mnbsleeve

I agree with what others have already said. I just want to add my support and say that I know you can do it. I really like Coops comments about not thinking like a "dieter." It seems that you still managed to loose 16 lbs during this time! So something is working for you! But I hear you, you don't want to loose control so you are reflecting on what you're doing. That alone is a recipe for success, in my opinion. Also the fact that you are back on these boards is a good sign. Others here have already given great comments. We are all rooting for you. You can do this!!!

Hang in there Deenah! It gets better each day! Sending good thoughts your way!

Congratulations Ian! Sending lots of good thougths for a speedy recovery!!! Don't forget to walk, sip, walk, sip!!!!! You are on your way!!!!!!!

All I can say is DITTO! I try not to get to ahead of myself since I am still loosing ... and dealing with stalls! ... but I do secretly fear maintenance and that way weight has crept back up in the past. I too find this board most comforting and supportive! I suspect I will be here a long time to come! :-) I think when more of us have achieved long term success we will all start to breathe easier and "believe." Suzannesh just posted yesterday her success after 3 years!!!! I was so encouraging. There was also another post, whose name I don't recall right now, at a year and 8 months out! I'm always trolling around for those posts LOL They raise my confidence and outlook for the future! :-) SO PLEASE everyone, keep posting long after you've reached goal LOL I'll do the same!!!!! Thank you for the helpful tips and suggestions - seriously!

Oh, I have to add one more thing.... you have such gorgeous hair!!!!! I'm so jealous!!!! :-) Do you take any particular suplements? Have you had any hair loss? Your hair is so shiny, healthy and full! Looks beautiful!

Juzmee!!! You are looking GREAT!!!!!! Your face looks beautiful! What the hec are you talking about girl?!?!?! This is what I think: sometimes we scrutinize ourselves so much during this process, we miss the forest for the trees! I hope you can see all the wonderful progress you've made. You look beautiful! You will break this stall (me too, I will break mine :-) ) I think you are doing awesome!!!! Congratulations!!! PS: beautiful family too!!!!

I have a little of both too. Sometimes I feel much thinner than I really am. My husband says I've always had that and that I always said that I was thin person in a fat body! :-) I don't know if it's denial or what?! LOL But when I look at some before pics (don't have many either) holy cow! I look quite a bit different!!! Much thinner! - NOT skinny like some people have now said to me, but thinner and better for sure! I notice it a lot on my face. I love doing my eye make up because it seems like my eyes are more visible now! :-) instead of my fat cheeks LOL

Well darn it! My NUT assured me early on that I could double up on the protein powder no problem. I've been making my shakes between 40 and 50 grams of protein. She said it would be fine and that my body would process it - that there was no limit. Now I am confused. I do this mostly because shakes are very difficult for me to get down, still. And I'm still not able to eat enough food to get all my protein in. Thanks everyone for this post. I will follow up with my NUT again and read Rootman's searches!

Susannesh thank you for this great post! It's so great to hear about all your success including long term! Congratulations on all that you have accomplished! And thank you again for thinking of us on this board, and taking the time to reflect and share with us -- really appreciating the encouragement and peace of mind your posts brings!!!!

I have definitely had change in shoe size! I'm in the same boat! Now that the weather is cooler, I've pulled out some boots and closed toes shoes, so I've taken to putting on a pair of thick socks on that you can't see! LOL But I've resigned myself that this is the last season, if that, that I could wear these. My summer shoes (sandles, a few platforms) forget it! <<sigh>>

We go through so many changes in such a short amout of time, it tough to keep up mentally/emotionally! It sounds like you are doing really well oveall. One advantage of being a guy is that, now that you are starting the gym, you will probably get a really good pay off. Guys seem to be able to tone up those muscles really nicely. It will probably reshape those areas you aren't as happy about. Hang in there. I bet you will look smoking hot here soon!!!!

Cheri, congratulations!!!!! Thank you for your post! I loved it! I saw your pics and you look fantastic!!!! Grandma or not, you look HOT!!!!!! Enjoy the new you!!!!

LOL, these are funny! My neighbor across the street is a bit grumpy and he never looks up nor says hello, even when you say hi to him. A few weeks back he whipped his head around, walked toward the front of his house as if to cross the street and yells out "you've lost a ton of weight, you look great!" I had to crack up right there. I could barely say thank you! He never says a peep nor appears to notice anything but dang, he saw this!!! AND yelled it out. My husband and I laughed and laughed when I told him. Now we joke back and forth pretending to yell accross the house "you look great!" :-)

Awesome!!!! Congratulations!!!!! Enjoy all this great progress!

MSanti! You look amazing!!!! and I agree with others here, I don't think you are a slow looser! Not to mention that what you have lost has obviously been in all the right places because you look GREAT!!!! Enjoy the new you! and I'm so glad you have insurance again. That must have been quite scary!

I've eaten sushi with no problems at all. Like others here however, I stick to sashimi and avoid the rice because I need to get the protien in and I also want to keep my carbs down. But when I've eaten it, it's been with no problems at all. Also, I did not eat it till after 4 months out. My first 4 months I was very strict with my food intake. I still follow "the rules" now but I've had a few guilty pleasures, like a bit of sushi! :-)

I agree with Rhondalynn, this is very interesting! I've never heard about this and look forward to reading some responses on this thread. The only thing that came to mind is my very petite sister in law who was always very cold. For years we would tease her for feeling chilly in the summer. Now, years later, still petite, she is experiencing feeling too warm - probably due to changes in hormones. But how is it different for a person whose always been small? I always assumed it was less fat layers to keep her warm!

Oh I love this NSV!!! I've always dreaded going through those things!!!! You reminded me of something else I won't have to stress about! :-) Congrats on all your progress!!!!!

Oh Fusilli I hear you!!!! I'm one of those too! I stalled for over 4 weeks, dropped a few pounds and stalled again... it's actually my pattern. Don't mean to scare you with that one. It really stinks. In the beginning I was very concerned given the drastic measure I had taken. All my prior experiences keep coming back and would assume another "failure" -- they were my only source of reference! But I am finally able to embrace this for what it is, a "different" experience with it's own unique process. It's helped me to just tell myself to go with it. I've lost about 60 lbs since June and I'm feeling great ... but I know those nasty stalls can do a number on us!!!!

To echo MissDIva, it takes time. In the beginning it feels like all you are doing is managing vitamines, food, Fluid etc. trying to juggle and it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day to coordinate all that... especially since the tummy feels full so easily. I would just focus on getting through each day and doing my very best each day. Some days I made the targets, others, not so much. But I just kept plugging away. It will pass!!! and each week gets better. In terms of nutrition, my MD did warm me that in the beginning it's difficult to get all the Protein in with just food, since we can bearly eat a bite or two. So shakes are necesarry. Eventually you'll tolerate more food. I'm 5+ months out and can eat pretty much anything but I still have to supplement with shakes occationally. Main point here: you're all pretty much on target! and the experiences seem pretty much the ones we all have (my own and what I've been reading about the last 9 months or so) Good luck to you all. Hang in there!!!!!! PS: sometimes I would scramble one egg thinking "I would only be able to eat half" only to find that one tiny bite did it!!!! That would freak me out! :-)

I think you are just going to have to give them a try and see how they work for you. I've read both reactions: like leahG above, who can't tolerate them at all, and like ITSMEMRSJ who can totally make them work. I'm more like Leah. I could not get down any of these types of protein drinks. I tried them all, on their own, in crystal light, cold on ice, room temperature, you name it. They totally gross me out and give me the heaves :-) But, for some they work really well. So the bottom line, you'll have to give them a try and see what it's like for you. It is nice to be able to get all that protein in easily. I know some places give you/sell you samples so you don't have to buy a large quantity until you try it. Perhaps you can give that a try. Congrats on your surgery!!!!! See you on the loosers bench!

Flowermama! Sorry you're feeling pain! It will pass. The first few days are the hardest, then things get better daily! I know you mentioned walking hurts but it may be helpfull if you can move a little. Sometimes gas gets trapped causing this horrific pain and movement tends to "dislodge" it! If you could muster a few walks around your house it may help. Hang in there! It will pass (no pun intended!) :-)

Thanks for your post Breezy! So great to read about all the wonderful things you are enjoying. You look fantastic and your confidence and joy really comes through. And yes!!! Your arms are totally buff!!!!!! Way to go!!! What do you do to get them so strong?!

Lynda! Congratulations!!!!!! I can't believe you were sleeved less than a month before me and you have rid yourself of 100lbs!!!! Well done!!!!!!!!! What a great accomplishment. Enjoy the new you! I'm sure you're looking super hot.

Congratulations! Sounds like you are already healing nicely! Like others said, walk, sip, walk, sip.... Each day gets better than the one before! Looking forward to reading about your progress!