Lissa

Have fun!!!
Love getting pedicures!!
Ask for a massage as well

Puja and Aussiegirl, Those feelings are exactly why my weight loss journey is an open book. I offer up a copy of my "fat pictures" anytime someone asks me about my weight loss and I'm always happy to send someone here to read. I'm a walking testimonial to WLS, especially the sleeve! I've seen quite a few people who have started their own diet and exercise/WLS journey since I have had such amazing results and it humbles me to think that I might have had a small part in that. Two of my girlfriends are having surgery this month, one with the same group of doctors I used and the other in Mexico. I've received a few private messages on Facebook from people who tell me that I inspired them to start their own weight loss journey, or to get back into the gym. Those messages outweigh the sister in law who won't speak to me because my posts about my workouts, weight loss, or food goals offend her. BTW, one of the gals going for WLS was one who was mad at me for awhile because she said I had attitude. She's now picking my brain for info about the surgery. I'm glad to have her back in my life and thrilled that she's being proactive for her health.

Puja and Aussiegirl, Those feelings are exactly why my weight loss journey is an open book. I offer up a copy of my "fat pictures" anytime someone asks me about my weight loss and I'm always happy to send someone here to read. I'm a walking testimonial to WLS, especially the sleeve! I've seen quite a few people who have started their own diet and exercise/WLS journey since I have had such amazing results and it humbles me to think that I might have had a small part in that. Two of my girlfriends are having surgery this month, one with the same group of doctors I used and the other in Mexico. I've received a few private messages on Facebook from people who tell me that I inspired them to start their own weight loss journey, or to get back into the gym. Those messages outweigh the sister in law who won't speak to me because my posts about my workouts, weight loss, or food goals offend her. BTW, one of the gals going for WLS was one who was mad at me for awhile because she said I had attitude. She's now picking my brain for info about the surgery. I'm glad to have her back in my life and thrilled that she's being proactive for her health.

I think we all have our food issues. Mine is now Cheetos, although that is easing up some. I allow myself one single serving bag a month, but I have a ritual of sorts when it comes to eating that one bag. I haven't been able to break that habit completely, but I'm learning to manage that habit now. I can walk by almost anything without wanting it...and I shocked myself last night. My boyfriend ordered this big, yummy looking cupcake with tons of frosting and chunks of chocolate and nuts in it for dessert. He was moaning while eating it and saying how good it was, then offered me a bite. I declined without even thinking about it. I liked watching him enjoy the cupcake (he has no weight problem), but I had no desire for even a bite of it. To me, that is huge progress, because I might have wrestled him for that cupcake pre-op!

Something very interesting and puzzling happened to me today.
All my life, until the surgery, I had always looked at "normal" girls, or even slightly chubby girls and thought that if I could look like them, I would be happy. I never wanted to be skinny, and would have been very happy with being a voluptuous size 12 or 14 - a large. I looked at other overweight women, and compared myself to them. Am I heavier than her? Do I look like her?
Today, I was in the library, and there was a table with 2 very obese women, around my age. One of them kept shifting around, and adjusting her clothes.. and I was reminded of how uncomfortable I always felt before I lost weight. I was uncomfortable in my own body, and it affected the simplest tasks like sitting and studying.
Then, I was standing just behind one of those girls in the restroom, while waiting to wash my hands. She stepped over to let me use the sink, and quickly took a glance at me in the mirror. Was she also having the same thoughts I used to have less than 2 years ago? Could she be thinking that she would like to look like me? Imperfect, but relatively normal?
I initially looked at her and almost had to catch myself from passing judgment on why she may be overweight. Why wasn't she doing something about her health? I immediately felt guilty and confused on why I would think such a thing, considering that was me. That STILL IS me. I have to work on the new me every minute of every day.
After that, I almost wanted to let her know that I understood... that I was her once upon a time, and still fight the same battle.
I kept quiet and went about my business while she went about hers, of course. I felt guilty and anxious, but extremely proud of myself.
I was her once, and I made a change. I worked to find a solution, and then worked even harder to become that girl I wanted to be. I'm not perfect. I have loose skin, and I've got saggy boobs way before the age to have them. But I'm healthy. I'm in control of my weight, rather than my weight being in control of me. I am victorious.

Wow, you are doing amazing!
Great work

Congrats!! I bet you already feel amazing and the best is yet to come!!!

Good Morning sleevers !
Today is my first week and I'm 18lbs down ! Extremely excited. That's all the motivation I need to continue pushing forward . First few days were extremely hard , but that feeling of trying to eat even if it's little it's painful so it stops you right in your tracks . Week 2 lets gooooo! ☺

I'm 8 weeks out today. Lost a total of 76lbs. Started at 392 down to 316. Lost 8 lbs this week. 200's here I come.

I think we all have our food issues. Mine is now Cheetos, although that is easing up some. I allow myself one single serving bag a month, but I have a ritual of sorts when it comes to eating that one bag. I haven't been able to break that habit completely, but I'm learning to manage that habit now. I can walk by almost anything without wanting it...and I shocked myself last night. My boyfriend ordered this big, yummy looking cupcake with tons of frosting and chunks of chocolate and nuts in it for dessert. He was moaning while eating it and saying how good it was, then offered me a bite. I declined without even thinking about it. I liked watching him enjoy the cupcake (he has no weight problem), but I had no desire for even a bite of it. To me, that is huge progress, because I might have wrestled him for that cupcake pre-op!

There are no prizes for not taking your pain meds, you know? Take them. You're not going out anywhere and you're definitely not going to work, so take the pain meds to take the edge off. You won't become addicted in just a few days. Congrats on being sleeved!

Let's see. I'm 18 months+ post op, down over 120 pounds, feeling and looking fantastic. Do I feel like I've accomplished any less because I had surgery rather than doing it the "traditional" way? Nope. I've still had to watch my food intake, drink Water, get in my 70g of Protein daily, exercise and do the head work required to accept myself as I am rather than some idealized version of myself. In other words, I've worked just as hard with surgery as I'd have worked without surgery, possibly harder because I couldn't use food to cope with the mental aspect of weight loss, so I had to actually work through my issues. The big advantage is that I had a tool to jump start my loss and I have a tool to help me maintain my weight loss. Would I do this surgery again? HELL yes. For me, that's all there is to it. Good luck on your journey.

There are no prizes for not taking your pain meds, you know? Take them. You're not going out anywhere and you're definitely not going to work, so take the pain meds to take the edge off. You won't become addicted in just a few days. Congrats on being sleeved!

Let's see. I'm 18 months+ post op, down over 120 pounds, feeling and looking fantastic. Do I feel like I've accomplished any less because I had surgery rather than doing it the "traditional" way? Nope. I've still had to watch my food intake, drink Water, get in my 70g of Protein daily, exercise and do the head work required to accept myself as I am rather than some idealized version of myself. In other words, I've worked just as hard with surgery as I'd have worked without surgery, possibly harder because I couldn't use food to cope with the mental aspect of weight loss, so I had to actually work through my issues. The big advantage is that I had a tool to jump start my loss and I have a tool to help me maintain my weight loss. Would I do this surgery again? HELL yes. For me, that's all there is to it. Good luck on your journey.

Some day you will feel like a skinny pepper!

You need the calories from food to continue to lose weight and be able to function long-term. You're starting now to fuel your body rather than just eat to eat. You need to provide your body with good fuel so that it will run efficiently without breaking down internally. You need the Protein and calories to protect your important muscles while your body lets go of the fat. Don't worry about gaining weight. That's almost impossible with the amount of food you'll be able to consume. Concentrate on being healthy and developing healthy habits and you're going to do fine!

I take Tylenol gelcaps when I need headache relief.

I take Tylenol gelcaps when I need headache relief.

Not to be flippant, but the only suggestion I can give you for the pre-op liquid diet is "Just Do It". That is the absolute toughest part of this journey for most of us. I ate a lot of sugar free popsicles (the only "solid" I was allowed) and drank a ton of Water and crystal light. By day 3, you should be having an easier time of things. I had to do three weeks and I made it through by sheer grit and determination because I didn't want my surgeon to refuse to do my surgery.
Good luck on your journey!!

My first LBD since surgery June 2012. I've lost 150 total, 85 since surgery. I started at a size 28 (probably a 30 but I wouldn't let myself admit it). I bought this dress yesterday... size 14/16!!! It's just a generous fit because the jeans I bought yesterday are an 18. I still have a long way to go but I felt hot last night!
And my LBD from NYE last year.

You need the calories from food to continue to lose weight and be able to function long-term. You're starting now to fuel your body rather than just eat to eat. You need to provide your body with good fuel so that it will run efficiently without breaking down internally. You need the Protein and calories to protect your important muscles while your body lets go of the fat. Don't worry about gaining weight. That's almost impossible with the amount of food you'll be able to consume. Concentrate on being healthy and developing healthy habits and you're going to do fine!

I did self-pay, $12,500. I wanted the surgeon that I got and was willing to pay for it since my health insurance has a total exclusion for bariatric surgery. For me, going to Mexico never crossed my mind because Dr Domkowski came SO highly recommended. My best friend is an ER nurse and had worked with him previously. Between her endorsement of him and his amazing success rate, I was sold completely. I still feel it was the best decision I ever made and worth every single penny!

That is so awesome!! To have a man who supports your hopes and dreams is wonderful! I look forward to following your journey!

That is so awesome!! To have a man who supports your hopes and dreams is wonderful! I look forward to following your journey!

Hi Gang,
So, I had to hop on a plane yesterday to attend a conference in New Orleans. This is my first flight post-op.
Guess what? NO EXTENDER NEEDED!!! This is where the heavens open up and angels sing, because not only in addition to being big, I am tall and due to my weight, I have not been able to sit in the exit rows for many years.
Now I can again - yay! Flying will no longer be as uncomfortable.
Also, the shorts I wore on the plane were 44" - last December when we flew I wore a 52". My jacket/vest is an XL and it zips up!
Wow, that's a lot of exciting stuff!!!!