Having a little fun... What do you plan to do LESS in 2020?

I use biotene products, and lately I stated using SF gum. I carry water or tea with me all the time. I am still looking for other items that may help. I think of trying to make my own stuff, by mixing some Xylitol, and essential oils, plus a something like colloidal silver. in the mix to prevent any spoiling.

I know that there are other beside biotene products, but I only tried a few.

There are natural stuff, but things with SA (sugar alcohols) always give me a horrible gas. Xylitol is one of them that can give me serious trouble. Even as little as in Chewing gums, when I chew more than one....

I found that snacking on things like fresh cucumber slices, can help. The seedless cucumbers, are fresh, very low calories and I can use them when I am working or even at home. Even taking one slice into my mouth and holding it, can create a nice flow of saliva.

If you have dry mouth, please please don't ignore it. From having all teeth I have perfectly good, 10 months my mouth is mess. I have to have 6-7 teeth pulled, and almost any left has cavity. BTW: my bone density is still good.

if you deal with a dry mouth, I would suggest you see a dentist at lest every quarter..

My previous dentist did not tell me to watch for that. They knew I had dry mouth, they even gave me samples of Biotene. I was their patient for 10 years. Beside regular cleanings they fixed a couple of my teeth, putting new filling. They never told me to be careful, or suggest I do something.

I consider that lack of care, lack of suggesting some things for me to prevent a situation I have now.

I went to someone else to get a second quite for some veneers for my front teeth (I chipped 2 teeth)

I want to waste less time doing things that aren't meaningful to me.

Spend less time looking in the mirror.

Especially with body dysmorphia at play it doesn't do much good....

You can overcome that.

Make what mirror time YOu do have effective.. It does take a while. to go shopping and NOt go for something nearer the old size we shopped for previously..Add to that changing patterns and tailoring...and sizes will vary greatly...This makes it difficulty to know I am a size" 16 or 18 " now... and previously could not purchase many clothes to properly fit.(where i was)

One exercise...to help.. If you have already lost most of weight.

... take a pair of pants that USED to fit. outline the top of them with soap on the mirror.. then stand in front of the mirror and outline your size now...

If you are just beginning your weight loss journey.. do measurements of every limb.. at largest point, waist, height, chest . record the date. Outline on your mirror with soap your body shape now , if possible , full body frontal and side... as you loose..do outlines .I would suggest 2 or 3 mnth intervals to begin... The sooner you can register your new to you sizes, the quicker your body changes will be transferred into your every day experiences - shopping easily and your personal image...that is in your head.

I LOVE everything about these suggestions! I will do the body measurements right now! Funny how I never thought of that until reading this... Only thought about the Dr doing this.

thanks for the advice.

going from a size 22 to 14 in 6 months can really take its toll mentally. I was walking down the hall at school and there were a group of teachers discussing something. they were completely blocking the way. one teacher noticed and moved to the side to give me room to pass. I stared at the space she made and thought "what is wrong with her, cant she see i'm big?" I realized I had no choice and went to push through the space. low and behold I fit right through, with some extra space. that incident was a real mind opener for me...

NOw you will be able to visualize how others see you..!

This really does work was one of the tools i Used as i dropped the inches and changed sizes.

..I did not loose that fast, but did loose about 60 lbs in 6 months. I finished my initial loss about 13 months....to my goal..It took me while to adjust my thinking and go to something NEAR my size to begin shopping.

Me and My Mom who also had WLS were part of a group study done by the Memphis Obesity Wellness Center and Univ Of Tn./Memphis researchers. They DID find THE genetic component of Morbid Obesity... we were not told the exact gene.. but that it was part of the control system of carbohydrate use and conversion to fat .

. .Our/My Surgeon, George Cowan, had to medically retire a few years later. ..He taught his version of gastric by-pass surgery over the world.His statement on it was that it is ..." a permanent solution to a permanent problem. It is not an automatic fix, but will give the tools to help you to be healthy and productive." The information he gave/made sure we received, I am still able to use effectively today. He co- wrote a book on the IV nutrition now called TPN..It is often used for those who are in extended illness and unable to tolerate adequate oral intake.The book is still used in medical training today.

Thank you for being honest. I know we all have some sort of body image issues and, I, for one have been so rough on myself. Makes me really want to talk to my support group facilitator to discuss further and ways to combat negative self talk

negative self talk has never been my problem, BUT going shoppin and finding clothes to fit my old me and the new me are both problematic... I was in a 30 Womens, and they were tight. and expensive. I made pants that were 3 inches taller in the center back and tapered to "normal height" at sides...even as a teenager. They looked funny on the rack but I was no longer by cracky... Now my size varies from a tight 16/depending on style and cut.. to a very loose 20, depending on gastric status... gas, abdominal edema..etc. Tight pants are not optional.

I have not had any plastic surgery. I have done fine without it- I would definitely weigh 15-20 lbs less and wear smaller clothes. Glad it is available for others that can get it., wearing a good support girdle helped to support loose skin and exercise helps tone the underlaying tissues. I have a little swag. would be nice not to bounce quite so much.. I have seen much worse. For me, it is not worth the pain.Should i develop hernia etc and NEED surgery ..i would see if any additional could be done at the same time....

I agree with you! I am really learning who my real friends are in this process and it's realllllly eye-opening. I have lost a lot of sleep because of being in my own head, wondering what "so-and-so" would say if I said this to them because they said something to/about me.

I have always been a people pleaser and wanted to be liked by everyone and finally standing up for myself is so difficult. I guess we lose more weight in this process than our own. Do I count that in my "total weight loss"? maybe a sub-category, I guess!