CanyonBaby

And we DO expect a little sashay, now, just a little...... Too awesome for words!!!!

@@devillynn A totally chicken conversation! Hey, what do you do with your chickens when you have to go away for a few days? Can they be self-sufficient if in a safe enclosure? I am seriously considering getting some, but we often go away for a few days, and I don't have anyone to care for them for me. Any ideas?

You sure are a bright spot on a cloudy day! Well done on your successes!

It's not just the liver the doctor is looking at, it's your sincerity on following a plan that will potentially save your life. You are in charge of that, and no one else. I imagine you were on a pre-op diet for a longer period of time in order to get your liver to a manageable size for surgery, so it is a big deal. The surgeon does not want to harm your liver, so we have to shrink it as much as we can beforehand. My suggestion would be to get back on your plan and stay on it. You have to give yourself tough love to get through this. And be prepared, AFTER the surgery is NO PICNIC, if you have read what people who have had the surgery are writing. It is the most difficult thing to do for most people. For me, the pre-op was a picnic, the rest is just plain hard work. FOREVER.

@@Swampdoggie I was that way, years ago, before all the surgeries and weight gain got the better of me. Then it kind of flip-flopped, and here I am. Not looking. Not liking what I see. But we are working on changing this (who is WE? Me, myself, and I...we're in it together, for better or worse!). Up and down the stairs I go again!

You seriously need to talk with your doctor and surgeon about this, and do it NOW. You don't want a whole lot of complications that put you in dire straits. All of this NEEDS to be figured out BEFORE you go into surgery, And if your doctors don't know what to do, GET NEW ONES! All the best to you...

1. "I DO look skinny today! And HEY! I don't just LOOK it, I am SKINNY TODAY!!!" 2. "Hubs DOES love my new body, does YOURS? Might be time for a change!" 3. " I DO feel better being slimmer. Do you?" (and give that famous up-and-down all-knowing look while you're at it!) 4. "Why, yes! I will get a pedicure. Want to join me, I see you're due, as well!" 5. "Oh, please, give her my number. Maybe this time it will work for her!"

Yes, I am intrigues by the lemon flavored ones (I am a sucker for lemon-anything!!!) and the apple pie flavor. These are the flavors I always liked to bake with, so I hope this will take their places! Let me know what you think of them, too!

I think I would stop explaining, and just do it. They could come with you to the informational sessions, or to the surgeon's visit, or to your dietician's visit. Then they could ask real questions and get real answers. Sometimes it takes one of the professionals who specializes in this to get it through to family. But it makes you wonder sometimes......

I've tried the Premier Protein bars (YUCK!!!). So I have ordered off of Amazon.com the Quest bars, sampler pack. Should come today, I think. I'll let you know how I find them. But we all have different tastes, soooo..... The Premier ones were like drywall mixed with glue. Awful. I have a couple of boxes of them headed to the food bank. Sorry, food bank...... Let us know what you find, ok?

Try using unflavored protein powder instead of pre-made shakes. All that artificial stuff may be making you ill. You can add the water enhancer drops, a little at a time, to the unflavored protein in your water (make the water tepid), to the sweetness you can tolerate. Hopefully this will improve your ability to get more in without throwing it back up. Try little sips, but keep them coming, spacing it out a little. Swallow, let sit for a bit, swallow some more. Gentle and slow. The tepid water isn't as offensive tot the new tummy. Let us know how you do!

This is a long road, traveled for a long time. And I believe time heals all wounds. My mother told me this when I was very young, and I, at that time, could not understand that. But it IS true. There are many wounds to heal, physical AND emotional, from like what some of you have said, self-abuse. It, too, is true. The fact that I am LOOKING in the mirror is a small miracle. Ugly has many faces, but I think beauty has more. Looking past the physical and emotional scars is challenging, at best, but not impossible. I have great support at home, but it ultimately comes down to just ME. I am reading your words, and taking them to heart, but it WILL take time, just as it has taken much time to get to this point. Again, I thank you all for your support.....

Awesome plan! You are truly an inspiration to us all! Thank you....

Beautiful picture, just BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Can we do an obituary for Herman???? Maybe any last thoughts, comments? Keep us posted, it is SOOOOO GOOD to hear such accomplishments! And GRAND news about the diabetes! HUGS to you!!!

@@Dabliss111114 I am right there with you! I, too, haven't taken any photos, even prior to the surgery, for YEARS! Just can't do it. I have never, even in my thinner days, been a photo person. Selfies? Not on your life! This all goes way back to childhood, parental approval, spousal approval, SELF approval.... but it doesn't change. At this stage in my life, I doubt it ever will, and I'm ok with that part. I LIKE me. I am a good person. I try to do the best with what I have been blessed with. And I can forgive myself. But that bloody mirror....what to do with it? How about LIVE with it? Accept my flaws, accept that I am human. Accept that I am getting old. Accept that I am SLIM! Take THAT, mirror!!!!!!! You write to me, Dabliss, whenever you want....we connect!

You have a full plate (no pun intended)!!! No wonder you are in a tizzy! Maybe it's time to step back and baby yourself a little. Who needs it more?! You are a very busy person, but do you take some time for you? Have you set aside quality "me" time? Maybe you should! Why not make a list of things you love to do, anything from small hobbies to great travels you'd like to take? Then, as time and funds permit, when these harder times hit you, go to that list and pull out something wonderful! Anything from a quick cross-stitch kit to booking a kayaking trip, window-shopping at a high-end shop or doing a 5k run. All kinds of things, things to LOOK FORWARD TO!!! To pull you up and out of those snack-times, those hard times. Instead of going to the Snacks, go to the event. Even if you can't do the event at that moment, you could research it, pack for it, plan for it...... it gets your mind off the snacking. Always have a hobby at the ready, something for your hands...to keep them busy. Do it while watching the TV or talking on the phone. Have it readily available so you can just grab it. I do crochet, and it helps me keep the hands busy, my mind busy, and I can watch my favorite programs at the same time! If you DO need to snack, have it pre-portioned (such as an ounce of almonds, cheese cubes, jerky) and ready to grab. I pre-portion things like this in divided containers that I keep on the pantry shelf. Just grab and go. And the high Protein snack helps get me through to meal-time. Just enough salt, crunch and chew. I bought a lot of these containers, so I could fill tem once a week and have it ready to go. No more fiddling around in the cupboards! We all go through these hard times, just know you are not alone! We are here for you!

@@NikkiDoc I agree, I think the test needs to be redone. And it will be in June. I DO have a bad family history with cholesterol, and I think it is just the way it is going to be. Most meds I've taken don't even phase it in the slightest. In fact, the meds actually cause me more harm by throwing my liver off. Too weird. So I guess we'll see what the stress test says, and go from there. Thank you so much for your insight, everyone as been so helpful! Have a great day!

So I went to see my PCP today, after having a strange "Episode" in the grocery the other day (strange flutter and pressure in my heart that lasted about 10 minutes or so). She informs me that my diabetes is in remission (YAY!), my blood pressure is normal (YAY!), my triglycerides are normal (say WHAT? You're kidding, right?!), and my LDL is OUT OF THIS WORLD.......it's never been so high and what is going on here? Seriously, WHAT IS GOING ON??? She hasn't a clue, so has me do an EKG. Apparently I had an "Episode" of some strange type, and now I must undergo a stress test. STRESS TEST? Cannot she see I am already under stress and isn't it OBVIOUS? (Just kidding!) As I await said test, coming in late May, I am wondering if anyone else out there has had such strange results with their cholesterol levels? I am following my plan as closely as possible, and we cannot figure it out. She does not feel it was a "mistake" or false reading. Any ideas?

You have really depleted the moisture in your skin, by reducing fluids and fats. I use CeraVe (find it at Walmart) in the BIG tub (around $16) cream. It is awesome stuff, and lasts all day. Good luck to you!

Sorry, it's just going to have to work itself out. Keep walking, and be careful you don't take too many meds, that can cause problems, too. Call your surgical team if you are concerned, they can give you the best advice. They should have given you an after-hours number. All the best to you.....

@@Kimcamm You are soooo sweet! Thanks for the kind thoughts and suggestion. You know, I have often thought of going that way, vegan, I mean, but the carnivore in me always has it's way with me! I hate eating living creatures, but it is what I eat. I don't know how I would be able to change that, but I'm seeing the dietician on the 4th, so I'll ask her. Maybe it is just what I have to do. And accept it. Your's is a very valid point, one I hadn't thought of. Sad news for me, my PCP is retiring at the end of June and I am soooo bummed. She has helped me so much, now I will cry. Hugs back!!!!

My main concern was the ability to take N-Saids for my arthritis. I can, with my Doctor's approval, with the sleeve (which I chose). My understanding is that the by-pass won't allow it for ulcerations. I think the weight loss amount will be primarily up to you.

@@KingMoose I think the best place to find your answers is your dietician. I see mine on the 4th, I'll try and remember to ask her.

Since I've had many surgeries, and just as many recoveries (Thank you Lord!!!), I always tell the anesthesiologist about my severe nausea. They then adjust for this, and I always have a patch put behind my ear, as well. Very little nausea results. Make sure you tell them about a nausea issue, so they can be read for it!

@@Daisydawn34 Just a thought. Whenever you start second guessing yourself, you allow doubt to play an important role. If you have LEGITIMATE reason to doubt (ie surgeon, hospital, procedure.....), that is one thing. Research it thoroughly before going through with it. If you have doubts because OTHERS have put them there, you let the doubts rule, and eventually they win. Put doubt in it's proper place - out the window. Have faith in your decision. Have faith in you. Take the reins and run with it.