QOTD - Wednesday

Hi everyone!! I'm posting this tonight as I have an appt with my PCP at 9:00 am tomorrow. No time to come home and post between dropping off the kids and making the 35-40 minute drive there.... Hope you enjoy these!! 1. What is your favorite brand of non calorie drinks? (ie, Crystal Light, Wylers, Wal-mart store brand, etc) 2. What is your favorite flavor of the above? 3. What is your favorite protein drink? 4. Do you prefer plain water to the above drinks? 5. Do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil? 6. Which do you crave more, chocolate (sweets) or chips (salties)? Has this always been your weakness? 7. Is it as hard as you thought it would be to live the WLS lifestyle? Or has it been easier? Please explain!! This is meant to be an essay question. 8. Do you wear belts? If not, are you looking forward to wearing them? 9. If you were approached by your surgeon to give a testimonial in their printed info, would you? Would you be willing to let them use before/after pics? Another essay question...please explain. 10. If you knew your insurance would cover any and all plastic surgeries after you met your goal weight, would you have it and what would you have done? Okay...these are the best things I can come up with tonight. Hope they are fun. Will check in with everyone when I get back tomorrow. Have a great day! Susan

1. What is your favorite brand of non calorie drinks? (ie, Crystal Light, Wylers, Wal-mart store brand, etc) WalMart brand.. 2. What is your favorite flavor of the above? Peach Tea 3. What is your favorite protein drink? It's called EAS from Walmart...Vanilla....I don't care for the chocolate. 4. Do you prefer plain water to the above drinks? Plain Water 5. Do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil? Pen 6. Which do you crave more, chocolate (sweets) or chips (salties)? Has this always been your weakness? Chips, Yes, always. 7. Is it as hard as you thought it would be to live the WLS lifestyle? Or has it been easier? Please explain!! This is meant to be an essay question. No, not as hard as I thought it would be. My PCP really helped prepare me during my six month prep. Sometimes it is hard not to eat something I know I shouldn't have...as soon as I feel the "fullness" I stop. I overate once and threw up and swore I would never do it again. I haven't quite figured out how some people can overeat....I get a horrible pain in my side when I have eaten too much... 8. Do you wear belts? If not, are you looking forward to wearing them? No, not yet. 9. If you were approached by your surgeon to give a testimonial in their printed info, would you? Would you be willing to let them use before/after pics? Another essay question...please explain. Definitely yes to both questions!! I love my new life. I knew that I was going to lose weight after surgery, I didn't think I would this much so quickly!! I love the way I feel...the way I look...last night two neighbors yelled, who is that stranger in the green shirt?! IT was ME!!!! 10. If you knew your insurance would cover any and all plastic surgeries after you met your goal weight, would you have it and what would you have done? Yes. My tummy....my boobs....and under my arms...for sure!

Well, have a few minutes here before heading out the door for the day to go and play with the old folks at work. Have a great day everyone...... 1. What is your favorite brand of non calorie drinks? (ie, Crystal Light, Wylers, Wal-mart store brand, etc) I am not picky about my drinks but I do love the Crystal Light Lemonade. But WalMarts little tubes that you mix in water are great too. The on the go things. 2. What is your favorite flavor of the above? The lemonade and then the On the Go packet apple is great. 3. What is your favorite protein drink? I am not picky with them and have been able to tolerate all of them. Just put my mind to it that I have to drink them and make the best of it. 4. Do you prefer plain water to the above drinks? I have always loved drinking water, ice cold. I drink about 64 oz of it a day and then about 32 of flavored things and then the 12 of milk with the protein in it. 5. Do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil? I prefer pen but there are times still when pencils are called for. 6. Which do you crave more, chocolate (sweets) or chips (salties)? Has this always been your weakness? I really don't crave any of it but probably if I needed to choose it would be the salties. I have yet to have chocolate and only sweets a couple times so far. Shocks me cause I used to love sweets and then follow it up with the salty, or visa versa. 7. Is it as hard as you thought it would be to live the WLS lifestyle? Or has it been easier? Please explain!! This is meant to be an essay question. I was prepared for the worst and have experienced the best. Knock on wood, but so far for me this has been an incredibly easy journey. Lord has really been with me through all of this as I have been able to stick with the protein, water, exercise and lifestyle. I could be exercising more I think and hopefully once I get into a routine here with work I will be able to get back into exercising more. But I have not missed my old lifestyle at all and am so thankful for my new one. 8. Do you wear belts? If not, are you looking forward to wearing them? Don't wear them and really am not looking forward to them. It has been so long since I have worn one I forget what it is like. 9. If you were approached by your surgeon to give a testimonial in their printed info, would you? Would you be willing to let them use before/after pics? Another essay question...please explain. I would do it in a heartbeat. That is how fantastic this man and his staff is. Anything to help anyone out to experience the great journey we are on. 10. If you knew your insurance would cover any and all plastic surgeries after you met your goal weight, would you have it and what would you have done? I sure would. I went last night to hear a plastics man talk and I would go for it if I could. Seeing that they only cover the belly, at this point that is all that I would have. I don't like to think of myself as vain, so that is the other side of the coin. But I think if it was all covered I would have it done. Not to have the bat wings and the flabby thighs and butt would be nice. Maybe there is some vanity in there then. Who knows........

1. What is your favorite brand of non calorie drinks? (ie, Crystal Light, Wylers, Wal-mart store brand, etc) Crystal Light for the 0 calorie ones. For the other sugar free (with a few calories - I think 5? per serving) I like Light Hawian Punch the best. 2. What is your favorite flavor of the above? Anything red 3. What is your favorite protein drink? Pro Complex chocolate 4. Do you prefer plain water to the above drinks? Plain water please 5. Do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil? Pen 6. Which do you crave more, chocolate (sweets) or chips (salties)? Has this always been your weakness? salty snacks now still, and they were always my weakness. 7. Is it as hard as you thought it would be to live the WLS lifestyle? Or has it been easier? Please explain!! This is meant to be an essay question. No. I imagined that I would never eat "normally" that going out with friends etc would never happen again and that meals would become WORK. I imagined / thought that I would HATE to excercise and woudl therefor avoid it and slow my weightloss. Instead I have assimilated my WLS plan into my active lifestyle. I've learned how to eat on the run and make choices when I go out to eat that will not sabbatoge my efforts. I've also learned that I LOVE to excercise (most of the time). 8. Do you wear belts? If not, are you looking forward to wearing them? Yes, I need them to hold my pants up most of the time. I just bought a great one at Old Navy on clearance this past weekend - I've been wearing it just for fashion and not function even! 9. If you were approached by your surgeon to give a testimonial in their printed info, would you? Would you be willing to let them use before/after pics? Another essay question...please explain. Yes. People thought I was crazy to travel from suburban Philadelphia all the way down to the Baltimore area when we have great hospitals here. I think I was wise, the facility was great, I was pleased with the program and I know my follow-up care is in good hands. As far as before and after pictures, sure, why not. I am starting to enjoy the way I look in pictures now, and as far as how I looked before at 328 lbs.....it's just proof that this surgery works! 10. If you knew your insurance would cover any and all plastic surgeries after you met your goal weight, would you have it and what would you have done? I was just talking about this with some of the ladies in my water aerobics class last night (they asked me). I would have all the hangy skin on my thighs removed / lifed. A tummy tuck, and my jiggly arms tightened. As far as "the girls"...if I was already going through the agony of the rest of it, I would probably have them put back into position as well. Last but not least - not attributed to WLS - but something I've always wanted addressed anyway - I would have a nose job.

1. What is your favorite brand of non calorie drinks? (ie, Crystal Light, Wylers, Wal-mart store brand, etc) I think Crystal Lite is the only one I've tried. 2. What is your favorite flavor of the above? Pink Lemonade. 3. What is your favorite protein drink? Hate 'em all! 4. Do you prefer plain water to the above drinks? Yes, icy and with a squirt of lemon. 5. Do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil? Depends on my mood. 6. Which do you crave more, chocolate (sweets) or chips (salties)? Has this always been your weakness? I have not craved sweets at all yet, but have craved salt when pre-menstrual. Before surgery, I craved both, esp. when pre-menstrual. 7. Is it as hard as you thought it would be to live the WLS lifestyle? Or has it been easier? Please explain!! This is meant to be an essay question. Hmm...I don't know how hard I thought it would be...I guess I didn't believe people who said they didn't crave sweets and cheese steaks and such, so, in that regard, it's definitely easier. And, of course, in the past, losing weight meant deprivation, sick stomach, headaches, all for a lousy .5 per week, and I guess I expected more of the same...so, yeah, easier! Also, I saw a British documentary a few years back, showing some woman who'd had surgery and had serious mental/emotional problems (but these were there way before her surgery). I guess, all in all, it's been easier. Only thing, as my body changes so quickly, I am finding I have some emotional reactions I never expected, some moments of unexpected sadness or fear, that sort of thing. 8. Do you wear belts? If not, are you looking forward to wearing them? Haven't worn a belt in years. It's not one of the big things on my list. 9. If you were approached by your surgeon to give a testimonial in their printed info, would you? Would you be willing to let them use before/after pics? Another essay question...please explain. Oh, yes, I'd be happy to give a testimonial for Dr. Wernsing. As far as pics, not yet...I still have a lot of weight I want to lose yet. Once I am finished, sure. 10. If you knew your insurance would cover any and all plastic surgeries after you met your goal weight, would you have it and what would you have done? Everything.

1. What is your favorite brand of non calorie drinks? (ie, Crystal Light, Wylers, Wal-mart store brand, etc) - Crystal Light 2. What is your favorite flavor of the above? Rasberry Lemonade 3. What is your favorite protein drink? AnyWhey and Hood Choc. Milk 4. Do you prefer plain water to the above drinks? Like water, but prefer it flavored 5. Do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil? Pen 6. Which do you crave more, chocolate (sweets) or chips (salties)? Has this always been your weakness? Salties, yes, especially at pms time! 7. Is it as hard as you thought it would be to live the WLS lifestyle? Or has it been easier? Please explain!! This is meant to be an essay question. - Before surgery, I was so consumed by the fear of surgery itself, I didn't let the 'after' come into mind that often; and now, I do believe that the 'after' is way harder than the surgery. The chewing, until it tastes like nothing, is a doozie- I'd rather just eat things like yogurt, that don't lose their taste after you chew it a zillion times. Constantly having to think about when to eat, time to drink, and if you've gotten enough protein in, is not hard, but it's like all I do is think about eating; if I lose track, before I know it, the whole day has gone by, and I haven't met my goals. I seem to stay more on track when I'm at work - on the weekends, I am more lax and need to get better at it. 8. Do you wear belts? If not, are you looking forward to wearing them? No belts, ever - never cinch this waist! SOMEDAY!!!!!! 9. If you were approached by your surgeon to give a testimonial in their printed info, would you? Would you be willing to let them use before/after pics? Another essay question...please explain. - Maybe someday; depends on how close to 'skinny' that I got. 10. If you knew your insurance would cover any and all plastic surgeries after you met your goal weight, would you have it and what would you have done? ABSOLUTELY!! I am going to have a lot of skin to be removed in my belly, ARMS, thighs... everywhere... I'll need new boobs, too. I would never have anything done to my face.

1. What is your favorite brand of non calorie drinks? (ie, Crystal Light, Wylers, Wal-mart store brand, etc) Water only 2. What is your favorite flavor of the above? Water only 3. What is your favorite protein drink? None....I dont drink them anymore 4. Do you prefer plain water to the above drinks? Yes 5. Do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil? Pen 6. Which do you crave more, chocolate (sweets) or chips (salties)? Has this always been your weakness? Salty foods like nuts and crackers... yes, I have always liked these foods. 7. Is it as hard as you thought it would be to live the WLS lifestyle? Or has it been easier? Please explain!! This is meant to be an essay question. Yes it is as hard as I thought it would be. Sometimes, even harder than I expected to live the WLS lifestyle. There is soo much pressure in this world to eat and keep eating and to supersize everything we eat. Then to eat more. I have found out since I had surgery how much my life revolved around food. I did not even realize how food centered my life was. Boy am I thankful for this surgery. 8. Do you wear belts? If not, are you looking forward to wearing them? No belts for me, I have never needed them I dont wear shirts tucked in. I can't wait to wear a belt for an accesory!! 9. If you were approached by your surgeon to give a testimonial in their printed info, would you? Would you be willing to let them use before/after pics? Another essay question...please explain. Yes, I would give them the info they wanted. I would allow them to use my before and after photo's. I think it is very important for post op patients voices to be heard about the amazing and positive life changes this surgery allows us all to have. 10. If you knew your insurance would cover any and all plastic surgeries after you met your goal weight, would you have it and what would you have done? Yes, I would have my arms, boobs (lifted with a very small implant) and possibly my thighs. My stomache is still looking ok so far!!!

1. What is your favorite brand of non calorie drinks? (ie, Crystal Light, Wylers, Wal-mart store brand, etc) ~~ Tea or Bottled Crystal Light 2. What is your favorite flavor of the above? ~~I like the Raspberry... 3. What is your favorite protein drink? ~~PRO COMPLEX BY OPTIMUM NUTRITION http://www.vitacost.com/OptimumNutritionProComplex-Chocolate IF YOUR NOT DRINKING THIS YOUR MISSING OUT!!! 4. Do you prefer plain water to the above drinks? ~~I don't prefer it but it is what I drink the most of. Frankly I miss bubbles lol. 5. Do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil? ~~Neither if I can avoid it at all costs but when I HAVE to write I use a pen. 6. Which do you crave more, chocolate (sweets) or chips (salties)? Has this always been your weakness? ~~CHIPS CHIPS CHIPS CHIPS CHIPS CHIPS Not a sweets fan which is good since they don't like me anymore. 7. Is it as hard as you thought it would be to live the WLS lifestyle? Or has it been easier? Please explain!! This is meant to be an essay question. ~~YES its as hard as I thought it would be! I know I sure would NOT have done this if I only had 100lbs to lose. But with all the ups and downs I would never have gotten out of the 300's or 400's for that matter with out this change. But no way I would do this if I only had 100lbs to lose. Its hard and constant and unforgiving. BUT I do think its easier then "dieting the old fashion way". I'm one of the freaks that does think this is the "easy way out" in comparison to "old fashion dieting" at 400lbs there wasn't a diet or work out plan on the planet that would have helped me. 8. Do you wear belts? If not, are you looking forward to wearing them? ~~I'm 270... did you wear belts at this weight? LOL And YUP! Im a cowgirl at heart and miss my belt buckles and my boots for that matter... 9. If you were approached by your surgeon to give a testimonial in their printed info, would you? Would you be willing to let them use before/after pics? Another essay question...please explain. ~~ No probably not. As much as I am thankful for this life saving procedure I had it so I could have my normal life back not be something for people to stare at. Had enough of that at 427 lbs. There are plenty of other people that are more "out there" then I am. Not to mention that I have a family and I really wouldn't want that kind of attention brought to them either. There will be a day when for me this is over and I never want to think about it again. I plan on telling no one that I had WLS. Not because I am embarrassed but again I had this to be NORMAL and the attention that comment would bring is not normal. I don't want to be a roll model or inspiration or a reason for anyone to have WLS. I just want to be a great Mom and a great wife and have THAT what I am known for... 10. If you knew your insurance would cover any and all plastic surgeries after you met your goal weight, would you have it and what would you have done? ~~ NOPE! What I end up with is what I end up with. If its medically necessary that is different but to just have it to have it is not for me. I will not put my family in any more debt over this. Dale and I talked about it at length and he is firmly against it no matter how I end up. And since he is the only one that counts on seeing me naked lol I am happy with that. I was 427lbs at my heaviest... NO MATTER HOW MUCH SKIN IS LEFT I WILL NEVER BE FAT AGAIN! If clothes can hide it then I am happy. I think its more about being able to love the real us then to hope that plastics will make us look "good enough" to be loved even if it is just by our own selves. I will have lost almost 300lbs with out plastics... frankly lol I will be happy with what ever I am left with. My 2 cents of course... Felicia

8. Do you wear belts? If not, are you looking forward to wearing them? ~~I'm 270... did you wear belts at this weight? LOL And YUP! Im a cowgirl at heart and miss my belt buckles and my boots for that matter... Felicia, you are a HOOT!!! Okay....at 260 something for sure, and probably at one point was at 270, NO I didn't wear belts (REFUSED to get on the scale back then so I'll never know what my highest weight actually was, lol) BUT I have a friend who 300# that wears them! She loves looking fashionable and says belts are a great accessory. Just thought you'd like to know! Susan

1. What is your favorite brand of non calorie drinks? (ie, Crystal Light, Wylers, Wal-mart store brand, etc) I can't tell a nickle's difference in any of them. I buy whatever is on sale. 2. What is your favorite flavor of the above? Peach Tea 3. What is your favorite protein drink? chocolate carnation instant breakfast made with skim milk & powdered milk for extra protein. 4. Do you prefer plain water to the above drinks? Yes. 5. Do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil? Pen with blue or purple ink 6. Which do you crave more, chocolate (sweets) or chips (salties)? Has this always been your weakness? Neither - I'm more into crackers. 7. Is it as hard as you thought it would be to live the WLS lifestyle? Or has it been easier? Please explain!! This is meant to be an essay question. The llifestyle change has been much easier than I thought. I believe I owe this to the intense counseling I had prior to surgery. My thinking toward food changed, my priorities got reshuffled. I know many get offended when someone says that WLS is taking the easy way out. But for me it has been true. This is much easier than fighting the war alone. 8. Do you wear belts? If not, are you looking forward to wearing them? I wore one this week for the first time in a LONG time. It was way too long and wrapped halfway around to my back. Another item for the shopping list. 9. If you were approached by your surgeon to give a testimonial in their printed info, would you? Would you be willing to let them use before/after pics? Another essay question...please explain. Yes. My surgeon was the greatest. I'd be glad to recommend her. I am proud of my before and after results and would be happy to share them. Sometimes, it's all I can do to stop myself from stopping people on the street and recommending the surgery. 10. If you knew your insurance would cover any and all plastic surgeries after you met your goal weight, would you have it and what would you have done? In a heartbeat. I've already gotten a home equity line set up to finance plastics. I want a tummy tuck, a butt lift, a boob lift (re-inflation?), lipo contouring, face lift and nose job. Is there anything I have missed??? Annette