juliarh

I was pretty much on the same plane as everyone above -- I wanted the most 'normal' life that I could have -- so that meant no plastic (lap band) and no re-routing of intestines which causes malabsorption -- I really just wanted my life back and didn't want to trade the indignities of being morbidly obese with the indignities of dumping, pb'ing, etc. I am super happy with my decision.

Whoot! Congratulations!!!!!

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Juliarh............187................179.2...........165...........14.2 Just broke the 180s!! Whoot! So, 14ish more pounds till July goal and all time goal

I too had milky coffee served to me at the hospital. I was fine

Hi all -- been a while since I've updated -- today was a great day for me -- 8 months post op and I've lost 122 lbs. I seriously cannot believe it. I have not been this thin since I was a teenager. seriously. And I am 47 fricking years old. wow. And the amazing thing, on top of it all, is I ONLY HAVE 17 POUNDS LEFT TO GO! I cannot believe it. It's happened so fast and relatively easily that I just didn't think I would be here now. I updated my youtube vlog, so if you care to take a look: CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? Gosh, I just have to pinch myself!

I haven't had any out and out rude comments per se, but yesterday, I saw a friend whom I hadn't seen for 7 months and she said, "Wow! You just look soooo beautiful!" I think she was being polite and didn't want to say, how did you lose 100+ lbs? It was funny and I didn't really comment other than say thank you. But it was funny that her reaction was "you're beautiful." hmmmm

I'm 5'9" -- so not hugely tall, just regular tall --

Brian, that is the loveliest, sweetest post I have ever read. You have had so many life changing things happen to you. And the fact that things are positive and you are getting such wonderful feedback in your life from your doctor, from your girlfriend, from the TAILOR!! is sooo awesome. I'm so darned happy for you!!

Gotta agree with Irene -- I'm at 182 for the first time in over 20 years and I DO feel fantastic, even though my BMI says I'm still overweight. Do I still need to lose 17 pounds? Yup. Will I? Yup. Am I content to feel fantastic at 182? Hell no!! I want/need/desire/crave to be normal. NORMAL!! So I will be normal, come hell or high water!

Hooray! Doing the happy dance!

Do you know what I love best?? My doctor said that he thought I would get down to 100 kilos max (which is 220 lbs.) -- I told him, "No way! I'm getting to normal." He shrugged and said, "okay." I don't think he believed me -- but hell if I'm letting the fat stand in the way! Here I come goal weight!

Irene, what can I say? you are my sleeve sista!! Love you dearly -- I feel like you and I, along with our other Sept. sleevers have come soooooo far -- it just seems like yesterday when we were posting in pre-op, right?? wow. Big big hugs.

Tiff I just love you -- it's totally not stalkerish -- I think we're here to support one another and you are the biggest cheerleader here -- love you (and LOVE little sprout!)!!

Hey -- got your messages -- they're called Cracker Salvado -- made in Uruguay (I buy them here in Paraguay) -- for 8 small crackers (1 serving -- but I eat 4 -5 at a time) 111 cal., 17 g carb., 3 g Protein, and 3 g fiber . . . .

Thanks Sophia I'm 5'9" -- so fairly tall -- I love how you love candy now -- I would have loved candy before, but now, yucky! Yeah, 800 calories. My nut and dr. suggested 800 - 1000 cal to lose it all in a year -- and then up it to 1200 or more when you get to goal -- some days I do go over 1000, but rarely -- I usually hover around 800 - 900 calories. I don't get hungry or feel weak or anything. Initially, when I first was sleeved, I could barely get 600 calories in -- so it was a struggle to get 800 in. Thank you for all your wonderful compliments You are just the most positive person and a wonderful support even if you don't always hear it Big hugs!

I jog and golf -- but lately haven't been doing much because I threw my back out. But it's feeling better and I should get off my butt and do something. I had been running about 3 miles a day, 3 times a week and then golfing a couple of times a week. It's also getting cold down here, so I'm not as interested as I was before in getting out (winter is coming up). I know, no excuse.

Hi -- I did use Protein powder initially (in yogurt and stuff) -- but down here in Paraguay, the good US protein powder is really expensive -- no Protein shake mixes that I could find down here. When I'm super low in protein, I'll start adding the protein powder I have to stuff, but usually I'm just eating lots and lots of protein in cheese, yogurt, milk, meats, etc.

I'm in there right now -- seems to be working fine

Thanks guys -- I really mean it. You all don't know how much the support of this forum has meant to me. Even when I have down days, when I "don't wanna do this anymore!" I come on here and I always find good advise, positive attitudes and welcoming hearts! You guys are the best!

so awesome!! so happy for you!

Daisy, I'm so happy and thrilled for you -- like everyone else, you have been an inspiration and a woman of wisdom that I have often counted on Congrats on your 2 year surgeversary -- big hugs!

Every surgery has its chances of complications. For the VSG, there is less than 1 percent mortality rate, while with gallbladder surgery, the mortality rate is about 9 percent. Go figure. So I wouldn't worry about renal failure -- it's not something I have ever heard of, but it probably has some very low percentage of people . . . in fact, read this National Institute for Health study on the VSG: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17981515

I also have very very thick hair -- and lost a TON of it -- now it's just normally thick -- that said, DO NOT bleach your hair. I didn't even cut it until this past week (8 months of no hair cut!) -- I take biotin and have about 1 inch regrowth now. But seriously, I listened to all those who had lost hair and who are hair stylists -- I just was very very careful with my hair -- I love my thick hair and don't want to damage it anymore than necessary!

Getting my life back . . . I was so miserable before. Having the ability to move athletically which I haven't done for over 20 years. Being happy in my own skin