DynamoMini

Wow DresLou - You are getting sooooooo close to goal! Every day should be a celebration of success. Thanks for the words of encouragement. There is always the moment, like why am I doing this? Especially because the PreOp diet is working. But I know the bigger picture is that I can lose, but when I faulter, I regain the weight with speeding lightening. So, I will just have to keep that picture clear and be as healthy as possible until next Monday. Best wishes on Onderland.

Kat817 - Wow! you have lost a lot of weight. I know that 200 can sometimes be a mental as well as physical barrier. Then I will remind you that it is just a number. It will drop off to the right side (if you have that kind of scale) or just appear one day as 19_. Congratulation!

Well - the undie argument is on. I don't know about you, but my sports bra - while it doesn't have underwire - it is tight. Definitely - no bra for me. Remember, I am a child of the 60's. It's in my blood. They are predicting snow on Friday, but what the h--- it is snowing forever in Denver! You might want to splurge on a mu mu - Dillard's used to have them in the loungerie section. Best to both you Friday Bandsters. I am jealous. I want this baby done.

Tater - Thanks for the info. I too am going to Parker. Everyone says it is a great facility. I like that it is a new facility. I think there is less of a chance to catch an infection. I am getting excited and a little scared. Ready to "git 'er dun". I think I am going to wear a mu mu and sandals to surgery. They would be the easiest thing to wear afterward. And i probably won't wear any underwear. How sexy is that? Friday will be here soon. Best wishes.

Woofay - It's been a long time since I've been in Vegas. Soundes like you had a great time. I hear you, we all have to retrain ourselves not to think of good times = lots of food (cheesecake is a fav or mine,too). I need to go shopping for clear stuff to drink for PostOp. I am so excited. I wish my date was tomorrow. Best wishes to all you getting your surgeries this week. Let us know how it goes.

Terry - I appreciate your supportive comments. So glad you have sailed through. The itch indicates healing, that's good, if not annoying. I don't know about the constipation. Did the doc recommend anything for that? I know anesthesia can really gum up the works. I also am somewhat lactose intolerant, so if I get stopped up a little milk works for me. From what everyone says, if we follow our doctor's instructions and not get fancy - things will heal well. I am amazed how quickly you have recovered. It gives me hope, altho' I am 10 years older than you. Best wishes for continued success, XXOO Michelle

Tracy - Sorry you are having the home ownership struggles. Be kind to yourself. You are starving, determined, and life sucks. What a combo. Im sure you've been there, done that, and know that life will go on. It is ok to feel your feelings, scream, cry, do whatever helps. You will rise to the challenges of life - look how courageous you are! Remember it isn't about doing the diet perfectly! Give yourself some down time and lots of love. Hugs, Michelle On a personal note, could you add me to the April Bandsters? - My surgery date is April 16. Hope you day improves, Happy Easter!

:faint: It's getting nearer and for some of us it is here. I am amazed by the similarity of experiences, thoughts and emotions we have. I really appreciate being able to tune in to the website and talk with you. I think one of the issues obese people experience is that there is a separation between us and the rest of the world. We may be surrounded by many loving family members and friends, but it is you, dear ones, who really "get" me. Thank you for that. It is the depth of understanding and support that is so amazing and healing here. I have one week to go, as of tomorrow. I anxiously read and reread everyone's experiences, the good with the bad. But I do know that candles and prayers help. Our unity here helps. We are scared and very motivated. I also have realized that I am committed to using this support for a very long time. Otherwise, when I am thin, I will forget and start to eat again for comfort. I belong here. :clap2: And I deserve a healthy life, as do all of us. Hugs to all and best wishes and a speedy recovery to those going into surgery this week.

I have just completed day 3 of my preOp diet. I am doing pretty well maintaining the hunger. I have been drinking a lot of water. My nutritionist didn't want me to go on liquids for preOp. So I am doing a high protein, low carb type of diet. I have: Breakfast: two eggs Lunch: 1/2 cup soy milk, 1/2 water 2 TBS protein powder and a couple of ice cubes (the shake takes me a long time to drink 1 - 3 hours) coffee with nonfat milk or chai with soymilk Snack: apple Dinner: steak, broc, mushrooms Hot tea, and lots (80oz) of water every day. So far so good, I am trying not to panic when I feel a hunger pain, but just relax and make sure I have things that are satisfying and easy to get. I know I can do this for a while, it was the excessive binging on carbs that got me here. Wishing those banded a speedy recovery and those in the lineup lots of luck with your surgeries!

Machele - Wow! You have done so well losing weight. Hurrah! Amazing 25 pounds in less than a month. I want to be you and you are well on your way to Onderland. Thanks for the suppository info. I do get sick from anesthesia, so they better do something for me or I'll be throwing up a lot.

I am gonna have "the talk" with her this week. I have banned her from coming to the surgery, because she spews poison and I'll be vulnerable. I am going to lay it out for her. She can't talk about my weight or diet at all. I don't want to hear anything positive or negative about those subjects from her. If she can't do this I will even move away. I am going to take care of myself. Now, she is turning 82, and plays it a lot. I'm too old to change, BS I think, it is a matter of desire. I will not be the brunt of her stuff any more. This is a hard won platform I've come to. But I am so happy I am there. Thanks for asking.

Eating is always the issue. It is in the head not the stomach. I hope I can learn to switch "head hunger" into creative energy. I think the beginning is easier than the end, yet you get up everyday -97 pounds and should congratulate yourself. You have done really well. Your health has to be better. I won't be able to have trigger food around me. I see it, I want it, I eat it. I relate, although it isn't Cheetos with me. I'm not sure but I will have to identify those trigger foods as time goes by.

lunasa - I know what it is like to get into those airplane seats and struggle to clip the stupid seatbelt closed. It is very uncomfortable pulling a tray table down, and finding it can't be level because of my stomach. I'm with you on not going crazy, because the surgery has given me hope.

Tater - What's this about suppositories? What other drugs do we take? I have my preop next thursday, day before your surgery. Michelle

Carlene - what a great idea! I didn't even think of that hose solution! You have been so successful. Are you at goal? I can't wait to get 97 pounds off of me. but the biggest issue for me is to keep it off.

I have started to experiment with the protein shakes. I tried the EAS protein mixes that I found at Costco. I bought a chocolate and a vanilla large bag. I tried it with water, pooey yuck, I tried it with coffee and ice cubes - better, but the best I've found is with ice, half coffee, half vanilla soymilk and either the chocolate or vanilla. I can only stomach one a day so far, but hope to bring it up to two, as directed by the nutritionist. My surgery is a week from Monday. I like the idea of the syrups and will check out WalMart. Keep the ideas coming. I've got to get prepared. I am jealous that so many of you are through the surgery, and excited to get 'er dun. Best wishes,

Tater - I'm so glad your husband has decided to support you. It is hard to make those food choice changes. What are you doing for PreOp? I was told just to do high protein/low carb. I hope it is adequate. I am eating lots of protein, between 60 and 80 mg per day. The protein shakes seem to poof my stomach, I am probably drinking them too quickly. One week, kiddo! Hugs,

I feel for you. The feeling of emptiness that I used food to fill, but it was a lie. Food to excess is not a comfort, not love, not the cure for loneliness or boredom. It is good you are writing. All of us get to this place because we turned to food to "save" us from feeling our feelings. I need to find replacement activities. Things like quilting, reading, painting and being with friends help me. Good luck on what works, and nothing seems to work all the time. I try to remember the food lie. It is hard to change 57 years of lying. I was taught the lie, I believed the lie, I lived the lie, and I forgive myself for holding on to the lie for so long.

My preop diet is just high protein low carb, small frequent meals. Nothing too weird. I am close to between 60 and 80 grams of protein daily. Basically, eggs, protein shake, chicken with salad, fruit, meat, vegetables, protein shake (if I'm hungry). 80 oz. water So I'm doing great so far, but it's only been one day. Usually I can manage the initial stages, I feel better eating this way anyway, I had my last binge on Passover food (not all that great anyway). Thanks for welcoming me into the group!

Northernsun (Gayle) - I need to be careful of dreaming irresponsibly because I don't want to sabotage myself. Yes, I can't wait to get on the band wagon and carry less of this weight around. I hear you about the knees. I have been struggling, just recently, so it is a great reinforcer. Oh hell about the loose skin, but the healthy inside is what I am shooting for. I gotta keep my eye on that goal. Thanks and good luck, your goal is within sight!

Sign me up - I will be banded April 16th. I am so excited.

Northernsun - Wow! you are amazingly successful. Keep that in mind when you are bemoaning the jello look. My question is out of personal curiosity - are you working out? I want to know how much sagging I can prevent and tightening I can promote through exercise. So that is why I am asking the question. Even at 100 pounds overweight I am in better shape than I have been in 30 years. So I am hoping, but am realistic. I keep telling myeself - Ok - when I blow up a balloon and let the air out, it never looks like it did before it was blown, so what makes me think I can escape the inevitable? Hugs and good wishes to you, I wanna to be where you are - 100 pounds down! Hurrah!

Thanks kareyquilts! I think I deal with the sags and wrinkles in a couple of years. First I have 100 pounds to unload. You are doing so well. Congrats.

VABandster - you are doing really well. I will be thrilled if I can be down 40 pounds in three and half months. I appreciate the deep breathing advice. It always looks better on the other side and as one facing surgery on the 16th I am full of anticipation and excitement of moving along in my life journey. The jitters are there, but I think it is nervous energy, wanting to just get on with it. I started my PreOp Diet today and we'll see how many pounds I can lose before surgery. Best wishes on your continued success.

Ladies - I think wrinkly is something we probably need to expect. When I look at my age counterparts, they are lots more wrinkled than I am, which has made me look younger. Plumpness = smoothness I realize this has been a false vanity belief on my part, because of what the weight has done to my inside and knees is just the opposite; the weight has aged me internally. So, it's a spoon full of medicine that I am gearing up for. Perhaps we can look at each new wrinkle or fold as a victory to our living longer, healthier lives. I also guess I will save up for plastic surgery too. So wish me luck, my surgery is in 12 days. I am looking forward to those wrinkles - I want to see the real me someday soon.