Pookeyism

o_O hmmm - let us know - can you take a pic?

Your body will decide your final goal, in my opinion, much more than anything you do will. Don't set a final goal weight, set it a bit higher, say 230, and evaluate it from there...also, it amps up your motivation to hit goal, and then have a lesser goal, not as far away. Take pics now, buy a tshirt too tight but tight enough to wear, keep it as you lose - in my opinon my tshirts have been better than any tape measurer or scale.

I have hit major stalls, much longer than what most will (I have a genetic metabolism issue) BUT I have learned to just distract yourself during the stalls and focus on what you enjoy, and we have the tool to wait out these stalls! Take time to read and educate yourself, make sure you hav ean understanding if what head hunger is, so that you can recognize it. Break your old habits, and yes - log your foods so you can make sure you are getting enough calories. Good luck!

Wonderful progress, and I promise I will do my best to stay in touch with everyone via the forum long after I reach goal (whatever that turns out to be).

I can't give you any insurance advise that wasnt offered, except to say insist on corresponding through emails, and when you DO talk to someone over the phone send an email "to follow up on what was said". Get reciepts!!!! I am challenging abotu 2500$ in bills right now either due to them trying to double dip, or my surgeons office error.

Also, please consider reading "The Power of Habit" by Dughill...it is eye opening.

Well, definately hope it is not your gall bladder, as long as it is nothing WORSE than your gall bladder... Prayers to you - strong green energy headed your way!

There is a good chance your hair is going to thin. It is just a natural process in all of this, but it will recover: A little twords understanding cycles: http://www.dermweb.com/hairnailsmucousmembranes/growth.htm http://www.hairfolliclecells.com/hair-growth-cycle.php keep in mind not all hairs in the anagen stage are in the same growth cycle. basically when we underso surgery, and the "shock" to the system of anestisia, among other things, the hypothesis I think best represents what is happening with most of us is thus: we create a situation where the Anagen stage is shortenened in one round, and begins to "club", since there are many rounds, this first shortened cycle may not experience much damage - so not alot of excessive shedding. The next cycle is going to have more, and more, while the "club" hairs in the telogen phase are taking longer to renew once the hair falls out of the folicle - so for awhile it seems like you are losing all your hair, but you probably aren't. The amount you lose will depend on everything from overall health and the abitlity to rebound, to drugs taken and foods consumed - your grooming habits I feel play a role too - healthy, chemical free hair will just weather this better. A good cut helped me sooooo much - there are better and worse ways to wear your hair when it thins...get a good sylist - someone experienced in customers that have thin hair can be very helpful. I went to sports clips - a guy's salon, and got a pixie cut from a young lady and I pay with a good tip 30$ now, as opposed to my previous which was, well, alot more... I am also using a bar of "scalp soap" from Lush (I get it a Macy's) called "NEW" it makes my scalp feel so good, and I think it helps make my hair look fuller...no kidding.

Fright Fest? What is that?

I kinda can, but really prefer not to...My fav sushi place makes me this kinda thingy, Nina calls it "deconstructed roll" its just all of my fav bits layered and molded pleasantly with my sauces on the side...almost total protien, so a little goes a long way.

Morgan - get on the victoria's seceret list if you aren't already - about twice a year you get a free panty coupon, and more if you buy more (I buy for some friends here a bit). For the very first time EVER I will be getting the free panties for myself, rather than passing it onto a friend...my panty NSV!

I have done this, but I am doing it with groupons, and living social, etc..(not much of a girly girl, sorry!) I am buying discounted "to-do's" and keeping them in a folder... I have: paint ball kayacking and canoeing imax events wine and paint classes paleo dig (but hubby is actually hosting that, lol) festivals and concerts haunted ghost tours scuba diving classes mud bath 1 hour 'couples' massage flight school hang gliging tandem AND solo skydiving ice skating tattoo removal and I have already purchased my 1 year sleeversary gift - I am running the 5K "Run for Your Lives" zombie run!!!! WOOT!

Lol - I like unjury...never tried the nectar.

Yes - specifically this was posed to me by a friend's daughter that has been following my journey with increasing interest - to the point that her Mom thinks she may change her major...she has to write a paper this fall, and she thought it would be interesting to report on people (not statistically but individually) that have been able to re-enter the workforce after WLS - or will enter it for the first time. I told her I would see what info I could get.

People do experience issues but they tend to be able to address them. Earlier stages are harder than later stages, and lack of nutrition can be compensated by taking it easy and letting your nutritional needs come before exercise. You don't start exercising until you are eating enough to sustain your body and the many, many needs your body has for the nutrition that is amplified while working out. I see alot of people jumping into the exercise while they are still on earlier stages of food, and are aware they are not getting thier protien needs...it isn't the best thing to do. your post should generate a lot of responses and if not "search" your topic...

Contact him again - and have him explain it again to be sure there was no misunderstanding - have him explain, spcf. how he could make your sleeve too thin if he is using a bolus (tube that goes down your throat that is used as a guide - and why woudl that create a need for bypass, even if it happened? Yes, I agree with above posts - in the meantime get some sugestions on another doc.

Thank you for replying kamrie37.

I dont think the creams work, and your incisions are going to all but disappear, mine are dots... Take care of yourself from the inside out, it is the best thing for your skin. With that said, I take almond milk baths with glyceryn, and use massage oils or evoo or such to massage the surface of the skin about 3x week (it all the extra time I have for such a task, but I would do it every day if I could). The massaging has been proven to be more bebeficial than the lotions, as far as the lose skin and cellulite (two different issues).

Challenge yourself, too - challenge yourself to a reading list, to continue your counseling and visiting your nut - challenge yourself to tracking your foods - myfitnesspal is good...pick fun stuff to do (keep a list!!!) for the days you can't hit the gym. Consider these challenges, too (or instead of) your lbs. lost - the weight will come off, and you will have gained alot of valuable habits, too.

Congrats to you - as for the give aways, that is good, but consider selling yoru nicer things, because you are going to spend alot down the road - it is just a suggestion. I have gave away hundreds of dollars of clothing, and made, so far, about 300$ on ebay, too. My goal is to replace my leather coat, my london fog, and my (!) gear for our Alaska trip next year off of my sales...(yeah, I know, need more than 300$, lol).

Also, make sure you aren't experiencing head hunger - or anxiety eating - try to find a way to get your mind off the hunger...try lilmissdiva's boot camp, maybe?

That was a really big deal to me, that makes me smaller than I have ever been in my adult life. I can even squeeze into some twelves, but only at home for encouragement, lol...NO MORE MUFFIN TOPS! never, even if it means saying I am wearing a size smaller, lol.

I was actually told I have an exotic almond shaped eye, and it was obvious I had "more than european" blood - lol - actually they are right, but I don't think they meant Cherokee and Aleut (think Alutian Islands, Alaska) - but the eye comment flattered me MUCH more than I expected it to, I always felt my features disappeared into my fat.

Non-Scale Victory - and they will be your best-friends!

Have not set a goal yet, I just don't know where it will end, or where I want it to - maintenence is fine for me right now, mainly since I am in a stall, lol. I would probably let myself shoot for a size 8, but only if my body wants it (thats so vague, I know). Otherwise, A 12-10 is what I am aiming for by my 39th birthday - or the holidays, whenever, lol... ...The sleeve has just made me so mellow about all of this, it will happen or it will not, as long as I maintain my current weight I am OK.