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Good morning!! I hope all has a safe and happy new year! I still am thinking of hopping on a plane and going to see Pamela and K.C.!! Judy drive safely!!!!!!!!!! Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haydee, I am working this morning also, not feeling the going to work, it is a short day for me, but....... I mix the gumdrops in the batter. I can post the recipe if you want, it is good, my grandma used to make them, then the recipe was lost, then in a old cookcook we found the recipe again! Michelle, have a great new year, are you getting snow again? Laura, how is Carson doing with the teething? I have heard rubbing their gums with alcohol works too, although that just doesn't sound right does it?????? I hope you and Russ have a great new year!! Ok off for a shower and then to work!

Good Monday morning! Rainy and wet here today but we are supposed to have cooler temps soon so that's a big plus! I got my new car and I finally got to drive it this morning. It's awesome! New Orleans was so much fun! Have any of ya'll been? Lots of history and beautiful architecture. The food is AMAZING. We ate at so many wonderful places. Lots of the restaurants there are hundreds of years old and we were able to experience such rich culture. Walking through the cobblestone streets was so idylic. And there are so many horse drawn carriages around and so you hear the clopping of the horses feet on the cobblestones and you can feel what it must have felt like long ago. I always imagined that New Orleands was just alcohol and debauchery but we were able to see the other side of it and we are definetly going back. I'll post pics on Facebook as soon as I can. Judy - OMG, poor Bob! I'm glad it's getting better though but that sounds like a big gash... Michelle - sooo jelous of your disney trip. When ya'll go do ya'll do the same rides or do ya'll always manage to find new stuff to do? Pammy - yay on the excersise. I go back tonight after being "OFF" for 6 days! It's gonna kick my ass. I'm not looking forward to it. But i've indulged way too much these past few days and so I know I need it... Jane - Doesn't it feel so good once you've gotten started on something that you've been putting off for a loooonnngg time. Me and you are very much alike... To make the cell read what you put in there you need to right click on the cell and then click on the FORMAT CELL option. Then click on TEXT. That means that whatever you put in that cell it will take as is with no corrections... Hope that helps! Kat - have a good day at work. Is that lady still making things difficult for you? Can ya'll believe it's already the end of September? Where did September go? Seriously, I missed it. Time is FLYING. I need to get my butt in gear and start looking for invites and start looking for a dress for me. I fear it's going to be a daunting task....

So, how was your first time introducing alcohol into your new body?

Oh that wasn’t my first drinking with a post-wls bod. im 3 years out now and drink quite regularly (bring on the concerned comments, I’m ready!) my fIrst attempt at alcohol was 3-4 weeks post. I had maybe two sips of red wine and it slightly burned a little and I swear I could feel it travel down my intestines. With so little drank, it had no effect on me. second attempt was closer to 2 months post had a few sips of a sugary soju drink and I had a several hour long dumping episode. Not pretty. I probably had 5 or so PARTIAL drinks my ENTIRE weight loss phase. It got me tipsy quickly even with small amounts of less than 1/3 a drink, and I could tell I wouldn’t be able to drive….but I also sobered up really quickly. fast forward to now and i can drink maybe 2 drinks in succession (like in under an hour) and be pretty toasted…if I nurse the drinks over a period of time I can keep from getting too drunk. And I still sober up really quick. oh and I mostly stay away from sugary mixers if I can help it…

I am usually fine mixing as long as it isnt too many different types, and as long I am not drinking wine. Wine makes me ill.....I am not a normal sleever when it comes to alcohol. Not sure why I bring it up as to say we all go into this thinking we are giving everything up. But as time goes on you get a new normal that feels like it was never any different. And on top of it all, bad night with food and stuff, this morning I weighed in at the lowest number I have seen in a while..

Hi there- Whatever happened? Are you ok? My gallbladder pain was on right side to the middle of my stomach area and it began after l ate greasy food or drank alcohol. It was a relief to get it removed! Hope you’re ok! megan

Sounds like you had a seroma, I guess it's pretty common for us. But can be scary and a bit icky. I would doubt you are getting a fill, most docs won't even thin of a fill until at least four weeks out because you have to heal and the scar tissue has to form well enough to help hold the band into place. Might be a nutrition appt, too. My surgeon's office combines MD appts with a chance to talk with the nuts. About being hungry, you're not going to like this but the beloved Diet Green tea may be the culprit. I have found over the past six months that if I drink something with an artifical sweetener in it I am HUNGRY within about 60-90 minutes. Even though we aren't eating sugar, our body is tricked into thinking we are and it says: EAT. This is especially true with Splenda products for me. The sugar alcohols are still processed by the body like sugar and though you don't get the blood sugar spike from taking in a carb, you still get the dip and the release of gherlin that says: Feed Me! It took me about three weeks without artifical sweeteners to conquer that feeling. White carbs (simple carbs) like enriched flour and refined sugars/high fructose corn syrup make it awful, too. I switched to making my own decaf tea (or kool-aid, lemonade, etc) and sweetening it with either Stevia (a natural plant derivative available in bigger supermarkets in the health food section as a supplement or in health food stores) or Blue Agave Nectar (has calories and carbs but is low glycemic index, so it is verrrry slowly processed by the body and gives no spikes or dips in blood sugar levels). I wish us all luck.

Yeah, my neighbor is a real creep. His nickname in the neighborhood is "the child molester", which he's not (to my knowledge), he's just an alcoholic and super creepy. You could be dressed like an eskimo and when he looks at you it makes you feel naked. YUCK! I love my neighborhood! I just wish he would move...he's only home two days a week, though, so not too awful. Baseball bat? The cops told me to keep my gun handy...I didn't think they usually would say that? I was lucky and I got away from him relatively unscathed, but it was difficult...he really had me. I'm dreading having to go to court on this, but I can't let him get away with it.

That sounds awesful! You poor thing.You definately did a job on yourself! Good luck tomorrow, you're young and healthy (now) you'll be fine Ummmm with the fall ........ was there alcohol involved?? Deano

My brother chews his nails so low they get infected frequently! He uses one of the little dosage cups that come with liquid meds--like Nyquil---puts some peroxide in it, and bubbles it out---he said sometimes it stings a little but nothing like it would with alcohol. Might try it! We are not corned beef and cabbage eaters either....so gonna grill my steak out in the snow!!! The grill is on the patio, just out the door, so not a big deal. Think I will roast some veggies. I take potatoes, mushrooms, onions, peppers...whatever I have put them in a large ziplock bag, dump in about 1/4 cup of EVOO and a packet of onion soup mix, and a couple of tablespoons of this dried, roasted red pepper and garlic seasoning I use....shake it all up---dump it in a baking pan----and cook it at 400 for 35-40 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes. They crisp up on the outside, and stay tender in the middle. I have some frozen garlic bread, I can toss on the last few minutes for Rick. That way I am all done when it gets finished!!! They cook good on the grill too, but they take a lot longer it seems, and I am not wanting to run in and out more than necessary! I have not set foot outside today!!! Has been a wierd day. Usually Rick calls a couple times---he's been quiet. Kinsey has been in a very somber mood, very independent! We colored some pics on line, and read a couple of books. But even at lunch when she usually jabbers, she just yawned! All of us are lazy! Well....guess I'll go prep my veggies. Kat

I have a question...... Is there anything you know of besides alcohol you can put into liquids to keep them from freezing to an ice hard state? When I was unsure and was trying the cold, Rick put some of my Crystal light in to freeze, but I didn't want it solid--so he added like just a bit of Amaretto. Well I was trying some of it today, and Kinsey wanted mine, not her popsicle. When you freeze it in a cup, it is just too hard for her to manage....I would like it to remain slushy......any ideas??? Well my sick stomach saved my fat stomach today! I had to run to the store, and they had bags of left over Easter candy---some of them the HUGE bags of assorted candy....M&M's, Cadbury Egg Minis, Reeces eggs, Hershey Kisses--plain vanilla Cream, and Coconut (which are great)......all for .50 a bag! Plus all the hollow chocolate bunnies. I bought Kinsey a hollow chocolate egg, that had a Peep chick in it when you broke it open!! I bought a bag of individual M&M's to have here to treat her with, and a bag of the coconut Kisses to send home with them, but my stomach kind of turned just thinking about it.....so I bought none! I wish the scale would appreciate it! LOL Gonna go put away the rest of my groceries, BBL~~ Kat

Good morning everyone. I am off to the fairgrounds for the end of the 2nd go rounds.....it is all winding down. I was up til after 2 this morning, my stomach is trashed. We had really spicy food for dinner, and I think that began my trouble. Then we got word that one of my favorite kids from the bull riders group had been critically injured during his ride, he had spinal surgery last night, but there is still no word on its results because swelling is still an issue. He got stomped by a bull weighing over a ton. When I got that news, it felt like everything in my stomach curdled, and it has been burning like FIRE ever since. I am going onto liquids for the day--possibly some real mushy soup---but super BLAND, absorptive type of things, try to calm it down----no more spice for a few days. Going to try to avoid calming it with ice cream as well! If you would please, remember Corbin Carpenter in your prayers---he is 17 and from Louisiana. Jenn----I know you are stressed, but girl the vodka is not gonna help. It can cause so many more problems than you are facing right now----and can make the ones you are facing so much worse. Furthermore, your DD especially is at a really bad age for her to see you use alcohol as a coping method, because you sure do not want her to do that. I am not trying to be cruel or preach at you, but vodka was my brothers coping mechanism for years, as well as our friend Pauls.......I attended Pauls memorial service a couple of weeks ago, he died from liver cancer. We love you and want you happy, masking the emotions with vodka is not going to change either the emotions or their intended outcome. I think you need to read Haydee's posts over the last couple of months---she too is going through something similar. But she actually lived with Juan for a fairly long while, but when she went home from San Antonio, she began looking out for Haydee first and decided what SHE wanted. SHE made the decision, not Juan (or Kev in your case) YOU need to decide what will make you happy, and if he can do that, then he needs to do it, if not---borrow a page from Haydee, and move on--looking for things to make YOU happy. As she is discovering, it might just bring what you wanted all along. I'll quit now.....but the vodka thing scares me, and I had to say it----any time you want to call me....I am here! ((((hugs))))) Yesterday when we went to set up camp for my folks----the camp area has this circle drive----and I needed to turn around, so I sat Kinsey on my lap, and let her help me steer around the loop like my Dad used to do with me. She was flying HIGH---she has already called me this morning to tell me, she is a good driver!!! TracyK---as for the bike, that is a grandparents perogitive.....it is what we do. Granny is my name, spoiling is my game!!! Just ask Judy---we have it down to an art!! Terry---good luck today! Sorry your sister left you in the lurch again. Pamela.....I am so excited to see you moving on with your interviews--------yay you!!! Jane--sorry work is not appealling today. Not much making me real excited today either!! I need to get going, just can't find any motivation! Everyone take care----I'll be back in awhile!! Kat

Gold schlagger is some sort of alcohol.. with... wait for it... GOLD IN IT! Really. It's little flakes of gold.. and you drink it. I don't care for the taste of ANY alcohol to be honest, but I enjoy drinking gold flakes. Makes me feel rich that I can poo gold.

Good Morning Violets~ Checking in from Disneyland!! Susie, I saw the parking garage! Can't believe that story...wow. Tell him the parking garage is still standing! Well, yesterday...I blew out my knee at work. I almost said a very bad word in front of the kids as I was laying on the desks. I told the kids to go get me ice...I mean this was really bad. Then driving here, it stiffened (sp) up and I could barely get out of the car (PS is about 2 hours away w/ traffic). Went to dinner, then to the keynote last night...I WAS DYING! Susanne is here and I got into bed and slept really good...and so far it is better. I have an apt w/ doc on Friday late afternoon. I am almost depressed thinking about not being able to do Jazzercise. I finally found something I love, but honestly...my knees have hurt bad for a few weeks. I've NEVER had trouble...and am pissed that they hurt. I am hoping a few shots and I can work out. I promise not to do anymore squats. Well...long day of food, sitting...more food, and then alcohol! I am trying to make "good choices". Last night had the salmon (OMG...melted in my mouth), the broccli, 1/2 piece of bread, but skipped the pots. Also everyone went out for dessert...skipped that. I had sooo many compliments lately, especially w/ my new pants that actually fit, don't want to go too far off track. Have a great day everyone. I'll try to pop in tomorrow am. Jenn~ Did you get a new tat?

And now for your daily tip(s). That first peak is the best place to pause and look back, to see if you took the easiest route, to learn the lessons from the first climb. And it is the best place to examine the terrain ahead, to change your plans and goals, to take a deep breath and begin climbing again. - By Michael Johnson 7 Tips to Improve your Metabolism! 1. Get regular exercise While it seems like a simple solution, most people still don’t get enough exercise on a regular basis, and then wonder why they’re not burning any calories. Regular activity such as walking, biking, swimming, and hiking will help to speed up your metabolism and keep it at an elevated level even after you are done exercising. It’s easy to incorporate mini-workouts into your daily routine by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or taking a walk instead of using the car. Cleaning the house and doing yard work will also help to increase your metabolic rate. 2. Get adequate sleep Researchers have discovered that a lack of sleep negatively affects the way our bodies metabolize carbohydrates. This results in glucose intolerance and can possibly lead to a slower metabolism with increased hunger. A lack of sleep also affects our levels of energy throughout the day and can cause us to forgo exercising because we’re too tired. 3. Eat regular meals Skipping meals is perhaps one of the most detrimental things a dieter can do to their body. Contrary to popular belief, skipping meals doesn’t merely save calories, it actually decreases metabolism causing you to burn calories at a much slower rate than normal. The body goes into a “starvation” mode to try to protect itself and compensate for the lack of calories and nutrition. The body then tries to hold onto its existing fat supply and will actually burn lean muscle instead. 4. Eat enough protein Protein is essential for the body to build healthy, strong muscles. A good rule of thumb to follow is about one half gram of protein per pound of body weight. Which means that a 180 pound man would need up to 90 grams of protein per day. 5. Get enough calcium Research has shown that three to four servings on a daily basis of low-fat dairy products can help the body to burn fat at a faster rate. Calcium, of course, is also essential for healthy bones. 6. Drink green tea Drinking green tea appears to slightly raise metabolic rates, and also speed up the oxidation of unhealthy fats. Green tea has other health benefits as it contains a significant amount of antioxidants to protect the body from diseases such as cancer and heart ailments. 7. Limit or eliminate alcohol consumption Scientific studies have shown that after drinking alcohol, the body burns fat at a slower rate than usual. It is believed that alcohol may actually play a role in suppressing the body’s natural ability to burn fat When Looking for the best results for speeding up metabolism, I also read that spicy foods up your metabolism for HOURS after eating it. So keep that in mind too!

I didn't keep the belief that everyone was the same for as long as you did Terry--but I know exactly what you are saying! I grew up surrounded by people of similar status and belief systems....with happily married parents, and grandparents who loved one another, and us. I can remember on a summer evening on the front porch, Mom brought Dad a bottle of beer, and had poured some in one of those little glasses that cheese spread comes in for herself. That was my life---until I got married. I was young (17!!!) and would have run away if not given permission, the border is 11 miles away!!! I married into a family with serious alcohol issues, and fidelity issues. The first night my husband didn't come home all night, I was in tears convinced he was dead somewhere....the thought he was cheating never entered my mind! It was quite a wake up call!!! I am now much more observant of how people live amongst themselves.... OH and FWIW-----For What It's Worth...... I don't think my Uncle saw his job as depressing...although he dealt with depressed people....hard to describe. He was very well respected, and sought out when there was an elder on the reservation die. He would go in and observe all the old traditions. Including, the fact that if one of the elders actually died in their hogan (a dome shaped-usually-mud and stick built home, with a fire pit right in the middle, piped out the top) he would go with the family, and witness the burning of the home....partake in the meal, usually mutton stew and fried bread, then hold the services. The Navajo people have a huge presence in the armed services, per capita they are in the majority, and they all have massive respect for fellow servicemen. He actually did several of the original "Code Talkers" from WWII's services. And drove countless bodies thousands and thousands of miles for military burial. His wife is my Dads sister, and she is a PITA--she used to love that I was the fattest one in the family, now she and her DD are both bigger than I am, and she will not mention anything EVER about my weight---she always refers to her own at being 220 pounds, which is about 75-100 short---but hey she has to carry it around not me! But my Uncle he is always telling me how good I look, and how proud he is I found a way to do it. Mom and I are always saying--poor him having to put up with my Aunt!!! Sorry your sister had it out with your Mom. I am not trying to defend her---it was a horrible thing to do. But as I have said before, sometimes it is easier to be mad, than to be sad. We want them to want to fight with every breath too....I was FURIOUS with my Mom for allowing my Grandma to sign a DNR. Mom did not have any choice, she didn't want Gma. to hurt anymore, and it was Gma's choice. But I wanted her to beat the cancer again-and live forever, not sign a paper that said they would not keep her living. I said horrid things to my Mom, and I threatened to talk to Gma. myself. Had my Mom in tears....and left her that way! You may be thinking, that I was just a kid, and your sister is not---but I was well into my 30's---not a kid, just a scared granddaughter who could not face the thought of losing her and no one doing anything! I still hate DNR's! I have since apologized to my Mom, and know the pain she had in making the choice to accept Gma's choice. But it was so much easier to hate everyone and everything about it, than allow it to hurt....Does your sister have much of a support system to get through this besides you? Hugs to all of you! Tracy---as soon as it is light, and I can go to the car and get the box, and to the garage and get the tape, and get off my butt and get dressed.....I'll get right on it!! LOL I promise!! Gonna be nice here today too, Kinsey and I are walking to the bank this morning, hoping the fresh air makes my headache ease. TTYL~~ Kat

hi hi hi girls! how's everyone this morning! 309 days is gonna fly by Judy. I'm soooo excited! I slept so weird on my neck last night and today I can't move it around too much... That's not good... Terry - I'm fully committed! Can't wait to see our new baby... Tell me how much you need for the deposit and I'll sent it right on over. Or we can meet for din din sometime next week and i can hand it over :smile2: Did you check the rates on flying out there? I don't know if I should go ahead and book now or wait. So far Southwest comes in around 50 bucks cheaper but I don't know if it's worth it to drive all the way down there for 50 bucks savings... Pammy - when does school officially start for you? Around here it starts next Wednesday. Kids are not too happy their summer is over... How can you drink 4 beers? You don't have problems with carbonation?? I feel like my chest is gonna explode when I take a sip of soda... The only alcohol I drink now is coconut rum and pineapple juice :wub: Who is oreokitty? You are making me want Oreos with my coffee this morning!! Bad kitty...

Pam, ya never know I just might show up!!! I guess it depends on when my package from Laura comes!!:biggrin: MACY IS TOOO CUTE!!!!! One of my friends had her kids pic taken and they told her, "what would happen if they died today and you didn't buy this package", I understand they need to make money too, but gosh, it seems like it is at the expense of your emotions! Lazy day today, I want to make sure all my laundry is done and hung up, that is my goal today. I am sooo puffy today. I didn't drink alcohol last night, only water and black coffee, but boy did I eat. I made a recipe for a buffalo chic dip that was very good. I had eaten one that was served cold, but this was hot and was very good. Susie, when is the pool going to be done? Is it a inground or above ground? Yesterday was rain all day and kind of cold. It was supposed to be sunny all day, you should have heard the weather guy try to explain that one over a holiday weekend!!! Kind of funny!! Oh well off for the day!! Have a great one!! Jane

If you go to fitday.com you can enter your foods that you ate for the day and customize foods if you don't find them on the list and it figures out everything for you-calories, protein, fat, etc. and even creates a pie chart with what percentage of your calories were protein, fat, carbs and alcohol. Check it out. It's free. JenniferGH

Nice one Scotty, good luck with your appt. A question for the post sleevers. Do you drink alcohol? How often? What do you drink? How much can you drink? Thanks in advance

Well my scale says 348 this morning... finally down from the 350-351 it's been saying... though my ticker is still set at 346 which I was about 2 weeks ago! I'm still debating on a fill tomorrow or not. I've kept my appointment. I'll go and see what the NP thinks. Basically, I go on vacation a week from today, so if I'm too tight I can go back in for a slight unfill before I leave... I"m not too concerned about that. I just want MORE restriction!! I dunno. This whole band thing is hard. Lol. It's good to help feel full faster and stuff, but if it could only make Snickers taste nasty I'd be in business!! For years now I've said that I wish there was a medication for food addicts like antabuse for alcoholics. Lol!!!

Hi everyone! So inspiring to see and read how well you are all doing..and how gorgeous you look! I have discovered already that if you slowly sip margaritas, nibble cheese, biscuits and the occasional roses chocolates, while being distracted by having a great time with friends, you can double your calory intake. And I mean double from 750 cals to 1500 cals in one day. Eeek! The sleeve restriction just doesn't kick in if I graze. So I am being very careful today to eat small dedicated meals and not have any fluids (alcohol!) half hour before or after meals. Good learning curve for me at this early stage. It is sad to realise that I used to easily consume more than 3000 cals at this time of year before the sleeve. Wishing all of you wonderful people a very merry Christmas. Thank you for all your support and advice which I take heart from. Here is to a new year full of happiness and good health.

OK, truth be told, I didnt eat any of this myself, but it smelled sooooooo good that Im gonna post it anyway! (I have a patio date tonight, so Im saving myself for the inevitable alcohol calorie consumption 🤣) Made a Brie & Roasted Fig Croissant melt with some honey for the fam 532 calories to each of them, LOL.

I don't post too much on here anymore because I'm 2 years and 3 months post of from bypass. Life has pretty much normalized and I've reached my goal weight. I would like to get down to maybe 195 lbs but I'm not sweating it too much because I feel the best I've ever been since starting this whole process. I am six feet tall and sit around 198/199 at the moment. I started this journey at around 340 lbs. I lost 30 lbs before my surgery. I have lots of loose skin on my belly, my thighs, and my arms. Unfortunately, I can't afford skin removal but I'm saving to do my arms next summer. After a while, sometimes you have days where you no longer connect to your old obese self. I have days where I feel huge and ugly still. It's easy to forget where you came from or how far you've come. What helps me is now and then I check my old photos and make comparisons so I can see my progress. The body dysmorphia is so real and something I know most of you if not all can and will relate to. Losing the weight did not fix my body image but it's different for everyone. Some things IT DID improve however: -Improve my joint health (daily knee pain gone). -Took up running. Avid runner now. Have done races and run regularly outside. -Lowered my blood pressure. -Lowered my heart rate. -No longer profusely sweat or turn red from basic activities. -No longer use alcohol and food to cope with anxiety. -So much energy to move and do chores/tasks. -Healed my obsession with food. I love seeing everyone's progress and reading your stories. Getting the surgery is not a fix-all. We have to do the work to eat the right foods in the right portions and get exercise regularly. It's easier the first year but I can tell you it gets harder and harder. Every day is a battle when you're trying to escape obesity. That's not a bad thing. It's rewarding and you learn so much and become a more resilient and deep person. So keep remembering why you did this, where you came from, and how much better life is getting for you!

Im told myself i’d do a 2wk stint of low-carbing starting today to get myself bikini ready for an upcoming vacay at the end of the month. (while i am no longer a card-carrying ultra-low carber these days, i do acknowledge the drastic effect it has on my appearance when i do, which, in my opinion, is for the better as I think my body looks so much less “puffy” when deprived of carbohydrates). Plus I anticipate many an alcoholic drink to be consumed on vacay so it’ll all even out in the end anyway, lol. But I digress. Mr comes home with my absolute favourite brand of Jamaican Beef Patty (perfect amount of spice and sauciness of filling, as well as my preferred pastry makeup: not too, too flaky on the outside and chewy/soft just under the surface…how that for a description!?! Lol) So low-carbing be damned! I split one with Mr. 190 calories for 1/2 the patty. 🤤