wanderlust_76

Today I am doing something I haven't done in FIFTEEN YEARS (15) YEARS!!! I left my house with my shirt tucked in and put on a belt. HOLY COW!!! Actually, skinny cow!!!! I am so excited. And people are talking. I have had a TON of people ask me how it feels. I am so freakin' happy. I just had my 6 month anniversary and I have lost 74 pounds. If you are just starting this journey, stay strong. One day you too will leave your house with your shirt tucked in!!!

So I went to weigh in and my nurse was excited to tell me I am now "obese". I was like "uh...thanks". She goes "no, I mean, you're not 'morbidly obese' or even 'severly obese'. Now you are just obese. Next stop overweight"...hahahaha!

I have been sleeved. My four month anniversary was the 6th. We are going on vacation at a waterpark on the 25 th and I want to be in one-derland when I go. I'm ok if I don't make it. It is just a goal. I was kinda laughing at myself this morning. I just tell myself I'm not going the rest of my life without eating a donut hole. I do want to read one of those books though. I do think I self-sabitage.

Ok, so I'm pushing to lose 11 lbs by July 25. I woke up thus morning, worked out for an hour, came home and ate 3 donut holes...really?

Do you eat or drink before you workout? I did that too and I started drinking a protein shake or eating a yogurt before I work out and it helped with dizziness.

I just have to keep reminding myself I didn't gain the weight overnight, so I can't lose it overnight. Take a deep breath and smile! You are on your way!

I did the same thing my second week. I remember crying I was so upset. I did start losing again. I have lost between 1-2 lbs a week since. Some weeks it's four lbs, some weeks it's less than a pound. Try to stay off the scale, but once a week and use the same scale every week.

Thanks! I know everyone has a story. I enjoyed sharing mine. I have to say that on this site, there are so many people that feel the same way. It makes me happy to know I am not the only one struggling with food choices or guilt for eating.

I defintately struggle with this every day. I, too, believed that I would make better decisions. I keep telling myself, "You cut out half of your stomach, do you REALLY want to eat this?" and get furious with myself when the answer is yes. But like my dietician told me, and I am sure your's did too, it is a lifestyle change. Here is my thing. I am going to eat cake. I don't plan on going the rest of my life not eating cake. I am just not going to eat it daily. I think we have to forgive ourselves some. I also think that over eating isn't just a coping mechanism for trauma. Mine is a learned behavior. I am a Catholic, Itailan. We do everything with food. We celebrate with food, we grieve with food, we visit with food, etc. I wasn't raped or beaten. I just learned to eat. Don't be so hard on yourself. It took you YEARS to get where you were before the surgery. Don't think you are going to change overnight. The fact that you are writing about it and worrying about it says that you know the right things. Take it one day at a time and you will be fine. Good luck!

I know I already posted this, but today is my 4 month anniversary and I feel GREAT!!! The surgery is just a funny story I get to tell my friends as they are staring at me in shock that there is so much less of me. My favorite is when I see people that don't know I had surgery (and I don't tell them. Where is the fun in that?) They always say, "Have you lost weight?" My answer is "Yes, thank you for noticing." They always look a bit puzzled. So the moral of the story, the pre-op, not great. The surgery. . .sucks!!!! Everyday after that. TOTALLY WORTH IT!!

In my opinion, the sleeve is the best choice. The lab band might be cheaper at the beginning, but it keeps costing you money when it is done. The sleeve doesn't. In the end, it is cheaper. My hint would be to try not to drink anything 30 minutes before, during or 30 minutes after eating. After surgery, you can't drink and eat at the same time. The dr said it stretches your pouch, but for me, it is painful. If I take one sip of water while I am eating, I am done eating. I got used to doing this before the surgery and I had an easier time than my mom (who also had the surgery) post op. Also, start getting into an exercise routine now. The more you exercise, the more weight you lose. If you get in the habit before, you are more interested in doing it afterwards. I think it is a great idea for your parents to go with you. The more people on board the better. My husband, mom and dad were all familiar with what was going to happen and what to expect. They all asked questions I didn't think of. It also opened the lines of communication. Ask all the questions you have. I would keep a pad in my purse and as I thought of them, I would write them down. My dr. got a kick out of it. Anyway, good luck. If you have any more questions, you are in the right place. ..lol.

I took 2 full weeks off. I teach and my doctor said if I promise to walk into the school, sit in my chair, walk to my car, go home and walk to my chair, I could go back. He preferred 3 weeks. He is very conservative. Probably around week 6 I was able to start working out and getting back into a routine. I started walking around 4 weeks, but it was really slow. I would give myself plenty of time. I wouldn't plan on moving your son or daughter for 2 months at least . . . imho. I will say the more I exercise, the better I feel and more energy I have.

I still WANT the stuff, but I am ok not being able to eat it. Weird, huh? I guess that is good. I talked to my dietician and she said everything I am feeling is normal. I am really not that worried now, but I am worried about five years from now. As far as eating out, I just share with my husband. He is nice enough to let me. I am a Mexican food fan as well. I have two sons and I will order a big dinner and we all share. I take a few bites of the taco and chalupa and the boys eat the enchiladas. It works out. Most people recommend eating off the kids menu, but there is few things I want to eat on the kids menu. I think the trick is to listen to your body. When you feel full, STOP EATING!! If you have any questions feel free to ask. I feel like an expert. . . lol.

Today is my four month anniversary, and I have lost exactly 62 lbs. I have to say the day I woke up from the surgery, I was not sure it was worth it, but 4 months later I can safely say "IT IS WORTH EVERY OUNCE OF PAIN." I still have some things that I am struggling with such as eating out. I thought by now my brain would catch up with what my stomach already knows, but I find myself still wanting to eat everything on the menu. I still want to order the big meals. I find that frustrating. I also feel like I am not eating as well as I should. I just don't eat as much. I know that right now it is ok, but in five years it will bite me in the butt.

Congratulations! That is a great success story. Keep up the good work!