Neese

Time to sit back and remind yourself that you have no control over these other women. Don't take it personal when someone on your team is threaten by you. It's her insecurity, but remind her that you are responsible for the project and need to be informed about what's going on. Take charge and don't worry about her age, she will just have to deal with it and perhaps even learn. Please make sure you leave it at work and have a wonderful evening with your family. It's just work, and family is where are heart is. You can do this.
Oh BTW try doing some relaxation to help your stomach relax. It really works.

Just wanted to post my first before and after pictures. I was suprised when I saw the pictures since I've been avoiding cameras for many years now, lol. It's been 3 months, 49lbs total (41lbs since surgery), 3 dress sizes and countless inches! I'm loving it! Hard work finally starting to show!
Around 280lbs.
231lbs.

That's it I just love being able to cross my legs and not have one just placed on top of the other like I used to have to, lol. Although my knees are a little boney now, lol.

One of the things I had to "learn" was to understand if I really had cravings (hunger) or was it head hunger or actually dehydration.
I have found out that many times my cravings where actually dehydration and since i ALWAYS had 2-3 drinks of something when i ate, I guess I related the two.
Now I try and satisfy my cravings with plenty-o-Water and see if that helps, if not, try and sub a healthy snack, if not, I just go ahead and satisfy whatever the craving is...heck I can't eat the whole pizza even if I wanted to!!!
surgery date: Oct 12, 2011

I am 9 months out from surgery and have been "maintaining" at 165 for about 3 months now. I have occasionally gotten frustrated at myself for not getting this last 15 lbs. off and getting to my goal weight. It is totally my own fault because I eat anything I want and don't exercise. So yesterday I stop at Wal-Mart on my way home because I have NO shorts that fit and I'm standing there trying to decide what size to buy. The shorts are 50/50 cotton and linen so I know they will stretch when I wear them and I can't decide if I should get a size 8 or a 10 and then it hits me.... why the heck am I giving myself so much grief over these last 15 lbs, this time last year I was trying to decide whether to buy size 18 or 20 shorts!!! Wow life is so awesome now. I can run with my grandchildren, plant the garden with my husband and eat a tiny bit of anything I want and maintain a size 8 or 10. So maybe I will lighten up on myself and just enjoy the moment, I will get to my goal, maybe not right this minute, but I will get there. So I say we enjoy this journey and the new life we've given ourselves. I hope you all have a great day.

Yes I really try not to get grossed out, but I can't help it. I guess it's because I get so full on just a few bites I CAN NOT IMAGINE eating all that food anymore !!! But I try not to judge, they can't help it, they don't have sleevie.

Not at 2 weeks out. They would be very dry for your stomach. I was on liquids for the first 3 weeks, pureed for 3 weeks, mushies for 3 weeks and then semi solids. Even at 5.5 months post op, I can basically tolerate moist meats. Don't push it, it will happen soon enough. Just play it safe. Your doing great so far. Keep it up!

Take your measurements (inches) before surgery. I didnt do this and sooo regret it now, coz I cant say for sure how much my inch loss is..
And take pictures!

Congrats Lilee, you look great!!!

And remember they pumped you full of fluids and this is a major shock to your body. Hang in there!

I just pureed two strawberries and one kiwi....added a scoop of pure Protein strawberry flavor....man was it good!!!! Great way to get in that protein and satisfy a sweet tooth!

Y'all don't even wanna know what I eat in maintenance HA, and I'm able to maintain my weight loss without suffering mentally or physically from eating out. For all of the judgmental, finger-wagging replies, I am living proof that eating "off plan" and NOT dieting works wonderfully in maintenance. There is a vast difference in eating junk food daily, or over-indulging in hot fudge sundaes or choosing to have a grilled chicken breast wrap from McDonalds.
I eat out on average 3-4 days a week. And, those on the forum who are on my Facebook can all confirm that information.
I make the best choice 85% of the time, the other 15% I have half of a chili cheese coney with 6-8 cheesy tots from Sonic, or a fully loaded double cheeseburger minus the bun with EXTRA big mac sauce and pickles.
Today, I'm going to Moe's for $6 burrito Monday. I'll skip the rice, get double pinto Beans, chicken, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. I might 3-4 bites of the tortilla, or have a few of the chips with salsa.
By no means am I encouraging anyone to eat the bad stuff, but for me, my goals, my mental healthy, I can not and will not diet nor look at foods as BAD. There are foods that are nutrient dense, and others that are nutrient lacking. I choose the first option the majority of the time. This gives me the balance that I need to be successful not only at keeping my weight off, but to keep my mind healthy as well. I deprivation dieted myself up to 270lbs, and like I've said for over a year now, mashed potatoes and Pasta didn't make me fat. Eating 2-3 cups of those foods along with the main meat course, puls a fried appetizer, 2-3 glasses of sweet tea, and a dessert made me fat.

Between my pre-op diet and the 4 days since my surgery I have lost 30lbs. To me that's huge! I put on some regular clothes for the first time since surgery to go out with the family.....I then proceeded to cry with elation over the fact my favorite tshirt fit different....enough that the wife was even in awe how much better it hung on me. I was very very happy, but was the crying due to the hormone imbalance, or do others feel so full of joy after a moment like that they have had similar experiences?

That's 11 pounds you won't see again! Embrace each victory no matter how big or small!

I noticed that my (almost 3 week) stall happened when I started incorporating food back into my diet! Just before 3 weeks I started having yogurt, refried Beans and scrambled eggs... Then BOOM... The weight loss stopped! I figured the body went into give me give me mode after not eating for almost 3 weeks and was trying to keep all those nutrients which caused a weight stall! Guess what I did yesterday?? I ate MORE! 3 meals! A full yogurt for Breakfast, as much refried Beans as would fill my tummy without being over full (2 full spoons maybe a tad more) an iced coffee at Hastings and then about 15 beans out of a cup of Wendy's chili (beans and liquid only) then I weighed and tada.... 2.5 lb loss!!! Yep!
I think I noticed the most inches lost was during the stall too! I have not yet freaked out about the sleeve, I just keep listening to my body and adjusting to what she is saying!

I'm six weeks out today and SO agree with you, Reddi! The first month wasn't horrible, but after the first month I felt so much better. My head hunger eased off and I started to feel more comfortable with my new regimen of eating and drinking. I'm so glad to be at this point!!

Stop trolling.

So true! I was sleeved 1/31 and I wish I would've taken people's advise to measure myself and not to focus on the scale. You look great!

So true! I was sleeved 1/31 and I wish I would've taken people's advise to measure myself and not to focus on the scale. You look great!

I am 11 months out and only 7 pounds to goal. I wanted to share a current picture from my niece's 16th birthday party. (March 10, 2012)

Grieving food is something we have to go through. You made a decision to change your lifestyle but now the consequences of that decision are more real. It's good to grieve and you almost have to expect it. You're in Stage 4 which is depression, reflection and loneliness. The next stage is the upward turn, where you start to adjust to it. You are perfectly normal. I'll let you in on a secret. You will enjoy those outings with your family and food again, eating smaller quantities, only you will be so happy with your new self that you'll do it even more than before. No need to hide from our weight embarrassment and it will be time to get out and enjoy your new life!

Dear Everyone,
Thank you Soo Much for all of your advise and tips, I have learned much and I have gotten some new ideas on the first weeks post op. I was so worried about not getting in all the Protein and worried about food that might cause pain and dumping and blah blah blah! I can't keep up. LOL
You all have eased my worries and I'm just gonna take it day by day and use the tips I have gained.
I will give an update once I come home and let you all know whats going on!
Again Thank you!!!
:D

stalls last as long as they last. Start really looking for the NSVs. Are your clothes looser, do you have more stamina?
It will break and you will continue to lose as long as you stay on plan.
Good luck!

No, he wasn't being rude, he was being a TOTAL A$$H0LE - excuse my language.
YES, he has to protect himself from liability on those he did not treat but good gawd to come out and say something like that is so totally unprofessional and just A. H. -ish (I just invented a new word ) as to be incredible.
Look for an independent group if there is one, you may be stuck with just something like this forum because of your remoteness. And remember YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE.

Quick update*** just left Dr. Bell's office and he said im doing GREAT! He said to keep doing what I can to get Protein in as this little amount will make my hair thin out real bad.. BUT he didn't act like I was doing anything wrong seeing as how I'm drinking tons of Water. Yay for me.. 18 lbs in two weeks and a great response from the doctor!
Thank you all so much for your kind words!!