Ladies Who Lurk

We know you are there, lurking behind your computer screens, reading our words. We love that you are reading but we wish you would come join us. I know....I've been there too. Either I got pissed at one of the other members or the board was getting too negative or I felt guilty because I was not really adhering to the rules of the pouch.

Here's the deal. We want to do a roll call. Not to force anyone to participate but if you could, would you respond to this post by I'm an old timer, I'm a pre op or whatever you reasons for lurking are....let us know. Here are some of the reasons that I lurked: 1) someone was rude and hurt my feelings; 2) I was being excluded because a few of the members had me on that hide thing and while we are talking about the hide thing, I believe it's rude to do that. If someone has pissed you off and you don't want to talk to them, when you hide from them, they cannot participate in those conversations that you are having with the other members and it's divisive and bullying to act like that. So, just putting this out there, if you block me and I find out, I will talk about you...really bad talk about you. 3) I got sick and was sort of bullied and so I stayed off the board for a long time and when I tried to get involved again, I just didn't fit in. In fact, it took me a couple of years to fit back but I promise you if you unlock the lurkdome, I will make you feel at home. I promise. 4) I start lurking when the board takes a turn for the negative....it's true, you may be doing the same thing but you can help us keep it positive. You can bring your experience and your successes to us and help us all grow.

If you are one of our old-timers, please, please, please come say hi...I miss Susan, Karen, and Karen and Jan and so many others. Drop in and say hello and maybe hang out. So, take your time. We have set a date for visitation and getting reacquainted so read this and make your plans to join us now or on our visitation day.   Remember before you had surgery and how much help you got from all those old timers on the board...imagine how much the new folks could learn from you and plus, didn't we have some fun?

I'll start - hope t bring others out...

I am "old timer" .. been on OH since 2008.   I found this forum in 2003... but never felt I belong... But still read here once in a while... and just lurk......

My RNY history: had surgery in 2008 - got to goal, slipped a few years later and gained 35 lbs.. 10 on purpose - the rest- just followed.   My back pain got worse - and my doc called me on my weight gain... He told me " you are obese, you need to lose 15 lbs and come back to see me in 3 months"...I lost 20.. then gain 3. lost 2.. gained 5...   maintained around 165.... +/- 3 lbs... 

This year I finally changed things and decided to get to my goal of 155 (152-158) I am almost there... (I saw 155 one time a week ago). That would still qualify me as "overweight" - but I have a big frame so lower that that- does not look or feel good for me.

 Along my last 8 years- I found out I have food allergies... intolerances, plus IBS, plus SIBO, plus Adrenal Insufficiencies...  Some of those are probably due to my RNY but- we will never know for sure... it is what it is.  I try to deal with that the best I can.  I deal with gut pain and back / sciatica pain... 

My diet to lose is rather strict- and may not work for anyone else.  I had to eliminate dairy, grains, beans, some veggies, most fruits,  etc etc... I can eat some of that - but not only I end up in pain - but I also gain weight.. so if not one reason - then the other helps me to deal with "the inner child  that just wants it - and wants it now".   lol..probably shared too much... 

H.a.l.a. B. 

I hope you feel like you belong now. I don't think there is ever a time when anyone posts too much. I have severe food (peanut, dairy, citrus) allergies too.  I am a pescatarian and I eat fish about two or three times a week. The rest of the time, I eat vegetables and beans. I working to lose about 12 pounds and then I'll decide if I want to lose any more.  

How is your water intake?  I am really finding that drinking a lot of water has made me feel a little better and my skin is sort of looking a little better. My sister asked me if I was getting skin treatments--bless her heart; that's her way of asking me if I have had laser treatments or some surgery....I told her no it was water....I'm drinking a lot of water and using a little ice as part of my facial....I don't know if it works for me but my friend swears by it.  Tomorrow, I'll post how it works.  Crazy. 

Thanks.  I often don't have much to say. If I could help anyone or add something to discussion I will post.  Some days I am super busy.  

I used to love water. But plain water hurts my pouch now.  I can have a fewsips, maybe 1/2 cup ...then it starts  cramping. I drink coffee and green tea. Herbal teas...warm water with lemon, and...diet tonic. 

I used to have really bad muscle cramps, and soneone recommended tonic.  Brand name diet tonic had saccharine, and that is, beside stevia, the only sweetener that So far I tolerate rather well. 

I typically mix 2-4 oz of diet tonic with 12-16 oz of water. Making the water slightly flavored.   

I used to love vitamin zero water - but even small amount of SA - Erythritol - makes me more gassy than I like. 

Would like to know more about the ice... 

I am 55 and I would like to have a face lift... I don't like my "chipmunk" cheeks... As I lose weight - my face gets more saggy around my mouth... 

I know I can't reverse aging- but would not mind getting that done.  rare hope this year. I saved some money, but now it is to find the time I can be off work for 2 weeks.  I get blood work done on next 2 weeks and home my numbers are good enough. 

My daughter has always told me that I have an elf face and she isn't being mean about it but my face has always been a little small compared to even my two kids. But, I also have very small hands and feet and even my body structure is pretty small....I used to say that I was big boned so when the doctors would tell me I should weigh a certain amount, I took the largest amount of weight for my height because of me being "big boned" but then I had WLS and lost so much weight and I realized that my bones are small and I am small framed.  My daughter is 6 feet tall and my son 6'6" and they are both huge, not fat but just big. My daughter's hands are just like mine but about twice the size and she wears like an 11 shoe and my son wears like a 16 or something outrageous  I've never worn over a 6 in shoe in my life. LOL...

When I first had weight loss surgery, I tried all the various sweeteners because I really wanted something I could use in my cream of wheat...gosh, I lived on cream of wheat and oyster soup....I can use splenda and I tolerate bottled diet coke okay, but some of the sweeteners that come in the diabetic syrups and such make me ill....

Also, when I first had WLS, I worked at drinking all the water and was very good at it for the longest time but I slipped so I made water one of my news years resolutions.   I drink bottled water and I don't put anything in it...during the summer, I add berries or cucumbers.....not so much for the taste or for any nutritional value but it's so trendy and I do love to be doing what others are doing. 

Well, lady, I need to hit the sack...morning comes early....