btrieger

I've been there on so many fronts. My mom was a little more conniving though, she'd get us fighting between ourselves because she was afraid we'd gang up on her if we got along. You're on the right path. You need to look out for yourself and your kids first. If you have time to read, I suggest checking out a couple of books by Harriet Braiker: Who's Pulling Your Strings? How to Break the Cycle of Manipulation and Regain Control of Your Life The Disease to Please: Curing the People-Pleasing Syndrome You can get a brief synopsis of these books at: Welcome to Dr. Braiker's Website Good luck and take comfort in knowing there are others out there that know every mom and dad aren't June and Ward Cleaver!!!

First off, congrats on the weight loss! You've got too much time and money invested to give up now. A positive attitude is really required. I know how hard it can be to think positively but if just one of you can manage to do it the energy may shine through to the other. Then you just watch out for each other and thwart any negativity that manifests. I would confront the surgeon's staff in a positive manner. Find out first hand if they really are judging you. If they aren't, you've killed that demon. If they are, let them know how it is affecting your over all health. They may be thinking of you as just another patient. Opening up to them may make the sympathize. Also, follow all of the rules or let the surgeon know which ones you are having an issue with. Doctors can't help patients that aren't totally honest with them. Please don't quit and I wish you luck in whatever you end up doing!

Y'all have convinced me to give mine another shot. Thanks!!

Congrats and welcome!! I doubt it will get you in faster but it can't hurt to try. Good luck!!

Keep moving; take Gas-X and let those farts rip! You're almost out of the woods. Day 3 was the worst for me.

Don't be a stranger to them. You can still pop in to say hi and show off the new you.

Good luck!! There's nothing to be nervous about. You'll be posting tomorrow afternoon telling us how smooth it went.

Good luck!! I hope it is as smooth and painless as mine was. What time do you have to be at the hospital? Bring a pillow to prop against your abdomen on the ride home and don't worry about what you wear to the hospital, you won't be wearing them long.

There are quite a few people here whose positive energy is a boost to me and two of you are having surgery on March 10th. As the results become evident, the energy will grow! Congrats and I hope your recovery is as painless and speedy as mine was!

It's not the number. It's the realization that you are experiencing. An awakening if you wish. You may have had doubts that you could lose substantial weight and now you know that it is more than a pipe dream. That excitement is contagious and will spread among those close to you. Keep it up!!!

If the only reason you think they are disgusting, ask your surgeon if it is ok to put some Splenda in them. I had no problem getting through the pre-op, I just looked for ward to the end and put hunger out of my mind. If you cannot fight the hunger then do something to put it out of your mind like taking a walk or brushing your teeth. You're not alone here. Tens of thousands have done it and you can too!

There are 2 ways to post pictures. The easiest way is to just click on the paperclip above the text box you are typing your post in; browse to the picture and click upload. The other way is to upload your pictures to your gallery; click the picture of the mountains above the box you're typing in and paste the url to the picture you uploaded. I use the more complex way because I like to throw them in the middle of my text I love sun and hate cold. Supposed to be 77 here tomorrow. Winter is over!

If you can manage to push yourself to do it for a couple of days you will slip into a groove and in time won't have to push as hard. And when you see the weight loss resulting from it you won't have to push at all.

Congrats!! and there is no need to thank me. Just pay it forward as I do. You are yet another victim of the epiphany I posted about 5 minutes ago.

It just dawned on me in the past few days that I experienced an epiphany either with the heart attack in September or somewhere along my journey here. I've had a few dozen people thank me lately for comforting them or being inspirational to them with my positive attitude. All the while I was thinking, "Boy do I have them fooled. If they only knew the real me." The more I thought about it, the more I realized that they were seeing the real me and the only one I was fooling was myself. I went back and reread my last 100 or so posts. Almost all were either positive reinforcement or congratulating somebody for reaching a milestone. The surprising thing is that I meant every bit of it. Six months ago I was a selfish, miserable, negative, argumentative, pessimistic jerk with a huge chip on my shoulder feeding on others' misery. Today, I feel like I get stronger with every positive experience I have or read about. I am trying to forget the past and look forward to each new day. Attitudes are contagious!!!! I'm actually feeling pity for those that are letting their negative feelings take over. I try not to empathize with their feelings because I don't need any regression in my attitude now that I may have finally seen the light. I've still got quite a bit of anger and repressed feelings inside me but they are dwindling with every minute passing.

It just dawned on me in the past few days that I experienced an epiphany either with the heart attack in September or somewhere along my journey here. I've had a few dozen people thank me lately for comforting them or being inspirational to them with my positive attitude. All the while I was thinking, "Boy do I have them fooled. If they only knew the real me." The more I thought about it, the more I realized that they were seeing the real me and the only one I was fooling was myself. I went back and reread my last 100 or so posts. Almost all were either positive reinforcement or congratulating somebody for reaching a milestone. The surprising thing is that I meant every bit of it. Six months ago I was a selfish, miserable, negative, argumentative, pessimistic jerk with a huge chip on my shoulder feeding on others' misery. Today, I feel like I get stronger with every positive experience I have or read about. I am trying to forget the past and look forward to each new day. Attitudes are contagious!!!! I'm actually feeling pity for those that are letting their negative feelings take over. I try not to empathize with their feelings because I don't need any regression in my attitude now that I may have finally seen the light. I've still got quite a bit of anger and repressed feelings inside me but they are dwindling with every minute passing.

It must be odd because I felt the same way and I am odd. :biggrin: I think if you get too excited or nervous about the actual surgery itself you will be disappointed. It really is pretty boring. Good luck!!

No offense taken. I just want to clarify what the poll is for and hope that others are using it to send their good wishes and prayers to those having surgery soon. The banner is big as to not be missed We are on a journey to raid our bad habits and return with the spoils of a healthier life. It takes a little imagination but works for me.

This is easier said than done but you have to convince yourself that you are not hungry or do something to take your mind off of it until it passes. Go for a short walk or brush your teeth. It is for a very short time when compared to the rest of your life. Try to squash any negative feelings you are having towards the process. Try to find the silver lining in it. Even if it is just making a joke out of it or understanding that you are not alone.

Congratulations!!

Thanks and you are right. I probably shouldn't have given up. I am down about 100 pounds since my sleep study. I don't know when my next sleep study will be but I am hoping they say the apnea is gone. If not, I will have to look into alternatives to the CPAP.

What is funny? The results of the poll are public. Click Here The survey was created so that we could see who is having surgery in March and which day, in order to comfort them and wish them luck. We have 71 responses so far and and I think there is just 1 that shouldn't be there.

Thanks! Surgery was Tuesday afternoon and by Friday afternoon I wouldn't even know I had surgery if it weren't for the scars. The gas is horrendous for a couple of days but much easier when you are ready for it. Good luck!

Got my CPAP 4 months ago and have used it maybe 4 full nights. I pull it off in the middle of the night subconsciously or wake up in a panic because it is trying to force air down my throat while I am trying to exhale. I gave up on it.

It's been 3+ years. I have tried hairball remedies and even a cat laxative. I refuse to spend too much on a cat at the vet. After all, kittens are free for a reason. She's 6 and a half. How long do indoor cats usually live? Brewski looks great. Want to trade for my cat? Is it just me or do all of us that have dogs, have big dogs?