SkinnyDown

@@maggie409 What a great thing to share and inspire all of us with! Thank you. You did great!

I was in the hospital for a week, but I still needed help once I got home. I had my sister with me for 3 days after I got home. It was a lifesaver for me.

Thank you, to everyone for your encouraging words. I've learned a lot more about people in this thread. We're all fighting the big fight, and it feels so good to have people around me, who understand what we are going through! I'm always in awe of people who have met their goal, or are so close to it, and how that must feel...as I am still so far away from my goal, but when I think about it....not toooooo many more lbs until I am halfway there! You're all so helpful here, I just wanted to say thanks!

@@Inner Surfer Girl Yeah, swimming is just out for me. Closest pool with Water aerobics is 2 hours away. I just exercise as I can, and hopefully soon I'll be able to walk even better, once I have this knee replaced, and the bone spur taken off the other knee.

@@Soon2beslimSamantha Thanks! Yes, I am 2 months post op. I had bypass, and I had some complications during and after my surgery, so I was in the hospital for a week. BUT....I made it through fine, and everything has been going well since then. Once I got home from the hospital, things got a lot better. I've actually been through way worse, surgically. I am really pleased with my decision. I have not had true physical hunger since surgery. Not sure how long that will last, but I have to remind myself to eat. I have no real cravings, I am not tempted to cheat, I don't even really care much about food. Sometimes I might say, I want something warm, like Soup...but that's about the extent of a craving. I'm glad of that. I also did a lot of therapy before surgery to deal with food addiction issues, why I got big, and self-comforted with food so many years. That has been the biggest help to me.

I wasn't exercising before surgery, and have difficulty now, because I have two bad knees, and a numb leg (from a previous surgery). I have a treadmill that I use on days that my knee is not too bad, and I use a stability ball and resistance bands. I don't think I'll be able to do multiple miles until my knee surgeries, which might hinder the fastness of my weightloss, but I can only do what I can do. People always suggest swimming, but I don't know how to swim. lol So you are not alone if you can't do much, I think it will get easier the more weight I lose. I really try not to compare myself to others here. There are way too many variables.

I almost died from a perforated bowel due to diverticulitis, had months of wound care from serious infections afterwards...then I lost my mother, and I gained yet another 50 lbs and I was at 345lbs, and I was told I was in grade 1 heart failure. My left ventricle is thickening and my heart is hardening...working that muscle way too much, with all the weight I am carrying. I have type II Diabetes, I was on 2 oral diabetes meds, and 2 types of insulin. I took over 20 pills a day. Plus I had a whole host of other things going on with me, (fibromyalgia, PCOS, Hashimotos, High Cholesterol, Chronic skin infections, NASH etc.) that were just not getting better, including needing 2 knee surgeries (1 replacement), that the surgeon won't do unless I lose a significant amount of weight. I guess between all my health issues, and all my attempts over an entire lifetime of trying to lose with limited success, I decided this was it, if I didn't do this, I was surely going to die, well before my time. And when I thought of it....I realized I have more to do in this life. I didn't want to die. I never did this to fit into a specific size, or be "skinny" or "thin". I don't even know what that means. I have been big since I was 5 years old. My goal weight, is 150, and I can't even honestly tell you how long it's been since I was that weight. I was 170-180 in 7th grade, so it was sometime before that. It's hard for me to even fathom being that weight, yet, I keep losing...so I think eventually I'm going to get there, and then what? I don't even know. LOL I guess I'll figure that out when I get there.

@@Texahoan Congrats on your surgery. I think most people are told to get in 64oz a day, but if you have questions it's best to ask at your Bariatric center. As far as how long Water stays in your pouch, I have no idea....but you should be able to sip a lot, it's important to keep hydrated. Remember, call your Bariatric center if you have any serious questions or concerns. We all get told different things.

I was on two oral diabetes meds, and two types of insulin before surgery. I spent a week in the hospital, due to complications, but I was off all diabetes meds and insulin by the time I went home. My A1c is now 6.1 It was 9.2 before surgery.

@@OutsideMatchInside Same here. I told very few people, and have no intention of letting them know now. I got enough bad feedback from some of my family members. I knew after that, to keep the circle very small of people who I really trusted were not going to give me advice, opinions, horror stories, or try to talk me out of it.

I kept getting shuffled around to different NUTs through the entire process. Some were leaving, new one's coming in. So I don't feel I got any solid information or formed a good connection with anyone where nutrition was concerned. The NP is always better for me to talk to, than anyone. I have a new NUT now, who is fresh and new, and tells me, "we don't count carbs" and we want you off all Protein shakes. Well, not counting carbs....that's kind of how I got here to begin with. I count carbs, calories and protein and see how I am doing at the end of the day.

I know that when I had surgery they wanted me to drink 2% milk, because of the lactic acid in it. I have NASH too, and I had a 10 day pre-op liquid diet. All surgeons are different. You weigh over 100 lbs less than I did, when I had surgery, that might be the reason. I'm looking for a good unflavored Protein powder for myself right now. So I'm interested in hearing what others suggest. I am so picky now with tastes and textures of everything. Things I used to LOVE, I hate now, and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. lol Good luck with everything, and welcome!

@@Doubletruble#1 Great question! You have so many good things on your list! I have a list going in my mind.... 2 knee surgeries (as soon as my BMI is below 40, as that is what the surgeon requires. One replacement, the other big bone spur) Whatever plastics my insurance allows. Fix this hernia my surgeon didn't fix because it's so big. Go outside, literally. Unless I have to go to the Dr. or shopping, I rarely leave my home. I'm so self-conscious. I've had horrible issues with OCD, and anxiety in general for many years. I'm hoping losing this weight will eliminate one more thing that keeps me locked inside, like a prisoner. Get a bike. Pink. Start riding around like I'm the wicked witch of the midwest. hehehe Go to Ireland. (It's a lifelong dream. I will be able to walk and bike and paint...which is exactly what I want to spend a lot of time doing. I also don't smoke anymore, 1.5 years ago I stopped. Travel abroad seems like a real possibility) Do even more travelling. I'd love to do Disney and NYC (need to be able to do a lot of walking) Get a dog, FINALLY....because I have wanted one for so many years, and I couldn't get out, and even walk well or long enough to take care of a dog. I want a Boston Terrier, a male, and I'm going to name him Buster! Start singing in public again. I host open mics, and sing online twice a week. But I want to get out in public again, and sing with the kind of confidence I had when I was younger. I was still fat then, but getting bigger and bigger over the years has really taken a toll on my self esteem. Date.

I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard pretty good things about Julian Bakery, they have a lot of low carb items for sale, wraps, Protein bars. A lot of things made specifically for the Paleo diet, on their website, Including no carb, and low carb breads. If I can tolerate bread, which I haven't tried since surgery, I will order a few loaves from Julian Bakery, and freeze. I want to avoid adding more carbs. And I'd like to have a tiny sandwich, I bet I could maybe eat 1/4th of a whole sandwich. lol This seems a good solution for that.

I think many people's pre-op diet right before surgery, is dependent on how much you weigh. I was on a liquid only diet for 10 days before my surgery. I was 322 lbs the day of surgery. It went by fast, was not an issue for me at all. I doubled up a lot on the Protein shakes, that made me feel very full, and the warm broth was comforting. I think some people have a month of liquids before surgery, and others have little or no pre-op liquid diets, or a mixture of liquids and food. It is all very dependent on the surgeon you have. I actually had some serious complications during my surgery, but I still survived. I spent a week in the hospital after my surgery, but I am doing very well now, 2 months post-op.

I love Yoplait 100 Calorie Greek Yogurt. The banana Caramel flavor is omg! 12g Protein, 100 calories, 12 carbs. I also eat Activia Light. As my surgeon wants me to do at least one a day, for the Probiotics. 4g protein, 60 calories, 8 carbs. I like Oikos brand, I'm going to have to try that! .

Awww, well maybe someone will show up. Not sure if this counts for something, but I am a HUGE fan of Die Antwoord. (no pun intended). hehehehehe

@@Cunninglinguist Thanks so much, this was helpful, and I believe I'm on the right track! I know I have some issues with getting enough protein in, but I keep working on it. I have no hunger, so it makes it difficult to eat, when I just don't have an appetite. I'm not complaining though....I love that I don't experience hunger the way I did. Woke up to a nice surprise this morning. 2 more lbs, gone. I am also beginning to love my exercising. I'm off to the grocery store, to buy good healthy foods for me! Thanks again for the response, that was very helpful!

That's very kind of you to offer assistance. You are very positive! If you could name 3 things that you did, that were key in helping you lose the 167 lbs, I'd love to know, as I have a lot to lose, myself.

Welcome! Come on in, make yourself at home.

@@Daisee68 That's exactly how I feel. I couldn't have done this without the therapy.

I guess I am "cray cray" as you say, because I spent almost a year in therapy pre-surgery to deal with why I ate, my food addiction issues, and why I got so fat, and remained fat basically my entire life, that I needed surgery. The therapy was my choice. I'm so glad I did it, in fact, still in therapy, working on adjusting to all these changes. I think, and this is my opinion, that a lot of people lie or mislead these psychologists, because I see an awful lot of people on this forum complaining post-surgery, that they are starving, cheating, craving, and wanting all the same food they ate before surgery. In all honesty, people don't get fat because they love food. They overeat for some non-food related reason. They are putting that much food in themselves because they have some underlying issues. When people don't address those issues, they are basically setting themselves up for failure. Once an addict always an addict. I'm just in recovery. I could fall of the wagon anytime, and I'm reminded of that daily. Luckily I have no hunger since my surgery. Hopefully that continues, as it's a great tool. I hope it all goes well for you.

Are you exercising? I do treadmill daily, and was just told to start core strengthening with resistance bands and a stability exercise ball. I'm not sure if that is helping me lose or not. I think because I weighed a lot more to begin with, we bigger people tend to lose faster, as we have a lot more to lose. Even though I'm down 64 lbs, I still have over 130 to lose to get to goal. I guess I'd ask ....when is the last time you lost 20 lbs in 6 weeks? That's still a lot of weight to lose in that amount of time. I'd consult your NUT, and make sure you are recording every thing that goes into your mouth food or liquid, no matter what it is. I'd also log all the exercise you are doing, to show your NUT, too. Are you doing a Protein, Calorie, Carb count at the end of the day?

Congratulations on your success!

Ohhhh I love the look of Dansko's I think I'm going to try them, as well. I really just want to go back to wearing my Doc Martens, but what's a punk rock girl to do with PF? lmao They really offer no support. I can wear them for a night out, but otherwise, it's me and my Crocs. I love that everyone has found different things that help. I love Birkenstock too, so I could totally see investing in a new pair, I haven't had a new pair since the 90's. LOL Ohhhhh that reminds me.... Are your feet shrinking? Shoes I couldn't even wear before, I can now, because my edema is so much better, and I'm only down 63 lbs, I have plenty to go. I wonder if I'll be a whole different shoe size when I reach goal. Anyone else experience this?