Rainydayz

Had a mammogram today. Ladies, you know those little half-gowns they make you wear for that? In the past I always felt like I was busting out and had to hold the darn thing together with my hands. Today I could actually tie the ties and everything was very well covered! Hooray! Hey, sometimes we have to take the NSV's we can get!

I had a few weeks around month 5-6 where I noticed a lot of hair in brush and on my hands after putting in mousse or gel. My part started looking a little wider. But now it's not bad at all. I'm using Biologe shampoo and conditioner (love the stuff) and it looks and feels pretty healthy.

I'm jealous of all the folks that say they're a cheap drunk now! It hasn't affected me that way. I had the first glass of white wine at 8 weeks and I didn't get drunk. I had liquor at 10 weeks and didn't get drunk. Now I can have a few drinks in an evening and it does the same as it did before surgery. I get a buzz but not drop down drunk. Not that I want to ever get drop down drunk! Guess it just shows that we are indeed all different.

Lookin good! Way to go!!!

I'm finally there! It feels goooood!!

My surgeon said the same thing about the bypass curing diabetes. But since I didn't have it he didn't push me to get a bp, but he said he does recommend it for those who do. Something about the mechanics of rerouting your guts - not just the weight loss, causes the remission. I admit I didn't pay close attention since my mind was made up about the sleeve and I'm not diabetic. I chose the sleeve because I just didn't want to put myself at risk for deficiencies. I'm not the world's best vitamin-taker and you have to take so many with the gb. I'm barely able to keep up with what I take now. But you should probably keep gathering information and talking to more doctors. Good luck whatever your final decision is!

That sounds right. I think the phrase "full to the rim" is being mistaken by your doc. Maybe you should start saying "until I feel satisfied." Oops: I realize you are not the OP - I thought you were. But yes, it sounds like you're doing it just right.

It does seem like our goals are unattainable for much of our lives doesn't it? But with this surgery you will have the best chance you could get for reaching those goals. Before the sleeve I could lose weight - sure - couldn't we all? But as soon as I "slipped" then I felt like sisyphus trying to roll that rock up the mountain just to watch it fall back down. With the sleeve, if I slip - and I have- then I don't fall all the way back down. I stay right where I'm at until I have the energy and gumption to keep moving forward. That's what the sleeve has done for me. It's still work, but the work is actually getting me somewhere this time. Here's hoping you have a great day and everything goes smoothly right up to and after your surgery day! This will all be over soon and you'll be up that mountain before you know it!

Well done - on both the slide show and especially the weight loss! You are one handsome fella!

That is awesome! Thanks for sticking around to help us newbies out. It's great to have folks who have gone before us to look to for advice and motivation!

HOORAY FOR YOU! I know that has to be the BEST feeling! I can't wait to be there myself!!!

I stay around 50 most days. Some days less, some days more, but that's the average. My nut is not worried about carbs, but I feel I do better when I keep them under 100. Oh yeah, I don't do any artificial sweeteners either. I hate the taste for one thing, but I feel like the real thing in small amounts is healthier.

It depends on how long your stay will be. I was there just overnight and they provided the slipper and robe. (A big terry cloth plus size robe that I still love.) The only things I used were my pillow, my toothbrush, my hairband and my sweat pants to wear home. The whole time I was there I was walking the halls, sleeping the drugs off, trying to get liquids down or listening to the Casey Anthony trial on tv. Good luck - I know you're getting excited!

Well I know my weight comes off my boobs first, then my face, then my fingers, then my arms, then my neck, then my tummy, then my feet, THEN and FINALLY my BUTT! It took me months before I was down a size in jeans too. I'm hovering at 200 down from 292 and I went from 24/26 to 18 right now. Once I'm under 200 the sizes will go faster. I know. I've been there before.

Yeah, that sounds right. I've always used the scale for meat but the measuring cups for everything else. Now I mostly eyeball the everything else and still weigh out the Protein so I'm sure I'm getting enough. I've never been able to eat the volume the nutritionist said I should be able to. Oh and about the full to the rim thing, maybe that sounds worse then you really meant it. I try to eat until I'm satisfied, or in other words until I feel like I've eaten and don't have that "I'm really hungry" feeling anymore. But not until I'm in pain from being too full. (That has happened by the way.)

Can someone tell me how to measure food by volume other than by comparing it to a deck of cards? I mean do you mash the meat down in a measuring cup or use displacement or what?

Yep, I wear a sweatshirt/pants around the house with fuzzy socks and a sweater all day at work. Can't wait for summer here in the south!

LovePINK: Please continue to let us know how you're doing and what kind of help you're getting. It may help others in your situation who are not as brave as you and won't post their mistakes. We can read all the information in the world but it really sinks in better when it is addressed straight at us right? You did the right thing by reaching out and you got some real straight answers. Good for you for taking them to heart!

Isn't that an awesome feeling? Way to go!

I agree with the Biggest Loser complaint. It's not right not to take in account the muscle building. I do notice my clothes fitting looser even though I haven't taken measurements in months. Shamrock you may be on to something. I haven't been getting in my Water like I should. Work has been crazy so I don't get up and fill my water cup as often as I should. I will force-feed myself water over the next few days and maybe add a few calories and see what happens. Thanks! Exoticheart: We'll be there soon, wait and see! OceanOphelia: How long ago was your surgery? I know those weeks are frustrating when you only lose a pound or 2 but in the long run it will really add up!

Gorgeous! Way to go!

I agree, this is a great place for us! I went to another site too for a couple years before I ever had the sleeve, when I was considering the band. I'm so glad I decided on the sleeve and found this board! People here are kind and helpful.

That's wonderful! Good luck on the job!

I usually don't complain about being slow. I know I didn't gain this weight in 6 months and I didn't expect to come off that fast either. But the last 2 months have become excruciatingly slow. I'm hovering right above 200 and want so much to get below that. I've lost 4 lbs. in Jan. and so far 3 in Feb. Come on! My calories are under 1,000, carbs under 50 and I've started the couch to 5K program so I think I'm doing everything I'm supposed to. I don't want to starve myself to get below 200 because I'm afraid to go back over it once I'm under it. I DON'T want to do that! When I'm there it has to be real and for good. Anyone else struggling to get under that milestone? I thought I would be there by now. But I'm still stuck at 202 for the last week. Sheeesh!

Just to share my personal experience - not to condone anything - I drank a glass of wine at 8 weeks out. I drank it alternating with sips of water over about 1 hour and it did nothing for me. Now I'm 7 months out and I drink occasionally just like I used to. It affects me the same as it used to. I get buzzed but not any faster than before. I guess I'm the weird one out because I didn't get drop-down drunk on one ounce! But it's not a good idea not only because of the stress on your liver, pancreas or what have you, but because the weeks I drink I don't lose much or any weight.