LilMissDiva Irene

My Dr. never really had a set guideline on what to do regarding this, or at least I never heard of any guidelines. I pretty much just stayed on chews/gummies/liquids until I got to the full food stage or ran out... I figured it should be ok at that point, considering everything else was too. I take pretty large pills and capsules or whatever and have never had any issues at all.

Hi there lml, and welcome to VST I am within pounds of totalling 150 Lbs lost, however I've likely already really surpassed that since I really honestly will never know exactly how much I topped out at. LOL!! When I was Super Obese, you best be darned sure I wasn't EVER weighing myself. Had I been though, I'm sure I wouldn't have gotten as heavy as I did. I got ill with HBP and scared of this decided to diet. I'd lost an entire clothing size before I had courage to weigh myself and it was 318 Lbs. So, I usually tack on an extra 15 Lbs for good measure, but really was probably more than that. I always put my highest weight as 330 Lbs. Today I'm 182 Lbs. As you can see by my profile pics and signature line pics I've lost quite a bit of weight. So, to answer your question... yes, this Sleeve surgery does make it VERY POSSIBLE to reach your goals. I personally have never really had any real set goals. My main goal was just to get healthy and HBP free. My others were just to fit into certain sizes and fitness goals. I have met all of them and surpassed most. Good luck to you, and please feel free to ask as many questions as possible! We are always very open to help out those seeking information.

These are all excellent suggestions. Most specifically, putting your food and utensils down while you take the time out to chew your food. As a matter of fact, I'm eating lunch right now and doing exactly that. I'm not sure if it gets better in longer time but I'm nearly 11 months out. Also, try to focus solely on your food and not your surroundings. I've noticed I happen to eat a little faster while eating and watching TV or conversating with others. However, eating while working this website is perfect because every so often I have to set my bowl down to type out a few things, so it does get me to consume much more slowly. Good luck!!!

Thank you all soooo much!!! All your support means the world to me!!! Xoxo

My consult today went very well!! This surgeon is one of the top PS in my area. He is reasonably priced too, and I've seen his work in person. My cousin had her augmentation there. He told me that doing lipo on my knees would not have a good outcome. The only thing that will help me is a lift of some kind. I was afraid of that, and very impressed he didn't just go ahead and take my money and do it. He knew I didn't have the funds for any additional surgeries, so he won my confidence right away. So, that said it looks like I look best in the 500cc implants, silicone's. That put me up to a very full D or DD according to him. Ohhh Yeahhh Babyyy!!! :lol: I also want to say that dang those are some rockin' boobs... OMG!!! And here's a little NSV. I even fitted in the Size Small shirt he gave me, even with the implants in!!! YEAHHHHH!!!! I'm still going to get a second opinion on the knees though. I have another consult at Sono Bello who does strictly liposuction. That is their specialty, on Wednesday morning. I'll see what they have to say. Source: My Plastics Journey - My first one (of several)

My consult today went very well!! This surgeon is one of the top PS in my area. He is reasonably priced too, and I've seen his work in person. My cousin had her augmentation there. He told me that doing lipo on my knees would not have a good outcome. The only thing that will help me is a lift of some kind. I was afraid of that, and very impressed he didn't just go ahead and take my money and do it. He knew I didn't have the funds for any additional surgeries, so he won my confidence right away. So, that said it looks like I look best in the 500cc implants, silicone's. That put me up to a very full D or DD according to him. Ohhh Yeahhh Babyyy!!! :lol: I also want to say that dang those are some rockin' boobs... OMG!!! And here's a little NSV. I even fitted in the Size Small shirt he gave me, even with the implants in!!! YEAHHHHH!!!! I'm still going to get a second opinion on the knees though. I have another consult at Sono Bello who does strictly liposuction. That is their specialty, on Wednesday morning. I'll see what they have to say.

Fantastic!!!! You look lovely and wear the dress perfect!!

LOL Raine!! Those are awesome!! Enjoy your oogling, you deserve it... you're beautiful!!!

I never have any doubt any of us can get to where we feel good with our outcomes! Where ever that is. Stay diligent and head strong, you WILL get here. *hugs*

Again, thank you all so much, for your kind words, and just for being there to follow my journey with me. Most of all though for sharing all your wonderful journey's with us too. Amanda, sure the BMI scale is a good base for I think most normal folks who've never really had issues with obesity for years or for those who are not otherwise classified as the athletic or fit types. This is why I more need to be evaluated by having my body fat % checked. I clearly do not match what my BMI scales say I should weigh. Sure, I probably could and very well may even get into the very highest for my ideal weight. But I will be very frank here, I will absolutely feel I'm way too thin. According to the BMI charts I should NEVER be more than 154 Lbs. Where am I supposed to give up another 30 Lbs without looking emaciated? That to me is not healthy either. Thanks for your idea about the running clubs!! We have one in my area and was asked to join, though I have not yet signed up. Not sure if I will, but it's nice to know they are out there if one day I decided to. All the best to you!!!

Yay Amanda!! Well, I started my running program around 230ish pounds. Sorry I don't remember the exact weight. However, I've seen folks of all weights doing some type of running. Just do the best you can! That is all that matters.

FYI to all here: I am withdrawing from this and all future Weight Loss Challenges. I do encourage all of you to continue after this goal though! It has really helped to motivate myself and many others. Whether goals were met or all of us who always seem to come close. It still is very motivating regardless. Whoever starts the Challenge, send me a PM with the link and I'll be sure to pin them for you. Hugs and well wishes!!!!

OMG Girlie, you are SO CLOSE TO ONEDERLAND!!! Can't wait for the big announcement!!!

I would definitely start with the book. Like Stacy mentioned, Callan Pinckney is a bit annoying sounding on the DVD. I mean not enough to where I won't use them (I just bought them after 20+ years but have had the book this whole time), but the book at least you can read all of her history and the before/after photos are really motivating. Good luck all!!! You will LOVE it!!! Especially the results.

Everyone thanks so much!! You all have been here for me since day one! From even long before I really and seriously considered the sleeve. I would secretly come over here from time to time and read all the success stories and just dream of being able to revise to this incredible Weight Loss Surgery. I thought I'd never be able to do it. Yet here I am... so reading all of the old time posts from when Alex first created this site, it kept me dreaming away of the time when the time would be exactly right to have my lap band removed and have someone cut out my stomach. Who needs it anyway??? It held way too much food and drink!!! In regards to the running, I can't say enough about it. It seems like when I'm really sticking to it, and ESPECIALLY when I'm circuit training with it and other workouts (especially before so I'm already warmed up and burning optimal calories) I simply and undoubtedly get results. Running and my Callanetics are the two physical activities are what have shaped my body. If you look at long time runners, you can see they are the epitome of physical fitness. They do get incredibly thin, some of them. For me however, I'm not interested in being that slender - but to each his/her own. Not knocking it either, but to be honest I kinda like my J-Lo booty and I think if I tried to it would be the next to go. My boobs are gone already!! So I guess long story short, if you really are interesting in starting a running routine, start slow. It's easy to get burnt out on it. I even have to take a little break sometimes, but its NEVER more than a whole week. It's also easy to get out of form too, just in case someone else ends up taking a break. Start with a walking routine. Work on your endurance, speed and distances. Once you can easily get a few miles under your belt, then go this website: http://www.fromcouchto5k.com/articles/training/the-couch-to-5k-training-plan/ and it will get you from walking to running a 5K (3.1 Miles) in about 10 full weeks. Don't feel daunted either, there are no rules and no need to compare yourself to others!!! If you need to do one of the weeks over again, do that. The main goal here is just to do it. I also HIGHLY ENCOURAGE all of you that want to start running to sign up for a 5K RUNNING event. It will really really motivate you to complete the task. Much Love!!! Xoxo

None taken! Thanks

Um... Size 4's. These were my new goal pants. I think at this point I'm not even going to worry about goals, tbh. I'm just going to keep living healthy and living my life. I'll probably end up a ZERO once I have my total body lift. Wow... anyway, in my signature line, that is a photo of me at my all time hight. That sweater was a 3X... I'll never forget it. I wore it all the time. My pants were 28W.

That's so true Sen! OMG... think about it... how many people take pills or fluids or stuff themselves full of Water or whatever the case may be to feel fuller faster and stay satiated longer? Gimme a freakin break... that is ALL we are doing. Just a more permanent and proven solution to a problem that evolution bit us in the arse with. Really.

Well said.

Great replies everyone!! Our lives have changed so much! And the further out we are, and the closer to goal we are, those positive changes start piling up. I love my sleeve!!! tree, I simply started out with walking. I would *always* push myself that extra mile. The second I noticed my body could handle it I would bump up the intensity and distance. I got over the hump by signing up for a real 5K event. That really spurned me to giving it my all and finally getting me to realize I CAN do it! I have arthritis in both my knees and I always doubted I could do it. I started really running at around 230ish Lbs. Once I got into this is when I started to see so many real and positive changes in my weight loss and physique. My legs are so much leaner than I ever remember, and I've been very VERY thin before, and my arms have lost back pretty great. I never feel self conscious about them, in fact I *like* showing them off!!! Good luck to you! Baby steps though, that's how I got started. Once you get used to a really good speed walking routine, try this website: http://www.fromcouchto5k.com/articles/training/the-couch-to-5k-training-plan/

It's Feel Good Friday: Tell me... What is the single more prolific thing in your life that you can now do, that you could not at your heaviest weight? For me it is plain and simply running. I found it even so difficult to trot for more than a few steps and I'd be out of breath and having an asthma attack. Now I can run/jog for an hour straight with no issues.

Yes they sure do!

Sorry to say but yes I did vomit after surgery. Also my nausea was pretty bad. I had a little rougher time than others because I was a revision from band to sleeve. However that is not a prerequisite for this type of reaction. Just remember, nothing worth doing is ever easy. My results are proof of that. I really went through it for the whole first 6 weeks, but I'll tell you what, I wouldn't trade in one second of that knowing how I'm living today. Your emotions will get the better of you leading up to your surgery. Just don't let your feet get so cold they get stuck to the ground. Stick to the plan and make your life better!!!

The terrible fatigue was something that got to me as well immediately post op. I didn't even put in any worthwhile workouts until around 4 months out. I just really didn't want to at all! I hated going to work becuase I was so miserably tired all day long. I would go into the E Stations and catch a nap sometimes during the day. It was miserable. I do love Protein shakes and will have one every other day or so. However, right on about having several per day for weeks. That's just more than any sane person should have to endure. Don't worry though, its not forever, even though right now I'm knowing it feels like it is. Getting your fluids in counts by all your fluids you drink throughout the day. Even your Protein Shakes. If you drink it, it counts... even your jello!! Another suggestion to try is the SF Hawaiian Punch. They come in the single serving tubes. I also would only add half a tube because the flavors were way over powering. Head hunger is another beast all together. I still get this way even nearly a year out. I'm not positive I'll ever get over this really. Oh well, it just makes me ever more thankful for my sleeve!!! It will stop me when my brain won't. You will enjoy clothes shopping again soon. In the mean time, I spent most of my clothes shopping at Goodwill. They have saved me thousands of dollars over the last year! Keep your chin up! You have a lot to look forward to. The first month is by far the toughest... then it's going to be all good times.

And with that, I really don't need to say much more... Hahaa!! Anyway, I've said a million times that I'll never be in the healthy range according to my BMI. I really don't plan to lose more than 10 or 15 more Lbs at this point. If that keeps me in "overweight" ... oh well. I know I'm healthier today than I have ever been in my life and I can do more physically than folks 10 years younger than me!!! I'm totally ok with that.