Roll Call

Well, as you know I have my surgery scheuled for May 18, so last night Neil and I went to Nordic Lodge in RI. I ate way too much and feel like crap! We did have a great time though. It was a bit sad for me however because this is one of my favorite places and as we left I realized it would be my last time there. No more "All You Can Eat" buffets for me! But I'll be soooo much happier being thin- who needs buffets anyway!! Our plan is to go to one of those ritzy restaurants in NY after we both are at our goal (then the amount of food they serve will be just enough) Today we are going to my Aunts for a card party and a lot of my family that I don't see too often will be there so this will be the LAST time they see me FAT! Good luck with your new group. I hope you get some sleep!! Christine

Hi Christine, Wow I haven't been to the Nordic Lodge in years. Really always enjoyed going there though!! I wouldn't totally write off buffets in general quite yet though. Sometimes it is nice to go so you get to taste a variety of things even if it is just a taste. . I have been pretty successful finding things to eat in most restaurants. I just ask them not to bring me the potatoes or pasta or bread. Like last night we went to the Rib House in East Haven. I just had the ribs and two forkfuls of coleslaw and one small spoon of my mother's mashed potatoes. I was very satisfied (didn't finish all the ribs either) and did not feel left out or different from anyone else. I have found that chicken or shrimp ceasar salads are always a good bet if you find it difficult to find something to order. Has your hubby changed his mind again and is he moving foward or is he doing a wait and see ??? Just curious. He may want to talk to Mary Jo's hubby or some of the other guys around here. I know you are doing a countdown till your surgery!! The time will go quickly from here on in. I am soooo happy for you!! Linda

Linda! Thank you so much for doing this. It's so great to hear from everyone. Is Nordic Lodge the one that used to be Custy's? When I go out to dinner, what I love to do is enjoy a glass of wine, so I encourage everyone else to get appetizers and by the time they are finished and we've ordered our entree's I am ok to eat. That's what I did last night. I am still amazed at the "buzz" I get from one glass of wine. I am such a cheap date. I cleaned every window in our house yesterday. I bought this stuff from QVC that you spray with the hose outside and then did every single one from the inside AND went out last night. So my energy level has obviously returned. Thank God. I wondered about that. I am still sticking at 160 on a good day 165 on a fluid retaining day. I love being this weight. I have my meeting with my surgeon on May 10th to talk about getting rid of my hernia and a TT. Hope we can just get that all included and have the insurance cover it. My scar is also very keloided so it still looks like I just had the surgery it's so big. The newest food addiction I have is fit and creamy yogurt and I dump in frozen raspberries with splenda. It makes me think I am eating something decadent. Linda, I also suffer from insomnia. I never had it before the surgery. I tried taking Ambien but it gave me headaches and affected my memory. Now I take Klonapin. I take one a night and I stay asleep. It's so wonderful not to wake up at 3am thinking it's time to get up. Maybe you can try it? I really miss watching games don't you?? Love, Cheryl

Yes Cheryl, Nordic Lodge used to be Custy's.... I never would go there because I was never much into any seafood other than shrimp. Didn't eat lobster or clams or crab or fish other than Tuna and Shrimp and Lox (with cream cheese and a bagel of course! ). Now I eat Lobster and Crab and Salamon and some other filets and of course still love my shrimp. Sounds like you were a very very busy bee this weekend. How did that window washing thing from QVC work out? Curious about that. I am trying to find things to do to replace baskteball! so what do I do???? Go shopping..........oy vey!! I must stop shopping, I must stop shopping, I must stop shopping............... I am thinking that maybe I can't wait until the summer to see everyone again. Perhaps we can just do an impromptu get together at Mohegan Sun some day, or some other public place where we don't have to worry about arrangements.......just a thought. Have a great week!! Linda

Hey Linda, I didn't sleep for about 8 weeks after my surgery 5 years ago. No one believed me that I wasn't sleeping, except my husband. Anyway, I read an article on the effects of anestia. One of the main problems for up to a year is insomnia! I don't remember the name of the article, so you'll have to trust me. lol My weekend, my husband is away on business for 1 week, kids had spring break, I pretty much DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! It was great.

Thanks for the info Bonnie! I will ask about that when I go to this group thing. I have never been a great sleeper but at some point it got out of control. I will let you know what the group is all about. Did you have your WLS surgery 5 years ago??? Or was it some other type of surgery? I am curious as I haven't seen you on the boards before and would love to hear more from you either way!! Take care..... Linda

Hi all, I'm continuing an emotional weekend as I realize all the comments and attitudes that have been displayed by others pertaining to my weight over the years. Ya know, those things we don't talk about..... we just keep inside. Well, going ahead with this WLS thing has empowered me to continue with the "caring for me" attitude, and start aknowledgeing them. Here is a "for instance" When a 4.5 year old nephew says "Hi fat Michael" is that coming from him? Not likely. Or is it coming from his parents? More likely it has been said in my absence. He had to hear that somewhere, right? or Big Mac, Big Guy, etc, etc., ad naseum. How do I want to be addressed when I'm on the loser side? How 'bout, simply, "Michael." I will have to work on dealing with those people that will be outwardly positive about my weight loss, that also made unkind remarks or undertones. Know what I'm sayin'? These feelings were a catalyst to get me jump started on this journey over a month ago. But as I do more toward this goal, I get more and more aggravated. That's the reason I decided from the "get go" this is MY decision for MY life. Wanna come? Climb aboard, this train is not stopping! Anyway, thanks for being here you "guys" I needed to vent a bit. Looking forward to seeing some of you at L&M on Wed. Sorry for the lonf Roll Call post...... MikeMc

Wow Mike! I am sure I am speaking for everyone on this board when I say we have all felt that kind of pain yet most of us haven't verbalized it as well as you have! . I know that once I made my decision I became so much more aware of how people treated me, what I couldn't do anymore and what I wasn't willing to even try in fear of failing because of my weight. Even now when someone says to me "You look great but you don't have that much more weight to lose........." I cringe. Why should I settle and that's exactly what it would be.......settling and not get to my doctor's goal or more importantly to my goal which is probably lower than his . So many emotions are a part of this whole process. Its great to have a place to air them. I look foward to meeting you in person on Wed. Have a good one and keep up the great attittude!!! Linda

Hi Mike, I can very much relate to all the insults you have incurred! It's still slaves me when it happens in my "adult" life. I do not understand the discrimination that people of size have to deal with in their lifetime. Not too long ago, I was referred to by a horrible name in the workplace, and when I reported it, nothing was done. I was told basically to grin and bear it! Society is horrible when it comes to their bias against people who are different in any way at all. The one thing that most people do not understand is that there is a horrendous amount of discrimination against people of size. The reality is that we are all the same on the inside!! And the sad part is, we are never recognized because of our outside! Hopefully, all of us will not have the experience any of this any longer after we have our surgery. However, I will "never" forget that feeling of being harassed and made fun of, and I will be sure to be compassionate to those who still suffer. Keep your chin up! JA

Well Hi Everyone! Finally a sunshine weekend in New England! I'm just over 5 weeks post-op and down 39 lbs as of today! I have been doing well and trying to get out and walk each day or at the very least every other day. I went to the support group mtg at St Raphael's on Wednesday night. There was a plastic surgeon who spoke, he was excellent. THEN he shows all these pictures! OYE...too much to take for me right now. This one giant very red scar is enough for me at the moment. My skin scars so badly. He said to put vitamin E on it every night. So I've been doing that..we'll see if that does anything. Most of my family has been away all week on a cruise and they are returning today. So my weekend has been preparing for their return. Cleaning, shuffling their cars from my house back to theirs, etc... I'm starting a Line Dancing class this coming Thursday - now that should be quite a sight!! Finally, how sad, I am returning to work the following Monday (5/3). It has been a lovely 6 weeks off, and thoughts of work rarely, if ever, entered my mind. So I'm off to enjoy the last bit of sunshine for yet another day or two. Linda - Good luck with the Everyone enjoy your week ahead!!! Hugs, Carla