Musharooni

Today is my offical One Month Sleevaversary and I have so much to celebrate. 1st and foremost I feel so good--physically & mentally. Sure I'm still adjusting to this new life of mine, but dang it I am happy. I don't hurt everywhere all the time, I can climb the stairs to my office without sounding like I'm dying when I reach the top landing, I don't feel ashamed or guilty about my eating. I am actually starting to like me a lot more than I have in a very long time. My company began a focus on wellness about a year and 1/2 ago and every time they had a wellness function, somehow I was always "too busy" to participate. Well, today I not only attended, but participated in the "Walk In the 80's". Granted I still am not at the point where I could complete the full mile, I did complete a 1/2 mile and increased my daily exercise duration by a full 5 minutes. In addition, I was completely overwhelmed by the positive feedback and encouragement I received from all of my coworkers. Next event, I plan on leading the pack! lol Earlier this week, I had an extremely stressful moment and, since I quit smoking the day before my sleeve, I didn't have cigarettes or food to deal with the issue, momentarily I was at a complete loss as to what to do to deal with the stress and anxiety. I made the decision to get dressed (I was in my PJ's), put on my sneakers, and pound the stress into the pavement. And don't you know it, after lapping my block a few times, not only was the stress and anxiety gone, but I felt stronger and more empowered than I have in years. I saved the best for last. Last night as my family and I made our evening walk (yes, I'm dragging the whole lot of them into this healthy lifestyle!), my 12 year old daughter looked at me and said, "Mom, I am so proud of you for everything you have ever done. Especially how good you are doing with eating and exercising. You don't know how happy I am for you." And yes, the tears flowed again even as I typed this. Can't wait to see what other gems await me as I continue on this journey. I feel truly blessed today.

Congratulations to you!!!! How incredibly awesome. Wishing you continued success!

I am 4 weeks out & I noticed today that my bra had huge dents due to lack of boobage-Ewwww!!! Obviously I need new bras, but do I buy new bras every time my size changes? This could get expensive quickly.

Yesterday was my 4 week mark and I am having my first period since January. TMI here, but its pretty heinous.

I experienced a stall on the scale between weeks 2 & 3 but was seeing a difference in my clothes. I knew sooner or later it would happen & I needed to find something to keep me on the positive track. That's when I took my measurements & really wish I would have done it after my first visit with the surgeon because I know I've had some significant changes since I started this journey. I think I'm going to go with my monthly sleeveversary, too.

OMG--100# down?!?!?!? A great big CONGRATULATIONS to you! I've got goosebumps just thinking about that day. You must be over the moon!

A few of my favorites have been using baked boneless skinless chicken and chopping in my food processor--not puree consistency, but chopped finely and storing in the fridge. for meals I may fat free mayo or plain greek yogurt (w/ a dash of unflavored protein powder) or a bit of salsa and guacomole for a chicken salad or heat with a dollop pizza sauce, a dash of parmasan and shredded mozzarella. I also enjoy my eggbeaters or egg whites with cheese and/or a little picante sauce (I have had family get packets from McDonald's--5 calories and they travel well ) or the Eggbeaters Florentine. And of course there is always the much lauded fat free refried beans or chili.

I purchased the Bento boxes recommended on Eggface which I use for work and those are awesome. I have my whole days worth of food in there--everything from Eggbeaters to refried beans, string cheese, shredded cheeses, yogurts, etc, etc--and they are a great tool for providing a visual of my daily protein requirments.

What is your personal schedule for recording measurements? I am weighing weekly, but am unsure as to what intervals to record my measurements.

My NUT actually had me do the take a bite, put utensil down, chew, swallow, wait a minute and then repeat pre-op to become accustomed to it. I found it was easy to do if I was alone, but if I was at the table with my family I wanted to be social and it was difficult. I bought an egg timer (one of those little "sands in an hourglass" things) and found that made it (and still makes it) easier to do the right thing.

Loving this thread! I know I have a little more road to travel until I attain some of the milestones I am reading about here but it is making me realize ALL THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME, TOO! After a lifetime of struggling and fighting, there is light at the end of this tunnel. Thanks to all of you for opening up and sharing these and all of your other stories. I certainly hope you all realize what an inspiration you are to us. .

Here I go being cliche', but I only regret not doing this sooner.

Wow!!!!

Thanks for sharing!

So glad you are okay, hope things continue to improve for you.

Way to go!!! Keep up the great work!

I've been very honest with people and told them I was going to have WLS. I haven't had a negative reaction yet...not a true negative reaction. I had a couple of people who had family who had bypass over 15-20 years ago that died due to complications and they expressed true concern but both were quick to admit that they were quite certain that there have been a lot of advancements in the WLS field since their loved ones had surgery and that living obese carries its own set of risks. Everyone has been truly amazing. Several years ago a girl at work that had lost a tremendous amount of weight told me she had done it by just eating less & exercising more. A few weeks later, someone from her department that had overheard our conversation came to me and told me that the coworker had not been 100% honest with me, that she was eating less, but because she had WLS a month or so prior. I was very angry and hurt by that. I thought "Why lie to the fat chick??? Lie to the skinny girls, but don't lie to the fat chick, I feel bad enough already." That memory was a big part of the reason I was honest with people, I don't want to feel I am being less that honest with anyone and, hopefully as I continue through this journey, I'll be a source of inspiration to others who may have been on the fence about WLS.

Congrats Nikki82 & Wheetsin!!! Can't wait till I'm toot-toot my horn into Twotersville, too!

I'm looking for MFP friends, too...my username is musharooni if anyone would like ot add me.

South Louisiana, $14K which included surgeon, hospital, anesthesiologist, nutritionist, testing, and 1 year of follow-ups. Like Lissa, insurance has a bariatric surgery exception. The employer is self-funded and does not cover WLS at all. Of course, Murphy's Law being what it is, on May 1 our new insurance went into effect which covers Lap Band only, but I was not interested in that option.

Wow! You look great! Congratulations!!! And with 6 children, you manage to work out 5 days a week??? Well, there goes any possible excuse for not getting my workouts in! lol Thanks for sharing.

I can totally see how the forums can confuse you and make you second guess yourself, but DON'T!!! Your sleeve will make it impossible for you to overeat and, as with anything new, there is a learning curve. Immediately following the surgery, I was obsessively weighing myself--can't remember the last time I saw the numbers on the scale actually going down. Heck, to be honest, I had to buy a scale preop because before I began this journey, I did not want to know what I weighed. I realized that sooner or later the weight loss was going to normalize and I was setting myself up for disappointment with my frequent weigh-ins, so I cut myself down to a weekly weigh in. Between week 1 & 2, I saw "only" a 6/10 of a pound drop in my weight and FREAKED. I contacted my nutritionist the next morning and, after providing her detailed menus from the week, she determined that I was way below my calorie level thereby causing my metabolism to slow way down. She also explained that I had the sleeve, not a RNY, and I would not see huge, rapid weight loss, but would instead see a steady progression--as long as I ate within the guidelines given to me (Protein and calories) and drank my Fluid and did not graze. She reminded me that this was a tool, not a magic bullet, and I was 100% in control of my destiny. Needless to say, I'm back on track and know that I am the Captain of my ship and Master of my destiny and with this wonderful tool, I will achieve my goals and you will, too!!!

Congratulations!!!

I had same issue with peanut butter--it was horrible. I did see a mention about PB2 on Eggface and looked it up on Amazon and was wondering if anyone who had issue with actual peanut butter had used this and had input? I hate to order a container and have the same issue with it.

Congratulations!!! What an achievement!!!!! Your post gives me the inspiration to keep on keeping on as I, too, am 300+ and I can see what really working this tool and do for me. Keep the updates coming!