wondering1

Was a 42 DD. Now a 36 D. In a shirt and bra they look fabulous. Naked they're deflated balloons.

Prinxessdeb

Kathy, What do you mean by "maintain a better weight"? Most of us have lost a significant amount of weight and still continue to lose. I walk 6-10 miles per week with my dog. That definately gives me the opportunity to burn some calories. My weight loss has slowed down in the last month or so but that's because I've been sleeved 6 months now and I'm closer to goal than ever. If you can't exercise now, maybe there will be a point when you can start. It also helps with loose skin. Good luck.

Soda - no way. Haven't tried it. Won't do it. I've worked way too hard for my new body that I don't want to stretch my stomach. Protein bars - love them. Eat them almost 4 times a week. I really like the Adkins Meal Replacement bars. They have 17-20 grams of protein per bar and are lower on the calories and fat than some of the others. I particularly like the chocolate Peanut Butter bar and the Chocolate Chip Granola bar. I have tried some Cliff bars but only when we were traveling and I had no other choice. I don't recommend those. Too many calories and carbs. Anyway, good luck!

Well y'all, today I weighed in at 189. A one pound drop from last week. I'll take it. Can't believe this is already month 6 for us. I've seen both the weight loss and the hair loss begin to slow down. What percentage of our "excess body weight" should we have lost by now? I'm thinking I've lost around 66%. Does that seem low? How are you guys progressing?

Hi everyone! I am 5'6 and my highest weight last year when I started this journey was 272. I wire a tight Lane Bryant 22w pants and 22/24 top. Day of surgery, 8/8/11, I was 263. No change in clothing size. Today I weigh 189 and I've been wearing some 14s and some 16s in jeans and dress pants. I can comfortably wear a Large top. I no longer shop at Lane Bryant because their clothes just don't flatter me anymore. I'm extremely happy with my weight loss but plan to lose at least 20 more pounds, maybe 30. I just hope and pray I can stay motivated.

first of all, congratulations on your 33 pounds!!! That's great. second, I don't know what that sound is but your post made me laugh. "pop rocks"! that's hysterical. If it's not uncomfortable, maybe it will just pass. If you start to get uncomfortable, maybe you should ask your doc what's up? Sorry I can't be of more help but perhaps someone will respond who has had the same thing. Happy Sunday

Chrissy, Try to think positive. You're going to be fine. Even if you do throw up, it will pass. And guess what? I had surgery Aug 8th and haven't thrown up yet. Although I'll admit there was a time when I really WANTED AND PRAYED to throw up. My husband and I were on vacation and I had gone about 6 hours without eating. Needless to say, I was starving. We stopped at a deli and I ordered an egg salad sandwhich. The bread was homemade and really thick. Well, I ate 3/4 of that big behind sandwich in no time. It hurt so bad I wanted and prayed to throw up. But did I? NOPE. So try not to worry so much and stress yourself out. From someone who is almost 6 months out I would say this: eat small amounts of protein at a time. Don't eat the bread or other white carbs for a long time. That's what really made me sick. And drink your water (fluids, crystal light, whatever). You're gonna make it chica. And life is really, really good on the other side.

Hi New Grandma! Give yourself a break. I lost 2 pounds in 12 weeks while doing those classes. Yup, pretty much everything failed. You said "how will I be able to do this after the surgery"? Well, you just will. First you will be so swollen and sore you'll think that drinking Water is a chore, let alone eating anything. And the restriction you feel after surgery will amaze you. You CAN do this! After surgery just follow all your surgeon's instructions and the weight will come off. It might not seem like it now, but you CAN and WILL do this. Keep the faith

Congratulations Kristin!!! and it IS a really big deal!! Thanks for sharing. I'm guessing you'll be crossing your legs a lot now. lol.

I've been eating 1200 or more calories per day since about 5 weeks out. I was sleeved 8/8/11 and have lost 82 pounds. That may seem like slow weight loss but if I go much lower than 1200 for a couple days, I stall because my body goes into starvation mode. Just my experience.

Hi all. I weighed in at 190 this morning and was very happy with my 4 pound loss. Then, being so happy, I ate a piece of cake and 2 chocolate chip cookies! Why is that how I celebrate? Or am I just trying to sabotage myself? What gives? Do I need a shrink? I'll be back on the program in the morning. I'm sure I'll be feeling better then. Happy for your loss Kristina! Onederland is very close!!!

I totally understand where you are. We are going to continue to lose though. We CAN beat this!

Libbe - good for you being back on the losing side. I'm very happy that all your complications seem to be over. My hubby and I went away for the weekend and I ate like a wild woman. Monday morning I weighed in at 194.2 for a loss of .8 pounds. That's the smallest loss yet. I'm kinda bumbed about it. January has not been great for me. I'm trying very hard to get back on track. I do not want to be in the 190s forever. Hoping to post a better number this week!!

You should talk to your surgeon, just to make sure you're ok.

You should talk to your surgeon, just to make sure you're ok.

The same is true for me. I really need to step up my game. This weekend I went to WVU to visit my daughter. I ate anything and everything I wanted. A couple of months ago I wouldn't have done that because I was very serious about my weight loss. Its getting harder though, especially when the scale starts slowing down. I need daily and sometimes hourly encouragement. I don't want this whole over-indulging to start spinning out of control. Tomorrow is a new day and I must do better!

Has anyone experienced numbness in their arms and legs since surgery? When I sit and cross my legs, the leg on top goes numb pretty quickly. Also if I lay on my side with my arm underneath me, my arm goes numb and my hand and fingers get really cold. This is just something I've noticed more lately. Does this indicate a Vitamin deficit or a circulation problem? Thanks for any advice you can give.

Hi everyone. Please don't jump on me for what I'm about to say. If I'm wrong, let me know tenderly Yesterday I had a follow up appt with my surgeon. In his waiting room I met this lady who had surgery 3 years ago. She dropped 75 pounds the first year and has stayed there ever since. She is still approximately 50-60 pounds overweight. I did not ask her anything about why she stopped losing weight but she volunteered the information, I guess she felt like she needed to justify something to me. These were her words, "well I just eat whatever now, and don't over do it". "well I knew I was never going to be a model or anything so I'm happy where I am". EXCUSE ME????? First of all, I'm going to be really pissed if I still haven't made it to goal in 3 years. I'm working very hard to get my weight off and I'm not going to settle for not making it to goal. Second, she stated "well I knew I'd never be a model". Well why the H*** not??? I might never be employed as a model but I darn sure want to look like one if I have the chance! And the sleeve has given me a chance. Am I crazy??? or should we be working this thing as hard as we can?? I hope I NEVER settle for anything less that the absolute healthiest and fittest I can be. I hope you all don't either.

I eat bread and cereal now and I've eaten them since about 2.5 months out. I make sure both things are high fiber whole grain instead of white flour and sugary. I have Fiber One cereal whenever I need to move my protein on through too (avoid constipation). I think you'll be ok, just don't eat it very often until your further out

Why not call your surgeon and straight up ask him? You might be worried for nothing and that will make you feel better. Let me know what he says.

You are going to be fine! I was a nervous wreck before surgery. I prayed all the time, cried a lot, and worried even more. My doctor told me I have more of a chance of getting hit by a bus on the way home from surgery than I did dying while in surgery. That made me laugh. I'm guessing your surgery is/was today. So get right back on here when you can and let us know you were worried for nothing. You're going to do great!!!

I can really relate to what you're saying. I hated shopping before surgery because I felt so huge and so fat that nothing fit right. I even cried in a dressing room a few times. I was a tight size 22W and refused to buy 24s. Now... fast forward 5.5 months later and guess what??? Not only do I LOVE shopping and trying on clothes but I've become a clothes SNOB!! I used to buy whatever fit and looked decent. Now I only want Ralph Lauren (which I wear most of the time), Michael Kors, or Calvin Klein. I have to wear an XL top or sweater in RL and a size 18 skirt, where other brands I can wear a Large and size 16 bottom, but I don't even care. I love my name brand designer clothes. I never thought I would turn into a high-maintenance woman but I think I have. Life is funny And yes, you will love shopping too!!!!

Diva, I can totally understand what you're saying. Sure there is some wisdom in just worrying about me... but this woman had NOT made it to her goal. She was settling and it was so obvious. I just want to encourage everyone not to settle and not to give up. I think that as fat or formerly fat people we tend to have self-defeating attitudes like "well I'll never be this or that". My point is we've been given a tool that we CAN be this or that if we work really hard and don't give up or settle. I don't think YOU personally ever have to justify your size or weight. I read another post where you wrote that you have almost the "perfect body" for YOU. You stated you felt pretty good or amazing. I think that's incredible and I just want that for all of us that have gone this journey.

Hi everyone. Let's remember we're all human and we all make mistakes. Sometimes I think my posts can seem kind of harsh when I re-read them. I never mean to be rude, but can come across that way when I'm in a hurry. I think that can happen to every one of us. I do quote others from time to time but that's because I want people to be certain what I'm replying to. We're all here for the same reason (I think)... we want support in our journey. So let's lift each other up instead of tear each other down. There are plenty of other people out there in this world willing to tear us down. Love y'all!!