Boofster

Please, all those skinny chicks that have only the basketball belly and are back in their pre-preggo jeans on the way home from the hospital ate less than you will with a sleeved stomach, and nobody was warning them. In fact, their OBs were probably congratulating them on not gaining too much weight. If you wait the optimal amount of time before getting pregnant (I think 18 months?), I am sure you can make it work -- maybe you will eat more often rather than more in a sitting, more vitamins, protein, fluids, etc. The person to talk to is your OB-GYN and a nut.

Bunny, that's pretty stunning about how it "doesn't count"...but I believe it!! Whatever...we rock!!

Yep, that I didn't do it sooner. But I am sooo glad I did!!

Way to go, JayneD!!! Rock it!!

I tucked mine under my back.

No one in my department at work knows. In the past two days, two people have come up to me and said, hey, you lost weight, you look good, I can tell. I haven't said much in return, just mention that I'm eating healthier, etc. and before I really get the chance to say anything, they say, well you're doing it the "right" way, at least you didn't have like gastric bypass or anything drastic like that! See the mentality?? And these are not thin women . . . <shrugs>

Bobbi Brown makes a good bronzing powder too... Bobbi Brown bronzing powder in medium. It expensive (about $36) but is great on even pale skin like mine (I got Dad's German skin). It got great reviews from almost all who use it.

KK66 is right on! If you're doing self- tanners, make sure you put a bit of lotion on first around elbows, ankles, etc. Watch out around eyebrows, hairline...you don't want Lindsay Lohan face. Don't forget earlobes too, in case you wear your hair back. If you're doing spray tanning (Neutrogena makes a good spray) do it in the garage or out on the deck or somewhere it won't get on floors and make them slick - I've almost killed myself doing sprays in the bathroom. The funky smell (and yes, almost all self-tanners have them) is the chemical that turns your skin golden. I do like Jergens, L'Oreal Sublime Bronze, and Clarins gel (good but pricey). Google "good self-tanner" or join Makeup Alley (free) for awesome reviews on self-tanners and also any kind of makeup, creams, hair care, etc. It's awesome. HAve fun!!

THanks...I was wondering what I could move on to. I do Tae Bo but it's getting a little repititious...has anyone tried Tony Horton's 10 minute trainer? I don't think I could do P90X but 10 minute trainer looks do-able.

You look fantastic!! Congrats!

SleeveGirl-TX, FANTASTIC!!!!!! What an inspiration!!

OMG, such an inspiration!!

Amen, Kristy Lee.

I'm a pretty open person, generally. At work (a very conservative department in a very conservative-cultured company) I've only told 2 people - one in HR, and one friend in another department who is a band-to-bypass patient at my doctor's practice. If asked, I kind of head them off at the pass and simply say I'm eating less, making better choices, and exercising (totally true). No one bats an eye. And if I'm super dense and it turns out they suspect something else is going on, then let them talk. It's a medical based company, and I deal with HIPAA all the time, so I'm down with all the privacy stuff. I just figure, it's no one's business, and will remain that way. I've told close friends, family and some of my son's friends' moms. Only a select few have commented in a positive way. Some have made really dumb comments ("get ready to throw up all the time") and a few look at me as if I've just announced I'm having gender reassignment surgery. Some don't comment at all. Either they don't care or are a bit envious. So no, I've not really received a ton of support from those I've told, which to me further justifies my choice for not telling co-workers.

It will happen! I go through stalls all the time. I'm getting used to them. Body loses a block of weight, then levels off for a while, then another little chunk comes off. Two months out and I'm down 27 lbs. Compared to some others, I am a slow loser, but I'll take it. You'll see - in a little while you'll look back and go, what was I freaking out about? Have faith!!

That's fanfreakingtastic!! Way to gooooo!

I would like to try... A THONG.

You'll do fine! Good luck. In a few weeks you'll wonder what all that nervousness was about.

Hope you are feeling better soon! Can't wait to see pics. I will probably need plastics on the belly (a tuck would be nice) but it won't be covered and out of pocket isn't possible. When the insurance company approved the VSG, they sent me a letter saying hey, we approve your surgery and good for you for taking this step. The next paragraph was, don't even think about getting plastics because it's not covered. LOL!! Anyway, good on ya! Feel better soon.

I've found that I stick to a weight for a few days to a week and then get on the scale and a little block of weight comes off (3-5 lbs) all of a sudden. I am a slower loser too but the inches are coming off like crazy. Smaller sizes are now baggy and the things that fit 2 weeks ago are starting to look gross. Hang in there - it will happen! You don't see anyone on this site 8 months down the road going I've only lost 15 lbs!! ))

Yum! My sister does this but adds a few shreds or cubes of potato on the bottom instead of crust. Gonna bookmark this!

The Syntrax Nectar Vanilla Bean Torte rocks. I used to add Mio in tangerine/orange for a creamsickle flavor or unsweentened cocoa powder to do chocolate (go light on the cocoa powder if you do this - it's really concentrated). Really good. Also, I find the Atkins Milk Chocolate ready-made shake to be pretty delish. 15 grams protein and only 1 gram of sugar. 160 cals. Still drink one every day (almost 8 weeks out).

You get used to not drinking with meals. Occasionally I will have a small sip if I am eating something really dry, like chicken, which still does not go down well (7 weeks post op). You obviously can't gulp down like you used to, and that you become accustomed to as well. I've never really been a soda/pop drinker, but I imagine you could eventually try a small amount and let it go flat (I've heard). Now, if I had to give up Crystal Light, they'd have to take me out in a straightjacket... that, Vitamin Water Zero and Atkins protein shakes (milk choc) are my daily go-to's.

Sounds like a bit of jealousy or bias On the trainer's part got in the way. I'd prolly look for another trainer. As someone whose main concern is health and vitality, I think she definitely could have been more positive. You want someone who inspires you, right? When I told a good friend of my plans for surgery, she said "be prepared to throw up a lot." I laughed at her ignorance and left it alone. People say the dumbest things. And I haven't barfed once. On the flip side, I went to the dentist for a cleaning & checkup today. The hygienist asked if here were any changes in my health. I told her about the surgery and my weight loss,and that i was off all my meds. She lit up like a Christmas tree, hugged me and said I looked great. She asked a few questions about the surgery and congratulated me again. You could tell she was genuine in her happiness for me. Good luck, and kudos to you for hitting the gym!

My mother always said there is a difference between hunger and appetite. I try to remember this when feeling what I think is hunger and wait it out. If it persists, I am hungry. If it passes, then I think it's just appetite or head hunger. It's hard to break our old habits of just eating because we think it's time, or we're bored, watching TV, driving, etc. We have the physical part down (smaller stomach) but the mental part is something we'll always have to work on. Wait until you're on solids - you'll likely feel more restriction. I am six weeks out and still can't really eat chicken breast, tuna, eggs, or any kind of dense bread (not that I'd want to) without a kind of choked up feeling. Shrimp, soft fish, low fat cheeses, Protein shakes (love ATkins milk choc) and lots of Chobani is how I get my protein now.