MINI-Me

LOL ... That reminds me of my son ... He was so excited to see me when I got home & had a very disappointed look on his face when he saw me. He was positive I was going to come home skinny! You are doing fine! One day at a time, one victory at a time.

You look FABULOUS!!!!!

Really? How far out are you? Did you drink this much pre-surgery? If not, you might have traded alcohol for food and that can be very serious. Even if you did, do you really think it's worth all the empty calories? Please don't take this wrong - I don't know you or your circumstances. But, you might want to consider talking to someone ... Normally, any more than 7 drinks a week on a consistent basis is a warning sign for alcoholism.

Coops said it perfectly. Print it out & read it when you are feeling down. You are doing well. Many have said it & it is really hard to believe it (when you are in the middle of a stall or not reaching an arbitrary goal), but .... THIS IS A JOURNEY, NOT A RACE. You can and will do this! Follow your plan & enjoy the ride.

That is great!

I guess it is as elective as choosing whether or not to take your diabetes and heart medicine. They can prescribe it, but can't make you take it. For me (and many of us), this is the tool we need to get off the weight. If someone else wants to consider it elective, that's fine for them ... wasn't elective for me - it was preventative!

To quote Trace AtkIns ... You're One Hot Moma

If you have a written receipt from them that you have paid in full, why are you worried? Are they demanding that you pay the difference? If so, I would show them your written receipt and see what they say then.

Sarah - are you sure you aren't my twin??? We have almost the same exact goals and stats. My 1st goal was 155 (no longer in overweight category) ... 2nd goal was 145 (since it was 10 pounds lighter) ... 3rd goal was 135 (what I weighed for about 1 week in high school) ... I am happy to say that a new goal came after that ... I bounce between 125 and 128 now & I LOVE IT!!!! I can't allow myself to slip with a lot of "treats" or I creep to the high side (or even higher during TOM), but I feel like I can successfully maintain this for the rest of my life without "dieting" ever again. Good luck on your journey!

I'm game ... Pre-Op -> December 21, 2009; weight 210 Surgery -> January 27, 2010; weight 201 Today -> 18 months later; I bounce a little bit due to daily fluxuations, but I've lost 85 pounds.

I was sure I would be the one to fail and be the "stat" that messed up all the VSG stats. I always failed in the past - what was going to be different this time? Every stall I was sure I was done. I now weigh what I weighedin Middle School and I have maintained since Thanksgiving. I made it through Christmas, New Years, and 5 birthdays in my home. I love this tool!

Congratulations!

Awesome!!!! Have your groom take you out to celebrate!

I was 32.8 BMI. You must be 30.0 to even qualify with most surgeons. Talk to a local surgeon and see what they say. With my personal history and my families struggles with obesity, 3 surgeons confirmed I was a definite candidate. Best of luck to you!

Sounds exactly like Last Supper. Many of us did it - mine lasted 2 weeks!!!!!!!

I can so relate to the stairs issue. I have a bad knee as well & with my pre-surgery weight would "plan" my trips up and down the stairs in our home. Now, my knee hardly hurts and all & I am up and down those stairs all the time. Congratulations to you!!!!

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/29/weight-loss-sleeve-a-good-option/comment-page-1/#comment-215886 My comment: Mini Me I had the sleeve surgery in January 2010. I am down to a "normal" BMI of 20.5 and finally enjoying my life again. The sleeve restricts intake because it is so much smaller and "only holds so much". Of course, I only resorted to surgery after years of losing weight and failing to maintain. The yo-yo dieting was worse on my health than being obese. Yes, I can eat all day or drink my calories, but if I follow my plan, I can eat nutritious foods, the occaisional "bad" food, and maintain a healthy weight the rest of my life. It's definitely not easy, but at least it's not impossible like it was before. Before judging others with "eat less donuts" or "just keep your big mouth shut", try to put yourself in the shoes of someone who has struggled with this for their entire life. This is definitely not something to be considered lightly, but for many can save their lives along with the quality of that life.

I agree with CowgirlJane ... I think this may be some type of paid advertising cloaked under a "Best of" type of look/feel.

Good job! You may not have taken the "traditional" approach, but you found what worked for you. AWESOME!

You should be fine.

It may just be a blip ... see my post (I am 18 months out tomorrow) http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/21259-madder-than-a-wet-hen/page__pid__184932#entry184932 Congratulations on how well you have done and continue to do!

Thanks Coops! You are getting there!!!!

Thanks guys ... encouragement is always needed - even 1.5 years out!

I have hypothyroidism and it did not impact my weightloss (this time)! You will need to be careful and have your levels checked frequently. My thyroid has not stabolized and my medication needs keep going up and down at 1.5 years out. I waws getting tested every 3 months, but now we are doing every month. I'm having night sweats not related to hormones (confirmed through testing) & my doctor believes that my fluxuating thyroid levels are the culprit. I go in 2 weeks to be tested again - hope we find the "sweet spot" this time.

Yeah! I haven't really changed anything (just writing stuff down, but feel like I am eating the same). I am back down to 127 as of this morning. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Remind me of this post IF/WHEN I start freaking out again!!!!! )