btrieger

Rachel, you look great!! Pictures are so much better than numbers! Not only do you look thinner but you look younger and more vibrant. That is why it irks me when people use the word "only" in stating their weight loss. You look so much better after 22 pounds and some people will use "only" when describing a 50 pound loss.

Howdy, does your sister still dump after 10 years?

And keep reading. The dumping is temporary. Before long your body gets used to the excess sugar and starts storing like it did pre-surgery. That is why most by-pass patients gain back most of their weight. Not a very good deterrent at all.

I was 5'11" 29 years ago when I was 17 years old. I'm lucky to get a 5'9" these days. I attribute it to age and my spine setting. I've always been flat-footed but that sounds like another acceptable reason. I'm sure there are some quacks out there willing to stretch you for a price.

good luck.

It fits as well as the "Li" in liberal.

Democrats are communists and replicans are fascists. Don't get "democrat" and "democracy" confused. They have nothing in common except "democra"

Cheating? Cheating what? Death? Be nice to them and try to get/stay in their wills. So, when they die young, you get their belongings.

Because a country run by democrats is not democratic, it is communist!

Bypass will not help you! I personally know 6 people that have had the surgery. Two of them have successfully maintained their weight loss; two are almost back to where they started; one is even fatter than before surgery and the sixth one died of internal bleeding. I also hate vegetable; love cheese and Pasta. I don't drink a lot of calories but if I desired milk or soda; I would have a glass of skim milk or diet soda. You need a psychiatrist, not a bariatric surgeon and I am not trying to to be mean. You need to work out your issues with food. Do you have a support network at home willing to help out? Someone that will slap your wrist when you are hurting yourself? I thought I was healthy until I had a heart attack when I was 44. That was the smack in the face I needed. It is very painful and I'd hate to see it take that to snap you out of it. I live next door in Keller and would be happy to try and help but you have to be ready to help yourself first.

Look at it relatively, how much does it cost to get morbidly obese and maintain it? My groceries were well over $250 a month even though I live alone and ate out a lot. Lapband surgery cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000. I'm willing to bet that even those of us with our lapband surgery covered by insurance pay at least $500 in co-pays and miscellaneous expenses related to surgery. $250 is not expensive when it is an investment in saving your life. I am this enthusiastic about the BodyBugg because I think it may have saved my life.

You've done it before so you know can do it. As you've also learned, you can't do it on your own. Find a local support group and become involved. Even if it is only online. The group will help keep you in check while you do the same for them. You'll also have an understanding shoulder to cry on and brag to. I don't know where Mexia is, but I am trying to get an informal group together in the DFW area, to meet once a month to share experiences and have a good time.

IMG (Identity Marketing Group) is just another marketing firm looking to make a buck off of our success. I am all for capitalism but only if I am receiving some of the capital. There is no mention of compensation in his original message to us or his response to Tina. So, I amnot going to bother.

It is $250 at most. Hardly pricey but there are cheaper alternatives by the same maker. Check out the "GoWear Fit". I saw it for $79.99 at Target (pronounced Tar-Jay)

Send it to me as well please. I got the message too. I wrote this off as a scam.

The standard is a BMI of 35+ with comibidities. If you have no comorbidities then chances are that there is no current medical necessity. Family history of comorbidities probably does not count. But it is free to ask your surgeon. Pick up the phone and call him.

I am in the very early stages on researching my cosmetic surgery and have my first face to face consultation with the surgeon next week. I had a concern similar to yours and asked how soon after surgery I will be able to drive. I was told that I shouldn't expect to drive for at least 7 days after surgery, when the drains come out and I stop pain medication. I have a pretty high pain threshold also. So, it is the drains that will prevent me from driving or returning to work.

Are you really hungry or is it in your head? It could just be your appetite or what those with small children call "head hunger." For me, real hunger causes a burning sensation in the bottom of my stomach. On another note: I don't measure out my food, I eat until I am satisfied and if it takes more than I think it should to satisfy me; I schedule a fill.

I have been fighting to lose 1 lb (well, patiently waiting) to get below 220 lbs and reach my next goal for a over a month now. It seemed that my journey was going to end there and I was content to try and maintain the 145 pound loss. Persistence and patience paid off once again. This morning I got on the scale and it registered 217 pounds. I got off [sic] and on several times, standing in different places on the scale to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Woohoo!!! Next stop; ONEDERLAND!!!!! About the subject line, 220 pounds is 100 kilos. As of this morning, I am at 98 K!!!!

List everything that you eat and drink. Include the approximate times that you ate or drank. Also, keep track of how much Water you are drinking.

Congrats!! You're on your way.

Yes! You should eat chocolate cake and ice cream until you gain 4 of it back. There is NO normal!! You'll lose 5 or 6 pounds in a day only to gain 3 pounds the next. Your weight will fluctuate due to Fluid loss and retention; the weather; etc... Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

OH CRAP!! I figured I'd try it just to prove prayer is worthless and "BANG" it worked. I'd better start packing for the warm climate in Hell!

Do NOT take laxatives more than once a month!! It screws up your body chemistry and you will come to rely on it. I have always had an issue with not being regular because I loathe most vegetables. I drink metamucil in the morning if I don't have a bran Cereal for Breakfast. That helps.

I went shopping about 18 hours out and then took the dogs to the dog park. As everyone else has stated; as long as you're not taking the pain meds, you'll be fine.