AshleyIrene

Thought I'd update since I haven't been on here for a good while. Very happy with my success. Right now I seem to be at a slight bump in the road, having really bad acid which is causing vomiting.. So it's been very hard to eat and I've gone back to the first stages of just Soups and really soft foods. Also have an endoscopy this week so everything sould be cleared up soon. Besides that I feel pretty amazing and have lost about 120lbs since my journey started in the beginning of march. I really never remember being this small.
Pre-op 328lbs
Surgery (march30) - 308lbs
Current weight - 212lbs
Height - 5'9
I was busting out of a 24 size pants and wearing 3x tops when I first started.. I'm now in a size 14/16 pants and can wear a L/XL shirt.
Best Choice I ever made for myself.
Very proud of all of our successes!! Great job everyone!
Ps. I can't explain how awesome it is to cross my legs like a lady!!! I sometimes do it while I'm driving just because I can! Haha.

I had surgery on March 3rd, started doctor's program at 320, surgery at 290 and today 210. Sooooo very happy. Started at 24/26 and now I am 14-16 depending on cut. No issues, I can eat pretty much everything except jalapeños. 5'6" tall. Glad to hear other's sauces stories!

I forgot to put my own stats:
Pre-op weight: 243.6
Surgery date: 3/13/12
Surgery weight: 231.6
Current weight: 166.6
Goal weight is: 135
Height is: 5'5"
Went from a size 20 to 10's and some 8's. Training for a half marathon and also doing 3 Zumba classes a week. I wish I had done this years ago.

Today, I went to a friends job to pick up some cosmetics she ordered me. She works @ St. Vincent's Medical Center, which sits on a hill & had notoriously crappy parking. So after I finally weddgie my big 'ol truck into a teeny tiny space at the bottom of the hill, I headed up to the main hospital...that's when it hit me...the last time I was at this hospital, I was attending the first of many weight loss seminars, and I remember nearly passing out trying to walk up the hill
And here I am, 14 weeks post sleeve today, down 70 lbs and I breezed up that hill without a pause! I wasn't even breathing hard when I got to the top! Tiny Sleevie has made the impossible possible & I am sooo blessed to be on this journey. I would do it all over again without a moment's hesitation! I feel wonderful...and yes, I'm looking pretty darn rockin' good these days!
Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hey everyone! I'm down 50 lbs so far since my surgery on 3/22/12! Also down from a 24W to a 16! Loving my sleeve!

This is the rant and rave section so please don't flame me ...
Of all the words we use in this forum that are specific to being sleeved or common terms in weight-loss discussions, "lose" is probably the most often used.
To Lose - To be deprived of, or cease to have or retain.
Loose - Not firmly or tightly fixed in place.
It just drives me bonkers to see people constantly misspelling lose, "I can't wait to loose 100 lbs!" AAAARGH!!!! wrong. Clothes are loose, nuts and bolts are loose, a dog can get loose from his leash, but you LOSE weight, you will LOSE inches. It is called The Biggest LOSER, not the Biggest LOOSER. hello.

I'm about 10 weeks post op. started at 330lb now down to 264lbs at 5'9. Thankfully no complications and feeling pretty good

The biggest hurdle I've found in my new cooking regime is having so much food. One can of retried Beans is like 8 meals. So I figured I would use ice trays to freeze foods like chili, Soup, veggies, quiche, beans, etc. It works great because I can thaw out one or two "cubes" depending on how much I am going to eat. Plus it's cheaper and easier to store than a ton of bowls that hold too much food.

I'm 4'9

Opps...wasnt finished. I am down from 330 to 269 lbs. That is 61 lbs lost. I have had no complications and I feel great. I walk about 4 miles everyday. This has really been a blessing for me. I love my sleeve.

I'm about 10 weeks post op. started at 330lb now down to 264lbs at 5'9. Thankfully no complications and feeling pretty good

Ok, so I go to my surgeon's support group and last night someone said something that struck me emotionally. A lady was talking about how she wants the sleeve and her husband, who was with her, was against it. After she was done talking another lady, who also didn't have the sleeve yet, said ".... but you're not that big".
Seriously???? We're at a sleeve support group and you bring that out??? Yes, the lady who said that was larger than the one with the unsupportive husband, and I think that maybe this lady was just trying to make the other feel better (compliment??), but I got so emotional and had to call the lady out on what she said.
I was told alot by friends and family that they didn't think I was big enough. I'm sure they thought of it as a compliment but really it hurt because I could never talk to them about the sleeve beyond their accusation of my size. I was 290 before I got sleeved and had tried and tried and tried and wanted to be able to diet and exercise SO BAD but I couldn't do it mentally. I came to the conclusion to do it for ME because I KNEW I needed a tool to help me, and asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness. Its a very personal decision that everyone makes to have it, and to hear someone say "you're not that big" now not only hurts but pisses me off.
So I guess what I'm saying is for people who may not be 350+ or who wear it well, don't listen to the ignorance when people try to tell you you don't need the surgery when you know in your heart that it is the right decision for you.

There are things I don't like anymore. Can no longer eat ice cream. But is it worth it YES! I love my body now even the saggy skin. Just go with it.

So, since this is TMI... I recommend you stop reading if reading about, erm, anatomical details makes you uncomfortable.
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You have been warned
So, this question is for the guys, but ladies -- maybe there's a parallel? I've been having some... ahem. SORENESS lately. On a very, ahem, private part of my body. OK, we're all grown ups here -- on my penis. Specifically, it's external, on the underside.
As a sexually active male, the first time I realized this was going on, I immediately freaked out and rushed to the doc. for a full STD screen. I play safe, but... you can't be too careful, right?
Well, the doc tested me for everything we could think of, from simple to scary, easily dealt-with to chronic, viral and bacterial. I had blood drawn, I got to have my doctor man-handle my junk (oh, joy), I peed in a cup. The good news is: I'm clean. The bad news is: I still have no idea what's up.
So what's going on? Why's Mr. Happy sore all the time? The doc couldn't tell me, but he told me not to worry about illness or disease, because he couldn't find anything with about a dozen different tests. I was thinking about it yesterday and I realized something: I'm skinnier. I mean, a lot skinnier. Two years ago, I was wearing giant, baggy, 48 inch waist jeans, now I'm finding that my 36 inch waist jeans are "comfy" and I can easily fit into 34 inch waist jeans when I feel like being all 'sexy'. The soreness could just be -- drum roll, please -- chafing! I realized that it hurts in EXACTLY the place where Mr. Happy would be rubbing against my boxers when I'm out walking in my new, snug jeans! Couple that with the fact that I tend to wear fairly loose-fitting boxers (and they're made of cotton, which is warm and snuggly, but can turn into sandpaper with enough movement!) and you may well have a recipe for OUCH.
Today I'm wearing 36 inch jeans instead of 34 inch, and I'm wearing my snug-fitting lycra boxer/briefs instead of the cotton boxers -- they fit much snugger, and they have a very smooth, almost silky texture. That, plus the looser jeans, and I bet you I'll discover that all of my scary "soreness" goes away within a few days.
Such are the joys of being a man, and a hypochondriac, and losing lots of weight. Gents, be warned!

Step away from the pot!! That is not the answer. It's just a step to lead you into even more dangerous and addictive patterns. I had a nervous break down two years ago, so I am going to give you some advice from experience.
Much of what is going on with you is just a battle in the mind. We all talk to ourselves, not out loud, but in our minds. I bet I can repeat the daily conversation you have with yourself. "He is driving me crazy..I'm going to snap..I don't know how much more of this I can take..I hate *blank*..I NEED a hit." Should I go on? You are feeding your discouraged mind a constant IV of poison. The Bible (yes I am a Christian) says, "as a man (or woman) thinks in his heart, so is he." So, step number two after getting away from the pot, is POSITIVE THINKING. I know this may sound like some candy and rainbows load of bull, but it is not.
Let me give you a little picture illustration here: If someone comes along and squirts lemon in your ice Water, It doesn't take much to make it bitter. Same with your mind, that bitterness (negative thoughts) swirls around in there and before long has ruined you whole attitude. But now is where you can take action. What if you start adding sugar to that bitter Water and stirring it around. Soon you will have a nice refreshing glass of lemonade. Will the lemon be gone? No, but with the added sweetness, the whole perspective of the product has changed. This is where we go with the mind. The next time your husband gives you a squirt of lemon, don't add your own bitterness to it. Start with the sugar. Feed your mind sweetness. Repeat to yourself, I LOVE my husband. I have to have him. He is a great *blank*. Say it to your self all day long if you have to. Don't allow your mind the negative buffet. Do the same with every situation. I love my kids, I am thankful that I have a job, I am glad that I have a roof over my head, I am losing weight and getting healthier, at least it was one cookie and not the whole bag. You understand. We play a huge role in our emotional well being and it is our responsibility to take the reigns of our mind and guide it in the direction we want to go.
The next thing you need to do is pray. You tell God, I NEED SOME HELP!! He never made the human being to carry all of life's burdens on their own shoulders. We are just not strong enough. He said, "come unto me all that are burdened and heavy ladened and I will give you rest." If you are sincere and ask with a heart open to his will, you will find help.
Continue the anti-depressants if need be, but be aware that some may exasperate your condition. Monitor your status and if it seems to be deteriorating, consider asking for a different RX. I found Cymbalta very helpful during my trial. The Zoloft made me a zombie and killed my sex drive 100%. That does not help a marriage at all. It also does not help with your feelings of isolation. A woman needs touching. This stimulates the production of oxytocin, a calming hormone. So please, if you have lost your intimate relationship, work to start building it back. If it is the meds, ask for a change.
Open the blinds and let the light in. Go out for walks if possible. The sun also regulates moods in the human being. Being enclosed in a dark house all the time can really put a damper on your happiness factor. Crank up the music! Listening to good, up beat music will help to lift the spirits. Avoid the sad, mad, depressed drinking, he's leaving or cheating kind of stuff at all costs. And try to avoid negative people. Some folks don't really care about your situation, they just feed off of your problems. So...let them starve.
I know I don't know your situation, but trust me. These things are good for EVERYONE. There is nothing to lose, but some sleepless nights and stress headaches. Take it from someone who has been there. I let my negative thoughts talk me right over the ledge and straight into the gulf of a nervous break-down. You can't afford to go there. You have too much to accomplish in your life. Keep your chin up, bask in the sun , think happy thoughts and trust God. Best wishes on your progress You can PM me any time if you need to.

I just want to start out by saying my comments are based in concern for you and your family's well-being. I'm not the kind of person who gives back-rubs and says, "Don't worry honey, everything is going to be alright."
There is a forum on here that discusses cross addictions. This is a common issue for not only folks who may have abused food, but others recovering from other addictions. Recovering alchoholics turning to gambling ... gamblers turning to eating ... It is based in the allusion that this is something you can control or it gives you control over something else. Many people have said (and it has come out of my mouth years ago) that you cannot get addicted to pot. While that may be true directly, the coping mechanism can be addictive. It is a way to tune out of your stressfull life, but when you come down, the problem/stress is still there but usually it is even worse because time has passed. So, instead of dealing with the stress head on, you go back to your coping mechanism and the problem remains.
A little over 10 years ago I went through this with alchohol and pot. I didn't get my mail for weeks because there were so many bills waiting for me. I had to park my car in different locations because it was going to be re-possessed. I didn't accept phone calls from hardly anyone. I was spiraling out of control and it was only going one direction ... straight down.
How could I really expect things to get better when I didn't deal with them. A bill doesn't get paid while it sits in the mailbox. Laundry doesn't get clean if it never makes it into the washing machine. I went to therapy to get some direction. First step was to get sober and off of the alchohol and pot. 1 week in rehab. Saved my life.
The councelors helped me organize all of my issues and make a plan to address them all. Next step was to do it. Actually make the calls and talk to the people. First step was to break up with my girlfriend as she was bringing me down and keeping me in this world of dependence and not dealing with my life. Second was to go to 12 step meetings. Third, see a therapist.
Doing this allowed me to deal with all of my creditors, have a relationship with family members and most importantly, with myself. I didn't have to lie anymore to anybody. I started to have a better self-image. I was making good decisions in my life and things were working out for me.
Over the years I have been slowly working on improving myself with my latest project being my weight. Started at just under 300 and am now just under 180. Feeling great about myself and my life. But believe me ... it could have never happened if I didn't deal with my issues instead of trying to escape from them. Now is your chance. It is up to you and you alone to make a change.
Things only change when you change them. Your choice. Nobody else is going to do it for you and it's nobody else's fault except your own. Inaction or action. Choose now.

OK, snap out of it!!! Marijuana is medicine. Think of it that way. I'm all for herb, but only if you are in the right space and use it in a positive way. It doesn't sound as if you are. Just stop. Breathe, go for a walk, meditate, bring positive thought in to you being and the space around you. Don't let your husband enable any sort of negativity. Only YOU have the power to change YOU. Only you have the power to change your body. You made the positive decision to get sleeved and change your life for the better. Make it happen in every respect. I recommend the following three movies to everyone to get a better perspective on nutrition and diet - you, no one, needs processed foods and the crap that contributes to depression and malaise. Watch these three movies if you need a grasp on good nutrition: "Forks Over Knives", "The Weight of the Nation", and "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead"
Watch these movies. You can find them on Netflix, iTunes, etc..
Only use herb if you are in a good space - dang, so you can enjoy it. Herb is a positive...don't let it be anything other. If it is, just stop it! More than anything....cut out the crap. That is what it is CRAP! Don't counter all the good you are doing by putting crap in your body.
One Love.

I think it makes perfect sense.... Remain strong for yourself & family. Talk Talk Talk... Find someone to talk to..
You can do this because nobody is going to do it for you... And you CAN'T quit! ...
Watch the Herb... It'll give you the munchies..

Just pour over the posts on this forum, there is so much information you can learn from. Or purchase one of the books on Sleeve Gastrectomy, perhaps on Amazon.< /p>
There are several things that should be at the top of your list:

Get at least 64 oz of fluids in daily - this can be Water, sugar free drinks, etc.
Do not drink with your meals (stop at least 30 min before and up to an hour after)
Get at least 70-90 grams of Protein per day (protein from meats/dairy/beans/eggs/fish)
(Supplement your Protein levels with Protein shakes if you need to)
With each meal, focus on protein first 60%, then veggies 30%, then carbs 10% (whole grains)
Get some exercise everyday - at least 30 minutes, more when you can
Track your fluids, protein, and calories - you should be getting 800-1200 calories (for your height/weight)
(I use myfitnesspal.com to keep my food journal up to date but you can use a notebook)
You need Vitamins, a good multi-Vitamin, Vitamin D3 1000 mg., and take B12 - 1000 mg sublingual 3 times a week, and thiamine 50 mg - or a good B complex, and Calcium Citrate during the day (3-4 times)

You can do this. Reach out, research on your own, take this tool and make the best of it and you will be healthier and look better. We are all here because we had our own food addictions. We are not here to judge, but to help!!!

I like Katie's post and agree with her, but I'd add one more thing. You need a therapist pronto! You are so depressed that it's making me cry and you need some back up and support desperately!! Go see someone who specializes in bariatric counseling if possible, but any therapist right now would help you. I'm concerned because, from the tone of your post, it sounds like your dad "forced" you to have this surgery. I am stunned and frightened for you because of that.
Please, call someone for some help today. I want to see you be successful with your sleeve, but I want you to be in decent mental health when you get there.

My life has changed so much in the year since my surgery. Some of it was expected but most of it was not. My story started about a year and a half ago with the death of my mother. She died as a result of a life long battle with obesity. She was 54 years old when she died at 325 lbs. I watched her struggle with her weight and all of the comorbidities for my entire life. I struggled with being overweight my entire childhood, teens, and now my twenties. As an ICU nurse, I knew it was only a matter of time before I had diabeties, high blood pressure and heart disease that killed my mother. She passed away in November and I started researching VSG in January. I realized insurance would not pay for it due to my BMI of 37 and no comobidities. I was 5'6, 225lbs, and a size 16/18. Self pay was going to be my only option so I started looking at surgeons. Dr. Ramos-Kelly fit my criteria and was willing to answer all my questions. Being a nurse, I just wanted to make sure everything would go smoothly. My husband at the time wasn't supportive due to the cost, even though I was paying for it from my own money. On May 15, 2011 we flew to San Diego and stayed the night at a hotel. I was sooo hungry and was ready to get the surgery over with. The next morning, the driver picked us up and took us over the border to Tijuana. We arrived at the hospital and were greeted by an interpreter. They took me back to the room and had me change into a hospital gown. The nurse came in and started my IV(on the first try, a miracle with me). They drew labs and the cardiologist came in to do an EKG. About 3pm they took me back to surgery, I was nervous due to some previous complications with anesthesia that almost cost me my life. Dr. Kelly came in and held my hand and told me it was going to be ok. The next thing I knew, I was in my room with an oxygen mask over my face. I was hot and having a little bit of gas pain. An hour later I got up and put my pajamas on. I had a drain and 5 incisions on my belly. Within a few hours, I began to throw up. I expected that because of my reaction to pain medication and anethesia. It subsided about 8 hours later and at 3am, I was walking the halls with my IV pole. They let me shower in the morning and I spent the day walking and reading. My sleeve sisters, that I had gotten to know by phone, and I got to visit. On the 18th, my drain and IV were removed. We were taken to another facility for the leak test. It turned out great and we were taken to the hotel to rest some more. Dr. Kelly came to check on me in the afternoon and our prescriptions were delivered. The next day, we went sight seeing with Trish and got some souveniers. The next day we flew home and I was not having pain.
Over the next few weeks, I struggled to get enough fluids and Protein. My husband left two weeks after my surgery. I was 28 years old and had been with him my entire adult life. It wasn't a good marriage but we had no plans to divorce after being together 10 and half years. At least we didn't have children because I wanted to wait to loose the weight. I had never been told about the high divorce rate after WLS. I don't have answers as to why he did what he did, but it doesen't matter now. By July 4th, I had lost 35lbs and was trying to keep from losing my mind as well. July 6th, I was leaving the hospital after working 12 hours and needed to get some boxed to pack up some of my bigger clothes. A tall, handsome man, who worked in the area I had been directed to go for boxes, asked me if I needed help. I told him I needed boxes and just point me in that direction. He insisted on helping me out to my car with them and the rest is history. That tall, handsome man has been my boyfriend for 10 months and is the absolute love of my life. He has been so supportive through my weight loss and body image issues. By January, I lost a total of 75lbs. I am 15 lbs under goal and am very healthy. My labs are great and I have had very few complications. My only complications are orthostatic hypotension(blood pressure drops when I stand up too fast) and mild gastritis(due to taking ibuprofen). I take all my Vitamins and prilosec. I am no longer able to take ibuprofen, which sucks if I have a headache. I started out at a size 16/18 and am now a 6/8. My back and feet don't hurt anymore. My blood pressure went from 137/85 to 95/54. This journey has changed my life in so many ways and it wasn't easy, but it is sooo worth it. I am the happiest that I have ever been in my life, not just with the way I look, but with my life in general. Life didn't go the way I had planned, but thankfully God had better plans for me.

Sleeved in July 2010 - down 140 pounds. It gave me the courage to get back into dating after 5+ years alone - and just last week I moved in with my boyfriend here in Jacksonville. Best decision I ever made.

I've never been able to do ANYTHING for a full hour, non stop.. I mean.. NEVER... ANYTHING!!!
UNTIL last night!!!!
I was very tired, but feeling hopeful that I can up my cardio to an hour 4-5 times a week!!!!! And I HATE going to the gym.. But, with all of the encouragement that I get from several "Sisters in the fight against FAT", I think I'll be fine!!!
Thanks for sharing my NSV w/ me!!! Keep up the great work guys!!!

My size 12p jeans are now so large they fall down. I really can even wear them with a belt. I just bought new size 10 petite jeans. How sweet it is! I am still wearing size either size 12p or 10p in dress pants - depends on the brand.
Love my sleeve!
Sharon

I told and tell everyone! i don't give a dang what they say about me.