Cherry

I'll preface this by saying that I have now lost enough weight that I am back in all of my amazing business suits, clothing, and shoes and I am in the beginning stage of returning to work after 4 years. Actually, my suits are getting too big and I have to consider where I'll get the funds to shop for smaller sizes Here is my question: In the business world (think county execs, lawyers, legislators, state assembly, CPAs etc) which is MORE "offensive" (err maybe the word should be "which is more of a turn-off"?: a woman with ugly exposed tattoos on her arms, OR a woman with no exposed tattoos but a shirt that is too tight on perfect breasts (yes, I find it a turn off when I see a business woman with a shirt that is too tight)? Now we all know that what matters is the work ethic and ability to do one's job, as well as a great personality. But I really would like your opinions about my questions: Exposed ugly arm tattoos or shirt too tight on large breasts. Keep in mind, the work colleagues are both men and women. Thanks!

I am one year today. Yes this is my surgery anniversary. One of the best decsions I have ever made. I sometimes eat oatmeal (low sugar or all natural) and each packet is one serving. Is one serving too much???? I used to not be able to finish it - I could make almost 2 meals out of the one package. But now I can, so I am curious if it's too much oatmeal. Thanks

unjury chicken Soup google it - it saved my life. I can't have whey or casein

I am 10 months out FYI... Had breast surgery yesterday. My question is: What is the quickest way for Percoset to take effect: On empty stomach or with food for delivery? What is your experience. Not concerned about nausea FYI. Also, did you break the pill up for faster delivery? And yes, I know I can ask my Doctors but want your experiences please. Thanks!

Have to read all this at length but your stats are similar to mine (I am 5'4 and was high weight 237. 199 when I had my RNY about 10 months ago). What is your age?

So I am almost 10 months out.... my recovery and journey so far has been amazing!!! With exception to a non WLS issue, I have had ZERO problems.... then POOF - about 2 weeks ago my appetite became ferocious. And I am eating too often, and too much through the day..... I am 20 lbs from my goal weight, and nearing -100 loss since surgery. My weight loss has stalled several times and been slow for the past 3 months. I keep a food log, watch calories, fat, carbs, portion size, and I exercise..... I cannot figure out why I have been so hungry though. This is the problem. I had NO hunger for 8-9 months. I have looked at my daily routine, not changed any Vitamins, nothing is really different. I am hoping this just passes....meanwhile I am trying to keep my eating under control..... Also, I gained 3 lbs in the past 2 weeks. Any suggestions or has anyone been through this and what was your result? Also, I am not a food addict - I AM hungry (You can see my stats in my profile and my signature)

just came from the doctor because I am being cleared for surgery (non RNY related) and my blood work showed severe anemia (this has been usual for me) extremely low Vit D (also usual for me) and very low B12 I have had Iron & D prescriptions regularly for many years, but dont recall ever having B12 checked.... So, I know for a fact that INCREASED B12 causes hunger, thus I am a little concerned about taking a B12 supplement. Also, I can find tons of comments on google about B12 increasing hunger. Thoughts? oh and also, I gained 2 lbs and havent lost a pound in 7 weeks now.

If you are looking for anonymity, I would suggest this website and its forums and to void FB. I belonged to a private hidden group once - the 2 admins later had a fight and one booted the other and changed the settings in their drama - the group was exposed for about 12 hours. 12 hours was long enough for many members to be outraged! Also, I like how people here can post their stats, info, blogs, pictures.... On the right side of these forums, all the newest posts scroll - I think regardless of which forum they are posted to. One thing though is that some of the forums here are very slow movers.

I am 9 months out - hot dog is one food I have NOT touched yet. Doubt I will..... how far out are you and was it an all beef hot dog?

personally, if you are settled and progressing with what you are taking, then DO NOT change it.... I HATE the smell of coffee and have to deal with it in the office ALL DAMN DAY LONG. Also, I am 9 months out and no matter how many times I brush/floss/rinse, I have bad breath. I refuse to eat mints all day. Just be a little more discreet - such as change your cup washing habits maybe. Perhaps get a really nice smelling air freshener to keep near your desk. Your post kind of made me angry at the intolerance of people to simple things. If the diabetic employee has a certain diet that causes them to have stinky gas all day (yes a co-worker), and someone said to them that they smell, I would FLIP. They have made great compromises without having to jeopardize their diet.

Having surgery next week (unrelated to my RNY) and in a ton of pain tonight. I am 9 months post-op. I have NEVER taken pain meds since surgery. What can I take tonight and how many? I have taken only a few NyQuil tablets thanks

thank you all..... Didn't have Tylenol but did have/take an acetaminophen - then went to bed. Had no adverse effects and I think it helped with the pain..... however, it is 830am and I am once again in pain incidentally, I am seeing doctor again today to get the surgery date for a left breast lumpectomy and node removal (thankfully benign). Hopefully it will be next week.

I think hubby treatment killed my sex life. I actually wondered if this was the case for myself too since I thought we were headed for a separation.... but it may not be. I have ZERO interest in sex - not with him, not with another, and not even with myself.

I can say that I do feel sexier.... however, I have lost ALL sex drive. I have wondered if it was a hormone thing. My hubby is fantastic <sexually>, but I have wondered what the heck is up with me. I look amazing and can wear anything with confidence.

did your friend explain why she lost her desire by any chance?

I am 9 months out. I am doing great. My weight loss has been slow and is slowing down. I know how I should be eating as well as how much but I suddenly feel so lost about it this week. I dont know why this is. Would anyone who is a year out, be able to post pics of their meals?? Like, post a picture of your plate with the food on it, or your bowls of soup or salad - anything. This would be so helpful to me. Even if you can post links to other pics, I dont care. Thank you!!!!

Consider this - it may seem a little sad or a totally different topic, but this is honest: I had a friend that I grew up with in school. She was a skinny bean pole, quiet, and not happy. She was also very flat chested. We lost contact after HS and life moved on. 10 years after, I ran into her and she was BEAUTIFUL - 3 kids, happy, successful and large chested. She liked me a lot and it was probably something she felt obligated to say so she sprung it on me that she had gotten breast augmentation. Honestly, I would not have cared - and it really wasn't even my business. HOWEVER, it has stayed in my mind since then. When I see her now, I never think of her as the beautiful friend, mom of 3, happy successful friend - and although I have not labeled her, I think of her ALWAYS as my beautiful friend with breast implants. Personally, although I mean no harm by it, I WISH I WOULD NOT THINK OF HER THIS WAY. It is neither mean nor purposeful and I love her dearly. I would have supported and I DO support her augmentation. But my point is that I will ALWAYS think of this now. I NEVER wanted people to do this with me and my RNY. Additionally, I too have breast implants - another surgery no one knows of nor needs to know. I was heavy when I did it so it was not immediately obvious to anyone. Now that I have lost a sh*t-ton of weight though, I think people wonder how my boobs are still so "fat". Even those who dont judge nor ever intend to, will indeed label you - this includes your family and closest friends. I am not telling anyone what to do, and for the most part I never really gave a crap what others thought of me. Also, my 2 brunette friends who had breast cancer and got implants, are not remembered as "Cancer survivors". They are constantly labeled the Boobie-Twins. I know people mean no harm by this, but still......

Actually, when I am out w/friends &/or family, I have just found that if I skip appetizers, Soups, salads, then I can eat 1/2 of a small 7oz steak with some of the veggies.... I constantly say that one of the ways I have reduced my weight is by reducing the portions and eating more often through the day. No one has really questioned it. Sadly, I have also found the serving sizes of other people's plate to be disgusting and I constantly feel ashamed that I myself had eaten portions of such size. My smaller portions have also made my sister feel embarrassed for her own over-portions.

ok... I am not BP but I have to say that I think you sound TOTALLY NORMAL!! The surgery and decision is a big one and can be overwhelming.... however, what you went through with approval sounds like enough to drive any person to want to stick a fork in their own eye or SOMEONE ELSE's eye!! Seriously - we are all just numbers in a system when it comes to many things and seems like you were treated rather poorly..... so aside from the surgery and psych and meds, I hope you are seeing a good therapist and can discuss this with you. I dont like to use the term 'victim' but I think you were rather victimized in your insurance journey. Meanwhile, Feb 10 is around the corner. Are you seeing a nutritionist yet and starting a pre-op eating plan? And I must say that the part in your story about adding weights, gave me a good chuckle. I almost did the same myself. I never in my life thought I would want to weight more than I really did until I went through the approval procedure.

I had a secret surgery - and I mean SECRET..... Aside from my surgeon, only my husband knew/knows. I am 9 months out. I NEVER regretted keeping this a secret. I joined this forum and only those here know. Last week I had a breast cancer scare and saw several doctors, of which different family members came to different apts. That was tough because I HATED that I had to reveal to each doctor, my surgical history. I did well though with keeping my family from hearing. I was told I was INSANE for doing this without ANY help.... My husband was out of state for work and was scared for me and didn't approve because I went through it all alone. I had one friend drop me off (lied to her why I needed ride to hospital) and had a different friend pick me up (also lied to that friend why I was there). I then took care of myself alone for the entire time. 6 weeks later, my Doctor cleared me to travel and I drove 500 miles to where husband was working. So here is an issue I am facing.... I am 9 months out, and down 100lbs. People have indeed noticed the loss. I was VERY careful to not plan dinners with friends or go to restaurants with family - and if I did, I would generally say I wasnt too hungry or I didnt feel so great. I used the excuse of menstrual cramps pretty regularly. NO ONE questions those. Do I feel a bit like a fraud? eh well yeah a little bit. Do I give a flying f*ck - NOPE. I could care less if anyone THINKS I had bypass. I did have a family member ask me - and I burst out laughing in her face saying "seriously, you think I could have hidden a major surgery like that????"

I dont see any stats for you such as age or starting weight. I have NEVER EVER lost weight quickly in a week. At most I lost 4 lbs in a week and I did everything right. However, I was only 199 on the day of my surgery (as opposed to some larger people who lose a lot of weight quickly). I think you sound like you are doing terrific though! I am assuming you had a RNY?

I am a former athlete who has ALWAYS hated exercise. Gym or at home gym is YUCK, ew, boring, lame.... I dropped nearly 100 lbs after RNY without doing one exercise.... then reality struck: I am jiggly and my body is all out of shape. Although I feel better and I am not winded, I have little to no strength. I cant tell you where to find motivation but I can give you some suggestions: Find an activity you love. It could be walking the dog, playing fetch with him, a sport such as racquetball or volleyball. Consider some type of dance class - there are places/studios etc, that are not gyms. I take hoop classes. I also like Yoga. I did join our gym and wish I could afford a trainer but I cannot. What about music??? If you find some music that you love, you can rock out in your own home in front of a youtube video. Youtube has amazing 3 min to 30 min videos. When you go to the stores, park out far. Walk around the store a lot. I dont know where you live, but if it's where there is snow - go shovel! Shovel for your neighbor even. You can do tons of leg exercises in bed too - might not be cardio, but will help you stretch and wok muscles. Losing 10 lbs of fat and replacing it with 10 lbs of muscle is a goal many people should have. I can think of more and might post again, but I HATE exercise. I can tell you though that skinny feels good and you can stuff fat into pants, but having muscle and tone feels better. If you have stairs in your house - go up/down them 10x/3x a day even.

I just read this to my husband with tears in my eyes. I am AMAZED and excited for you! Keep up the life change. I am 9 months post-op and my life is changed as well. xoxoxox

I am 9 months out. I did amazing - one of the best decisions I have EVER made..... almost too good to be true. Driving home from a get together tonight, my husband wanted to stop at dunkin doughnuts. We did and he got a doughnut and I had a munchkin (only 1). In the car ride home I said to him, "OMG this tastes gross, do you remember when I could eat 10-15 of these? Do you remember when I was ADDICTED to them and stopped almost every day?" He responded, "Yes. Do you recall when you would ask me to stop on my way home from work and get some and I would say no? Do you recall all the fights we had because I wouldnt stop and didn't want to contribute to your munchkin addiction? You were crazy about it. You were out of control." Yes, he was right! In retrospect I DEMANDED he get them. If he didn't I would be LIVID and angry. I dont agree with him tonight 100% but I can look back now and see how nuts I was about my foods. I am sooooo glad those days are behind me.

I am glad Terry is a part of your journey. It was not totally that way for me. I have posted about it here before so wont rehash it. But I LOVE your comment about :