piercedqt78

Yes, I noticed it when I ran myself a bath recently. It's something that I was too big to do before, and I wanted to treat myself for a change. I had a good book, and glass of wine, and some nice bath salts, I lowered myself into the tub, and instantly felt my tailbone cutting into my skin. I took a hand towel and folded it up, and used that as a cushion, so I could enjoy my bath.

I have about 40% of my body covered in tattoos. I have lost 125 pounds, and they all still look great. I'm only concerned about the big one on my lower back shifting when I have my plastics done.

I had my lap-band at UIC. I had a good experience, but Dr. Horgan is no longer there. Who is the current surgeon?

I am also 5'5 and I weigh 115. My doctor told me that he considered me a success at my last appt, at 130. He will be floored when he sees me next month at my 1 year appt.

my best friend had the bypass, and I had the sleeve. He was a bypass patient several years ago, and I am coming up on my 1 year in May, I have lost just as much if not more than him, and he has had more time to lose, and had more to lose. So that's not always true, it really just depends on how you work the sleeve, or any surgery for that matter.

I had severe reflux with my band, I was sleeved last May, and have been on protonix since then. I was at goal in 6 months. I love my sleeve, and I'm glad I did that instead of the bypass, as I can have sugar in small amounts, and the surgery did not reroute, or remove any of my intestines. I don't have any problems with reflux with my sleeve, and I have been able to reduce my protonix dose by half. I will try to stop it all together in May at the one year mark. But even if I have to take it for the rest of my life, I will gladly do that, if that's what it takes to stay thin. Since I can't use most sugar substitutes as they cause my to have severe migraines, I opted to not have the bypass, because that would seriously limit what I can eat, but with the sleeve I do fine with a bit of sugar, or a few extra carbs.

parmesan or a bit of cornstarch I know there are carbs in the cornstarch, but it crisps up really nice, think tempura batter, and takes on whatever flavor you mix it with.

I had my band for almost 8 years. (just 2 months shy) and I did the yo-yo weight loss all 8 years. I never lost more than 50% of my excess weight, and it always came right back on, no matter what I did. I started having issues keeping anything down last Feb (2013) and by the end of March, I had been in the ER 4 times with uncontrolled vomiting. (still didn't lose any weight) I had an endoscope, and a stomach emptying test, nothing abnormal other than reflux in either test. I was also checked for spasms in my esophagus, all normal. I had my band placed in Chicago, and had moved to Florida in the mean time, so I didn't have a band doctor. I knew someone that had just been sleeved, and she LOVED her bariatric surgeon, so I set up a consult with him on the suggesting of my GI doc. Because I was having issues, they waived their program fee and agreed to see me, knowing my band would most likely have to be removed. He did a barium swallow, and saw instantly that my stomach had prolapsed into my band, and the band would have to be removed. This was already the last part of April. The surgeon submitted to my Insurance and they were fine with the sleeve surgery, but didn't want to cover the band removal. How stupid is that???? He called them when they received the reply from the insurance, and told them if they didn't approve the band removal, he would keep me in the hospital on IV fluids and bed rest until they got their head out of their asses and approved me. I was approved within 48 hours, and had my band removed, and the sleeve done on May 8th last year. I was at goal before Thanksgiving. I'm now 115 pounds, and a size 4/6. I have managed to actually get under my original goal. When I get the sleeve I said I would like to be in single digit sizes, for the first time since highschool, I surpassed that goal, and then I wanted to be 135 pounds (that would put me in the middle of the "healthy" bmi scale) now I am borderline underweight. I don't regret the revision for one single moment, and I made him swear to me that he would do my sleeve if at all possible at the same time, and if not in the same surgery then as soon as I was healed I would be sleeved, the surgeon agreed, and the rest as they say is history. I can't tell you how very happy I am.

I LOVE that dress in pic #2. Where is it from if you don't mind me asking.

I'm the same, but I will say that my biggest surprise is when I catch my reflection in a store front window, or like you see a picture of myself. I had my hubby snap pics along my journey, and the first few I didn't think about too much, but then he took one of me recently, at goal, and I thought he took it at a weird angle. I looked so thin, and tall, I thought for sure he had been too low taking the pic and it was a camera trick. Then I saw a pic of myself at a church function and I was the thinnest person there. I asked my hubby if I was a small as a sales lady at Victoria Secrets, and he said I was smaller than her, my jaw must have dropped open, because he asked "don't you know how tiny you are now?" I guess I really don't know it most of the time. I'm in a size 4 and my NUT says I will need to gain a few pounds before I can have plastics done, or I will be severely underweight after plastics. I'm 115, 5'5 and they are projecting removing between 12-14 pounds of skin. Ugh, I don't know if I am willing to gain to have surgery, maybe I will wait and see how my skin fairs over the next year.

I'm going to say no you don't have them. It's a chain of fast food, they make little hamburgers, they are square. The meat is cooked on a grill, but before the meat is put on the grill finely chopped onions are spread out, and the meat is then steamed over the onions. The pattys have small holes in them, to allow the heat and steam to move more freely. They are like 2 normal bites, or 5 or 6 sleever bites. I like them with the weird brown mustard that they use. And I use them to make a yummy Breakfast casserole.

I took my own toothbrush (having had several surgeries, I know that I tend to have a sour mouth after recovery, and hospital toothbrushes are awful. I also took a picture of myself/hubby/and daughter with me, I used it to pre-op to keep me from jumping up and running away. I also took my own socks, I suffer from extremely cold feet, and I have really small feet, so hospital socks are always way way to big. And last but not least my phone and charger, since I knew I would be there at least 3 days. I also took the book I had been reading, but since my mom came and spent the days, and the nurses kept me drugged at night, I didn't read it. If I had been alone I would have read, or worked the crossword puzzle from the newspaper. The nurses brought me a paper each day, after I asked the first morning if they had the paper. Other than that, I brought my needed ID and paperwork, and a copy of my post-op diet, so they could review it with me at discharge, per my instructions. I wore a cotton dress home, so there was no waistband to hurt my incisions, and it was the same dress I wore to the hospital, so there was nothing else to pack/carry. I put it on the morning of surgery, and as soon as I got to the hospital I was told to take it off and put on a gown, so it was on me all of 45 mins. And I would suggest slip on shoes, they are easier to get on and off, and since they were slip ons, I was allowed to wear them when I walked around the floor and to do my swallow test. I would have been grossed out to walk in a public place in just my socks.

I'm almost 11 months post-op, at goal and YES would do it again 100000 times over. I had zero complications, and am now working to actually gain a few pounds back, as I feel I am underweight.

Oscar Mayer P3, they are little containers with a total of 2 oz, they have different combo of meat, cheese and nuts. They are about 120-140 calories, and have 12-15 grams of Protein. They have turkey, ham, and chicken, peanuts or almonds, and cheddar, or colby jack. http://www.proteinproteinprotein.com/ and they are only $1 at walmart.

I sent in my information and I'm waiting to hear back from them. How long did the process take? How are their shakes?

load up on zinc, it builds the immune system, and will help fight off anything that is just getting started. You can get it in couch drops, pills, and I believe a liquid as well.

Oh, I'm in a 4/6 so it won't work for me. Thanks though.

How much are you asking? What is it made of?

At my postop appt, my doctor didn't even ask me how I was feeling etc. Instead he turned and ask my husband how he felt about my weight loss. Even though I 'm a good southern girl, I spent 17 years in Chicago, and don't take crap from anyone. I my hubby looked at me, and I stood up. (hubby just shook his head, knowing it wasn't going to be pretty) and I firmly but politely explained to the surgeon that he was not my husbands doctor, did not preform surgery on him, and he was not the one to be happy/satisfied/whatever with my body, my weight loss or health. That I was perfectly capable of answering questions about MY body, and that from now on he was to address any questions about my body/diet/health/sleeve/weight loss to me, and ONLY to me. He was shocked that I stood up for myself, I guess he is used to women that are heavy being down on themselves, or having low self esteem that he was amazed when I was do forward with him. He collected my chart and left the room. The nurse came in and gave me a copy of my bloodwork as I had requested so my primary care doc would have it in her chart as well. And she gave me a high-five, and said you wouldn't believe how many women let him talk over them, and let their husbands excitement over their new smaller size take over the appointment, and they never ask questions, or get any real medical info from him. As I was leaving, I had to stop at the reception desk to make my follow-up and get my new lab orders, the surgeon came up to me and apologized. And every appointment since he has been very different. I guess I was a bit louder than I thought, as the whole office was aware of what I had said, and even the NUT (different location) knew about it. LOL Sometimes you have to let them know that they are working for YOU, not the other way around. Doctors seem to get on a power trip, and they let that go to their heads.

My drinks in the hospital all came with straws, and when they did my leak test, yep through a straw. I was never told no straw, just to take it slow until the swelling went down. I use a plastic cup from Disney, with Stitch on it and wouldn't give it up for anything. It makes me happy, and I get my water in by using it.

Sorry I have to laugh at your post...sounds just like my mom. The whole telling strangers in a restaurant and I, too, am known as the WLS daughter in her community. To tell you the truth, though, it really doesn't bother me. I am more comfortable accepting compliments and talking to the people that do know than I am facing the people that don't know because I feel guilty about lying if I don't disclose my "weight loss secrets". Oh it's not like I kept it a secret. I am very open about my situation, but when I mention it to a waitress I am discreet about it, not my mom, she is loud and makes sure everyone around hears.

My name is Mandy, I'm 36 and a mom to an almost 13 year old. She was born June 2001. I was born in Jacksonville Florida, and moved all over the country as a kid. I attended 9 schools between kindergarten and graduation. I moved to Chicago in 10th grade. And lived there for 17 years, the longest I have ever been in one place. Then my daughter was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder, and the dryness of the heat being used 7-8 months a year caused her to have excessive bleeding issues. We came to Florida to visit and spent 6 weeks here over her summer vacation. In Chicago she was in the ER at least once a week for severe bleeding. We spent 6 weeks without a single bleed that we couldn't stop on our own. So we went back to Chicago, packed our things, put our home on the market and moved back to my hometown of Jacksonville Florida. My husband is a conductor for the railroad, as was my dad before retiring. My daughter wants to be a graphic designer one day and will be attending a magnet school for performing arts, and digital arts. She is a very talented artist, and I couldn't be more proud of her and her determination to get to her goals. I was a body piercer in chicago and I have worked in some amazing tattoo shops. About 40% of my body is covered in tattoos, and I have won several awards for my tattoos. My artist is like a brother to me, and we have been friends for over 17 years. He has done most of my work, and I will either go back to Chicago or have him come here to visit to do some more work on me. I love to swim, surf, and cook. I am a trained chef, and I can cook just about any style of food, and I'm very popular at church functions, and parties. We have 3 dogs, one Australian Shepard Mix named Kambria, Kammi for short, an English Toy Spaniel Mix named Louie, and a Cavalier King Charles named Leopold. They are all 3 rescues, and I love them like children. We also have 2 red foot tortoises, named strawberry and Squirt. They are adorable, and act like the dogs. lol, they come when they are called, and know when and where food goes into their cage.

I bought a yonanas machine and use to it turn bananas into soft serve. They are perfect when my family has ice cream and I can't. The lactose in ice cream makes me very ill. But the yonanas machine turns frozen banana pieces into a soft serve like texture. You can also use it for frozen peaches, berries, add Peanut Butter or Protein powder into the mix. It's great.

Don't put makeup on abrasions. It sucks, but the makeup will slow healing and may cause some scarring. Try using neosporin cream to speed healing, and clean it with sea salt Water, if you can find H2Ocean, it's great. It's available at tattoo shops, and sometimes hot topic sells it. It's used to help body piercings heal. I have had low blood pressure all my life, and dizzy and fainting spells are common when it gets too low. I eat a ton of salt, and always have gatorade as it helps to increase blood pressure. I can't tell you how many times i passed out when I was pregnant with my daughter. My average bp is something like 70/50. Nurses always double checked my bp, and I would always say, "yes, I'm fat and have low bp". They couldn't believe it was that low without meds.

Yes, and they are only $1 at my local wal-mart. I love the smoked turkey, and the chicken. I don't eat pork, so the 2 ham ones I can't say anything about. I don't mind the fat content, since I use them for lunch and that's not too bad for lunch. I have also used them to make omelettes, and just saved the nuts for later.