BeBe

That would be my luck... whenever I look my worst is when it seems to matter most. LOL!! My mother always told me to wear clean underwear in case I was in an accident, but she never drilled it into my head how embarrassed I might be grocery schopping in PJ's and hair rollers and running into people I worked with. Heh. Congratulations on winning! The kids will have a blast! :-)

With a tummy tuck, you can't walk upright completely for a few weeks... and no lifting. I was in excruciating pain the first two weeks, and I regretted doing it all. But just like childbirth, as soon as the pain is gone, you don't remember how bad it was and you're ready to do it again. LOL! I think I was just fine after about 3 or 4 weeks (walking upright, no more drainage tubes, no more pain). It was so great to have Barbie doll boobs and a flat tummy.

I tipped Francisco $5 each way to and from the airport. I tipped the hotel staff as follows: $3 to the guy who brougt my bag up (the only other bills I had on me were 20's, and he wasn't getting THAT much! LOL!), 20-50% to waiters and the room service guy (I tipped larger when it was a small order like Jell-o). I only brought my american currency and used credit cards when I had to (had to make a run to Office Depot for a new mouse).

I haven't had a fill yet... and I can eat anything I want to. I only WISH I had a problem with bread and pasta! LOL! (I love bread a little too much for my own good)

You're lookin' gorgeous!!! And the expression on your face in the recent pic is very telling. :-)

I got that craving too... and so I licked chips (I believe I am the "Pringle Licker" mentioned above. LOL!) Pringles and tortilla chips were lifesavers to me. :-)

I fasted the morning I got there, because I was having the blood work done that day. I got to eat after I left ("The Last Supper") and then headed to the clinic first thing in the morning - I believe we were told we couldn't eat after 7 p.m. the night before surgery. I ate a nice plate of chicken fajitas that night. Mmmmmmmm... fajitas...

LORALW - are you diabetic? Consant thirst is a sign of diabetes... If you are getting enough water, you shouldn't be thirsty all the time.

Thanks for the support! There was a point in life where I lost 60 lb. in 6 weeks (granted, I ended up in the hospital with near kidney failure because I wasn't eating much and therefor, kept forgetting to drink water). unfortunately, I often think back on that time with fondness. Seeing the scale change by a pound or two everyday was a real high. I'm OK with losing a pound or two a week now. But I won't lie and say I don't wish this extra weight would come off overnight. LOL! But now, as long as the scale is making SOME movement downward, I am thrilled. :-)

All restaurants are required to have nutritional information pamphlets - so you can simply ask for one if you're already there. Also, I used to check the info online and a particular chain's website, and some of them let you alter the menu item to see what the difference in calories, etc. would be (i.e., holding the mayo on a McChicken sandwich).

I've been losing weight VERY slowly since my surgery (only 10 lb. in 4 weeks). It seemed I was eating so little, and the weight loss was so slow - I didn't understand it (especially when I have dieted in the past and lost up to 10 lb. in a week). The past few weeks, I could weigh every day and be the exact same weight for 5 days. *sigh* So a few days ago, I started taking a no-doz pill in the morning with my protein bar and water breakfast. Since then, I have lost 1 - 1.5 lb. per day. I think I really needed the caffeine... since I gave up coffee and diet sodas since the surgery. Or perhaps it's all a coincidence. Who knows, eh? lol If you used to drink a lot of caffeine, maybe you could try taking a pill form and see if that helps you. :-)

Like you, MM, I was a cheerleader in high school. I had no idea how much I weighed - never stepped on the scale, but always felt fat. I was wearing a size 9, at almost 5'7 - I don't know what I was thinking! Since having my first child at 17, I was always weighing in at the Dr.'s office and got as high as 222. (Want to know a weird coincidence? All five pregnancies ended with me weighing exactly 222. Weird, eh?) Anyway, I've lost weight numerous times, and have worn a 9 again at several points, although I don't think my weight was ever below 165-170. I have a goal though of getting below that and getting into a 7 - which may or may not be possible, we'll see. I have set a goal of 145, but it's not set in stone. I may change it at the point where I am comfortable with my size again. Right now, my mini-goal is getting to 175 - which is not the weight I want to be, but it's the point where I stop seeing a beached whale every time I look in the mirror. lol

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have lost it... I'm saying "comparatively speaking". Some people can drop that in a week - which would be like winning the lottery for me as opposed to working a lifetime to become the millionaire. Wouldn't we all rather hit the jackpot? LOL!

I weigh in twice a day, morning & night. It's an obsession. It was not weighing myself daily that caused me to gain weight... so when I would finally step on the scale, I had already gained 15 lb.! Now, while I know weight fluctuates daily due to many other factors, not necessarily gaining fat - at least that daily reminder of where I'm at is enough to remind me to be mindful of what I'm putting in my body that day. And if I've suddenly gained a pound or two and I cut back on the calories or increase my exercise level, well then it's just a bonus that that extra weight was just water... and I'm now two steps ahead of the game (or the gain). :-)

I love to see other peoples' success! Even when I'm not losing (and I've only lost 10 lb. in almost 4 weeks... *sigh*), it encourages me to see others doing so well, because I know that while it may not be me this week (or month), that it will and CAN be me as well.

I just found this gal, who had lap band surgery... she's really sweet and doing great. http://www.youtube.com/user/thebandinme

It's really easy to do. Even a computer dummy like me can do it! :-)

You are doing so great! I would love to see it all together in a video. I did find some random ones on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9tmuljsuLQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyKRP2KpBG0 This one is funny - I'd be happy with her "before" as my "after"! lol! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5_XFwjPa8A As for my videos, well... you really don't want to hear me singing. lol! (I wouldn't post the link in here, because I don't want anyone I know finding me here via Google ... but if you REALLY want to see, send me a PM and I'll give you the link)

If I ever do a weight loss one, I'd have to create a whole other account. I have too many friends (who don't know I had this done) who watch my videos. lol!

I've seen some weight loss progress videos and vlogs on YouTube, and I was wondering if anyone here has done one... I've made other videos for youtube (doing karaoke - because I'm a huge dork), but I'm almost too embarrassed to post something like that. I'm weird like that I guess. LOL Anyway... anybody else here braver than I am? I'd love to see some. ;-)

Last week I gave away everything I owned that was larger than a 12. :-( Otherwise, I would have been happy to participate.

I had to fast before the testing that day, so I didn't take anything. And it was the worst plane ride of my life... a 2 hour flight, and I SWEAR they offered me food 5 times (turkey sandwich, chips, crackers, nuts, cookies, etc.). I thought airlines were cutting all that crap out! LOL!

Do the best you can, and don't worry too much about it. I did the shakes 3 times a day as well... but cheated a few times. I did lose 11 lb. by the surgery date though. I think most people cheat a little - just try to make healthier decisions if you MUST cheat. I haven't heard of anyone yet who didn't have their surgery because they didn't lose all the weight.

You mix it with water until it's the same consistency as regular PB.

I haven't had any problems with food yet. I can eat whatever I want - but I haven't had my fill yet. We'll see what happens after May. (I'm scared)