SParkle

Well done!! This is great news.... I've been slacking a bit as we've been away for most of the last couple of months so my eating has been erratic.. but I hope to be catching you up very soon!!

Congrats!! I'm hovering at the moment, but haven't been that strict with myself food wise, but you've given me the incentive to get myself in gear and shift it up a notch! Keep up the great work and you'll be posting a GOAL post soon no doubt.

I agree with MlkPas... my surgeon also said that lower BMI patients have better results. I should be able to get to the 'normal' healthy BMI with the sleeve. (My starting BMI pre surgery was 35.6) Its also slightly less risk (although every surgery has a risk) as you're lighter from a surgery point of view. I'm just coming up for 4 mths out now and am just under 2/3rds of the way to my target.....I have no reservations in recommending it at all.

I'm with the 'tell a couple of supportive people' brigade and I personally didn't want to have the very emotive discussion about the WLS with total strangers. My husband is an entertainer, and quite well known in our area, as I am, as I go with him to all the gigs.... thus people have commented on my weight loss..... imagine having to tell people I really don't know that well about it. I was in tears with the shrink telling her about my 20 yr battle with my weight, yoyoing etc, secret eating, huge portions, binges etc.... I can't reveal that much of myself to strangers. The only ones who understand about obesity are the ones who have been there. I had enough of an issue with a neighbour who was commenting that I had lost enough and don't lose any more. When I explained I had a deal with hubby if I get to goal he'll stop smoking she exclaimed that how did I think I could get to 147lbs or less... she was taller than me and wasn't that slim and that I'd never keep it off. I was SO annoyed....I'm not a very optimistic person, but she really didn't encourage me at all. So I really can't imagine the reaction I would get if she knew about the op.

Can I ask what this actually means..... I use FB every day, but I don't want people knowing I have had the sleeve op....if the connection between this site and FB means that I'll get things posted on my FB wall about the sleeve then I'll pass on this.

I had to do a week, on Optifast, my starting BMI was 35.6 and I weighed 208.5lbs. We had guests that week and I told them I was doing a liquid diet to kick start my weight loss again (I'd already lost 21lbs in 6 months).... they accepted it, and I faced my battle with having other people eat in front of me from then.... I think that was the hardest as pre op I still had all the desire to eat, but my determination to succeed won.

What a lovely post to read.... congratulations!!! I'm SO pleased for you...can't wait until I am posting the same one. I think if you feel you can shift a bit more and would be happy a little slimmer then go for it.. I have an idea of how I want to look (bodywise) when I reach my goal.... the numerical one is another one.... I may or may not still have the lumps and bumps at that weight, its been so long since I've been 140 that I don't know how I'll look. Well done hun..... fantastic job!

I gained when I was in hospital... and was so upset... but you must take heed about the long term game you've just started... it'll come off, don't fret. Just concentrate on recovering and drinking your fluids. Good luck

Can you let us know what your carb count is made up of? Mine tend to be hidden carbs - in protein shakes, cheese maybe a half slice of bread but not very often (and I use a large cookie cutter to cut out a large round which actually reduces the slice to half but still lets me get some bread with a poached egg). I don't think your stall is unusual at all...... just perhaps cut back on your carbs and eventually when your body settles down you'll start shifting again.

I'm having a cottage cheese thing at the moment..... with a bit of lime, and chilli and cilantro in with it... yummy! I'll have to start back on the sashimi tho..... missing it big time.

This is my second attempt at this post as I lost the first one! Firstly...... I told only 2 people about my op, my husband and my best friend. You will need someone to bounce off, to talk about your daily changes to, to sympathise with you, to share your excitement about your changing body with. So I would advise you tell someone... its up to you who that happens to be. I didn't want to have the emotional conversation about my history with my weight and dieting and all the issues that are involved with it, every time I told someone about the surgery. People may surprise you, they may understand which makes it a whole lot easier, but they also may not, in which case you end up convincing them about your decision.... I've had to do this just with my 'dieting' with a couple of people and its hard work emotionally. You can hide your scars further down the line to some extent with tattoo cover up creams....heavy make up.... but they may still be slightly evident, so don't rely too heavily on that. Depending what you do for work, you may need more than a few days.... I didn't feel really up to doing much before I hit the 2 week post op mark. Before that I was tired and needing rest due to op and also lack of energy from being on liquids. Also prepare before the op with your pre op diet - liquids are easy to sort at home but you will be edgy during your pre op although work will help take your mind off the fact you can't eat. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I'm still having BM issues almost 4 months out... having to resort to medicinal relief once in a while to help! I think its cos I'm focusing more on protein than fibre and veggies.... my veg intake has gone way down as I just don't have room for them anymore. My Dr just said take the stuff he prescribed me... which is a natural fibre I mix with water, and it works.

I'm 42 and don't feel it at all..... quite scary really as it makes you rethink about parents etc when you were young and how you thought of them. Loving my sleeve, wish I had done it years ago and saved myself lots of hassle and heart ache.... but can't change the past so looking forward to a slim and sexy future!

I was scared to take my pain meds, let alone eat anything.... it gets better... day by day you'll trust yourself a little more and get to know your new body, and love it. Just go with what you're comfortable with. Good luck

I found this website which has some great ideas depending which muscle group you want to work on - eg: my legs are quite well toned so I'd rather concentrate on triceps and abs.... so just click on the muscle group and it brings up different exercises which you can do. These are also all rated to show which work better and depending if you have access to a gym or not.

I've been taking biotin since a month pre surgery, and making sure I get all my protein..... I'm just coming up for 4 months and my hair is coming out now quicker than normal.... same as it did when I had some surgery 4 yrs back..... Surgery is a trauma our body can't cope with......the protein will help, the biotin has certainly made my nails grow stronger than ever before.... but its not helped my hair.

Sometimes we wander thru our lives with blinkers on, unable to see the reality.... you've had a day when its been shown to you. Grasp it with both hands and remember how it has made you feel... that'll help keep you on track to sort this out once and for all. I LOVE my sleeve, having had weight issues all my life, portion control being a nightmare, compulsively eating, the works.... and now I have small portions when I can remember to eat, no hunger, and can see the new me emerging. At the end of the day its not worth worrying about the past - you can't change that.... we'd all like to go back in time to ourselves before the weight piled on and talk to ourselves.... But you can change your future..... for the better, for a more healthy life, and what you're 'seeing' now will give you the strength to do it mentally. Good luck - you'll be fine.... honestly.

I saw this link from You Tube, where a guy took a photo of himself every year for 8 yrs then made a 'film' out of it..... it would be awesome to do this from pre surgery thru the post and then target! Weird, but intriguing at the same time!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc_PU3D3QNE

Both of the above posters are right... you really can't seem to grasp how good the sleeve is until you see it in action so to speak. I am amazed every day at the fact I can eat anything I want to and still lose weight, purely by cutting my portions down.... Ok so spicy stuff gives me more stomach acid, fried foods don't agree with me (not such a bad thing now!).... but I can still eat everything I like just in small portions. It is like a magic wand. One I wish i had waved years ago but in reality I am where I am... and i'm enjoying the dieting process for the last time in my life......and I never thought I would say that!! I stalled a bit early on, and some weeks don't loose as much but looking back as Stacey says I can see thats when I've had more carbs than usual, or a few extra treats.

Congrats!! Each day you'll feel better and better..... and you'll forget how rough the first few days were. I'm sure your Dad will come round once he sees your sleeve working for you. Good luck with your recovery..... I felt almost 'normal' at about 2 weeks out.

You'll be on that bench before you know it..... good luck with the pre op diet - its hard but so worth it! Good luck for the 18th.

I've just ordered the mochachino and the vanilla Syntha 6..... I really don't think I can get my head around the choc/peanut butter combination... please let us know what its like as the other flavours have been great from BSN.

If you like milky coffee then you'll love the latte..... I'm hoping my other flavours will get here in the next couple of days, then I'll be trying them out too.... so exciting to try new flavours! Anyone tried the chocolate peanut butter one? I'm just not sure about the combination??

LOL!!!! OK - point taken!! Had to smile at your post tho!