Bob_350lbs

Down to 168 this am, I think the meticulous tracking is helping me. It may only be down a pound, but it's pound by pound that gets us to our goal.

Since I started tracking on Thedailyplate.com I have started going in the right direction again, I consider it an awesome tool. My surgeon advocates under 30 good carbs per day (veg) and under 800 calories. He says eating processed foods, white flour, sugar just makes you crave more of it. And, to prevent muscle wasting, keep your Protein around 70. P.S Remember to measure too...last month I lost 2 inches in my hips, even though I only lost 5 lbs and I was eating a lot of bad carbs...so that affected my weight loss too. Best of luck to you, this is a journey, a tool, and the more compliant you are, the better you do, it's just plain physics..calories in, calories out.

I agree with the gals, loose skin is better than rolls of fat, fat in your arteries, fat around your heart, fat in your liver, etc...and most insurance companies will pay for abdominal skin removal and breast reduction. I can live with with it all, because my life is already so much better on so many levels.

My weight hasn't budged in 2 wks, so I took my measurements and my hips went down 2 inches, and so did my waist and bust....YAY!!!! It pays to measure, y'all! Continued success to all on your incredi ble journey to good health and a greater quality of life.

Well, the reality is that eventually we will all be able to eat just about anything we want. The pouch stretches out. But, you can be successful regardless. Keep at it. You may be experiencing psychological cravings for carbs, I do. I think self-monitoring will be the determining factor of success over the long-haul. Try getting support in a group setting if possible. If not, this is a good place and so is a web site called weightlossurgerychannel.com. You can watch videos from longterm successful WLS patients. The founder is 12 yrs post-op. God bless you with persistence, perseverance and success.

Congrats Tiffany, you are an inspiration to us all. What a great accomplishment indeed. I wouldn't doubt if you end up a size 2. Good job!

In California, we can research doctors through the State Board of Medical Licensure. It will tell you if there are any pending lawsuits, settlements, or adverse actions against a doctor. Maybe Texas has the same. It's a great way to research your doctor.

This same controversy regarding Dr. Betancourt is also discussed on the Obesityhelp.com web site. I haven't read so much controversy regarding any other facility or doctor. Really, I have read none at all regarding any other bariatric surgeon in the USA or MX, except for this facility/Dr. That is part of the reason I chose my surgeon, because there are no negative reports regarding Dr Cirangle or Jossart at LapSF or the hospitals they perform the surgery at. They are real hosp, w/real ICU, specialists, etc., right there. Buyer beware. If you can't do real, legitimate research, except for hearsay and what the patient coordinator advertises, how do you trust them? Yes, a few have rave testimonials and few have horrible, horrible testimonials. God help us all to have this surgery safely. I pray for those who are going through a rough time after surgery, and I pray you get the very best medical care possible. God bless you.

Well Chondra, you have a plan, and that is a good start. It was like that for me too, just a few bites of sugar and it was downhill from there. But,today is a new and glorious day! Yes, let's make a plan for today, write down our planned meals, exercise, drink some Water and viola! We're back on our way to success. 6 more months to summer and we are going to refocus and get there healthier, happier, and slimmer! Have a great day all! //////////////////////////////////////

I have yet to find a good one, anybody have any suggestions? These boobs make me look matronly and I hate that.:thumbup:

I agree with all my fellow VGers, wish I would have done this long ago, wish this was avail when I was younger, the quality of your life is so much improved in everyway. But remember, this is a life-time journey. You will get the weight off amazingly fast w/o much real physical hunger, but it is a life time commitment to healthy eating and exercise. Once we reach goal, it's not over and back to the usual routine of poor lifestyle habits. But, w/o the sleeve, I wouldn't have been able to do this, cause believe me, I have been on a diet since age 8 and it never worked until now.

Wow, that is fantastic! But you really deserve it, your exercise routine is to be commended, the sleeve is just a tool, and you get out of it what you put into it and it really shows. You are inspiring me to get moving, used my treadmill yesterday while watching extreme weightloss from " Big to Bikini" very inspiring. She lost 125 lbs in 9 mos. Anyway, today I reached a mini milestone too, weighed in at 169, finally broke out of the 170s!

When I was eating bars, I liked the Medifast bars because all of them taste good, have only 100 cals, and are high in protein, 15 gms, and only 15 gm carbs..but they are pricey. I might try the Bariwise bars, they are much cheaper.

Wow, you look great, tell us what your exercise routine is. Wow, to be young again. I think that being younger really helps with less sagging skin, plus working out too. At my age, I am going to have flabby upper arms and inner thighs, but like Tiff says, I'll take that over rolls of fat any day. Gosh, I can see why you get so much attention. You are just going to have to get used to it. How is your husband handling it?

Why don't sharks attack lawyers? Professional courtesy.

Dee Dee, thanks for your advice, Ann Taylor sounds so elegant, love window shopping there, but never thought I could shop there. Anyway, yes, I am short, only 5'2". I started to wear jeans again, when I got back into an 18, I live in jeans. Levi's 515 in short fit better than low rise, but they are still too long, I have to wear mules, but that is ok, because I need the height. At least now I am wearing size 14. It's pointless at this point to buy more than one pair at a time, because we loose weight and then have to buy another. Anyway, I am now selling my old stuff at a consignment shop, jeans especially sell well. P.S Congrats on the goal jeans! My niece loves those jeans too and sells through Ebay when she tires of them and wants a new pair.

Maybe skinny jeans will work for you, but I bought Levi's 545 and they stretch out, so I suggest getting them super tight. They are meant for people with skinny legs, like us. I got them at Kohl's in the Jr section, and they have tall, average, and short, which is cool. I bought size 17, and they fall off my butt, or lack of one, hehe...but they fit perfectly in the dressing room, I guess it is that darn stretch material. So, buy them super tight if you do get a pair.

I can't seem to be able to find jeans to fit my weird body type...short, no ass, and a lot of stomach...any suggestions? Levi skinny jeans fit my legs well, but the low rise fall off me cause I have no butt to hold them up. Boot leg are so baggy around my legs, they look too big..help! I wish I could have a pair custom made, if anybody knows where.

When I was sitting at my surgeon's office waiting for my f/u appt, almost everyone else there was a lap bander, at least 1 yr out, coming in again for yet another adjustment...yes, they lost weight, but only one had reached her goal. They did say wt loss was slower. Yes, they were happy with it...but it costs $345 for a fill. One gal talked about wanting her band so tight, she couldn't eat a bite of pasta. Maybe I should have had it done too, because I can anything I want to now, for example, I had 10 Hersey's kisses last night. So, I stall a lot too, by sabotaging myself. However, I don't anticipate having to see my doctor after my year is up, because there is really no follow up needed. And, I don't get physically hungry unless I go without eating until dinner. My stomach may grumble..a little, but it is nothing like before. For me, it's a psychological craving for sweets, bread, and other refined processed food. I am like a junkie, and I am not sure I will be successful at this, regardless of what surgery I had.

I think I heard that it might take up to 6 mos after you lose all the weight for your skin to catch up and bounce back. Of course, genetics and age play a big factor too, and you guys are all pretty young. I know my bat wings are not going to bounce back and either are my boobies..but I will take that any day over a size 24. Did I tell you I bought my first size 14s and they are already starting to sag in the butt..yes, I have no butt either. :scared0:

Whoo Hooo!!! Dee Dee, who says we can't be our jr hs wt again?? Hahah! You proved them wrong. And Chancie, size 12!! Freakin' amazing! Oh, and Tiffy, if you have a spare tire, then I have two giant snow tires around my middle. You look fantastic!

Maria, I am so sorry this happened to you and I can't believe they sent you home with a low grade fever. It sounds like they just pushed you out of there after 4 days w/some antibiotics. It takes courage to post this here, but people need to know this stuff. At least you are getting good care here, in the USA. People complain so much about our healthcare but we are so lucky to live here..regardless if you have money or not, our hospitals cannot turn you away.. God bless and keep us posted on your recovery.

Me too, I have a salad every night, while watching TV. It's my new "zone out" food. In fact, I eat fresh veggies w/every meal. Try the salad spritzers, they are great and add zero calories. It will help to keep you regular too.

Ivy, my surgeon says all the body needs is water, protein, and vitamins. I was told to eat as little as possible, as long as I am getting in 70-80 grams of protein and 64 oz of water. He would be thrilled if I could stay at 400. I think as long as you are doing this, probably your body is just adjusting. Have you ever watched The Biggest Loser, they all lose at a different rates, although they follow the same plan. It is frustrating, but don't compare yourself to anyone else. Perhaps calling your nutritionist might help.

You've done so well Susan! Congrats on your success :-) Yes, I can totally relate, I think people really don't want to know all the much personal information about us at work anyway. Just telling them you're losing weight and getting is all they really need to know. Keep up the good work, you're doing great!