Mjr

Hi everyone, I am not real good with talking about myself, that's why I just say add on me on Facebook to keep up with my progress lol. But for my 3 month anniversary since being sleeved I thought I would make a contribution of my journey thus far. My journey started a few years ago when I first started hearing more about weight loss surgery. At that time though, my mind sent about weight loss surgery was that it was for those looking for an easy way out of their responsibilities of taking care of their body. I thought to myself that I was responsible for putting the weight on and I should be responsible for taking it off. As I tried to do that I found it was impossible to reverse the damage already done and also maintain the life schedule I had. I met someone who had the bypass and she explained everything she was going through. I started to realize that it is not easy at all and that it is just a different type of responsibility to commit to a surgery; and by far it was not taking an easy way out. In July 2010 I woke up one day and said I am going to get the surgery. I went to the orientation meeting, and then in Sept 2010 I started all the preliminary doctor appts. In the second week of October they submitted everything to my insurance and told me it would probably be 30 days before we heard back. Well we heard back within 24 hours from my Medica insurance and I was approved! The funny thing is at this time I was going to have the bypass! I then finally met my surgeon and he said "you should really think about the sleeve." Well a lot of the research out there said go with the bypass, but I also did not realize that the sleeve was so new and that's why it was lacking information and research. I trusted my surgeon after he explained the differences and decided to get sleeved on November 10, 2010. In September I weighed in at 343. The day of surgery I weighed 329. 3 months later I now weight 260lbs. I have lost 10 inches off my waist and 4 inches off my hips. I have gone from a size 28 shirt to a size 16, and a size 28 pants to a 22. I still have a long way to go but with this surgery I know I will succeed in reaching my goal. But it hasn't been all fun. I have gone through many trials of finding the right foods my body won't reject. I use to be able to eat fish/tuna/seafood, but now my body rejects to the point of vomit. Last night I tried a little bit of pulled pork for the first time and that I think went well. I have been living on chicken!!!! It seems to be the only meet my body is comfortable with. I never did eat a lot of beef, so I haven't been in a rush to try it. I have found that whey Protein in crystal light/water has been wonderful! the fruit punch crystal light is the bomb and I put 28g of protein scoop in every time. Right after Christmas I did go through a two weeks stall where I thought I might lose my mind! the scale wasn't moving, but I could feel my clothes getting looser. I would come to the forum and read everyone's posts about stalling and they were so helpful, and I thank all of you for posting your experiences because it helped get me through my fears by reading them. Along with eating right, I joined a health club and I work with a personal trainer once a week and then I work on my own the rest of the week. He sort of helps me set the tone for my week which I like. My personal trainer is also a metabolic technician which allows him to have special knowledge to what my body is doing because of the surgery. Some said why waste the money on the trainer? Well my answer is because I do not have the knowledge to have figured out where to begin. Walking on a treadmill is great, but I wanted to do more. I wanted to strengthen my body, not just lose weight. When I started weight training with him we had a regimen of 2 rounds 15 reps a piece on the following: leg press 680lbs shoulder press 20lbs chest press 20lbs lat pull down 20lbs row 20lbs Now I am at: leg press 160lbs shoulder press 40lbs chest press 40lbs lat pull down 60lbs row 60lbs I was walking at only 2.4 miles per hour and now I am walking at 3. So has sort of been me over the past three months. I do not know if any of it useful to those about to get sleeve, but if I had to give any advice it would be have patience and be dedicated. It has been a life changing experience, and it has better me as a person. Not because I am getting thinner, but because it has brought out the confidence that was always in me but hidden, and has me wanting things out of life I never thought I could have before....and none of it has anything to do with my size. Good luck everyone!

Here is the link... http://www.finalinches.com/how-liposculpture-works.php

You are absolutely inspiring. I was sleeved 2 months ago and I have lost close to 50 lbs so far. It is helpful to hear of someone who was around my weight as well, and it is working successfully for them. Sometimes i think what a long way for me to go, but it really isn't in the scheme of things when it took years to put it on and its only taking months to take it back off lol. I know what you mean as well about not having a friend to turn too. I am in the same boat ...more because they are already thin. lol I went and got me a personal trainer at the gym and I talk to him haha...sure I pay him to listen but hey it works for now Congrats and good luck!!!! I am on facebook if you want to add me.

I take a teaspoon of Peanut Butter and then drink 8oz milk on the way. I have a metabolic personal trainer who said I absolutely need to be putting subsistence in my stomach before a work out. I have never gotten sick, but I am sure things are different for different people. For me, I feel better when I have something on my stomach before working out and I work out at 6:30am.

I will be 2 months out on January 10th and I have lost 45lbs since my surgery and I have slowed down on my weight too the past two weeks. But I have been doing a lot of strengthening training to build muscle and muscle means lbs that could be offsetting my numbers. I have doubled my Protein powder in my crystal light and my scale started to move again yesterday. I am not discouraged, but very happy. I went from a size 28 to 18 in two months...I can't remember the last time I said I was a 18 My BMI was 55.4

Wow I do not know why you think your losing slow because you are not. If you are seeing that others are losing more faster... chances are they weighed more then you like I do. The bigger the person is the more they tend to lose on the front end. You are doing fine and you probably need to leave the scale alone for awhile.

I am doing strength training. I went to my local gym (Lifetime Fitness) and I got me a metabolic personal trainer to help me build strength and endurance. This is my current training schedule. All the lbs i have below I started at 25 and we been going up 5-10 lbs a week. I train 4 times a week and the days I am not at the gym I walk 30 minutes at 2.8. Shoulder press 2 rounds/50lbs at 15 reps Chest press 2 rounds/35lbs at 15 reps Lat pull down 2 rounds/50lbs at 15 reps Row 2 rounds/50lbs at 15 reps Leg press 2 rounds/140lbs at 15 reps I do a ten minute warm up walk and 10 minute cool down. the leg press is my strongest one, and my chest press is my hardest. I started exercising one month after surgery and I am doing great. I average a 5-7lb weight loss a week and I am building muscle. I hope this helps.

I lived in texas when my ex was in the military and I cannot say I can think of much to do there ...but I am sure there has to be something lol What about New Orleans? It is delightful place and they could use tourist dollars since they are still rebuilding.

You look amazing!!! Congratulations on your success and happiness.

I can fly anywhere, and wouldn't even mind helping you organize this. For me it is about timing. I am a full time college student and work...so the summer and holiday vacations work best for me

It is a great idea! But far from me too.

Hey, I was sleeved on November 10th and weighed 323 and now I am down to 280. I think maybe you are on track and losing what you are suppose to be losing when comparing it to what I have been losing. Be proud of your accomplishments.

I was sleeved on November 10, 2010 and I was 323 at surgery down from 343. I am not one month out and I am 285. Believe me you can get into the 100's. I absolutely believe with the sleeve a catalyst, health eating, and my exercising that I will get to 125lbs. I have no fears and no what if's about it. You just need to believe. But also...even if we don't...look at how much healthier we will be at a lesser weight. Anything in this life worth having is going to be a fight. So get your gloves on and get ready to box life and win

I was sleeved on November 10th and I have yet to stall. I have lost 33 lbs in a month. I am dedicated to the Protein. The protein will get you out of your stalls. I got a powdered whey from GNC and love it. Just last week I started to add weight strengthening exercises at the gym and I only walk 20 minutes every other day outside of my normal daily activities. But my suggestion is to get your protein into your fluids.

I was sleeved on the 10th of November and I have been exercising at the gym for two weeks now and feel great. I do weight and strength training more then walking right now because the walking does exert me quicker. But my personal trainer told me that the strengthening will prepare me for the walking. My trainer is also a metabolic technician with a graduate degree. Ask your doctor if you can do light strengthening training to build endurance for when he okays you for walking more.

I was sleeved on November 10th and I wasn't even allowed to have Peanut Butter in my diet until two days ago. I do not know the reason why, but I am imagining its because of the heaviness and the oils in peanut butter. Be careful adding items that haven't been approved yet..especially that recent since your surgery. Good luck!!!!

Hi Mona, I am 5'6 and my original weight was 343 pre op. On my surgery date November 10th I was 320. Here I am on December 11th and I am 285. My goal is to get to 125. I hope you have a wonderful surgery. Mine went great with no complications and I have been loving life afterwards now.

I hope things get better for you soon. I suppose everyone is different, but with the doctors help I am sure they will pull you through this difficult time. Chin up and take care!!!!

I am not sure I cheated per say...but I was sleeved on November 10th....I was always use to eating spicy food and my mouth was missing flavor big time. I wasn't hungry for food just flavor. So I cheated by buying low fat catalina dressing. If you know anything about catalina dressing it has some very nice spices in it. Once a day i squeezed a little onto my finger just to get the taste of it and it was like all i needed. I told my dr and he laughed and said that is minor considering what some do. I am not telling you to cheat because I think we shouldn't but you might want to create some ideas of ways you can get what you are missing...and consult your dietician and see if they agree.

haha ...i finally bought one and it is sitting in my frig...i cant stand yogurt and procrastinating trying it lol

I was just sleeved on November 10th. I am down 20 lbs since surgery. I am looking to loose 180 more lbs. So far I am sticking true to the puree diet and getting creative. I bought a non flavor Protein powder to put into all my pureed food, and I keeping the liquids going in. One thing I am definitely learning....stay off the scale lol. It can be your worse enemy. Good luck!!!!

I am so happy for you. I am having my surgery on November 10th and I am going crazy with anticipation. I adore hearing how the surgery has been a success for everyone both physically and mentally.

You look amazing. I am getting ready to have my surgery on November 10th and can't wait to embark on the path you are on.