7carol3

Thank you for posting this recipe. Did you cook your own black Beans or did you get them from a can? Here are a few other places to find good recipes. http://www.emilybites.com/ ; http://www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com ; http://www.hungrygirl.com ; http://www.thelaughingcow.com/ ; http://www.pbfingers.com/ ; http://bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com/ ; http://highheelstohotwheels.com/ And here is my own personal recipe for a healthier seafood salad. 4 Imitation crab sticks (you can use real crab but not sure of the conversion, maybe 1/2 cup) 6-8 baby shrimp (chop if you like) 1/2 celery stalk (2" piece) diced 1 teaspoon (approximately) diced onion 1 wedge Laughing Cow cheese (I use all different flavors depending on my mood) Mash all ingredients together. I just eat it with a fork. Sometimes I have a few Simple Truth Parmesean Pop chips with it. This is my go to lunch at work most days.

I used to drink a 24 pack of Diet Pepsi a week. I had headaches while giving it up pre-op. I thought I would NEVER be able to give it up completely. I'm one year out and I have had ONE can of Diet Pepsi in that year. It didn't effect me, as far as carbonation, but it didn't taste as good as it used to. I figure why get started on something I'm only feeling mediocre about? I understand how you feel, totally, but I think your taste may change after surgery. Stay strong!!

Whatever motivates you, I say good for you! I too enjoyed my trip to Cedar Point this year being able to fit in ALL the rides without having to try out the test seat first. Enjoy!!

I still eat my version of "seafood salad" which is crab, baby shrimp, diced celery & onion with a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese mashed into it. I can eat it plain & I use all different flavors of the cheese depending on my mood.

Toledo area, yes.

I'm in Northwest Ohio...

Everyone's experience is different but I have had no problems eating anything that I choose. I have had no foods that affect me in a bad way except hard boiled eggs and that is just because they are too dry and feel like they are stuck. I just avoid them, no big deal. I eat out and I fit in the booth! Don't be surprised the first few times you go out to eat (or first several times depending on how much you eat out, I do rarely) if your server asks you if there was something wrong with your meal. I just smiled and said it was fine/good/fantastic and asked for a take home box. You will be "normal"...whatever that is. This surgery doesn't set us apart. We still eat just like "normal" people, just not as much. You will not regret this!!

Mine says I weigh 200 pounds...which was a lie & still is. It doesn't expire until 2014 so I'm stuck with it until then. I'm hoping to still be close to the 140 I'm at right now. We shall see... CONGRATULATIONS to you!!

Yeah, I'm still waiting for this one to happen...

@janerose & kyllfalcon...I didn't go broke getting two or three new wardrobes because I shopped at Goodwill and second hand shops. If you take the time you can find some really great things in those places...new to you!! It makes things so much cheaper! Just an FYI in case you need to shop yet again.

I felt the same about the panties at first, now I wear a smaller size than my daughter.

Not having to push the table away to fit my body in when I'm out to eat. Being able to wrap a regular size towel around me... and having some left over! Wearing a SIZE SMALL!!!! And all the things you've mentioned as well.

My belly button didn't change but I do look like I have two of them now due to an incision right above.

I'm not your doctor but I traveled 9 days after my surgery. I cleared it with my doctor first! I rode for 4 hours in the car to visit family for Thanksgiving. It was tiring for sure!! Just talk to your doctor about it and see what he/she has to say.

Like I said, make sure you ask your surgeon!! It hasn't worked as well for me post surgery but I wish you luck!

I was allowed to take it, and I still take it a year after surgery. Just ask your doctor.

I used to be a 40H and now I wear a 34D and I think I need to move to a smaller cup size still. If that gives you any idea. I am never going to be completely happy with my body anyway. At least now I am healthy and I feel so much better!! On the up side, my arms look fantastic! I'm very proud of them. Still SO worth it!!

My boobs are very saggy and much smaller than they were pre-surgery. My vaginal area isn't noticeably saggy. My butt is saggy. It is all rather unappealing but I looked terrible naked when I was fat too. At least now I look good in my clothes. My husband used to love my big boobs and hasn't complained once about my new body. He will take the ability to, pardon me, bend me like a pretzel over the way my body used to be.

They gave me sample foods.

That's how my pre-op diet was as well. I was allowed no foods that I had to chew. I even had to strain yogurt to get the fruit chunks out. It was worth it though, that is the important thing to remember! I would do the two week pre-op diet all over again a million times to go from a size 24 to a size 8!!

I can understand the ups and downs of it all. Every little bit you lose helps!!

That's great, and how has your experience been? Must not be too bad if your hubby is willing to join the loser's club.