Marimaru

I went to Mexico for my surgery because of the cost, but the doctor that I chose there was not the cheapest of the bunch. I agree that those of us that self pay do need to look at cost, but that doesn't mean going after the cheapest doctor JUST for that reason. Anyway, good post Vines. Hopefully it's a thought provoker in a lot of people .

Penni, I hope you are in recovery now. I can't imagine the thoughts that have gone through your head today. Your daughter has said a wonderful thing and I hope that it helps your heart. Please post when you are feeling up to it and let us know you are doing well.

Unless you are living on liquids an unable to eat solid food at your current fill level I would say to stay the same. Like the others have said, if you gian weight while you are gone you'll drive yourself nuts, and A good point made was that they wouldn't put the full amount right back in when you came back, you'd have to work back up to it.

neato! Very cool

I was on depo and didn't have a period for 2 and a half years, but then had one 6 months after surgery and again 2 months later. I decided to switch to the pill to see if the depo was hindering my weight loss, and I have had 2 in a row now on time. But have read that anesthesia can cause it to go out of whack, plus the hormones that are released as you lose weight.

Welcome! Like others have said, ask any question that pops into your head! There's nothing that can't be asked!

Just on the verge of 700 scoops lost. That's pretty cool!

I imagine it would make the PBing worse. I would say to make sure that you are chewing everything into absolute mush before swallowing it, and make sure that you take small bites (sometimes even if it's mush if you swallow too much at once, it can cause problems). Perhaps if you can get a little bit more in per meal you wont be hungry so quickly. And it may actually be that you need a slight unfill so that things don't get stuck. Also, make sure you are getting in your protien, as that stuff will keep you not hungry the longest. The other thing I would say is to make sure you are really hungry. I say this because it's a personal struggle that I have, wanting to snack rather than actually being hungry and needing to eat something.

Lisa, I'm glad that you are feeling more at peace. It sounds like he was a wonderful kitty to have and I'm quite sure he'll wait patiently to see you again.

Man... I thought I was mad at my sister for making my mom mad on Thanksgiving. You guys REALLY have crazy siblings.

I'm sorry you had to go through that, but glad you are home safe. feel better!

These are great. Of course after you post you gotta remember to come back and read what everyone else says! 1. What does your handle mean? Mari is a character that I created in high school. I've thought up a lot of different story lines for her, but haven't finished writing anything, but she still remains. "Mari" is usually too short for forums n' stuff, and there was a storyline my friends wrote where she went back in time and was in the presense of her younger self and they called her "Maru" (ad-lib after almost spilling the beans), so I just stuck them together for a handle. 2. What book are you currently reading, or did you last read? I last read the newest Harry Potter book. 3. What do you do for a living? I run the office of a consulting company and do graphics for the same company. 4. For what in your life are you most grateful? Probably my mom and my fiancee. 5. What's one thing about you that you think would surprise other people? For the people who know me now, what I was like in highschool, and for the people I knew in high school, what I'm like now. I'm currently working on merging the two. 6. One word to describe yourself? Whatever word means I never think I'm suffecient enough even though at the same time I know I am. 7. One word others use to describe you? Trustworthy I believe. 8. Would you rather play a game with someone better or worse at it than you? Better, I'd rather learn than gloat. 9. Favorite movie? Favorite show? I honestly have no idea.... I like all the cop shows... SVU is my favorite of those. 10. Something unusual about yourself? Probably my fashion sense. Again, one of those things that used to be 'out there' in high school but that I locked away when I joined the corporate world. Now I need to find it again and be confident with it.

Crystal, I'm sorry you are down in the dumps. We all get that way I'm sure. And I'm sure you even get frustrated at some of us turtles who complain. I'm not sure I have any good advice for you other than try and get yourself back comfortable with being a turtle. Is it possible to switch PCP's? I know some doctors will give out thyroid medication when the thyroid is low even if it is "low, normal". I can't believe that yours wont considering all the other work you are doing to lose weight. Something WILL give, or the laws of physics be damned. Sarah

Okay for this week: I wore a sweater that I haven't ever worn before. I think I got it last Christmas, or maybe the one before. It never fit, I didn't even dare try to pull it on. It fits great now! I even got a complement from a co-worker on it . I'm also re-branching out with my artwork. I got a job designing a book cover off of craigslist. Which is an NSV because I have the confidence again to even try, even if it's not weight related. I have to add this, it just happened; I was walking back from picking up lunch and someone whistled at me! I actually got whistled at by a passing car instead of some dirogitory (horrible spelling) remark!

Jess, Another thing you might consider is wearing a semi- loose sportsbra type thing when you take the regular bra off after work. Sometimes mine bother me and putting them back IN a bra seems to help..

My weight was going up and my energy was going down. I want start having kids in a few years and that wasn't going to go well with how tired and lazy I was with all my weight. I want to feel like I look good. I don't have any co-morbidities, but I was probably dangerously close to developing them, and I didn't want that either. Also, I quit doing everything I used to do to stand out. I didn't want any attention drawn to me because I didn't want anyone to see my fat. I used to design outfits and make them and wear them, color my hair unnatural colors, etc. I prolly can't do my hair again in a corporate setting like I'm in, but I've been doing my nails green, and stuff like that. . I'm being 'me' again.

Lets see. It probably counts as an NSV that I'm moving and I've been able to haul stuff around without getting winded (and there's even a flight of stairs in my new place!). I think that's good. In the process of moving I sorted through all of my clothes and threw out a bunch of stuff that was to big. It's fortunate that I saved a bunch of stuff as I grew out of it, so I have it to shrink back into, which is good. Oh! I tried on a dress that I wore to my friend's prom the other day and it fit. The last time I tried it on it squished my boobs together so bad I had a uniboob! haha.

I gotta duck outta the challenge guys. Along with not having any change in weight or measurments in a while, I'm also moving, and so the scale is going to be away for a bit. Thanks Nana~ for putting all this together!

Trish, I'm 16 months out and I still get this on and off. I actually haven't figured out what it is. Sometimes I get it when I'm really hungry and it's been too long since my last meal, I always get it if I eat too much, and sometimes I get it for what seems like no apparent reason. I believe that I get this pain when my stomach churns for whatever reason. I've been told that this is referred pain from the diaphragm. So if my stomach churns, it effects the diaphagm, which bugs my shoulder... I guess.

*sigh* no change..

I can't really add to what anyone else has said. It's just really wonderful the words you find to express this stuff that is so common to all of us.

Well, I lost my chip for exersizing 4 days a week. My excuse is that on monday we decided we found out we needed a new place, so Monday and Tuesday we were apt hunting, and yesterday I was gonna start getting things together to move. I HAVE gone 3 weeks without soda tho, so I am going to try for that chip.

Woo! Dorfus Gizzardlips!!

Mini goals help keep me sane. I recently told a friend about this when she was upset that her goal was going to take her 'forever' (rabbit that she is). Mine breakdown like this: Started at 280; 250 (nice round number, 30 lbs down) 230 (50lbs down, weight on my license) 215 (BMI just below 35) 210 (halfway to my big goal) 199 (obviously) 180 (100 lbs from start) 160 (weight when in Jr. High) 140 (final goal (maybe)) When you break it down like that, it's not so bad.. There's also other ways to look at it; I've gone from a 24 to a 16/18, and I'd like to be an 8/10 (would totally settle for 12). 18 to 16 to 14 to 12 to 10 doesn't seem like that many sizes. So my current mini goal is 210 and I'm currently 225. I had set time limits on my goals, but my body just isn't listening to that, so I gave up. I'll just rejoice whenever I get there, lol.

It's great to hear from you again! I always loved the things that you wrote. Glad to see you around!