Pookeyism

Two separate NSV's... 1) I work in an office but I also have to go out ito our warehouse area where we hold our materials and stage our packing, receiving and shiping. We produce in our Indiana facility high-end specialty metal alloys - lots of molly, titatnium, colbalt, nickel alloys, etc. These things are heavy (Imagine 60 lbs in an 8"x8"x8" box) and can be 30' pipe or 1" fittings. It was inventory this weekend and every ounce of this material had to be accounted for. I am the Export Supervisor as well as Logistics Coordinator and inventory control, so I wear alot of hats. Inventory is a very crazy time for me. Normally this process KILLS me, it is too hot (It got to 99 here Saturday, which had the warehouse at about 106-110 depending on where you were. I used to not be able to tolerate the heat like that, and the warehouse is huge and DUSTY - the materials ca have 2-3 mm or better of crud on them - I mean crud, not dust - Houston creates moist crud, not dust! lol. ACED IT! I had stamina, the allergies were there and bad but tolerateable, and I was able to get into nooks and crannies and in and out of tight spots - OMG! I bet I contributed to us being done in at least 2 hours or better than we would have, simply by being able to get in there an dlook around better. 2) I have apparently dropped at least a width and a whole shoe size. This happened when I went to get a new pair of work boots, and again with a pair of summer hiking sandals...Hubby was shocked....he was like - your feet are tiny! Well, size 8 normal width, which I guess is tiny for me. I did not know it was possible for your foot to get shorter! Will have to look that up! Maybe it has something to do with the arch, or the weight bearing on the foot.

For me it was length, because I wear a steel toe/metatarsal shoe for work, and since I was diabetic I actually have them sized with an ortho doc...he was suprised but said some people will loose drastically in thier feet. My sandals are a similar story, minus the steel toes and meta's. I am also down 2 glove sizes in bike AND sparring gloves.I went from a guy's xl to medium.

Correctly done squats, and stairs taken in 2's...they are two excaptionally good, exceptionally easy things to do. keep your abs tucked in and concentrate - do the squats with a spotter or in a mirror...

Saving a spot for you on the losers bench. Deep breaths, walk around, shake the nervousness off if you can!

What a wonderful day for the both of you! :')

5 months out, no salads yet. I have, however, had most ingredients to my favorite salads, lol...nothing leafy, however.

I am going to take some side by side pics of pants and tops and post them, as soon as I have free time at home! sooo...next year? I was at my largest probably in (about-ish) 2005. I stopped weighing in just below 300..but got bigger. I dropped to 280 for a couple of years, and then high 270's that fluctuated a bit(+/_ 25 lbs somethmes) - but no signifigant loss. I am currently in a size 36" waist jeans. :')

Congradulations for deciding to have the surgery. I have seen several men I know come back after weight loss, and it seems to me they are fundamentally no different than women. Hydration is very important, and take good care of your skin. A little quality lotion goes a long way. You are generally going to see better results in areas that do not have alot of stretch marks.

Hydration is just as key as food. Also, people mistake the warm up from stretching and that can cause fatigue (as well as injury). Warming up is just movement, "warming" the body...stretching comes after warming and a bit of exercize...and you will find that helps energize you also... If you aren't used to exercizing, there is a wall alot of people (most) hit just before you get a second wind. You feel like you just can't go on (not to be misunderstood with you really should stop), but you are breathing hard but OK - heart rate may be over range but no more than about 10%...and BAM! Learn to break through the wall, and alot of that fatigue goes away. Its like a drug!

It doesn't restrict as far as swimming that bad. The torso movement and arms and legs are free, so it feels snug, but for me that feels good against my tummy anyways. I am getting one of the separates that has a shelf bra. Its just a preference I have always wore swim trunks and a top (even when I cut off a suit and hemmed it myself!

FYI on a company called Cyberswim - I do not have any stake in this you can google or yahoo or bing, whatever. I had a conversation with a friend and thought it might be good to pass on the info. Cyberswim is a company that sells slimming bathing suits. Its what they do. Good selection and higher prices, but the suits do what they say..Just remember there is no magic trick to a slimming bathign suit - you feel like you are in a spanky! lol Since beach weather is fully upon us, I thought it might be good to mention.

take this time to plan, see the counselor again maybe - find your local support groups and try and go to a few meetings. Read, read, read - not just this forum! lol. Get familiar with your terminology - what they call the procedure, the incisions, the tools, your stomach, the sutures, and such - this makes it much easier to discuss and understand what they are telling you. Take time to prepare, and you will feel like you are getting things done. Which you will be. This is a good time to begin to figure out what you will need in the weeks to follow, too. It gets you ahead of the game so people can make plans to be there for you, too. You will need to budget the weeks following, in my opinion. Will you need additional lawn services? Yes, perhaps your hubby does that, but he will be helping you - early august the kids are getting back in school - not necessarily your kids, but your friends and family...who will be busy, who will not. General suff like that - even just a to do list helps.

Anything from a "credible" source should help...any doctor weigh in, any fitness program weigh in. Anything pertaining to work. Gyno visit, allergist, any specialist...possibly even a photo that you can submit the "timestamp" from the digital image. Think of everything you did that year. Go through your medical reciepts, etc. See if you can't find somewhere you went that they put you on a scale that would still have the records. PS - what about 2006 & 05 - it would help establish a pattern for when you appeal.

Wow. thats crazy! Way to go!

I still make a very real effort to control my intake, because I dont want to train myself to aim for a feeling if total fullness, and I don't ever want to fall into eating or drinking being a passive thing. With that said, I had some complications, I dont know if I am typical but I could take a small/moderate drink after about a week, but only a few.

I took Byetta for 2 years for Diabetes and it is a 2x daily injection. It aint nothin'!

No measurements. I get tshirts that are too small and watch them get too big

On top of the rib cage? You only had it afer surgery ? is this one of your entry points?

Contact the manufacturer and ask them - you should ALWAYS get the advice of the manufacturer when possible.

What do you mean " the start of your restriction?"

I agree a letter to her immediate supervisor and one straight on up the chain. While you are at it, include some of the information that is coming out about WLS, and directly inquire - in a way that in no misunderstanding that you expect a reply - ask what thier policy is on continuing education on WLS, which procedures, and what they can do for this doctor as it relates to the passive-aggresiveness she has shown your care...

That is an excellent idea. Actually, no matter who pays, the manufacturer or insurance, they can't tell the surgeon that he cannot do a sleeve. Just leave the sleeve part out and make arrangements to have the band removed - and discuss the sleeve with the doc and pay for that. It is definately worth it to pay for the sleeve on your own, btw...

I worry about stretching it too, even though I have been assured it would be difficult to do so. I think it is a common place to put your concern when you hit a stall. If you are concerned, perhaps either do the boot camp (start back on protien drinks and "re-learn" the steps), which I plan to do soon, or just cut back on what you are eating. I would have to say, just doing the math, if you are eating a whole lean cuizine at lunch, you are no longer taking bites the way you are supposed to. We are never supposed to totally get away from modified bites and thorough chewing. I have done a bit of looking into this, because opinion varies greatly, but it seems the people who are having the longest, most consistent success live with the sleeve as a part of thier routine...and keep things modified to accomidate it. With that said, try smaller bites, chew your food, put down your fork, and dont drink liquids. Going back to what you used to eat, or even just the way you chewed and ate chips and drank soda can be a big deal. Just my opinion. Good luck!

Thank you - We should get several people to try some of the better apps, and come back together and compare, so we can post results. Per a co-workers suggestion I am getting ready to try "runtastic". She has the same phone as I do (galaxy) and it works well.

Okay - here is your kick in the butt. What are you thinking? I mean that really. You have to get in your head! Figure out what it is, inside, that is sabotageing your efforts. You have to learn new habits, this sleeve is just a tool. You will gain weight back if you do not. Who ever told you you would not be able to snack? Who says you can't now? I have days I snack constantly on really good tasting stuff! Dried edamame, hummus, dried okra, tuna sweetened with vinegar and a touch of honey, apples, oranges, watermelon, and so much more. Jello and popscicles and similar foods provide sugar free options that are almost no calories. Start over on your liquids and soft food stage again. Add new, healthy foods slowly. Keep the junk out. Never ever go to a fast food place again. Take the stairs, walk, find a support group and a good counselor. Get some of the books and read. TAKE THIS BACK. Your post was brave, and it sounds like you want help. Take back you second chance. Own this opportuinity. Own your choices, own your success, and own your life. If I can help you I will. Let me know.