xavtay2

Started at 319 lbs on May 1, 2012.
Lived through the difficult 2 week liquid pre-op diet (-11 lbs!)
And now, in less than 6 months since surgery, I am OFFICIALLY 50% of the way to my goal!
I feel AMAZING!
For the first time in my adult life (and I'm 43 years old...), I can fit into a size 18; I can shop in "normal" stores, and I KNOW it only gets better from here. I'm off all my asthma meds (even when exercising), after previously taking 3 puffers and 2 oral meds for the last several years.
I feel truly blessed to have found the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure; to have had the opportunity to self-pay and go to Mexico and have one of the top docs (Dr. Kelly) perform my procedure flawlessly; and to finally find the "skinny girl" inside of me that's been hiding behind all the weight all these years.
I would like to thank everyone here who has been supportive, who has shared their own stories, struggles and successes; has patiently answered my stupid questions and given encouragement and advice. You all ROCK and I'm looking forward to giving back as I continue on my journey.
The next half will go more slowly (I know), so I've joined a gym, hired a trainer and I'm going to sweat, pump, pound and flex my way to the fit, athletic confident body that I've always dreamed of having.
And by this time next year, I'd like to be able to say I've completed a 5K, a 10K and a Tough Mudder!

Remember that small changes really do make a difference. Healthy eating is simply the result of all the positive decisions you make.
Michelle May, M.D.
www.AmIHungry.com

I woke up this morning feeling absolutely happy!!! Had a fantastic week( away from the scale lol). I went out with my sister on to a local sea food place. I had some fried fish and fried jumbo shrimps :ph34r: I have a strict rule against fried food, but I just felt it and it was so GOOD!!!
Almost at the six months mark and loving my sleeve so much more :wub:
Here are a few silly, goofy pics!

Highest weigh : 241
Current weight : 189

You will have your easiest weight loss in the first 6 months. But to say the weight loss will stop at 6 months is incorrect. Please don't believe that BS. You can continue to lose for as long as you want if you're willing to work at it, and you learn new eating habits.

Update: one month post op pic.

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i made this post about a week ago.. i weighed myself today & i am now 147lbs! ive lost a total of 126lbs.
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i made this post yesterday & it was 123lbs gone but i weighed in today and im now 124lbs down!!
i am officially 149lbs.
no more 50s!
14lbs away from my long term goal.
4lbs away from my short term goal.

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just an update:
i was sleeved dec 20th, 2011.
im less than 11 months post op.
i started at 273lbs.
i am now 150lbs.
starting bmi was 51.6
my bmi now is 28.3
i am 15lbs away from my goal.

Hello, my name is Tonika and I had my sleeve done September 26 2012. I originally had the lap band In 2003 and I was 374 pounds. I got down to 176 pounds nevertheless I started having problems with the band and I creeped back up to 288 pounds. I went In for a revision on my birthday January 26 2012, my liver and my stomach were merged together. The surgeon said he's good but not that good so once he freed the band and liver and stomach he aborted the revision. I woke up to disbelief he said I had too much scar tissue and would never be able to have any weight loss surgery again. I was depressed for 8 months till one day I said God please heal my insides I'm not meant to be heavy. I went online researched everyone told me no till West Lake Hospital came up I called and the rest is history. I went in on a Monday in August and three weeks later I had my surgery... Scar tissue completely healed. What a mighty God we serve, I was nervous the nigh before so I prayed and God whispered trust me your stomach is ok and I just believed and was ok after that.. FYI MY NURSES NAME WAS JESUS AND I HAVE A ROSARY BEAD TATTOO AND SHE PRAYED ON IT...

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Order My Steps Dear Lord...

Hello fellow sleevers!! I'm am just about 9 months out was sleeved 2/3.... I'm down 70lbs.. I'm 5 foot so I'm a shorty... I have 13 pounds until I meet my goal weight!!!
With the weather changing here on Ft. Lewis,WA I've had to change my workouts. Almost there!!

My weight loss really slowed down in September, but picked up this month. I dropped five pounds in the past week! For those of you slowing down or on a plateau, it does pick up. I found that getting in my walks and doing some bike riding (and not really that intense) really helped get the pounds moving again. I'm feeling great and enjoying life so much more. To all the newbies and pre-op folks: it's not all Love and Light all the time, but, for me, it's been worth the journey. Much success and happiness to you!

I had my surgery two months ago today. I feel amazing. I have lost 42lbs. I feel amazing.

100 pounds gone...... Sorry about the first pic I just woke up

total wieght loss 34 pds my loss has been slow but thats ok cuz im in a size 10!!! my hair has started to fall and thats not ok taking Biotin i still get discomfort if i eat to much, to fast, or dont chew properly and horrible discomfort if i gulp a becerage during a meal but i can tolerate all foods i take monthly B12 shots take my Vitamins and get on the scale constantly to make sure my wieght is stable must make an effort to walk more when i do i use a workout short n waist band it has help my body mass get into my size 10!! yay i also need to work on my Protein intake i dont have the urge to snack like before and a very slight urge for sweets now and then very happy with all the compliments and strange but i get very very cold ??? even though i had a few complications the first few weeks after surgery the reward has been worth it.. in 4 months i have accomplished what i couldnt in 5 years no regrets

I had a 10 day stall and did not make my Nov.1st goal of being being in One-derland so I am sitting at 206 right now but my clothes are getting pretty baggy on me so I went tonight to get one pair of pants and got to shop in the REGULAR size ladies dept! No trek upstairs to WOMAN'S or PLUS for me! I bought a size 18 it felt so good! After 20 years! JCPenneys is also have a huge clearance sale so I also got a second pair of Liz Claiborne docker style pants for .70 cents! Might want to check it out if you are like me and not wanting to invest in clothes until you are closer to goal!

Please don't take this wrong, but what do you mean talking to your doctor won't do any good??? Have you tried? Have you asked your doctor how much stomach was removed? Did you not discuss that beforehand? Perhaps there is a real reason why you don't feel any restriction.
Please, talk to your doctor.

Howdy!
Today is 4 months....
down 81 pounds from highest and 66 from day of surgery!
I am feeling great....wearing size 16 bottoms and either a large or XL top. I had to buy all new underwear - size 8 thank you (underwear sizes are in their own world, and an 8 is for sizes 14-16, but I am not gonna lie...loved seeing the size 8 on the package!!)
I am still struggling to drink as much Water as I should.....I am trying!!
chips go down WAY to easy...gotta watch that -
love all things seafood.
And then they ask you..."So, how much weight have you lost??"
I have been very honest with everyone, told them about my surgery....
If I can help ONE person in their journey - then yay....
But I balk here....
Early on, spoutin' off 20 or 30 pounds was awesome....
I DOn't wangt to tell work associates or acquaintances I have lost the equivalent of a German Sheppard off my ass!!
I Celebrate that with my girl friends, but co-workers are a different breed (pun intended).
The bitchiness is not appreciated, nor do I want to see raised eyebrows as they look at how much further I still have to go and strain to do the mental math to see I was a 300 pounder at one time....
Gosh NO!
ANyway -
That's my monthly check in.
Going strong....going to try and get some intentional work outs in.....
Glad to be a success story.....
Still have never been in pain or puked...
Just get REALLY full REALLY easy -
Pretty awesome huh?
Oh - here's a pic of my Halloween outfit....I chose not to wear it out of the house....

Thank you for your honesty june13. With your input, my eyes are WIDE OPEN!
Can you give us some ideas about what youve chosen to replace those habits with when you get hungry or want to eat?

My physical therapist said that the closer you get to goal in the first 6 months the more likely you are to maintain in the long run. I met with my surgeon on Wednesday for my 3 month check up. He said the way Im losing I should be to goal at 6 months. In February I was 262, I was sleeved July 12 and was 241. Im now about 190 and my goal is 150. Surgeons goal is between 150-170.

My experience doesn't sound much like yours at all. I never did 500 calories -- got up to 1000+ as soon as I could, and ate at least 1000 cals per day from like six weeks post-op. After a few months it was 1200-1500, and now it's 1500-2000. I've lost just fine, and worked out not at all the first nine months, then started going to the gym three times a week. But multiple-hour workouts are not really necessary IMO. I'm almost two years out now and still losing slowly here and there, not with some huge extra effort or anything. I think the honeymoon period is a 'thing' but after the honeymoon you're still married as it were.

I agree you have to try your best the first 6 months to a year and change ur life around, but IMO, you do not need to work out four hours a day. 1-2 hours is plenty, and if u do things right, your body will still burn afterwards, after an hour or two or working out, your still kinda wasting ur time, because ur body can only do so much and u really don't want to over exhaust ur body. Keep ur calories low, carbs and fats low, and drink that Water, it will pay off whether u lose fast or slow.

Down 70 since surgery
Down 87 since post op
Down 100 since highest weight
100 more to go, can't stop now!

i posted a few weeks back how i get so hungry starving. now i have no appietie at all i use to eat every 2 hrs now i can go 3 hrs or longer i stay close to 3 hrs. i am 7 weeks out, this started 6 weeks out. anyone else have a loss of appeite?

Day of surgery: 235. Surgery: July 11,2012
Size clothing:18
Today:169. Size clothing: 10/12 medium

Hi everyone...it's an old costume I wore for one of my friends birthday/halloween house party
(I had surgery on August 9. Down 40 pounds)

Another costume...this was on Halloween

I started celebrating last night, but hey! Post your pics when you get them! I was a bunny