Momonanomo

you ROCK! thanks for sharing --- you do inspire us!

I relate SO much to what you're saying. Brava to you for being so strong. You've clearly got your head in the right place for this upcoming journey. I wish you the best, and I'll be following your story. LOL and I'll literally be following right behind you to the loser's bench! We're May buddies (so long as nothing changes with my plans -- 5/22!)

thanks ladies! Vicki, you should just plan a little vacay out this way as a reward for getting to goal I do have good support around me thank goodness. I can tellmy dad is concerned (he is the strong silent type) and he may well "wear down the carpet" as you say Jillian but when I asked them last night if they minded it beign that day, my mom said "heavens no". phew! Aw thanks L...Ya, I was thinking the same thing as far as "home base" being closer to Castle...heck maybe we'll split the difference and stay half country half & town (Kailua / Kaneohe are considered country, right? ) I've decided (for now) not to attend the support groups here on my island....it's too small town. I might make myself go anyway if not for the wonderful friends I'm making on this website! Your support has been priceless. I raise my glass (of non-carbonated water) to you all! Mahalo! xoxo

Yowza ! You are looking fierce! Great work on getting rid of 70lbs --- gone forever! I love that dress BTW Congrats!

I based my decision to tell only a select few by reviewing my history. My previous weight loss efforts had been more successful when it was less public. Of course I've never kept the weight off for more than a year but that's besides the point The big picture thing for me is that I don't want having had WLS to be my identity to the people in my world. I've told only those who really need to know, or who I know will be supportive. I will never lie if someone asks, but I'm not announcing it.

I whole heartedly agree what what the others posted! And I challenge the use of the word "cheated"...you planned for this, you strategized your portion control, and you had a healthy dinner after instead of continuing to eat not-good-for-you stuff. I'd say that's stellar behavior, not cheating! Great job! Congrats on your upcoming wedding and on your continued success!

Think of it this way: Have you ever regretted NOT eating the donut But omg a car trip with kids and donuts.......may the force be with you

Awesome awesome awesome! I hope I am able to do as well You are an inspiration. Here's to your continued success!

You're not THAT far away from 125 in the grand scheme of things. Don't work on the ultimate goal right now, work on the next goal. Which you could choose to be not even scale related. Maybe make your goal to be to weigh, measure, and track your food for a week or two. I think you'll find a lot of satisfaction in setting and achieving a goal, regardless. Try to keep your thoughts positive It's not "You are what you eat" it is "YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK" gloomy winter is over, yay!

just had mine 2 days ago. i went in there with the mindset of "well if there's some reason i shouldn't have this surgery, let's find out, and let's address it" -- this is how I've approached ALL the testing. we talked for like an hour and a half. started with asking my height/weight, weight history, past attempts at weight loss, my family & their health, my marital status, is DH supportive, questions about whether I have bulimia or anorexia, and do i use food for comfort and eat emotionally. She asked me to explain my understanding of the surgery, how it's done, what it does to my body, what the risks are, what the eating plan is during recovery as well as 2 years out. She asked me to tell her my expectations of the surgery. She asked me to talk about the reasons I want the surgery, and the reasons I want to lose the weight. She mentioned several times the dangers of alcohol (family history). Then i took some silly T/F written test, which she told me to not overthink when she handed them to me. And they really were kinda silly, and I chose to take her advice and not over think them. She sent her report in approving me yesterday. So either she feels that I'm an excellent candidate for surgery, or she thinks I need the surgery asap! I think it's just cuz I'm ready. It's not so bad. Think of it as a conversation with a friend. You'll be fine.

I'm also pre-op and think about this a lot. IMO this is where setting realistic goals comes in, rather than just getting surgery and floating along to see how much I'll lose. OP herself has goals listed above her ticker. At some point these goals were important, that's why she typed them in. So when we get to a point that we're comfortable/complacent, it's time to re-eavluate the goals. If the goal is still important and seems realistically attainable, then the hard work should be done to push to achieve it. If the goal, now that it's closer, seems less important or is unrealistic, then perhaps the goal should be changed. The important things though are that: 1) it is not good for your soul to always believe you have this goal out there that you had set but never achieved and 2) it IS good to have realistic, attainable goals, otherwise we live on "autopilot" ...and I dont know about you guys but that's kinda how I got to this point in the first place

hey girl! You're doing great! Since we're similar starting stats I'm really finding inspiration in you! Sounds like you've really got your head in the right place about the inevitable stall. No worries, you're going to conquer this and any other stalls that come along! Your pics are REALLY showing the difference Thanks for posting!

wow.

I used to use tanning beds... then I just moved to Hawaii! I know tanning isn't the best for us, but I'm not going to lecture. I would think that exposing the incisions to tanning rays (in a bed or outside) would increase scarring, but idk for sure that's true. omg I used to LOVE the tingle lotion! But my experience from what I used to use, I would say NO WAY would I put that anywhere near an incision!! Sounds kinda painful. The biggest reason that comes to my mind for me though about tanning right after surgery is this....the beds typically make you sweat (even with a fan on) , and since you're going to be having to work EXTRA hard to stay hydrated in the days after surgery, I think that's kinda dangerous. I've read over and over on VST that it happens to our friends even when they're not tanning, just recovering from the surgery. Getting dehydrated lands people in the hospital. Maybe best to take a little break -- why risk it? Give yourself every possible chance to have a smooth recovery. The tanning bed will wait for you, and you'll have plenty time to catch up before summer time

Vicki ! I see a really big difference! that's awesome!

not worth the risks IMO. This is from livestrong.com, but there's info all over the net. Wound Healing In a 1992 article published in the American Journal of Medicine, the relationship between smoking and wound healing was analyzed and documented. Author P. Silverstein described the alteration of wound healing secondary to diminished blood supply to the wound caused by constriction of blood vessels by the nicotine in tobacco. He went on to say that nicotine also contributes to increased platelet adhesiveness which, because of the increased tendency to stick together, increases the risk of thrombotic occlusion, or the development of blood clots Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/234656-the-effects-of-smoking-surgery/#ixzz2Ox2oxnkH

i agree with what everyone is saying, and I'm also saying that there is an employee's rights issue component here, and saying so in those terms should get you your employer's support. Regardless of if you are shaped like Kate Moss, Dolly Parton, or Adele, NO ONE should be making comments on your body while you are working. You simply should not be subjected to it on the job. Report it to your supervisor if you work for a company and let them handle it. If you are an independent contractor, then a brief, professional (and firm!) statement from you should do the trick. YOUR body is not for THEIR discussion! and, f them anyways congrats on your 30 lbs!!!!

more i think about this, i'm quite a bit bugged about this from an HR point of view..... they have no reason or right to discuss your body, regardless of what shape it is in. Perhaps they need to be told that!

I am always amazed that there are people in the world who make themselves feel better by trying to put people down. How pathetic these people are !!! i agree with Susie -- you will have the last laugh. You are already a good, qulaity person, and you are well on your way to being fit, happy and healthy. THEY however, will more than likely always remain petty, repulsive little clods. bleccchhhh.

the side by side comparison is really interesting! I was surprised that the protein grams don't follow the pattern that the fat and calories do.....verrrry interesting. Just glancing at it, I'd say ground turkey looks like an all around best choice. Hope my post surgery tastes change enough to appreciate ground turkey over ground beef. I am such a red meat kind of girl right now. . . .

Oh I TOTALLY feel the same way -- and I had a sleep study done recently too that said nothing was wrong. So I figure the extra weight I'm carrying around is what makes me tired. How can it not? (grammy the suitcases metaphor is awesome lol) I've been concerned because many people on here say right after surgery they are tired easily; I guess that's to be expected in immediate recovery. But I have faith that once some of the weight begins to come off I will feel better (I'm pre-op btw). The whole energy thing is a huge reason why I'm getting WLS. I'm tired of being tired!

I'm impressed that you've traveled and been SO on the go since having surgery so recently-- what a trooper! That was really great of your sis to have all the supplies waiting for you; that's so supportive. Especially when she was getting ready for her wedding I just wanted to say that I've heard flying causes water retention, so if you weigh on Thurs after flying on Wed., keep that in mind -- your actual weight loss for the week will actually be better than what the scale says. Congrats on your progress!

lol great story! I will try to remember that when I get to the seemingly inevitable "what have I done?" stage. Isn't it nice to know you've got someone who's so ready, willing & quick to come to your rescue if you're in trouble!?!?! Too bad about the door, but the intent was noble

for the sweet tooth recipe try going to the spark recipes website and search ricotta custard. High protein & low carb -- can enjoy it warm or cold (when cold it's like cheesecake -yum!) Probly need to sub splenda for sugar on some of the recipes. Sounds like you're really in the groove congrats on your successes! I'll be on Oahu on the 4th for my next round of appointments....

You look so beautiful! great work! very inspiring