M!@

My official weigh-in day is Saturday. However, I generally weigh everyday except during my cycle. Initially, I was of the mind that weighing each day would be nerve-wrecking. But I find that knowing the number is quite calming, and not-knowing for an entire week is quite stress inducing. It definitely depends on the person, and I believe you have to do what works for you. I admit that if someone is stressing about the scale, my advice to them would be to stay away, but otherwise, do what works for you at the time. Remember that what works can change and you may have to adjust.

Joejoe, I wish you well in your surgery tomorrow. I am sure you'll do just fine.

when your old skinny jeans have saggy bottoms; oh wait, when you wear jeans for the first time in forever; you can buy bras with thin straps or no straps because they come in your size; when you enjoy sitting on the floor, and can get up when you want and not have to work up to it.

I did travel for mine, so I had a few extra things but still only used the comfortable clothing, chapstick, and heating pad. Everything was provided . Oh and I had my cell phone and charger which was brought for entertainment purposes (i.e. books, magazines, etc.). With travel, I was gone 4.5 days.

That is what I was told when I was looking for it in the pharmacy last year. Told it is carbonated and comes in a jar, white or orange color liquid. Just a heads up, it was not pleasant so I drank it quickly.

Anything worth doing is not going to be easy. It is going to take work...but I know you know this part. What you are feeling is common; most of us were anxious about one aspect or another. And there are some of us who almost backed out. But you have to ask yourself what it is you want from this and how it is going to benefit you in the long run. And don't forget to consider how you got here in the first place. For most the gas you experience after is the worst but walking helps to move this along. Pain at least for me was minimal, in fact, I did not take any pain meds after having my IV out, there was no need. I did have some nausea, but it wasn't bad and it was a reminder to me that something needed to change, either the food I was eating or speed at which I ate it was too rapid. I rarely get nauseous anymore; it was about learning my new tummy. In the end, you have to do what is right for you.

Oh well I have to head to get some new bras. My 36 band no longer fits and my boobs fall out the bottom too often. And as my husband says in a pouty face, "there is too much room in the cup area too". It is hard to laugh when he is pouting, but at least I did not spit out my coffee this time.

Hey Ritchey, how are you? I completely skipped over the last post for some reason. I have moved across the US to the east coast and it has been quite an experience. Things are becoming more settled here, and I should be able to check in a little more frequently. As far as progress goes, I am down a total of 55lbs, at 191.6, so inching closer to the 180's. During the move and subsequent settle phase, there may have been a stall, but I would not have known for the scale was not available, so I am glad to have had my mind otherwise involved with other stuff. I have to say, I thought the travel was going to be difficult with only being able to eat certain things, but it turned out to be not so bad at all. I got crazy looks for how I asked for my food, all beef hot dog or burger, no bun, etc. But of course I am no stranger to this because I had done this before as I don't generally eat bread any way. Of course I packed my Premier Protein so I was supplementing. But 1 burger or hot dog would last me at least 2-3 meals so it was definitely a money saver : >. I am getting pretty use to what my tummy will except and therefore sliming and vomiting have subsided. I do have regular coffee now as my first meal of the day. LOL of course the creamer is generally half a vanilla premier protein (15g). I have pretty much giving up on nuts. Only because I cannot even eat a serving without feeling ill. But peanut and almond butter make me happy. I do have sunflower seeds, but I have to get the ones still in the shell because I eat them much slower, they are small, and agree with my tummy. A great theater food when avoiding popcorn (just need a bag or something for the shells). ok enough rambling for me, tell me how you guys have been.

My job required a lot of walking around but no heavy lifting. I went back on day 4 (friday surgery, back at work tuesday morning). I was fine physically, but tired. It helped that I kept moving, and walking because it helped to move the gas from surgery. I had no complications and healed fine.

I play a game in between bites, or eat while doing something else, like cleaning or folding laundry, etc. I tried to just eat slowly and it did not work. My body decided 30 plus chews was just not slow enough, and I experienced sliming and vomiting; usually both after eating. That's when I had to take matters into my own hands. If I could take a tiny bite of something then walk away, or do something else it worked just fine. Well after I figured out I had to have 5 plus minutes between bites. I knew it was not a matter of eating too much because the feeling would come after only 2-3 bites. Now I feel bad for fussing with my kids about having electronics at the table...oh well, can't beat them, join them. lol

I will toast to that...(coffee mug raised high).

Alright, here's the weight from V-DAY 195.2 lbs!!!

It is something that takes some getting used too. Specifically because my body is still changing and I have more weight to lose. Shopping is not something I have ever enjoyed, in fact I would never try anything on in the store. I knew my size and would take it home to try. With the smaller me, I can't leave the store without trying it because I waste too much time going back to get a smaller size, because the size I thought I wore is wrong. I imagine though this is something I may have to deal with until I am well into maintenance so, I am working to get use to this knew me. Loss of my security blanket so to speak is a big issue for me. My weight was less about people liking me for who I am and more about a physical shield from what I use to think were predatory glances, remarks, advances etc. Lots of therapy working through my personal traumas helped to heal my mind, and my heart. But what was left was the weight. Now that it is starting to come off, people notice. Before I would freak out if the neighbors friends linger outside to check me out, or I was hit on in a grocery store of restaurant, etc. I am however, learning to accept compliments from men and women without feeling as though I am in some type of danger. It is a huge step for me.

196.0 for 2/8!!

I am not yet 3 months out and my scars are already beginning to fade. I had 5 incisions which included 1 which is about an 1 inch, 2 that are about a .5 inch, and 2 are .25 inch. My understanding is they will fade over time. However, I plan to get small tattoos there, to mark them as a reminder of this life long journey that I am on, and what I have been through. Oh, just call me sentimental. In the event that they completely fade, I will have a momentum.

People don't question whether I have had WLS, even at my job where they talk about others who have. Part of this is because, I was eating healthy prior to surgery, I was working out prior to surgery. I just was not losing the weight. But what people saw was no matter how little I was losing, I kept at it. After surgery, and the weight become to finally come off, they notice and they say things to acknowledge the loss, but they don't ask what I am doing, or how I lost it, because they see the work. That being said, no one says anything negative regarding those who have had a WLS either, at least not to my knowledge anyway.

198.8 this week!! Onderland....

Oh and don't forget your hormones may be playing a role in how you are feeling. You have been through major surgery and your body may be trying to adjust. Mood swings, etc. are common at this time.

I recommend recreating your ticker. Make a new one.

Brianna, I am sorry you are having to deal with what sounds like an non-supportive partner. You are correct, I cannot understand the food addiction aspects of the struggle. I have been eating healthy several years, and what caused my obesity was medication. However, I do understand the having to cook food for the family and them wanting fast food. And I can tell you what I have done in the past. But first off, let me say your boyfriend's lack of support may be just lack of knowledge. My husband said the same thing a long time ago, why should I have to change because you are? And I said you are correct, you shouldn't "have to" and left it at that. What I did was make meals that were healthier for me in terms of options, that is if I was making steak, potatoes, and a veggie, I would only eat steak and veggie, or make a killer salad to cut my steak over, or even eat part of a sweet potato. If they wanted fast food, I would go, order a burger with extra lettuce and no bun, or a taco salad no shell, etc. etc. Did you know that McDonald's has egg white? who knew, the things you find out just by asking. Not people will look crazy at you sometimes, but what the hell. What happened with my family is they would see all these great looking things they wanted to try that I was making for myself. Like the loaded salad, or even the Greek yogurt, or spaghetti made with spaghetti squash rather than noodle, or the Pasta or rice dishes that I subbed with cauliflower. Slowly over time, things changed. They were ogling my food, and requesting that I make more of that. My husband finally said it made him feel left out when I would get so involved with making my own food, despite we were all sitting at the table. He then told me to just make everyone's food the way I make mine, and I did. Granted I still bake Desserts and give them the other stuff from time to time, but it was a fairly smooth transition. Years later, him and the kids don't remember when they started eating Greek yogurt, or drinking 2 percent milk, or cottage cheese with fruit in it. They don't know why they request spaghetti squash spaghetti or mashed cauliflower. And nobody is upset that some of the ingredients are sugar free or fat free or all natural. I say all of that to say that sometimes for those on the outside, being supportive for something like this is very new, and you have to move forward regardless. There are thousands of recipes for making healthy, delicious options out there. And many restaurants have healthier options or foods which you can transform by taking something out. Make this work for you.

Looked in the mirror this morning after getting out of the shower, had to pause and look again and give myself a "damn girl".

Well, a lot depends on where you start, how tall you are etc. I am 5'5", was 247, and lost 19 and 11 pounds in month one and two, and almost 10 preop

Venti, decaf Americana, 2 pumps sugar free vanilla, 2 splenda, and steamed non fat milk.

As the first thing they want you to do after surgery is walk, my surgeon does not use a cath. And with them pumping IV Fluid the urge comes rather quickly after waking. That being said, even with a cath, I don't see the need to be clean shaven. I was not worried, I make sugar wax at home to use. Cheap and easy, and for some reason my husband likes to help. Ok that was TMI.