SkinnyDown

@@Inner Surfer Girl ummmm ok.

Essential oil and diffuser user here too!

@@katybelle7 I'm right there with you. It's always about $, sadly. As someone clearly stated in an earlier post, this is not a support group. That's quite evident to me now.

Believe me, everyone is or was talking about us too just like that and worse.... If you're too fat, if you've made great strides to lose, if you look like hell or fantastic...people just love to talk. I generally think the worst offenders are those who have nothing better going on in their lives or who lead miserable lives. They spend extraordinary amounts of time gossiping, talking, etc. As it is, I do have something better going on...off to Open Mic, to host, and to sing! I'm sorry about your co-worker. Someday maybe we'll be judged more about who we are as people, not how we look.

You do have to sadly, be careful who you share things with. I naturally expected the support of my entire family. I did not get that, initially. I think now they are seeing serious results and changing their minds, and some of my family are very supportive, which I am so grateful for. You would think, people who love you...family, friends, would be happier for you, or more supportive, or even know how to act, and not ask such private questions. One of my sisters who in all other aspects has been extremely supportive, said to me the other day...."Get ready for the wrinkles!" I was confused. I asked what she meant. She was referring to my face and losing weight and sagging wrinkly double chins, and face skin etc. Now, I know I am going to be 50 in November, but I actually have pretty good facial skin. I thought for awhile....as I sat there, wow, that was mean. Then I got bold and told her that it was mean, and to mind her own wrinkles, and with her fair skin I can see them even more, and from a distance. LOL Sisters! She had to know I was going to give it back to her. I'm learning to get bolder, and stick up for myself more, that's for sure!

I haven't had any plastics, but I have had a drain before. It's kinda' icky to see it/think of it, but it never hurt, and of course I didn't have to empty it, because I was in the hospital. I think I could have done it on my own though.

Very good points, everyone. I changed my name, and deleted all my photos. I changed/deleted a lot of my private information. I'm hoping to find a way to actually delete some of my old posts. I haven't figured that out yet. If anyone knows how I can delete all previous posts, I'd appreciate the information. I don't normally have to worry about this privacy issue, because I nearly exclusively speak on voice, in all the places I am online. So there is no trail left behind, unless someone records what is being said. Which is usually always against TOS. Honestly, typing is so 1999. I haven't used a forum in many years! Which makes sense why I didn't think of my privacy. I'll come back for information, if necessary, and keep track of my progress. It was nice to get to know some of you. I'm going to try to find a WLS support voice group. If I can't find one, I'll start one of my own! I'm industrious like that. I appreciate this place for all the support I actually did get here. I was lucky to have the help I got when I needed it the most.

@ I agree. That does not seem like a support group to me, either. I pay for enough services online already. I assumed, foolishly, that this place would have been private. I have loved the group too, but unfortunately, there is always a price. I'll take my responsibility for not checking. I've been a member here a year now, and honestly, I think I got this. Any other help I really need, can come from my support team (NP, NUT, Therapist etc.) they do keep my information confidential. The question is....if I delete my account will all my posts go with it? Or, do I have to manually delete each post, Thank goodness it's just 282 and not thousands! This might be The Universe's way of telling me to get off my butt, and off the computer, and move on with life!

@ Thanks for that information. Guess I have to make some decisions.

@@Babbs That's sweet, thank you. I wouldn't have guessed you were my age. I thought you were in your 30's!! I really think for me, it's good genes maybe, and I stay out the sun.

Fruit and chips (if you mean potato chips) are very high in carbs, and I know potato chips are not on my list of can eat, pretty much ever, and only 1 serving of fruit per day. As far as the veggies, it depends on what veggies you eat. Carrots, peas, corn and potatoes are all high carb veggies. Do you count your carbs? The reason I ask, is because pre-surgery I had uncontrolled diabetes, and I used to nod out like I was a junkie, when I ate anything high in carbs. I'd take a nice nap, get up and repeat. Carbs were knocking me out. If you don't feel better, I think maybe a call to your NUT or Dr. would be in order, to make sure you aren't having high blood sugar issues. I hope you feel better soon!

You CAN do this. I have said a cajillion times if not more here, that the key to all the head hunger, is dealing with food addiction issues, in therapy. Don't worry, you are NOT alone! Many of us have these issues, that's how we got to this place. You are doing great! Seriously. You've lost what I have in less time too! Not to make comparisons, but you can't beat yourself up. Not like this. That will only make you want food for comforting reasons. Don't give up or give in...you keep on fighting. Remember, there are people here who care, and will help you as much as possible. Stay strong!

Hi @shayshay85 I had RNY Gastric Bypass surgery on May 20th of this year. I had some complications during my surgery, so I stayed in the hospital a week after surgery. By the end of that week I was no longer on 2 oral diabetes meds I previously took (Metformin and Glipizide), and 2 types of insulin (Minimum 4 injections daily). My A1c went from 9.2 pre-surgery, to 6.1 post-surgery. I have another A1c test coming up on the 17th, and if it's 6.0 or below, my Dr. will consider my diabetes in remission. If I gain weight again, it's most likely I would become insulin resistant again. I have had fairly normal blood sugar readings ever since. I can only speak for myself, but I do believe others here have had similar experiences, and are off all or greatly reduced dosages of their diabetes meds. I'm sure some of them will share their experiences too. I never thought I'd see a day where I didn't have to give myself multiple injections. It's been wonderful, and I'm pretty close to not having to monitor my blood sugars anymore too! My Diabetes specialist told me that herself. Good luck with everything!

@@lmm300missouri You said it all. Beautifully. Typo away, I will read it.

@@Pinkgirl1234 Thanks so much. I'm working on it. Now if I could just get more exercise in. I have two bad knees and am nearing the weight I need to be, to have the surgery. One replacement, the other a big bone spur that needs to be ...well, whatever they do to that. Then I will be able to really walk more. *crosses my fingers* It's hampered my walking a lot. But I'm glad I am still losing despite not really exercising much. I enjoy walking on my treadmill. Blasting music, and just kind of getting lost.

@@ktscott Thanks so much! Good luck to you too! I think it will make a difference, but as @OKCPirate said, there is that factor of genetics. I didn't think about that. Very good point! I have pretty good skin on my face, I rarely go into the sun, and moisturize moisturize moisturize! But basically, 45 years of stretched skin everywhere else, has me looking like the saggy baggy elephant already. LOL Hey, at least I can laugh at it. I've been morbidly obese at least since high school. I graduated 30 years... a longgggg time ago in a galaxy far far away. That's a lot of years of stretching.

This is just my opinion, but I think there might be something to how long you have been overweight. I have been big since I was about 5 years old. I'm going to be 50 in November. Many years of stretched skin, even after losing 82 lbs, in 3.5 months. My body is showing some serious loose skin already. Arms, inner thighs, belly are the worst. I'm about 15 lbs from my halfway mark. I know I am going to have some serious loose skin, to deal with. YIKES! I have a feeling those who are younger, and have not been overweight for long, could probably have enough elasticity in their skin that it won't be too bad.

What I was told, was that you still have to do all the prep, but you get a lot more time to do it. Which doesn't sound very promising. I know I have to see my new Gastroenterologist this month, and I'm hoping he will not want me to have a colonoscopy. He's very good with bariatric patients I am told. So I hope it goes well. This is definitely something I think needs more research. Wish I could help more, but that's all the information my surgeon gave me. I would think the people at the Bariatric center/hospital where you had your surgery could advise you. Good luck with everything, and let us know what they had you do.

I had more phases. liquid, full liquid, pureed foods, soft foods, regular foods

I've had open abdominal surgery before. It takes a lot longer I'm sorry to say to heal and feel normal than having a laparoscopic surgery. Did they give you a binder to wear around your middle? It helped me so much, while I healed. It just keeps everything in place. I was really worried if I bent over that my guts would fall out. lol I know that's so silly, but that's how I felt. The binder was a lifesaver! I hope you're feeling better soon. I know it must be so hard with children to tend to. It will get better. Excellent loss too! Good for you!

First of all, congratulations on getting through all you have thus far. I've been where you are, with wound infections after surgery. You'll get through that, and then be well on your way to recovery! Keep going, and keep us updated!

I have PCOS. I have had the dx for many years, with all the lovely things that go along with it. I have noticed no change in the 3.5 months since my surgery, but I am keeping my fingers crossed! My diabetes has gone into remission. I used to take 2 oral diabetes meds, and I was on 2 types of insulin, 4 injections minimum, daily. I have been taken off 1 major heart medication, and two other heart meds, my Dr. reduced dosages. I had the dosage of my cholesterol medication cut in half as well! I'm hoping for a change in my PCOS status! That would be great! Let's keep our fingers crossed.

@@BigViffer A tiny "KARMA UPDATE" For a person who started out making fun of people's grammar, and spelling, you should really check your own writing. The previous post you made to me, had a few errors. You see, karma works brilliantly in this Universe! To address your latest post. Actually, I know I am not better than anyone else. I can honestly say I was not raised to believe that anyone was better than anyone else. We are all equal. THANK THE UNIVERSE, and mom and dad! I have worth, just as every other human being does. We all have worth. I'm not better than anyone. I don't feed my ego, any more than I would feed my pouch at this point in my life. So, in your Universe, an addict of gambling or drugs is not equal to an addict of food I guess, because you didn't get fat by osmosis. An addict is an addict is an addict. I just don't understand your thinking. I guess you're exempt, because you know, you're better than those addicts. For you to think that you are better than others, is seriously and quite honestly,...not my business at this point. I wish you well, in this Universe. *Walks away*