breezy

Congrats on a job well done .... I agree your arms are to die for!!

It's been 1yr 8 mos since I was sleeved and I thought it was time I let everyone know how my life has changed since having the sleeve done.
I'm at a comfortable weight, I fluctuate between 146 & 148 pounds. I wear a size 8 to 10 (from a 3X). I have loose skin everywhere, but it has tightened up somewhat.
The major things that have changed for me..
1) Self-confidence. My weight is not the 1st thing people see when they look at me now. I am no longer embarrassed by how I look.
2) Strength. I have always been a little bit of a tomboy and I have been doing a lot of physical work and playing that I was NOT able to do in the years before the surgery. My arms are truly buff! I love to make a muscle! I feel like I'm in my 40's again!
3) sleep Apnea. Gone. No more machine. I sleep like a baby!
4) Clothes shopping. I can go in any store and find something in my size. Small thing but SO NICE!!! Now it is a treat to get new clothes! I can where my younger sisters clothes now. She was always the skinny one. Now she's worried I'll have a smaller butt than hers!!!
5) Sex. Positions I was not able to do before. Need I say more?
6) Knee pain. Much better now. Probably 90% improvement. I can run down stairs now.
Downside?
1) I still have to take my antacid every day. But that may be exacerbated because I drink too much coffee.
2) I miss the way I used to be able to drink Water. I could down 8 ounces in a few gulps. I still can't try to make food or water go down quickly.
3) I still can't drink much carbonated stuff. I miss Pepsi a little, but I can still sip at it.
4) I can't think of any more downside things. That says a lot.
You haven't heard much from me because I'm just busy living my life! All of the post-surgery discomforts and liquid diets are behind me. I still have NSV's all of the time. I am absolutely delighted with my life since the sleeve.
The picture is from the summer. My hubby and I spent a lot of time working outside and on hot days, I would just wear a sports bra. Lookin' good!

I'm going camping tomorrow so I'll give my results today. I had wanted to lose 8 lbs and I lost 5. I'm satisfied with that for now. I know I'm gaining muscle mass -- my upper body is in the best shape that I can remember. A lot of that is just due to good old fashioned yard work! The sleeve helped me to get to the healthiest place I've been to in 30 years. I'm very happy with my results.