terry1118

I am married and still have one adult child at home so I'll have help if I need it. That being said I don't really expect to need help and I don't want anyone 'fussing' over me. I had shoulder surgery 4 yrs ago (rotator cuff & bone spurs) and did fine when left alone. I'm sure this will be easier, at least I'll have the use of both arms, and the recovery is faster. :-) I plan to treat my postop time like a vacation where you are forced to relax. I'm going to walk, read while soaking up the sun on my deck, and if it rains I'll catch up on the Tudors. Also I can research recipes for my new lifestyle, while focusing on getting all my fluids and Protein. This is my plan... but everyone knows what happens to plans!

Definitely inspirational!

Where in RI, if you don't mind my asking? Where did/are you having surgery?

Yet another thing I'm looking forward to. People who've never been heavy really have no idea what bliss something like this can be!

I'm hoping to be like you. I have a pretty high tolerance to pain so I'm not really worried. Can you walk upright? My bed is high (18 inch mattress w 3 inch topper). And short legs. I'm a little worried I won't be able to get in and out of it on my own.

Looking better Feeling better Enjoy hiking again Travel with my husband Fit on the back of his Harley To not feel embarrassed or self conscious in public. To have my husband be proud of me To be more comfortable in the heat of summer and not DREAD it. And related to that - to be able to wear cool comfy summer things and enjoy beautiful weather. Maybe even fit in a bathing suit and go for a swim on a hot evening? THAT hasn't happened in literally YEARS! And on then opposite end of the seasons - to button my coat and still be able to breathe. Maybe walk in a snowfall and not feel like I'm about to have a heart attack. To live my life, not just endure it.

Thanks Dorian! Good luck to you too! Have you tried Tylenol for pain yet? This is my last week to use Naproxin. My doctor recommends not using it for a month before surgery. I will miss it, but only for a little while I hope. I need to start walking more. Another thing to get used to before surgery. The weather is beginning to cooperate finally. I have a chubby little dachshund who will be my walking buddy (he needs to exercise too). 2013 will be an year of change.

Um... I would not consider 82lbs "slow". You're doing great!

How much protein in egg whites? And is it powder form? I like whey protein but am worried about my tastes changing after surgery.

I haven't had surgery yet, either. I am a sz22 bottom and a 2xl top. What's worse is I'm only 5 ft tall so proportionately I look like a weeble and nothing hangs right on me. I would be ECSTATIC to be a sz14. Anything smaller would just be a happy bonus. I want to buy petite clothes, made for my short frame.

I have been "practicing" the habits we need to learn but not necessarily portions. By habits I mean taking Vitamins, sipping Water between meals but not with meals, and getting enough quality Protein. I gave up coffee and wine, but not sugar comepletely... yet. I am working on the exercise. But I haven't tackled portions and still have "cheats", for the same reason most of you do. It might be a LONG time before I gat to eat these things again, if ever. I lost six pounds in th last two weeks but today my coworkers were ordering calzones and I broke down and did too. I have not had a calzone in literally YEARS, and I thought this might be my last chance to have one. And I did, eating the entire Buffalo chicken calzone w/bacon, ricotta, and mozzarella chz. And as always when I over do it, it was not nearly as satisfying as I thought it would be. It was tasty, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't the greatest thing I ever had and I was so full that I spent most of my afternoon feeling uncomfortable. I wish I hadn't done it. I hope this is a lesson learned. I tell myself that I am giving up foods that I've grown to love over the years. But it has been an abusive relationship... I have loved these foods but they have not been good to me. They have wreaked havoc on my health, my self esteem, and my self-respect. They have kept me from doing things I would like to do with people I care about and I'll never get those opportunities back. It is a divorce I should have sought years ago. I like to think I will not miss those foods. I am bound and determined to replace those foods with things I could never do and ENJOY MY LIFE. I don't want to want those foods ever again. I'll need the mental toughness to move forward and not go back.

I have been "practicing" the habits we need to learn but not necessarily portions. By habits I mean taking Vitamins, sipping Water between meals but not with meals, and getting enough quality Protein. I gave up coffee and wine, but not sugar comepletely... yet. I am working on the exercise. But I haven't tackled portions and still have "cheats", for the same reason most of you do. It might be a LONG time before I gat to eat these things again, if ever. I lost six pounds in th last two weeks but today my coworkers were ordering calzones and I broke down and did too. I have not had a calzone in literally YEARS, and I thought this might be my last chance to have one. And I did, eating the entire Buffalo chicken calzone w/bacon, ricotta, and mozzarella chz. And as always when I over do it, it was not nearly as satisfying as I thought it would be. It was tasty, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't the greatest thing I ever had and I was so full that I spent most of my afternoon feeling uncomfortable. I wish I hadn't done it. I hope this is a lesson learned. I tell myself that I am giving up foods that I've grown to love over the years. But it has been an abusive relationship... I have loved these foods but they have not been good to me. They have wreaked havoc on my health, my self esteem, and my self-respect. They have kept me from doing things I would like to do with people I care about and I'll never get those opportunities back. It is a divorce I should have sought years ago. I like to think I will not miss those foods. I am bound and determined to replace those foods with things I could never do and ENJOY MY LIFE. I don't want to want those foods ever again. I'll need the mental toughness to move forward and not go back.