newnatalie

Hi! Glad to see this group formed! Looks like I am only the second person to join! They say everything is BIGGER in Texas, so let's get this group going! I will Celebrate 6 months of being Sleeved on may 30 and have lost 78 pounds! I love my sleeve.

Ms. Lady, Please go read my blog "Inspiration or Agitation: My friends respond to weight loss." I was honestly amazed that I had one friend who said she would never speak to me again if I had surgery. About 2 months after my procedure, she was begging for my surgeon's number! This is why we have to do what is best for us regardless of what others think. It's funny how "the easy way out" has now become "her way out." Hold on ... You ain't seen nothing yet. The reactions will vary from people being happy for you to people judging you, to some people just being downright stupid! I have lost 73 pounds in 5 months and have heard it all! Be encouraged and keep loving those around you. You will realize that you are an inspiration to them (they just didn't know it). You were bold enough to do what they feared! Take care, NewNatalie

CONGRATS TIFFY! You have been such an inspiration to so many on this site! I am very grateful for all your support. You deserve the best! I will continue to pray for you and your family. It is a blessing to become a mom!

You were right to give your hubby the finger! He was suppose to sneak out and eat pizza if that's what he wanted to do. You are a good woman. But the reality is, there will be many days when you will be faced with temptation. This may have been a good test (although a bit insensitive on your husband's part). The world will not stop eating pizza, fried chicken, cheeseburgers, tacos (now, I'm talking to my self) just because you have surgery! I am over 3 months post-op and happy to report that most of the time, I am not bothered by what other people are eating. Your new stomach will help you in this area. I wish you the best! Keep us posted. NewNatalie

OMG! You will love Dr. Turnquest! He has been phenomenal and he is very well respected. Maybe our paths will cross in his office one day! I think I have an appointment March 26!

Aww! Thank you Melissa. I love to write. I can honestly say that since my surgery writing has been my sanity! I started emailing my blogs to family and friends and they love them. I think this is the start of my book. We will see! Thanks again.

OK. I admit it ... I am a major control freak! Those closest to me secretly talk about me behind my back and even occasionally tell me about my bossy ways to my face. I'm a big girl (no pun intended) so I can handle it, right? I will admit that I like to have my hand on the pulse of the things around me. I am a go-getter, a mover, a shaker ... but this week, I realized I have a serious problem! So here goes ... my aunt died last week. It was very tragic. She was only 49. Died of cancer. Had 4 kids and 3 grandkids. On the outside, I was calm (had to be strong for the family). I took control of the situation by comforting everyone and taking on the task of planning the funeral. I found something I could control, since death was surely out of my league. As I jumped into my funeral planning duties, I wasn't crying or even depressed ... I started to unconsciously EAT! There was a handful of peanuts here, a stick of cheese there, a few chips while on the phone, a piece of chicken while emailing family, a bowl of chili while watching tv, a fruit cup before bed ... It took about 24 hours before I realized that I was about to eat myself into oblivion. As I went o grab my next victim from the refrigerator, I literally said aloud "OH MY GOD! I AM AN EMOTIONAL EATER." Until that moment, it had never dawned on me that I was the uncontrolled eater doctors talk about. I was the emotional, unstable, food stalker, seeking to soothe her heart at the end of fork! I wasn't HUNGRY. I was HURT! But most of all, I was NOT in control. Can you believe the Control Queen relinquished her crown to a scoop of rainbow sherbet (which is fat free by the way)? This startling revelation caused me great self reflection. How had I missed this negative personal trait after all these years (well not ALL these years, I am only 26 *wink*) ? As I reminisced, I realized that I have always been an emotional eater. I just didn't have a stomach that could only hold 4 ounces of food at a time to catch my attention. My sleeve talks. Seriously, sometimes it speaks soft and gentle. Other days, it screams and yells. This time, my new stomach brought me face to face with a demon I never knew existed. For this, I am grateful. See you can't defeat the demon if you don't know it exist. I am always so busy being "in control" that it is hard to recognize the areas of my life that are "out of control." Needless to say, I immediately closed the refrigerator and begin to starve my emotional cravings. Trust me, they fought back, but a control freak never loses. So as I laid my aunt to rest, I also buried the need to eat my way through emotionally charged situations. I will sing, I will write, I may even cry, but I will not eat. I now reclaim my crown as the Control Queen (you may continue talking behind my back)! NewNatalie 53 pounds lost since November 30, 2011

Well ... Well ... Well! Hello everyone. The last time I checked I was still black so I guess I will chime in! I had VSG on November 20, 2010 and have lost about 50 pounds. I love my sleeve! I have an African-American male doctor in Houston, Texas who has been VERY honest with me. I almost choked the first day I walked into his office and he said. black people do not do well with Lapband! I was like how could you say that? He explained that we love soul food and sweets. We find ways to cheat. I honestly believe cheating has no color, but we do tend to like heavy, greasy foods. He begged me not to have Lapband and I am soooo grateful to him! I feel good. So far, no hair loss. I really try to take my Vitamins and eat Protein to prevent this. I am finally to a point where I am eating better. The first few weeks I could barely eat anything. The weight loss has slowed down a little, but I am not concerned. i don't want to lose so fast that I look bad. I am in this for the long haul. Take care everyone and keep in touch!

I saw a nutritionist at Houston Northwest Medical Center on 1960. It is not far from the Woodlands ( I had my surgery at Woodlands Memorial Hermann). Give them a call!

Oh Carnm! I can so relate to what you experienced. My first "puke" experience was with scrambled eggs during week 4. I took two bites and the eggs just wouldn't move. I fought of the inevitable for about 15 minutes and knew that it had to come up! For the record, I hate throwing up. Once the eggs were ejected I was fine. I am almost 7 weeks post-op now and still have not eating an egg! That day may have ruined eggs for me for good! Take care! NewNatalie

@Seniorsleever- Thanks for stopping by to read my blog. I love to write! I pray that you and your son can get through to his wife. Sounds like an intervention may be needed. I will be praying for her and that you will be her inspiration. @punkin7 - Thanks! @Prolific T - Congrats on your progress! You are doing great! Another one of my friends pointed out that when we lose weight, it is an adjustment for all those around us. I guess this comes along with the journey! I will check out your blog. Keep in touch!

Hi! I live in Houston and was sleeved on November 30, 2010. My surgeon is Dr. Dexter Turnquest. He is located in the 1960_Champions Forest area. I live 45 minutes away, but travel to him because he is AWESOME! He came with rave reviews. You can barely get in his office, because people love this man so much. He is down to earth and is a top notch surgeon. I am in the process of organizing a Houston support group. Just need a good location. I will let you know!

Breakfast - Turkey deli meat and Swiss cheese roll (Will probably have this as a snack again at some point in the day) lunch - Brocolli Cheese Soup from Subway dinner - Homemade chicken and Vegetable Soup I am going to try the crab sticks. I love seafood!