nyxa

i'm not a post op sleever, but i would look at stores online as well as ebay & stuff. maybe hop down to a thrift store or good will & buy clothes in various sizes, as backups "just in case" your feet may also shrink, so you might have to get some shoes, too. anyways, congratulations!!! hope you guys have fun on your cruise! it'll definitely be exciting & worth it!! have you all decided where you're going? i do know what you mean about the seat belt. those flight attendants can be pretty thoughtless.. when i went to korea & japan & had to ride in a smaller plane (for travel inside those countries), i had to ask for an extension & i would sneak up to the flight attendant as covertly as i could and look around to make sure no one was listening & then i'd whisper "may i have a seat belt extension, please?" and they'd be all happy & smile & be like "sure, i'll bring one right over!" then they'd find me & hand it to me in front of everyone & be all loud like "HERE'S YOUR SEAT BELT EXTENSION" and i'd sink down into my seat, thinking "omg.. why'd she have to be so loud?" lol "doesn't she realize i was being quiet & covert for a reason?!" lol

not quitting smoking could be really detrimental to your surgery, so i'd honestly at least try to quit. i've seen some surgeries where people didn't stop smoking & it messes with your healing time, your skin as well as other stuff.. it's not pretty. "Smoking does two things in terms of the cardiovascular system that anesthesiologists area concerned about. First, smoking increases the amount of carbon monoxide attached to hemoglobin in the blood. This has the effect of decreasing oxygen supply. Carbon monoxide also makes the heart pump more poorly, also decreasing the amount of oxygen that is delivered to the body. Second, nicotine increases the amount of oxygen that the body needs. So, oxygen supply is being compromised at the same time that more oxygen is being utilized. Smoking obviously also affects the lungs. Among other thigns, smoking causes an increase in the amount of mucus secreted while at the same time decreasing the ability of the lungs to clear these secretions. In addition, smoking causes the small airways in the lungs to be narrowed and more prone to collapse. The end result of these effects are an increased susceptibility to infection, chronic cough and increased chance of pulmonary complications. Lastly, smokers also have increased sensitivity to stimuli and increased bronchial reactivity, increasing the chance for bronchospasm and other life threatening pulmonary processes. This is not just theory. There have been multiple studies confirming that smoking increases the incidence of pulmonary complications after an anesthetic as much as six times. Smoking has been shown to be an independent risk factor for complications ranging from complications of lung function to wound healing to cardiovascular events such as heart attack." source: http://anesthesiolog...es/12012003.php also: Q: What specifically does smoking do to inhibit healing and recovery from surgery? A: Nicotine closes the blood vessels responsible for bringing oxygenated blood to the tissues. In addition to its healing power, oxygen also fights infection and helps to keep tissue alive, as well as being instrumental in delivering important medications like antibiotics. Furthermore, smoking clogs the lungs, and thus increases risk of pulmonary infection such as pneumonia. Q: What are the worst-case scenario consequences of smoking before and after surgery? A: Smoking significantly increases the risk of severe infections, pneumonia, and tissue death. Q: Are there specific surgeries that you will refuse to perform on a smoker? A: Certain procedures which involve a lot of pulling or altering of blood supply would present more risk for a smoker. These procedures include face lifts, tummy tucks, and the use of tissue flaps as in reconstructive surgery. Q: Aside from quitting entirely, how long do you recommend patients avoid smoking before and after surgery? A: Ideally, the patient would quit altogether. However, this is obviously not going to happen with a lot of patients. Generally, it is recommended that a patient avoid smoking for at least 3 weeks before and after surgery. Source: http://plasticsurger.../smoking_PS.htm

i'm a big sci-fi buff.. one of the shows that i loved was called Farscape.. in that show, Chiana (a character) called females "nixa".. ie "hey nixa, what's up?" (she never said that, just using it in a sentence so you can see) so i just switched the i to a y.. and there's how i came up with "nyxa" when i signed up that was all i could think about for some reason.. lol short, sweet & to the point, though.. so it works.

i would let her. if nothing else, at least you'll get to spend some time with her & you will look back on that when she's gone & be glad you took the opportunity to spend that time with her. a lot of people on here didn't or don't have anybody to help or support them, but the fact that your mom wants to come help & support you is awesome.

congratulations! you did it!!

one other thing.. there's this alkalizing Water called Kangen water.. it will help you poop. i haven't seen it mentioned on here before, but i can tell you right now that it works. it alkalizes your body, which make it harder for bad stuff (like cancer) to grow in it. "Kangen water is simply an easier way of stating: Alkaline, ionized, electron rich, restructured, micro clustered, active hydrogen saturated, oxidation reduced, powerful water." http://www.thewatertruth.com/go/ << there's some info on it. you can find places in your area that sell kangen water & it's very inexpensive. the machines that produce it are VERY expensive, but my family pays around $10/mo for unlimited gallons of kangen water.. as much as you could drink. you can cook with it, bathe with it, etc. drinking it does make you go poop, though.. so anyone having problems with that, i would highly suggest seeking out somewhere that sells kangen water & buying some. the taste is different than regular tap or bottled water.. you can use it to make coffee, tea, or with crystal light or whatever. it'll get your bowels to move for sure lol

i'm sorry you're going through that. you should indeed do what is best for you & of course take your health into consideration. your health is more important than their opinions & they will eventually see that (i hope). we all support you 100% & know that it's not easy. i wish you nothing but the best & hope everything turns out well for you.

yeah... i've read quite a few on here say that they become lactose intolerant.. but no worries, because there's a variety of "milk" out there.. there's soy milk, almond milk, cashew milk, hemp milk, rice milk, etc.. if you like the taste of milk, i think rice milk is the closest out of the ones i've tasted. Protein wise, hemp, soy & almond are pretty good. almond milk is yummy, too. they come in different flavors, as well & have Vitamin D in them, just like milk.. there's also rice cheeses.. you could just look into vegan options for dairy products. they have "nice creams" and "cheeze".. cream cheese, etc. you wouldn't be "missing" anything, just changing how you do it. i lost 80lb in 6 months just by cutting meat & dairy out of my diet.. i ate everything i wanted, including bread & chocolate (dark) everyday and had tacos and "burgers" and etc.. lost 80lb.. and i didn't exercise. just saying that to show you that there's nothing to fear. losing dairy may not be what you're used to, but it could end up helping you shed extra pounds & get to your goal.

try eating more calories. usually when your body hits a stall, eating more will help it release the fat. as a wls person, you eat so little already, that your body is probably in what they call "starvation mode," meaning that whatever you DO eat, your body is hanging on to for dear life.. lol so to get it to relax & be like "okay, i can let go of the fluff" you eat more & it stops freaking out & goes back to normal. so by adding 100 or 200 calories to your diet, you should start moving past your stall. drink lots of Fluid, too. i know a lot of people don't like the taste of Water, but staying hydrated is very important. wish you the best of luck!

Shirataki Noodles: http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/category/shirataki-noodles Tofu Shirataki Noodles: http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/category/tofu-shirataki-noodles Kelp Noodles: http://www.kelpnoodles.com/products_seatangle_noodles.html You can buy these on Amazon.. And they're also available at Asian grocery stores and Whole Foods a lot of the time. Em.. The Shirataki noodles, the clear ones, are made from a Japanese yam.. The tofu ones are obviously made out of tofu.. Hungry girl made alfredo with those noodles.. And kelp noodles don't require any cooking. Just a quick rinse & they're ready

thank you for all the great resources!! i appreciate that you took the time to find these & also to share them with everyone. that was very kind and thoughtful! the cupcake idea sounds awesome, too! thank you again!

wow!! GO YOU! how awesome! you must be so excited!!! i'm happy for you! i'm peachy keen, ty for asking

good thread i'm always interested in learning what people are eating that are successful.

firstly.. congrats on the increased libido! secondly.. might wanna get yourself a toy to help take the edge off! lol lastly, you're right.. work relationships are not good! wishing you the best, whatever you do!

i'm pre-op & don't feel crazy at all.. i already know i'm nuts. lol (just teasing) like you said, you'll be one of the people who will get a surgery date. just have to stick in there a little longer. you can handle it. you've gone this far, it's not that much more to go! you can definitely lose the 15lb. maybe if you tried to focus on the positive things, you wouldn't be going nuts. thinking about negative stuff will always get at you & eat at you. it's easier said than done, of course, but every day that you wake up, you have another opportunity to change what you don't like about yourself & you can be thankful for that. at least you have another chance to make your life better & the way you see it in your mind. you may not like where you are right NOW, but it can change & all you have to do is take it one day at a time.. one step at a time. you can do that! i wish you the best & hope everything goes well for you!

your taste buds are always changing. i'm sure you can think of some foods that you hated as a kid, but now like... or that you liked as a kid & now aren't so hot about... when you change your eating habits, your taste buds change to accomodate 'em. if you go without sugar or salt for a while, you'll really start noticing how much extra salt and sugar is in everything.. since you're not eating so much sugar these days, perhaps your taste buds are now more sensitive to it & that's what you're noticing.

they have skin lightening creams & soaps, if you wanted to try those. they don't look bad, though! scars give character! wear 'em like a badge of honor!

there's all sorts of tea flavors out there, too.. go to a health food store & look at all the teas.. you can smell the boxes to see if it's something appetizing to you. you could also drink Soup broth or liquid soup, like tomato... or get a v8 or try juicing.. carrot + granny smith apple & some Water.. that's one of my favorites. might also try getting filters for your water, if you don't already have them for your water.. or try locating a local well & get well water.. it tastes different than tap water or bottled water from the store.. or if you have one of those places near you that sells alkalized water, you could start drinking that. it helps alkalize your body & you can get it by the gallon.. it's only like 10 bucks a month for unlimited water. regular tap water from the city has fluoride in it, which may be good for your teeth, but it's bad for your brain. hitler used it to make people more docile and to more easily accept what he was saying... i try to stay away from fluorinated products. there's also other chemicals in your water, which may be partially why you don't like how your water tastes & why you're reacting to it the way you are... so.. if you can afford to, i'd look into getting a *REALLY* good filtration system on your faucet.

^^^ i'd recommend that one. more info on protein: http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/what-is-protein/ http://www.sunwarrior.com/ http://facebook.com/sunwarrior

i'd just bring them in, too.. they may not want you to bring your own stuff, but until they have items available for people with medical issues, then you can't really help it... and if they give you guff about it, i'd say that. if you want me to buy food & drinks HERE, then provide SOMETHING that i can eat & drink! otherwise i will be FORCED to bring my own! you could write a letter to them & ask for healthier food & drink choices.. maybe even try to get your local media involved. y'know mrs obama is all about making america slimmer & trimmer & so you could probably even write HER a letter about it & maybe she'd have our lord and savior her husband (yes, that was sarcasm) make a law against serving fatty crap at sporting events or at least providing healthy choices. you're not alone.. a lot of people are tired of having nothing but shyte to eat when they go out.. regardless if they've had WLS or not.

you can make your own jerkey. they sell jerkey mixes and you can read recipes online or buy recipe books for making jerkey. it's fairly simple.. just need a dehydrator. doing that could save you some money, too.. cause you can buy meat when it's on sale & make tons of jerkey

http://www.ddpyoga.com/site/cart/ <<< there's your answer.

this guy below used DDP Yoga & went from being a disabled veteran that couldn't walk without assistance to being able to walk again freely... he was a paratrooper (and that is really hard on your feet, knees, back & shoulders!) here's an article about him from huffington post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/arthur-boorman-veteran-walks-again-yoga_n_1478847.html here's the link to DDP Yoga: http://www.ddpyoga.com/ Also, this guy's story is part of a movie/documentary called INSPIRED: The Movie.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nbt_v_VS1c here's the link to their website: http://inspiredthemovie.com/ and what the "About" section said... (I just typed it up, because it was in flash & unable to copy & paste, so please excuse any typos) The basis for understanding what inspires each of us is first determining what we desire and what we believe is possible. By using a universal goal such as weight loss, we can better understand the concepts with a practical and clearly defined objective. As filmmakers with a strong understanding of what is possible from a weight loss perspective, we strive to depict stories of what is possible beyond what is typical, in an attempt to inspire the viewer to believe in a greater possibility for his or her own life. INSPIRED: The Movie outlines the journey of different individuals as they follow different paths in an attempt to lose weight. Some factors relate to information associated with nutrition and exercise, and the proliferation of diet and health information that often confuse individuals trying to find a weight loss solution. Other factors we discover are a bit more abstract, as they pertain to human behavior, and how we treat goals, excuses, and environmental factors. By offering a comprehensive look at what diets really mean, the science of human metabolism, and the factors that affect our ability to find motivation to resist temptation, we are able to offer a new hope and understanding to the iewer, and inspirfe change by illustrating what is possible at any age. We as filmmakers believe that the first step to solving the worldiwde obesity epidemic is to provide the inspiration that leads to change at the individual level, as well as raising the awareness that we as a society are responsible for the environment we create for ourselves. Unlike any project of it's kind, we look a each diet and exercise plan and discuss with experts the reasons such plans may or may not work. We look at the scientific basis for diets, as well as the less tangible aspects of diet plans such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, to better undestand all the important factors for success. INSPIRED: The Movie, offers a unique look at what really works and why, to better equip our viewer with the proper knowledge to make informed decisions.

sounds awesome! i'm very happy that you had such a wonderful experience! makes it sound like a vacation, not surgery! LOL

that's awesome! you don't even look like the same person! i'm very happy for you!