breezy

sleeve 4 me: I'm glad I was able to help. That's kind of why I decided to take the time to check in with everyone. I remember when I first had my operation and how this forum helped me understand what was happening to me. Tiffykins was my inspiration then. Hugs back. I want to share one more picture because I think you can really see how much weight I've lost in my face. I look younger and act younger!

sleeve 4 me: I'm glad I was able to help. That's kind of why I decided to take the time to check in with everyone. I remember when I first had my operation and how this forum helped me understand what was happening to me. Tiffykins was my inspiration then. Hugs back. I want to share one more picture because I think you can really see how much weight I've lost in my face. I look younger and act younger!

mnbsleeve: I'm glad the way I'm feeling came through. I want to inspire those who are on this journey because it has been so great for me. I got the arms through working outside. Shovel, pick axe, rake, lawn mower, lifting, pushing, carrying. I have lots of exercise equipment inside, but it's hard for me to use them. I get bored easily with them. But working outside, now that's for me!'' KristeyK: I can't believe you recognized the pond liner! I didn't even mention that because I thought no one would be interested. Hubby and I have built a 22' x 35' pond. 24" deep with a 7' wide area that is 36" deep. Here is a picture.

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!

My advice is to get 20 minutes of aerobic exercise (minimum) at least every other day. What I found was that it seemed to help with the stalls AND helped my mental outlook. That being said, vent away! Sometimes a good gripe session is great therapy! But at the end of the day, remember to tell yourself wonderful things about what your future will be when your weight is no longer holding you back!

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.

I have been single for a good portion of my life. If you need a special buddy to help you, just private write me. I'd be glad to support you.

I love the way you express yourself! So honest! I have felt the way you described about "why couldn't I do this with will power and dieting?" I was fine with your anger tirade -- good to get it out! I do hope things go better for you. When the problems have been resolved, you are still going to have LOTS of opportunities to practice will power! Little to no carbs, lots of fluids, making sure you put quality food in your mouth, exercising. The sleeve does not do it all for us. I know I am still learning how to take care of my body, which is something I didn't do before. Hang in there! I'm glad you found this forum. It helps to be able to communicate with others who have made this choice for ourselves.

I thank my lucky stars that I was one of the ones that had no problems with my surgery. There was a nice lady who had her surgery at the same time and we kept in touch afterwards. Her experience has been much worse. No leak, that she's told me about, but a lot of pain and worrisome problems. It is true that some of us will experience problems. That is why the procedure should not be taken lightly. Thank you for posting so that readers will have a full picture when they are making their decision. I hope your fiance feels better soon.

I'm glad you are sharing this part of your journey! Your frankness is appreciated! Hurts, huh? From the pictures I've seen, it sure looks painful! What were you given for pain meds? What is the recovery period like? I'd like to hear more about what exactly you had done if you feel like typing. I'm sure the results are going to be fantastic and you will feel better in your skin! I hope you have b4 and after pics! That would be cool!

Boy, did I guess wrong there! LOL!!!!

I'm not sure what my goal should be, given my age. My friends are telling me that I do not need to lose anymore weight, but I feel like I do. I'm just not sure how much. I'm going to aim for 7 lbs and see how that feels. Since I'm close to my desired weight, that 7 lbs might be hard to lose by July 4th. I don't know. But here goes.... Breezy...240...153...145...8 lbs

TT must be cosmetic surgery for titties? At 56 yrs old, I have to accept a lot of things....but I sure hate seeing the girls staring at the ground. Keep me posted if you ever do that. I want to know more 1st hand experiences from people who have had plastic surgery. I don't know if I will ever be able to afford it -- but I know it'll be on my wish list for awhile!

I read over the article and he seems to be saying that 1) muscle is lost with rapid weight loss. 2) The loose skin still has deposits of fat underneath it. 3) Skin will adjust when the fat is gone. I think all 3 of these points are true to some extent. That is why I have decided to wait one year now that I am near my desired weight to see if the skin tightens up. However, I wouldn't buy anything from the guy. I think he goes to far in his claims.

I'm glad you posted the pictures. I've basically got the same problem. A nurse friend who also got the vertical sleeve in April, 2010 keeps saying we've got to wait one year after we've got to our goal weight to let the skin have a chance to recover all it's going to do on its own. But what pisses me off is that I don't want to wear sleeveless tops because I keep catching people's eyes going to my wrinkly skin! Summer is coming and I'm going to be swathed in clothes, not because I'm hiding fat, but because I'm self-conscious about the saggy stuff! Maybe I better consider spending the money on a shrink! Now that's funny! Annyyywwwaaayyy, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences here. It's something I've wanted to talk about, but my friends and family just can't relate. I need my sleeve sisters to talk to....