BigGirlPanties

family and friends is the focus for Thanksgiving for me...and will be, especially for Christmas, as it will be my first time "home" in quite awhile for the holiday. but food is no longer primary in my life...so it's no "biggie"...if I was at home, I would have made my Dad's stuffing, which is awesome...and yes, I would have had some...but since we are going to someone's house-no worries.... bringing spaghetti squash bake

@ Alex Brecher ...OMG, I was looking at that list thinking "who could eat all that"??? HELLO KITTY...ME just a little over 2 years ago! maybe not that order, but the calories...for sure! Now I look at that menu and think...GROSS...so many carbs and sweets...LOL...that definately says something of my personal progress ... I plan on bringing a spaghetti squash bake...one of my favorites... in my family, you ALWAYS had a Pasta side dish...so this works great...I even cut up some tofu and add in to the ricotta...no one EVER knows!!! Extra Protein and minimal extra calories @thesweetone it is always possible to overeat when you have WLS, it's just how you do it... the list that Alex has up there, I don't think any of us can eat at one sitting anymore, no matter how we try! However, it does helps limit your intake...here's the problem... you can graze on that food all day long... a small piece of pie, an extra roll, some more pie, just a scoop of mashed taters... before you know it, you have EASILY added another 1000 calories from grazing thru out the day... that's what we still have to be careful with... but, like I said, I have maintained for a year now...that has NEVER happened before... I love, love, love my sleeve and the freedom it has allowed me! No longer shackled with food! Happy Holidays to all (@@Elode ...you can stop by my place...I HATE the clean up)

coming up we had a little tv in the kitchen...it was my Dad's ... no one was allowed to touch it when he was home... and during dinner it was OFF... always... unfortunately that didn't help my eating habits ... but we are grazers...so I agree, if you make your plate, and eat mindfully, slowly...it shouldn't matter where... but if I had a family, I would SO VERY want to sit around the dinner table, without tv, and visit...it's the only time of the day we were all together... (good night, John Boy...LOL)

Along with most folks here, I was a "BIG GIRL" for as long as I can remember (teased in school constantly, so that didn't help any)... for one brief moment in history, I was a size 12...that didn't last but a blink of an eye...unfortunatly, I don't have any children ...so pregnancy was never an issue ... my whole family was big...Dad/Mom/Brother/4 out of 5 sisters (the youngest one has always been on the smaller size...guess there wasn't any food left for her!) Tried every program under the sun, like most of us... lost...gained back plus more...I was never overly active, but like the rest, once you start working and stop "playing" more weight accumulated... Well I've lost 125 now...waiting for knee surgery for 2015 (had to lose weight first) so I can become more active and lose the rest...but I have MAINTAINED for a year!!! A YEAR!!! Never before has that happened. I have definately changed my eating habits. With my RA and problem knees, I was so lethargic I had become JABBA!!! Just a big pile of goo on the couch... I needed a walker to get to the bathroom...over 350 pounds...I couldn't believe it! Thank goodness for WLS, it has given me a life back!!! ....and I will NEVER go back ...

Thank you for sharing (as always) I have been in a stall...or maintaining for a year now ...up down with about 5 pounds, I am not very active because of RA and waiting on a knee replacement. The orthopedic was VERY happy that I have lost the weight and am planning on surgery for the beginning of '15. I am going to look into plastics too...at very least a tummy tuck... PLEASE share your experiences! I'll find out next month if any of it is covered... fingers crossed!

My mindset is that I am going for the company, not the food. I am bringing a spaghetti squash bake, so I have something to eat with my turkey... I make parmesan chips to eat with hummus or salsa...now I have to make a BUNCH, everyone loves them

you need calcium citrate, not calcium carbonate...that's what you need to look for. The drugstore at my hospital (I go once a month for bariatric meetings) has the calcium chews...just like having a caramel!!! SO YUMMY!!! Check to see if your local hospital drugstore carries them.

curious how you are doing now...

Wow...interesting...I would have thought the dr/hospital would provide those!

Based on HIPAA laws you don't have to tell them. HR will get the forms from the doctor for your disability/FMLA leave time...but they cannot tell anyone either. I didn't go around announcing it (who does?), but if someone asks, I tell them, I'd like them to be informed of how well it works. I haven't had one person say "that's the easy way out" or any other stupid responses. More and more people are informed of the benefits... Bottom line...ball in your court, your decision!

being heavier is better but...it's not just your weight and bmi...it's any co-morbidities...and your "diet" history... don't get discouraged...time will tell...but waiting is the hardest part! Good luck to you!

Also, don't do anything else but EAT...no computer, especially at this stage. It's hard, we are overlappers ... too much to do and no time to do it. But you need to concentrate on your food right now. Good luck...this is just the beginning, so don't over do!

don't forget the possibility of FREE Protein... from InsureNutrition.com... just go to the website and fill out the form....they will do all the work. If you qualify, you get free Premier Protein, Vitamins and a scar cream!!! Good luck!

I was sleeved 2 years ago...it was pretty "textbook"...no big problems, did have a little dehydration issue and went back for a fill up Overall, I wish I had done this YEARS ago... I have been maintaining for the past year...up and done with a 5 pound variable...NEVER had I had any luck with maintenance with any other program I was on. I have to have knee surgery (early 2015), and qualify for it now that I have lost the weight...hopefully, after that surgery and my P.T., I will be able to be more active and get the rest off...but for now I am delirously happy I feel like a brand new me!!!

as a rule, I don't eat any of those either... I will have one piece of warm bread if we go out to eat...but that's it...not the whole bread basket like before! Not worth the calories and the full feeling... push protein first...

ditto on the above...just think...when was the last time you lost that amount of weight in that amount of time...if you are like me...the answer is NEVER! Just follow your program and you will continue to do great!

I had become very lethargic because of my arthritis and pain in my knees; which added to my weight gain. When I saw the orthopedic doctor, he said I HAD to lose weight in order to get my knees done and get some pain relief... I had thought about WLS before, but now I was even more propelled to look into it... I wish I had done this sooner. I have gone back to the orthopedic, who was VERY pleased with my weight loss and we are planning my surgery for the beginning of '15!!! Once that is done, I am hoping to be even more active and looking forward to pain relief in my left leg (first one to be done)... I couldn't have gotten here without WLS... the past year I have been maintaining with a 5 pound variable... tho I'd like to lose more, right now I'm just not active enough...BUT I have MAINTAINED for a year, which has NEVER happened with all my "diets" before this tool was "installed" LOL

menza menz... I baked my honey some Crown Royal Cookies that he found on Facebook...he loved them...I didn't want a one, no interest. He doesn't like/eat a lot of crap so we don't have it in the house. We have had buffets set up here at work, usually behind MY desk, and I look at it all and it makes me sick to my stomach...all those frostings and sugar coated gunk... Not to say I don't eat some things I shouldn't...but I stay pretty true to Protein first and foremost

What you are going thru is fairly normal....me...well, I was so excited to get myself on track I couldn't WAIT for surgery!!! But think about the what-ifs if you DON'T get surgery... it's scarier!!! I would still be sitting on my couch like Jabba not able to move without the use of a walker...my life was going down the drain fast! The surgery gave me my life back!

you can fill out the form on InsureNutrition.com to see if you qualify for free protein drinks (premier protein shakes), vitamins and scar cream...they deliver right to your door...you can get it pre-op

With all that has been going on with you...that's just a shame! I've been lucky...my doctor is very PRO WLS...she is considering it herself Now I'm getting ready for my first new knee, the first orthopedic that I saw what very happy with my weight loss...when I saw him over 2 years ago, he was a very negative Nancy about the possibility of surgery with my weight...and that I HAD to lose to get the knees repaired. Even tho his bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired, he seemed genuinely impressed...tho he did make a little comment about how so many people fail (I think -check your stats, dude!)... but over all a good visit. Then I go see the actual surgeon for my knee surgery and he was Mr. Positive about the whole experience...tho he doesn't look like he's ever had a weight problem We shared tips on cooking and love of raw almonds Tho it could be because my bariatric surgeon is part of the same medical group... I don't know... but, for the most part, it's been a positive experience

You know I have those...and I should get my lazy butt (er...arms) to use them... I need to work on them as well..,

I've GOT to get a copy of that picture to put on my frig and EVERYWHERE...it is so inspirational...it does "say it all" LOVE LOVE LOVE it! @Alex Brecher, maybe, someday you can convince the artist to make "desk top" statues of it...it would be great to sell off this website...I think ALL of us would find it an inspirational piece...

I am most thankful for my loving, caring husband...loved me when I was over 350 and loves me still ... he has my heart... I thank goodness I have Anisa Grantham, an addiction counselor and WLS patient to speak to during my "adventure" with WLS I thank @Alex Brecher, for this lovely website where I have gotten great insight and many giggles. This group is awesome...and each and everyone has added to my knowledge base... I love participating on this give/get of info! So glad we have somewhere to share!