Newgirl

Hello All,

My maintenance is going pretty well since I achieved my goal a few months ago. I usually have a 3 pound fluctuation depending on the time of the month, but other than that is going well. My current problem is my saggy skin on my thighs. Can anyone recommend a cream that actually work s to improve the skin and helps firm it? I also read that taking a separate Vitamin E supplement will help. Does body wraps help? I am starting to change up my exercise routine to try and tone more in my thighs than my current overall cardio and body workout. Any advice from anyone that has found something that works other than surgery is appreciated.

Thanks !!!

Today January 25, 2012 is my 1 year surgiversary. I have lost 76 pounds and my BMI is 24.5. My lab results when I went to the Dr. this week were good, I was told to try and eat more Protein. I am currently wearing size 6/8 pants and s/m tops. I feel so good both physically and mentally. I exercise 4-5 times a week, but it is usually riding my bike 7-8 miles a day. This year I am going to change from doing mostly cardio to trying to do some toning with bands and also my kettleball.

This week I was able to break into the 140’s, which made me very happy. My Dr. said I will probably continue to lose weight for the next 3 months, and then I will probably stabilize. This has been the most incredible journey and the best thing I have ever done for myself. I love my sleeve.

Thanks to all for the inspiration and support!

Here is a pic of me at Christmas:

and a pic in January 2011 two weeks before my surgery:

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and encouragement!

I received a great Birthday present on December 4th. I got on the scale that morning and I met goal!!! The best birthday present ever. i am finally at a normal BMI for the first time in my adult life. Now I do not know at what point my weight loss will stop. I am thinking I can lose another 5 pounds or so. I am currently wearing a size 8/29 pants and medium or small top depending on the style. I am not as focused on the size as much as the weight, because the weight is what my joints and body feels on a day to day basis.

I am really nervous about starting "maintenance" because this is when I fear I will get too relaxed and have weight creep. So, I am not going to call it maintenance, I am going to enjoy a few things during the next few weeks for the holidays, such as a couple of glasses of wine and maybe a couple of margaritas. Since my surgery, I have only had two drinks so I could maximize my weight loss. Once January 1st comes around, I am going to focus more on exercise that firms and tones instead of mostly cardio for weight loss.

I am attaching a couple of photos, one from January 2011, 2 weeks before my surgery, in Steamboat snow skiing and the other one taken last weekend in Gruene, Texas, and of course my scale pic

Thank You everyone for your words of encouragement and guidance through this journey.

Way to go Coops! You look terrific :blush5:

Congratulations Kelly! You look terrific.

Wow Coops that is great to hear. Congratulations on the loss!! I haven't had a 4 pound loss in even a month for a while, you now give me hope .

Suzanne,

I am so glad to see you are doing well in keeping your weight off after 3 years. Now that I am 9 months out, I really love my sleeve, but worry about long term results. Thanks for the update and congratulations on your continued success. Your vacation sounds amazing !!!!

I am a few days past my 8 month surgiversary, and I am proud to say I have met the Dr.'s Goal!!! I don't understand though why the Dr. has a goal that keeps my BMI above 25. So, now I am on to my personal goal, which is to get below the 25 BMI mark, so I will be considered in a Normal weight category for the first time since high school. I think I have another 8 to 10 pounds to go to get to a 24.9 BMI. Has anyone else had the Dr. set a goal which would keep you still at an "Overweight BMI"?

For the 1 year plus veterans, does the weight loss continue past the 1 year anniversary if you are not at goal? I am within 10 pounds to goal, but losing at 1 - 2 pounds a month will put me past my 1 year surgiversary.

Thanks for your thoughts.........

Has anyone tried Lipotropic injections to work with the sleeve to help get to goal faster? I was thinking it would help my body process the fat cells faster and maybe boost my energy level some. However, I don't want to do it if in the end it does not work or harms your body.

I am doing research now on the side effects and would like some input from the group.

Thank You!

Hello All,

Today is my 6 month surgiversary and I am happy to report, I have said goodbye to the 170's forever!!!! I weighed in at 169.2 today and have about 16 pounds to goal. I know 16 pounds doesn't sound like much, but I am loosing so slow at this point, it will probably take me another 3 months to get to goal. But, It is okay I know I can do this and the sleeve is an amazing tool! Happy Losing to All and Thanks for all of the support.

Congratulations, keep up the good work!

I Love me some sweet tea! I live in San Antonio and it is served at almost every restaurant or fast food chain. I am 5 1/2 months post op and I treat myself to one glass of sweet tea a week. The rest of the times I drink it , I use splenda.

Today is my 4 month surgiversary. I can't believe how time flies. I am down 47 pounds as of today and need to lose another 28 pounds to get to my goal. I am very happy with my sleeve, it is a great tool to weight loss. The only thing I wish is that I was more of a fast loser. This last month, I have only lost 6 pounds. I would be happier with 10 pounds a month loss. But I will take any loss over the weight gain I used to experience. I am very thankful to God for this opportunity to make my health, life and happiness sooooo much better. I feel sooooo good. Thank You everyone for all of the sharing in this forum it has truly made my journey much easier.

Congratulations! What an awesome accomplishment, I look forward to being there one day. Enjoy your success!

Congratulations!! Great Job!!

Ashley- It is more hair thining all over. When I brush or wash my hair it comes out in my hands and in my brush. I would estimate 10-20 strands at a time. I just want to know if there is anything else I should be doing as a preventative.

Hi All,

I will be 3 months post op on Monday and the Hair loss has really kicked in. I am taking all of my Vitamins, which I buy from my surgeon and am taking additional Biotin. I am also getting in at a minimum of 60g of Protein a day. Is there anything else I can do to stop the hair loss? Or is this just something that has to run its course? How long does it usually last?

Thanks again, Cheri

I bought these chicken sausages at Walmart, the flavor I tried was the Spinach with Mozzarella flavor and it was soooo good. They have 2 or 3 other flavors also. The nutrional facts are really good too. 1 link is 120 calories with 17 gms of Protein and only 2 carbs. Each link is about 3 oz. I only ate about 2 oz. and had a few green Beans and was too full to finish it. I can't wait to go back to Walmart and buy some of the other flavors.

I posted a link to the information on Walmart.com it gives a picture of the package and all the nutrional information.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Spinach-With-Mozzarella-Chicken-Sausage/14122891?adid=bzv_fb_revshr_001

TennJenn Congratulations on such fantastic results. I was wondering in your first 6 months of the journey do you remember having any stalls and if so how long did they last?

Congratulations! I will be praying for you and baby.

Thank You all, for the suggestions!

Can anyone give me some advice on the best Protein Bars? I am looking for the highest Protein, without a lot of carbs and calories. I also want something that isn't a chore to eat because it taste bad. I have just been cleared by my surgeon to try protein bars and there are so many choices it is over whelming.

San Antonio