CHM

Aww, I'm sorry your family fell through on this one. Certainly they didn't mean to hurt you. They were likely just unsure of how to handle it while still being supportive of your efforts and limitations. Perhaps next year you could help them out with a few suggestions to select from? For my own birthday I plan to carve a watermelon into a cake round and decorate it with whipped cream and other fruits. Happy belated birthday though! Here's is a special petit four just for you...

Mine did the same. When asked if I had a goal weight in mind I'd said 150's (higher end of a normal BMI for my height), but she said she'd rather see me in the 170's on account of my naturally muscular build. I don't care - I'm not commited to any particular number. Once I get below 200 I'll assess how I feel every 10-15 lbs or so to decide when I want to switch to maintenance. @@Sharon1964 I agree that your new goal is more practical for this stage of your life. Plus in my opinion, its always better to aim a little higher and possibly beat it than it is to aim lower and be disappointed if you don't reach it.

Currently in North Dakota, soon to be Southern Ontario. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My favorite is still the bones. Every time I see or feel a new one I just bubble up with pure elation! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@jccanada Perhaps it's time to suggest to your husband that he ease up on the inquiries. You can assure him that you appreciate his efforts to support you while letting him know that it's not the healthiest of ideas to keep you so focused on the number on the scale. I know I've had a few people in my life that had to be updated on my loss every time they saw me, and it was making me feel bad about myself when there was none to report. Hence I simply stopped reporting, explaining to those who asked that I need to be more focused on HOW I'm losing than on how MUCH I'm losing. @@YumiMumi @@yami17leth My weight fluctuates within a few pounds when I'm stalled as well. I'm pretty sure that's normal.

@@KindaFamiliar Ooh, we finally get some real pics I see! Good job on the follow-through. And I have to agree with @@jane13 - stop apologizing. There is nothing wrong with you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

*Gasp!* Did you just suggest that I'm cute? Why Mr. Familiar...are you crushing on me?

Well now THAT made me throw my head back laughing, and I don't laugh like that for just anyone!

You certainly like to pass the blame off to people on the other end of the phone line, don't you @@KindaFamiliar? This makes 2 days in a row you realize. I am quite interested to see what you'll say tomorrow. Meanwhile, the perfectly nice people in the thread can't wait to see your face! Granted, maybe your face smothered in arse cream, but your face nonetheless!

Yeah this Kotex thing appears to be taking over your thread. Talk about peer pressure. Don't cave in! Remember that this experiment is completely and entirely yours... BTW...still waiting on proper pics. What's the excuse today?

Hmm...running late, huh @@KindaFamiliar? A likely story. You DO realize that an experiment without photographic evidence isn't going anywhere, don't you?

You look beautiful @@Katy2051 ...congratulations!

Unfortunately you are correct. Any stretch mark assistance would need to be preventative. You'd have to slather on your oils and lotions to keep the skin supple BEFORE it stretched out. Once the marks are there the skin is already damaged and scarred, and they are going nowhere. Like any other scar the appearance will improve with time, but nothing will make then go away.

An IUD was my surgeon's top recommendation for birth control, so I'm sure there are no worries about loss of effectiveness. I was told the only method that could be a concern after WLS is the pill, and even then only because of possible vomiting issues (the tablet is tiny enough to not be of concern otherwise). As for chocolate protein, I highly recommend Unjury. They have two chocolate flavors (classic is a lighter chocolate taste, splendor is richer) that are absolutely delicious. They are truly indistinguishable from chocolate milk. In the winter I even drank them warm for hot cocoa.

What I do with mine is pull it up on my laptop and rotate it there. It shows properly on the computer, but I know it's going to load weird anyway, so I go through a full (yet seemingly needless) rotation there and then somehow it uploads properly. Works for me anyway. I don't get it, but it is what it is.

It's not a stupid idea, but I'm not sure it's one that I would want to do myself. I'm all for intensifying the pre-op diet if you're up for it, but I question the timing. The thing is, it's always the first few days of a newly restrictive diet that are the most hell-ish. Personally I feel that by tacking on a couple of liquid diet days ahead of your requirement, you're giving yourself the worst part of the diet on the worst days. If I wanted a couple of liquid days I'd move them to the end of the diet. Of course this is all easy for me to say. I lucked out with a surgeon who required no pre-op diet at all, save for liquids the day before. And not even clear liquids!

@@KindaFamiliar Aww. Funny AND sweet. Alright, I admit it...I MAY be stalking you a little.

Suuuuuure...that's why it took SEVENTEEN more posts for you to get around to me! Oh yes. I went back and counted. I don't think anyone will deny your mad attention-seeking skills. Your list of stalkers seems to be growing... I don't know about this one. Unlike you, I'm not sure I'm brave enough to be posting any kind of flabby skin pics. Not even in the name of science. If you want to see what's under my clothes you'd best...well...nevermind. After all, we've only known each other a few weeks.

And I, as usual, am opposite. I was 5'6" in my 20's, so that was the height I would give when asked. When my height was checked at my first WLS appointment, I was clearly 5'7". It would seem that my posture has improved over the years.

All right, lay it on me...for those of you that have had an IUD inserted, how bad is it? I'm having a Mirena put in on Friday (age 35, no kids) because I suck at birth control. I've looked up the actual procedure, so I know what will happen in what order, but I'm more interested in the discomfort level, especially given that NSAIDs are a no go. Will I be okay to go out that evening? How long until I feel 'normal'? When I needed an endometrial biopsy a year and a half ago I thought I was being smart by not looking into it, figuring I'd just get myself all scared and tense and make it worse. That was not the way to go, because it hurt like a <insert choice expletives here> and I wasn't the least bit prepared. Not making that mistake again.

@@KindaFamiliar First off, your threads are hilarious. There is almost nothing you type that I don't enjoy reading. However, if you'll forgive my hyper-analytical brain possibly raining on your parade, I'm not sure this would be an effective long term treatment. I believe that the effects of a hemorrhoid cream are only temporary. It may tighten as long as you apply it regularly, but you're not likely to reach the point of it "working" and no longer needing it. I could be wrong of course. I often am. I'm certainly no doctor! That said, I think I might try it on the little bat wings I'm forming when I go sleeveless as we head into warmer weather. Can't hurt anyway.

Of course I don't hate you. I'm glad that not everyone has such a trying experience!

Holy crap, that tool put my cup size at a DD! Nooooo way in hell is that accurate. I'm currently wearing a C in the band size it recommended and believe me, there is room to spare in those cups.

Just an update: It is April 28th, and I've finally had my Mirena inserted. All of you ladies who said it was no big deal must be made of cast iron! It was not as bad as an endometrial biopsy for me, but damn that hurt. A lot. I tried to get the OTC muscle relaxer the doctor had suggested, but upon asking the pharmacist it turned out that it was not OTC at all, so I settled for taking an oxycodone before hand that was leftover from my last D&C. They obliged my request for the use of anything they had to help numb me. The nurse was told to keep a wastebasket within easy reach, as I tend to vomit when I'm in a lot of pain. It was a good thing I'd mentioned it. I did indeed need it. The measuring rod came first, which made me scream. I remembered @@katanne mentioning that this was the worst part for her, and I thought that if this was the case for me as well then it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Unfortunately it was not. The insertion was far worse for me. I screamed. I bawled. I vomited. I forgot how to breathe. Yes it was relatively quick, but in my case it was also relatively extreme. IUDs must definitely be very different for women who have been through childbirth. It is now 7 hours later, and the cramps are still quite strong. I'm definitely far more comfortable up and walking around than I am sitting, as sitting too long puts pressure on the pelvis and causes my uterus to spasm randomly. All in all, as much as it sucked, I still believe it was worth it. I would absolutely do it again. I'm just glad I don't have to for another 5 years!