Hi All!

I've been doing a lot more reading than posting these past couple months or so... but wanted to catch up a little and say it seems everyone is looking/doing so well!! I'm down a total of 85 lbs (new pics in the profile if anyone's interested). I still struggle with getting enough water in, especially on the weekends, when I dont' have a "structured" day. I get close to the required 64 ozs, even on the days I dont' make them all, so I dont' think it's a huge problem, just the one I still seem to have to work at the most. I do have to admit I also feel "hungry" a lot and snack on things like popcorn or sunchips (not a lot and certainly not every day)... I guess it's better than snacking on the things (and amounts) I would have chosen before surgery, but I still need to get a handle on it. Other than that I think I'm handling things pretty well, all things considered... my big thing has been not sleeping, which equates to no energy and feeling tired all the time... My Dr thinks I might be experiencing depression (without "feeling" depressed - go figure!) so I have to make another appointment to see what he's talking about. Leave it to me! Marilyn

Hi Marlilyn! Oh My Goodness! YOU LOOK AMAZING!!!! Your before and fater (so far that is ) pictures are just "wow" - you look tiny!!!! Congrats on your terrific weight loss. I get about 90 ounces of water in a day (my NUT upped my water intake about 3 months ago - because of exercise). I thought oh my 90 ounces ... but it hasn;t been an issue getting it in (thank God!) I drink 32 ounces of that (2- 16 ounce mugs) in decaf tea. if you like tea ...maybe that would help you reach your goal every day. Sounds like you are doing great other than your sleepless nights ... you look beautiful!!! HUGS, Britt

Thanks Britt! Wow, I can't believe you are drinking 90 ozs a day!!! When do you have time to do anything else! That is awesome! I tend to drink a lot of Propel and that really helps me get the fluids in... I forgot all about tea! LOL Thanks! Marilyn

Wow!!! Look at Miss Skinny!!! You look incredible! What an amazing transformation we are all going through. I am still in shock when I look at my clothes and realize that DO fit me, they just look too small. Do you have that problem too? Sorry about the sleep issues. I am having them too so my doctor put me on sleeping pills. They help so much. Although I am already on an anti-deprssant and a mood-stabalizer, so that was the only option. I desperately needed sleep. I feel great now every day and have the energy to actually do things. I am so glad I have a doctor that really listens to me. Good luck with the sleep problems, I hope they figure it out for you soon. HUGS ~ Shawn M

Thanks Shawn! I have been trying a few different sleeping pills too... they help but not so much that I can say I'm all better. I'm looking for the day when I can say, "Oh I have SOOO much energy!"

Marilyn, Something else to have on hand as a snack item are soy crisps. They have a lot more protien then popcorn and really not much more calories and I think they taste great. They come it lots of flavors too. My grocery stores usually keep them with the quaker rice/corn cakes or on the chips isle. And congratulations on the weight loss...it's so much fun to see everyone shrinking!!! Corinna Q

It's so funny that doctors like to call everything depression or anxiety when they really don't know the cause of something. Congrats on your great weight loss. You really look great.

Wanda, that is so true! I know I get tired of hearing this from doctors.

Marilyn, I must say you look GREAT in your new pics! You have to tell me what size you are wearing now. It looks like about a 6 from the pics. Congratulations! I saw my PCP today for labs...when I told her I didn't have any energy and wanted her to also check my thyroid, she promptly told me she was going to "up your Prozac dose because I think you may be depressed." (I have been on it for over a year for pre-menstrual symptoms) WHAT? I said I was Tired...Not moody, or down or sad or blue ....just tired. Tired along with hair loss (I know that it is probably from the surgery) low basal body temp (average 97.4 which it was today at docs office too) and a family history on both sides of hypothyroidism, should be plenty of reason to think..."gee, maybe her thyroid may be slow?" But SHE thought DEPRESSION! Go figure! I insisted on the test anyway so we will see. No matter what this test says, I KNOW I am not depressed! Been there, done that and I know what it feels like. Valorie

Thank you very much for the compliments! I am actually wearing a size 12 pants in those newest (5.5 month) pics (granted, they are getting to be a little bit baggy) LOL but I'm no where near a 6! (thanks for thinking that tho!!) As for the hair loss, it's almost certain to be from surgery, I went through a good month or so of it (I think most everyone does). It has started to slow down for me now and I'm eternally grateful for that! I hope your tests come back good... of course something else that could be causing tiredness and/or hairloss might be if you are not enough protein in, just something to keep in mind. Best of luck! Marilyn