Mega_100

193 for my final weigh-in. Three pounds from my challenge goal!! Time to put nose to the grindstone. 2016 is going to be my year! Thanks for running this challenge, @@stephh and congrats on your new bundle-o-joy!

194.6 Need to bounce back from the holidays!!

196.6 Made it to onederland this week!!

Hi michigan sleevers!

I go on Thursday 12/10/15 for my consult, nutrition class and psych evaluation. I can't wait! I'm seeing dr. Brian Gluck at life without limits in Muskegon mi.

Anyone worked with him? I have BCBS of Michigan and they seem all on board for it from when I call and speak with them but I'm so scared I won't get passed thru!

I'm 5'4" 302lbs. My BMI is 51.83 as of right now.

Per the insurance company I won't be required to do the 6 month medically monitored diet, but I'm so scared that rug is going to be pulled! I'm so ready to start taking better care of myself and get the sleeve done. I'm so ready to get myself healthy for my kids.

I had my surgery done by Dr Gluck and he's amazing! Surgery went great and recovery was very smooth (aside from the usual pain).

200--half way to goal!!

202.6

206.2

Michigan here, too. And freezing here, too!

These were good! I think I should have cooked them longer to crisp up (I did 10 on each side). My grocery store was out of thighs, so I got drumsticks. I wasn't sure what chili sauce to get, so I got Frank's Red Hot. I'd be interested to know what brand you like, so I can switch it up. I didn't eat more than one because I'm kinda early out, but it looked better for a pic ????

Ok, great. Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes, @@Smye!

209.2

@@Mega_100, do let me know what you think of them.

Thanks, I'll certainly give this a try! Question, though--did you spray the tin foil with cooking spray before you broiled skin-side down?

Ps. I think there's a typo in the freezing stage: "pop them in the oven until just frozen."

Yup. As a fat woman, I really fooled the public when I got an extra small cup of fro-yo or a baby cone of ice cream. I am sure NO ONE noticed how fat I was because of my obvious restraint and dainty portions. HA!!

Now if I were to get a teeny portion, people would URGE me to eat more because I "need to" or "can afford" it.

Oh, how things have changed.

Totally guilty of this. I've been told more than once by friends that I am the most dainty eater they've ever seen. In reality, I never noticed, but once I thought about it, I knew I did this because I thought the sight of me eating must sicken those around me. Like I was so fat and gross that I tried to eat as dainty as I could so I didn't gross them out. It's sad, really, but that's how I felt. I'm hoping that I can change my mindset around that now that I'm post-op and losing.

The Cookies are still coming... but I think I feel some buffalo wings coming on!

Yes! I've been thinking I'd take wings for a Thanksgiving app, so I'd love to see a good recipe!

212.8 ????

Happy belated bday, bday twin! I hear ya on the Vets Day bday, but now I get government holidays off and that means my bday off! @@Elode

I waited and waited to get my surgery process started because things kept popping up to delay it. Once my husband said he was on board with me getting that started, I was bing-bang-boom, "surgery's in a month." He was a little taken aback and only later I found out that he was scared about me going into surgery and potentially not coming out the other end. It's important to calm those nerves and give him the same confidence you have. I did this by giving stats and reviews for my surgeon and why he was (and is) the best.

On the other side, I can say that as much as I thought I wanted the surgery as fast as humanly possible, I was not mentally prepared for the surgery in a month's time. All my duck's fell into place fast and I was so caught up in getting my pre-op tests and requirements done and then getting financing in order, that I didn't take time to prepare myself. I wish I would have worked out my relationship with food before surgery and really analyzed how I got to where I was. It might have better prepared me for the first couple weeks post-op and gotten me in the mind set to hit the ground running (not literally) right out the gate. Good luck to you in whatever you decide!

I have always wanted a massage, but was too ashamed of my body to get one. Today I treated myself to a birthday massage and it was amazing. I wasn't the LEAST bit insecure!!

awww so cool, and happy birthday to u

Thank you!

I would like to know as well. Have you found supplements to balance the hormone levels? I have a two-year-old that has me pulling my hair out every day. I have a very short fuse since surgery and that's not fair to her.

I have always wanted a massage, but was too ashamed of my body to get one. Today I treated myself to a birthday massage and it was amazing. I wasn't the LEAST bit insecure!!

214.8 to start this challenge. I'm hoping the holidays will go off without a hitch!

@@Dub, do you have a bariatric grilling recipe blog or place you post your recipes? I know grilling can sometimes be a lil shake of this and that and there aren't any recipes, but it would be great to get your ideas written out. I'm up to soft foods, so my possibilities just greatly opened up after 5 weeks of liquids. Would love to try some of the things you posted! (Maybe before fall REALLY sets in and I can't grill anymore!)

Let me see what I can pull together.

A lot of the grilled stuff is done so with commercial meat rubs that I like......various types for the different cuts. I'm scared that I'll have to get past using so many of them, though, and start making my own rubs with a stronger control over the sugar & salt content.

The grilled salmon you saw in my pics is often brushed over with olive oil and hit with one of these rubs.....sometimes I'll glaze it during the last few minutes with Frank's Red Hot Sweet Chili Sauce. This stuff is awesome in everything: glazes, dips and sauces.

I will anxiously await what you come up with. I am trying to wrap my head around this new lifestyle and I'd like to have some ideas under my belt so I don't fall into bad habits. Thanks!

I'm from Michigan ✋????❤️

I had my surgery October 14 with Dr Gluck in Muskegon.

@@Dub, do you have a bariatric grilling recipe blog or place you post your recipes? I know grilling can sometimes be a lil shake of this and that and there aren't any recipes, but it would be great to get your ideas written out. I'm up to soft foods, so my possibilities just greatly opened up after 5 weeks of liquids. Would love to try some of the things you posted! (Maybe before fall REALLY sets in and I can't grill anymore!)

I'm not going to say you did or did not injure yourself, your doc can tell you that. But, if it eases your mind, I've picked up my 30-pound 2-year-old several times. It hurts, and I shouldn't do it, and I feel it the next day for sure, and it probably sets my recovery back a bit. But, 2-year-olds are always trying to injure themselves it seems, so if I have to hurt myself in order to stop her from running into traffic for instance, I will. I am 3 weeks out.