Tiffykins

"Out of the mouth of babes". . . My 11 yr old is what I like to call the "food and water police". He is always on me about drinking more and making sure I eat. . .

Give me your address, I'm sending you new panties ! ! !

Great job ! ! !

Congrats Susan. . . It is so exciting ! ! ! I did the same thing at Old Navy yesterday, and I called everyone. . . You're doing great, and thanks for sharing your NSV. It's truly inspirational.

I get pretty nauseated when I eat something that doesn't agree with my new stomach. I'm over 2 months out, and some things make my stomach cramp, and then the nausea kicks in. I try really hard to only try one new food item per day. It's the craziest thing in the world, but some of the most bland food makes me sick, but mexican food was fabulous. I even ate some chips and salsa with my fajita meat, and felt fabulous. 2 days ago, I ate a Yoplait light yogurt Lemon flavor with a small amount of All Bran dry Cereal mixed in, and I was so sick. I really think every individual's body will react differently. I met a lady down here who can't tolerate the foods I can and vice versa. I've also heard just because it doesn't a certain food work right now, doesn't mean in a few months you'll have the same results. Good luck and let us know how things go. . .

Congrats on your amazing success, and thank you for sharing your experience. . .

And Bob when you're done, post your recipe pretty please ! ! !

My surgeon advised close to the same thing. Except for me, I'm supposed to do 4 small meals a day with 15grams of Protein per meal. That gets me 60 grams of protein from food sources, and not have to supplement with protein shakes/drinks. My hungry has never come back. It was almost immediate for me to not feel hunger. I literally forget to eat some days until early afternoon. It's a huge adjustment for me to not be hungry, but it's amazing to eat to live, and not live to eat.

I'm glad to hear you're doing well, and surgery went well. . . Keep us updated on your progress ! ! !

Today, I hit my first goal of 60lbs lost, and gone forever. I almost cried when I stepped on the scale. My initial goal was 60lbs lost before John got home, and I still have over 30 days before he gets home to see the new me. I am feeling better every day, and am finally starting to enjoy eating some things. Some days are still a battle, but I know at least I am on the right track. I seriously can't believe I have lost this weight. I looked at myself closely in the mirror today. Even though my body looks kind of funny (I have the "spare tire" syndrome around my tummy), I know that it's something I can work on. I actually have a defined waist, my face isn't super chubby which to be honest was kind of adorable, but I love having a normal size neck so I can wear an 18" necklace, and it not look like a choker. I'm not trying to brag, but I am seriously elated today. It's been a long, exhausting road, and today was a good day. I've learned to cherish the good, and drudge through the bad. The good is starting to outweigh the bad at this point, and I'm on my way to a healthier, more fulfilling life.

You should be excited, you are doing so great ! ! ! I haven't had my period this cycle, but after the last hospital trip, I'm not surprised. You'll be under 200 before you know it. I only stalled for 1 week, and was back on the losing side when I increased my water intake. . . Good luck gorgeous, you're doing amazing ! ! !

Caysen has been bugging me for weeks to go have Mexican food at the local dive mexican food joint here. Well, I decided today to venture out and give it a whirl. . . The most exciting part of the meal was when I went to sit down and I didn't have to move the table closer to him to fit in between the seat and table. I almost moved it habitually, then stopped myself and thought to myself "go ahead, try to fit there, no one is looking, if you have to move it then move it" So, as I glided in slowly I realized not only was i going to actually fit, I had a good 8+ inches of space between my belly and the table. I know that sounds crazy, but living my life as fat as I was, moving tables to accomodate my size or asking for a table because booths were too small was an every outing occurence. It was so embarassing, and degrading, as I sit here almost in tears, I am so grateful to have my life back, and to not have to move the table anymore is such a great accomplishment. I don't care how much weight I lose, nothing will feel as good as this NSV. We ordered chicken fajitas for one off the lunch menu, and brought home enough food for another person to eat a fajita. I had 4-5 little strips of chicken with sour cream and salsa. It was by far the best feeling in the world with the booth situation, and I didn't get sick on any of the food. YIPPEEEEEEE! ! ! We went to the school this afternoon after lunch for the teacher meet-n-greet. He got a fabulous teacher, and I am so excited for him this year. He got Mr. B, and Mr. B is a buff, body builder teacher. He's strict yet fair, and we already talked about Caysen's attitude, and how it's time for Caysen to grow up. He will have homework every night, not in every subject, but 1-2 hours of homework can be expected. I think this year is going to be fabulous. We stopped off and spoke with his gym coach who had already found out who Caysen's primary teacher is this year. He said that Caysen was going to have a good year this year, and while he isn't bothered by Caysen's "smart assness", he can see how it can be distracting in a classroom setting. Caysen is really sarcastic, ummm kind like his mama ha ha ha. I know I need to set the example, but it is just how I am, and truthfully my entire family is the same way. We don't mean it negatively, it's just easier to be sarcastic than it is to be dry and dull. Caysen is always respectful, and minds his manners, but he can be a bit of a smartass. Day 2 of not smoking is going well. I really want to smoke, but at the same time, I haven't been nauseated today. I almost drove to the corner store, and Caysen touched my arm and said " but mommy, I don't want you sick anymore." I made a u-turn and headed to the house. I have eaten more today than I have in a week, and been able to keep everything down. I'm still only getting in 400-500 calories a day, but it's better than 200. I got a little nauseous right after we ate only because it's hot outside today, and when I get hot, I get icky feeling. The heat pretty much zaps me. John called this morning, and we were able to talk for 40 minutes. He is so ready to come home. Projected return date is the same so far, but I'm not getting my hopes up. He told me this morning, just be prepared to be flexible and expect delays. He literally made my day today, I was pretty down in the dumps, and he knew exactly what to say. We had a good giggle over my fat roll, it's an inside joke, y'all definitely wouldn't understand it, but lordy it's hilarious. We both had a good giggle, and he told me how much he had missed hearing me laugh. I haven't had a good laugh in months it seems like. Anyways, August is techincally 2/3 done, just another 10-11 days and then we'll definitely be in the homestretch.

I suck on peppermints. I know they aren't sugar free, but I have found that they help with nausea as well.

I am right there with you on the emotional eating front. I've found that food just isn't as "comforting" as it was before. I'm eating to live, not living to eat, and for the first time in over a decade, I am making better choices, and learning that food is for nourishment, not a cocktail to drown my pain. I haven't had a normal cycle since surgery, I couldn't even remotely guess when my next one will start, you watch, it'll start when my husband is due home. After 6 long months of abstinence, you'd think the period gods would give us some time. . . I hope you start feeling better soon ! ! !

I take 2 children's chewable with iron every day.

Waves as well, I'm 32 ! ! !

I found a protein drink that I can tolerate for the moment. Muscle milk pre-mixed drinks, vanilla creme. It may not last, but I'm going to enjoy it while I can. Also, I've fallen in love with beef jerky. I can chew it to mush, and it's full of protein. I need to steer clear of it too often due to the sodium content, but I was so glad I was able to eat today.

I was just thinking the same thing, and I've noticed the same thing. I wake up, but do not have a huge sense of urgency to urinate. I get up and still go tinkle, but it isn't like before when I was running to the toilet. I don't get that uncomfortable, got to go, got to go right now.

I swear by Hip Hop Abs with Shawn T. I know that sounds crazy, but it works. I'm so excited that I can start working out again, and I plan on throwing my Hip Hop Abs DVD back in the player and get started. You'll need to make sure that you are cleared for abdominal/core excerising before you try these because it is a lot of tummy working out.

I also think one of the issues may be food intolerance. I know I've had a couple of things post-op that were fine before, but now, they made me feel horribly nauseous. I was always told to incorporate solid foods very slowly so if your body doesn't like something you can pinpoint and avoid it. I recently figured out that I can not have bar-b-que flavored chicken wings from a local pizza place here. I had zero issues pre-op, but I was in misery for 2 hours after eating just 2 tiny wings. I didn't eat the skin or any fatty tissue either. Least to say, I was not a happy camper, neither was my tummy. I'm about 10 weeks post-op, and still learning how and what to eat. Every day brings a new challenge especially with solid food.

Tricare is about to start approving the sleeve, and my revision from band to sleeve was covered 100% by Tricare. Our MTF/Hospital here is doing sleeves all the time and they are covered by Tricare as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. BMI, co-morbidities, and so forth. There are several MTF/Military Hospitals across the nation that are performing the sleeve and they are being approved and covered. Don't give up ! ! !

I broke down and took an Ambien tonight so I can get some sleep. . . I may try to chat tomorrow night, but tonight I need to be in bed at a decent hour.