Neese

The first two months my hair was really oily. I assumed it was my body getting rid of all the toxins I had presurgery. I don't know if that's right but it sounds reasonable ha. My hair doesn't get as greasy 4 mos out tho (:

I am only 9 months out so I may not be of veteran help. It seems like you know your bad habits. Try holding yourself accountable through some sort of fitness app. It may uncover how the seemingly 'occasional carbs' can add up.
You're not bad at this, just off track. You have done phenomenal so far. Success is in your corner, the app will hold you accountable.
The sleeve is your tool, just utilize it. Best wishes.

I am only 9 months out so I may not be of veteran help. It seems like you know your bad habits. Try holding yourself accountable through some sort of fitness app. It may uncover how the seemingly 'occasional carbs' can add up.
You're not bad at this, just off track. You have done phenomenal so far. Success is in your corner, the app will hold you accountable.
The sleeve is your tool, just utilize it. Best wishes.

The feeling is incredible! I'm proud of you. Keep the momentum going (:

The feeling is incredible! I'm proud of you. Keep the momentum going (:

For starters, I told everyone near and dear to my heart. I also work at a bank and any customer who is brave enough to compliment and ask how I've done it -- I have told. Do I think some people will judge? Sure. I joke and respond to their inquires with, 'I lost over 100 pounds but I cheated, I had surgery.' I know how difficult my journey has been and how the surgery is not a quick fix but that is the popular misconception unfortunately. Most people surprisingly praise me and tell me that it's not cheating and surgery is still not the 'easy way out.' I have also given a few people inspiration to look into WLS with my honesty about my weight loss and the process. Everyone has their own way of approaching it and only you'll know what's right in your gut. Best of luck!

I was to scared to eat anything off plan for fear of getting a leak and dying, that is how I coped.
I know its hard but just think if you eat something you shouldn't and something bad happens you will so regret it. That was always in the back of my mind.

Starting Weight: 298
Day of Surgery Weight: 285
Current Weight: 191.8
Height: 5'6
Date of Surgery: January 31, 2012

Amazing! What an inspiration!

Hello newbies!
1.) If you could talk to yourself pre-op what would you say? What would you tell the you that was still undecided about having the surgery?:
If I could talk to myself pre-op I would first off give myself a big hug because I know the pain I felt inside. I would then tell myself to let go of any fear or anxiety that might hold me back. There is a reason I am feeling desperate enough to have surgical intervention and I would advise myself to follow through with my gut instinct. Then I would congratulate myself for making such a difficult, and thoroughly researched, decision.
2.) Do you ever regret having the procedure? Even in tiny moments...like dinner out with friends or around the holidays? Do the regrets ever out weight the results?:
At first I did have small feelings of regret and bitterness at the fact I had to have surgery. I think I was still hating myself because I was still 'heavy' and to further that, I had no food at this point to make me feel better. I had no sembelence of normalcy because food was such a staple in my life. Sometimes I might give myself a 5 second pity party because I cannot drink a milkshake etc. etc. The thing is I AM able to do all of those things but I made the decision to make a lifestyle change. Not only did this surgery give me the tool to lose weight but it gave me the tool to change my relationship with food. I am able to eat and be fulfilled without going back for seconds just to fill myself. I still love and eat the foods that I love -- and I am not always perfect with my diet. I enjoy social outings and eat with friends but just pay less now because I order appetizers . I have been able to really figure out which foods I love and abandon the ones that I ate out of boredom, depression, etc. So at the end of the day I never regret the decision to have my surgery.
Now I am writing to YOU; the doubt and thoughts that you are having are absolutely normal. Every surgeon/insurance company gives their patient steps to go through before the surgery. Take advantage of these (nutritional advice, psychological evaluation) they are honestly helpful tools that you can carry into post op. I wish you nothing but the best of luck and health -- whatever decision you make.
Peace and love

Hello newbies!
1.) If you could talk to yourself pre-op what would you say? What would you tell the you that was still undecided about having the surgery?:
If I could talk to myself pre-op I would first off give myself a big hug because I know the pain I felt inside. I would then tell myself to let go of any fear or anxiety that might hold me back. There is a reason I am feeling desperate enough to have surgical intervention and I would advise myself to follow through with my gut instinct. Then I would congratulate myself for making such a difficult, and thoroughly researched, decision.
2.) Do you ever regret having the procedure? Even in tiny moments...like dinner out with friends or around the holidays? Do the regrets ever out weight the results?:
At first I did have small feelings of regret and bitterness at the fact I had to have surgery. I think I was still hating myself because I was still 'heavy' and to further that, I had no food at this point to make me feel better. I had no sembelence of normalcy because food was such a staple in my life. Sometimes I might give myself a 5 second pity party because I cannot drink a milkshake etc. etc. The thing is I AM able to do all of those things but I made the decision to make a lifestyle change. Not only did this surgery give me the tool to lose weight but it gave me the tool to change my relationship with food. I am able to eat and be fulfilled without going back for seconds just to fill myself. I still love and eat the foods that I love -- and I am not always perfect with my diet. I enjoy social outings and eat with friends but just pay less now because I order appetizers . I have been able to really figure out which foods I love and abandon the ones that I ate out of boredom, depression, etc. So at the end of the day I never regret the decision to have my surgery.
Now I am writing to YOU; the doubt and thoughts that you are having are absolutely normal. Every surgeon/insurance company gives their patient steps to go through before the surgery. Take advantage of these (nutritional advice, psychological evaluation) they are honestly helpful tools that you can carry into post op. I wish you nothing but the best of luck and health -- whatever decision you make.
Peace and love

Hello newbies!
1.) If you could talk to yourself pre-op what would you say? What would you tell the you that was still undecided about having the surgery?:
If I could talk to myself pre-op I would first off give myself a big hug because I know the pain I felt inside. I would then tell myself to let go of any fear or anxiety that might hold me back. There is a reason I am feeling desperate enough to have surgical intervention and I would advise myself to follow through with my gut instinct. Then I would congratulate myself for making such a difficult, and thoroughly researched, decision.
2.) Do you ever regret having the procedure? Even in tiny moments...like dinner out with friends or around the holidays? Do the regrets ever out weight the results?:
At first I did have small feelings of regret and bitterness at the fact I had to have surgery. I think I was still hating myself because I was still 'heavy' and to further that, I had no food at this point to make me feel better. I had no sembelence of normalcy because food was such a staple in my life. Sometimes I might give myself a 5 second pity party because I cannot drink a milkshake etc. etc. The thing is I AM able to do all of those things but I made the decision to make a lifestyle change. Not only did this surgery give me the tool to lose weight but it gave me the tool to change my relationship with food. I am able to eat and be fulfilled without going back for seconds just to fill myself. I still love and eat the foods that I love -- and I am not always perfect with my diet. I enjoy social outings and eat with friends but just pay less now because I order appetizers . I have been able to really figure out which foods I love and abandon the ones that I ate out of boredom, depression, etc. So at the end of the day I never regret the decision to have my surgery.
Now I am writing to YOU; the doubt and thoughts that you are having are absolutely normal. Every surgeon/insurance company gives their patient steps to go through before the surgery. Take advantage of these (nutritional advice, psychological evaluation) they are honestly helpful tools that you can carry into post op. I wish you nothing but the best of luck and health -- whatever decision you make.
Peace and love

Hello newbies!
1.) If you could talk to yourself pre-op what would you say? What would you tell the you that was still undecided about having the surgery?:
If I could talk to myself pre-op I would first off give myself a big hug because I know the pain I felt inside. I would then tell myself to let go of any fear or anxiety that might hold me back. There is a reason I am feeling desperate enough to have surgical intervention and I would advise myself to follow through with my gut instinct. Then I would congratulate myself for making such a difficult, and thoroughly researched, decision.
2.) Do you ever regret having the procedure? Even in tiny moments...like dinner out with friends or around the holidays? Do the regrets ever out weight the results?:
At first I did have small feelings of regret and bitterness at the fact I had to have surgery. I think I was still hating myself because I was still 'heavy' and to further that, I had no food at this point to make me feel better. I had no sembelence of normalcy because food was such a staple in my life. Sometimes I might give myself a 5 second pity party because I cannot drink a milkshake etc. etc. The thing is I AM able to do all of those things but I made the decision to make a lifestyle change. Not only did this surgery give me the tool to lose weight but it gave me the tool to change my relationship with food. I am able to eat and be fulfilled without going back for seconds just to fill myself. I still love and eat the foods that I love -- and I am not always perfect with my diet. I enjoy social outings and eat with friends but just pay less now because I order appetizers . I have been able to really figure out which foods I love and abandon the ones that I ate out of boredom, depression, etc. So at the end of the day I never regret the decision to have my surgery.
Now I am writing to YOU; the doubt and thoughts that you are having are absolutely normal. Every surgeon/insurance company gives their patient steps to go through before the surgery. Take advantage of these (nutritional advice, psychological evaluation) they are honestly helpful tools that you can carry into post op. I wish you nothing but the best of luck and health -- whatever decision you make.
Peace and love

Hello newbies!
1.) If you could talk to yourself pre-op what would you say? What would you tell the you that was still undecided about having the surgery?:
If I could talk to myself pre-op I would first off give myself a big hug because I know the pain I felt inside. I would then tell myself to let go of any fear or anxiety that might hold me back. There is a reason I am feeling desperate enough to have surgical intervention and I would advise myself to follow through with my gut instinct. Then I would congratulate myself for making such a difficult, and thoroughly researched, decision.
2.) Do you ever regret having the procedure? Even in tiny moments...like dinner out with friends or around the holidays? Do the regrets ever out weight the results?:
At first I did have small feelings of regret and bitterness at the fact I had to have surgery. I think I was still hating myself because I was still 'heavy' and to further that, I had no food at this point to make me feel better. I had no sembelence of normalcy because food was such a staple in my life. Sometimes I might give myself a 5 second pity party because I cannot drink a milkshake etc. etc. The thing is I AM able to do all of those things but I made the decision to make a lifestyle change. Not only did this surgery give me the tool to lose weight but it gave me the tool to change my relationship with food. I am able to eat and be fulfilled without going back for seconds just to fill myself. I still love and eat the foods that I love -- and I am not always perfect with my diet. I enjoy social outings and eat with friends but just pay less now because I order appetizers . I have been able to really figure out which foods I love and abandon the ones that I ate out of boredom, depression, etc. So at the end of the day I never regret the decision to have my surgery.
Now I am writing to YOU; the doubt and thoughts that you are having are absolutely normal. Every surgeon/insurance company gives their patient steps to go through before the surgery. Take advantage of these (nutritional advice, psychological evaluation) they are honestly helpful tools that you can carry into post op. I wish you nothing but the best of luck and health -- whatever decision you make.
Peace and love

OMG!! It worked!!!! THANK YOU!!

Hello newbies!
1.) If you could talk to yourself pre-op what would you say? What would you tell the you that was still undecided about having the surgery?:
If I could talk to myself pre-op I would first off give myself a big hug because I know the pain I felt inside. I would then tell myself to let go of any fear or anxiety that might hold me back. There is a reason I am feeling desperate enough to have surgical intervention and I would advise myself to follow through with my gut instinct. Then I would congratulate myself for making such a difficult, and thoroughly researched, decision.
2.) Do you ever regret having the procedure? Even in tiny moments...like dinner out with friends or around the holidays? Do the regrets ever out weight the results?:
At first I did have small feelings of regret and bitterness at the fact I had to have surgery. I think I was still hating myself because I was still 'heavy' and to further that, I had no food at this point to make me feel better. I had no sembelence of normalcy because food was such a staple in my life. Sometimes I might give myself a 5 second pity party because I cannot drink a milkshake etc. etc. The thing is I AM able to do all of those things but I made the decision to make a lifestyle change. Not only did this surgery give me the tool to lose weight but it gave me the tool to change my relationship with food. I am able to eat and be fulfilled without going back for seconds just to fill myself. I still love and eat the foods that I love -- and I am not always perfect with my diet. I enjoy social outings and eat with friends but just pay less now because I order appetizers . I have been able to really figure out which foods I love and abandon the ones that I ate out of boredom, depression, etc. So at the end of the day I never regret the decision to have my surgery.
Now I am writing to YOU; the doubt and thoughts that you are having are absolutely normal. Every surgeon/insurance company gives their patient steps to go through before the surgery. Take advantage of these (nutritional advice, psychological evaluation) they are honestly helpful tools that you can carry into post op. I wish you nothing but the best of luck and health -- whatever decision you make.
Peace and love

Congrats on the loss! On your iPhone there's a little '+' on the top where you make a post and you go there to choose where to post your pictures from. Best of luck!

Beginning of August at 373 Surgery on 8/28





Beginning of November at 296

Pretty much stuck where I'm at for the time being thanks to my weakness for Halloween candy and a few nights with some drinks. Hopped back on the wagon two days ago so I should be back on track pretty soon

Hello newbies!
1.) If you could talk to yourself pre-op what would you say? What would you tell the you that was still undecided about having the surgery?:
If I could talk to myself pre-op I would first off give myself a big hug because I know the pain I felt inside. I would then tell myself to let go of any fear or anxiety that might hold me back. There is a reason I am feeling desperate enough to have surgical intervention and I would advise myself to follow through with my gut instinct. Then I would congratulate myself for making such a difficult, and thoroughly researched, decision.
2.) Do you ever regret having the procedure? Even in tiny moments...like dinner out with friends or around the holidays? Do the regrets ever out weight the results?:
At first I did have small feelings of regret and bitterness at the fact I had to have surgery. I think I was still hating myself because I was still 'heavy' and to further that, I had no food at this point to make me feel better. I had no sembelence of normalcy because food was such a staple in my life. Sometimes I might give myself a 5 second pity party because I cannot drink a milkshake etc. etc. The thing is I AM able to do all of those things but I made the decision to make a lifestyle change. Not only did this surgery give me the tool to lose weight but it gave me the tool to change my relationship with food. I am able to eat and be fulfilled without going back for seconds just to fill myself. I still love and eat the foods that I love -- and I am not always perfect with my diet. I enjoy social outings and eat with friends but just pay less now because I order appetizers . I have been able to really figure out which foods I love and abandon the ones that I ate out of boredom, depression, etc. So at the end of the day I never regret the decision to have my surgery.
Now I am writing to YOU; the doubt and thoughts that you are having are absolutely normal. Every surgeon/insurance company gives their patient steps to go through before the surgery. Take advantage of these (nutritional advice, psychological evaluation) they are honestly helpful tools that you can carry into post op. I wish you nothing but the best of luck and health -- whatever decision you make.
Peace and love

Starting Weight: 298
Day of Surgery Weight: 285
Current Weight: 191.8
Height: 5'6
Date of Surgery: January 31, 2012

bad food ? hmm... nope, everything I eat is really good :-) And, thank you God!, because of my sleeve I can only eat small portions of all this good food !
I should eat more Protein though and less carbs.

I have to say that I don't really worry about on program or off program. I eat what I want, good or bad... I just find that a few bites satisfy me now, so there isn't any binging like I used to.
But pancakes. My sleeve does NOT like pancakes. I've tried them twice since I was sleeved and both times I threw them up. Pancakes are now evil.

Collar bones! I was over the moon when I saw mine. You've done fab!

You can start calling people fatso and make ugly references about obese people and your account will disappear real quick. It's already happened once today.