RJ'S/beginning

I am very happy that you have found your fix to your issues that have made life difficult for you. We all deserve that in life. I admire your grit to face it all head on...As you work through your journey, you will discover that having a lot of letters after your name means jack compared to experiencing it...Knowledge learned by experience is something that outweighs every time letters.. An example of this is..All the research they have done on coma patients. They still have no answers as to what really goes on in the brain and body. What effects it has on a person and how it effects their life afterwards...Those who have experienced it can tell the story no problem with no one understanding the real issues unless you have been there... Sometimes we get lost in those letters and think these people are god's. I am a true believer that experience outweighs all the letters.....As you probably know that there are as many studies for as there are against any issue in life...The problem is that they never really come to a conclusion but thank goodness there are professionals and nonprofessionals out there who care about the here and now and are willing to do what they can to help with this epidemic of our modern society.

G2 Gatorade is made to up your electrolytes. Broth is a great choice for protein. It is a difficult time adjusting for everyone just about. Just keep sipping and and things will get better..

Tylenol products with no codeine. That's about it...Chicken Soup too.... I came home from the hospital last Sunday and came down with a cold as well. Just been riding it out...You can call your surgeons office and they can assist you in the answer. But that was the answer I got when I asked. http://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/keeping-well/smart-eating/healthy-recipes/health-benefits-of-chicken-soup/

Take that scale out back and hit it with a sledge hammer...This is not about numbers hun. This is about getting healthy and changing the way you see food...numbers can really play with your head as you well know. Don't forget we are women and we go up and down like yo yo's .So if you are following numbers you will get discouraged.... I know I am different from most people on here. I am 17 months out and never experienced a stall. Why? Because I have only weighed myself maybe 5 or 6 times. Most of the time it has been at my doctors office... I have faith in what I am doing and follow the program. And it works for me.....I know I've lost by my clothes the way I feel. Things like that.... I don't know why I chose to do it this way. Probably when I get to maintenance I will weigh once a week...But for now...Nope I love the adventure more then the numbers...

@@millergirl314 When I wore my first pair of size 16 pants I kept saying over and over again to my poor hubby..You know these are size 16 right!!!!? Finally he told me to give it a break.... Congrats on your wonderful success! Next is 14....hehehehehe

I enjoyed your article. But I think that on some level we all have food addiction. We depended on it for comfort and support. It was the answer to all our woes. We reveled in it and gave it too much of our devotion. Because it was a false friend. A traitor to us. Unfaithful because it never helped with the real issues that caused us to depend on it.. I believe that some have conditions like genetics or health factors. But the brain was trained to look to food as the answer. Why? Because no one thought to take the time to look inside ourselves and find out why we depended on it so much as if it were another substance that would cause instant relief. But it never did..It was a temporary fix...And that is why most dieters can't do it because they can't figure out what makes them tick this way... Fix the brain and your thinking and the body will follow.....I truly believe that like any other substance that once we admit to ourselves that we do have an out of control situation surgery is a tool to help us to retrain our brains. learn what is going on to make us this way and gives us the time we need to make changes forever. The difference between food addiction and other addictions is that we all have to eat...That is the problem..There is no way we can survive without nutrients to fuel us.... I applaud you for having the strength you have to start your journey...I found some good points in there that help me to keep strong by example..Thank you for sharing.... Addiction Addiction is the continued use of a mood altering substance or behavior despite adverse consequences, or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors. Addictions can include, but are not limited to, drug abuse, exercise addiction, food addiction, sexual addiction, computer addiction, and gambling. Classic hallmarks of addiction include impaired control over substances or behavior, preoccupation with substance or behavior, continued use despite consequences, and denial. Habits and patterns associated with addiction are typically characterized by immediate gratification, coupled with delayed deleterious effects. Physiological dependence occurs when the body has to adjust to the substance by incorporating the substance into its 'normal' functioning. This state creates the conditions of tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is the process by which the body continually adapts to the substance and requires increasingly larger amounts to achieve the original effects. Withdrawal refers to physical and psychological symptoms experienced when reducing or discontinuing a substance that the body has become dependent on. Symptoms of withdrawal generally include but are not limited to anxiety, irritability, intense cravings for the substance, nausea, hallucinations, headaches, cold sweats, and tremors.

He is my number one fan... And I him...He has earned that spot over and over again because he has showed me over and over again that he cares and looks after me no matter what........So yes..He is pretty amazing!

I think for me it has kinda gotten out of control. I had gotten clothes up to 2 sizes smaller before I reached those sizes. I just bought what I liked or loved...Any way there are ways of collecting clothes at reasonable prices...... I remember the day they told me at Pennington's that they no longer had clothes that fit me. That I would have to go elsewhere... I just looked stunned because I was in the biggest size they had at the time and was wondering where I would get clothes to fit me soon..That was so scary.... I kept a couple of shirts. In fact the one I wore to the seminar......It is my badge of honor and some day I will post a pic. of me in it......

@@Ginger Snaps I think I would have snapped if she had said that in front of me.... For crying out loud...No one would or almost no one would go through all of this for 30 lbs. I would have just considered myself rounded..lol I certainly would make it a point to see her when you are there and fill her in on your success...Daft lady!

@@Roo101769 You'll be there in no time...I remember I was stuck on size 20 for what seemed like forever and then one day it was an 18...Your going to be there soon enough!!! Thanks sweetie!!!!!

@@Katcloudshepherd He's right you are looking good!!! Don't let anyone tell you different!!!

Don't be sorry..lol I do it twice a week. I have to admit that at first I gagged. My hubby does it twice a day and he has noticed a huge difference in his breath and over all health of his teeth. I did it for 2 weeks straight and thought I would hurl as soon as I put it in my mouth. But the oil turns liquid and then it is not so bad...I know this sounds strange but we kinda do it together and poke fun at each other making faces.... to see who lasts the longest.... To me it is worth the feeling when the oil goes in because of how different my breath is and my teeth too....

Use another type of oil...http://curezone.com/forums/am.asp?i=110881

A true slider food for me. I can eat easily 3 cups of it and not blink. I never ate popcorn before surgery and now find it irresistible...SO I stay clear.

Better try oil pulling...It leaves your mouth feeling like you just got home from a cleaning. And to top it off your breath smells good with a hint of coconut Here's the site: http://oilpullingbenefits.org/

The break outs are because your body is starting to detox itself from all the stored toxins in your body over a long period of time. It releases them as they were stored in your body..Slowly....It is almost like reliving all the bad things we ate before this @Midijola It will get better but it will take time.

You will find like most of us on the other side that you will no longer enjoy the food you used to. One day a few months ago I saw red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and all of a sudden they were mine. In the cart they went and home to eat....Hubby and I sat down to them and I bit into it....I almost gagged. The taste and texture not to mention the hit me in the eye sweetness was way too much for me....My husband roared with laughter and said he thought he would never see the day that I would spit out a red velvet dessert....Have not looked at them since..... Now there are healthier alternatives to sweets...There are smart low calorie Cookies that I eat at times. I also eat baby cookies. They seem to do the trick for me....I used to love my sweets and now....What!!!!!!!!!! life sure changes... There are things I eat that I couldn't eat before and things that I ate that I can't now...But like @@McButterpants My nut preaches moderation and balance... You will find yours!

Did you know that your body uses Water and needs it to lubricate our entire system? We are mostly made up of water. And if we drink enough our bodies will use it. you will notice your skin and hair and even nails look and feel better...64 oz is a great amount as it is not too much because the body can actually be harmed from that as well.. I have been a true believer in water intake and can really notice it if I miss some in a day! You need water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to your organs and tissues. Water also helps transport oxygen to your cells, removes waste and protects your joints and organs. Cool eh!

A lot of people think that you can't dump with the sleeve. But you can! Your body is changing so much and you should make a list of the things you are eating and then delete them from your diet when you have this issue. Would be a good idea to check it out though....15 weeks is a good time out for you to have this non-stop.....

What is left to say! Fantastic comment!

I remember @@Roo101769 very well how frightened you were when you started down this path. And look at you now!!!!! 86 lbs. gone....congrats girl!!!!! I love the part where you said : But do not short change how far we have all come...You may have started in a place that makes you feel bad, but honey look at you now!!!!! We always need to remember the road is long and winding...But if we keep on track ( mostly ) We will get where we need to be. The rest is up to us!

If I could have I would have!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know what the kicker is @@gamergirl That yes sure you reach goal and life goes on. But you are 70+ lbs lighter. What we make of our new selves belongs to us. How we grow, change, give and receive is entirely our call. No more standing out in a bad way. No one looking at you as if you have no place on this globe. Healthier, able to do more, energy etc.... Rebuilding yourself can be a huge deal.....14 years ago I suffered a severe nervous breakdown. This led to Chronic depression. Which by the way the drugs only take the edge off for me.... When I had counseling I waited with baited breath for the moment when she would tell me that I was going to get better. That I would not hurt so much and carry a load I could not carry anymore. She said " You have to rebuild yourself and find the person you can be now. Learn your limits and except the fact that this is your new life and make what you can of it." What! I went home and tore up all the information that I had regarding depression and started inch by inch putting myself together..Now that is rebuilding yourself...I can never feel true joy or happiness again. I am no longer able. The drugs keep me at an even keel so that I don't tumble back into a nervous breakdown. Losing this weight has been the next biggest struggle of my life and let me tell you I have had some dandy things to deal with in my life that others may have found themselves in a box somewhere drooling. Or worse on the end of a rope.... To me this is all good stuff. Every inch. Every pound. Every experience that brings me that much closer to who I am supposed to be brings a light to my step....A journey it is called because we travel the unknown and can only get to the end when we breath our last. I am not saying this to make light of your above comments. Lord knows we have all been there...But there are some real big changes a head in all our lives and we have to improve more then the lbs. We have to live!!!!! And live some more and pay it forward and help others.......

Well I went to the Chiropractor on Saturday and he asked me to do him a favor and have the pain I was having in my left side checked out. It was not a dislocated rib...Yikes! I said sure and went home to put more heat on it to help with the pain...4 am I woke my hubby up and asked him to take me to the hospital. There they started an IV and gave me some wonderful pain killers. After they did a Cat Scan They found out I have an abscess on my sleeve. The surgeon said he could drain it but did not like to handle Bariatric patients.... Soooooooooooooo he also felt that it was no big issue and that I could wait until Tuesday ( 4 day long weekend here ) to go and find out what to do with it. Nope.. my hubby disagreed. So I packed a bag and drove 1.5 hours away to my surgeon and his team. They admitted me and the next day started antibiotics and pain meds. Yesterday they put a drain in it and drained the abscess. It was pretty ugly stuff. But the surgeon was pleased that it was not a leak...This afternoon he removed the drain and said because no food was in the pouch that I did not have a leak...Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I am on some heavy antibiotics and blood thinners at home...Pains in my side but a quick stay in hospital..not 5 months... 6 weeks I have to go back and he is going to put a scope down my throat and see if some of the staples have wiggled their way to the surface. If so...then he will go in and remove them..... Some fun..It never ends for me...Good times and noodle salad!!!!!!

Thanks for your kind words. Don't get me wrong; I am thrilled with the way things are going for me now but it's time for me to reconcile with the past. After so many years of blending into the background , I sometimes feel like a trespasser in a new world. Every day I make an planned effort to do something the old me wouldn't have done; some days it's taking a "selfie" , shopping for dresses, wearing a leather jacket or signing up for a 5k. I have work to do to forgive the past in order to fully embrace the future. I too feel like a stranger in my own land. No one knows who I am and I find this unsettling at times..The dependence on things that used to be sometimes causes a fear in me that stops my breath.. There is nothing to forgive..you were who you were and you are now who you are...Don't allow the old you to creep in and take charge of your life...Have you not paid enough of a price already! I know I have and continue to do so.... I was in the hospital last week because of an ulcer turned abscess on my sleeve and I could not figure out why all the nurses I knew for over 5 months giving me constant care were so stand offish...I have been there a few times to let them see me as I progress and they seemed cold... All of a sudden it was like a light bulb went off..They did not know who I was after just 2 months....Have I changed that much..Am I no longer me...No I am still me but better. I have learned a lot and continue to build the new me.. I read a few weeks ago a saying that read " Do something that scares you everyday." Well I have to say that I am there..You are as well. How many would really have the courage to keep fighting a battle that has controlled our every existence for so long... I can truly say that inside and out I have grown to be a better person. I have a better understanding of the frailty of life and compassion for those who struggle to change....I am not perfect by no means and I will be the first to say it...But this is a life saving change that we had the strength to endure..Change and learn....We deserve to be proud of ourselves and not look back..Only a reflection of what could happen if we allow food to control us once more...... You deserve this like everyone else here that sat in the back ground and waited to be ridiculed or abused by people who think they had the right...I do not sit by now and allow people to say one thing about an overweight person. Just because it makes themselves feel better about their own hell.. See yourself as a new you..A new person with so much more to offer and give...Reach out!!! Find others to help....It is in you..I promise!!!! Oh as an after thought......I am a leather jacket freak now myself... Always on the lookout for a new style!!! Your awesome.You were awesome...You are still you and you deserve to take care of you.... An interesting quote today said: Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.