fitbottomedgirl

Hey everyone!
I just wanted to start a thread to introduce myself, but also to hear from other members who might be new to VSG and updates on the progress of those "veteran sleevers". I'd love to hear from all of you! It's such great inspiration to hear your stories, especially since we're all in our twenties.
I am 22 yrs old and scheduled for my surgery on March 15th. (8 more days!) I'm super excited, but of course nervous about the potential for complications. It's been a whirlwind of emotions - as I'm sure you've all experienced. I love knowing that others have been in my exact shoes headed toward a healthier life!
I weigh 276 lbs now and have a goal weight of 160. It's really hard to image I will ever get down to that size because I've been huge my whole life. Regardless, I'm hella excited for the possibility to finally have control over my biggest and most public problem: my weight.
Looking forward to hearing for you

Simple solution: Don't go to dinner for your date!
Or....
Go get late night appetizers at a nicer resturant so the food is sleeve-friendly and portions arent a big deal. Always check the menu before hand.
Or....
Eat family style
And as always...
Flirt and smile, use your best manners and always wear cute undies!

When did you lose yours for good?? Mine taunts me every time I look in the mirror or catch my reflection in a window! I know I've only lost 30 lbs and I have a lot more to lose -- but I feel like its become more prominent and noticeable since I've lost weight around it..I can see some of my collar bone!
I hope I don't have a double chin forever!
Sry just had to rant

Thanks Mrs. Riene for your support and prayers! I can't wait to hear of your progress after your surgery! Keeping your seat warm on the loser's bench. To all the March sleevers to come, my experience has been a bit tough and I still look like the Nutty Professor (lol), but I am blessed to be recovering at home smoothly. I've already lost 9lbs from pre-op weight and can't say that the complications outweigh the results. Best of luck to all of you! If you ever want to chat, just message me!

Fitbottomdgirl, New Chapter and Mews TODAY is the first day to a newer you. You are all in my prayer for a successfull surgery and recovery. See you all on the loser bench. 13 days and counting when I will be there with you. Keep us post on your progress.

Hey Everyone! My surgery is tomorrow around 1pm, but I'll arrive at Northern Westchester Hospital early in the morning. I've been a ball of emotions lately, like I'm sure everyone who's about to go into this surgery feels. But now I am really calm about the whole thing. Hopefully it'll last until tomorrow!
Just wanted to thank everyone on this site who have shared their journey and become inspiration to me throughout my journey!
See you all on the flip side

Yeah, for me it was always "smile smile smile" when shopping with my friends and then later I always wanted to cry because I wanted to buy cute, trendy clothes too. I never really told my best friend that I felt that way until I told her that I was going to get this surgery. Luckly all my friends have been supportive and they all helped me come up with an amazing "Lyra gets a 'cookie' " rewards list. Except the 'cookie' are things like horseback riding, skiing, zip lining, ballroom dance lessons, kyaking etc that we're all going to do together!

Friends-
Today, I Celebrate one of my biggest moments of bravery. I Celebrate agreeing to be wheeled into surgery despite a healthy dose of fear of both complications and the unknown. I had no idea how I'd cope in life without the crutch of food and failure. I wasn't excited about surgery and possibilities. I was simply scared and resolved. Now, I live a life I truly wasn't sure I'd ever get to enjoy. Life is good. So good.
I have been incredibly blessed on this journey. My approval process was relatively painless. It only involved four months of supervised diet. I didn't even have to do a liquid diet leading up to surgery. My only real complication was a very minor infection on one of my incisions. A round of antibiotics and I was fine.
My biggest memories of life following surgery were trying to figure out how to live without food as a focus and exhaustion. I wasn't hungry but still felt a need to eat but couldn't. I worked hard in therapy to be ready for this yet I wasn't. On top of that, I remember being absolutely exhausted until week 5. My other biggest memory is when I lost about 50 lbs. and realized that I no longer hurt. I had been overweight so long that I simply accepted pain as a part of life. To wake up one day and comprehend than general life no longer hurt left me giddy.
Since surgery, I have dropped 112 pounds, 12 inches (literally a foot!) off my waist, and 6 dress sizes (from 24/26 to 12/14). I have found a passion for running that culminated in running a half-marathon in January. I found the confidence to apply for a dream job that came with a crazy raise and got the job! I've found pride in myself and my appearance. I've become more than what I eat and how I look.
I haven't been the most well-behaved sleever. I feel I should share that in the interest of honesty. When I got the crazy, awesome promotion I started making some poor choices. I have yet to gain weight but I am in the world's longest stall due to poor food choices and a lack of focus on diet. I haven't lost a pound since December. I recognize that I haven't lost the last thirty pounds because of my less than ideal food choices but I am okay with this for now. I know that I will soon be ready to lose the last thirty and I will focus and finish what I started. My goal is to be at or under 175 by 18 months. I feel this is very doable. However, I recognize that this is my journey and I will finish it when it is right for me. Right now, I am enjoying the ride and life in general.
I would like to take a moment to thank all of you for your constant support, opinions and advice. I've found this forum and the people it consists of a lifeline on more than one occasion. Bless you all!
Of course, a surgiversary post isn't complete without photos!


PS- I swear I am not a big drinker... it just happens that pics normally occur when I'm drinking.

Welcome to all the new members!! Well, I'm here in the hotel waiting. I don't know how I will even sleep. Tomorrow at 630 am I will be at the hospital. If ican remember I will update everyone on my progress. As of this morning I was 262 And my goal Is between 140 and 160. keep me in your prayers please.

Ok so my surgery was January 31, 2012 in the first two and half weeks I lost 32 pounds and have been stalled for 2 weeksish. This has caused me to be so bummed. Even through reading posts about it being normal, and doing everything right: I'm still obsessed with the scale and bummed. My NUT said I already started out with a dramatic weight loss and I'll start to equal out and lose 10 pounds a month, conservatively.
However I am trying to focus on the positive. Therefore I am posting my first NSV:
I HAVE A NECK!!
In my wedding pictures I was at my highest weight (still had an amazing wedding). However the one thing I noticed was my head looked like it sat on my shoulders. Yuck. Last night I went out with some friends and after being tagged on Facebook (I usually dreaded) I was happy with most of the pictures and noticed my neck (:
I also posted two pictures in my gallery and can see a little difference there as well.
Here's to more NSVs and a healthy journey! Have a fabulous Sunday, sleevettes!

Hi March Sleevers! I'm really happy I found this site, especially this group! My surgery is March 15th and I couldn't be more excited! I'm definitely a little nervous, but as I get closer and closer, my outlook about my future just gets brighter.
Looking forward to be going through this journey with all of you!!