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If my forehead isn't sweating, it probably isn't hot enough!!!! Spicy has never bothered me, as soon as I could start eating beans, I was adding salsa/hot sauce. Salads have never bothered me, but I don't eat much, a few bites so I'll have plenty of room for 'the other stuff'. I got a beef fajita salad the other night when we went to eat Mexican food. I'd guess about 3 oz of meat, an oz of cheese a small scoop of guacamole...all on top of Romaine lettuce. I ate all the meat, cheese and guac....and a few pieces of the lettuce. I did not use salad dressing, I used the chip salsa. Very good!!!

I had surgery in Dallas, we were living out of state. I flew home at 2 weeks out. Whether I flew or we drove home, the doctor wanted me up walking, around the car or up and down the isle a couple of times....once every hour. It's about circulation and deep vein thrombosis. (sp?) There should be no reason why you can't but for the first six weeks, this was my doctor's instructions.

I know exactly what you're talking about, even about the free piece of candy at Sees. Occasionally is not horrible, but not every time I go to the mall. I don't know how to change this. I do graze but to get all the calories I need every day, it's factored in. I do need to be careful what I graze on, and like you, I think about food all the time now, but I do feel like I am in control since surgery. Do you feel that way? If you get busy doing something else, even just shopping, will the "urge" leave? I have found that leaving the house to run errands, shop....anything, and maybe take coffee or iced tea with me.....changes my focus. I don't know if this will ever change. Good luck!!

I know you must be proud of yourself, you should be!!! Great job!

I'm sorry about the insurance. How disappointing for you. Where there's a will, there's a way!!

Meeee too!! I reached my surgeon's goal, 150 pounds, in five months, MY personal goal, five lbs less, a month later. I've been maintaining between 143 and 147 for 2.5 years. What a difference three years make!

I did not and do not "exercise". I can sprint up my stairs, I walk the mall and park as far out as I can, but as far as going to the gym. That is not me at all and I know it. I knew prior to surgery that I did not want 'exercise' to be a factor in me losing weight, because I know me, and I get bored. I have the attention span of a four year old. I didn't want to become an exercise guru, lose weight, get bored and then risk regaining. I instead chose to make lifestyle changes that I can do forever. It's worked for me but I am not here to "RECOMMEND" this to anybody, all I can do is tell you, with my tail tucked between my legs, I am a lazy bum, sort of.

I bet bikini cut panties are in your future!!! You'll love shopping for lingerie!!! Good luck!!!

All was good prior to surgery, but now there is that "wow" factor. Much better that before and I dare say, much better than right after we were married. I am sure a lot has to do with self image! Do y'all agree? We'll celebrate 34 years next month!

Wendy's chili, small and it will be a meal and a mini meal/snack. At McDonalds I will get a hamburger and eat half the bun and all the meat. Chick Fil A - I wouldn't have eaten nuggets before reaching goal, but I do eat there now occasionally, 6 nuggets are 200 calories, and the protein is pretty good, a better choice is their chicken soup, the small is 120 calories and not bad in protein either.....and on top of low calories, it is good!!

OMG - I am certain most, if not ALL of us can identify with this. I still hold up my jeans after coming out of the dryer and think "NO WAY, they've shrunk" I'm serious!!! When I was just post op, Victoria's secret had their special, 6 for $25, something like that and I stepped OUT of my comfort zone and onto a limb. I got 6 pair of MEDIUMS!!!! I kept them in the bag, wrapped in the tissue paper and would look at them every so often. I was wearing an XL, the high cut ones, and they fit, they were NOT loose at all. These I got were bikini.....I really did think I was being overly optimistic, but my youngest daughter wore a M and if I never could, she could. I wore the others till they were falling off. I threw them away and went straight from the XL to the M - talk about a NSV!!!!!!! This is not a diet and you HOPE you'll do it, girl, you WILL do it and you WILL be in the size you got...and I'd bet money you will end up in a smaller size than that. Have fun!

That's like a surprise on Christmas morning!!!!

I made my own, I don't remember how I did it, but basically a baked potato, skim milk, salt and pepper, all in a blender.....I topped it with just a sprinkle of cheese when it was hot. I could only eat an eighth of a cup, but it was oh so good!

I think going into surgery without any hesitation, is rare. We all have second thoughts, I know I did. I woke up one night about 2 AM, not a panic attack, but I felt really anxious, I thought maybe I should put surgery off for a year. I'm not sure why, but for some reason, 'A year from now might be a better time' was a fleeting thought. I went back to sleep, mentioned to my husband the next morning and he asked 'why' and I had no answer. By that time, the fleeting thought had all but vanished. It never happened again, but I've never forgotten about waking up like that. Everything will be fine, you'll start on the path to your new life and won't look back!!! Good luck!

I really can't imagine having this surgery if I were 25 lbs overweight and wanted to use it as a preventative, that said, I had NO health problems, not one. Everything except my weight was normal and my BP and cholesterol was on the LOW side of normal. All my dad's sisters and his mom were overweight their whole adult lives.....ultimately 325 pounds and above. I do say I did this as a preventive measure, it was a constant battle, a constant diet to maintain 228 lbs. When it came down to it, and if we are being honest, it was vanity that motivated me, but the possible health risks as I get older, did lurk in the dark recesses of my mind. I am hoping it's a win/win.

I always thought thin people who feel 'fat' were crazy or fishing for an "OMgoodness, you are so skinny" Now I know, there ARE days when you feel fat, no matter how thin you are. It's weird!!

I see 'me', a reflection in a window and I am still taken aback. It is STILL shocking! I know it's me, but on the inside, I'm pretty sure the fat me is lurking.

We got something similar....I still refer to it some times. I call it my 'Bariatric Bible'

I have a Starbucks gold card, and that means we are there too darn much!! My dietitian said she wouldn't ask us to do something she herself would not/could not do. I was allowed regular coffee after 6 weeks, sadly, the taste was different and stayed that way until month #3. I've been drinking coffee ever since. I started off using skim milk and stevia, now, since I reached goal, I've switched to 2% in my coffee, it is not what I 'drink'. When we go to SB, some times, as a treat, I'll use skim milk and put a splash of 1/2 and 1/2. I drink 3 cups every morning and some times I'll make a small pot mid-afternoon. Coffee - my drug of choice!

You are so right about the 'hunger'. My friend, who got 'banded' a couple of years before convincing me it was 'safe'. She poo poo'd all this 'sipping broth' business and told me that she was hungry from the moment she woke up. I told her no matter what, I had to follow the plan, hungry or not. I had fleeting thoughts about the band, but after a little research, decided sleeve surgery was best for me. My friend was wrong, totally different than her band. I'm three years out and have not been hungry since I went under the knife!! It is GREAT, my 'new hunger' started at about 16 months out, an empty feeling, not anything resembling real hunger. It's weird, but I'm hopeful that it will stay this way!

I've been maintaining for 2.5 years. I log all my food, but don't keep track of carbs, my physician didn't require it unless a patient isn't losing. To maintain I need 1300 calories a day; 1200 and I lose, much over 1300 and I'll gain a little. I keep track of calories and protein.

Three years yesterday and unless you are LOOKING for the little scars, they are not noticeable at all. In fact, I JUST looked and I can't find all five!!! I don't remember when they 'went away', at first they were a pink'ish color. Now, just real faded, like I said, all but gone.

You are a good writer, fun to read your posts. Stay strong, one day you can eat a waffle, with a little syrup....although you won't be able to eat much of it!!!

I was about eight days, just like you. Felt great, I think I pulled a stitch, but big deal. It was worth it. I'd asked the nurse, NOT the doctor.....she said, "When you will enjoy it as much as he does" LOL Enjoy, it only gets better!

I'm sorry for you, and her.