LilMissDiva Irene

Thank you Yorkie Fan!! Hi dorrie I actually DO have a heart murmur, it's just that though. It's harmless, and very slight... thank goodness! How does it feel to be at goal? AMAZING!! FANTASTIC!! PHENOMENAL!! And best of all a big huge RELIEF!! I was never given a # on the scale as a goal. So I made up my own based on my clothing size. I hit that goal 15 Lbs ago... and it's just been me against gaining my weight back ever since. So far, I'm doing great. Thank you for always being such a pleasure!!

I use Firefox at home and I use Explorer at work, both most current versions. I have not had any problems with either. Sometimes it takes a long moment for it to register, but other than that it has always worked.

I have to say, these types on NSV's are always the best. Enjoy your hard work!!

This is a common question and likely you will get many responses. My advice to you is this: Be Patient! You WILL have stalls, this in no way means your body has stopped losing, nor will it mean you are necessarily doing anything wrong or failing. You will have to roll with the punches. Always stay positive and look toward all the wonderful things that are happening for you, and focus less on the scale moving every single day... because it won't. Read up here as much as you can, you will find so many questions and answers for Post Op patients. Good luck to you! You will do just fine.

Hi Bethie, at four months out was around the time that my energy finally started to spark back up. No worries, it will happen for you too. You're probably almost due to have your first panel. Perhaps you are a little low on some type of Vitamin, and it will show if that's the case. The easiest culprits are: Low B-12, D-3, Iron, Water, Electrolytes... or perhaps your sleeping patterns could be better. It could even be the weather. That does affect a great many people, including myself. I always feel my best and most energized with the warm sunshine and longer days. Keep your chin up! Time goes by and energy picks up, weight drops off.. etc.

I wanted to let you know that I was right where you were once upon a time. It does get better! I have bad knees due to being so heavy for so long, but here I am today constantly staying fit and running... that's right RUNNING!! It will happen for you! When I was your weight, with my knee issues I spent most of my time burning calories by walking a lot. You may need to find some more comfortable shoes, and that could have a greater impact on keeping the pain away. It did for me. I switched my shoes to good fitting New Balance or Asics cross trainers. They are some really great shoes!! Also, I did do some swimming in the Summer time. Though as others have mentioned if you can find a gym with a heated pool, you will find it very easy on the joints and whoa is it a great calorie burner. And again, the elliptical is a Fluid motion, and though it's not the best for our bodies to do all the time but it is a wonderful calorie burning tool for those of us with bad joints. Hugs and good luck! You got this.

Amen!!! The sleeve change my life as well, so I completely understand where you're coming from. CONGRATS TO YOU!! Health and happiness is what it's really all about. *hugs*

Good luck Dawn! Lower sugar though, not no sugar Be careful, and if you feel you need some try a Propel or Gatorade.

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Ouroborous, you should create a new thread with all that info. It's so right on! Folks just need to keep it moving and doing the right things. The weight will come off, in time.

kshell, read through the replies, there are many here who would love to help out. Someone that might match up to what you yourself are going through. Also, read through the entire buddies/mentors area. You may find someone that way as well. Good luck!

Well darn! Heal well and fast PapaBob.

Hey Holly! I loved this entry, it was amazing. The first step to the rest of your life is realizing that your journey NEVER ENDS. It is a lifelong battle. Some days will be good, some days won't be. But, we have to be stronger than the circumstances surrounding our lives and realize one thing: I AM WORTH IT. You have to truly and with all your heart believe that statement. Because we really all are. If I mess up, I have to forgive myself and just keep it moving. I'm not perfect nor will I ever be. Oh, let me rephrase that... nor do I want to be! However I do want to be good to myself, maintain health and happiness, because again, I deserve it. God Bless.

Susan - I have been truly distracted in the last few weeks! I'm working hard to get back on track though so I totally get you on that. We can do it!! I've done really well this last few days. Monday marks a new 'cycle' meaning I log my foods Mon - Fri. So... as of today I'm fully back on that track. All - anyone is welcome to send me a friend request. I'm happy to add anyone. It's a fun site and I really like it! I didn't always use it though, I used to log my food on Livestrong.com. I'm glad to have finally moved over to MFP though.

I do have some skin, and I think this is perfectly normal. I used to be well over 300 Lbs and I lived that way for over a decade, it would be wishful thinking of me otherwise. That said, it could be worse. It's not really all that bad. I'd rather have loose skin than it still be filled out and me living an unhealthy and unsatisfying life. Sorry but this is so true. Life has taken on a whole new meaning for me now that I'm thin, fit and am able to do SO MANY things I never was able to being so heavy. I have had a few plastic surgeries, which was a breast augmentation because with my weight loss also meant no boobs.. LOL Perfectly ok, I fixed that problem. Also, I did have some body contouring from my knees to my waist. I do NOT regret any of that pain or payments for one second!! I absolutely came out better than I ever imagined, and my results are amazing. I'm very happy!! Now, I do still have loose skin, but I will wait to have those addressed for likely a few years. First of all, our skin will take its time to retract back as much as it ever will and that takes a couple years time to do. Second, if there is a chance Hubby and I will have babies, it would make zero sense to have it removed just to stretch it back out. So, I'll wait. My Motto is, I can hide it with clothes, but there's no hiding being obese... no matter how well I dress. Also, if anyone's worried how things will be with being intimate with someone, well my Hubby never complains ever. He's amazed by my progress and how I look now. I say, if anyone's significant other does, then that's a whole other set of issues, not just loose skin.

OH MY DEAR FRIEND!!! You look so beautiful!!! The outside to truly match the inside. Love that dress too... love your sense of style.

Hi Nicky pudding and yogurt are not cheats, not at 3 weeks out as far as I know. So you are doing fine. Those are considered full liquids. Are you on any kind of acid reducer? This might be the reason your stomach feels hungry. I take Omeprazole daily, even this far out from surgery. I have tried to stop taking it but my acid is still there. It is what it is! I just deal with it, it sure is a lot better than still being close to 300 Lbs. One last thing, perhaps give your surgeon's office a phone call and ask if he has an alternate eating plan. Some people really do heal faster than others and usually the dietician or the surgeon will allow patients to move through the stages a little faster. Good luck!!