Cindy C

Like Jachut, my 51 year old body has been through the mill. It's had babies (via c-section), a lifetime of yo-yoing weight, (luckily none of the other health issues she's had), rabbit ears on both sides from the massive amount of skin removed in my TT, various scars, hanging skin on the arms and thighs, saggy boobs, the beginning of varicose veins...the list goes on and on. Am I happy with my body???? HELL YEA, I AM! I went from 324 pounds with measurements of 56x51x61 to my current 179 40x33x40. With the right clothes (and a good bra) I look like a rock star.....naked? Not so much, but who does at this age?

Now all you need is a grass skirt!

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I've had between 5-6 in a 10cc band for most of my journey. Right now I feel like I'm right where I need to be at 5.8. You can't compare that to anything though. You might find yourself in the green zone at 3 or you might need 8. Everybody is different. As you lose fat the band loosens and you will need more added. That's why it's so important to have regular appointments especially through the first year or so.

YES IT IS!!!!!

Diabetic, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease...and you are off ALL of your meds? That's awesome!!!!! Congrats!! Congrats on the Super Bowl win too!!

100 pounds in 15 months!! That's great. Congrats!

I you really hungry at 4:00 and all evening or is it head hunger? I guess, either way, a little tweak is probably a good idea.

Each state is different. In Michigan I know Medicaid will pay for it but I'm guessing they make you jump through all kinds of hoops. You also can't even get Medicaid if you are not the parent of a minor child. Doctors are different too. They don't all accept it. I'm sure the hospital and anesthesiologist will but you'll have to check with your surgeon and your social service department.

Good job, Marci and congrats and good luck on your upcoming marriage. A fill isn't going to make you stop snacking. Only you can do that. I'm about 20 lbs from goal as well and do the same thing so I completely understand. I know that if I never hit my goal I won't be too devastated....As long as I don't gain! Again, congrats and good luck!

Ask your doctor. You may be a candidate for it since your periods are so long and screwy. Age shouldn't really play a factor in it as long as you understand you will probably never be able to become pregnant. (A plus in my book!)

I'm gonna say it again. To get rid of the shoulder pain GO TO A CHIROPRACTOR! Have him adjust your mid-back. The shoulder pain goes away instantly! The relief only lasts 2-3 days because the gas builds back up so you'll need to go again. I went twice a week for the first month and had very little shoulder pain.

I started out in a 3X and am currently between a 12 & 14. I too wore scrubs on my job. I found that the draw string ones could be worn much longer than the elastic waisted ones.

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Good question. I have one. I bought it at a charity auction only because no one else bid on it. It's in my attic....not really doing me any good there!

It's the gas. They blow you up with it to allow them to move around inside during the surgery. You wouldn't think it would add weight, but it does. Don't worry it dissipates after a week or so. I weighed 9 pounds more the day after surgery than I did the day before. It will go away.

Susan "Stop the insanity" Powter (who always irritated the p!ss out of me) used to say EAT DOUGH, LOOK LIKE DOUGH! Whether I can eat bread or not, I don't!

My BFF had her surgery in 2003. She started out over 300 pounds and got as low as 140. She honestly looked unhealthy at that weight and gained a little back. She has maintained 165 for 5-6 years with little if any restriction.

Milk has 1 gram of protein per ounce. Carnation instant breakfast has 5 grams plus alot of vitamins. Protein powder usually has about 16 grams per scoop. So 12 ounces of skim milk, 1 carnation and a scoop of powder is about 33 grams of protein. If you want more than that add a little more protein powder or milk. I use chocolate Carnation and Vanilla Creme Muscle Milk Powder. It tastes like a chocolate malt!

It's not rude at all. It's something you need to know. At 203 lbs I was about a 14 or 16 but I'm 5'9" so you can't really go by that. If you want to order clothes online, you should probably take your measurements. Most online stores have a size chart. Good job on your success. Keep it up!

Good for you. That is exactly what we all should do.

Congrats!! What a great compliment! Compliments from our closest friends and family are nice but sometimes I think they are just trying to be supportive and make me feel better. When you get one from a casual acquaintances you know really mean it!

Visine. My eyes got so dry in the hospital they hurt. If your hospital is anything like mine the pillows feel like cardboard. Bring a nice soft one with you. Bring a good book or something to kill the time. It gets very boring. Slippers and a bathrobe. They are going to want you to do a lot of walking. You don't want to do it in slipper socks and a hospital gown. Don't forget your cell phone charger. When you make your broth, freeze it in small containers. You won't be able to get much down at a time the first few days. You might even want to freeze it in a ice cube tray. Get some s/f Popsicles. Get some s/f lemonade. Minute maid light is good. Only about 10 calories. It comes in half gallon cartons in the dairy section and 12 pack cans with the Coke products (It's non carbonated). It works very well to get rid of the dry mouth that you will have from the liquid diet. So does s/f lemon hard candy. Good Luck on your surgery.

Because during the surgery everything is sewn into place. The body needs time to heal. If you start sending food through before the body is ready for it you risk popping the stitches.

Mine were too. I assumed that it had to do with the rapid weight loss. I would have a period that lasted several weeks. It would stop for a day or two and start back up. Since I'm over 50 and have no intention of ever becoming pregnant again I went and had endometrial ablation done in December '09. I had a very mild period a few weeks later and haven't had another one since!