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I had my Initial consultation yesterday. The staff was very nice and informative. I found out that even through my insurance policy is with Cigna, my employer does not require the 3 month diet for approval. That's the good news. Now the bad news, I knew I would be close on the 40 BMI for automatic approval but thought that I would probably make it (I had thought about wearing leg weights but chickened out at the last minute), good thing since they made me take off my socks and jacket, I also had been suffering from a mild case of the stomach flu for a couple of days but didn't want to cancelled my appointment because it took so long to get one in the 1st place. Needless to say my BMI was only 39. Now I have to have a sleep study to see it I have sleep apnea and can qualify that way. I have read a lot of blogs sleeve candidates were required to get a sleep study but haven't read much about the results. Should I be worried or is it likely that I will be diagnosed with sleep apnea. I really don't won't to have to gain weight to qualify. If I have sleep Apnea I could have my surgery in about 6 weeks, if not I will have to start saving money for Mexico.

I've been faithfully doing the low carb diet - the one I love - for a week or two anyway - until anything green makes me want to run and hide! The good news is I've lost 5 lbs in the few days I've been doing it. Considering that is the first time the scale has moved THAT direction in about 6 months, thats a real high for me. Taking in less carbs I feel my energy slowing coming back...Enought that I dusted off my treadmill and took a "walk" last night. Did just over a mile - slowly so as not to overdo it - overall with warm up and warm down I walked about 27 minutes. Now the trick is to keep that up -every day! My dad is having a breakdown about the surgery. He is sending me some article from USA today. I looked it up online. It's an article primarly about Gastric Bypass surgery that is based on old data and stats. I don't need his approval, but his attitude is frustrating. If I had cancer would he tell me not to do chemo?? I don't think he realizes LapBand and Gastric Bypass are totally different things.

Once upon a time, eggs yolks were the bad guys in heart disease. What’s up with eggs, these days? So, what’s the good news? 70 calories. 13 essential vitamins and minerals. 6 grams of a high quality protein. All of the essential amino acids, which are the ones we have to eat because our bodies can’t make them. 210 mg cholesterol in the egg yolk. 5 grams total fat, mostly unsaturated. Zero carbohydrates. Less than 20¢ per egg. Once upon a time, eggs yolks were the bad guys in heart disease. What’s up with eggs, these days? So, what’s the good news? 70 calories. 13 essential vitamins and minerals. 6 grams of a high quality protein. All of the essential amino acids, which are the ones we have to eat because our bodies can’t make them. 210 mg cholesterol in the egg yolk. 5 grams total fat, mostly unsaturated. Zero carbohydrates. Less than 20¢ per egg. Brown eggs are not healthier than white eggs. Omega-3 fats are present only if the chickens eat a special diet. The yolk contains a robust array of nutrients that help with our health from when we are conceived to when we are old. Protein and nutrients in an egg can aid in muscle strength, brain development and function, weight management and eye health. Not bad for a food that’s about the size of your new stomach pouch after bariatric surgery. Research now points to genetic and lifestyle (nutrition, exercise, smoking) factors having a much greater impact on the development of heart disease than how much cholesterol from egg yolks you are consuming. Newer research indicates about a third of us need to limit cholesterol. Tracking your labs is a good way to find out if you should avoid eggs or enjoy them. Those with an egg allergy need to avoid eggs. Weight loss after bariatric surgery is one significant lifestyle change that improves cholesterol numbers. More information and recipes are available on www.incredibleegg.org or www.eggnutritioncenter.org. For bariatric patients, you can start having eggs again when you start the soft/puree foods. This means 1 week after RNY gastric bypass and 2 weeks after sleeve gastrectomy. Image: Incredibleegg.com - Easy Hard-Boiled Eggs

Today is my last day of work and I'll be off the rest of the week recovering... I hope it's enough time but I think if I need more time I can ask for it, we'll see. I've had a checklist of things to do before the day and all that's left is to have my last meal, having my last protein shake now, then take my test in class right after work, then start the bowel prep and that's when the fun really starts, lol. I'll be at the outpatient surgery center tomorrow at 8am and surgery is scheduled for 10am. I can't wait to get this over with... my diabetes really gave me a scare this weekend. I was driving to Houston like I usually do on weekends to go see my sweetie and I had a low blood sugar crisis... since I have been on a low-carb diet it might have been a good idea to stop taking my Metformin, something my doctor forgot to mention... anyway I had the worst feeling and blurred vision that set off my vertigo... it was a scary drive... then yesterday I had to drive back and it was okay at first, then the blurry vision set off my vertigo again and I basically cried and prayed the last 60 miles before I made it home... I knew God wouldn't fail me but it was so scary... So these last few weeks as I've been preparing and telling my co-workers and kept hearing "you don't need that" or "you're not that big" I started to wonder if maybe I didn't need the LAP-BAND®, but after this weekend's episode of what will continue to be my life if I stay on diabetes meds I've been reassured that I do need this! I know I can't do it alone, call me weak, I really don't care... it's my life and body and I know what I have to do for me... I just think of it as getting some will-power installed, lol... I'll try to blog tomorrow evening if I'm not too woozy from the drugs... but then again woozy if nice, hehe TTFN, Jen :tt1:

Got a call from my doctor's office yesterday.... my surgery was officially approved by my insurance! How exciting! My journey thus far has been: 7/14: Seminar 8/2: Surgical Consultation 8/16: Psych Evaluation 9/4: Dietician Evaluation Future Appointments: 9/12: Nutrition Class (eating pre and post surgery) 9/13: Pulmonologist (practice requires pulmonary clearance prior to scheduling surgery) 9/18: Gallbladder Ultrasound Once I receive pulmonary clearance, I can schedule a date for my surgery! The practice told me at least two weeks out to allow for bloodwork to come back. I will also need to get an EKG. Fortunately the bloodwork and EKG is done in the surgeon's office and doesn't require me going to another practice. Lots and lots of appointments but hopefully all worth it in the end.....

I went for my first consultation this passed week. I have spent the last week thinking of how I am possibly going to do this to my self. Then I think about the family history I have and I think it much beeter then dying from a heart attack at 40. But this is totally my way of thinking.

I went through similar journey of starting out planning on lap band a couple of years ago, changing my mind, trying diet and exercise again for a year (unsuccessfully) not wanting to do bypass (for same reasons you stated) then deciding on sleeve. I do not have all of your health concerns other than a very lumpy bumpy thyroid with very little function, but so far it does not have to be removed. I did have several scares with chest pain (one that scared me enough to go to the emergency room) that turned out to be nothing, but it was enough to remind me that I want to live to see my children graduate college, get married, have grandchildren, travel etc....but if I kept on my current course, I was surely decreasing my chances of making it that far. Then my friend, who had the RNY operation four years ago, ran the NY Marathon. She looked great, she felt great and now she had accomplished something as incredible as that! Where was I, I was at my highest weight ever, 272 lbs feeling fat, tired, uncomfortable, embarrassed and miserable. I decided enough was enough and I got started on the journey to have the sleeve. It took 8 months of meetings with NUT, getting all the required work done etc, required by my insurance company. I had many moments of second thoughts, especially when I had to go for tests and things I would have otherwise never done in a million years. When my surgery was finally set, I almost cancelled about 100 times, I was so scared. BUT I went through with it on June 4th and I can honestly say it was the best thing I ever did! There were a few times in the hospital and during my first week home that I questioned what in the heck did I do to myself, but now I am getting used to the plan and I am down over 40 pounds since surgery and have never felt better! My point in telling you all of this is that it is human nature to cling to our old way of life because we are scared and it is what we know. It is really scary and hard to face the unknown of how things will be after surgery (and for me I had NEVER had surgery of any kind, so I was also really scared of the unknown of what that would be like). The tests and all the visits are a pain, but need to be soldiered through with your eye on the end goal...YOUR HEALTH! In the end, this surgery has helped so many people improve their health and their lives in unbelievable ways. I just read a post of someone who after 9 months is down 90 lbs and off of her 12 meds! With all of your health issues, imagine what life would be like for you if losing weight nullified or at least alleviated most of them! It is normal to be scared and uncertain, but in the end, don't let that get in the way of taking control of your life and your health. YOU ARE WORTH IT! Good luck to you. My prayers are with you that you can find peace and calm going through this process and that you have a safe and successful surgery.

2009 I considered doing the lapband. I signed up for it and backed out at the last minute. 2012 I started going to weight loss meetings to see about RNY even though what I knew about it sounded quite dangerous. I knew a few others that had had it done and they always looked grey and sick. The first meeting I went to I was told about the sleeve. Well this turned my skepticism to a brighter note. This group presented it well and it was a good hospital in my area. The only problem was the surgeon had very little experience. Well, I thought, there are others somewhere. I started searching the net. I went to 4 more meetings with different people and finally found one that at least had done a few hundred of the sleeve. I went to him the end of June 2012. Now mind you I am still quite scared. I am older than most and have a lot of medical problems; HBP HIGH CHOLESTEROL INSULIN DEPENDANT DIABETIS THYROID'S BEEN REMOVED NECK AND BACK PAIN THAT ARE DEABILATATING AT TIMES BONE SPUR THAT IS INBEDED IN MY ACHILLES TENDON AND IT IS MAJOR SURGERY TO FIX (HAD THE OTHER FOOT DONE AND WAS IN WHEEL CHAIR FOR 6 WEEKS). I see the NUT and the doctor. She told me how she wanted me to eat and to give up sodas(which I have done for 2 weeks now) The list from the doctor was quite long. I did the lung test, psy eval, blood work, went to 3 support meetings, got letter and history from PCP,had all upper GI and colonoscopy reports sent to stomach DR. This is how my first month went. Also I forgot that I am online with all you good people here helping me through this. One minute I don't think I can do this and then I hear all you tell me how it has changed your life. So whenever I think of just forgetting the whole thing I come here for support. I went to my second Dr appointment yesterday. The NUT wanted to know why I did not change the way I eat and I said I had too many other things to do this month and the on and off again mind set I had. I promised I would start next week and I will.The Dr comes in and literaly does nothing. He asked me a few questions and we discused me not having the sleep apnea test. because I do not want to. He said it is required by insurance and I said not mine. Than he got kind of angry and said we can't make you do it but it is needed for surgery . So I guess I have to have it done. Got a letter today that said my B-12 was low and to start taking 1000mcg a day. Will do this next week also. Well, this is my WLS for the first month. I was told surgery sometime in October. I'm sure I will have more in my next blog!!!!!

I've waited 20 years for this, I don't know if I can wait another 2 weeks or not! In 1985, I was the first woman promoted to the position of Senior Vice President with my former Wall Street employer. For 10 years, I had worked an average of 60 hours per week and no less than 6 days per week for this promotion. I moved when the company asked me to, so I moved four times in less than 6 years. I dedicated my life to my career, and it paid off. At this time I was a size 14-16 and continually fighting with my weight. Each and every day I woke up with my constant companion, self-loathing. Why couldn't I stay on a diet. Why couldn't I shake those 20 pounds. Why did weight keep creeping on. I second guessed myself all of the time. At the same time, I was buried in work, eating at my desk, skipping meals if work called and foregoing any type of exercise. To my surprise in 1986, I met a nice young man after being essentially dateless for years. We married about 1 year after meeting. Fast forward to 1987. Now, I've gained weight. My boss at the time, "suggested" that I lose weight - my weight was negatively effecting my career. Not the 60 hours and 6 days a week, but my weight. I spent a small fortune and traveled to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and spent almost 3 weeks at the Hilton Head Health Institute. I was taught portion control, how to pick wise foods, and exercised just about every waking moment. I had no complaints about the HHHI and I would enjoy returning. Six months later, I had lost 50 lbs, but I was not thin - Now I was a size 16. Slowly my weight crept back. Then I got a new boss. For the first time in my adult career, I did not get along with my boss. That's never good for a subordinate - even at the Executive level. Try as I might, this man disparaged everything I did. Nothing was ever good enough. At year end, I was only 117% of my sales goal, and that was not good enough. He isolated me from others in the company, and soon, I was excluded from meetings and projects. In April, 1988 I was "demoted." Stripped of my responsibilities as a Senior VP and made an office manager. The demotion was very public and at the time of our annual corporate meeting. My boss stated that I lost my job because I was overweight. No other reason, just because I was over weight. I was replaced by a fat man. By 1995, my marriage was over (my husband blamed me for being fat for losing my job - not that he worked, but it was still my fault my more than six-figure income shrank) and I never emotionally recovered from the very public demotion and humiliation I suffered. I stopped working, took all the money out of my 401K account, sued my former employer for sex-discrimination (won) and went to law school. I graduated from law school in 1999 and then passed the Nevada Bar Exam. Law school was very sedentary. I used phen-fen to lose weight and now suffer with a heart valve problem. My weight fluxiated as I tried assorted dietary aids, but never I was never able to keep the weight off. After law school, I married a wonderful man who loves me, even pudgie, and who would do anything for me. My weight kept creeping up. Now, I am simply fat. Although I am an attorney, my husband and I are no means rich. Recently, we started our own practice and that drained any money we had. It’s expensive to buy the books, computers, copiers and other infrastructure needed to support a law firm. Advertising is our biggest monthly expense, after employee payroll. There are times w e don’t pay ourselves to guarantee that our employees are paid. We believe in our office and my skills as a litigator. Eventually, we’ll have a cash reserve, but things now are tight. We even sold our house and moved into a mobile home so that we could use our home’s equity to pay bills and to help finance our office. I thank God that I am married to a man who will be a partner in building a law firm and I am grateful for my husband because I could not do all of this work on our own. We’ll succeed, but now, money is tight. About a year ago, I noticed that my heart was racing. I visited a local cardiologist who wanted to preform over $3,000.00 in tests. With a $1,000.00 deductible in our insurance, I did not immediately have the money for the tests. I did by the end of the year. I have a leaking heart valve, cardiac arrhythmia and an enlarged heart. After all the tests, my cardiologist agreed that my heart problems were directly related to my weight. He stated that I would be an excellent candidate for a lap band, but he does not endorse gastric bypass surgery, believing that it is too invasive. I started on a search for a surgeon to perform lap band surgery, and at the time, I did not even know what a lap band was. I attended a local seminar in Las Vegas and learned the differences in weight loss surgery. I obtained surgeon references from my CCP and cardiologist. My insurance company, of course, refused to consider weight loss surgery unless I spent 2 years under the care of a physician trying to lose weight. I am 55 years old. I don’t have 2 more years of diet failure and self-loathing in me and I opted to self-pay for lap band surgery. After reading an article about surgery and medical care provided for Americans in India, Europe and Thailand, I started an internet search for weight loss surgery outside of the U.S.. Perhaps I could save a few dollars and have a competent surgeon help me outside of the U.S.. I searched the web, researched and researched. Law school was very good at teaching me research skills. I kept researching physicians and hospitals and came upon Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico. I never read a bad thing about him. My husband was skeptical about going to Tijuana for surgery. So was I. Tijuana? I continued to investigate Dr. Ortiz. I called physicians who provided testimonials on his web page. I researched those doctors to make sure they were legitimate physicians, not witch-doctors. I called Innamed, who makes the FDA approved U.S. lap band, and talked to them about Dr. Ortiz. I reviewed Dr. Ortiz’ CV. I traveled to Tijuana to meet Dr. Ortiz and upon meeting Dr. Ortiz, I knew my search for a surgeon, who could competently and economically help me with lap band surgery was over. I believe that I am blessed to have met Dr. Ortiz. Never in my life, have I been allowed an open invitation to question a physician about a surgical process. Dr. Ortiz offered me as much time as I needed to discuss my concerns, the surgery, his career and skills. I also learned that Dr. Ortiz proctored the prominent Las Vegas surgeon who performs lap band surgery and he proctored the surgical staff at my home town hospital in Newport Beach, CA.. I stopped searching and scheduled my surgery the very day I met Dr. Ortiz. Originally, I was going to wait until year end, 2006, to have my surgery. After my meeting with Dr. Ortiz, I scheduled Friday, October 13th, 2006, for surgery. I don’t have to be superstitious about the date. I believe I have the premier surgeon performing my lap band surgery. Now, Friday the 13th, cannot come fast enough for me. I worry that I will not pass the pre-op physical, or something else will go wrong and I won’t be able to have the surgery, so I haven’t told too many people about my surgery. I am going to burst with excitement and cannot wait to wake up after the surgery and know that I am turning the corner on my new life. I truly am very lucky. I have a husband who adores me, a successful business and a premier surgeon. I don’t need anything else. My goal: lose 150 lbs. Realistic? I don’t know. My cardiologist believes I will lose at least 100 lbs. I keep reading about people who are my size (24/26) and now they are size 12/14. Is that really possible? Or is this a dream that I’ll wake up from. I just don’t want to live the rest of my life fat. I don’t want to take the elevator at the court because I’m packing an additional 100 lbs and can’t use the stairs. When I argue with another attorney, I don’t want the adjective "fat" used to describe me. I want to walk into a store and buy "normal" size clothes. I don’t want to wear a bikini, I don’t want to be in Playboy. I just want a life freed of fat. I don’t want to be defined by fat.

I'm down another 3 pounds this week! Making myself get on the treadmill everyday is finally paying off. I also noticed at softball practice last night that catching grounders was a lot easier than it was in the beginning. Plus not being so winded is excellent!!! I feel the old me emerging. I'm starting to remember who I used to be. I've missed the old me. I know I have a long way to go, but feeling better about myself is the first step to reaching my goals. It's so nice to be so active again. Before surgery I used to dream about running and playing sports. I would wake up so disappointed that it was only a dream. For the first time in many, many years I'm enjoying summer. Well, at least as much as you can enjoy summer in Texas. :biggrin: Life is good! :cursing:

I went to a 4 hour class for diet and nutrition. I learned some new things, re-learned some old things and spent some time yawning. There were only a few others in the class. Someone once said there are no stupid questions, but really that is not true. Sometimes people will begin with a questionably stupid question and then go into their life story. I did come away with a few new ideas on how to get thru the first few weeks awaiting the first fill. I am going to go to a support group meeting on 3-9-09. I think I will need all the support I can get. I have 9 more days until surgery. My son bought me a wii fit today. I have used his before and I think it will be a fun way to excerise. On the 10th I will go for my pre op blood work and pre op paper work at the hospital.

1 pound! LOL! That's my avg. Now, I have lost 2 pounds a week since my last fill on Dec. 16 but that's not my usual. I avg my total loss since surgery day and it avg out to be 4.8 pounds a month. I am happy though because it's staying off! That was the point of me getting the band is to keep it off! I have never kept off this amount of weight for 11 months!

I had the same problem, about three weeks after my last fill, I was suddenly feeling so tight in the morning. No particular reason or problem why but I really cant eat anything or drink until I have been up for about 2 hours. Check with your doctor but dont get super worried yet.

I'm so excited for you! This is a big step, but worth it. I did not use any of the items I brought with me in the hospital, except the clothes to wear home. Hospital provides, basic care supplies and you will most likely just want to sleep or rest. Some suggested a notebook & pen for notes or journal, gas x strips, and ear plugs. The one thing I did not have when I got home was an old fashion night gown with no waist. My husband went & got 2 for me and that saved me! Couldn't handle anything around my waist for a week. Everyone is different though, but at least make sure you have comfy pants and tops for the first few weeks. Also I wouldn't leave the hospital without a prescription for nausea that dissolves under you tongue. Be prepared for an emotional ride the first 2 to 3 weeks, they feel like a roller-coaster, but it does get better as you heal and become more mobile. Make sure you have little 1 and 2 oz containers and cocktail size utensils at home. Also Lipton cup cream of chicken soup and chicken stock (not broth) to make it with, it adds protein and goes down well. It's a nice change from protein shakes also. You should read frequently asked questions in the pre-op forum section too. I've learned since my sleeve a month ago, that the only thing that has changed is the size of my stomach. It doesn't change food craving, choice of food we eat, what food triggers we have, our habits, or how much we exercise. We get full fast and that helps, will lose some weight no matter what, but all the rest we still have to work towards changing ourselves. We can do it though! I wish you all the best in your journey.

I'm three months out with my band also. I would do it again in a heart beat. I have lost 42lbs. I think these last 29lbs are going to be hard thou.

Today is day 8 post-op. I started back to work two days ago. I though I was ready but maybe I should have taken a whole week off. It was crazy busy and I didn't get enough sleep the night before. I'm doing better today though. I've been looking forward to day 8...today is the day I got to start full liquids. I don't really know when I'm full though. When I swallow liquids to fast my chest hurts. Is that normal? So after a few bites I feel like my chest is about to start hurting and that's when I stop. I'm down 14lbs today. Two lbs a day as of right now. It's crazy. My pre-op appt is next Thursday. I'm feeling super good. The past five months pre-op I was having headaches everyday. They have almost completely disappeared. Since I'm off tomorrow...maybe I will treat myself to a pedicure. Oh! Can anyone tell me anything about the Iso-pure protein drinks? I'm not really feeling the super whey protein shots.

Haven't had the band put in yet, but I have a question that may be redundant. I have read back on the blog's and have not seen anything or anyone talking about playing sport's. I'm on a highly competitive Softball team and also play some other physical sports. I know I have to recover for a few week's but will there be any limitations for me? I know people are active still after the surgery walking and such, but is there anyone that can give me some input on this. Aug 3rd. 2009 Band date, Mike DeMuro

Well its fudge cake day today, so far I am surviving it, but there are only so many cups of coffee I can drink, especially since everyone else is saying "Well a little bit won't hurt". But everyone here know's just how much alittle bit can and will hurt:frown: The other thing is I normally go to the gym in the mornings and hadn't really noticed how I get into a routine and now that I am not there it is really bugging me. Took me longer to get ready today as well because I couldn't just chuck on the gym gear actually had to make a bit of an effort. Maybe I should take some of the cake to the gym and hang it in front of me like they do in the cartoons.:thumbup: I feel now after nine weeks I;m really beginning to get a grip on the food I can and can't eat and if in doubt vow to try it out in the privacy of my own home not in the middle of a packed out restuarant, as this can lead to a hasty exit to the ladies room.:eek: I'm wondering about alcohol these day's and do you end up drunk quicker? Because generally if I drink I eat lots and it's a good night out because it used to happen so rarely. But now because now there is no food too soak it up I think I will end up on my ear a lot quicker than ususal, so this is something I am going to have to watch out for . Cheers Chooky

:laugh:Why is the week leading up to the fill the hardest????? Of course I know why, but it's a hard few days to get through. Really I find myself smelling bakeries and bbq's that last week never bothered me and I can feel myself picking at things that last week I wouldn't of touched. So I really struggle with the last couple of day's. Any idea's guy's to help combat this???? Cheers Chooky:thumbup:

This is something I read before I decided to have surgery. It was what helped me decide that this was the right option for me and I wasn’t doing anything less than what I deserve. It still rings true for me today. “This is a huge rant topic for me, so I will spare you all the long ALL CAPPED emphatic response LOL. This is my single question back to anyone who says I took the easy way out: Why should I NOT take the 'easy' way out? Seriously -- this is not a rhetorical question: Why not? Fat is not a moral failure; I didn't do anything Bad or Wrong, and I don't 'deserve to be punished' by doing it the "hard way" over and over and over again. The end.” That being said having the vertical sleeve gastrectomy was and is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have never felt so good and been so happy. The weight loss has slowed, but it is still coming off every month. I had a small stall again this month where I didn’t lose for two almost 3 consecutive weeks; however I knew that I was still losing because in those weeks I had lost a complete jean size even when the scale didn’t move. StartWeight: 273 lbs. **Goal Weight: 157lbs. Pre-op:--- 6 lbs. lost Surgery Weight: 267 1 month: 247 -- -- bmi 39.0 -- -- 20 lbs lost 2 month: 238 -- -- bmi 37.3 -- -- 9 lbs lost 3 month: 229 -- -- bmi 35.9 -- -- 9 lbs lost 4 month: 220 -- -- bmi 34.5 -- -- 9 lbs lost 5 month: 212 -- -- bmi 33.2 -- -- 8 lbs lost 6 month: 207 -- -- bmi 32.4 -- -- 5 lbs lost 7 month: 201 -- -- bmi 31.5 -- -- 6 lbs lost Lost since surgery: -66 Lost Total: -72 lbs. Overall Goal Weekly Break Down, lbs. lost pre-op week: 6 lbs week 1 -- 8 lbs. 2 - -5 3 - -3 4 - -2 5 - -2 6 - -3 ~2 months 7 - -3 8 - -1 9 - -2 10 --6 ~3 months 11 --0 12 --2 13 --1 14 --3 ~4 months 15 --0 16 --4 17 --2 18 --1 ~5 months 19 --1 20 --3 21 --3 22 +1 ~6 months 23 --0 24 --3 25 --2 26 –1 27 --2 ~ 7 months 28 --0 29 --0 30 --4 StartJean size: 24/22 Current Jean size: 14/12 *I have lost over ten jean sizes. This is amazing Start Shirt size: 3x/2x Current Shirt size: xl/L Inches: Neck Start: 16 Last: 14 Recent: 14 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -2 Upper Arm Start: 15 Last: 13 Recent: 13 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -2 Forearm Start: 11.5 Last: 10 Recent: 10 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -1.5 Waist Start: 49 Last: 39 Recent: 38 Loss: -1 Total Loss: -11 Abdomen (belly button) Start: 55 Last: 45.5 Recent: 44.5 Loss: -1 Total Loss: -10.5 Hips Start: 55 Last: 47 Recent: 45.5 Loss: -1.5 Total Loss: -9.5 Bust Start: 54 Last: 45 Recent: 45 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -9 Chest Start: 44 Last: 37.5 Recent: 37 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -7 Thigh Start: 30.5 Last: 25 Recent: 24.5 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -6 Calf Start: 17.5 Last: 15.5 Recent: 15.5 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -2 1st month loss: -19.5 in 2nd month loss: -9 in 3rd month loss: -13.5 in 4th month loss: -6 in 5th month loss: -2 in 6th month loss: -6 in 7th month loss: -4.5 Total Lost: -60.5 inches Christmas Goal: Start weight 207 Goal weight 193 7 ½ weeks to goal –14 pounds total = 2 lbs. Per week Right on track, halfway through time halfway through weight loss to goal

It's my Dad in shock not me.... The oldies came for lunch today and we were having homemade savory pasties and strawberry piklets with cream cheese and honey, all the healthy low fat versions but none of which I could eat or felt like eating today. Dad keeps saying but one wont hurt. He just has not grasped the concept of what I've done and why would anyone do that 2 themselves:confused: when I said I haven't eaten any bread or pastry or steak or... any of his daily stples I thought The shock nearly killed him:eek:. The father inlaw said, " Well when you lose the weight you can get taken off and properly again"????????????????????????? I have tried to explain but realisse that these 2 old dogs aren't up to learning any new tricks at this stage. I spose these 2 represent a growing number in my immediate circle who can't comprehend the sacrifices I am willing to make because now I can really see the bigger picture. & it's not my bum in a photo again. Between them they have decided Christmas day will not be worth living if they have to have it at my house because there will be no food, All this said as they chow down on the pasties and piklets while I have a shake.... These two are nuts:w00t: Still at least that means someone else can shop, clean and cook all day instead of me. Other than that have had a great day and their reactions have made me laugh:lol: ONLY ! WEEK OF HOLIDAYS 2GO Cheers Chooky

I've been feeling really good about my progress lately, not just the weight loss, but also my physical abilities and what i can now accomplish. I had taken the day off from work yesterday and decided to reward myself. I went to the movies and saw GI Joe 2. I know I shouldn't have bought the popcorn, but I did and just got the smallest size. The sales girl tried to get me to buy the size bigger (she was just doing her job) and although I would have loved it, I refused because I knew I couldn't eat that much and didn't want to take it home with me only to finish it off later. Then she asked the bigger question, do you want butter on that? I said yes (even though I know how bad it is), but I didn't ask her to put some in the middle as I would have before surgery. Ohhhhh....how yummy it was. Half way through the movie and I had only eaten half the bag. I put it down to stop myself from getting sick. I later picked it back up and ate a little more. I had to put it back down again because it was making me feel sick. The movie was almost over and I had the urge to use the bathroom. So glad I was able to finish the movie before rushing out, although I could have waited for this movie to come out on DVD. Not worth the money, even though I did see it in 3D. On my way home, I decided that I was going to make this a "cheat" day for myself. I stopped at my favorite Teriyaki place and got some spicy chicken teriyaki. I also stopped at the local produce stand and got some fruits for the week and vegitables for the soup I planned to make for the weekend. By the time I got home, I was hungry, so I started eating some of the chicken. I didn't touch the rice because I know I shouldn't be eating it, even though this is my cheat day. I probably ate about 4 or 5 pieces of the chicken and had to stop. That chicken ended up being 3 meals for me. Yes, I did eat it again for dinner and the rest of it this morning for breakfast. So, what I'm finding that even though I want to try to eat some of the things that I used to before surgery, I'm still applying some of the teachings my nutritionist taught me, by habit and not from guilt of what I'm eating. I also weighed myself this morning and I'm down 3 pounds, which made me not feel so bad about eating things that aren't so good for me yesterday. I did realize that even though the popcorn tasted amazing, I probably will try it without the butter next time I go to the movies (I don't do it very often). I also realized that the teriyaki that I used to love doesn't taste as good now. Lastly, I know that it's okay to treat myself once in a while and knowing that I still can apply what I've learned to my choices, I still can do it without feeling guilty providing that it's on a rare occasion. Today, I am back on my schedule of making good choices (minus the teriyaki breakfast). By the way, I did eat my normal breakfast for lunch. I'm feeling good, possitive and happy and can't wait to see/feel the changes that will happen through out the next year. =)

Im 3 weeks out. Have not cheated but want to! Im so confused on what I can eat at this stage. My NUT says soft stage. POPCORN??? I would love some popcorn. I was told I could never eat it again. Someone help. Will that be allowed? Rolls? I really miss my rolls/ Today Easter, I felt so deprived. I wanted the rolls, sweetpotatoes with nut topping. I was told I could never have nuts again. I keep reading people saying things they eat I was told not more. Help me understand what I can eat now at almost 4 weeks and for a lifeime. Sad and confused.

Just take it slow and build up. If you rush things, you'll probably get injured, so take it easy, but increase everything 2-3 minutes every week or so. Give it a bit, then worry about weight training.