Malaika

My nephew was just deployed to Afghanistan on 4/29 ... he's got a wife and 3 young daughters at home (16 months, 4 and 6 y/o) ... thankfully, they got restationed from San Diego to North Carolina which is only 2 hours from my sister's house (his mom) so his wife and daughters will have some support. I pray for all the troops and their families ... even if we don't believe in the war ... the troops need our support!!!

Well, it is entirely possible he misread it -- I'll double check before we head out -- obviously -- as that will also make a difference in the route we take. I also found out I can get an insurance policy for $92 ... we have to figure out what we're doing - and probably soon since surgery is 1 month away -- woo hoo!!!!

Oh Mac, you are so funny.

My DBF (now my darling fiance) was reading through some of the paperwork the other night and said "Honey, they will pick us up at the airport in Calixo" -- let's just do that ... so I believe that is what we're gonna do! Thanks for the suggestion!!!

Tiff - When is he due home? If it's going to be quite some time, then I'd say send him progress pics so he knows you are okay ... otherwise, I'd wait and surprise him ... you know him better than us, what would he prefer? Would it be too much of a shock if you waited until he got home?

CONGRATULATIONS TIFF -- AFTER ALL YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH YOU DEFINITELY DESERVE SOME GOOD NEWS!! KEEP IN TOUCH and KEEP US UP TO DATE ... You could always make a video to send to your hubby and then he can see for himself that you're doing great!!!

I've been debating over the same issue. Someone on here mentioned that they told their co-workers they had hiateral hernia surgery. I don't think I will be able to get around telling those I work with that I had WLS; however, I have no intentions of telling anyone what I am doing until AFTER it is over and I am back to work. I don't know how I would avoid telling them inasmuch as I'll be drinking liquids and not eating solids -- they will question that in and of itself. Coupled with the fact that I will be dropping weight (quickly, I hope), they are going to know something is up. A lot of people in the office did the Trimcare diet -- my boss included -- and they dropped weight like crazy -- I did it as well and couldn't seem to drop weight nearly as fast as they did. Of course, now that they are all off the Trmcare, they've put all the weight back on. So, I figure if someone asks me after the fact, I'll tell them. If they don't ask, I don't plan on volunteering. After all, it really is a personal choice and no one else's business -- although I agree with you being a teacher, you might have to explain matters to keep the rumors from circulating. Good luck with your weight loss regardless of what choices you make in sharing/not sharing.

Sure, you can laugh NOW ... it's not fun .... I am already lactose intolerant -- haven't had any luck with soy or rice milk either ... so I will have to be very careful following surgery. Bet you'll be more careful in the future, although I totally understand why you did what you did.

If you google "laser tummy tuck" you can get a good idea of how it is performed, and the approximate cost. My GYN has just become certified and I may see, once I lose my weight, if he'll give me a "break" for before/after pictures to promote his practice. Don't think it works for lifts, but not sure.

Sounds exactly like the symptoms I get when I have milk -- however, it does NOT affect me when I eat yogurt, or cheese -- however, whip cream is a killer - I haven't had it in years - the last time I had it, I was in so much pain I thought I was going to have to go the ER. You should be OK with yogurt - even frozen ... it's not a fun thing to go through, that's for sure. GasX works very well, too. Sorry you had to go through it.

I would definitely consider it - I was already considering a "perk" job and now that I will be having sleeve surgery on June 12th and hope to lose at least 100 lbs. I am sure I will need a lift, if not implants ... it's generally the first place I lose, so I don't know why this would be any different this time ...I may need a tummy tuck, too and some lipo on the inside of my thighs -- my "pillows" ... I plan to exercise regularly, so hoping some, if not all of the skin will tighten up; however, I've been overweight for so long, I don't think it will. If I can get by with the new laser surgery, I will go that way. If not, then it will be under the knife for me once I lose the weight and have maintained it for a bit.

CONGRATULATIONS RUKHSHANDAH -- YOU'VE GOT TO BE WALKING ON CLOUDS TODAY .... KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I'LL BE ANXIOUS TO FOLLOW YOUR PROGRESS.:glare:

Well Patch, when you find that surgeon, let me know ... I am having the sleeve on June 12th. The majority of my weight is below my girls to above my knees --- and I am sure after having been stretched for so long, it's going to require some help once I get my weight off. I also wouldn't mind having the girls perkier ... so when you find that doc ... be kind, and share!!!

Hang in there - it will be here before you know it. And having your DH there will be a great benefit -- he can wait on you hand and foot for a few days (hehehe) ... keep yourself busy between now and then and before you even realize it, your day will be here.

Just goes to show how strong you can be when it is for something you REALLY want ... think of all the possibilities ahead of you now that you've done all this on your own!!!

Thanks Daisy -- I am sure as fast as the first 4 months of the year flew by, June will be here before I know it. I'm looking forward to it being over and seeing the weight come off -- I know it will be work, I've battled weight my entire life -- however, this time the work will be gratifying in knowing that the weight won't come back! Happy to be going with someone else, too -- and even happier that Ruthie doesn't have to go alone. I wouldn't be entirely alone as my DBF is going with me ... Ruthie was going to do it all on her own, so now I'm happy she will have the support of me and Bob (my DBF):glare:

If it's like the Leslie Sansone tapes I have - 1, 2, 3 and superburn challenge tapes, she does a warm up, pretty fast paced walk, and a cool down. Aslo, do you have the belly belt with the cords that you use for your upper arms, etc.? I am sure that that may add extra calories... I know it definitely helps to keep my upper arms toned so I don't look like a flying squirrel. My DBF was making fun of me, saying "that's not exercising!" So I challenged him to get up one morning with me and do it. He said "sure, no problem." So, he did get up with me, and we started the 1 mile -- after about 5-8 minutes, Leslie said "OK, we're done with the warm up, let's start the 1 mile." He said "F**K! That was JUST the warm-up?" He couldn't do anymore than that that day and was breathing hard and sweating ... he doesn't give me grief about my "walking tapes" anymore ... he did get so he could do the entire 1 mile... and didn't move on to the 2 mile with me ... we bought bikes instead. However, seeing as it is starting to get warm in LV - 100 already -- I think I'll do my walking tapes and ride the bikes in the evening once it cools down. GOOD LUCK with your exercise and weight loss program!!

Thanks WasA. I am sure I will have many questions beforehand and probably a million more afterwards -- consider this fair warning to you, Elizabeth and *Susan*.

Thank you - that makes perfect sense to me now.

Thank you -- I hope my recovery goes as well as you, Susan and WasA. It will be nice to have someone else down there with me, although Ruthi has been through the wringer, so I am sure this surgery will be a breeze for her. Me, on the other hand, this will be my first major surgery. :eek6:

Mac -- what is a boughie? Does anyone know what size Dr. Aceves uses? I only want to have this done once!

The first thought that came to my mind was a co-worker who was running in a park early evening with headphones on and someone came up behind her and stabbed her 17 times -- she did live -- however it was iffy for quite some time. The second thought that came to mind was what is more valuable to you -- your life or your time -- in my opinion, if adding 30 minutes to your total routine will put you in a safer environment where you don't have to worry about attacks, then the 30 minutes it worth it to me. Hope you find a happy solution that makes you feel comfortable and less vulnerable so you can enjoy your evening run.

Of course, once she finds us and sees how wonderful we all are, Sleeve Brother Steve may have to fight her for use of the computer ...:thumbsup:

Well it's not the best I've had, that's for sure, but it's also not the worse. According to everything I've been reading on "theworldaccordingtoeggface" on OH Max Protein Chocolate is supposed to be just awesome. And if you go to her site, you can get 20% off your order. I'm going to take the advice I was given and wait until after my surgery since my tastes may change ... hopefully your friend won't be quite so picky or her tastes will change too. Good luck.

Hi Daisy - I've never noticed it making my smoothie taste different --- I just went in and mixed it with water so I could tell you ... I put about 8 oz. of water and 1 scoop of protein powder and 4 pkgs. of splenda -- blended it in the blender and poured it over ice. I think it tastes good-- the flavor of the powder is Natural Vanilla Flavor. It definitely doesn't smell weird or gross ...it definitely tastes better mixed with fruit than just water; however, I don't find it intolerable or gaggy. The smell reminds me of a vanilla scented candle in the smell, but not as strong. The brand is Wild Harvest. It is a Soy Protein Powder - No Carbs, 1 g fat, 0 sugars, 110 calories; 200 with 8 oz. skim milk. Total Fat is 1g, saturated Fat is 0, cholesterol is 0; sodium 250 mg.; potassium 28 mg; and Protein 24 g. It's a 16 oz container -- so not HUGE like some of them - with 16 servings and I believe I paid about $11 or $12. Hope this helps and if you have any other questions, let me know. Good luck to your friend -- and who knows, maybe with the surgery, her tastes will change ... seems to be the trend from what I am reading. Hope you're doing well -- glad to hear you're not STARVING any longer. :thumbup: