RJ'S/beginning

Congrats on becoming a loser like the rest of us!

You poor darling...lol Just to have your problems eh.... Your body will level off and maybe you will go back to a size 4 or not. it is your metabolism, and genes that set the pace. I think I could fluctuate nicely between those 2 sizes...I will never be that small but some have to work at leveling off their so used to the program that they have trouble reprogramming themselves to maintenance. Everyone is different. Seems to me you are one of the blessed among us who is having trouble maintaining a size 4......Hope things get better for you....

I have body issues as well. And have trouble in reality of seeing myself smaller. but I have always been small and young in my dreams at night....Weird eh! @barbarahadz1 @Roo101769

Today I weighed myself and I was 180 on the dot. That means as of today 200 unwanted lbs, have left the building. I never ever thought I could get this far.... Thanks to most of you who have inspired me and encouraged me and helped me with all my problems thus far!!!!!

That is in reverse eh @@Mrs.RRn . Interesting!

I applaud your grit @@HumanMerelyBeing It is one of the toughest parts of this journey. Re-evaluating you and who you were and who are are now and who you will become. It is like being thrown into a world of confusion where you really don't know what the next step will bring. The unknown is a fear that has kept so many from working through their demons and pushing them back so that you can live. Really live. The big, bad feelings are not to be feared. They are a necessary part of the healing process. One that you owe to yourself and your supporters. So that on the other side of it they will see you for who you really are. A person with an opinion, an idea and thoughts that can help and stimulate them to action in their lives by your example. I have been working on my changes for many, many years. i have had counseling up to my ying yang and it never ever helped me because I could not come to grips with why I was who I was. Not the person I wanted to be. Finally I am coming into my own. I am emerging. it has been hard work and continues to be but I am starting to have a good idea of who I am now. I am no longer a shrinking violet that stays back and allows others to abuse someone in my presents. I have a voice and I use it where it is necessary. I am not afraid anymore of where I go, who I am with or what I am doing. I grab it and run with it because for so long I couldn't. I paid dearly for this tool that has helped me to change in so many ways and will continue to help me in the future if I continue to grow inside. I am proud of you for recognizing that part of your life change is changing your patterns. Looking at food for what it is a substance to nurture your body and not the love of your life. Transforming that love for food to other areas in your life can only bring happiness to the ones that will receive it. It is not easy because fear is a real emotion and fear dictates how we respond to the new things we are finding out about ourselves... I have lost a lot of friends over my choice and now know that they were not friends at all. I see the world differently and feel I am part of it..Whether it is ready for me or not. Let those big, bad feelings out and take the changes to heart. You will be a better person for it. You will find that what is left is a person you are content with. And one that will help others and be a supporter of those you love when they are on whatever trek they find themselves..... Congrats so far! Jane

There are mistakes and we all make them or made them in this journey, trek, adventure. Whatever you want to call it. The important thing to remember at this time is that your sleeve is new and swollen and not healed yet. Putting solids in there is a risk that you are taking for a possible leak and a long journey back to health over a pretzel. The sleeve is a tool given to you so that you have the time to fix your mind. Your brain. To figure out why you did what you did to get here. And make life changes that will make you a success. Making a mistake now and then is going to happen. Eating the wrong foods is going to happen. This, right now is where the work begins. Taking chances like that so early on is more harmful then at a later date. Junk foods are sliders they have no density and so therefore go down easy and do not help in closing the flap at the bottom of your stomach. So you can keep on eating them and work your way back to where you started Even when we were our largest our bodies gave us signals about whether we were full or not. But we did not take note and ate because it was our comfort in life. Some people pause and others take deep breaths. Some will say not now to a second portion because they want to let the food eaten already settle. Our bodies gives us signs now that we are full. We just need to listen. Figure them out and stop eating before we feel it in a bad way. But doing this pretzel thing so early on is sabotage. One that could cost you dearly. The sleeve is a tool, not a miracle and if you treat it as such and look within yourself for the reasons and truth behind your addictions then you have a great chance that you will learn to change and deal with it without food. You didn't ruin your sleeve. But the chances of damaging it at this point is quite possible. Stay on track it will get easier at some point in one way and harder in others... This is a life changer and nothing worth having is gotten for free. It is the time for you to realize it is you that you are working on. Fix the brain and the body will follow....

Hey, we have all been there. your going to be fine! Just breath and remember why you decided to do this for yourself. It won't be a hop skip and a jump. But it sure is a life changer. One for the best mostly. Your on your way. Soon to be a loser like the rest of us.... Be proud of what you are doing for you and your future!

Just finished another 4 day stay at the hospital. The abscess refilled itself, only this time it was a lot faster then the last time. They put another drain in it and they want me to keep it in for 3-4 weeks more and hopefully that will solve the problem because it should collapse the abscess. It is in a place that is very painful, under my Diaphragm. 3 weeks I go and get it removed and then I have to have a scope to see if there are any loose staples and if there are then they have to be removed.... I no longer fear the hospital. That has all but disappeared.....Here's to hoping time heals all wounds!

I would not consider your friend a success...sorry..She is not using it as a tool. And it will catch up with her if she does not change her thinking. All three of the issues you mention are as important as the other when you are in the losing stage. It will get easier. I know for me at first I felt like I was doing this stuff all day long. Now it is natural for me and all runs smoothly. It will happen for you as well. Your going forward and using this sleeve as a tool and figuring out it will work best for you. There is nothing in life for free that is worth having. You are going to be so proud of yourself when you make the changes you need to make so that you can live a happier healthier life...Your friend is playing with fire. She is messing with her system that works when you follow the program and can cause future problems if you don't! All the best to you!

Every day is the same...I wake up in pain and wait for the nurse to come and flush out my drain. It hurts a lot and so I buckle down when she comes and get it over with. My stomach hurts so I am eating very little...That is a problem right now for me as I am almost to goal. I hope that this will be over when all the rest is done because I will be then looking forward to plastics and maybe after that some freedom....I have been asked to speak at a seminar next month and have said I would. Looking forward to that...A lot! I am still here just in a lot of pain....Thanks you for keeping up with this old girl...

I can certainly live with being a size 12....Lower and I will feel too small I think. Since I am built with no shape straight up and down. I could live very happily in a 12. Now if all 12's were the same like in men's clothing...you know a size 40 is a size 40 where ever you go. But it depends on make and brand for women...I really dislike this gauntlet we have to go through to buy clothes that fit. But I digress. As I said I am 5'8" I could be happy in a 12.

I loved this quote. It means to me that in my future I will be my own person with my own thoughts and ideas at the end of this path....Hope you will too! When I am an old woman I shall wear purple. With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me. Jenny Joseph

I knew I was missing somebody.... How bad can Marie's life be..She is a millionaire.....

oops.I eat Raisin Bran every morning. It keeps me regular....

What are you eating to lose that much weight in such a small amount of time. Don't get me wrong it is wonderful if you are not starving yourself to do it..Just worried that you are not getting enough nutrients from what you are eating.

We have all been there..on the up and down path of weight gain and loss @@jdillon It must be the time in your life that you want to change things permanently for the good of your health. That is the past, now and what is coming up is your future. You can learn to use the tool to help you to maintain your future health. We are here for you.... Hope you did something great with the 800.00...Something fun!

When you eat carbs. Try very hard to have a complex carb. Then it becomes a complete Protein which will help you feed your body! http://www.buzzle.com/articles/complex-carbohydrates-list.html

I've tried so hard to avoid those parties. Human nature dictates that it is going to happen at times....Looking at this as a life long adventure gives me the courage to not compare or worry about others successes as I will have my own in every way thanks to my sleeve. It is because of WLS that I even have a life.....

I agree with your comments about the journey being hard and things happening a long the way that we have to really work to overcome. Also so many are in a hurry for results ( numbers ) that they forget it is a life long trek. Congratulations on your successes!!!!

What happened? And what's going to happen in July? Please we need more information. Thanks!

I am sure you will hun

I'm sorry, I don't understand why you wrote and your still here? Can you explain please.Thanks!

Get some G2 Gatorade and drink it every day if you are having a problem with dehydration. This should help!

Keep working it girl!