MrsKarenC2008

@lisacaron Thank you for saying that

@TinyTink You know there is a lady that i know that had bypass 2 1/2 years ago ... and didn't do so well ... and she is always saying "hey skinny" ... and "oh look you have a waist!" ... I think in her mind she is paying me a compliment ... But the way it comes out ... it's really a dig. It makes me very uncomfortable ... like I am supposed to be ashamed because I am doing well ... and I know that isn't true ... But ... I haven't said anything to her about it ... I just let it roll off ... I'm sure it's awkward for her too in a way ...

@songsmith funny you should ask that ... 99% of our co-workers are men ... so i sometimes think they just don't know HOW to pay a lady a compliment ... and men being men ... just say the first thing that comes to their mind without giving a thought of how it comes out ... Believe me ... I am NOT God's gift to anyone but my husband ... I am still of the mind set that I'm huge and will always see myself that way ( i think ) ... so maybe I'm being too sensitive about things that are said that weren't meant for my ears ... It's still such a learning curve. Men! Ugh. What creatures they can be.

I personally have ordered several times from the BP store and have had nothing but great service and speedy shipping ... I firmly believe Alex's response was right on the nail ... ( I mean he's the boss, right? ) Don't give up on the store! They have so many great things for us and I'd like to keep them around!

I know the Protein topic has been beat to death on here ... But ... I'd like to know if there is such a thing as too much protein? Is it bad if you get more than what is recommended? I'm asking because I'm not getting enough ... and I was thinking of adding a 3rd shake a day to help ... I kept telling hubby that I was losing my hair ... But he really didn't pay much attention to me ... Until I wore a black shirt today and he picked off 21 strands from the back of my shirt ... That is AFTER I already got most of them off the front and shoulders ... So now he's all over me to get more protein in ... and NOW ... So I thought I'd ask ... Forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse here ... And thank you for helping!

Are we EVER really where we WANT to be? Our bodies are like our houses ... There is always something to be fixed or tweaked ... but we're never ever truly "done" ... Once you get the kitchen remodeled ... it's time to do the bathroom ... then once that is done .... time for a new deck ... you get where I'm going ? As a previous poster said your body will lose in it's own time ... not a race ... and not one person is the sole winner .... We're ALL winners ... or should I say ... LOSERS !!!! congrats on the loss ... be proud of it ... you've worked at this to earn it ....

@@dansacha I use pre made Atkins Protein shakes ... and I mix in a scoop of Premier Protein Powder ... Yummie! I drink one in the morning and one in the afternoon ... I actually CRAVE the afternoon shake ... I am almost 6 months out ... and still drinking the 2/day ... because I feel like I don't get enough protein from my food yet ... still scared to try new foods ... but I'm getting there!! And I agree with another poster ... Don't use "cheat" as a term to describe yourself not being completely faithful to the new way of life .... Just call it a momentary lapse in judgment ... You WILL get back on track Best of luck!

I would have said " let the little b*tches bark" ... ahahaaaaaaaaaaaa :) You're right Babbs ... Classic !!!

Let's post one-liners about our new found happiness ! Here's mine: Happiness is ... Not having to ask " what's the biggest size you have?" Your turn

@dbatche I do recommend the sleeve ... for a host of reasons ... health being the main one ... not vanity ( though that doesn't hurt ) Being that you have health issues already ... the surgery will help you ... That is just my two cents ... Though your surgeon should be the one you turn to first ... And would I do it again?! HECK YES !!! I waited for years YEARS before I finally did it ... Now as I look back ... I WASTED those years "thinking" about it ... worrying about paying for it ... could I do it ... etc .... Don't waste the time ... HAVE the surgery ... you will be SOOO happy you did Best of luck !!

@scottyd1264 I've never regretted the surgery itself ... Just the actual act of going through it! I'm 44 and this was my very first surgery ever ... So I was scared to death ... of death! Really thought I was going to bite the bullet on the table ... But once it was over ... and I was awake ... I hurt a little bit ... nothing like I expected ... shoulder gas pain was the worst ... But every day since July 8th has been an incredible day Never a second thought!

Ohhhh the dreaded shoulder gas pain ... such a lovely thing to add on top of all the things your body has already gone through ! Yes, walking does help ... but that is about it ... It's just something you have go to through and it lasts about a week ... I tried the heating pad ... the gas x strips ... the rubbing of the back ( that just got annoying ) ... nothing would relieve it ... It was more painful than any other part of the surgery ...

@Sharon1964 WHOA !!!!!!! Girrrrrrrrrrrl ... just look at you rocking those BOOTS and short skirt !!! I'm so so so happy for you!!!!

So i'll give my 2 cents .... We're all here basically for the same reason ... We all have been overweight and we all had surgery to help us correct it ... be it lap band, sleeve or bypass ... HERE is the ONE place we ALL can feel GOOD and like we BELONG ... There is NO judgement ... there is NO finger pointing ... there shouldn't be any rude or snide comments ... HERE we are ALL on the same team ... right? That is why I came here ... to listen to others who need advice or have a question I might be able to answer ... and vice-versa ... Shame we can't all get along and see past others short comings ...

I'd have to say that my mother is related to yours! Though the comments from mine currently are TOTALLY oblivious to what I'm going through ... She still treats me the same ... no matter what I used to weigh, how much I've lost, or the size I currently am ... I love her just the same too ... Other posters are right ... those closest to us ... don't see the outside of us ... I mean, they do ... but they don't ... which is a good thing and how all people should view each other ... it's the inside that counts And it's true too that those closest to us don't necessarily "see" the weight loss as someone who hasn't seen us in a few months/years ... it's much more obvious to those people ... Just last night I saw my neice, who I hadn't seen since waaaay before surgery .... ( I'm almost 6 months out and 111 down ) ... She about fell over ... and hugged me several times .. just couldn't believe how much I've changed ... Of course that makes your day Congratulations on your losses ! Doesn't it feel good to be a loser ?!

I agree with most ... I would have done it sooner ... I wanted surgery years ago ... but at the time there was no approval from my insurance company and there was no way I could have paid for it myself ... Fast forward 10 + years ... and my hubby made it possible for me to have the surgery I wanted for so long ... It's really hard watching other family members and co-workers have the surgery you need so bad ... BUT ... Good things come to those who wait ! God blessed me in many many ways when I met my husband ... this is only one small one ... Another thing I would have done differently ... ( this wont come out right ) ... I wouldn't have asked my mother to stay with me for as long as she did ... she upset me more than she helped me ... And to this day .... 5 months out ... she STILL pushes food on me ... UGH !

Everyone shares their NSV's on here ... which are so incredible to read ... But I have to share one of mine from last Saturday night ... It was the office Christmas party ... and in the past ... I didn't like to attend ... because of my weight ... I know, I know ... stupid reason ... but ... you all know where I'm coming from ... So this year ... I didn't mind going ... It was at a local sports bar/pub kinda place ... And I was drug up ON STAGE to sing Karaoke !!!! ME!!! And I actually liked it ! So much so ... I did it 5 times and had a ball ! There are so many positives to losing weight ... and coming "out of my shell" is definitely one of them I'm the girl who always sat in the back ... hid from everything ... always told my husband "I can't" ... Well now ... I CAN ! I finally CAN ! Thank you Surgery Gods !

I'm with you guys ! Ever smelled Cherrios?!? YUCK !!! My mom made a bowl a couple of days after my surgery ... I was sitting on the couch and she came over and sat on the love seat ... I had to leave the room! She laughed ... ( yeah mom, really funny ) ... I told her "either finish that box OUTSIDE or throw them away!" She was then banished to the front porch when she ate ! LOL

@cookies_queen I'm not understanding why you wouldn't want your son there with you ... As others have said ... You should have someone there to talk with, get a doctor or nurse for you should you need it ... speak up for you, get you some ice chips, etc ... I don't think you should deprive your son of the chance to take care of you for a change! This is about YOU ... let others help you and care for you like you have done all these years ... if nothing else ... It's good practice for when you're 90 and have to move in with him and your daughter in law! (jk) Don't go it alone ... support is very very important!

I have a Weight Watchers digital scale ... I got it at Brandsmart for about $20.00 .... LOVE IT !

Mine was removed through my belly button ... and for a few weeks after it did look different .... but we should expect that after it was being cut and then having 3/4 of a football yanked through it ... It will heal ... and it will be beautiful ... most especially because now I can actually SEE it !

Grieving the loss of the comfort of food ... is the best way I've heard to describe it ... it's very true ... and it's a very real emotion ... Not only are we changing our eating habits ... the way we have viewed food our whole lives has to change .... and it feels like it's practically at the snap of a finger ... It's such a mind "thing" ... and it's just something we have to fight within ourselves ... forever. BUT ... at least our new forever is a better one ... better than it would have been if we stayed overweight and inactive and missing out on all life has to offer us. Best of luck !! It DOES get better .... We promise!!!

This question brought back memories ! As Sleevy said .. you will need lots of blankets / socks / sweats ... STAY WARM! The shivers will run right to your core ... and when you're sore already .... the shaking and chattering teeth don't help! Heating pad is a life saver! A good book or two ... and as RNSamantha said ... lip balm! FOR SURE! Make sure that pets that love to be held and cuddled are kept at a distance for a little while ... don't want them to jump up on your lap as usual and think they'll be cuddled ... they might be in for a rude awakening! Have a box of Kleenex ... you'll have lots of moments of "why did I do this?" and the tears will come ... Make sure you DON'T pay attention to the food commercials on TV ... I was shocked at how many they really do advertise in any given day .... Seeing all of that ... knowing what you just went through ... makes you kinda sad / mad / wanna kill something kinda feeling ... There are so many little tips and tricks that you'll hear ... but these are all I could come up with off the top of my head Best of luck!!!