BenisaMartim4

Hello Jessica (my name is Jessica too.) I am also 5'9" and I started at 335. I am 14 months out and I have lost 161#. It came off really fast at first and then slowed to almost a stop after 10 months. I am a size 8 now; people tell me all the time that I am skinny. I am technically still 6# overweight. I am shooting for the normal BMI weight of 168#. I am also in the process of getting the paperwork done to have a Tummy Tuck. I really expect that to take that much weight off...and firmly plant me in a 6/8. I can already wear some 6 skirts and some 4/6 tops, but you know how crazy sizes can be. I believe you will take the rest of your weight off just fine. Don't let others discourage you. They are just in shock. Also I think as long as you eat right, you will be able to have another baby after a year. My blood work is perfectly fine and I have had my share of problems. If I were not already finished having babies, I would not be scared to get pregnant at all. Best wishes!!

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^^^like she said! Get on my fitness pal and do it now. It's the best partner your sleeve will ever have.

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Although I pretty small now (8 s or m) I have to say my lower abdomen is more pronounced than my backside. It is flat as a pancake. Hoping to get rid of the last of the belly and FUPA with plastics in the next few weeks though.

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Yes, it is called a FUPA (fat upper pubic area) by plastic surgeons. When you have a Tummy Tuck or panniculectomy they can pull it up and remove the excess skin (and Lipo if need be.) I just had my 1st plastics consult yesterday and I plan to have it done. Mine is not fat though, just loose skin. Even if you are still a bit pudgy there it is disguiseable. You need to get some shape wear. I have lost 161# and have a ton of loose skin, but you can't see a wrinkle on me anywhere when I'm dressed because I wear good shape wear. People don't even believe I have any. They always say, "I can't tell you we're ever big. You're not all saggy and flabby like most people."

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Wonderful job! Congrats!

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I have lost 161# and mine are pretty big. My kids love them. They are all the time squeezing my arms. One asked me the other day:

Kid- are those your wings?

Me- yep

Kid- can you fly with them?

Me- nope, I prefer to use a broom.

Kid- ahhhhh *screams for other kids* mama's an alien!!!

Lol...kids????

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You look beautiful and are absolutely glowing with radiant health and happiness. I will Celebrate my one year surgiversary on May 17. So far I have lost 171 pounds including pre and post op. I have not settled on a final goal weight but want to lose at least 30 - 35. additional pounds. Weight is coming off extremely slowly now. but I'm greatful its still going in the right direction. You are truly an inspiration. Could you tell me your height?

I am 5'9"

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Aww sweet, I'm so sorry about your mom. Be with her all you can and make meaningful memories to last you the rest of your life.

I personally feel that I am not coping with stress very well at all. I have no crutch to turn to at all; I no longer enjoy food, I don't drink/smoke/use drugs and I have quit all Rx drugs including my antidepressants and pain meds. I have four children 5-12 years old, 3 of them are disabled and we also full time homeschool. To say I stay stressed would be an understatement! I feel like I have nowhere to turn. The more weight I have lost, the worse I have felt mentally. It's like I'm trapped with no hope or end in sight. I never realized how much eating actually fills a void in your life until I didn't want to eat any more. I wish I had something to help. I don't think it needs to be running though...if I ever started, I might not turn around and come back 0.o

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I can testify that you can most definitely dump with a sleeve (but I don't believe that is what you are doing)or without one for that matter. I have had medically diagnosed dumping syndrome for 15 years. Mine is much better now, but in the beginning I could dump ingesting ANYTHING and that included Water. It was a miserable existence. Like I said, it is much better now but I do still have episodes. Mine is associated with having a gallbladder removal. About 50% of people without a gallbladder experience some type of dumping syndrome.

I did not see anyone mention it above, but many artificial sweeteners can cause gastrointestinal disturbances. Some of them even mention it on the package. I have found Splenda ties me in knots and causes me to dump terribly. My father, who is a diabetic, also experiences dumping from Splenda. Maltitol (found in sugar-free candy) is another culprit. Some of my other friends with the sleeve actually buy a bag of sugar-free Werther's candy and eat it to make themselves dump when they are severely constipated. If you do not normally eat fiber (bread, crackers, cruciferous veggies) adding a sudden overload of that can also cause tummy upset. I suggest that you get yourself a Myfitnesspal account, set it to 3 meals and 3 Snacks a day and track every bite that goes in your mouth. This will help you know what is hurting you and also help you get a reign in on your eating. The sleeve did not fix your brain, just your stomach. YOU are going to have to exercise some will power. No one can do this for you. You have to make up your mind you are worth it. My Myfitnesspal account/friends are as important a tool to me as my sleeve is.

I believe in many cases here there may be a misdiagnosis. It is not head hunger, but just plain out HUNGER. With this surgery most of us fall into a 'anorexic' type of thinking. Oh Lord, if I eat one bite over 700, 800, 1000 calories a day I'm going to get fat again. If you had anyone else other than a WLS person tell you that they led a normal life and only consumed 800 calories a day, you would say that there was something wrong with their thinking. Living the rest of our lives in starvation is not feasible. After all the excess fat is gone the body is going to HAVE to have some fuel to burn. If it does not get it from what you consume it will start to burn its own muscles and vital organs. I have upped my calories to 1000 and actually consume closer to 1200 a day. I am finding it almost impossible to function on less than that now. I am still actively losing and I only have 5# of excess weight left. My body is obviously needing this. I would also like to note that generally I do not exercise. If you do, you are going to need more. When I have a hard day, I have to eat more or I will literally get faint. So I guess I took the long way around to say this; we were not told we would NEVER be hungry again. If you are feeling hungry maybe your body is trying to tell you something...FEED ME!! Remember being anorexic is just as dangerous as being fat. We were not looking to trade one eating disorder for another. Just keep it in check. Add a 100 extra calories a day in the form of a good quality fat/protein combo and see how much better you feel.

I saw the doc today and she said I definitely had to increase my fluids (I lose them too fast.) she wants me to drink the sports drinks. She said they should raise my bp. She then said if that did not succeed she wanted to give me a pill to make me gain Water weight. Wha!!! After all I've been through, a pill to make me GAIN weight. I don't think so. I'll stick with the Powerade and not trying to fly.

The endocrinologist also called and said I had to come in for an adrenal function test on Tuesday. My labs came back too and my D is still really low. This can also cause dizziness/weakness/black-outs. He upped my dose from 2000IU BID to 5000IU BID; that is on top of the double dose of calcium/D and Multivitamins. Maybe it will get straightened out one day.

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I struggle with this too at times. I think the extra skin messes with my mind. I don't like it and it rears its ugly head while shopping. If I can grab and pinch a "roll"' date=' I think yuck that's gotta go. However I think that "roll" is excess skin. no matter how much weight I lose I'm still going to see the extra flab. I hope this makes sense.[/quote']

I understand completely. I am very thin. You can see every bone I have, but I still have rolls. I look and get disgusted. In a perfect world, if I were able to have a full body makeover I would estimate that they could probably remove 25-30# of excess skin/tissue (arms, legs, body and boobs.) if I did that right now, I would actually be UNDERWEIGHT!

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I'm wondering if me not having muscles in my legs has anything to do with it too. I was crippled for two years before my sleeve. I had terrible fibromyalgia, untreatable tendinitis in my ankle and a broken knee. I was able to walk very very little. My muscles wasted. I fell down every other day. My orthopedic surgeon told me that it was because I was like a rag doll. My thigh muscles were not strong to hold my hips and knees in place. I had to have knee surgery and several weeks of PT just weeks after my sleeve. I still need a knee replacement, so I have worked my legs very little. Perhaps the lack of tone makes it hard for the blood to get back up out of my legs? The fat was probably helping to squeeze it back up before. I have started walking to try to help. It doesn't do anything for the dizziness of course, but it has GOT to be building muscle. I am sore in places that I didn't know I have????

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Hey Butter. I knew you were having some probs too. The also ran all the heart tests on me too and everything was great. My bp sitting was 90/50 and so light they could barely find it. When I stand up, it goes down. When I lay down, it goes up. My surgeon also wanted me to try increased fluids. I bought 20 Powerade Zeros on sale this week. I am going to try to drink one every day. I figure I should know if it is going to help by the time they are gone. I know I don't drink enough, never have. I just find it strange that if that is the prob, it is just now showing up. I have an appointment with a neurologist today also.

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I have become an attention *****. I soak up praise and admiration like a sponge. I guess it's because I was invisible for so many years. Go ahead and laugh (300#+ and invisible!), but I know y'all know what I mean.

And to make me sound even more debase (coffee addiction..pfft), I'm addicted to sex. Thank God only with my husband, but still! I wasn't that way before. As a matter of fact, I detested it. I could gag thinking about it. Now I'm like RAWR all the time. I never get tired of it. *hangs head in shame* my poor husband wishes I liked coffee...

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Ok guys and gals, I'm 13 months out and have lost #160. I'm having a problem with low blood pressure and also orthostatic hypotension (bp bottoming out upon standing or sudden movement.) I stay really weak and black-out at least 2-3 times a day. I understand this is pretty common among people that have lost a boat-load of weight. Has anyone else here experienced this? And if so, about how long did it take it to resolve (if it did.) Any tips to help ? (other than don't move fast :0P)

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I think our heads are just messed up. I wear between an 4/6-10/12 (depending on name brand. Sizes are crazy) and I still feel fat. It's not necessarily with my clothes on though. Mine is mostly when I'm naked. All the extra skin makes me feel like I have on an elephant suit. EVERYONE tells me I'm too thin now, but I'm not ready to stop. My BMI still says overweight by about #10.

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The best advise I can give is track your food and have a calorie goal ( I use My Fitness Pal) and stay away from the junk. Don't be drinking regular sodas/ kook aide and don't eat a bunch of sweets. These things take up very little room, but pack a big calorie punch. I don't say anything is off limits, because that is just setting yourself up for failure. This is a lifestyle, not a diet. Have a cookie now and then, but don't keep them in the house all the time. If you can do some sort of physical activity, please do. It will help you stay strong and maintain muscle mass. I have done very, very little exercise because of various injuries I have. I wish I could do more so I could be firm and strong. Always remember that tomorrow is a new day. Didn't do so good today... Get up brush yourself off and start again. None of us are perfect. We are only human and we need help. That's why you are here. Get a support system, even if its just one person; but make sure it is a truthful one, one that will keep you accountable. One that will tell you you rock when you do and kick your butt when you don't.

Hope this helps you out. I don't have any sage wisdom, but just a little common sense. It's what got me here. Best wishes on your journey ????

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Ladies, I have been married 14 years and have 4 kids (5-12) and I now weigh 100# LESS than I did when I got married (275-175). I've lost 160# since my sleeve. My husband feels like he is having an affair...lol.

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Hi everyone. It's been a long time since I've dropped by, but I just want to give an up date and a word of encouragement. I had my one year post-op yesterday. It was a bit late (2/14/12 surgery), but anywho. I was down #160 (335-175), twenty dress sizes (28-8) and over 252 inches. If I can do this, anyone can. I had my toes in the grave. I was on 21 meds and the doc told me I would die that way...whether I lost weight or not. Because of my problems he (my PCP) didn't think I would lost a huge amount (50-60#), but he encouraged me to have it do so I could 'feel a little better about myself.' Well, I'm glad to say I proved him wrong. I did lose weight and a lot of it. I also lost all of the meds and the cane/walker/wheelchair. I am a WALKING miracle. I give praise to God for my healing. Now because I was instantly miraculously healed, but because he allowed me to find the path and the means (insurance) to get what I needed to be healed. I do believe God instantly heals somethings in some people, but I also believe he uses the hand of good physicians to administer healing. This is the way he chose to give me mine. I encourage anyone that has had a long, unyielding struggle with obesity to talk to a doctor about WLS... Sleeve in particular. If you are on the edge trying to make up your mind, take my advice. Do it! You are sick? In pain? Lonely? Depressed? What are you holding on to! You have nothing to lose, but all of that. Are there risks? Yes. Is it hard? Yes. But come on. We all know the fat has a 100% chance of causing complication/death. Is it really that much of a gamble to take a 1% chance with a surgery. You're more likely to get killed in a car wreck on the way to get your next fast food burger. Do yourself and your family/friends a favor and choose life. I did and I would do it again and again.

Before surgery (28, 335#) and on my 1 year Surgiversary (8/10, 178#)

At my 1 year post op (8, 175#) holding my old size 28 skirt.

Side view. Now a size 8.

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Whew..just checking in. I haven't been on here in AWHILE. I am 10 months out of surgery and 140# down. I am only 15# from my goal. I started out in a size 28 and have made my way down to a size 12. I got my first size 8 a few days ago. It actually fits in the waiste, but likes about 3 or so inches zipping. I think I will be able to wear it when I reach my goal weight. And to think...when I started I though I would be a 16 when I was finished. I am loving it...and so is my hubby ;o)

Yes, it is normal. I am 7 months out and I still do it. I tell my hubby, "well, I'm croaking again.' It sounds just like a little frog to me. It doesn't hurt, it's just one of those weird annoying things that goes along with having a sleeve. Not everyone has it, but it is very common. It will be worse if you lay down soon after eating or drinking or drink something that has fizz.

Mine was to my knees and really thick...now it comes just below my rear and you can see my scalp. It's not growing back yet. Still waiting *sigh*

WOW!! That's a lot of stuff to cover. I was on 21 meds when I had my surgery and now I am on none. So as far as the memory, mine is much better. I don't know how it is affecting others. My doc did not say not to chew gum, so I suppose he doesn't think it is a biggie. On my soft food diet, I could have veggies cooked to mush. I was told not to eat pickled anything for several months. Does that cover it all?

Y'all need to get a myfitnesspal account. Then you can track your food /calories / exercise and also see what everyone else is eating too. I have a couple of hundred friends on my account from here. The app is free..give it whirl. You've got nothing to lose but weight. My name is the same there as here. Look me up. There is also a thread here with names of people that have accounts. Look it up too.Good luck!