9 MONTHS POST-OP AND I LOST 211LBS ...

WELL MY JOURNEY STARTED SEPT 20TH 2006 I WAS WEIGHING 521LBS DAY OF SURGERY I WAS 508 LBS YES PRETTY HEAVY ... IM NOW DOWN TO 297LBS ALMOST HALF MY WEIGHT .. AND JUST NOW THINGS ARE STARTING TO GET EASIER .. I HAVENT BEEN ONE TO ALWAYS FOLLOW THE RULES SO YES I  MADE IT HARDER FOR MYSELF ... BUT  IVE HAD MANY NAUSEA BATTLES ALONG THE WAY AND MY DOCTOR JUST PUT ME ON A STERIOD FOR A WEEK AND MAN DO I FEEL LIKE A NEW WOMAN I HAVE MY APPETITE BACK I  WAS SO WEAK FROM NOT EATING .. NOW I FEEL LIKE I HAVE ENERGY .. I JUST HOPE AFTER THE PILL IS GONE MY APPETITE STAYS .. AND FOOD STAYS DOWN  LIKE IT IS NOW .. I STILL HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM BREADS AND TORTILLAS THATS THE WORSE ... BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS MUCH A GO .. I LOVE  HOMEMADE VEGIE SOUP OR SOME CALL IT STEW .. WOW THAT GOES DOWN SO GOOD THIS WEEK ...  BUT IVE BEEN HAVING WEIRD THINGS HAPPEN LIKE  A SUNBURN LOOK A LIKE RASH UNDER MY SKIN JUST ON MY HAND KNUCKELS  AND AFTER A WEEK IT WAS GETTING WORSE NOT BETTER  SO I WENT TO THE DOCTORS AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IT IS .. SO THATS WHY IM ON A STERIID AND ALLERGIE MEDS RITE NOW .. ITS WEIRDMY KNEES FEEL BETTER AND IM WORKING WITH A ORTHOPEDIC TO HELP WITH  BRACES FOR MY KNEES INSTEAD OF SIRGERY .. I DONT WANT ANY OTHER SURGERY UNLESS ITS TO CUT MY SKIN OFF .. I WAS LOOKING FOR ADVICE  ON WHERE TO DONATE SKIN AND  DOES IT COST YOU  TO HAVE THE SURGERY AND THEY JUST TAKE YOUR SKIN OR DO THEY PAY THE COST FOR EVERYTHING ..? WELL MY INSURANCE  WILL PAY FOR NECESSITY EXCESS SKIN FROM MY STOMACH AFTER THAT IM ON MY OWN .. BUT WOW MY INNER THIGHS ARE GROSS ... LOL I JUST NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE ... LOL ITS FUNNY HOW MUCH MORE I SEE THAN I WANT OF MYSELF NOW A DAYS ... LOL WELL ANY INFO ADVICE RECIPES OR JUST A COMMENT WILL BE APPRECIATED .. I ALSO HAVE TONS OF CLOTHES I GAVE MY 5X CLOTHES AWAY IM NOW IN A SIZE 24 JEANS AND 3 X AND 2 X TOPS IM SO EXCITED .. MY UPPER HALF IS DISSAPEARING FIRST ... SO ANYONE WHO NEEDS SIZE 4X AND 3 X  AND SIZE 30/32 DRESSES AND SHIRTS AND CLOTHES JUST LET ME KNOW FREE U PAY FOR SHIPPING IF NEEDED ... WELL I NEED FRIENDS THATS WHY I WONT SHUT UP ON THIS  POST ...LOL   AND SOME SUPPORT .. I HAVE NO SUPPORT GROUPS IN MY AREA SO  I JUST HOPE I MEET NEW PEOPLE CLOSE TO ME .. CINDY

Cindy, Wow!  Congratulations on what you have accomplished so far.  That's an incredible 9 months!  I have seen the question about the skin donation before and you still have to pay for the surgery.  If your insurance covers it that's the way to go.  If not, there are financing options for cosmetic surgery.   I didn't see where you were from before I started replying, but I am assuming it's not close to me since there are support groups here nearby.  I like this site so much because it's instant support at all hours.  There are forums for everything, but I have settled into the WLS graduates forum mostly.  I am 5 years out though.  I will share a recipe that I like, but it contains some natural sugar from fruit.  It's a cold chicken salad and it's delicious.  The ingredients are chicken breast, Miracle Whip, Cool Whip, canned mandarin oranges, red seedless grapes, and onion.  You can also add a tiny bit of whole grain or low carb pasta if you want to make it for guests or a potluck, etc.   If I am making it for myself I boil 2 chicken breasts until cooked through, about 30-40 minutes.  Set them aside to cool a little, then dice them into chunks that you can easily tolerate.  I like mine pretty small.  I chop about  slices of the onion (I like the purple sweet onions), slice about a cup of grapes in half, and drain one large can of mandarin oranges.  Mix the chicken, onions, oranges, and grapes in a bowl with about 2 tablespoons of Miracle Whip and about 2 tablespoons of Cool Whip.  You can use the fat free versions of both, but I like the regular or the lite best.   You can add more or less of the Miracle Whip and Cool Whip, depending on your taste preference.  You can also add about 1/2 cup of a low carb or whole grain pasta.  Put it in the refriderator for a few hours and the flavors all come together.  It's so good.  I would never have thought those things would work together, but I have made it for lots of gatherings and it's a big hit.  The recipe originally came from a restaurant, but I modified it to fit my own preference.  Hope you like it and good luck on the rest of your journey.  I think you'll find plenty of support here. Angela

Congratulations! Wow, you've lost alot fast! I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better these days! Wishing you continued success!!!!!!!!!!

Cindy, congratulations on your weight loss. Things will get easier and easier as that scale continues to move down.  All the best for your continued success. Sher