aliandrews

It's a long thin blender on a stick that you can place into Soups and whatever you like. It will purée the liquid which is really helpful for the liquid diet stage. You can get them at target or any cooking store. They also make super frothy Protein shakes!

Hey! I guess I've jumped on in, feet first! I've tapped into some pretty interesting topics and some heated debates. There have been some not so nice comments being made on top of some very valid points. Sadly, the negative comments overshadow these healthy debates and we find the topics being shut down and removed. I am a " tell it like it T.I.S" type of person, but I try to be respectful and mindful of other peoples feelings. I also respect people's opinions, even if I don't agree with them. And often resolve that we can agree to disagree. In these debates, we learn about different subject matters and sometimes find our perspectives changing because of them.
I think a lot of us here can agree that the negativity has to go! You can respectfully disagree with people, blow off some steam, but hurting one another is not the goal. I want to learn from you all and when I see some of the stuff I'm reading, it loses it's meaningfulness and you the credibility. I know it's frustrating sometimes and we can all be very passionate about out beliefs, but we have to remember: that this is a support forum.
Thanks for listening to my rant! I hope everyone is well and continues to be well.
All we need is love!

What is the immersion blender?

Hey guys, I'm Becky and I'm new here. I have been stalking the forums for a couple days and decided to start a post. I'll be keeping an updated log of my progress with pictures, weight, and measurements so be sure to check back!
Here's my story:
I'm 19 and have been morbidly obese since middle school. I was extremely athletic when I was young, gymnastics and competitive cheer along with riding horses since I was 5. I was always bigger than other kids but mostly it was muscle. My parents got divorced when I was 8 and it ripped my world apart, I had issues with depression and ended up going on Zyprexa which is now I believe off the market due to the insane weight gain. I gained 100 lbs over 4 months, it was CRAZY! I stopped cheering shortly after because I was too heavy to be wearing a skimpy uniform. So, that just made me gain more weight and lose muscle. I was heavy in high school and it just kept getting worse. I have dieted and can get down to 200 lbs but it all comes right back when you stop the diet. My weight really holds me back emotionally and I'm starting to get high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, etc. I'm now in college to get my BSN (nursing school) and am in a sorority. I have been with my boyfriend for over a year and he is my other half, we live together and are really happy. He is also overweight and is trying dieting, he supports me 100% and is right there cheering me on with every step I take. I'm extremely lucky to have him with me and he promises to take good care of me after I get out of surgery. My mom is also a huge part of my life and support system, she is my best friend and my own personal cheerleader. Between her and Matt, I'll be in great hands post-op. So, my life pretty much rocks and losing weight would just be the icing on the cake so I can't wait until I slim back down! Maybe, I could even cheer in college...that would be a dream come true!
So far my journey has been wonderful, I became interested in the sleeve after my most recent weight loss fail and am at my highest weight ever! I started calling around early November looking for a surgeon who could get me in before the end of the year. I found Dr. Ricks in St. Louis and his nurses said it'd be tight but was possible. I went in the next week for my first appointment and good goly gosh is he just the sweetest guy you will ever meet. He's got a bedside manner that rivals any doctor I've ever worked with, I instantly felt comforted. We chatted for about an hour and he answered all of my questions, he set up some tests for the next week and off I went. I went in for testing and to meet with the nutritionist which all went smooth as can be and then I awaited a call letting me know about insurance. After 2 weeks, I got that magical call letting me know that I'm approved for surgery! We set up a date, December 19th which is the week after finals. I go in for my nutrition class and my blood work Monday then surgery the next week. Luckily I'm only on clears and shakes for 3 days prior to surgery...so no dying of hunger for weeks like others have to endure!
Starting weight: 260
Starting measurements:
Arm: 18”
Forearm: 12.5”
Hips: 54.5”
Waist: 44”
Bust: 48.5”
Thigh” 30”
Calf: 17.5”
Shoulders: 52”
Neck: 16”
Here are my before pictures:






I'll be sure to keep you guys updated as the days fly by!

Well, it's been a year today since my surgery. I feel great and am down 98 pounds. 102 lbs down per the surgeon scale. I count the loss from when I started the preop diet. There are many things that I remember that led me down this path of weight loss surgery. Why I did what I did. I felt horrible for one. I was so depressed and nearing 300 lbs. I didn't want to do anything, but sit on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to play with my kids. I hated myself and pretty much just gave up on life. I felt like I was going to be fat forever. My back, hips, knees and even my legs hurt. I felt like my ankles were going to break when I would walk down the steps. My heart would pound when I would walk up just a few steps. I didn't even want to go outside because I didn't want people to see me. I didn't want the pity or the stares. So, after a conversation with my husband, I looked into weight loss surgery. My husband was so supportive. He said he wanted me with him for the rest of his life and didn't want to lose me. He loved me for me. So, I jumped through all the hoops with the insurance and got everything done. I had the surgery and went through all the stalls and today...98 lbs gone baby. I feel so good. I have the energy to do everything. I am not embarrassed about myself anymore and my self esteem has gone through the roof. I even like to clean and do the laundry. . I love trying to find cute clothes. They actually fit now. I am in a size 16 from a 24 and wear extra large shirts. I can fit into large, although they are a little tight. I don't feel like my ankles will break anymore and I don't even breathe hard when I go up steps. I exercise 5 days a week and eat 4-5 small meals a day. I finally know how to eat right. I am loving life.

Thanks for posting and telling us how you're doing. Sounds like you are truly living life now.

Thank you for posting! It really helps us! And congrats on all the good work!! Keep on smiling & enjoying life!!

Wow just got sleeved 5 days ago and thinking I could be wearing a size 16 from my size 24 now by nextChristmas WoW! Thanks for the boost!,

Well, it's been a year today since my surgery. I feel great and am down 98 pounds. 102 lbs down per the surgeon scale. I count the loss from when I started the preop diet. There are many things that I remember that led me down this path of weight loss surgery. Why I did what I did. I felt horrible for one. I was so depressed and nearing 300 lbs. I didn't want to do anything, but sit on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to play with my kids. I hated myself and pretty much just gave up on life. I felt like I was going to be fat forever. My back, hips, knees and even my legs hurt. I felt like my ankles were going to break when I would walk down the steps. My heart would pound when I would walk up just a few steps. I didn't even want to go outside because I didn't want people to see me. I didn't want the pity or the stares. So, after a conversation with my husband, I looked into weight loss surgery. My husband was so supportive. He said he wanted me with him for the rest of his life and didn't want to lose me. He loved me for me. So, I jumped through all the hoops with the insurance and got everything done. I had the surgery and went through all the stalls and today...98 lbs gone baby. I feel so good. I have the energy to do everything. I am not embarrassed about myself anymore and my self esteem has gone through the roof. I even like to clean and do the laundry. . I love trying to find cute clothes. They actually fit now. I am in a size 16 from a 24 and wear extra large shirts. I can fit into large, although they are a little tight. I don't feel like my ankles will break anymore and I don't even breathe hard when I go up steps. I exercise 5 days a week and eat 4-5 small meals a day. I finally know how to eat right. I am loving life.

I am 10 days post-op and doing very well. I am 66 years old. I started this journey 9 months ago. I read and read and read. When I got weak and was going to drop out you all were there for me. I would read your posts and see how well everyone was doing and I would trudge on. If it had not been for you all I would of said forget it. My husband was against it. My kids were behind me but I have 3 boys and they never tried to talk me out of it but they were not there on an everyday basis. It was very scary at my age. I had to go through every test immaginable. I passed them all. Now I am 25 lbs lighter and on my way to a better life.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so ready to be in Onederland! I've been waiting to be under 200 pounds for a lifetime it seems. Actually, I haven't been under 200 for 17 years and that was when I was going to Weight Watchers and had lost 50 pounds which took me a full year to do so and I made it to 194 then had some things in my life happen and gained it all back plus 20 pounds. Then I did this a few more times. I lost 70 only to gain back 90! I pray this is my last attempt to do this and I really believe it is. So far I've lost 88 pounds in 6 1/2 months but my weight loss has slowed down so much. I guess I really expected this to happen. I mean really?? How else could I lose this amount of weight in this amount of time?? NO way except by this wonderful tool I've been given by the grace of God. I mean that! He has blessed me with this gift and I never want to go back. I've come too far and been through to much. I'm 6 pounds away from ONEDERLAND! I will be so happy and feel so blessed when the scale reads 199!!! I know it is going to take awhile for the 6 pounds to come off but I've been doing everything I should except exercising like I should. I started a new job full-time and I'm not use to that. I've been laid off since February and there again God blessed me with this job. I started last week. The only thing is I sit at a desk all day and my upper back is in excruciating pain. I don't have a clue what is causing this!! I'm thinking I've lost muscle mass?? Does anyone know anything about this?

Hello everyone, I am Ricky and I'm new to all of this. Recently I made the decision to look in to weight loss surgery. For a long time, I looked at WLS as something extremely obese people did and never thought in a million years I could qualify for something so radical. I have struggled with be a big girl for most of my life. I've never thought I'd want to be rail thin, because I think curves should be on a woman. i do, however think I should be smaller than I am today. At my "thinnest" , I was very healthy and I worked out 4-6 times a week, depending on the week. Eash session, I worked out 2-3 hours and I was dedicated. i got into bodybuilding and lifted/trained with some of the best in the world. My former trainer is going for Mr. Olympia and the other one was Ms. Fitness. I wasn't light, but I was lean. Most of my weight was muscle mass and I was comfortably fitting in size 6/8. Several years ago, I became injured through my job and I'm still, to this day, not back to my old self. I have struggle through 2 foot surgeries, which have prevented me from exercise. During that time i managed to pack on 80lbs. Yes, I let it all go. I will say that I never altered my diet, while working out and that is the main reason I wasn't able to maintain all these years. I at big macs and whoppers because I could. i was maxing15-20 hours a week in the gym! had I eaten cleaner, I would have probably minimize the damage. As the years have gone by, i would lose 20lbs here, 30lbs there and then stop and gain it all back and recently I gained more after struggling with severe depression and taking anti-depressents to combat it. For some, they're lucky enough to lose weight on them, for me it was the opposite. This year, Jan 2012, I maxed out at 278 pounds. The highest I've ever been in life. I can say I am happier now, but still down about my weight. Also, in January I had my second foot surgery. It's been tough. I've also been diagnosed with severe food allergies, which I suffer with, because I haven't really modified my diet. Through all of this, I attended culinary school and learned how to be a chef, i recently completed in August. It was around that time that i decided I really needed to do something about my weight. I'm tired of buying bigger clothes every few months and I'm tired of being uncomfortable in my own skin. I vowed not to have anothe "fat-faced" picture taken of me. But, as I tried in the past to lose weight, I discovered it wasn't as easy as it used to be. I didn't know what was happening. I never had a problem losing weight. Now, i'm armed with an arsenal of information about exercise and diet and I couldn't lose a thing. I was used to being able to shed 50-60lbs in 5-6 months. i was lucky to lose 2lbs in 2 months. It was around August that I talked to a friend of mine, who had had gastric bypass, a few years back and she mentioned her sister getting lap-band surgery. I never viewed her sister as being out of control obese, infact, I never saw her as being big. How was that possible? As I asked a whole bunch of questions, I started looking into it for myself and discovered that I, too, could qualify for WLS and actively persued it. So here I am today. I've teetered on the fence between lap-band and gastric sleeve. I once was very gung ho about the lap band and decided it was just not for me. I have firmly planted my feet in the land of gastric sleeve. I am currently going into month 2 of my 3 month supervised weight loss. I am currently 264 pounds and hope to shed another 5-6 pounds before the new year. It seems onece I stopped stressing about everything and made a few modifications, ie drinking more Water, the weight is slowly coming off. I was intinally discouraged about the Supervised weight loss, but soon realized some things happen for a reason. This time, i want to do things right. I am mentally and physically preparing myself for my future. Gastric Sleeve surgery is no joke and requires a complete lifestyle overhaul. I am still planning to mave forward with my surgery. WLS is a tool that can be used to help maintain any loss that I woould acheive. I've come to this forum to learn from others and I also feel that I have information that may be beneficial to others. I look forward to meeting everyone and losing weight.

Well, it's been a year today since my surgery. I feel great and am down 98 pounds. 102 lbs down per the surgeon scale. I count the loss from when I started the preop diet. There are many things that I remember that led me down this path of weight loss surgery. Why I did what I did. I felt horrible for one. I was so depressed and nearing 300 lbs. I didn't want to do anything, but sit on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to play with my kids. I hated myself and pretty much just gave up on life. I felt like I was going to be fat forever. My back, hips, knees and even my legs hurt. I felt like my ankles were going to break when I would walk down the steps. My heart would pound when I would walk up just a few steps. I didn't even want to go outside because I didn't want people to see me. I didn't want the pity or the stares. So, after a conversation with my husband, I looked into weight loss surgery. My husband was so supportive. He said he wanted me with him for the rest of his life and didn't want to lose me. He loved me for me. So, I jumped through all the hoops with the insurance and got everything done. I had the surgery and went through all the stalls and today...98 lbs gone baby. I feel so good. I have the energy to do everything. I am not embarrassed about myself anymore and my self esteem has gone through the roof. I even like to clean and do the laundry. . I love trying to find cute clothes. They actually fit now. I am in a size 16 from a 24 and wear extra large shirts. I can fit into large, although they are a little tight. I don't feel like my ankles will break anymore and I don't even breathe hard when I go up steps. I exercise 5 days a week and eat 4-5 small meals a day. I finally know how to eat right. I am loving life.

Well, it's been a year today since my surgery. I feel great and am down 98 pounds. 102 lbs down per the surgeon scale. I count the loss from when I started the preop diet. There are many things that I remember that led me down this path of weight loss surgery. Why I did what I did. I felt horrible for one. I was so depressed and nearing 300 lbs. I didn't want to do anything, but sit on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to play with my kids. I hated myself and pretty much just gave up on life. I felt like I was going to be fat forever. My back, hips, knees and even my legs hurt. I felt like my ankles were going to break when I would walk down the steps. My heart would pound when I would walk up just a few steps. I didn't even want to go outside because I didn't want people to see me. I didn't want the pity or the stares. So, after a conversation with my husband, I looked into weight loss surgery. My husband was so supportive. He said he wanted me with him for the rest of his life and didn't want to lose me. He loved me for me. So, I jumped through all the hoops with the insurance and got everything done. I had the surgery and went through all the stalls and today...98 lbs gone baby. I feel so good. I have the energy to do everything. I am not embarrassed about myself anymore and my self esteem has gone through the roof. I even like to clean and do the laundry. . I love trying to find cute clothes. They actually fit now. I am in a size 16 from a 24 and wear extra large shirts. I can fit into large, although they are a little tight. I don't feel like my ankles will break anymore and I don't even breathe hard when I go up steps. I exercise 5 days a week and eat 4-5 small meals a day. I finally know how to eat right. I am loving life.

Well, it's been a year today since my surgery. I feel great and am down 98 pounds. 102 lbs down per the surgeon scale. I count the loss from when I started the preop diet. There are many things that I remember that led me down this path of weight loss surgery. Why I did what I did. I felt horrible for one. I was so depressed and nearing 300 lbs. I didn't want to do anything, but sit on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to play with my kids. I hated myself and pretty much just gave up on life. I felt like I was going to be fat forever. My back, hips, knees and even my legs hurt. I felt like my ankles were going to break when I would walk down the steps. My heart would pound when I would walk up just a few steps. I didn't even want to go outside because I didn't want people to see me. I didn't want the pity or the stares. So, after a conversation with my husband, I looked into weight loss surgery. My husband was so supportive. He said he wanted me with him for the rest of his life and didn't want to lose me. He loved me for me. So, I jumped through all the hoops with the insurance and got everything done. I had the surgery and went through all the stalls and today...98 lbs gone baby. I feel so good. I have the energy to do everything. I am not embarrassed about myself anymore and my self esteem has gone through the roof. I even like to clean and do the laundry. . I love trying to find cute clothes. They actually fit now. I am in a size 16 from a 24 and wear extra large shirts. I can fit into large, although they are a little tight. I don't feel like my ankles will break anymore and I don't even breathe hard when I go up steps. I exercise 5 days a week and eat 4-5 small meals a day. I finally know how to eat right. I am loving life.

Well, it's been a year today since my surgery. I feel great and am down 98 pounds. 102 lbs down per the surgeon scale. I count the loss from when I started the preop diet. There are many things that I remember that led me down this path of weight loss surgery. Why I did what I did. I felt horrible for one. I was so depressed and nearing 300 lbs. I didn't want to do anything, but sit on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to play with my kids. I hated myself and pretty much just gave up on life. I felt like I was going to be fat forever. My back, hips, knees and even my legs hurt. I felt like my ankles were going to break when I would walk down the steps. My heart would pound when I would walk up just a few steps. I didn't even want to go outside because I didn't want people to see me. I didn't want the pity or the stares. So, after a conversation with my husband, I looked into weight loss surgery. My husband was so supportive. He said he wanted me with him for the rest of his life and didn't want to lose me. He loved me for me. So, I jumped through all the hoops with the insurance and got everything done. I had the surgery and went through all the stalls and today...98 lbs gone baby. I feel so good. I have the energy to do everything. I am not embarrassed about myself anymore and my self esteem has gone through the roof. I even like to clean and do the laundry. . I love trying to find cute clothes. They actually fit now. I am in a size 16 from a 24 and wear extra large shirts. I can fit into large, although they are a little tight. I don't feel like my ankles will break anymore and I don't even breathe hard when I go up steps. I exercise 5 days a week and eat 4-5 small meals a day. I finally know how to eat right. I am loving life.

Well, it's been a year today since my surgery. I feel great and am down 98 pounds. 102 lbs down per the surgeon scale. I count the loss from when I started the preop diet. There are many things that I remember that led me down this path of weight loss surgery. Why I did what I did. I felt horrible for one. I was so depressed and nearing 300 lbs. I didn't want to do anything, but sit on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to play with my kids. I hated myself and pretty much just gave up on life. I felt like I was going to be fat forever. My back, hips, knees and even my legs hurt. I felt like my ankles were going to break when I would walk down the steps. My heart would pound when I would walk up just a few steps. I didn't even want to go outside because I didn't want people to see me. I didn't want the pity or the stares. So, after a conversation with my husband, I looked into weight loss surgery. My husband was so supportive. He said he wanted me with him for the rest of his life and didn't want to lose me. He loved me for me. So, I jumped through all the hoops with the insurance and got everything done. I had the surgery and went through all the stalls and today...98 lbs gone baby. I feel so good. I have the energy to do everything. I am not embarrassed about myself anymore and my self esteem has gone through the roof. I even like to clean and do the laundry. . I love trying to find cute clothes. They actually fit now. I am in a size 16 from a 24 and wear extra large shirts. I can fit into large, although they are a little tight. I don't feel like my ankles will break anymore and I don't even breathe hard when I go up steps. I exercise 5 days a week and eat 4-5 small meals a day. I finally know how to eat right. I am loving life.

Well, it's been a year today since my surgery. I feel great and am down 98 pounds. 102 lbs down per the surgeon scale. I count the loss from when I started the preop diet. There are many things that I remember that led me down this path of weight loss surgery. Why I did what I did. I felt horrible for one. I was so depressed and nearing 300 lbs. I didn't want to do anything, but sit on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to play with my kids. I hated myself and pretty much just gave up on life. I felt like I was going to be fat forever. My back, hips, knees and even my legs hurt. I felt like my ankles were going to break when I would walk down the steps. My heart would pound when I would walk up just a few steps. I didn't even want to go outside because I didn't want people to see me. I didn't want the pity or the stares. So, after a conversation with my husband, I looked into weight loss surgery. My husband was so supportive. He said he wanted me with him for the rest of his life and didn't want to lose me. He loved me for me. So, I jumped through all the hoops with the insurance and got everything done. I had the surgery and went through all the stalls and today...98 lbs gone baby. I feel so good. I have the energy to do everything. I am not embarrassed about myself anymore and my self esteem has gone through the roof. I even like to clean and do the laundry. . I love trying to find cute clothes. They actually fit now. I am in a size 16 from a 24 and wear extra large shirts. I can fit into large, although they are a little tight. I don't feel like my ankles will break anymore and I don't even breathe hard when I go up steps. I exercise 5 days a week and eat 4-5 small meals a day. I finally know how to eat right. I am loving life.

so happy for you and your family!

Thanks for the update and congrats to you on your success!

Congrats

It's posts like this that reassure me that I am choosing the right path. Thanks so much for sharing!

Thank you for the inspiration. Congratulations!