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Being Thankful
 

The word No.. Day 6

"You cant be afraid of what people will feel at the expense of what you feel." - Steve Harvey   I was half asleep with the TV on when I heard Steve Harvey say this. The topic on his show today is being able to tell other people no. It got me thinking, "Do I say NO enough?" Kids wanna borrow money, if I have it I give it to them. When my friends want to borrow something, I usually say yes. When it comes to compromise it seems that I was always the one bending over backwards to accommodate everyone but myself. Then I decided 6 months ago that I was going to do something for me.   I might revisit this topic above at another time.. but for right now I think I will just talk about how I am feeling. Today makes day 6. How do I feel? gurgly hahahaha My stomach is gurgling and talking bubbles. Which is a good thing, my incision sites are not sore anymore and I slept partly on my side last night. (I did cheat though and took some of my lovely liquid codeine to help me sleep) Before I completely woke up this morning I got Bret (who was already up, thanks DD2) to bring me my medication so I could take it the correct way, no chewing up the pills and before I got up and started moving around. I have discovered I am going to take the blood pressure meds a little later in the day, and the thyroid soon as I get up with an empty stomach..haha but as it is now its an empty stomach all darn day!! I got me 2 popsicles, some chicken broth, a lime jello and a small cup of Gatorade....and that was breakfast. This liquid diet is murder, but I can say I do not have any diarrhea. So if that's what it takes then ok. But right now I would fight a wild pack of dogs for just one scrambled egg and a slice of toast.   I guess I can tie in the whole no thing after all. For my health, for my healing I have to say NO. To myself, to my kids, to people who want something from me right now. It's not gonna happen. I have to put myself first right now and heal, then I can go back to being the pushover that I once was..lol
txflea

txflea

2
Momonanomo's Blog
 

3 weeks post op check in

Today marks 3 weeks since surgery, and things are going quite well. I started my pre-op liver shrinking diet on 5/8/13, so I consider that my “start”. Since then I have lost 27.8 lbs, although my period started today so I’m probably good for another pound or two soon. I’m in the “soft foods” stage right now. I do feel restriction now! I also do feel hunger, although it is a reasonable hunger (not like the hunger I felt before all my life – THAT was unreasonable crazy and all-consuming hunger!). …..And once I have a few bites of good protein, my reasonable hunger is satisfied I love that. I am eating things like cottage cheese, good quality lunch meat (chewed well), baked fish, ricotta, PB2, eggs, and protein shakes of course. For an obese girl I am a pretty healthy person –I love and have missed my fruits and veggies. So I bought a nutria-bullet! For those who haven’t seen the infomercial, it is a small blender type thing that is extremely powerful and will pulverize anything you put in it. So this week I have begun incorporating ‘green drinks’ into my daily routine. It has made a WORLD of difference in my energy level! You load it up with half dark green leafies, some avocado, and half fruit (covers the taste of the green leafies!) and add healthy nuts or dried goji berries (these get pulverized so it’s not bad for the sleeve!). The resulting smoothie is much better than jamba and no doubt much more healthy. I also add my protein powder and voila! I get my protein drink plus my fruits & veggies! I now feel much better that I am getting a good balanced diet. I do 3 meals a day of a good protein, then 2 snacks in between of the green protein drinks, and I feel awesome. Sometimes for a late night snack I will mix up a tablespoon of PB2. Yum. My nails are growing like crazy! I guess it’s the protein? I certainly don’t feel malnourished, even though my calories are still pretty low. I’m not losing all that crazy-fast, but it’s ok. I am losing. And I had wondered pre-surgery whether I would be a fast loser or a slow loser, and I have to say – both have good things about them. If I am indeed a slow loser, I believe my skin will be in better shape in the long run. I hope. I also have high hopes that my hair will not fall out if I am a slower loser. I also think that my colleagues and other people who don't know I had surgery will be less likely to try to get all in my business if I lose slowly, because it will be a more gradual change. The obvious benefit to being a fast loser is that you get to have the weight off faster!!! Since it;s summer time, that is really appealing. But I takes what I gets! I have to say that all the months and months prior to surgery, time seemed to go by so quickly, and now time actually seems to go really slowly….because I know it’s just a matter of time until I lose a significant amount of weight. I am being a bit impatient in that way. Oh! I must share this too – yesterday I decided to have one of those Morningstar farm breakfast sausages for lunch -- I'd been thinking about those for the whole time I was on liquids! I ate too quickly, and/or didn’t chew well enough, because OMG I had a really bad experience! It honestly felt like someone had punched me in the stomach, and I got really nauseas – although I never threw up. It. Really. Really. Sucked. Lesson learned. I guess we all go through that at least once, ya? I think next on my agenda will be starting some more rigorous activity or even what could be called exercising So far I have just been hiking up the hill behind my house and back everyday. My dog loves it, because I am able to let her off leash. It’s maybe a mile round trip but it is an incline. The first few times I did it after surgery I was really going at a snail’s pace. But now I’m able to go at a pretty good clip. So it’s time to go farther I believe!   Onward!
Momonanomo

Momonanomo

4
Johnny99's Blog
 

Chuggin' along ... one month past surgery

Weds, June 12   Hello again loyal Bloggins, Johnny fans and fellow Bandsters! It's been about a week since we chatted so I thought I'd let you know how it's going on The World According to Johnny. I gotta say ... pretty damn good!   It's been 4 weeks today since the capable Dr. X installed the anti-eating apparatus in my oh so blubbery mid-section. As advertised by the Doc and his staff, I feel completely healed and am suffering no side effects what-so-ever. Other than this strange hankerin' for a trash bag full of Fritos I can't seem to shake, life has settled in to my new normal. Yes, NEW normal.   I have totally embraced my band and what it stands for. That is commitment. It is just so crystal clear to me that inserting a medical device inside your body is the last, desperate measure a fat person can take. And why take this drastic step if you are not going to change your life? Well, so far, I have changed my life. Dramatically. I have not yet had my band filled which means it's wide open. I think I could pretty much get anything down the ol' yapper that I wanted and not have a stuck episode. But just knowing "Bandy" is in there, keeps me on the straight and narrow. Yep. I've changed. Hopefully for ever.   Although not required, I still start my day with the protein shake blended with a little ice. It's just like a milk shake and I like it! I have recently started adding a tablespoon of low sugar peanut butter to the chocolate flavored shakes and it's delish! So no more big breakfasts or even breakfasts that I thought were healthy for me. I'm sticking with these shakes whenever possible. Lunch has turned into a 240 calorie tuna snack lunch or a low fat soup. No more fast food, deli or 3 martini lunches for this fat ass!Dinner has consisted of ground up beef or turkey with a bit of flavoring, cooked veggies and some watermelon. And I'm good with it! It does help that wife wife L is a fine chef and makes even a mundane dish rival a nice dinner out. Add in my snacks of yogurt, sugar free puddin' and a night cap Fudgie bar, I'm feeling real satisfied. I am actually blown away that this is working.   Am I losing weight? You betcha! 30 unsightly pounds of extra mass have evaporated from my roly poly body. That's 2 bowling balls of F-A-T! Let that sink in.   Am I on target? You betcha! I was told to expect to lose 1.5 pounds a week after surgery. I'm exactly at that figure. If I can keep that pace up, I'll hit my 8th grade weight by October. Hey, there's another goal!   Do I have any pain? Nope.   Most importantly, can I play golf? Yep. 3 rounds last week alone.   So all in all, I am right where I should be. On the path to success!   As rosy as it all appears, there are a few bummers. I'm a party guy. As explained in detail in previous posts, I excel at eating, drinking and merrymaking. My history is legendary. And I if I could remember it, it would make quite a book. This No Fun Johnny is, well, no fun. I am making healthy decisions daily when comes to food and booze. That includes avoiding almost all situations that include the Devils temptresses. So far I have declined offers to at least 2 BBQs, 2 parties and a wedding. Yep. No fun at all. But this is the new normal. Am I embracing the No Fun Johnny? Nope.   Check back soon! First band fill on Monday. Then we have to talk about the dreaded "W" word.   Floow along on my blog:   Thedeconstructionofjohnny.blogspot.com
Johnny99

Johnny99

1
TD41's Blog
 

Wearing a size 14

Hey today is great day.... WLS has saved my life in so many ways. I have more energy self esteem and overall healthy than I have been in a long time. Yesterday I slipped into a size 14 capris and a large top!!!! I never imagined wearing a size 14 because it has been soooo long! Just wanted to share that I have lost 50 lbs and I am closely approaching my 6 months mark... I am praying to get down to a size 10 that would be totally awesome and my highschool weight(lol) I have been trying to exercise more and really stay active,. I pray for much continued success to all TD41
TD41

TD41

7
momofjal's Blog
 

Day 9 post-op

I have been lightheaded since yesterday. Almost passed out one time yesterday! Being at home with three kids, that was scary. I checked my BP and it was 95/65, very low. So I called my doctor's office this morning because I am still lightheaded. They said it is because I am dehydrated! I believe it because I have been having a hard time getting the 40ozs. in, but have been very close everyday. So, now I have to try to drink as much as I can today and if it doesn't get better then I will hav to be admitted to the hospital to get fluids. I am doing nothing, but drinking all day. So far I feel the same.
momofjal

momofjal

1
Wedding Weight Loss Challenge
 

Chia Seeds

Welp ... I'm sure you can imagine that I ended up on the Lap Band's doorstep because I tried every other diet/workout/fad imaginable to lose weight ... and somehow still needed more help.   I've tried Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, Paleo, Green Tea pills, Phentermine pills, B-12 shots, Lipo Shots, Liquid diets, and any other thing you can think of.   I was very unimpressed with the side effects that the pills and crash diets had on my body - jitters, constipation, etc.   And as I am here now struggling still with the lap band trying to get my weight down wiht a feeling of my own will and discipline, I have something else to "try" and I navigate my way to the green zone.   So a few months ago I bought some "chia seeds" from Trader Joes. I mixed them with some water like Dr. Oz said on his TV show, and they were the weirdest grossest feeling thing ever. They were lumpy and slimy and crunchy at the same time ... I was confused and grossed out and never opened the bag again.   BUT ... I realize that on my journey to the green zone what I really need is something that keeps my hunger under control, so that I can feel more satisfied eating small portions of healthy foods ... and supposedly this is exactly what Chia Seeds do ... they swell once they are mixed with a liquid, and therefore make you feel full once you eat or drink them ...   SOOOOOOOOO I figured I would try to outsmart myself and eat them again without making myself gag. I tried them yesterday morning with my protein shake. I didnt mix them with the shake, but I took a gulp of the shake and shoved a teaspoon of the seeds in my mouth, then swallowed quickly and drank some more. Well I have to say that if I was guessing, I may have subsided my extreme hunger pangs for maybe an extra 30 mins or an hour ... so I did the same thing before I left work late in the afternoon ... and again I felt satiated for maybe 30-45 mins.   So I'm at it again this morning, drinking my protein shake and eating the seeds simultaneously. And I'll do the same thing this afternoon before I leave work (1.5 teaspoons per sitting). I'll see if there is correlation to how long they supress my hunger, and the amount of seeds I take in, so I'll gradually increase the amount and see what happens.   I'll keep you all posted. If you woild like to try them, they have them at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's (and probably fresh market) for under $5 per bag. I suspect that this bag may last me about 3 weeks.   And if anyone else has had some experience with them please let us know!
Sunshyne068

Sunshyne068

3
mojaleski's blog
 

In the beginning

June 12, 2013   Hi... Well, here I am, having been contemplating weight loss surgery for some time...years?...but always thinking I SHOULD be able to control my weight with the various "successful" at one time or another diets I have used, schemes, wishes, vows (some complete with oaths!), pleas to God, 12 step programs, diet pills that bind fat or magically work as in the recent coffee beans "plan" of action.   Two days ago I attended an info session on weight loss surgery options at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. My partner, Don, came with me. The presentation, by Dr. Dimitry Nepomnayshy was excellent...direct, funny at times and sobering too. Certainly none of the 3 options discussed would be easy; none would be a 'magic bullet', for sure. He made it clear that for anyone thinking the surgery would work without exercise (arghhh) they might just as well leave the room NOW. Same thing for having any lingering illusions that the surgery would work if one didn't make the correct choices around types and quantities of food after the surgery. The analogy of a 3 legged stool was powerful.   I am thinking about my own history...diets without exercise...and/or little ongoing exercise and how the 3 legs or wheels work. A 3 wheeled bike...tricycle has stability and prevents a toddler from falling off the bike (and lots of us older people start riding BIG trikes for the same reason...) When I last rode my bike (a two wheeler!) last year I was a bit wobbly over rough areas and when traffic approached...if I were to stop the bike would tip over if I didn't balance by putting at least one foot on the ground. Yet when I dieted and didn't exercise eventually I fell off... it was hard to get up...hard to want to get up once I started eating. It was not as though I didn't know better...it was not that I had forgotten what worked for me...I would just simply want to stay in the food for awhile...since I had fallen I might as well stay where I was for "awhile". I will start tomorrow...or after the weekend...or after the wedding...or after the holidays...or after the summer...and then...before I reach 150 lb. again, which became 160, 175, 190, 200, 225...and now I can say "at least I am not 279 and 3/4 lb. again!!" Good grief. I need stability and the 3 legged stool or tricycle for stability is making sense.   Can I commit and follow directions? I do think I can. I have dieted or followed my different food plans successfully a number of times through the years. More often though...most of the time...I would start the day well...and be in the food before the day was over...sometimes within minutes of my vow that "today is the day" and "this time will be different".   In my 12 step program I once lost 140 lb. and got down to 139...which felt fabulous and I looked great. Moreover, I had such energy and loved how I looked in my size 6 petite dresses...not size 2X or some 3Xes. Once I bought a size 5X sweatshirt so it would be big and roomy, I thought. Well it is not healthy to be wearing a size 5X and rationalizing I had looked smaller because it didn't cling anywhere. It would have fit over my dishwasher and I thought it looked good on me because it felt good on me. I gave it away on my way down the scales...but later wished I had it back...when I was on my way up.   All my life I have been either on the way down...or on my speeding train ride back up! Being the same weight the first day of Spring and fall would be just a coincidence, should it ever have actually occurred. The clothes in my closets go from size 4 (believe it or not) to size 3X. Out of date, out of style...no matter...I have saved so many things. Clothes that I thought were "fat" clothes on my way up...look tiny now, sixty some odd pounds heavier. Even half my shoes don't fit...and I have a lot of shoes. My feet gained weight and shoes can hurt!   I have an appointment with my pcp this Friday to get his referral and support. Yesterday I called Lahey Clinic and have given them my information and have an appointment with a surgeon on June 27th. I am nervous but excited. I can visualize this extra weight off my body again. It is not going to be easy. It is not without risk...but it is risky whether I go back to my 12 step program or weight watchers ...and my history tells me that for some reason I will not be successful at losing enough to to try maintenance again. I am overweight enough to quality for insurance to cover my surgery. Statistics indicate that I have the best chance of recovering my body and vitality with a combination of correct diet in smaller portions, exercise and surgical help. I am 70 now. I don't think I can play around with obesity any longer before I start having serious health issues.   Enough for today.
mojaleski

mojaleski

0
Cheer Mama's Blog
 

7th day out

OK, so the reason my head has wanted to pop off is because I'm dehydrated to the extreme. I was originally led to believe that the reason my pain in my head was so bad was because of gas pain. (I just resalized that I left the hospital in this state!) When I finally called my doctor again yesterday, another person said it was because of lack of water and protein..... Well, I saw that I had hope and there WAS light at the end of the tunnel. I drank so much yesterday evening and had 15 oz of protein.   So, Now it is 4:30 am my time and for the first time I was able to get outta bed on my own, or rather off the couch. This is the first time I've been able to do this. I just took some pain meds and lots of water. I can finally see a brighter future!   Oh, did I mention I walked so much yesterday that my stomach and lower back hurt? I wish I had a prego band...... )
Cheer Mama

Cheer Mama

0
Bandora's Blog
 

Am I too sensitive?

My teenage( Size 3)! daughter mentioned that I am no "fun" anymore. I just was banded 6/6 for goodness sake.She mentioned she misses the late night fast food runs and chinese buffets. wow. I know deep down she is happy for me but it kind of hurt my feelings. Is that uncommon? I wonder if other people have experienced little comments like that? My life really does revolve around food and over the last 6mos of pre-op I realized my obsession. My biggest addiction was diet soda--giving that up was hard and I was pretty grouchy for a week or 2. I also love to cook & watch cooking shows...so I have given that up temporarily.Maybe I am being too sensitive but I would like my family to just be patient for the next few weeks. I'm sure I will be ''fun' again when I have more energy
Bandora

Bandora

5
Jouselle's Thoughts
 

Once upon a time, I was an egg.

Once upon a time, I was an egg.   A few years later, I was a kid. I wasn't as big kid yet, but I saw my really big Mom, and really big aunts, and put two and two together. When I grew up, I was going to be fat.   Fast forward to High school. I was at 160 lbs. I thought this was fat. I thought this was my fate, and did my best to accept it. I didn't think I was ugly, because I still had pretty good success dating. I was a resolved and proud BBW. At the time, my younger sister wasn't far behind. I just thought it was something to be accepted. It was in our genes.   Onto College years. I was a starving artist with no car, so I got down to a nice 140 lbs. Too bad I didn't appreciate it, because I had a roommate with body image issues that rubbed off on me. In pictures, I see that I looked amazing, but I didn't feel amazing then. In fact, I was in such a bad place mentally, I had to leave college early and take medications.   Then, I moved back home from college. Yes, home to Mom's and Sister's cooking. Combining good food with different mental medications, I went up to 170. I thought, "Okay, this must be me fat now. I'm gonna be okay with this, accept it and be proud to be different."   Then, I got a job in a cubicle. The money was great, but my weight was not. I got up to 210 lbs. I was very upset. I busted past 200. But I was in a very committed relationship, which helped me accept it. My fiance was wonderful to me, and called me beautiful every day.   Notice I said fiance? That's right, a wedding was coming up. And we were both quite overweight, so we counded calories for the months leading up to the wedding. He lost 25 lbs, I lost 10, but it was something. It was just enough to make me feel beautiful again for our wedding.   The year following our wedding, things went to hell. My mental illness got incredibly worse, what I thought was just a couple stomach bugs due to stress turned out to be a full-blown permanent problem, adding more medication to my list. I went through tests after tests, and they found nothing. So they blamed my weight. Then I had another medical scare, a bump was found and they had to do a biopsy on it. And, since I missed so much work because of all the medical crap, I lost my job.   Back to my parents' house. Back to 210 lbs. Back to misery.   Then, my husband met a guy at work who had the Lap-Band surgery a year ago and lost 100 lbs. He learned that the guy was very happy, and that the same health care we had paid for it almost in full. My hubby brought this information to me and asked me if we should do this together. The only time I ever said yes faster in my life is when he proposed to me. I didn't pause, I didn't mull it over. I wanted it more than anything.   So we made our first trip to TrueResults. The people there are very nice, and very informative. Sadly, I was 2 BMI points under what qualified according to our health insurance. I had to gain 16 lbs. I thought it would be fun. I started by having an extra treat here and there. But I wasn't gaining the weight fast enough. Eventually I was eating candy and fast food every day, drinking more soda than I could stand, and I will hate Twix for the rest of my life now. But after 6 weeks, we went back, and my BMI read 40.7. I did it. And now I'm here.
Jouselle

Jouselle

3
MissNikki27's Blog
 

Decided to do the BIG CHOP! I cut my hair

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.c...ed/LOZj9HRYdR8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>     So I finally decided to cut my hair. I didn't love it at first but it's growing on me. I have been hiding behind extensions and wigs for so many years. My idenity has been a fraud, I've never really liked how I look without weave and I'm not comfortable without them. Even as I type this I am feeling the cool air on my neck...and how light my head feels and it's a foreign feeling. I braved it through the day and everyone loved the new look. So this should be an interested next few weeks while I get used to it.
MissNikki27

MissNikki27

0
abridgie's Blog
 

Hurt feelings

I know prior to surgery I read on here about people saying they lost friends. I was like how sad but I've got great girls we'll be fine. I made it appoint to never bring up weight loss unless asked because I don't want that to be the only thing I'm known for talking about. One of my very very good friends came and spent both nights with me at the hospital so my husband could go home to take care of our kids. We were pretty close. Talking on FB chat nightly for hours going to lunches, concerts, movies, you name it. Well I'm at my 6 mon post op and she's gone and my heart hurts. I've tried talking to her and all she says is "oh just busy with work" I don't see why she would be jealous she's got a few extra lbs but nothing she couldn't fix on her own. Oh well I just decided tonight that I will no longer be the first to strike up a conversation or go out of my way to try to be friends when it's not as important. Maybe she'll come around maybe she won't but I'm really hoping she's the only one I loose.
abridgie

abridgie

5
LOSINGLOOSEY's Blog
 

June 9, 2013.......week 3

I went to my second of two psychologist's visits. Yoohoo!! I got clearance from him!! And this time, he didn't bother asking me any crazy questions like "Have you ever been small?"   I saw my coordinator at the grocery store....she had a bypass and lost over a hundred pounds a few years ago.... she reassured me that she feels 99.9999999% sure that I'll be approved. When she gets my "Letter of Medical Necessity" and psych clearance, as well as nutritionist's clearance - she'll send it on up to BC/BS. Another woman that I work with (same insurance) just got approved....and I believe my BMI, sadly enough, is much higher than hers.   So, it's really going to happen..........I'm going to do this - despite the naysayers who are telling me I'm mutilating my body, I shouldn't mess with what God gave me, etc. How do you respond to these people?   Anyways - until the next update....     So, here's the weekly progress:   June 9, 2013 8 weeks post op - Highest weight: 320.2 Current weight: 315.2 Goal weight: 172 Height: 5'10"   My weekly diet modifications:   Go entirely to decaf coffee.   My weekly behavioral modifications:   One night this week - no snacking or grazing after dinner.
LOSINGLOOSEY

LOSINGLOOSEY

0
Rebecca's VSG Adventure
 

Life with "Tiny Tum" begins!

I wrote a pretty long post about my surgery and experience on my blogger blog, which you can find HERE . But for the reader's digest version:   Surgery went great with Dr. Aceves and his staff down at Hospital Almater down in Mexicali. The hospital beautiful and clean, the staff super friendly and the language difference wasn't an issue. My "final meal" the night before was a fantastic italian dish of chicken and tortellini with tiramisu for dessert.   The day after surgery was the worst and painful with the gas pains and drain site discomfort, but by day 3, I was much better. Day 4 we flew home, and today I have done 3 loads of laundry and put them up, walked 30 minutes on my treadmill, and put up everything from traveling, and feel almost back to "normal"...ha!   I didn't reach my 64 oz liquid, 70 grams of protein, but I'm getting closer every day. I did make some "protein infused sugar free jello" and with a dollup of coolwhip, it rocked. I've also had the unjury chicken broth, and diluted gatorade today...both good. I have found my Tiny Tum doesn't really care for the artificial sweetners added to water (like vitamin water zero and the syntrix necture stuff), but hopefully that will change.   I even made a big spaghetti dinner for my husband with roasted yellow squash and garlic bread, and didn't even crave it...it was very odd. Like perhaps I wanted a taste, but didn't want it in my stomach if that makes sense. It was the weirdest thing... but I'm thankful!   Still happy I made this decision, and I plan to wait until Friday morning to do my first post surgery weigh in.   And so...Life begins with Tiny Tum
rebecca_dsu

rebecca_dsu

0
heynat's Blog
 

Rotting Taste

I ate a small piece of garlic bread last night and fell asleep shortly afterwards. I now have this horrible rotting taste and smell emitting from my stomach (no it is not my breath, it comes from way deeper). I cannot get rid of it no matter what I eat or drink. This happened five years ago and it lasted 2 weeks, does anyone know what this is and how to get rid of it?
heynat

heynat

1
Gastric Sleeve Surgery - An Unexpected Journey
 

Porn Mags for Women or How to Get Your Woman to Add to Your Porn Stash

We've all seen them, all those women's magazines clogging the checkout counters. With titles like, "How to find His Pleasure Spot," "10 New Tricks to Keep Your Man," "Good Girls Bend at the Waist, Bad Girls Bend at the Knees." Now I'm all for women boning up on how to please their man. But where is the equal treatment for men's magazines?   If those same headlines were in a man's magazine, the thing would be shamefully hidden, deep behind the counter in liquor stores, with a piece of cardboard blocking the cover, lest some young innocent soul gaze upon the image and be scarred for life.   And, GASP!, if you actually thought of buying one, you'd have to wear a disguise so your neighbors wouldn't know it was you. And you'd shamefully carry it home, wrapped in a brown paper bag or folded between the pages of a newspaper - stuffed under the car seat. So no one would know that you were about to abuse yourself in front of God and all your ancestors.   But stores proudly display women's porn right there on the end cap at the checkout counter. How did it become socially acceptable for women's porn magazines to be sold right next to the Tic Tacs and Juicy Fruit gum? Is it because because the target audience is women?   Another inequality, I saw a commercial for the micro vibrator sold by Trojan. The women in the commercial sit around in circles talking about how wonderful it is, and even grandma chimes in and happily gets in on the action.   Can you imagine the public reaction if it was 3 guys sitting in a circle (I know where you're headed - 3 guys in a circle, just don't go there!) expounding on the joys of the Fleshlight? It would be an outrage. The Christian Right would flood the airwaves with indigent protests of how shameful the commercial was and how we're all going to burn in Hell for it. But because it's women talking about masturbation, somehow it's acceptable.   And finally it hits me! The marketing! If the men's magazines just worded the headlines on the magazine covers differently, their magazines could be sitting right there next to Cosmo and the Tic Tacs! And the best part is, women would be happily buying the magazines for their boyfriends and husbands.   Just imagine if the latest edition of "Spread'em" changed the headlines from "Brandy's Naughty Adventure," to "Brandy's Illustrated Guide to Pleasing Your Woman!" or "Brandy Shows You 10 Ways to Make Your Woman Scream in Bed (No! Not by calling her by the wrong name.)" Women would rush to the stands to buy their man the latest issue. It's all in the marketing.   Keep Pimpin' that Sleeve!
joatsaint

joatsaint

5
Jillian's Journey
 

With the Weight, So Too Do the Chains Drop

Well here we are. I have survived the first month of my gastric sleeve. Yesterday marked the one month date since I surrendered my stomach to the great nation of Mexico.   I can’t say it’s been a completely smooth ride, I’ve had my moments of restriction pain, nausea and frustration… and the three week stall threatened to crush my spirit plateauing me for a good 8 days, but at the end of my first month, I can say I have lost 16 lbs.   16 lbs man. That’s nothing to sneeze at. I have read many blogs and posts where people are light years ahead of me on the losing scale and for a short time I allowed that to frustrate me. Then I remembered one great fact.   The power of the law of attraction. What I ask the universe for, I get. Always.   It does not always seem like things are working the way they should but in the end I get the result I have asked of the universe… this rate of weight loss (which I may find slows further) is aiding me to help my skin retract – which is what I am asking for… no loose skin, no loose skin, no loose skin.   So let’s step back to the plateau. It was pretty hard on my nerves, and I think I allowed it to affect me physically because I started having some digestive problems as well, after all had been fairly smooth sailing for the first couple of weeks. I decided one day to sit down and think about the things that I want.. and the things I have wanted, over the last few years…   In May 2010 I wanted to lose the weight and get back into shape I wanted my husband to stop drinking and being abusive to me I wished I owned my own home I desperately wanted to have a baby, having fought infertility for 6 long years   In May 2011 I wanted to lose the weight and get back into shape I wanted my husband to stop drinking and being abusive to me I wished I owned my own home But I had a beautiful baby boy!!!   In May 2012 I wanted to lose the weight and get back into shape I left my husband!! (... but I still wanted love) I purchased my own home!! I have a beautiful son!!!   In May 2013 I am losing weight! I have love with my soul mate! I purchased my own home!! I have a beautiful son!!!   BUT... I’m on a stall.   REALLY JILLIAN???   Perspective perspective perspective!   And the non-scale victories are amazing!! I sleep Better
My pitting edema that has haunted my feet for the last 5 years is practically non existent
The sciatica is gone
And the biggest one is the strength I feel when I power walk.
Everyday I walk up the nature trail beside my office building at lunch time, or behind my home – and I feel the power. I feel myself walking away from all my misery of the past, all my heartache and disappointment…. The chains drop from me as I go. Pretty soon, it will turn into a run, and once I start running… I will never stop! Join me on My Fitness Pal: JillianMarie73
JillianMarie73

JillianMarie73

1
Johnny99's Blog
 

1st post op Doctor visit. It went pretty well, except ...

I went for my first post op Dr. visit this week. It went pretty well. I say pretty well because I got busted for a little drinking and a little non-smashie food intake. But I was on an impromtu trip with the boys! What's a guy to do? Catch up on my blog: http://thedeconstructionofjohnny.blogspot.com/   New readers start at the begininng. I try and add a little levity to our weight loss journey through LB surgery.
Johnny99

Johnny99

3
ginga126's Blog
 

How long is the process at Mount Sinai Clinic, Chicago?

I have been talking with my doctor for months, and after finally being approved, I have orientation with the weight loss clinic that has been approved by my insurance, on 6/18. I am super excited to get the process started. They told me that I have to take 6 nutrition classes and do a psychiatric evaluation prior to them scheduling the surgery. Since my primary physician already had the surgery approved, I don't think that there are any other steps past the classes that I need to do. Has anyone else been to the Clinic at Mount Sinai in Chicago? How long was your journey before the actual surgery? I am just curious as I want to schedule the surgery before I go back to school (I only get 5 days off a year as 'sick' days).
ginga126

ginga126

3
cheryl2586's Blog
 

I want to lose it fast

This really gripes my band lol. You did not gain weight over night and you will not lose it overnight with the band. If you wanted fast weight loss then you should have chosen the by pass. The band was not intended for people to drop 50lbs in a month. 1 to 2 pounds a week is normal if you lose more then that is great. You can not expect to get the results that others get. Everyone is different, we all have different metabolisms. However now comes the be mean mommy part..... If you are only giving part of your self to the band you can not expect 100% results. If you are not following the diet plan your doctor has given to you, you can not expect results. If you eat more then you should you will not lose weight. If you are starving call your doctor and ask for suggestions. No one ever said this was gonna be easy except for the people who know nothing about the band and say we are taking the easy way out. If you are eating cookies 2 weeks post op or pizza or fried chicken you might as well forget about doing anything. You have to want this and not following your doctors instructions is like going to court and being accused of murder and telling the judge well yeah I did stab him 30 times but can you just give me probation because I knew it was wrong but I did it anyway. The decisions you make in eating will tell on you. What ever you do in the dark always comes out to the light. Its like getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar while having your mouth full and as you spit out the cookies while you are saying I didnt do it, then you have made yoursel a total liar.   Stop cheating yourself if you are newly banded. Our eating habits is what got us to weight loss surgery and weightloss surgery is only as successful as the person makes it. The only guarantee you have is that you will lose the weight if you follow directions. Weight loss does stop at times. Those are the times you have to be strong. If you have only lost 10 pounds in 8 months then its not the bands fault. At some point you did not follow instructions. I went on an ice cream spree which lead to weight gain. I knew it and I accepted it but soon realized I was not helping myself. You have to be willing to give 100% if you want 100% results.
cheryl2586

cheryl2586

5
newmeIowa's Blog
 

One week post-sleeve op. - hmmmmmm

Well it's been quite a week. I developed some complications post-op (critically low hemoglobins and a spiked fever) so I had to have 2 units of blood and stay an extra two days. I've been home 4 days now and still feeling cruddy, but today I get to take in more protein/calories, so maybe that will help. Everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) tastes awful. The liquid or chewable vitamins and meds - UGH! Broth - no thanks. Jello - gross. I'm also having the 'runs' which is depleting me more.   So a woman in our post-op diet class this morning asked if we'd do it again. NO, I would not do this to my body had I known I would feel this way. However, I do know that everyone who's had the surgery says that's normal to feel this way and I'll change my mind once I start feeling back to myself. I'm usually a very optimistic person, but I don't see an end to the cold sweats/shivering/aching all over/crappy feeling - not to mention my belly pain. My husband says it looks vombiefied - freaks the boys out, which is fun.   I see the doctor tomorrow. Maybe I'll hear that I'm doing 'well' and progressing 'normally.' Maybe he'll put me back into the hospital. I really don't know at this point.   What the hell was I thinking!   I won't attach the picture of my belly (even though I'm very tempted) because I know it's horrific and might freak some people out.
newmeIowa

newmeIowa

5

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