JackieBrown

Heh, you all are great! Thanks for the encouragement. I was noticing my sleeves today, @@Lani789, and they look like I'm playing dress up. I have them all rolled into wide cuffs, but soon my shirts will have to go. Clown pants: oh so true. I never knew a crotch could hang so low! I am transitioning out all of my pull-up pants into ones with real! live! zippers! and waists! and belt loops! Oh darn, am I going to have to buy smaller sizes?! Cry me a river...

Hahahahahaha!

One week stall?! I've been in a month stall! At first I was furious, but then it turned into a long-running joke for me as the inches came off and my gut started to vanish. My husband says the stall is because I save string and rubber bands, so why not this too?

Yay for wonderful grandmas! You're so lucky, and I bet she will be thrilled to pieces when you don't fail. You know she has your back. Soooo happy for you!

So glad I am not alone on this! I swear, this is the weirdest thing. I'm still more or less on a stall, but I actually can see the bottom of my ribs! My size 14 pants are starting to feel a bit loose, and my gym pants kept sliding down when I worked out the other day. I'm not complaining, though...

Excellent idea, and finding losses elsewhere is so much easier for my fragile ego. I need to measure myself, as I haven't done that since right before surgery. Wore my size 14 pants yesterday, down from 20W only 2 months ago, and they felt so wonderful. No thigh chafing! We have to snag (and celebrate) our victories wherever we can find them!

You ladies are looking amazing. What an inspiration for us all!

I read about that. Amazing... some folks have even gotten fecal transplants from skinny people. The upshot is, being overweight isn't just a question of willpower, is it?! Makes me feel a whole lot better...

That is amazing, Bruce! You're sort of like one of those Russian nesting dolls in that video. Good for you!

That is inspirational. Great job!

Torilee, is that a gut bacteria you're talking about?

Really. Crackers, veggies, and cheese are not going to make you feel better. Did your doctor give you that diet? You need Protein and Water, lots of both, as these will help to repair your stomach and whatever else was cut up. You have to realize that your body went through a major trauma (I admit, that's easy to forget as we heal), and it needs your help. Carbs fill you up too fast and curb your appetite for short periods of time. Instead of that, eat those soft cheeses (ricotta, cottage, string), sugar-free yogurt, kefir, soft eggs, and even pureed meats to up your protein. Plus, make sure your water tastes good. I drink bottled water because my tap water is really hard and tastes lousy, so I drink a couple of quarts a day. That flushes lots of the garbage out of your system and also helps with the healing process. Water also curbs my appetite. If you can't get to a gym right away, go out for a walk. Even a brisk trot through the mall is good when the weather is bad. Bring along your string cheese for a snack and always tote a big bottle of water. You'll feel better in no time. Keep us posted on your progress.

You will not believe the difference! I used to be hooked on Advil, but now I feel great as long as I get to the gym once in a while. My back, oh my back feels so much better. Talk about great side effects...

Great news! You should start feeling better soon as you lose weight on the pre-op diet. I certainly did. My knees are so grateful...

I'm sure you will be happy with how your body responds, and self love is a good thing, especially when it means taking good care of your health. When is your procedure?

You look great and sound so healthy. Congratulations!

Congratulations! Sounds like you made the best decision ever. This operation is a life changer, so get ready for a wonderful ride as you turn into a healthy, happy butterfly!

Dang, girl!!!

Keep up the good work!

Any plans for the new year? Are you going to go to the gym more? Throw out all those Cookies you've been hiding? Finally tell your in-laws what to do with themselves? Change your hair color? Get that tattoo of Jim Morrison and/or Elmo you've always wanted? Try on naughty lingerie? Try on your wife's naughty lingerie? Run a marathon? Become a vegan? Hitchhike across the country? Learn to rollerblade? Curious minds want to know. I'm looking into that naughty lingerie thing. I mean, it's Spandex and that has to be good for keeping things up snug and in place, right?

You are my new role model! Congratulations and happy new year!

You all are an inspiration. Thanks for some great ideas!

You look fabulous!

This last year really allowed me to have the tools to achieve something I've been fighting for since I was a teenager: the ability to permanently lose weight. So, when all is said and done, 2014 was a pretty fine year for me. As for the coming year, I'm going to do my best to follow up on the protocol and change into a whole new bod. I've promised myself a really nice new wardrobe when I reach my goals, so bring on the string cheese!