giving me 2 pills. He says he doesn't like to prescribe them but didn't really explain why. So I'm not sure what the point would be in seeing him. If the swelling isn't localized so he can drain it and he won't prescribe more diuretics what reason is there to go? The swelling isn't uncomfortable just depressing as I have crept up to 175 which is about 6 pounds more than I was pre-surgery and 10 pounds more than I was not long after surgery. It makes me worry that it is not all Water weight and that I am somehow gaining back some fat. One other factor I haven't mentioned is at 39 I'm starting to wonder if I'm going through the early stages of menopause as over the last year my periods have slowed drastically. My cycle has always been a bit long running every 5-6 weeks but this last year it has streched out to once every 3 months. (I am not on any birth control pills) The reason I mention this in conjunction with the swelling is that I just started a new period on Teusday night after not having one since September 3rd. So maybe some of this swelling is just a case of severe pre-menstrual bloating combined with the surgery swelling? Lord knows I hope so. I'd hate to have over 10 pounds removed from surgery then end up gaining enough weight that I weigh more than before surgery. Even if I do look "better". Uhghhh!!!