Lissa

I am a traveling notary in Florida, currently separated from my DH. I have two grown sons and a stepson that I will continue to claim as mine forever.
I'm 45 and just bought my first ever house alone!! I've been moving for days, so have been offline for a few days.
I've been self employed for 10+ years and I love it!
I see, read, live to garden and do DIY projects, and I am an aspiring writer. Someday...
Lissa

I just want to congratulate Tina on being the Spotlighted Member today!! I've learned so much from her, especially about enjoying the journey! This is NOT a race, it's a journey to a new, healthier us...and Tina is the person who taught me that. Her million dollar smile makes it that much better!

Well, I guess I'm the only one still posting around here, but, here goes. I went to someone's house today and we were standing in the yard when the gent offered me a chair. It's one of those sling style chairs where there is a frame and then fabric to hold you up. I declined the chair out of fear that I'd break it. When I said as much, he told me he'd pick me up if that happened. That's the second NSV, a man offered to pick my big butt up! LOL The first NSV is that I sat in that chair, comfortably, for about 35 minutes and it didn't even creak or groan! YAY ME!!

Another NSV for me... more workout clothes. 16/18 for both top and pants. I bought 4 of the same brand, different pattern, so I'm not washing them daily, but they won't be fitting me for long...

BIG NSV for me today!! I started at 24/26 in pants and I'm down to XL or 16/18 in tops, but the shorts/pants just weren't getting there because of the tummy. My work out shorts were getting too big, but didn't seem like they were big enough to drop a size yet. But, this morning I tried on one of the two pair I bought on clearance a couple of weeks ago... and I'm disappointed because the smaller size of the two fits me. I'll never get to wear the bigger one. Oh, yeah... the old shorts were 2x. The new ones are XL, not 1x. Guys don't get it, but the gals here will for sure!

My husband was unsupportive before surgery to the point that he told me to eat less and exercise more. Now that I've lost over 120 pounds, he's the first person to sing the praises of WLS. He's still a huge jerk and will soon be my EX, but he did come around on that issue. Don't let your hubby keep you from doing this for you!

My husband was unsupportive before surgery to the point that he told me to eat less and exercise more. Now that I've lost over 120 pounds, he's the first person to sing the praises of WLS. He's still a huge jerk and will soon be my EX, but he did come around on that issue. Don't let your hubby keep you from doing this for you!

My husband was unsupportive before surgery to the point that he told me to eat less and exercise more. Now that I've lost over 120 pounds, he's the first person to sing the praises of WLS. He's still a huge jerk and will soon be my EX, but he did come around on that issue. Don't let your hubby keep you from doing this for you!

I am a traveling notary in Florida, currently separated from my DH. I have two grown sons and a stepson that I will continue to claim as mine forever.
I'm 45 and just bought my first ever house alone!! I've been moving for days, so have been offline for a few days.
I've been self employed for 10+ years and I love it!
I see, read, live to garden and do DIY projects, and I am an aspiring writer. Someday...
Lissa

I love you, Lissa! You are great!

You're very normal. If you didn't have the doubts and questions, I'd think you weren't ready. VSG saved my life and I knew I didn't have a choice except to have the surgery, but I still went through weeks of "should I?" and "shouldn't I?" questions.
You'll have (or are having) an approval process and lots of medical tests to do before hand, so you've got time to think things through. If I had known how much of a positive difference WLS would make in my life, I'd have done it 10 years earlier!

You're very normal. If you didn't have the doubts and questions, I'd think you weren't ready. VSG saved my life and I knew I didn't have a choice except to have the surgery, but I still went through weeks of "should I?" and "shouldn't I?" questions.
You'll have (or are having) an approval process and lots of medical tests to do before hand, so you've got time to think things through. If I had known how much of a positive difference WLS would make in my life, I'd have done it 10 years earlier!

I don't worry about my "diet" on holidays. I eat whatever I want, which means that I'll go around the table and put a small spoon of anything that looks good on my plate and I eat what I want/can. I'm very open about my surgery, but, if you're not and someone asks about your small servings, just smile and tell them that you're dieting. At 8 months out, your weight loss should be very visible to everyone around you, so they'll believe you.

It gets better. Just as having food funerals is normal before surgery, most people have a little "OMG, what have I done" moment after surgery. Mine didn't hit until about 7 months post op, but a lot of people have theirs (like you) early post-op. Breathe deep, follow your plan, and Celebrate every ounce you've lost. You're doing fine!

According to my doctor, I'm post-menopausal, but I can't help thinking that my body has a big surprise in store for me. I'm still tracking it because I went over 9 months before, then woke up to a murder scene. I'll believe it when it's been more than a year without TOM.

Joyful noise, Thanksgiving wasn't too tough for me last year. I ate a few bites of whatever I wanted, from turkey to stuffing to pie. I didn't stick to Protein first, but went with whatever I wanted to eat. I do that three times a year. My new "normal" is that on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, I can eat whatever I want to eat. Every other day, it's 70 grams of protein and 64 oz of Water. It's working for me. But, I promise you there won't be a single Protein Bar or Protein Shake on my menu on the actual holiday day.

You're six weeks post op already? If that 's correct, then you can start with any type of exercise you like. I know, most of us didn't like any exercise before, so my recommendation is to start with walking. Walk more today than you did yesterday. Try walking from your door to the end of the driveway, or to the house next door. Add a little bit more each day, one house, two houses, three houses until you're walking around the block. Add a little more each day. Start today lifting some small weights. I started out with 2 pound weights, doing 10 reps each of a few basic arm exercises: bicep curls, tricep kick backs, front arm raises and skull crushers (hold your arms straight above your head with the weight in your hand, lower and raise your arm to complete one rep).
I couldn't walk from my front door to my car without being out of breath pre-op and I literally started out walking up and down my hallway, then around my apartment building. Now, 15 months later, I do 45 minutes on the elliptical at least 3 days a week. I still life weights and I'm "only" up to 10 pound weights, but I have a full routine I do several times a week. I have bicep, triceps, thigh, and stomach muscles that are VISIBLE. A little at a time adds up quickly.
Good luck!

As of yesterday I lost 210 lbs... half my body weight. People are starting to ask me if I'm at goal. I'm wearing clothing that can best be described as average sized. Nothing bigger than a large and mostly medium with size 36 or 38 pants. I'm now just 9 lbs from my first major goal, 10 pounds from onderland, and 29 lbs from my stretch goal of 180. I'm really charged up about the prospects for the new year.
Oh what a wonderful feeling to have the seat belt fit on an airplane. One of the best NSVs yet.

Every day is better and this life change is my best Christmas present, thanksgiving wish, and birthday gift combined.

I spent my early post-op time watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. For some reason, that made it easier for me to deal with the shakes and broth during the liquids to mushies stages. Now, you couldn't pay me to eat most of the food featured on that show. The portion sizes are still outrageous in my mind!

You're six weeks post op already? If that 's correct, then you can start with any type of exercise you like. I know, most of us didn't like any exercise before, so my recommendation is to start with walking. Walk more today than you did yesterday. Try walking from your door to the end of the driveway, or to the house next door. Add a little bit more each day, one house, two houses, three houses until you're walking around the block. Add a little more each day. Start today lifting some small weights. I started out with 2 pound weights, doing 10 reps each of a few basic arm exercises: bicep curls, tricep kick backs, front arm raises and skull crushers (hold your arms straight above your head with the weight in your hand, lower and raise your arm to complete one rep).
I couldn't walk from my front door to my car without being out of breath pre-op and I literally started out walking up and down my hallway, then around my apartment building. Now, 15 months later, I do 45 minutes on the elliptical at least 3 days a week. I still life weights and I'm "only" up to 10 pound weights, but I have a full routine I do several times a week. I have bicep, triceps, thigh, and stomach muscles that are VISIBLE. A little at a time adds up quickly.
Good luck!

You're six weeks post op already? If that 's correct, then you can start with any type of exercise you like. I know, most of us didn't like any exercise before, so my recommendation is to start with walking. Walk more today than you did yesterday. Try walking from your door to the end of the driveway, or to the house next door. Add a little bit more each day, one house, two houses, three houses until you're walking around the block. Add a little more each day. Start today lifting some small weights. I started out with 2 pound weights, doing 10 reps each of a few basic arm exercises: bicep curls, tricep kick backs, front arm raises and skull crushers (hold your arms straight above your head with the weight in your hand, lower and raise your arm to complete one rep).
I couldn't walk from my front door to my car without being out of breath pre-op and I literally started out walking up and down my hallway, then around my apartment building. Now, 15 months later, I do 45 minutes on the elliptical at least 3 days a week. I still life weights and I'm "only" up to 10 pound weights, but I have a full routine I do several times a week. I have bicep, triceps, thigh, and stomach muscles that are VISIBLE. A little at a time adds up quickly.
Good luck!

Amen, Gman! I haven't lost significant weight in several months, a pound here and there, but I've lost sizes in clothing, inches off my waist and hips, and I feel amazing! I work out with weights daily and spend 45 minutes on the elliptical at least 3 days a week. I've slowed down a lot due to issues with my gallbladder, but I'm not gaining weight and I'm still watching my body transform at 15 months out. I'll take it... forget the scale. The scale is a liar!

Just wondering if you are drinking too close to your meals of actual food?
I was having the exact same issue and I nearly got down over always feeling nauseated - my NUT told me I was drinking too close to food- and she was correct!
Maybe try to move it out to an hour before and after meals, that solved the issue for me :-)

Well mine kept the drain in because my resting heart rate was so high when I was in the hospital...It's safer if there is ANY CHANCE there's a leak so he's just playing it safe. But it's a pain!!! I am def showering today though...today is my birthday and that's my present! haha