decamom

Any pics yet???

Thank you all for the reality check and the encouragement. I have printed off the Boot camp directions and plan to hit that immediately. I guess I have been enjoying the "eat anything I want with no repercussions" and it has caught up with me. I will not miss eating so much white chocolate that I make myself sick....same with kettle corn. I love both of these and as sliders...well let's just say I can consume my fair share plus more. Seeing the scale go up has been a good reality check for me. I have always exercised alot since my sleeve but I have been abusing my poor pancreas with all the sugar. I am back on track...or at least back to eating well. Thank you all for coming to my rescue!! Living the dream, Laura

So I am a little over 1 year out. Lost 100% of my excess body weight in 7 months and have been maintaining for 6 months almost and now....all of the sudden the scale is going up. I AM TERRIFIED! I have been eating like a thin person who doesn't have to watch what they eat...like lots of sugar ( my nemesis) but I am exercising daily and drinking plenty. I don't count anything and know I eat more carbs than I need (sugar again). This is totally my old pattern. Lose the weight and as soon as I get to my goal...eat like a crazy person and gain it back. PLEASE HELP ME!!!! I can't be one of those people you hear about who lost all the weight only to gain it all back....did I mention that I am TERRIFIED???? I cut out the candy yesterday and suffered the inevitable carb withdrawl headache...I love to exercise and do so every day but ...OMG....someone please slap me and help me get off this merry go round from hell! Laura

Thanks for the reply. I wrote my post while my abdominal pain was at bay. I thought it was over but I was wrong...very wrong. The cycle of debilitating fiery pan went on for 4 hours. You'd think that the pain med, even though it was causing the pain, would do it's job and kill the pain...not so. It was like being in labor with these horrid contractions that lasted for 15 minutes or more and then I would feel better for another 15 minutes and then BAM!, more horrid pain. I will NEVER take that stuff again!!! I wonder what was going on in my gullet when I took that thing....it was like muscle spasms or something.

So I am one year out and have discovered that I cannot tolerate any narcotic pain medicine. I never had a problem before my sleeve. Now, I get what feels like the most horrible heart burn/iron band around my chest and back/doubled over and moaning pain that lasts for at least an hour. Then poof...it's gone. I tried taking papaya enzyme when it first began. Then moved to Tums and finally my PPI. Poor hubby was terrified! Has any one had a reaction like this? I don't take pain meds often. Today we rode our motorcycle and my tail bone was very sore. That's why I took a pain pill. The belly ache was waaaaay worse that the tailbone issue! Comments are very welcome. I am looking at having plastic surgery for my extra skin...what will I do for pain management??? Living the dream, Laura

Thank you everyone for the wonderful well wishes... Anewlifeforme...I pretty much eat what ever I want to. I try to make sure I get my 60+ grams of protein every day and my 48+ oz of water. I love to exercise and go to the gym at least 3 days a week. I prefer to go more but can't always do it. I work out for 2 hours usually doing cardio and weights. LIke I said...I LOVE IT! I still drink 1 protein drink a day and have started to eat a protein bar as well. I was having horrible headaches about 2 weeks ago and I think it was from lack of protein. White chocolate and kettle corn are my vices and I do eat them. But with my sleeve, I can't eat enough to do any damage it seems. My sleeve is the best thing I ever did for myself. Living the dream, Laura

I am one year out today...down 100 pounds, and have kept it off since I reached my goal on Dec. 31, 2011. I love my sleeve and wouldn't change a thing! I am so happy to be where I am instead of where I was.. Happy Surgiversary to ME!!!!!

I am 11 months out. I LOVE my sleeve. I have exceeded all my wildest hopes and dreams for myself when I had this surgery. No complaints here at all.. That said, I have been really tired lately. I exercise regularly (3-5 times per week) and am getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night. I have not been that strict about getting in all my protein. I just don't count it like I used to. I am probably getting in 40-50 grams a day more or less. Has anyone experienced this? I also get light headed almost every time I go from a low position to standing. And if I sit in a hot bath or hot tub...when I get out...forget it. I have to bend over because I feel like I will black out. Other than this...I am wearing a size 4-6 down from a tight 20. My goal was to wear a loose 8! I even shrunk a shoe size!!! Any input is greatly appreciated!! Living the dream, Laura

I too was freezing cold all the time after surgery. Now that I am farther out (8.5 months) I am not as cold as I was earlier. Not sure why the change but I do dress warmly every day. Long johns are a given every day. Lots of layers and wool socks. As someone said earlier...I would much rather have to wear more clothes than be carrying the 97 pounds I lost around! I think that being cold is a common thing after VSG, just from what I have read n the forums. Living the dream!, Laura

WOw!! December 19th, 2011 was sure a popular day for sleeving! I guess I am the only one on May 2, 2011. Does that make ME the evil twin?? :aureola: Living the dream, Laura

May 2, 2011...where is my twin? Am I the evil one or are you?? :biggrinjester: Living the dream, Laura

For some reason Hubby and I have always referred to my sleeve as "my gullet" so I guess that's the nickname. Not very creative and charming but it is what it is... Here's to loving my gullet!!! Living the dream!!, Laura

Love your style! You made me chuckle! I know that there are more awesome NSV's in our future! Congratulations!!! Living the dream, Laura

So I got a juicer and just started using it. I wanted a way to get my vitamins and minerals in more naturally. Today I juiced a carrot, 2 stalks of celery, a big hand full of spinach and a small apple. It tasted great, filled me up and made me feel so healthy! BUT>>>there was no protein in it. I am 8 months out and at goal. Am I making a mistake by trying to get some good nutrition this way?? I still plan to drink my protein drinks -3 per day- to make sure I am getting my protein in. Any words of wisdom or warning are much appreciated!! Living the dream, Laura

I have BCBS out of Illinois and they approved me with no problems or delays. I was very pleased with the whole process. Living the dream, Laura

Syntrax Nectars are Whey Isolate I think and they are wonderful. I add just a small amount of apple juice to enhance the flavor and I love them! Gold Standard makes a great product as well that is whey isolate. I became lactose intolerant after surgery and cannot eat cheese, yogurt or anything with dairy. But these protein drinks are fine... Living the dream, Laura

Tuttle, I totally agree with the posters that have talked about replacing our food addiction with something else. I think it is very important for you to find something that you can do now to deal with your emotions since food is no longer an option. I have turned to exercise and I love it. Not only does it make me feel good but it has helped me to look good too. I also take Celexa (have for 2 years before surgery) and see a therapist weekly (was doing that before surgery too). So many of us have addictive personalities, that is why we got into the nasty relationship with food that made us so miserable and fat to begin with. The addictiveness is still in us but we can't turn to our former drug of choice any more. That is depressing in itself. I encourage you to try exercise just a time or two and see if it doesn't help to clear your black cloud away. And total congratulations on the 60 pound loss!!! That is so fantastic! I am really happy for you! Living the dream, Laura

Just totally hated it when I tried on my 18 year old skinny daughter's low rise jeans and they fit me so well she gave them to me...UGH...it was just awful! I am actually wearing them in my signature picture...isn't it just horrible?! Living the Dream!!, Laura

Fantastic!!!! I am so happy for you! Isn't the sleeve just the most wonderful tool!!! Living the dream, Laura

I had no instructions about how many showers to take! Just what to eat (or drink rather!) before surgery. Living the dream, Laura

So I committed to waiting until Saturday to weigh in because I was totally addicted to the scale...I got up this morning and weighed my self and ....drum roll please...I am at goal!!!!!! I can't believe it!!! In under 7 months I have gone from 220 just before surgery to 140! Over 95 pounds in a little over 1 year. I cannot believe it!!! I love my sleeve! How was Super Saturday Weigh in for everyone?? I love you all!! Living the dream!!!! Laura

Great year for me in many ways as well. WLS on May 2 Lost 75+ pounds in 7 months Coming to the close of my Occupational Therapy Assistant Training Learned to love my self and stand up for me Went from size 20 to a 6-8 Am currently wearing my 18 year old skinny daughter's pants!!! I think the best thing of all is that I have developed confidence in my self that I have not had since I was 17. Married young and let my Ex. do all my thinking for me. I do it now and am very glad. Watch out 2012...I am coming to get you!!!!! Living the dream, Laura

I am down 95 lbs over all. Just about 78 since my surgery on May 2, 2011. Thanks you guys!!! Living the dream, Laura

How irritating is that?! I know you are anxious to get going but in a year, this 2-3 week wait won't even register in your mind. Hang in there...you are going to love your sleeve! Living the dream, Laura

Right ON!!! So happy for you! You have lost an entire grown woman! So proud of you! Living the dream, Laura