MeMeMEEE

I think many people regret it early out - it is certainly a shock to the system. Enjoy the loose stools while you have them - before you know it you will be constipated instead! Seriously though, think of it this way - liquid in, liquid out. You won't have solid stools till you are on solid foods. I had a rough start with a leak and 3 months with a feeding tube but today I don't regret it. I am thrilled to be 100 lbs lighter, just a few more pounds to goal! Hang in there!

Today I reached 100.4 lbs down! YAY!! I am about 11 lbs from my initial goal, I know I want to go lower but not sure where so that is yet so this is where I have set it for now. Picture is from yesterday and I wasn't quite the full 100 down but thinking that .8 isn't going to noticeable in a picture

I had shoulder pain and a cough which turned out to be the abscess irritating my diaphragm. That didn't clue anyone in. What actually finally clued someone in was a high ferritin level in my labs - was referred to a hematolgist who did a CT of my chest, thinking lung cancer. He happened to see the abscess in my upper abdomen. I did have a second surgery but only to clear the abscess and place the feeding tube and drain. Fixing a leak with surgery seems to be last resort. Usually they take you completely off food and fluids or restrict your diet quite a bit, sometimes placing stents. I was put on feeding tube only, nothing by mouth and it was allowed to heal on it's own. Hope that answers some questions for you.

You look fabulous! Congrats!!

Thanks everyone! My program doesn't set a goal weight but considers you a success if you lose 65% of you excess weight so they consider me past goal!

Softer foods are sliders - once you are on solids it will be much less!

one of my favorite quick go to foods is a KFC grilled leg - 13 grams of protein in a tiny amount of food!

I love doing this!! Closet shopping is the best!

You might need more calories. Also, try drinking more water.

Does your scale take a battery? If so, replace it just incase!

You look GREAT!! Now time to update your profile picture!!

I went from a 42DD to currently a 36 C and am happy when dressed LOL I don't like any of my body naked though! I would be happy to stay a C and believe I probably will. I am 4'11'' and agree - they get in the way when you are short! I just bought this bra today at Kohl's and it really pushes up without the sleezy cleevage thing going on! http://baliintimates.com/bras/styles/?style=3472&color=WH

Do you have a lower amount to lose? Also, I would say re-weigh tomorrow, it could be a blip on the scale. Are your bowels moving ok? That can make things look slow. I would try upping your water too maybe. Have you logged your foods to see how many calories you are getting? If you are on foods now you may not need all of your protein shakes - they do add extra calories.

You are doing awesome to get all your Protein and fluids! Greek yogurt was also on my full liquids, no fruit. I totally wouldn't have thought of putting instant potatoes in it - sounds good! About being hungry, I think during that phase you do always feel hungry with it being liquids, nothing solid.

I probably wouldn't. My book says 9 weeks for things such as nuts and higher fiber foods. I was probably 7 months out when I first had it.

First I would look in to some other shakes - my Protein powder has between 21-25 grams per scoop and is mixed with 8 oz Fluid. So you could have 2 shakes for 16 oz! Continue to sip other fluids until your full feeling passes. Protein can be heavy. Also, go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the need, maybe in my mind but I feel like it helps me free up space. You don't want to get dehydrated. Also, experiment with cold fluids vs hot fluids vs room temp fluids. Early out hot went down better for me, now cold and hot do better than room temp. Also I have heard of alot of people who mix their shake in the morning then keep in the fridge just taking a few sips through out the day each time you pass by, while also continuing to drink their other fluids.

My mom has had Afib for about 7 years, she didn't have surgery ever until about 3 years after being diagnosed. She did have to get clearance from her cardiologist but she did fine (she had a wedge resection for lung cancer, so pretty major). They will monitor you closely and it is good that they know this now.

The hospital copay of $250 may or may not be due on admission - call the hospital and ask. Your deductible of $200 is from any Dr visit - if you have been for sinus problems, injury, anything - you may have met it or will meet it before surgery most likely. Also, there is usually a max deductible per family say maybe $400 or 600 so if others in your family have satisfied that it may be met before surgery. Your out of pocket (opx) is the max you will pay yourself, I met mine with my hospital stay from surgery personally. Sometimes it includes your deductible but it may not. Normally it does not include your copay. So on the high end you may pay a max of $1950 out of your pocket and low side $1750. This is if you do not have individual copays for each Dr's visit. Those are normally due at each visit. You deductible and opx are normally billed to you, it's best to ask your Dr if you need a $0 balance with him before surgery. Now I have to ask you say "I have Cigna as well." Do you mean you have 2 insurances? If you do, your amounts may be lower.

Here's what I do with unflavored - if I have a shake that is too sweet I do 3/4 scoop of it and 1 scoop of unflavored. I have also mixed it with half and half before adding to my coffee. You can also make your own with a few scoops of unflavored, milk, and Quick. Also, I used it in hot chocolate. In hot stuff I had my best luck mixing it with something room temp then pouring that in to the hot item.

Congrats Lissa! I am soooo close to 100 lbs! Ramped up my cardio and not losing LOL I guess it'll break loose soon!

I like the Jay Robb Vanilla and Strawberry alot - very smooth and you can pick it up at Kroger. I actually use instant decaf in my vanilla shakes to make it a coffee drink and really like that. Also PB2 is good mixed in vanilla or chocolate. I am trying my darndest to use up what I have bought. I also really like Matrix Bananas and Cream and Mint Cookie. This is a protein blend but has been ok'd by my program. What Nectar flavors do you have? The Cherry is good in diet V8 Splash it masks the protein flavor (trick to using it up). Also, I have used half scoops and then a few scoops of unflavored of ones I thought were too sweet to cut the sweetness, that works good for me. I liked the Chike orange but not the others.

Thanks for asking, I have been wondering the same. I am similar to Indymom but still around 800 calories, once in a while I make it to 1000+. I am 9 months out as well.

Well just try to add in a little here and there - You could park a little farther away. Do a few crunches while watching TV or before bed. The walk at lunch or a break is a great idea. When things with the kids slow for the summer make time for yourself! Get in to a routine then and you will find a way to incorporate it when school starts back up. I have been told that exercise on the job does not count because your body gets used to it. Example - the mail person.

Initially I only told close friends and a few relatives - I swore no one to secrecy. Afterwards, I had a leak and pretty much everyone found out what with being in the hospital an additional month, off work for 4 additional months and having a feeding tube and drain for 4 months. I had a few friends tell me they had surgery and I had never known. I had a few friends who have asked lots of questions and are or have considered it for themselves. I know my friends who had surgery before me were invaluable to me and helped me with a lot of questions.

Congratulations on your new job and new beau as well!! It is amazing the confidence we get in ourselves!!