Smiley79

A huge thank you for taking the time and putting all of this information on here for all of us!! I am just starting my journey and this is extremely helpful!! Thanks a million!!

they give the percentages based on averages. be above average! my surgeon told me that my goal of achieving 220 or less was 'lofty' but with hard work, it could be done. i started at 373 (i'm only 5'6") i was a 56" waist and a 5-6x shirt. now, 6 months later i am still only 5'6" (i was hoping i'd get taller too) but i am 215 and wear 34" waist and 1-2x shirt.
i know we get sick of hearing it, but the sleeve is your tool. how much and how wisely you use your tool will determine your success. and based on averages, it only takes 1 person getting a 10-20% to blow your average. shoot for your 80-100% and let the chips fall where they may. i have been shooting to lose 198. i've lost 160 and am only 6 months out. my lofty goal could well become my wonderful reality. but honestly, if i never lose another pound but am able to maintain my current weight, i will consider vsg successful, because now, i feel like a new man.
shoot for the stars, i hope you make it!

Long story short, I have been suffering with vertigo/confusion that I have attributed to possible anemia.
I called Dr. Kelly, and even though it had been a year since surgery (November 7th) he answered my call right away and spoke with me at length about what blood tests I should be getting done and what to look for. He was not defensive about the surgery either, just helpful.
He also gave me his new e-mail address unprompted, and told me to please follow up with him.
I am really glad I chose a surgeon who did such a great job and was so involved, but also a year later- when he has NOTHING to gain from being so helpful to me and responding right away, manages to still impress me.

I never understood the food funeral thing - it sounds like one more really good example that we will give ourselves sooo many excuses to eat...my goal thru the food funeral excuses was to say "less to lose later, less on my frame in surgery, less on my liver, and if I can't avoid it now, maybe I shouldn't do this!"
Good for you on no more excess! Make it count!

Turn it around - if he was in your situation would you be supportive of his having a VSG (or any other life saving operation) even though it would use your savings?
If you would, then understand he feels the same way, accept it, let go of the guilt, and go for it

You can't put a price on your health ladies. Your partners' aren't worrying about it, so you should treat it a bit like a compliment - thank them for their support

so, here's the deal. I work with kids in my church and have for years. I started at 5'6" and 373 pounds. So far I've dropped 142 pounds and am down to 231. Today, after service there was a boy around 7 years old that I've known for most of his life. He was just staring at me, so I went over to talk to him. He got this great big smile and said "Dude, you used to be REALLY FAT, but now you're just a little bit fat"..... I don't know what was funnier. His completely honest heartfelt compliment, or the look of absolute mortification on the face of his older sister as she tried to correct his 'tact'. But, that totally made my whole day. Anybody else have a good, fun/awkward compliment story to share?

Have to be at hospital at 7:30 in the morning! Can't believe I'm so close to being sleeved!
Excited and anxious but not scared! Ready to do this!!!!

Exercise has not been easy for me and I've been having a really hard time with it...well, today I started Couch to 5K!!! I did the whole workout... I feel so good and I'm proud that I was able to do the whole workout!!!
I've also challenged myself to do 100 crunches a day and every week I'm going to add 100!! So far I'm 2 for 2!!!

Finally reached my Labor Day Challenge goal of 290....better late than never!
Highest: 372
Pre op: 357
Surgery: 340
Total loss: 82 lbs
Total loss since surgery: 50
Date of Surgery: June 28, 2012
S/N wearing black jeans for the first time in 13 years!

I was able to keep up with insanity work out DVD

Down 105 pounds and finding more comfortable sitting positions at work. I can cross my legs under my desk, almost indian-style too. Today I had slipped my shoes off under my desk and crossed my leg underneath me. Then BAM! I slammed my toe into my desk drawer! My toenail ripped halfway off and started bleeding. Hurts like ___! Some might not see this as an NSV but before I only had one position I could sit in at work. It just made me laugh and think about how many little things we don't realize are affected when we lose weight!
And, an awesome one... took the trainer at my gym up on her offer of one free session. I REALLY need to learn how to tone more. We did upper body and abs today. I was so impressed with what I could do! She kept demonstrating things and I thought there was no way in hell it would happen and then BAM (but a good bam this time) I'd be in that position. She kept having me sit on a ball and walk out so only my neck and head were on the ball and I had to lift my hips up and support myself with my quads and abs. I was shocked! There were still things I had trouble with or couldn't do but I gave it my all! (And she convinced me to sign up- and pay- for more sessions!) Never in my life did I think I would work with a trainer, I was always too self-conscious.

Yeah, good for you and I know exactely how you feel, I went from a 22/24 to size 5/6 and still losing. I thank my God and my Dr. for blessing me with this sleeve.

Amazing results! Single-digit clothes...what the hell is that??! LOL

Wow. I can't imagine a single digit size. Congratulations!

He subject says it all! I finally after almost 6 months broke down and shopped for new clothes! Everything I bought is a size 4!!! 97 pounds down and 21 to go to goal! I started at 228 and now weigh 131! Thank you God for VSG!

Thanks guys! I can't talk to my friends that have never had a weight problem. They just don't get it. I felt like I won the lottery.

I like the idea of naming it. For me humor helps me tremendously when it comes to something I struggle with. So I am gonna name it, I just need to come up with something funny.

If I EVER say I regret this- you all have permission to come slap me. I'll give your address. Counting the days to surgey. I HATE the way I feel right now and unless I have some life threatening complications- I am ready for what's after surgery. I'm so thankful for every single thread on here because I feel so much more prepared for what I can expect and things that may come up. That doesn't mean I won't repeat because I can truly appreciate the need for validation happy sleevin' folks!

With each day that passes since my surgery on 8/1, I'm realizing that my life really, really, really is changing! Today i giggled at myself as I reflected on a few of the changes. Please feel free to join in!
You know you're a sleever when...
1. You look forward to eating your Gummy vitimins because it's almost like eating candy
2. You walk through the grocery store and nothing looks appealing
3. You get to the check-out at the grocery store and the only thing in your cart is Protein.< /p>
3. You can't find anything in your closet that fits and this makes you SMILE :Ds
4. You're thirsty but you can't drink because if you do you will have to wait 10 more minutes for lunch
5. You're panties don't slide down below your muffin top anymore
HAHAHA!!! What a crazy ride the last 20 days have been.

Awesome! Congrats!

I'm on the hospital bed now waiting for my turn!!!!! Pray for me everyone....

And for me, it was a very scary thought at first to go over to Mexico. I guess because of the unknown and a lot of people putting doubt in my head. This forum has helped me a lot in making my decision! I can't wait until I can save up the money to get it done!

Just sleeved 2 days ago in Mexico I am at Mi hospital. My doctor was Dr. Lopez and his wife Dr. Osana. Both great doctors very personable and no complications. Passed both leak tests and I am ready to go back to the hotel for two more days and recoop poolside and maybe do a little sightseeing, lol.

Can't wait not having to think "Am I going to be able to fit on this ride" while standing in line to get on a rollercoaster. Torture...LOL