jb14075

Congrats to all August sleevers .... I'm an August sleever myself albeit August 2011. Just wanted to say good luck & though it will be hard at times just stay focused on the prize & don't let yourself get too down during the tough times. By this time next year most of you will likely be new people.

Are you doing anything with weights Susie?

Guess Ive been lucky, just passed my 1 year anniversary & have never experienced any hair loss.

No youre not going to get off the couch & all of the sudden go crazy at the gym for 1 hr a day 6 days a week .... most of us you see talking about that have were going to the gym before we were sleeved & already had some cardio built up. I went 5xs a week for almost 2 years before deciding to seek WLS. My advice is just do what you can do & slowly you'll build your stamina but you are absolutely going to have to push yourself if you want to get the most of of your time in the gym as well as your sleeve.

Im about a year out & ever since I was allowed to go back post op Ive went at least 5 days wk (some weeks Ill go all 7 days but I wouldn't recommend it, Im just addicted). I started out with 1 hr visits but now go for about 1.5 hrs per visit splitting the time between cardio (elliptical) & weights. One week Ill do low weight hi reps (burn fat) the next Ill to higher weight fewer reps (build muscle).

water for me

Anything fast & aggressive ... Metal (Bullet For My Valentine, Trivium). Punk (Pennywise, Rise Against) or Rap (Nas, Eminen)

The best thing you can do is not get wrapped up in the short term. I know there were months where I lost next to nothing & then all of the sudden I would lose 4 - 5 lbs in a week. Now I only weigh myself once a month & have been much happier with what I read on the scale. Just stick with a diet, work out & don't get frustrated.

I quit smoking about 5 1/2 years ago & it was honestly the hardest thing Ive ever done & even to this day I sill get occasional craving. Knowing how addictive it is/how hard it is to quit & how much better shape my lungs are in since I stopped there is no way in hell I would ever consider putting another smoke to my lips ......... but you do what you gotta do.

I might have a bite of chocolate, a little bit of ice cream or a cookie every now & then but I don't touch fast food, pizza & really anything greasy and/or deep fried.

I just completed the survey.

Just make sure that you do a very good job of chewing up the lettuce. If the pieces are too big it can give you problems.

My doctor referred me to Dr Posner (Buff General) without doing any programs. Dr Posner's office put me on phase 1 of the South Beach diet & once I lost 10% of my excess body weight they were able to get me approved. My first visit was late May 2011 & I was sleeved on August 23, 2011. Never had to go to weight watchers or anything like that.

Wow, you look amazing!!!! Great job!

Just made sure I always get enough Protein .... mostly shakes & bullet shots.

I'm about 10 months post op & haven/t had any hair loss issues.

I'm almost year out & I view eating as a necessary evil. I do not enjoy it, I never eat with the family or waste my time & money going out to eat but don't mistake this as me being miserable or regretting my sleeve because neither is true.

A tupperware container full of sliced fruit.

I've noticed it too but like emelefe I also think at least part of it has to do with my own personality & attitude being much better/more cheerful.

I used protein shots from GNC .... Wal Mart also sells a similar item.

I go to the gym at least 5x's/week & start every workout with a minimum of 3 miles on the elliptical. I use to switch between elliptical and bike but the elliptical was such a better over all workout that I never use the bike anymore & I'm very happy with the results Ive seen since going strictly to the elliptical.

17 pounds in a month & a half is fantastic especially when you consider that you only weighed 219 to begin with. You have to keep in mind that its a lot easier to drop a ton of weight at the beginning when you weigh 350, 400 .or more..... not so much when your starting weight is low 200's (or below). Just stick with the plan & you will be happy with the end result.

Good job Michelle you look great!

I hated my drain & felt so much better once it was gone. I had some thick mucous type stuff too but I think that is normal, it is basically the hole trying to heal but the moving of the drain keeps ripping it. Just hang in there & it will be out before you know it. Once its gone the relief is instant (it was for me anyway).