elfnow

Oh sure, I said it once, 12 years ago, when the best option was the RnY and I just squick a little at the idea of that much plumbing rearrangement. Lap-band was still "experimental" then, according to my insurance. My sister-in-law said something similar back in June when I said I was planning to have surgery "at some point in the next year". Last time she saw me was the wedding, in late July 2013. I was in a wheelchair because of a broken leg and the nicest pants I owned were size 26/28 black yoga pants from Lane Bryant. In October, the pictures of my daughter's first birthday party showed me in all 390 lbs of "at least I can walk now" glory. She asked if I'd had surgery yet, and I said no. And then the pictures I just posted for Easter / Ari's 18-mo .... I'm in a size 20 dress from Lane Bryant, looking gorgeous!! I have awesome hair, a cute waist coming back.... And suddenly I get a message "how much weight have you lost since surgery?!?!" I explained that since starting the pre-surgery liver-shrinking diet.... I've lost about 75 pounds. "More like 77". But about 95 now overall. "Wait when did you start the diet?" "January 27. About 80 days ago. Yeah, it's about a pound a day. That's not really typical, I said, because it's harder to lose pounds closer to your goal weight. I just started so big that the "way out there" pounds come off easier...." The next day, "ARRRRGGHHH WHY DOESNT MY INSURANCE COVER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERYYYY"

Yes sorry for the confusion... I didn't have insurance, we paid out of pocket. My sister-in-law is chagrined to find her insurance doesn't cover WLS of any type. She weighs less than I do now, but we're about the same size.... Actually I'm one size smaller (not that it matters much) but I think realizing that I went from 3 sizes bigger to 1 size smaller in less than 6 months has her gears turning.

The tangy taste is pretty intense!! It takes me an hour or 2 to get through a 20-oz bottle. The apple-melon flavor is almost exactly like a bottle of liquid jolly rancher koolaid.... If you don't like that sour flavor it's not gonna be pleasant. I had no idea that isopure makes a carby version... But thank you for the warning!! I drink 20 oz a day (one big bottle or sometimes 3 little bottles) and I really do feel less hungry and more able to wait to eat.

Isopure!! It's pricey but worth it. It's got NO calories EXCEPT Protein. No carbs!! The taste is tangy, like Jolly ranchers.... I like the apple melon flavor. The fruit punch flavor is pretty good too... Pretty standard fruit punch flavor. They don't taste weird, and if you have Amazon Prime (free 2-day shipping) that makes life MUUUUCH easier. If you don't have Amazon prime, I suggest you get it and order your shakes and stuff thru them... Just be careful because some items come from other sellers and they do charge shipping for that. Anyway, ISOPURE!!!

Also dark / brown is old tissue/blood - I used to have dark "thicker" cycles while on BCP (estrogen/progesterone).... This is just your estrogen being weird!!

Estrogen is stored in fat, and you're burning fat like crazy. This is releasing the estrogen from your body and can give you heavier or longer cycles. For me, I have dark spotting 1-2 days before and for an extra day or so after my "main" days

You're rockin' it!!!! *high five*

Stupid double-post

I get really snacky right around my monthly.... I find that drinking a lot of water helps too!!

No, a longer time doesn't mean anything other than "the pre-cert department has a lot of work to do"

Sleeve Surgery's only been around (in this form) for about 6 years, sooooo.... Yeah. The question is whether the individual person makes the commitment to continue eating like they have a sleeve, or whether they backslide into the unhealthy habits that got them to surgery in the first place.... You can also look for people who have had Bypass for 5+ years and just assume the absorption issues (Vitamins etcetera) is not as much of an issue. But that said, you don't know whether you're going to keep the weight off or regain it based on how other people do.... It's based entirely on you!!

Betcha you ate the extra carbs because you're also close to your cycle, which makes you retain water. Just breathe - it'll disappear and-then-some in a few days.

I'd be interested - I know they don't work long-term but for an evening out they'd help, right?

I wouldn't eat the SF pudding cups but do make SF pudding from the box with milk!!! The pre-made SF cups are full of sugar alcohols...

As long as it's consistent!!

Oh jeez those things are painful!!!!! Get better soon!!

So glad it's not anything blocked!! Some laxatives are harsh!! You'll get through this!

I feel like you might have left something out - have you ever gone cycling? It's pretty awesome!! I haven't ridden my bike in 3 years... And now I am DYING TO.

Amazing!!!! <3!!

How does it measure bone mass? Is it by electrical conduction that it does all this? I have a hard time trusting those things because they depend SO heavily on constant hydration.... I'd never heard of one that does bone mass tho!

Ohhhhhhhhh is that what that means?! LOLOL it must be a regional expression

There can be serious sudden problems like a sudden twist in the bowel... Have you passed gas lately? Get to urgent care. If you haven't passed gas within the last 24 hours they need to know that. ER might be a better plan.

Sophie'sChoice... What does this mean? I am so confused by this sentence.

I like the strawberries and cream flavor too!

Lose what you can in the honeymoon phase!! And keep trying a bite or two of food here and there. Maybe one bite is all you can do but it's still something! Congrats!!!