decamom

So happy for you Lissa! Dropped some body weight and some dead weight. Good for you! I was in a bad marriage for 25 years...so glad to be free of that!

Awesome Becca!!! I am so happy for you!

Great Question! My resolutions have always revolved around my weight. As I get closer to goal , I see my self falling back into bad habits. My sweet tooth was not removed when they took out most of my tummy. DARN!! I want to get control of that and watch the last of my bad habits die. I want to get along better with my husband too. Because of my past, I see him as my adversary instead of my advocate. Makes our relationship pretty hard alot of the time. A very happy and successful New Year to us all!!!, Living the dream, Laura

My guess is that before, when you were heavier, your thighs and lady parts kept the water out. Now that you have lost some weight...the water can sneak up there. I don't think it's anything to worry about. It happens to me when I swim all the time. Living the dream, Laura

I take gummy vitamins, gummy fiber supplements and chewy calcium citrate twice a day. Not crazy at all. I skipped my vitamins for a few weeks after surgery. I didn't want to push my sleeve when I was on liquids. Everything is still swollen and such for a while. It all gets better over time..... Living the dream, Laura

Whooo Hooo!!! I am nipping at your heels! Living the dream, laura

Yikes...sorry to hear that. I agree with everyone...have the doc check things out. Sending good thoughts your way! Laura

Does anyone know any exercises that will target my saddlebags. I am close to goal and just can't seem to get rid of these lumps on my upper thighs! Thanks!!! Living the dream, Laura

I have the belly flap and some loose skin. I want to get the tummy tuck eventually and probably some boob work. I have been very consistent about exercising. I go to Zumba 4-5 times a week. About a month ago I started wearing hand weights to help tone my arms while in class. I haven't done any weight training but I would like to. Just not sure what all those machines are for or how to use them! I love to dance and so Zumba is a great fit for me. I know some folks lose their weight without exercise but I don't know if they have more saggy skin issues than those who do. Thank you so much for all the encouragement!!! Living the dream!, Laura

How does one exercise to reduce the saddle bags. I thought I just had to lose more weight....

Whoo Hoo!!!!! So happy for you! Merry Christmas size 4 sleever!! Living the dream!, Laura

I still have my mother's saddle bags ....would like to see them go but if they don't...there's always plastics! Life is good! Love my sleeve!!! Laura

likeasulema...you made my day!!!!! I am 46! I dodn't have all my kids at once! They came along one at a time over 20 years...And I gained and lost and gained and lost with each and every pregnancy. Now that I got that part of me fixed (divorce and tubal ligation) I don't have to worry about the yo-yo pregnancy stuff anymore. In the past I could always lose the weight through very restrictive low calorie dieting and massive exercise. I could never keep it off though. My sleeve has changed all that! I am delighted to be where I am...you will get there too! Living the dream, Laura

Could possibly be spicy food as well. I see you are on vacation in Thailand....just a thought. Especially if you don't usually eat that type of thing. Living the dream, Laura

You just had major surgery. Some people are slower to recover than others. Follow what YOUR body tells you. When I first started exercising, I just swam in the lap pool because I didn't want to injure my joints trying to do Zumba. Worked up to an elliptical and bike and treadmill. Then I started the Zumba. Do what ever feels best for you. You know your body best. I sleep more now than I used to also...and I don't pee near so much! Went for a 6 hour ride on the motorcycle last summer and didn't need to make any pitstops! Living the dream, Laura

Thank you so much everyone! I am wearing my 18 year old daughter's pants in the recent photo!! Lisa821...I am 5'4" my weight loss had the usual stalls (nasty one at 3 weeks and then more later on.) I tried not to pay too much attention to them because I knew they would break eventually. Just like others have said, even when the scale didn't budge, I was losing inches and pant sizes. I go to the YMCA 4-6 times a week and do a Zumba class. I LOVE IT!!! It is so energetic and fun. I LOVE to dance and Zumba is a great fit for me. Sometimes I swim but not for aerobics. I do it for toning and relaxation. People in my Zumba classes have started asking me what I am doing to lose so much weight and telling me I am an inspiration to them! I always say that I am eating less and moving more. I don't feel it's necessary to tell my medical history to a stranger. I have 11 children (birthed every single one of them!) and my kids are all so thrilled for me. I am so glad I had my sleeve!!!! Living the dream, Laura

When I first started this journey, my BMI was 40.7...just enough for surgery according to my insurance. Today I am at a "normal" BMI of 24.3!!! I am finally "normal" I love my sleeve! February 2011 237 lbs December 2011 141.5 lbs What a difference a year makes!!! Living the dream, Laura

I have 6 beautiful, slim daughters. The other night, one of them came over with her boyfriend. She was wearing these low rise, stylish jeans. Really cute. Since I have lost weight, I can wear a size 6-8. Hers were a 7. She said, "Mom, you are so skinny! Try on my pants!" I did...and they fit! We were both so jazzed about it and she insisted that I keep them! I am now the proud owner of my first pair of jeans that aren't "Mom Jeans"! I can't describe the joy and thankfulness for my sleeve!! Living the dream! Laura

I went to a game store and bought a 2 minute egg timer. Then I would take a bite, turn over the hourglass and enjoy my bite. The egg timer let me know when I could take another bite and I didn't have to concentrate on counting my chews. I would read or watch the tv or chat with hubby. The timer always let me know when it was safe to take another bite. Worked really well for me. Now at over 7 months out...I don't use the timer anymore but it sure helped earlier!! Living the dream!, Laura

Surgery on May 2, 2011 Lost 17# pre-op and 74.5# post op total...drum roll please.......91.5# GONE!!! Would do it again in a heart beat!! Living the dream!, Laura

Before I had surgery, I was wearing a tight size 20. I set a goal for myself that I wanted to wear a comfortably loose size 8. I also set my goal weight at 140. Well, I have been hovering around 148-147 for the last while but those 8's fit pretty nicely. Just for kicks, I tried on an old (VERY OLD!!) pair of size 6 pants today and guess what!!!!!! Yep! They fit! I wore them all day and was totally thrilled with my success. I had gotten on the scale this morning and was a bit frustrated that I still was hovering at the 148 level. Darn scale can really depress me. But when I tried on my 6's, just on a whim, and saw they fit...I was happy as can be! I love this sleeve!!!!! Just had to share. Living the dream, Laura

My sleeve loves ice cold water, popcorn, popsicles, korean bbq meat, peanutbutter, apples My sleeve hates any dairy products at all, sweets (makes me gassy but I still partake!), lukewarm anything, some of my daily meds. Living the dream, Laura

Wonderful!!! Congratulations! Did you do anything special for yourself to celebrate your awesome victory?? I am so close that I can almost taste it...thinking about a nonfood celebration...any ideas?? Living the dream, Laura

Bad Habits: I eat some type of sweet every day I am getting most of my Protein from Protein drinks. I found some I really like and it's so much easier for me that trying to eat a bunch of protein rich foods. I don't eat on a regular schedule, just when ever I feel hungry or if it is "time" to eat. I graze. I weigh every day and sometimes twice (if I have had a BM...TMI!) Sometimes I eat a bite too much...still! Good Habits: I take a Zumba class 4-6 times a week. Exercise keeps me HAPPY. I take my meds and supplements religiously for the first time ever I get in all my protein every day 60-90 grams I read this and other forums daily to stay encouraged and to share my joy at being sleeved with others

I am 7 months out and find that I eat what ever I want but my wants have changed. That old fashioned donut that I used to LOVE ( and wolf down) doesn't entice me like it used to . Every once in a while I still buy it and end up eating 2 bites and throwing the rest away. That little coffee treat that I got at Starbucks a few weeks ago...well I could only drink about 2 ounces of it and I was done with it. I find that if I eat what I know I should (protein first always) and then let my self have what I feel I want ( this is not a deprivation diet like all the others we tried before) I am in control and my sleeve keeps me on track. I am not afraid of the holidays because I know I will eat a bite of this and a bite of that. But that's all I will want. I love my sleeve and the way it helps me to be in control. If I step out of line and eat too fast or too much...I feel awful and that is a great reminder to not do it . Sometimes I get frustrated that my weight is coming off so slowly. But then I remember that one of my goals was to wear a loose size 8 and I am totally rocking that these days. I have the rest of my life to lose that last 8-10 pounds....It's all good! Living the dream, Laura