BobBayCityMI

My surgery is next Monday. Other than the stock stuff I was told to get (Protein powder, low-fat broth, Snickers bars, and SF jello), are there any other suggestions to be offered? I want to get stocked up before I go in so I do not have to worry about going out. And not just food. Any creature comforts I should consider? I have the belly dancers planned for my arrival back home on Wednesday. Smile, people. Life is good!:001_tongue:

My main dilemma lately has been not wanting to eat. Had my six month check-up yesterday and I am doing so well in many areas. My weight is down 115 pounds, my vitamins and blood levels are very good, BP was 130/70. I mean, wow! But I am averaging less than 1000 cals per day. All told, I should be at 1400, but nothing sounds good to eat! I will stand in front of the fridge, like in the days of old, and stare. Now it is not how much I can pull out and consume, but more that nothing looks or sounds good. Any suggestions? My therapist suggested that it may be because it takes so much "effort" and time to eat right that it has lost the appeal it once had. Might be some truth to that.

Ah...a topic near and dear to my heart...or other places. They can be interchageable, ya know! Honestly, the only problem I was careful about was, well, position. I was very careful not to put a strain or undue pressure on the operation area. Felt like a Baptist. Or the Catholic I am. But it was worth it...weight loss has created a larger sexual appetitie in me. And I guess that means I am not the only one happy!

Tiffy comes through again! I use soy milk for mine and it keeps the lactose intolerance down. Not that my intolerance is bad, but why tempt fate? I am still having at least one protein shake per day. The less gritty the better! And like real food, I have to go very slow and sip and stay away from gulping. Last week took two BIG swigs of OJ and paid the price for about 45 minutes, on the water closet, not knowing which end would open up first. Hated it!

Goodness, no. I am just the opposite. I have very good sleeping patterns; too good. My energy level is still below what I had hoped for, and I can go to bed at 7:30 to 8 and can sleep soundly until 5:30 the next morning. Sleeping drugs scare me as I am afraid of any addiction to that type of thing. I no longer snore, and it is a solid sleep. I wish you well.

I take very small sips of water as I eat. I know, not supposed to, but I do. It just makes things go down easier, and I feel feel just fine about doing this. I also need to burp a bit as I eat, and sometimes get up and walk just a bit, and this makes it easier on me. I figure water is just important to my eating sanely. It takes me 20-30 minutes to eat a "full" meal as it is, and the water greases the pipes and helps things "slide" down just a bit better. I love being a rabble-rouser. :biggrin0:

Holy poop the bed, Agnes! Way to go, my friend. I can relate to the good feeling, the healthiness. And two pounds to being overweight made me smile. I will ALWAYS be overweight according to those asinine scales and measurements, but I know how much better I feel. Once again, congrats! :biggrin0:

I have no problems with people at social functions. I have found that they are most accepting of my changes. They almost all know what I had to do for me, and they are quite supportive. But they are shocked at the small volumes I eat now. Been a long time since someone has not looked to me to finish something off. And when I save just a bit of room for a bite or two of dessert, well, that's a shocker! Now, more often, I get the oddest stares from wait staffs at eateries, mostly when I ask for the children's menu. They look at me and am sure they think, "Big guy...kid's menu? What's wrong with this picture?" But my hospital gave me a very nice wallet-sized card and I can simply show them that. It explains I had bariatric surgery and that is why I want to eat smaller portions. And sometimes even the smaller portions are too big, so when I ask for a container, well, shocks them even more. But, tough. I found that Bob Evan's (a local chain) actually charges MORE for adults eating from the kid's menu. Now I just talk to the manager, and no problems. It's important to be an advocate for myself!

First, get off the damn scale. I know that sounds rough, but a scale can be an inaccurate measure of success. Those scales are not the be-all, end-all to weight loss, just an occasional barometer to know how things are going. I weigh maybe once per month. Twice if I just want to do a mid-month progress check. A good poop or two and you'll be fine! I speak from experience :bananajump: Now, that being said, you are doing great! One day at a time, chew chew chew, get your Vitamins, and make sure that Protein gets down! Look for those NSVs (non-scale victories) to bolster your changes. You'll be fine!

Crossed the 100 pound threshold. Got a tat to mark the occasion. Take a look and see! It's in my albums. Now, I am getting to the point of needing new clothes. Poor me. :001_rolleyes:

My biggest frustration is eating something one day and it is fine. Eating the very same thing the next day and problems. I have to constantly remind myself to slow down, chew-chew-chew, and take very small bites. Sipping water is still a problem, especially after working out when I want a lot! Goodness, we are so unique! It is good t see others have the same problems I do. Does not make them right, but sure does make me feel much less an oddity!

The more weight I lose, the more massages are helping to rid my body of those icky toxins I have built up. I am blessed that I found a very good deep tissue massage therapist to push those icky knots out of me. Anyone else have things they do to physically feel better as the weight comes off? Yes, exercise, but maybe non-traditional avenues?

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ This wonderful lady has awesome eating and lunch ideas!

My dad told me yesterday that my weight loss makes me look younger. My dad gives out one compliment per decade, so I was proud of that!

My fitness goals are fairly common, and for me, doable. I wish to... Run a 5k at the end of next summer at a race held in Flint, MI, called the Crim Do a one week Outward Bound hike into the wilderness Do an overnight snowshoe/winter camp out Once again have firm arms and solid legs. That's all. But even that will take a lot of work. Think about it: none of these fitness dreams would be possible without a lot of hard work and sweat, none of which would have been possible without the sleeve. Go for it!~ "Twenty years from now you'll regret things you did not do, not regret those you did." Mark Twain

Oh, my goodness. Was kidding about the pictures, Tiffy! *laughing*

Pretty pink? Oooo...want pictures, Tiffy! Mine have all but faded, the largest one is the exception. But I can tell that eventually they will be very hidden. Then again, I got belly hair, dark brown. I would imagine that if any of you ladies had this kind of hairy belly you'd have more to worry about than a few little scars...

My highest weight was 386. At least my highest measured weight. Hell, could have been over 400 at some point (would not surprise me). But the 386 was accurate, and it was a real wake up call for me. I purposely avoided scales and would not even weigh in at my doctor's. I judged myself by how loose things felt, and if they got tight, well, then I would only wear the looser fitting clothes. It was sad and sick how I lied to myself and used excuses as to why I was fine with my weight. BP up? Must've been the salty food. Tired from snoring? Just was overly tired. Considering I never looked at my body in the mirror, just my face, it's no wonder I had such a poor idea of how sadly obese I really looked. Friends at work, from a distance, now do not even know it is me. I am very proud of that!

And as they say in those insipid infomercials...but, wait, there's more! This is just the beginning. And keep on the outlook for those NSVs...they are more precious to me than the actual weight loss can be.

I am not sure I am looking older. Will have to ask others about that. Healthier? Hell, yes! I have a bit of the turkey neck going and some bingo arm flaps, but with exercise and all will be good. I guess the older look is not as important to me as I have been told my eyes have lit up and that my smile is clear to see as I lose weight. Then again, I am a guy. I look more distinguished, not older. Different rules for us! Down 85 pounds in less than four months is one...we just lose faster. And I can always remember that God loves me no matter how I look :crying: