Mz Need da Sleeve

Hopefully this will keep going. These are my before and after pics. Today is my 4 month anniversary of my surgery. I have losy 90 lbs from 315 lbs to my current weight in this pic at 225. Forgive my old age and shirtless ness but I couldn't resist. My surgery was on May 1st 2012. Hopefully others will share theirs.

I was 175 when I went in. 181 when I came home. Now 176 4 days post op. By Thursday who knows.

Putting clothes away and came across my old tight fitted jeans.24/26.. I compared to the ones I bought yesterday 13/14.. I just realized how much a have shrunk .. Sometimes it takes a while to realize .. Yay!! Lol

If someone has a friend who will leave at the drop of a hat because the other friend has lost weight, then sadly this person was never a friend to begin with. This person was using the heavy friend as a "wing-man" or as other women put it, someone to have around so they look like the hot one.
No one needs friends like this. It took me a long time to realize this, but I just don't have the time or energy to entertain people like this. They are selfish, and well in my life now I guess so am I. I have so many more important things to worry about rather than to stroke a miserable females ego, who really has no good interest in mine too. Maybe that sounds harsh, but I'm a supporter not a deny'er. And in my little world, if my friends can't give that back to me, then they're just not my friends at all. Never were.
If this "friend" (and I use that word loosely) were to stick around, I can see them doing everything they can to make me feel bad about myself and try to turn the focus back on themselves. No time for that. They can take their little toys and go back home, because I'm not playing.
One more thing though: The above reference was in response to friends who openly admit they "don't wanna be the fat one"... that burns me up, I guess you can tell! LOL
Now on to another scenario, lots of times our friends can just be worried about us too. Surgery is a dangerous, and if one of my friends were going to have one I'd worry as well. The best thing for this would be to supply them as much information as you can. Take them to seminars or support groups... invite them to read this website, and many other ways to get them on board with the idea.
The best answer for any situation is communication. Don't assume either the reason behind the questioning. Talk to your friends about it, get the truth out so you will know for sure.
GL to all, this IS a bumpy road... no lie.

Oh and take a pole dancing class!

I am 3month out and i have loss 67 lb and feel good

You look FANTASTIC! And congrats on the soon to be new addition.

I can't believe how quickly time flies! I honestly can't believe it's been two years since my surgery already.
I'm pretty easily maintaining at goal, though I've found there is some truth to the "bounce-back" theory. Staying at 135 isn't always easy as my body seems happier just three pounds heavier and likes to stay there. However, I'm usually within 134-138 on the scale and I'm very happy with that.
I eat like a normal person now. I've been able to increase my calories substantially since 18 months post op. I'm now consuming 1,400+ calories a day and it's not really affecting my weight. I like to stick around 90+ grams of Protein a day and I think this helps with maintenance. I hate eating first thing so I still start my day with protein coffee or tea.
Everyone asks about loose skin and I'll say that there is a HUGE difference between one year out and two years out, so I encourage those considering plastics to maintain at goal as long as possible before seeking surgery. My case is a bit different as I have had twins, but at 17 months out my apron had much more adipose fat than now - now it's nearly flat, though still unsightly. I would have considered surgery on my arms and thighs necessary six months ago but now I think that exercise would firm them up nicely without surgery. I still hope for LBL and breast lift/augmentation one day but I'll have to put that off for now.
Because I'm pregnant! We used up the last of our frozen embryos and the procedure worked. So I'll be sure to update on how things go for me and how the weight gain/appetite works, as well as how quickly I take the weight off again when I'm done.
I will post some before and after photos, HOWEVER, I ask that you be nice to me. I've been on hormones for better than month now and I'm a bit bigger all around - my chest, arms and middle in particular feel a bit bloated - despite not gaining any real weight throughout this cycle. Actually, my breasts feel kind of obscene, after months of having them be so tiny they're busting out of all my shirts now! I'm also unable to wear my Shapewear as it simply feels uncomfortably restrictive. So this is me, without the aid of gut-sucking shapewear, at two years out from VSG!
I couldn't be happier. Life is just amazing at goal, and now that we're expecting again? It's like a dream come true. I wouldn't change my decision to do this surgery for anything and I'm thankful every single day that I had it done.
~Cheri

Good luck tomorrow everyone.

Good job and I see the difference.

I went to Kohl's today to get my boys something and there was a really cute dress on clearance in the "regular" section for $18 and I had a 30% off coupon so I bought it even though it was a XL. I figured I am only 2.5 weeks post op it will fit one day. I just tried it on and it fit!!! The best part when I took it off I saw there was a zipper, I didn't even need it!!!! Now that was a feeling I have been waiting for!!

All I can say is to ask you this question- If you asking someone to cut you open, remove the majority of you stomach and go through the pain, time and expense to have this surgery is not enough motivation for you to do as you are told by your Dr. then you will not be very successful with your weight loss.
You need to realize you have done something voluntarily to your body that has changed you life forever. You do not have a choice, do it or hurt yourself. Wake up, buy in and enjoy the ride.

Our new stomachs can be compared to a baby's stomach. The baby is on liquids, then thicker liquids if you choose to put a dab of baby Cereal in the milk to thicken it up, then on to puréed foods and so on. We don't give babies a chicken leg at 1 month old do we? Lol I certainly hope not.
We should not be so quick to want to introduce all of the foods we once ate and loved before its time. Protect our stomachs like we would protect our babies' stomachs.

Did you need to do a pre-approval phase at all? Did you need to have psychological counseling? Did you need to pre-diet or do a pre-op shake phase?
People that haven't been sleeved that read this - go into this 100% invested in it, because without that, you could hurt yourself.
At 4 weeks I got in trouble from my nutritionist for eating 1% cottage cheese (3 teaspoons!!) I was told I HAVE to be careful because the first 6 weeks you can get a leak, you could hear the strain when I said I also tried a few bites of a poached egg. Albeit, my nutritionist and surgeon are a lot more strict than many I have seen here, but really, you should know that the sugar is HORRIBLE for your sleeve, horrible for your diet and not good for you, period.
I think calling your surgeon, nutritionist, or getting some psychological counseling is what you are going to need. 8 days after surgery I could barely get down Water and a Protein shake. It's as though you are completely and utterly trying to sabotage yourself, you need to look at the big picture.
Many of us have families, and gatherings, and I have to cook for mine, but I don't get to eat what they are eating. I would stay away from them when they are eating things I can't eat.
The sleeve is a tool, you need to learn to use the tool and I'm going on six weeks out and I wouldn't even remotely think of ice cream or cake.
You need to realize right now you are just recovering from a MAJOR surgery. Having 85% of your stomach removed is extremely major. Your entire *stomach was cut in 1/2 and staples were put in. You are most likely suffering some depression after surgery and my suggestion is if you feel like you are going to lose control, go brush your teeth and drink some more Water, take something for acid, take a gas-x.
The grumbling you feel in your stomach is NOT hunger, it's acid, gas, or your stomach attempting to heal after a very serious surgery.
Best of luck.

Oh and take a pole dancing class!

Received official approval this morning!!! Protein diet starts 7/3.... Now we are talking!

Oh and take a pole dancing class!

Oh and take a pole dancing class!

Oh and take a pole dancing class!

I have had some little victories the last 2 days. First, I went to the gym yesterday (2 months post op on the 7th) and I have been walking. When I first started it was a mile a day now I am up to a mile and a half. Then I started upping the incline, pace etc. but yesterday........ I RAN! Yep, I actually did it. I am 30 years old, the last time I ran was Jr High! (yikes) yes, I only ran one min at a time and a total of 5 min, but still...
Secondly, and so exciting for me, I weighed in at 248. When I started it was 294.8. When I got married (12 years ago) I was 255. 250 has been my nemesis. All the diets I have been on it has been impossible to get under that dang number.
So individually, these are little victories. Ones I am proud of. But these have changed my life. I have finally found some success. I have chosen to go more places. I actually got dressed the other day, went shopping, walked past a mirror, and had to have a second look. It's almost 50 pounds but to tell the truth, it wasn't the weight that stopped me in my tracks, it was the happy girl in the mirror that has been missing for 20 years. She is finding her way back.

Twelve hours from now I will be on the table, lol. That's so crazy to me!

I know this is a brave move on my part but here goes.... The first pic is of me last spring in Brazil (far left) (234 lbs). I was there visiting for a wedding and this pic was taken by my brazilian family and I didnt know it would eventually end up on Facebook! I was so embarrassed by it. I got tagged in it and it went all over my page and everyone saw it before I could get it taken down. Anyways.....The second and third pics are of me at the beach last week (147 lbs). I have a funny tan line on my belly that we all thought was hilarious. I do think there is quite a bit of difference that nearly 90 pounds makes! I am no supermodel but I thought I looked decent in a bikini, my first one in 22 years! I wore five different ones, one for every day at the beach! I was only a little bit self conscious in them. A huge leap for me!  

Yaaay stephfly. Another buddie. Try the Protein Shakes from Walmart. It's good. And GNC too.

Yaaay stephfly. Another buddie. Try the Protein Shakes from Walmart. It's good. And GNC too.