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Post-op life has been incredible so far. Even when I was in the hospital right after surgery, I was so positive. I was so thankful to the nurses, doctors and hospital staff - and I told them so endlessly - that many of them told me that I was the sweetest patient they'd had in a long time. Why? Because I was so thankful to be alive, to be doing okay (in pain, but no complications), to have them helping me, to know that IT WAS DONE... I just couldn't help but want to thank each of them so much for being there to help me through the hardest part (first few days post op). It was wonderful. Through all the pain and discomfort, I was guided by the idea that this is exactly what I wanted. I was exactly where I wanted to be. It was only gonna get BETTER from there. And it has. SO MUCH!!!! So, last Thursday was my 12 weeks post op. My stats: High weight: 459 Surgery date: 417 Today: 370. In 11 more lbs, I'll be at 100lbs down. And my high weight is from November 2012, so in LESS THAN A YEAR (cuz I know 11lbs will be coming off soon) I will have lost 100lbs. This surgery is my miracle. And I am an agnostic cynic who doesn't really believe in miracles. At my highest weight, it was impossible for me to have any sense of fashion or feeling cute in clothes. All my pants had to be ordered online and were usually somewhat ill-fitting. Almost all my clothes were bought from catalogs because plus size store tops were just too snug, even in the highest size. About 6 yrs ago was the last time I was able to buy pants at a store. Tops were okay, but jeans/pants were too small. Well, now just about everything I have is way too big. So, I started pulling clothes out of "the archives" a few weeks ago. I had held on to some of my nicer work clothes from Lane Bryant from about 5-6 yrs ago when I could still fit in them. Now, even those are all getting too big. The smallest size I remember being in my adult life is 26/28 and 12 weeks post op IT'S TOO BIG. I still find it so hard to believe! Well, I went clothes shopping this weekend. I waltzed into the Lane Bryant outlet and grabbed a pair of 28 jeans thinking "I'm sure all my old clothes are stretched out/worn in. So we'll see just how much more I have to lose before these brand new ones will fit", guessing that I'd get them pulled up but would have trouble buttoning them. Wrong. More like "Um, Miss, can you get me a 26?" A 26!!!!! And yes, I realize this is still big. I have a long way to go still, but just the idea of buying something in a store - something smaller than I would have bought even 5 years ago - it blows my mind!!! I got a bunch of cute tops in size 22/24 - and by the end of summer THOSE will be too big because they are already just a tiny bit big in the shoulder area. Anyway, aside from the clothes shopping (which I always LOVED back when I could actually shop in stores, so it kinda made me giddy to be able to do it again!) - I also have some NSVs. I've started parking on the 3rd floor in the parking garage at work. I was on the 2nd and would take the stairs every day. There are 5 floors, so I want to work my way up. Not sure how long it will take, but I just want to be able to do it! I can cross my legs at the knee. My thighs are still so huge (UGH), but small enough that I can cross my legs, and I was NEVER really able to do that comfortably in my LIFE. I moved my seat up in my car about 2 inches. Never thought that would be something I'd have to do because I'm almost 6 ft tall, but without my gut (well, with LESS of a gut) I felt a mile away from the steering wheel! I no longer fear any chair. Sometimes arms with chairs were just too tight and I couldn't sit in them. Now, I don't have that problem. Next challenge - sitting in a booth at a restaurant! this last one may sound snarky - but I have an overweight friend who's been acting a lil jealous of me lately because my weight loss is getting noticeable. I'm REALLLY close (if not already there, really), to being smaller than her. I've ALWAYS been the biggest friend. Always. I know that may sound petty - but I am just so sick of being the fattest person in my family, at work, in the store, of my friends - I have always been the fattest person... and now - I'm not! however that comes across, there is something about that fact that makes me proud of what I've accomplished! And last but not least - I met a guy. He's a really good one, too - so far. I haven't shared all my secrets with him or anything, it's still really new. But I do thoroughly enjoy him and want to see where this could go. It's got some potential! I haven't had the confidence to date in YEARS, and I go on this one blind date and am lucky enough to meet a really great guy. Another miracle? I dunno. Maybe I've been overdue for some miracles in my life! lol Anyway, that's about all I got to share at this point. Hope everyone else is doing well out there, too! <3 <3

Hahahahahahah that's excellent, thanks for a chuckle....

Honestly, pre surgery my doctor wanted me to have three protein shakes a day and water....all of 330 calories. I tried it his way for two days. I had a soaring headache for two days. My blood pressure shot up to 220. It was crazy. I have never had blood pressure problems. I went back and said we have to do something different. He said drink some crystal light to curb the hunger. Yea, that didn't work. So I tried something different, I had a protein shake every three hours , 7am 10am 1pm 4pm 7pm and 10pm. I drunk water in between. No food. IT WORKED. No more headaches no more pain. Only 660 calories a day. I still loss weight. What I discovered from all of this. My stomach could not be empty. Water and shakes consistently. I still eat like this post band. Losing weight. Small cupful of food, every three to four hours. MAYBE, you are the same way. Everyone can not make it on an empty stomach. However, you can change what you put on it. And if you eat/drink at regular intervals, the body wont think its starving. Most important thing, you are not a bad person and you made a good decision. I too cannot exercise until August - need time to heal first.

Thank you so much for sharing!

10 POST SURGERY: I find that I am still sore. I guess I should not be surprised. No magical healing potion is available. So here is the deal. I feel okay when I stand up and move around. I feel okay when I am reclining. No exercising as of yet, I do walk around.( Hopefully, I will be cleared to exercise again after my two week follow up on the 25th of this month.) However, I find I am in the most pain when I have to seat up in a chair - or seat up in a drivers/passengers seat. Generally, I start to ache after 30 minutes are so. Not sure what is happening here, but seating up hurts my left side - where most of the incisions are. I have to lean to the right to relieve the pain. Though, leaning back and to the side while driving is supposed to be cool, exude confidence, whatever, it really doesn't help me when I am driving. (The Commercials lie!) Its also not comfortable when I make a left turn. Usually, when I come in I enjoy seating in my lawn chair in the bedroom watching TV. Yes I know that sounds like a story in and of itself. ( The short version: I was looking for an computer chair to work with my computer armoire which is closer to the floor than I expected when I bought it. After a long shopping day and no luck finding a computer chair, I went to look for new bathroom accessories at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. While waiting for my mother to finish shopping, I pulled out a lawn chair and set down. It had a head rest and it was very comfortable. I bought it on the spot. I mostly seat and watch TV and fall asleep in it.) So now that I have explained that I can move on. So I try seating in my lawn chair only to discover this is not comfortable. So I go on Amazon, which owns a fourth of my paycheck every pay period, and I look at inflatable furniture. I settle on a reclined chair and ottoman set. Today was my first day using it. It works wonders. Although, I'm afraid I'm doing more sleeping than watching TV. Somehow furniture never works out like I plan. I also use an inflatable wedge to sleep elevated at night. It too works wonderfully and is one of the pieces I have bought FOR the intended purpose of sleeping. P.S. NO I DON'T SLEEP ALL THE TIME. LOL. BUT Pre-surgery, I often had very restless nights, many times choking in my sleep. I maybe got 3 hours of rest a night. Post-Surgery and Hernia Repair, I seem to be sleeping like a baby.

This is funny. If it happens on my weigh in day i step on scale after, it cant hurt right?

I keep a open can in the fridge and wait for it to go flat.. I take a few sips throughout the day. I also was addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper before surgery. You will be surprised how you will not want something if it hurts your pouch. Good Luck

Just had to laugh, a good weigh in is a good weigh in!

You talk like 60 pounds isn't a lot of weight! Let me put this in perspective for you: My 10 year old son weighs 67 pounds. You lost almost the equivalent of a 10 year old boy. That is no small feat!! That's A LOT of weight!! Don't ever compare yourself to others. No one is doing "better" than you are. Your journey is uniquely yours and you're doing beautifully at it. Don't be so hard on yourself

Sounds like you have a great attitude.. I have to work out alone too.. we live in a little town, I go to the local gym, no pool but my daughter has a pool so I use hers.. have you checked into the YMCA? sometimes they have pools and workout equipment.. 80 a mo. is expensive..Keep on your path you will meet your goals...