dominique

I'm from LA but I went through Cedars. I did not have to lose weight before surgery. But my journey from first visit with my primary care physician for referral to actual surgery was about 9 months.

Congrats! I hit 199 today too!

And it's Onederful! This is my first goal post op. I'm almost 3 months out. I started at 236 and today I'm 199.2. I feel great and don't regret my decision.

I just started my 10th week yesterday. I started this journey at 236 pounds. I was 221 the morning of my surgery. I weighed in at 202 this morning. So 34 pounds so far. I’ve lost 3.5 “ in my waist, 2.5” in my hips, 2” in my underbust, but only 1.5 “ in my bust. I’ve been hoping that I would not lose my boobs and have been grateful so far. Until now. A couple of my size 16 tops fit in the hips and waist – but not in the boobs! So now I’m hoping I will lose more in my boobs, but not TOO much! This must be a case of be careful what you ask for – you might get it! LOL!

It does get easier. I was a little more developmentally slower than others. It is a process. I too felt like a baby learning to eat and drink. I wanted to cry like a baby too! I was sooo frustrated sometimes. I just started my 10th week yesterday. I did not feel somewhat "normal" until about 6 weeks. Everyone deveops differently. I'm sooo glad I did it! It seems like you have a handle on things so far. You seem very positive. Good luck on your progress!

Great job! I am at 202. This is my lowest weight in 19 years. Can't wait to join you!!

I just started my 10th week yesterday. I could not eat eggs at 3 weeks! I tried and it all came back up. I can eat scrambled eggs now, but boiled eggs still give me a problem no matter how much I chew. I have to put them in the blender if I want egg salad. I've gotten used to eating slowly and chewing a lot, but for some reason I forget that I can't gulp drinks! LOL! Hopefully I will better at taking smaller mouthfuls of liquids. We all adjust in different ways.

YAY! ! Congrats!

Yhank you for your post and the details. I am 8 1/2 weeks out, so these posts really help.

I started walking/hiking at the end of week 2. I just started my 9th week and just started strength training at the gym.

I also drew a picture of a canister and marked it "LARD" and taped it to my monitor.

Awesome! I just played it and bookmarked it! I love you guys and this website!

I LOVE the lard idea!! I'll do that!

I just have to vent. I am in an office with a woman who grazes all day long sometimes. Today she is eating chips (a slider food that I COULD eat too). It's been stuff, crunch, crunch. Stuff, crunch, crunch. I just want to take that bag and shove it for her! ARRRGGHH!!!

Ummmm....steak...I'm getting head hunger just reading this!

After what it took to get over the pain to be at this point (sleeved 12/19/11) I could NEVER go through that stomach pain again. I mean, eating is a vital function to live. I don't want to mess with that again by overeating again, and again and again... My sleeve is no longer mad at me and I want to keep it that way!

Wow! I only have 49 pounds to go until ultimate goal! The ticker helps to put things into perspective.

Forgot to save changes

I just signed up for a ticker. Lets see if it worked!

Thanks!

Has anyone heard whether it is possible for us to stretch out our sleeves? I've heard both ways.

So today is the last day of 8 weeks out from my gastric sleeve surgery. I’ve been thinking a lot about where I am in my journey. I’ve been able to eat meat for about 1 ½ weeks. I can only eat 2-3 ounces. I have to really gnash it up with my teeth, but I can get it down, keep it down and enjoy it. I’ve noticed in the last few days that I can eat and actually feel full. I don’t feel like I’m stuffed and choking on my food. My sleeve doesn’t feel uncomfortable or hurt when I eat. In the beginning I was so frustrated that I would never be able to eat somewhat “normally” again. Coordinating my meds, food, Protein, supplements, and liquids is becoming more routine. I still have to be vigilant, but I don’t feel like I’m “obsessed with food” so much. I gained 10 pounds with my surgery. No one warned me about that. It took about 6 days for that weight to come off. I’ve lost 32 pounds since my journey began, 17 pounds since surgery. My biggest problem, my waist (I’m apple-shaped – worse for the heart), is 2 ½ inches smaller. At 1 ½ weeks out, I went through a 4 week stall. I thought the surgery was a failure and that I would always be a big, fat, unhealthy mess. I had put SOOOO much faith in the surgery, I guess expected immediate results. The stall finally broke, I lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks, and have been in another stall for 5 days. The scale is stuck at exactly 204.0. I want to hit Onederland so bad, but will have to be patient. I have not been losing weight gradually. Even when I do lose, I gain back, lose again, gain back, lose again, with an eventual net loss. My calorie intake is always about the same - no reason for the gain and loss. I started out at size 22-24. Today I put on size 16W pants. Some of my 14/16W shirts fit. I had an NSV – I had to tighten the armband for my IPOD because my arms were smaller. I’ve started hiking again. I can eat some spicy foods finally (love it!). Wow, as I read back over this, I realize that in spite of my difficulties, I’m doing good! Screw this stall! I will be triumphant! The bottom line is, IT WILL GET BETTER! I had a hard time believing this in the beginning, but this website and all of you have been a godsend, giving me faith. Thank you all for being here! ! !

Wow! Just WoW!

I am 7 weeks out. I was the same way in the beginning. Now I can eat 2-3 ozs. of meat or drink about 8 ozs. of a protein drink at one time. I had about 2 ozs. of steak tonight and kept it down. My bites were barely bigger than the tines of the fork. The first time I tried I threw it all up. So I went back a step for 2 weeks. At about week 1 1/2 to 3 weeks I went through a stage where I was hungry all the time. I was on Prevacid and it wasn't head hunger or cravings. Then I went through a stage of needing more than pureeded foods but my sleeve wasn't ready. That was harder than the constant hunger. Finally this week I can eat more than pureed or soft foods. It does get better and the adjustments will drive you crazy! You just have to work through it. Good luck!

I used it from the beginning too. Loved it! It was approved by by NUT. I couldn't tolerate water then, even though I love water. I'm 7 weeks out and still have trouble with water.