happilysleeved

I get a little more nosh-y than normal during my TOM. I'm trying to eat a Cutie when I want a sweet. Although, I have had chocolate. And I'm okay with that. One or two pieces is awesome and I don't have to eat them all. Like I said, right before my TOM, I get noshy. I found myself in the kitchen last night because I "wanted something". I wasn't hungry at all. I found myself in there looking about and said to myself, stop and see if you're hungry. I did and I wasn't. So got a little bit of my Trop 50 OJ and moved on.
I am so grateful that the sleeve is letting me pause and reevaluate what I'm eating or what I'm looking to eat. That would not ever have happened before. Amazing.

Went to Disney with my husband and two kiddos 9 and 10. We flew and stayed at one of the lodges in the park and one of the best things I did was go to grocery delivery site, it think it was garedengrocer.com and got a case of Water, Greek yogurt, beef Jerky, RTD shakes, nuts, cheese sticks, all of our normal Snacks and ordered Snacks for my family. They deliver it to your room your first day there! We then carried everything we needed in to the parks in string packs and only ate our lunch and dinner meals out! Not only did it save us lots of money, but helped me stay on track!
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HW: 238
SW: 216
Today I hit my goal that I set at my first appointment with the surgeon, in December 2012. My doc thinks I should have a goal of 135, but I kind of like where I am now. I'm really kind of excited about it. I am so grateful for this sleeve!

I think that what you're facing is the time to deal with the emotional side of weight loss. For long term success and health (mentally, as well as physically) this is something we have to do. Many folks don't tackle it until maintenance, but I think the earlier you can face some of this, the better.
It's no fun to be the slow loser. And frankly, the "I lost 100 pounds in six months" posts get a lot more traffic and attention. It's easy to compare and feel disappointed. Beyond that, we set goals for ourselves and when we don't meet them it's frustrating and disappointing.
It took me 17 months (no pre-op diet) to lose 105 pounds and reach my goal. There were times when I wanted to bang my head against the wall. And I won't lie - even two years out, sometimes I want to shake people for venting about "slow loss" when they're shedding eight and ten pounds a month...when many months I lost one or two pounds and experienced two nine week stalls.
If you're doing the right things for your diet and you're still losing (even slowly) then you are on the right track. It's just not the express train we hope for when we start. If you give up and quit, you will not make yourself any happier, and you'll still be unhappy with your body.
I have achieved goal. And even if I weren't pregnant right now, my normal goal weight is overweight. It bothers me, sure. I'll bet that part of it is excess skin, sure. But it took me a while to wrap my head around the fact that I was not going to be the girl complaining that I was losing too much weight. And it took me a while at goal for my body to reshape a bit and for me to really learn to love and appreciate my new, smaller body. No, it's the the swimsuit model body I secretly hoped to have. But I've done a great job and worked hard and it shows. I look a million times better than pre-op. Try to be forgiving of your body. One year post op and not at goal yet isn't enough time to get used to this new you.
Friends like that are either not your friends or are letting their own insecurities out and hurting you in the process. And honestly, unless you can tell people how they make you feel, they do not know (or at least can pretend they do not know). Women are competitive. We all want to be pretty. Too many women take this too far and feel that if they aren't the prettiest girl in the group, they can't be friends. If you search VST you'll see plenty of posts from people that lost friends over WLS. It's sad and it's silly and shallow, but sometimes it can't be helped.
And yes, people DO treat us differently when we lose weight. Sure, I'm more outgoing and fun now. But that doesn't explain everything. Plain and simple, people are drawn to pretty objects and don't even realize how hurtful it is when they're the same people that didn't have time for us when we were large.
It's hard to learn how to have a voice. I can say that one on one counseling or perhaps some self-help books (or other weight loss journey stories) might really benefit you here. Many of us hide in our fat and hide our feelings with food. I was absolutely in denial about how I was sabotaging myself until several months post op. It's very hard to overcome emotional eating and poor habits like binges or grazing if you don't deal with these issues. And even if you do overcome the food habits - you still have to find new, healthy ways to express yourself. This is something we can tell you that you need to do, but only you are going to be able to find a way to do it. I did grow a backbone post op. I really felt I'd had one before, but it wasn't until I realized that I was important and worth fighting for that I really started to stand up for myself. In my case, family was an issue and I basically cut out all of the baggage I didn't need in my life. It was hard - it was really, really hard to confront things that had been deep down bothering me for most of my life. But it was so liberating and so freeing once I did and I encourage you to do whatever it takes to reach the same point. What's the purpose of losing weight if we remain trapped in our bodies and our emotions anyway? This isn't just a physical journey for those of us that have battled obesity most of our lives.
I wish you good luck. There are some emotional eating and binge threads out there if you search and they have some great stories. There's a thread in the Vet board right now that you can read about dealing with the emotional side of weight loss.
Don't give up on your journey, either the physical or the emotional one. Life at goal, and a life that's happy and healthy and free of all that past garbage is really amazing and wonderful. I'm finally a happy person and yes, it's partly tied up in the weight loss. But more than being a physical thing, it's really the emotional burdens I finally put down that the weight loss made me confront that made the difference.
~Cheri

Thank you both!!!! Wish there was something for us that helps with patience! Lol!

sleeved 9/12/12 lost 52lbs so far check out myphoto album to see the progress

Sleeved 9/17...267 start. 189 as of this morning.. I'll take it!

I was also in a 3-4 week stall, just the same lb going up and down, but finally broke this week and now down 55lbs total with 30-35 still to go! I think it is funny that we all think we are slow losers, but if you look at all of us in September we are all around the same rate, so maybe we are just normal!
I keep telling myself the weight did not get put on in 5 months so it is not going to all come off in 5 months and to just be patient, which is of course easier said than done, right! When I was in my stall, even though I was still eating 800 calories and getting in all my Water and Protein my brain was telling me "Well it looks like your are done". But I know that is not true, so just hang in there!
My Nutritionist did tell me that the closer I get to lower BMI's the slower the weight loss would be and that was ok! He said to focus more on that than the number on the scale (also easier said than done, right)! He also said on the BMI chart the numbers are really old, and he would never encourage anyone to be at the low end of that range.

Surgery: 9/4
Starting weight: 237
Current weight: 175
-62lbs and 50 inches
Feeling amazing although I am pretty sure my weight loss has started to slow at this point. I still have 40-50lbs to reach goal.
I do not struggle with wanting food anymore and I am extremely grateful. Seems like my life the past few years revolved around when and what we were going to eat and I just don't think about it anymore. I am one of the lucky ones where that is concerned. Even if I do crave something bad, which is rare, I can usually take one or two bites and it either grosses me out or it just doesn't taste nearly as good as I remember and I'm done.
I am struggling to get all of my Protein in as I hate all of the shakes and I have tried them all. I have always struggled with drinking things like that and now it's even harder. I gag and I just can't do it and since I can really still only eat very little it has been tough. I am probably still only getting 700-800 calories and that is me working very hard bc I just can't eat more than 3-4 bites of anything most days. I have also lost a significant amount of hair. My hair was very fine so even though I had a lot, now that I've lost so much (probably lost 60-70%) my remaining "fine" hair does not hide the loss well. Obvious thinning can be seen on my scalp. I am just trying to deal the best I can and hoping it stops as grows back ASAP. I look ridiculous in wigs bc they're all so thick and my hair has never been thick.
Haven't gone down in sizes as quickly as I thought I would after such a large loss, but I'm also very short so I carry more in the middle and I have accepted that it'll take longer for jean sizes to change. I have gone from a 20 to a 14 or a size 34 waist so I am still happy.
Sorry for the novel. Has been a while so thought I'd post what I could think of. Glad to see everyone doing well and love reading about everyone's victories. Some days it's so hard to imagine making it to goal, but look how far we have all come. Amazing!

Surgery 9/10- started at 243 now at 181!! Lost a lot of inches and feel great!!

Was stalled for 3 weeks....weighed today and stall broke....am down 79 lbs since surgery on 9/18 .......and 126 lbs since started this journey on 6/4/2012.

Weighed yesterday and I've lost 72 lbs! It's weird, cause I stalled for 3 weeks.. Then ate a bunch of stuff I shouldn't have.. Broke the stall. Now I'm super motivated again! Exercising and eating good, and I started using Miralax every morning and adding all bran buds to my yogurt in the mornings. Man Fiber makes a difference! So lots of fiber and Protein and stay away from cake! Lol. Keep going guys! U can do it!

so awesome to see so much weight loss from you guys. i hit 78lbs loss today from 9/27. had a minor complication 4 weeks ago but not sure what it is. doesnt feel like gas pain, nothing triggers it. always there just a dull soreness or ache in my lower mid stomach.

Before my surgery, my hubby was more scared than anything. We tried to talk about it several times and he was very nervous about me having surgery, etc. I had made a private list of the reasons I had for wanting the surgery and things I was looking forward to doing after losing weight. I decided to show the list to him and he admitted he was just nervous but supported me, and that really helped. 4 1/2 months later it has been the best decision I have ever made and mine and his relationship is stronger than ever!
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Before my surgery, my hubby was more scared than anything. We tried to talk about it several times and he was very nervous about me having surgery, etc. I had made a private list of the reasons I had for wanting the surgery and things I was looking forward to doing after losing weight. I decided to show the list to him and he admitted he was just nervous but supported me, and that really helped. 4 1/2 months later it has been the best decision I have ever made and mine and his relationship is stronger than ever!
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If it were me, I would stop at a good restaurant, get something to go, and then sneak it in to Red Lobster or Olive Garden and eat it.

Ok I'm going to jump in a minute! Adding extra calories doesn't necessarily mean high fat ice cream type foods.. It could be just adding an extra snack like some nuts or a piece of cheese etc...
I say that because at this point (early stage of weight loss) for me at least eating ice cream would be a slippery slope.

I have been losing the same 2 pounds over and over this month!

I absolutely have no regrets, best thing I have ever done!
I am a huge planner, so before surgery I bought all kinds of Protein powder, chicken broth, measuring cups, little spoons, plates, etc. Most of it has come in handy, except I wish I had not bought so much chicken broth and different Soups, I'm 4 1/2 months out and I still have it running out my ears! Plus, our tastebuds change after surgery and so I would really wait on buying too much in the way of Protein shakes.
I have several people in my family that have a lapband and several people at work that have the band, so when I decided on the sleeve I had no problem telling anyone and they were all really happy for me and my decision. But, I totally agree with gmanbat, I really was just telling them what I had decided and did not really ask for anyone's opinion except my hubby!
The hardest thing for me now is to curb that tendancy to talk continuously about Protein, or some great recipe I found, or getting embarrassed when people compliment me! I'm 54 lbs down and 36 lbs from goal, and I am more confident, have more energy and overall feel so much better!

I find it so amusing how far people go to look like they are eating more. It seems odd to me.
I'll tell you, I've been to several lunches with customers & as a customer. Also as a business meeting. Honestly I've never experienced anybody paying any attention to how much anyone else eats (well, maybe if someone were eating for 3 people).
I'd recommend ordering exactly what you'd like, and request your server box 1/2 of your meal before it is brought to the table.

laceymmm88 WLS has been my life saver
most people here will agree there main regret is "not having the surgery earlier "
my doc was fine - but i do wish i had "interviewed" other dr too
i told my family i was going to have the sleeve - family was very supportive
didn't tell any else
i'm 13.5 months PO - i tell people about the sleeve, on occasion when "they" start discussing my weight.
"they" have ALL been happy for me - never heard a bad "easy way out comment"
i wish i had taken /kept"records" before, during period of WLS
measurements
pictures
blog
keeping track of my weight/weekly/monthly
i finally learned you can't look back with anything - regret or not - can't do anything about the past - what your/my weight used to be
that is "behind" us
i am concentrating, enjoying the present and soon to be future
wishing you the best on your trip through sleeveland
speedy recovery
take care
good luck

I think thin bald girls are sexy

I went in to see my doctor/surgeon for my 3.5 month follow up yesterday morning. I felt like a whipped dog with her tail between her legs when I got on that scale for the "official" weigh in. It said 165. Two weeks prior I was at 161.
When I visited with my doctor I told him it was my TOM and that I had already hit a plateau anyway. He had already asked me to stop drinking shakes, so I had pretty much done that. I had around 500-800 calories a day during those two weeks.
His response really surprised me because he is a tough love type of guy.
He said do not have unrealistic expectations and day to day scale numbers and even week to week scale numbers are irrelevant. What matters is over several months, 6 months, a year, two years. He was also referring to the fact that in 3.5 months I have already lost more than half of my excess weight and don't have nearly as far to go now.
My defeating voice in my head keeps saying that its over. I was lucky to lose this much and just don't gain any back. I've had lots of practice over many years of feeling like this from diets, then the weight plus extra creeps back. I know it will get better, I've just got the blues for a few days.

more confessions...
I love not wondering as I pull clothes out of the dryer if it is a shirt or underwear
It is too damn cold to walk this week.
I have no rhythm..tried a zumba tape this week.
I have slowly been adding carbs. Today I am back on track!
I hate that I have been stalled for a month.

momto3girls, I just went from DFW to Las Vegas and back through Phoenix right after Christmas and did not trigger the detector, and besides my staples I have hardware in my neck and arm from previous surgeries after a car accident! Maybe the scanners were set extra sensitive that day or something. But, they did take my greek yogurt out my bag because I did not realize it counted as a liquid! They pulled me to the side and I had to throw it away! But did make it through with nuts and beef Jerky and Peanut Butter packets !