Hello Everyone! I must say it is GREAT to be home! I am feeling better but my TT surgery did not go as uneventful as I had hoped it would. Surgery started out routine, but on day 2 is when the real FUN started for me--------------First my iron level dropped so I had to go on routine iron pills throughout the day, then I started feeling naucious and dizzy and it was descovered that my hemoglobin level dropped very low so I was constantly being watched. I was told I would need a blood transfusion and had to sign to receive two units of blood. Then I ran a fever, then I started to retain fluids. To make a long story short, I had the surgery on Tuesday and came home yesterday/ Sunday. The best part of my hospital stay was Dr. Adaniel removed 10 lbs of skin and I was given a private room while in the hospital. The staff was WONDERFUL, FRIENDLY AND CARING! Yes, even with what I went through I would do it again and let me tell all of you who have had or will have more evassive surgeries than mine I give all of you LOTS OF CREDIT! I feel like crap now with feeling weak, cold, hot, cold etc and I know what I have gone through with just one procedure and can only immagine going through multiple procedures at the same time!!! Those of you who are reading this and have NOT gone through your procedure yet--Please do not let what I have just typed scare you because each one of us is different and I just happened to be one of those who did not have it easy! I also remember now that when I was recooperating from my hysterectomy I went through the same thing with the very low drop in my hemoglobin to the point that I was being considered for a blood transfusion even back then but did not actually require one. So now I know that in the future I would be better off to donate my own blood ahead of time for upcoming surgical procedures so they have it on hand should it ever be needed again. Well, its time for a pain killer and then I am off to la la land. Talk to you later! Love Marianne

Sorry I didn't reply to this message sooner. I come on every now and again but there usually isn't any updated info. I don't have to many eating issue's. However being pregnant now presents a whole set of issues I didn't have. I tried to eat 3 meals a day and now I have to eat every few hours or I get pretty sick. I start getting real dizy, I sweat and I feel sick to my tummy. I need to have something wti sugar and it starts to go away. It's odd because sweet things usually make me ill. After is passes I can't eat anything to sweet or it will make me sick. I am odd, I know. LOL I was at my goal, gained about 3 pounds and was holding steady and still very very happy. Since getting pregnant I have gained 3 pounds. The scale hasn't moved and I am pretty happy with that. I wanted to hold off for as long as possible before I started to gain any weight. Seeing the numbers go up hasn't freaked me out because I know it is for the good of the baby. I am glad that you see where your issue's are and that your working on making your life better. It isn't always easy to be able to get back on track. You should be proud and it sounds like your doing pretty good. Shannon

Hi Beth and everyone The good news.. i only drank half my martini said NO to creme brulee after dinner, and walked a couple blocks rather than drive to the restaurant we went to! Also took my vitamins. What could have been better? Skipping martini altogether , getting in a real workout, not having the fast food (arby's) sandwich i ate between lunch and dinner. I rarely have fast food, but I was at the mall with my daughters and they ordered and it was there. Tomorrow I KNOW I'll do better... YAY four day weekends are awesome!!! Have a good weekend guys! Love, Sue

Holy Moly! FIVE flights of stairs?!?! Thanks for the responding and keep up the good fight! Beth

Do you find yourself constantly hearing negative messages from YOU? It's all part of the morbid obesity we battle...So, starting yesterday, I decided to remind myself of things I do RIGHT, be accountable for what I didn't do so great...But MOST importantly, to let it go and realize each day is a new day with a clean slate. In the past, once I fell of the "diet" wagon, I was a goner. I'm now beginning to realize if I keep my pouch in mind and make a conscious effort to USE it, I will NOT fall off the wagon. (can ya tell I'm still trying to convince myself of that statement?? ) So, yesterday--the good: I took all my vitamins, drank plenty of water, took a 4 mile walk and had 100 gms of protein. When the grazing urge hit, I turned to SF popsicles and SF jello with strawberries. The not-so-good: After the SF jello, I grabbed 3 graham crackers followed a bit later with 10 baked tortilla chips then a few frosted mini-wheats. Grrrrr!! Okay, it's a new day! I get to start over! What are YOU doing right? Beth