LilMissDiva Irene

Hi Karen, I had a "best friend" like this for many years. We met when we were 7 years old, and we would remain friends or BFF's as long it would suit her needs. I was never allowed to have any other good friends or hang out with anyone except her or she would give me heck for it. She was always jealous of me, where guys are concerned and me being very flirty type, pretty, popular... all that. As I think about it now, I was everything she ever wanted to be and knowing this she tried to keep me locked away so she could shine. She would even go so far as to start terrible rumors about me so no one would like me. It didn't work of course... We also had this very strange competitiveness thing too. More like she would always compete with me, especially when it came to weight loss. I started losing weight when we were younger so she had to as well. We both got extremely thin!! We also went on a hiatus for nearly 7 years until about a few years ago. I had to cut my ties with her because she was just too much for me I'd learned. Well I'd wanted to see how she was doing hoping she'd changed, especially knowing she was a mother now. I was hoping that would have matured her some. We were good for a few months but much of the old weirdness she showed when we were younger started coming out again. It was then I'd decided it was time to cut her loose and for good this time. I still have not spoken with her and it's been nearly 2 years now. I don't regret this one bit and I never will. I don't need people like that in my life!!! To be honest I don't even miss her. How could I?? All she did was make me miserable. Anyway the reason I'm telling you this is because this type of scenario is all too common. It just comes down you... do you deserve to be treated like this? If you answered no, then it's best you not keep her in your life. She really sounds like an albatross, and with WLS you need to stay as far away from these types of situations as best you can. If you answered yes, then I feel for you because that cannot be further from the truth. Hugs!!!

Okay so yesterday early morning I did my 60 minutes on the treadmill and that got me 5.5 miles... whooo!! I'm telling you this workout really gets me TIRED!! It's working though, my legs are shrinking big time! This is my target area, I really don't have any more weight to lose on my upper body. This last 25ish Lbs is gonna have to come off my thighs and butt. I'm workin' it though!! Just now I pulled 30 minutes on my spinner and 30 minutes on my elliptical. I push myself to get between 130 and 140 bpm - and I really have to push myself hard to get there. I guess I have really good heart rate. It's usually around 60 bpm rhr. From what I hear that's a good athletic persons resting heart rate! This makes me smile! Tonight I wanna push myself a little further so alongside my 30 minutes of calisthenics, I'm going to do some yoga too. I really need to start doing that for stretching and strength. It's good for the mind too! Tomorrow I will do my 60 minutes on the treadmill again. Until next time folks!! Keep working those bodies!!

This is our Ticker Tutorial... HTH!!! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/13516-ticker-tutorial-for-vst-lbt-with-pictures/page__view__findpost__p__115605

Cludgie, DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP!!! Simply put, the closer you get to goal the harder it is to get there. The weight loss for me has slowed down a lot! I have to workout 2x as hard as I did in the beginning to continue to get results. I too only lost 6 Lbs last month - so in the last few weeks I've bumped up my workouts. It's coming off better this month now and I have already lost 5 Lbs this month (I mean in the last 2 weeks). So with one more week on my good time to lose part of the month I will surpass the 6 Lbs lost from last month by all accounts. It's probably just time to shake things up - workout harder, or longer; be more diligent with eating habits or whatever you might be able to improve on. For me I really haven't changed much in the way of my eating. It's been the workouts that have been the difference. And most of all *love* yourself, for you really have traveled a long road. You deserve to be kind to yourself for that reason alone!!!

Yes I'm a real person and yes I am/was a patient of Dr. Aceves. The reason I felt it was a good choice and safe was that a few of my long time lap band friends had gone to Dr. Aceves to have the revision done. I trusted their stories and recommendations. It did take me awhile to finally take that step (as it is a scary one) and do it. Now I'm 9 months out down 90 Lbs and feeling amazing. Only about 25 to goal and working my way into size 6 - when I started a size 24W. I even used to wear a *tight* size 28W at my highest weight ever. Life's Good!!!

Big hugs and well wishes for your surgery tomorrow!!!! Please check in as soon as you feel you're up to it! Whoohooo you are 24 hours from being a Sleever!!

I totally agree with doing this. That's why I always have 3 sets of starting numbers. My highest, My pre-op diet starting weight and my surgery weight. We own them all!! So in totals, my Sleeve Journey totals are I'm down 89 Lbs - but from my highest I'm down 138 Lbs. Whoot!! I started my Pre Op Diet Sept. 1st so I lost that 89 in 9 months. Around 10 Lbs per month average. Not bad! That's exactly where I wanted to be and how I wanted to do it.

Yep I agree with S4M, that is beyond just a heavy flow - that is crazy heavy. Def give your Dr a call on this one. I hope you feel better soon!

Hellooo there!!! I haven't seen you around in awhile. It looks like you are still doing excellently! I see that advice I gave you awhile back worked? Just a guess... LOL Keep up the excellent rock and rolling of that sleeve because it's sure working for you! If you do take pictures, I definitely want and DESERVE to see them. Thank you oh so much... heehee!! @Disney: Wow, you really got me thinking just now. What will I look like at Christmas?? Well, I will be at goal and maybe even more, so I know I'll be feeling mighty fine! Great job really to all of you, you are all doing your thing - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Echoing Rev's sentiment. Wishing you well on your surgery and journey! If you are anything like me, you will absolulely LOVE your sleeve!!!

Ohhh you will ALL love your sleeves!! I had my revision on Sept 15 2010 and so far I'm down 80 Lbs since then. Nearly 90 from my pre op diet and working on 140 Lbs total. Best thing I've ever done for myself!!! For ME the sleeve has been a far better surgery. I'm rarely hungry (VERY RARELY), the weight comes off much faster, the restriction is superb and no more of the monthly surgeon visits... can't beat that at all. All the best to all of you getting sleeved or revised! Keep us updated.

Hey all! Yes, it's best to leave the abdominals alone for a few months post op - however working up to a good pace and heart rate beginning at about a month out was very doable for me. If you all are interested we have a social group here for those of us who like to workout or need to stay motivated to keep doing it! Good luck to all!!! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/groups/show/1-vst-gym-rats/

Interesting question and I'm absolulely sure it will affect the weigh in outcomes post surgery. I'm going to do my best to remember here: I did a 2 week pre op diet, though not liquid only it did consist of amazingly low carbs. I lost 9 Lbs. Post op I lost 7 Lbs in the first week and 2 Lbs the next week and next to nothing for the next 2 weeks. So yeah I guess it did tailspin me to stalling a little early. But... knowing how my body loses on a month to month basis being 9 months out it could also just have been a normal reaction for me. Who knows? It's a very interesting thing, this whole weight loss issue. Over time all of you will get used to knowing your body and how it responds to everything. Main thing is to keep working it, STAY POSITIVE and keep believing in the program even when you're stalling! It's tough, but oh so doable. xoxo

Well now, it sounds like you're doing mighty fine yourself!! Keep up the amazing progress!! For me, I was stalled for nearly three weeks and believe me it took every ounce of positivity in my heart mind and soul to stay sane! I was really working hard and the scale showed nada... it was just... yuck... Anyway, I know how my body loses so that also kept me from going nutso. I will wax for a few weeks and wane for a few weeks. It's paying off right now! Next weigh day should still show a good loss - but after that I have to start all over with my will power and patience... LOL

Wow amazing!! You know I thought that all of those swim suits were different because the skirt has fallen where it should be on you now. It really shows a major difference for you!!! Congrats and keep up the excellent work!!!

Hi there! Seems like so many surgeons post op guidelines range from super conservative to super liberal with our foods. It also sounds like you are doing quite well. However just want to throw this out there, it wouldn't hurt you at all if you decided to go back to liquids for awhile. I took my time with moving into new stages by days and weeks. However since you're following your given guidelines that would be completely up to you. Good wishes!!

Wow Cheryl and lsereno! You ladies are really rocking it!! I'm gonna have a hard time trying to keep up with y'all!!! LOL!!! So, as I said I would I walked 2.5 miles yesterday at work - and also like I said I would I'm taking the entire day off from workouts. It's mentally tough doing this, but I've really been kicking butt and I know my body really appreciates when I do this. It usually even shows by a loss on the scales, which is just mind numbing... LOL Saturday when I wake up I'm going to pull an hour on the treadmill which usually gets me about 5.5 miles. That will be it for that day as we're going to San Francisco to watch the Giants play some baseball!!! Fun!!! Then Sunday I'll do my stationary bike for 30 and my elliptical for 30 first thing in the morning, then do 30 minutes of Calisthenics at night. See you all in a few days!!! Whoohooo!!!

My advise, just keep it moving!!! You ARE LOSING, even though it is slow. Your body has a hard time letting go and in my world that's called loyal. Really though, coops if you throw in the towel I'm taking the first flight out to where you are and pick that towel up and hold it for you. Now, perhaps next time set a more doable goal for yourself. I know I made mine higher than I should have and chances are I won't make it. But so what!?!? I'm still going down, and that is the REAL challenge here. To keep losing weight. Hugs my friend, you got this!!!!

Fabulous!!!! You're really slimming down! Keep working that sleeve - because it's working for you!!!

WOW!!!! 4.6 Lbs down from my last weigh-in last Friday!!!! Patience pays off yet again!!! WHOOHOOOO!!! Gonna keep it movin because I know historically that this is the time of month for me where I lose big pounds.... yeah!!! Anyway I knew my body was shrinking like mad right now but I didn't expect nearly 5 Lbs down in a week. Feeling so awesome right now!! Not only that, I'm now in the TWENTIES TO FINAL GOAL!!! My 4th of July goal is STILL possible to get too. I still have another week of weight loss coming, and I will still have another round coming next month. I'm just gonna keep pushing it! Onward and downward. ____________________________________________ SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal LilMissDiva.....199.6..............192.............180............12

Thanks for the explanation. I myself am a revision from Lap Band and I also had the soft food syndrome too. It was a huge disaster, I lost 60 and gained 58 back... lol Oh well, that's all over and done with now and here I am 9 months out from my sleeve and I couldn't be happier!!! I know you will be too. Hang in there!

Hi former_VBG!! Congrats and I'm so glad you're getting your surgery very soon! Please keep us updated on how you're doing! Would you mind explaining exactly what the VBG is? I'm thinking the old stomach stapling surgery but not sure... Here is the link to the thread you asked about: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10081-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-surgery-thread/page__p__87801__fromsearch__1#entry87801

Well, considering the folks on Biggest Loser do it for at least 6 month medically supervised and come out super healthy I can't imagine it's a bad thing. Congrats to you! That's pretty amazing. If you feel it's a big concern then maybe ask your nutritionist - however I suppose it's ok.

Well I guess most already know this but I live in Sacramento. Was born and raised here too! I'd like to mosey someday though, and I'm thinking either the Palm Desert area or even Arizona. Love that heat, and even more now that I get cold so easily!!!

Hey everyone! Since we have many of us from outer areas other than Sacramento it was discussed having a meeting in a possible more centralized location. I always say the more the merrier, and would LOVE to meet some of our Bay Area sleevers!!! Hayward was mentioned and it sounds like a good spot. What say you? Yay or Nay? Why or why not? Proposed new date has not been discussed yet but I was thinking Saturday June 25th or Saturday July 9th. Any other suggestions?