Shanny

My hair started coming out in the beginning. I think it's because we don't get the same amount of nutrients that we used to. I was already natural before my surgery. I'm sure my hair loss would have been worse if I was still getting it permed.

I posted before that I was thinking about changing my goal. I decided that at 145 I'll be happy. I'll never be 110, which is what the stupid chart says that I will be considered "healthy". I think one of my leg bones weighs that much alone. Plus, I like my curves and I like being "thick". I don't want to be skinny, just healthy. So, that brings me to the final stretch... Lord it's hard. I find the closer I'm getting to my goal the more crap I'm eating. I don't even know why. I've been able to eat what I want for a few months now, But lately all I want is stuff I'm not supposed to have. I still eat small portions, but my choices need some serious reevaluation. I think it's the summer. It's hot and those frozen strawberry lemonade things from McDonalds are delicious. I only drink about 25% of a small one, but I shouldn't have any. Plus there are cookouts and all this crap is around. I find myself "tasting" some things that I don't eat at home. Maybe I should just stay at home and then I won't eat them. But, I've taken to walking and exercising like a fiend. It seems that no matter what unhealthy stuff I'm eating, as long as I get in my 2 hour a day walk, 2 hours of Zumba a week, and 1 hour of Water aerobics I'm still losing. Granted it's not as fast as when I was eating healthier but it's still coming off and I'm toning up nicely. Another thing I've noticed? If I skip a couple of days of exercise I feel bad. Like my muscles get sore and I ache. Especially in my hips. The only way to open them up is to stretch really well and work out. Even though I don't always feel like it mentally, I have to do it to feel well physically. I wish all of us <30 good luck and a healthy future!

I'm Shanny, from Baltimore. I'm a 35 year old mother. I grew up in Northwood - I've lived in Essex for about 5 years, and now I live in Hamilton for the last 6 years. I had my sleeve done in February and I've lost 78 pounds so far. My surgery was done at GBMC by Dr. Liao. It is by far the best decision I've ever made. In the beginning I regreted it because I couldn't eat anything and the feeling of my restriction was HORRIBLE. But, then it got better. Now, it's just normal to me. I do miss ground beef, pork and fried foods. I miss crabs (I dont' know why but Old Bay seasoning makes me so sick now and gives me horrible heartburn, and foaming). This is a life change, but I didn't expect it to hit me so bad in the summer. This is worse than staying away from cake and Cookies during the winter holidays. Wishing all of Baltimorians good luck on their journey!

Less than 5 pounds and I will actually make this challenge! SN.......................Starting.............................Current........................Goal................................lbs to goal Shanny................191................................169.4.............................165...............................4.4

I was sleeved over 4 months ago, and I've lost 76 pounds so far. My arms are a little flabby, but I don't have any hanging skin. Before my surgery I was 34, 5'2" and 247 pounds. I'm now 35 and 170. I have a little bit of flab on my thighs, but it's nothing like the pictures I've seen of some people post op. I lift weights and walk religiously to help firm up the skin. I find that the stretch marks are WAY worse than any loose skin I do have. Hope this helps!!

It's great to have a place to talk to about things that, as I black woman, I'm facing. Everything from body type to what is considered attractive in the community... Great idea!

You look absolutely fantastic! Rock that sleeve, girl!

I actually might make this one! SN........................Starting Wt......................Current..........................Goal...................Lbs to Goal Shanny...................191.............................171.6...............................165.......................6.6

If you can have blended soup/full liquids, then you should be able to blend everything in the Progresso soup and eat it. When I was on full liquids I would liquify my Campbell's Chunky soup and add a little Water so it was more liquid. by the time I got to mushies, I moved the blender down to puree so it was just a bit thicker. Plus I moved to each stage a few days ahead of what I was supposed to. If I went too quickly my sleeve would let me know, so I would go back to the previous stage. Try blending a broth-based soup to where you can drink it. It's still liquid - there's no big pieces and you don't really have to chew it. Your stomach doesn't really have to digest it, it kinda passes through you. It should fill you up a little more and give you a little more energy.

I can dig it. I miss socializing. I have a hard enough time in my house trying to stay away from the stuff that my son and my girl eat. I don't trust myself going to cookouts or the like. It's not fun. On Memorial Day I went to a cookout. Everyone there was drinking (I don't drink, but I did want a beer that day) and eating delicious looking food that smelled wonderful. I had just eaten 3 oz of tuna before I got there. Now tuna is no substitute for homemade pork bbq! Only I couldn't have it. Instead, I stayed outside, away from the food and played cards. Man, I wanted to be socializing with everyone else, but I was in a bad mood because they were having fun, and although I wasn't hungry my mind was STARVING!!!! I feel your pain, but I love my sleeve and the 74 pounds I've lost. I still have my slip ups. The closer I get to my goal the more I slip. But, I'm making it up in exercise and moderation. It's definitely a mental thing, but it's worth it. Good luck to you!

So today I set a goal for myself to walk 10 miles. I left my house at 7 and returned at 10. I did it. I walked the 10 miles. Along the way I discovered something awesome. My thighs don't rub together anymore. For a while they would just be stuck together and my legs would move when I walked. Over the last few months as I've been losing weight they started to rub. Now, both my legs move independently of each other. No more rubbing. The dark chaiffing that I've had for ever is finally starting to fade, too! On another note, I'm noticing the closer I get to my goal the harder it is for me to stay away from crap I know I shouldn't eat. But, I'm going to keep pushing on and take each craving one at a time. I love my sleeve!

SN.............................starting wt...................current wt......................goal..........................pounds to goal Shanny......................191.................................173.............................165..................................8 Only 8 pounds to go! I can do this!

Labor Day. Why not do em in order. The one after that should be Halloween.