I haven't been posting like I normally do (shame on me) but that's because I have a lot going on with my plate of life. Now that we got my RSD pain under control I started having severe back pain only to find out thru two MRI's that I now I have degenerate disc disorder. I have had two epidural pain shots in three weeks as the disc have become so inflamed they've entrapped a large section of my sciatic nerve. So no more bending & lifting anything over 5lbs. Because of this making me so emotional I found myself picking up my bad eating behavior & I questioned myself that why after almost 5 years post op would I revert to bad behavior when I know better. I started searching throughout the internet and found a woman named Geneen Roth. Geneen writes books, runs workshops, and does lectures about compulsive emotional addicted food eating disorders. I read everything I could find written by her online. Then I read everything she had available on her website. Then I bought her first book, "When Food Is Love". Within getting in the first two chapters of that book I had an epiphany one night and cried like I had never cried before. I found a memory in my childhood that made me feel like food was my only true friend. Like Geneen had quoted in her book, "The refrigerator can never hate me.". The more I read of the book the more I started to come to terms w/things in my life that sent me on the road to food addiction and obesity. I'm now working on her workbook, "Stopping Compulsive Eating".  I'm writing this because I really want to stress that just because you had the surgery doesn't mean your journey is over. You have to be honest as to why you got obese in the first place and make total changes in your life and your past or you'll find yourself right back in the thick of the madness again. Don't be afraid to say you need help, ask for help, or accept help. Love yourself more then anything else in your life. We are all important to not only our families and friends but to ourselves. 

And if you have the oppurutinty check out Geneen Roth... she really is awesome. 

Wow Tracy!! You look fabulous. So please do share, did your insurance pay for your surgery or how did you finance it??

I discovered Light String Cheese today. 16g of Protien in 2 sticks, each stick being 1oz. It was nice.. 

Kristie, I am glad you are doing well.

I had a great time today.  Went to Marion's new Goodwill store.  I saw Leigh Ann there!  It was fun and I got a couple nice things for my trip. 

Had a Wow moment this morning.  Grabbed a pair of black sweat pants to go on over my binder and drain tube... they were in the dryer... said XL so I figured they would be fine.  I put them on and they were TIGHT!!!  WTH!!!!  I got looking at the tag again,,, they were XL  alright... XL  boys size 18!  They were my little boy's sweats!!!  I had them on and was in total shock!!!! 

I will post a pic in a little bit.  I am still swollen a bit and have a drain still but all in all I am very pleased so far!  Less than 2 weeks out of surgery and its already amazing!

Huge hugz,
Tracy

I sympathize.  I hope you are doing better today.  There is alot of good advice on here, especially about drinking, sip,sip ,sip....  I have been doing great,  then today my oldest daughter got all sorts of candy for a birthday party for my granddaughter.  I walked past the table and stuck a gummy bear in my mouth , then another one, then a small hard shelled chocolate egg!  It did not even taste good.  I am so mad at myself, I had to come in here and get on the site to stop myself from going back for more.  and the kids are not even here !  They went to another party.  I am going to go in there and put all that crap away so I do not see it.       Do not get discouraged, weight change up and down is normal.  Your body is adjusting to itself after a drastic surgery.  And your mind is still presurgery thinking.  Try to get down the water, crystal light is good.  I love the pink lemonaide flavor.   Do you like cottage cheese? It is very good for you and easy to eat at your stage. Get yourself some sugar free jello and puddings.  They can help satisfy the need to give yourself a treat now and then.  I also love the Calcet Calciums.  They really do taste like lemon pound cake and chew up so nice.  I try to keep some on hand for times when I really feel deprived,  Get a treat and my calcium.