Lissa

Well, Ange, having watched your journey, I think you've always been YOU. You're just showing a cuter package to the world now. You feel great! It's obvious in how you stand, how you write and in how great you look. Too bad you're in California. That's a long trip just to have a girls' night out with ya!

Good luck, Proctor. It seems like the pre-op process is long, but it will be SO worth it when you see those numbers on the scale start dropping.

Congrats! Welcome to the loser's bench. You can sit beside me. I like watching the men-folk turn into eye candy!

I was told no straws as well, but I use them... and I think that if they help you get the water down without pain, you should do what you have to do. I was totally anti-straw for a long time. I use them now in my water cup, though, and they really do help me get my water in daily.

In keeping with my redneck girl theme for today, you need to listen to a song by Trace Adkins: "One Hot Mama"!

Awww, thanks, LadyIvy! I'm just so totally amazed at how far I've come since that conversation with my doctor last year. Singing: "My future's so bright, I gotta wear shades".

Go, Pookey, Go!! I'm redneck enough to think that's awesome!! Come on down here to FL. I'll show you how Redneck Girls roll!

Dad to 2, Thank you for linking the article. I was posting on the fly, so just gave the overall site. I don't know if I agree with everything the guy has to say, but he's definitely a believer in what he preaches. Aren't we all? LOL I was really enthralled with the body makeovers on that site. I believe there are 6 and I read three of them last night. My son has started following the Paleo diet and is working the exercise into his routine. I guess my facebook friends aren't the only people I've inspired to get healthier! Son and I spent a couple of hours on the phone last night discussing exercise routines, diet, and the Nerd Fitness site. I truly don't care what the scale eventually says as long as I'm happy with how I look and feel.

Well, of course I'm from the Treasure Coast, because I'm a Treasure, Laura!

I drink decaf coffee regularly and it helps with this issue.

I think that sounds delicious! I love guacamole!

Yes, your sleeve will "stretch". Actually, the swelling inside it will go down and you'll have increased capacity. I can eat 4 or 5 bites of watermelon now and it's really good, but I'm full. I usually do fruit as snacks instead of with meals for just that reason.

I waited 3 months for salad. If your sleeve doesn't like refried beans, maybe try thinning them out some? Mine doesn't like spicy anything these days, and I miss that.

This is where we really have to get over that dang scale! I "want" to weigh 170, and I just hit the 100 pounds lost mark. But, I'll be happy at whatever weight I end up at if I am fit and healthy, whether that weight is 170 or 220. I read a really good article yesterday on www.nerdfitness.com (cool reading, check it out) about a gal who lost from 170 down to 117, but wasn't happy or healthy. When she added strength training to her routine, she gained about 30 pounds, but her size went down while her muscle mass increased. She looks fabulous at 141, but looking at her you'd never guess that she weighed that much! I believer her name is Stacy.

I slowed way down after 6 months, but I've lost several sizes in clothes during that time. Now is when you have to get real with yourself and make sure you're getting in your Protein and Water, watching your carb intake and eating normal size portions. It's also a great time to add exercise, if you haven't already developed a routine of some kind. Your capacity is probably increasing. It's up to you to make sure that you're using that capacity for the benefit of your body. I joined a gym, added my fitness pal and bought a fit bit. I've also upped my exercise routine to include at least 30 minutes of cardio 7 days a week. I'm still losing, slowly, but steadily. However, I'm watching myself shape up, which is fun! Good luck!!

Got2Be, I'm dedicated to living well. Good luck with your journey, whether it eventually includes a sleeve or not! You CAN do this!

I love NSV's, especially ones where you kknow you're going to be more comfortable daily, like being able to sit in the seats of any car! WOO HOO!!

Susie, I may have to try that. Thanks for the info!

Simply, Being put to sleep is the easiest part of the whole deal, IMO. You take a few deep breaths of anesthetic, sleep, then wake up and it's done. While you're asleep, everyone else is working to take care of you. Enjoy the nap!

Bionic, I love beets. Always have. I just bought a couple of small cans of them for the pantry. One can will probably still be several servings, though.

Pookey, You've reached MY goal! You go girl!!!

You're in Onederland!! Congrats!! I'm looking forward to that as my next big goal, too! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I order what I want, taking the advice of one poster here. I love BBQ, but not the huge portions. I'll order ribs with steamed veggies or a sweet potato. I eat a couple of ribs, box the rest, have a bite or three of the veggie, and I'm done. Just push it around if you're with someone who you don't want to know that you've had surgery (first date?). Most people are concentrating on their own meals and not really paying attention to what you do or don't eat, in my experience. If I'm in a non-BBQ restaurant, I'll usually order something high Protein (steak or grilled chicken) and concentrate on that for my meal.

I started at 352 and I've lost over 100 pounds in 9 months. For the first six months or so, I dropped weight like it was a bad habit, and now the loss has slowed down. But, my loss slowed down in correlation to my increasing exercise... and I'm dropping sizes now like a bad habit. I'll lose a few pounds, then lose a size. I'll take it. There's no way I'd have believed I'd be 100 pounds lighter in 9 months pre-op, but you will probably lose faster even than I did. Enjoy the journey!

Refried beans. Yummy!!! I ate two spoonfuls and I was done!