CanyonBaby

Sorry, I didn't have that procedure. But last night at our support group meeting, we had a plastic surgeon as a guest speaker. He went over all the likely procedures people might have after WLS, including the one you're referring to (I can never remember how it is spelled!!!). He did say the belly-button would more than likely be removed, and showed before and after slides. Apparently the top, above the natural waist is not touched, no contouring or anything, just the pannus being removed - only the excess skin. The people, both a man and a woman, both looked pretty good after the surgery, but it was obvious that nothing else was done for any other part of the body. He was very adamant about preferring to do the abdominoplasty, but I think it was because he gets a lot more out of it - it definitely was a "sales-pitch" type of session. He kept going on about missing your belly-button, but really? The tummy-tuck is rarely, if ever, covered by insurance, and is very expensive (I think he said around $12,000, but I paid $13+ years ago), not to mention VERY painful, don't get me wrong - I'm glad I had one, but it really put me back $ wise. I hope this helps a little. Good luck to you!

All great ideas, above. I like to have something to keep my hands busy, then I don't think so much about food. If I start to think about it, then I can just go and pick up my crocheting or book or whatever and get my mind off of it. Just responding to this site helps! I also like to keep Tic-Tacs near me, so I can put ONE in my mouth, then I'm happy. ONE! Since my tummy is usually full at this point, I find the ONE does what I need it to.

Are you having a lot of troubles digesting it? Maybe next time just have the toppings. That's what I have been doing, since my tummy doesn't care for the crust. I just skim off the meat, cheese and veggies (no sauce, because it and I have agreed to disagree!!!). Nix the dessert pizza, tho! Not for me! If I'm going to do dessert, it is going to be something FANTASTIC, and that is something I'VE made! I mean, if I'm going to do it, it WILL be awesome - and just a bite!

Yes, I am cold. But I think of it this way......it sure beats HOT FLASHES!!!!!

Like I said, for now. Everyone will eventually find a method that works best for them, scales or tape measure. I know that as long as I am following my plan, I will get to goal. There will be stalls, I have the patience to wait them out. There will be weight gain, I know how to get ME back on track. You asked for help, I answered what works for me. I hope you can find what works for you!

Have you tried those Sargento Snacks that have cubed cheese, almonds, and craisins in small, divided containers? I did, and they are great! Each snack contains about 190 calories, and is very convenient. BUT, I am cheap! So I went ahead and made my own. But first I had to aquire some reusable containers with dividers. I looked high and low for a small. portable container like that, but no luck in the normal food container section of the store. I ended up in the BABY food aisle, near the formula section. There I found several brands of baby formula (powdered) containers that have three divided sections - PERFECT for the snack container I was looking for! It is about 3" x 3", the top comes off and has a small pouring spout (if you want to carry just nuts....you can pour them out this way). This is a perfect way of carrying with you snacks such as the above mentioned, Jerky pieces (I like to cut them into bite-size pieces with a kitchen shear), dried fruits, nuts, salami chunks.... the list is endless. I'm not sure if the divided sections keep out moisture from the other sections, so beware of that. The containers run from about $2.50 and up (each). I just got the generic brand, and got a half-dozen of those. Mine have 3 sections. I plan to fill 2 sections with the nuts and fruit (I am measuring out 1/2 ounce of each), then store them in the pantry until I need to take them somewhere, then fill with cheese or meat the remaining section just prior to leaving for my destination. The container has plenty of room for multiple portions, for longer days, or if someone wants to share! Enjoy and have fun with this!!!!

Get rid of the scale, for now. Start taking your measurements: neck, upper arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs, calves. With the exercise you are doing, it should show your success. Scales won't, as you replace fat with muscle. Muscle is more dense, thus weighing "more" than fat. Keep those fluids coming, they will help flush the bad stuff out of you, and aid in the weight loss. Do just as you did before, follow a post-op plan until you develop a plan that will work for you. Good luck to you!

@@Roo101769 Is there any way to move the snack table? If not, could you chat with who is in charge and ask if your desk could be moved elsewhere? If you explain you are trying to deal with weight issues, it may help get it or you moved. Is there any way to turn your desk around, so you don't have to see it? If you have meetings, could it be brought up where people could leave their Snacks in their desks, and not in public? You are probably not the only one with an issue with the snack table! Or like a previous poster noted, have healthier snacks available? I don't envy you this one, hopefully folks will understand and accommodate you on this. Good luck!

Following what MissMac said, I have read to just go around the perimeter of the grocery store - it is where VSGer's should shop. It has most of what we need, and the processed stuff is, for the most part, in the center of the store. I remembered that the other day when I was in there, and never even went in the center part of the store! That guy was right on!

Just in case you didn't see it, I sent you a message....look in the upper right-hand corner of your page!

Yes, you could probably do with a visit to a therapist. But in the meantime, it seems to me, from all that you have written, you already KNOW what to do, it's just a matter of doing it. So DO it. It takes alot of self-discipline, which sounds like you need to work on (and who doesn't?!). What would you do if your child didn't do the things they need to do, you would get after them. So, GET AFTER yourself! Write things down: schedule meals, Snacks, exercises. Write down what you eat and when. Find a hobby to keep yourself from eating - do IT instead of grazing. Find a gym that allows kids or has a child-care facility built in. There are millions of excuses, there are millions of reasons NOT to use them. None of us is perfect, but we all endeavor to try and find the "perfect" person we can live with. If you can be happy with what you are/have been doing since your surgery, that is great. If not, CHANGE IT. Only you can do that. But you have to want it bad enough to change. Start with the basics, from when you were first post-op. Blossom from there. As you see yourself going in the wrong direction, change your path. Lots of work, and you have to think you're worth it. I think you ARE! Go for it!

FYI, I found the containers at Walmart. They fit really nicely in a lunch bag.

Hi! I am actually in Spokane (Cheney). Are you having your surgery here? Who is your doctor? Let me know if you want to connect! Good luck to you on your new journey!

Not too many, actually about 5, most nurses. Glad your situation wasn't more serious, take it easy on yourself!

@@Misty1975 Well, that depends on how thick you want it. I believe most instructions say to have a minimum of 8 ounces of Water (liquid) per serving of the powder, but I usually have a large glass, probably about 12-16 ounces of water, one scoop of the powder, then a couple of squeezes of the Water Enhancer. Ice is optional, but don't add it until you have mixed all the powder in thoroughly, otherwise it will probably clump. I will then sip on that drink for about an hour or so. Have fun with the flavors, mix different ones together!

@@kathysleeve One thing to remember is WHEN your A1C test was taken, as it contains 3 to 4 months of cell history. So, if you had it taken a month, 2 or 3 PRIOR to your surgery, it will contain that history, which is NOT going to show you the surgery results until 3 to 4 month AFTER your surgery. To see how well the surgery helped the diabetes numbers, have the A1C take again 3-4 months after your surgery. If your PCP is like mine, they should be having you do the A1C every 3 months for diabetes. Good luck to you!

I don't know that I would even trust the test results, incompetency breeds incompetency. If you are IN THE SLIGHTEST uncomfortable, call your insurance (if you are using insurance) and tell them what you have experienced, and ask if you can switch. Make sure the other office would be covered (some may not pass the insurance's standards...) by your insurance while you are still on the phone with the insurance company, so you don't waste your time. If they won't cover it, or won't let you switch, then at least you wouldn't have spent time/money on the other office. Good luck to you, and let us know how you fare....

It's kinda like having a funeral...I think about the memories I have of the things I did or things that happened while wearing that particular garment, give it a fond hug, THEN KISS THAT SUCKER GOODBYE!!!

@@BLERDgirl You have a strong countenance in not weighing but once a month, and good for you for it! Do you take measurements to see your progress? Your clothes must be SLIDING off you!

All of the above. And then some! This is what I figure (and this is STRICTLY for myself!!!): if I KEEP them, that means I don't have faith in myself to see this through, FOREVER. I not only CAN do this, but AM doing this!!! I also do NOT want a reminder of what I was, so I have stashed a size SMALL pair of jeggings (my favorite clothing in ALL the world) in my closet, to be brought out when I feel I am getting close....and I AM! I am now in a medium!!! I try to ALWAYS look forward (nothing wrong with looking back, but looking back makes me feel sad. I don't LIKE feeling sad.) to what I CAN be, NOT what I WAS. I just don't want to have those feelings return. If I take away the things that make me feel sad, they have no more power over me. Gone are the old clothes, IN WITH THE NEW!

Ahhh, BEAUTIFUL collar bones.......need I say more?

OK! Back to you, now! No, I don't like being knocked over by my pup, but I DO like NOT being LINEBACKER-SIZED!

I am glad you have found....YOU! Me? I am glad I can finish my meal, and it is FINISHED! When I look down, there is an UNINTERUPTED view of my feet! My pup can knock me over now because I am NO LONGER a LINEBACKER! Do I MISS these...things? I'll get back to you, but I THINK not!!!

Yeah, I LOVE watching the cooking shows. I am a fantastic cook, and it SHOWS (and not in a good way!!!)! But I don't WANT to give up my shows (especially 'Chopped'), because I learn so much from them. And THIS is my plan, and it is WORKING!!! Yippee! I am allowing myself to watch my cooking shows ONLY when A. I am eating and no one else is home, and B. when I am FULL!!! It used to be I would watch them when they were on, which would make me hungry, thus I would eat, A follows B, etc... SO how can I still benefit from the shows but NOT pay a penalty for it? Just what I said, I record the program, then watch it according to plan! As a result.....learn a lot of techniques, and HAPPILY, ECSTATICALLY, JOYOUSLY fit into a size MEDIUM JEGGING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I say that without appearing overly HAPPY? no.

@@TammyDTM Yeah, I love Guy's shows, also! And Barefoot Contessa, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, and Pioneer Woman. I am trying to cut back on the shows, but my all-time favorite is The Great British Baking Show (on PBS). Unfortunately, the season for it now is over, but man, I learn a lot about baking that way! Love to bake, my favorite. Again, IT SHOWS!!!