Seannie

okay, Crosswind - here goes.... SNAP OUT OF IT I'm with Lissa ... you are 47, and dangit, "we" in our 40's deserve to have the best... best tummies, arms, legs... you name it! Stop tripping off of all the other stuff and go for it.. And by the way, scoot over - 'cause I'm next! I was already researching tummy tucks, etc... when I logged back on here and saw your post! I'm just 8 weeks out, lost 40 pounds since surgery and I already feel successful. And guess what? I have several children, love them dearly.. love my hubby, and my house... but this time, it's about me.

Hey Now!!! Go on girl - do your thing.. looking fab-u-lous!

I LOVE this post!!!!! Just love it.. do you girlfriend! do you! Let's take this opportunity to get even better - all around! proud of your honesty.

welcome to the Loser's Bench!! and get ready because you are in for the ride of your life! There will be lot's of emotional and physical ups and downs, and that's something we all here have experienced. But the one thing consistent among all of us is weight loss - some of us reallllllly slow, some of us lightening fast.. and of course every speed in between. The good thing about this forum is that we are all family in this weight loss struggle - there's really no topic off limits, and LOTS of good advice because there's so much experience here to choose from. Not everyone here has a cool support system in the "physical" world, that's why these forums are so important. We truly understand how this surgery has both positively and negatively impacted our lives. I can tell you this - your relationship with food really does change! This surgery made me have to deal with other issues point blank - because I couldn't stuff myself (anesthetize) with food. I have/had to deal with those food triggers dead on and let me tell ya - it ain't always pretty! But you what is pretty? (Yep, I'm a girl!!) Pretty is looking in the mirror and thinking "damn girl.. you are looking great today"... no feeling like it. My confidence is through the roof and it shows in both my personal and professional relationship. I'm down almost 35 pounds. It's one of the best decisions I've made in my life. Good luck on your journey, and keep in touch! We are here for you!

I use Silicone Scar sheets as recommended by my surgeon. They help significantly reduce swelling, puffiness, keloids, etc... You wear them 12 hours a day for approx. 10 to 12 weeks. I've read good reviews.. www.myscaraway.com. I have a tendency to get "hyperthropic" (sp??) scars.. that can get raised and look very similar to keloids. I've read these silicone strips prevent that from happening. Just started wearing them so keeping my fingers crossed!

Love, Love, Love your honesty! Great reading! and more importantly Congratulations on reaching your goal and then surpassing it! Way to go my dear... way to freakin go!! I started off at a similar weight to you, and my personal goal is also close .. about 135. I already know that I'm going to need a tummy tuck because after the weight loss (and FOUR c-sections) my stomach looks and feels like crap! If you don't mind my asking, was your VSG covered by your insurance and is that how you were able to get a panni surgery? or were you self pay? My insurance didn't cover my VSG so I took my happy butt to Mexico and paid for it myself! I doubt my insurance company will pay for a panni surgery, but you never know! Just curious..

Your are not alone - this happend to me 2 weeks ago - literally, 8 friggin pounds! I was walking, eating right, you name it. But like a PP said, 3 days later it was gone! I was just about to throw out my scale thinking something was wrong with it! Not only was the 8 pounds gone - but I actually lost another pound???? Go figure. keep doing what you are doing, if need be, drink a little more water, step up the exercise... but most importantly ... keep your head up and keep in the game.. okay??

WindyCity .... good question.. and good responses from PP... I've been there and done that in the 5 short weeks that I've been sleeved.. one too many times, and you know what??? I stopped (like Pavlov's dogs) when I got sick one too many times. Seriously! I mean, I knew that I was only hurting myself (literally) but somehow, i thought I could "out smart" my sleeve by eating what i wanted and when I wanted... forget the diet the surgeon recommended!!! What the heck am I supposed to do when the kids are going crazy, too many demands at work, sisters getting on my nerves, husband forgets to pick up the stuff from the store like I asked him to 15 times... blah, blah, blah... the surgeon didn't think his "diet" would work then did he??!! (uh... umm...wait, I'm getting side tracked here.. I digress ) Well, "home-chick".. my "gangster" sleeve, showed my butt who's boss. So after a few (really like 3 times) I gave in... I was like this is ridiculous.. I'm NOT going to win this struggle at this stage of the game. She's in charge and runs this ship. My need to eat when I was angry, upset, frustrated started going away. Like the PP, you harness that energy into something else.. your "something else" may be going for a walk, or a drive, or in a quiet room, or phoning a good friend... just try to keep yourself focused on what's going on, and not let old habits kick in. Stuffing ourselves, eating quick, eating the wrong fattening foods is not going to help... and if so, you have a few "ounce" window for it to appease you.. and even that is not cool with the sleeve... We all know that - that's why most of us got the surgery in the first place. We have to use this "tool' to our advantage and learn other ways to channel those uncomfortable feelings. Know what i mean? Girl, my "home chick" sleeve acts UP when I even THINK about the wrong stuff... LOL.. LOL

I can so relate! who kinew that one can be felled by a milk dud?? LOL!! I gave my daughter some goldfish crackers a few weeks ago, and thought.. WTH? I'll just eat a few of them. Well, old habits die hard and i ended up having 10 or so.. I swear, the second I put the last one in my mouth I was like uh oh!!! and was in the bathroom with a quickness. it's funny, for my finiscky sleeve, i really don't know when that nasty feeling is going to hit.. 1 teaspoon too many? So now I tend to undereat, and am stuck there. I HATE that feeling of being nauseaus, it makes me take to my bed like I have the doggone flu or something! The only thing I "eat" with any kind of certainty is .... HERBAL TEA.. my sleeve and tea LOVE each other.. too bad it's not food :wub:

Get a new doctor my dear! What is that.. 13 pounds on average a month?? Are you kidding me - that is fantastic! I believe that most "doctors" strongly suggest that anyone who needs to lose weight should average 1 to 2 pounds a week. You have averaged over 6 months time, about 4 pounds a week... you are on track! If you ever have a doctor that makes you feel like crap - write your own self a prescription.. for a new one!

Girl, I read this and thought... Damn, she's bad!!! Loved reading this!

Favored - I LOVE reading your posts! You are always so funny and positive. It's that type of attitude that will not only take you far in your weight loss journey - but also far in life... Keep up the good work girl! I'm right behind you...

Rhap - how are you feeling? Better I hope!

AWWWW!! I loved that story! Happy for her and happy for my surgeon. She is right - I have 2 birthdays.. August 23rd, the day I was born, and then March 9th, the day I was reborn! Love it!

Only piece of advice that i can give you is......... DO YOU ....... don't DO anybody else... what we all have in common is that we recognized that we needed to lose weight and did something about it. That's where, in my opinion, is where the commonality ends... EXCEPt .. we all want to cross the finish line, whether that's to lose weight or to get off medication. Everyone's road is different, all paths are not the same.. So try not to compare yourself to someone else's success. Give people an "atta boy", mean it.. and wish them well. That's what we are here on these boards to do encourage each other when we feel discouraged, listen, when folks just want to vent.. offer advice when it's warrented... Do you! You WILL lose weight, you WILL feel great... and you WILL succeed.. even if this takes longer than other people. I know this sounds so cliche(ish) but.. we all know that the tortise wins the race!