NancyJerry

Very well put! I was told the other day that I "glowed." That was a great compliment, since before losing my 50 pounds I didn't even want to look people in the eye! Enjoy it!

Yup! I did the Phen fen plan too. LOVED IT! The only time in my life (pre-sleeve) I felt control over my food decisions-lost every ounce of my excess weight. But never dealt with the habits or head issues! Pre-surgery, I used Phentermine on and off for about 2 years. For me, I was symptom free (no woozies or tinglings) within about a week of taking the med. But I didn't take any other meds and had NO heart of BP issues, at all. Good luck with your surgery - you'll do great!

Man, that does really suck (pardon my french). But... What would it look like if we put a positive spin on it?? I SERIOUSLY PRAY that your mom gets her new heart and has no complications! After you have your surgery and rock your sleeve, here is what you can do: 1 - know that you would have paid double to get this life altering surgery. 2 - get a kick-a$$ job with your rockin' new look 3 - send pics to your lousy cheating "love of your life" (sorry if you plan to take him back but you shouldn't you deserve better!!!!!!!!) and show him what he's missing out on 4 - spend the better part of some night with a knight in shining armor that won't cheat on you - without taking a cigarette break! 5 - get healthy and walk and exercise and be with your mom for many happy and healthy years to come! I don't mean this disrespectfully in any way. I know life doles out lemons sometimes in huge quantities. Hang in there, it will all be worth it. YOU are worth it!

There are 64 calories in 1 tablespoon of honey. Honey is still sugar but it is naturally occurring, making it better for you and your body. In limited quantities, honey is better for you than sugar but should be used sparingly.

Wow, wow, wow! I appreciate how brave you are for posting your pictures - but it must come easier when you look SO AMAZING! I bet whats better is how you FEEL! CONGRATULATIONS! Thanks for always being so inspiring!

So sorry you are going through this! I'd like to think if the Zofran doesn't settle things down for you and get you past needing it, they will investigate further, get to the bottom of what's really going on and get you healed! I pray you get the relief you need soon!

Ok. Had to buy new ones again yesterday. Got the "boy shorts" kind. I think that's what they are called. Anyway, spent 2 hours at the gym pulling them out of my hiney! 8 more bucks in the trash. Seriously hate the underwear buying part of all of this! LOL

What a great one! And so many more to come!!

You're not done. You've lost 65 pounds in like two months, yes? Give your body a break. It has to stop, think, adjust. During stalls you may notice inch losses instead of scale losses. Stay away from the scale for a week or so and just do what you know and feel is right according to your doc and NUT. People try all kinds of things to "break" a stall, but the truth is, when your body is ready you'll start losing again. Things people try: up Protein, up carbs, up calories, up cardio exercise, up strength training, up Water intake. Of all of these things the thing you can most easily do is relax, breath and let your body continue to heal, get in touch with the you that is now 65 pounds less and rejoice when the numbers start to move again. Focus on what you can do now (Make a physical list) that you couldn't do with 65 additional pounds on your body! Congratulations on your loss! It'll keep coming! :-D

WOW! Congratulations on your accomplishment! I'm in awe - truly.

No such thing. I'm not able to have children either, and our family is our family. Allow yourself to go through all phases of grief (more than once if/when necessary). Lean on your wife when you can. On some level she must have thought she was protecting you. Remember them happy and healthy!! They are no longer in ANY pain. If we wish anything for family members it is that they know no pain. Know that your VSG family is here to support you too. Empathic Hugs!!

Hi Christy, I love your story - at least how it ends, right? Welcome to the forum and to the new you. I know you and your family will love your new found energy and lease on life!

I'm at 3 months, too. I get anywhere from 750-900-ish. Depends on my food choices and my workouts.

I'm 12 weeks out and had my first peanut butter and toast. I'm also down 50 pounds. The 12 week wait was WAY WORTH the 50 pound loss! Hang in there. This phase feels like it will last forever, but in retrospect, I hardly remember it! :-D

You loved them in life, you must find the strength to love them enough to not let them suffer. They depend on your wisdom to always do what's in their best interest. Right! Don't turn to food. I'm am such an animal sucker. My pets are members of my family. I lost my cats of 17 years, having been raised by hand at the age of 2 weeks. I spent all of last summer mourning the loss, sleeping and eating. Thought I could never do that again, but death is a part of life. Give yourself and another dog (or two) a chance to live life to it's fullest with a family that will love it, for better and worse! Just this week I got 2 kittens from the shelter as foster kittens. They are only 4 weeks old and not old enough to be at the shelter or altered yet. They are growing on us quickly and if all goes well, they will have found themselves in their new-forever home. Be kind to yourself, grieve and mourn. Then move on to new family members if you can. I can't imagine being as young as you are and depriving myself or of a potential pet and wonderful life! I pray for your heart to know and find peace at this time!

Yup. Water bottles get easier too!

I started my reply then got called away by a phone call. After I finished and posted it, I saw this. Good for you!

Johnathan, I hope you really use the search bar on this forum as there have been a ton of excellent conversations about just this topic. I've not had both, but my sister had/has the band and I the Sleeve. I don't want to "convince" you to go either way. This is a VERY PERSONAL decision. But since you've asked, allow me to share MY point of view and observations of my sister and myself. My sister had her done 3 years ago. She's lost about 60 pounds total. In the first year, she lost like 30 or 40 and put that back on. She got serious and re-lost it again with a little more. She is very unhappy with the amount she's lost. In the medical world you only need to lose 50% of your EXCESS weight for them to consider your loss a success. She cannot eat "normally." Everything she eats is "slider" foods so stuff covered in gravies and syrups. Pasta dishes and Desserts. Go figure she isn't still losing. When someone fixes a meal or she goes to a party of some sort, it's all about what "can" she eat, versus what "should" she eat. She has to go in constantly for fills and, when that makes her sick, un-fills. This process is on going. That's a lot to maintain, IMO. I had my sleeve done on 3/27 (12 weeks ago) I'm down 50-52 pounds. I have no foreign body in my body for my body to absorb or reject. There is no maintenance. I "can" eat most anything without problem. As time goes by, other than carbonated beverages, I will be able to eat whatever I want. Of course, this sleeve is a tool and we need to always be mindful about what we eat, but if I go to a party and it's all foods I wouldn't normally eat - I don't stress. I love to work out and if I overindulge I just work it off. I am happier and healthier than I've been in over 20 years. And my sister wishes she had had the sleeve done. I pray that you find the answers you are looking for and get peace with the decision you make!

It sure depends on where you go. I had a buffet once where they gave me the $9 rate instead of $16, but really I ate less than a child so would have preferred the child rate. They figure I'm getting a "great" deal, and yes, it was a lot less, but I didn't even eat $5 dollars worth. At another buffet they wouldn't reduce the price at all - So I left. Most places have been wonderful about letting me eat off the Senior menu - without showing my card!

I'm just over 3 months out and have just recently been able to take a little larger sip - a drink really. Like a mouthful, but I don't "gulp." That's just a lot of air and hurts like HECK! It gets better with time. To be honest, of everything I can consume, right now, water is the only thing that causes me any amount of pain. So, in answer to your question....it's gets better than it is right now, but at least at 3 months it's still not what it used to be (but is very bearable!)

You are going to have to learn to forgive yourself. You'll still run into those food options post surgery and if you eat them, even just small amounts on a regular basis you won't be successful after the sleeve. But we all are faced with that and none of us are perfect. So, forgive (don't forget), learn and improve. Hopefully your recent run-in with food will not prevent you from having the surgery at all. Good luck and remember, the sleeve doesn't prevent you from being human! It will still take will power and good choices, but the sleeve does make that stuff come easier!! Good luck!

That was a trip my husband and I took just a couple of weeks ago. We were traveling from Minnesota to Michigan. At the time of the pic we were in Wisconsin driving alongside the Mississippi! BTW...Just saw that you won the iPod Touch - CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You are so deserving!!!

Hey Lissa! I love your new Avatar Picture!

Ugh! I hate the panty changing size thing! You can't try them on at the store, they are so expensive and I've had a difficult time finding some that I like and that stay put. Bikinis are too small, and the (shoot, what do you call them) the ones that come up high on your thigh? Anyway, those turn into thongs if I don't get the right size - OH! And size is different from brand to brand. I guess this is one of this bittersweet changes we go through, right? LOL! Happy Underwear Shopping!! :tongue2: