bugwitch

There are a couple vintage clothing stores near where I live. I absolutely love some of the clothes in there (and furniture, some of which is now in my apartment...the ones I could afford anyway). Like I said earlier, I don't think I would be at 174 by August. But either way, my goal is to wear one of those vintage dresses to the family reunion. Or at least be able to wear one. A number of years ago I weighed between 240-230 just before my surgery. At that time, I think I was at a M/L pant and probably a L shirt. My goal is to be at 225 when I walk into that reunion. I am pretty sure I could wear one of those outfits at that weight. I'll post pics once I get there.

I asked about using Miso (Japanese, not Chinese) during the clear liquid stage. She said, as long as I strain out all of the clumps, no matter how small they might be, then it would be find for clear liquid. I am planning on heating it up, and then straining it through some cheesecloth to get the little clumps out. I imagine during mushies, I wouldn't need to strain anymore. So, think in terms of that. I was told to make sure there are no clumps or chunks of any kind during the clear liquid stage. Won-ton soup would likely not be acceptable for clear unless you removed all the bits. So, basically, just broth. Same with Egg Flour, etc. I bet pureed would be fine for mushy stage on. But, as always, double check with your doc.

Wow...I am hoping for a size 12 (standard) as my goal. I really cannot picture myself in anything smaller than that. I have no desire to be super skinny and don't want to lose my curves! The last time I was in onderland (199lbs) was in the 7th grade. I know because I was on the wrestling team and had to weigh myself with the guys every week and I hovered between 195 and 201 most of the season, and then ended the season at 199. I have not been there since. To put that in perspective, I graduate high school in 1998. I remember wearing an 18 in high school and not much else. Though I never spent much time fussing about my clothes so I probably wandered up and down. I have a family reunion in early August and my surgery is in late March. My final goal weight is 174lbs. I doubt I could be at 199 by August, without losing a TON of weight before and after surgery...but it would be awesome to walk into that reunion at 199. My realistic goal is to be at 199 for Christmas when I visit my mothers family. That, I imagine, is do-able.

I wanted to get your take on this. On one hand, it makes sense, assuming I am in good physical condition prior to going into surgery and maintain a steady workout routine up until that point. But on the other hand...well, I just don't know. I sent the following questions to my surgeons office. Following that is their response. Your thoughts? Me: "I have a couple of questions about post-op working out. I know it's supposed to be "just walking" for up to 6 weeks, right? I belly dance and do yoga and would like to work those back into my routines as soon as I safely can. Actually, I am currently scheduled to perform 8 weeks after surgery which will require keeping up my drilling and practice. At what point should I be looking at being able to do these again? What about other exercises like strength training, etc?" Their reply: "The walking only is for patients that do not do any exercise, you will be able to return to your normal activities much sooner. At 4 weeks you should be able to do everything normally, some patients start with weight routines after 4 weeks. Lifting is the main concern so you do not develop a hernia at the incision sites."

If you are not familiar with Shakeology, it is a pretty decent (I think) vitamin/meal supplement and/or replacement. I have not tried it yet, but am familiar with it through the BeachBody website and products. At what point post-op could I start using it? Is it clear liquid stage acceptable? Mushies? Here is their website: http://www.shakenutrition.com/ I did a search here on VST but only found ONE topic where someone mentioned it!

Here's a thought, why not have the location different every year? We could be on the West Coast this Summer, East Coast next Summer and then Central the Summer after that? Why not San Francisco? Southwest flies there and has relatively cheap rates, as most SanFran rates are reasonable (except around holidays). I am not sure about this summer, it depends upon when/where it is. But if I am able to attend, I would be more than happy to teach a belly dance class or two. I could try to contact some local (to wherever we will be) dancers and see when/where shows are. If anyone is interested anyway. I'd also be willing to help out with arranging museum trips or something like that. And, someone said they liked the idea of a "girls only" thing...well, aren't there guys who have been sleeved?

Get your thyroid levels checked. I have hypothyroidism and have periods that last about as long as yours (going on 2 months now!). When I started on Levo-T to treat the hypothyroidism back in September, I did begin to see some improvement (I had a whole week off between periods instead of one or two days!). But it kept going for 3 weeks or more at a time. So, at the beginning of this month I started on birth control meds and so far I have seen a change in my periods...they are HEAVIER!!! Now, this could simply be because my body is still adjusting to the elevated hormone levels in my body. But it is fraking annoying. After you get your thyroid levels checked out, I would also like to advise that you buy stock in Tampax. Because lords know I spend enough money on those bloody things.

What about V8 and similar veggie drinks? Or get a juicer and puree your fruits and veggies into a drink?

Is this something new or is it a rather recent development? Could just be a bladder infection or you are not taking in enough fluids. Some basic feminine hygiene that a lot of women don't seem to know about: -No scented products down there! This includes toilet paper, tampons, soap etc. For some this can include switching to scentless fabric softener. When you shower, just use water to rinse. -NEVER Douche! This is a horrible thing to do. You get rid of all of the good bacteria and flora down there and all sorts of bad craziness can happen. -Wipe from front to back. For those of us of size, this can be a challenge. Try your best to partition out your cleaning that way you are not bringing any E.coli or other stuff to the vaginal canal or the urethra. Why do I mention all of this? 1) Far too many women have no clue about their own bodies. 2)All of the above are some ways that bladder and yeast infections can begin. That feeling of not being able to empty your bladder is often a symptom of a bladder infection. Or, as I stated earlier, you could simply have not had enough fluid intake. Hope this helps...if not you, then anyone!

As far as flights (just FYI) keep checking the sites every day. I found a RT flight from Columbus for $360. Just the day before, it was 500 and many still averaged around there. Travelocity, Expedia, and also check out the actual websites. Southwest is a great airline.

So, I have a date set and I scored a pretty decently priced roundtrip ticket. I say score, because it has been running $100 more than I paid these last few weeks and, just after I purchased it, it went up $200 on the same site! Phew! So, March 21rst with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. Crap...Now I have to try and not think about it until then...or figure out how to not panic. Somehow, between now and then I need to be a good grad student. Again...Crap...

Well, I am actually debating between the band and vsg. Thanks, I'll definitely try to check out your group next month.

LoL...before my gall bladder surgery, I asked for my stones and they gave them to me! They were so pretty. I kept them for a number of years and intended to make jewelry out of them (they were rather big). But I think, during one of my moves, they got lost or thrown away. Too bad I can't make jewelry out of my stomach...hehehe And yes, there are number of surgery videos on youtube. I'd advise watching a variety of them as different surgeons perform it differently. That, and it might help you feel more comfortable with what is going to happen. But if you are squeemish, I suggest you do what I do when I imagine my parents having sex...since I am adopted, it never actually happened...I just showed up. And that's what happens with your sleeve...it just shows up. Okay...now, really am going to bed....for certain this time...maybe.

Crap...yuck. What about peaches and such? They're squishy! Melons are just nasty (IMO). Applesauce?

Okay, okay...I'll play nice. Goal for Vjay-jay day... I know I've gone up a few pounds since my last check in with my ticker...but I still want to be 275 by my surgery. So I need to be half way there by about the 14th. So, goal for the 14th is 283. Please, keep up with me all...don't let me slide!

You can find decent vitamins at any health food store, or places which carry a decent selection of "natural" and/or organic products. Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Fred Meyer, etc. A friend of mine has a store in Belfair, WA called Dragoun's Leir which is part gift shop part supplement and natural lifestyle store. Nancy would probably be more than happy to ship things to you. She's been a nurse for a bazillion years and has a ton of knowledge about these things. You could probably contact her and she could give you an idea of what you need. NOW is a good brand. Try to stay away from Wal Mart, Safeway, Kroger, etc brands. They typically do not have the same quality of ingredients. Also, remember, that just because a pill says you get 100% of (example) Vitamin B, you will not actually absorb that much. You don't need to really, but just be aware that you will not. How much you absorb has to do with the quality of the product, as well as your digestive system and other stuff. As far as taking childrens vitamins...think about it. Why are Seniors supposed to take a "senior" formula and why are pregnant women supposed to take a "pregnancy" formula? It is because they have different needs. Just try to get an idea of what you need, then look at the ingredients, how much are there and where they come from (as a vegetarian, finding vegetarian formulas can be tricky for me). Some sources are not as good as others. Okay...about to nod off...night night all.

So, I am still debating between VSG and the band. I have my surgeon picked out and just sent in my deposit. Also have a date! But I still am not 100% for one or the other. I am wondering if, at some point I need the band removed after I went out of the country to have it placed, and payed for it myself, is my insurance going to cover its removal and the associated costs? I know this is more of a question for my insurance carrier, but I thought I would ask here (since it's the weekend and they're closed and all). Thoughts?

Chewable Vitamin C can be bad for your teeth...so that's a no no. I don't know about the "better absorption" thing. I'd have to do some research on that.

I don't celebrate/care about, V-day. My holiday is on the 15th...Half Price Chocolate Day!!!

Oh yeah, I remember him... **runs off to google to see what he looks like** ... ewe, yuck. Really?

Regarding "healthy" and being overweight/obese....Those numbers which have been used to determine what is and is not a "healthy" weight come from insurance companies. Over the last 50 years, the average "ideal" weight ranges for women have decreased, while the ideal for men has slightly increased. What's wrong with this picture? It is because it has more to do with money and cultural perception, rather than actual health. Now, that's not to say that there are not more accurate determinants of healthy weight ranges (the military actually has better ranges). As always, there is variation from person to person because of body shape, build, muscle, etc. What is overweight for those insurance company created scales is in all likelihood healthy. I, at 5'9 with a rather larger frame and being muscular, should NOT weight 145 pounds, which is what those scales say is at the low-mid range. I went to mvm.com and did a little model of myself at various weights and 145 looked terrifying! Skin and bones! Uggg. I'm totally happy with a goal of 174 which is in the "overweight" range for me. Frak them. My best friend has been completely supportive of me having WLS. I moved out to Ohio for grad school and she lives back home in Washington state. She is going to fly down to join me when I have surgery in Mexico. She is super skinny and always has been. Her size is perfect for her frame and activity level, etc. As far as people having a problem with it, I agree, this is quite likely to happen. People hate change almost as much as cats do. Don't move that sofa into the next room and don't you dare loose a ton of weight. Especially if the other person has also struggled with weight issues, it can almost seem like a slap in the face that you are losing. You become a different person to them, physically as well as emotionally. Whether or not you perceive this change, they do. Even if you really are "the same person" just half of that person now, it can still be a huge deal. I like having curves and I have no plans on losing my curviness, but I want to be a healthy weight, etc, etc, etc. In all honesty, I just wanna look a hell of a lot sexier naked than I do now.