Lilee84

Sally, don't concentrate on skinny. You should be concentrating on healthy. This is not a short-term solution; it's forever. You will lose the weight, but you need to be healthy once you get to goal. The bonus is that you will get to live longer at the lower weight. If you work out and follow the recommended eating plan, you WILL get there and you will feel fantastic. What good is getting skinny if you lose your life over taking something to speed the process? Also, if you lose at a more natural rate, you'll have less issues with loose skin.
Good luck!

food confessions - just had strawberries dipped in melted milk chocolate Chipits.
Non-food confessions - planning to go volunteer at this one event not because of my great passion for the cause, but because this super-hot guy is going to be there AND we might even share a ride, tee hee.

Oh sure! I've heard many people have wild emotional roller coaster-like rides after surgery. Mine all happened beFORe surgery. It's exciting, and nerve-wracking, and happiness over loose clothes, and sadness over losing favorite foods.....ya, a little weeping over a loose shirt is warranted! And normal.

Yep, in fact I would bet you'd be hard pressed to find ANYONE who didn't have at least SOME "buyers remorse" post op. The physical ramifications of the anesthesia and sudden loss of caloric intake take their toll, let alone the psychological and spiritual strain. Post op I was fine till I got back to my hotel room in San Diego, then I fell to pieces. I was actually worried someone in an adjoining room might hear me and call the front desk or police. I was wailing and carrying on something fierce. 'WTH DID I DO TO MYSELF? WHY OH WHY DID I DO IT? I FEEL LIKE I'M GONNA DIE". Tough times.



Now about 14 months post op I think it was worth all the pain and anguish. It has literally saved and transformed my life. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had to.



NO REGRETS

I felt the same! The emotional roller coaster is very hard! I'm one month and two days out and feel nothing like I did one week out or two weeks out... It jut all gets better in time.
I've actually gained weight, so add that into my regret?!!! But I know in time that will change too!!!!
Talk to people often in the same situation and it will be a huge help!
This too shall pass!

Congratulations and Welcome to the Losers Bench! I agree that head hunger does suck, but just keep drinking your fluids and when you feel like head hunger is taking over, try having a SF popsicle. You'll curb that head hunger and get another 2oz of Fluid in

I was sleeved on 2/6...and today is 3/17...yesterday was the first day that like 6 people told me I looked smaller!! So it took a month basically for it to be noticeable although I saw the scale sliding down. I felt like I had a secret, since it wasnt super noticeable that I had lost so much weight!!
AND..this is still the beggining of a new life!!

Hey there! I just wanted to share my 2 month update. I think I was a little more than my highest weight of 265 in the picture. I am 206 now. This last few steps to Onederland are taking forever. I hope I can get it off by St.Pattys day!

232 - Down 46lbs with pre-op diet!

Weighed in this morning at 198!!!!!! Finally made it to onderland and it's an awesome feeling. On my way to a normal weight!!!! I actually increased my calories from around 620 to a little over 800 and lost 2 lbs in 2 days. So do I stay at 800 or go back closer to 600. I'm 9 weeks out. Any suggestions?????

Usually when I eat out, especially now, I get it to go. Today I went to Mimi's Cafe for lunch with a coworker. I was pretty good I think - I got the Soup and sandwich combo with french onion soup and a BLT sandwich. I ate the cheese off the soup and most of the broth, and then I had two slices of the bacon and a slice of Tomato off the sandwich.
What bothered me most was when the server came over with the check she got this disturbed look on her face when she saw my plate and exclaimed rather loudly "You barely touched your food!" I started to explain why I picked, but instead I just left it at "I had surgery" and left it alone. She looked like she wanted to pry, and she tried, but I shut her down. Part of me thinks that a small part of the reason most of us are/were overweight is because when we try to control our portions it's almost as if it's frowned upon.
Anybody else feel like this?

I wanted to take a moment to share my experience with stalls, because I see a lot of people getting discouraged because of them and that's simply not necessary and really bad for your self esteem.
I was sleeved 1/20 - over the first 4 weeks I lost 40-freaking-pounds! Amazing! I was so excited and thought to myself "At this rate I'll be at goal by Easter!" And then, about half way through my 4th week something sad happened. My scale broke! I mean, it must have been broken because it kept saying 237 every-single-time I stepped on it, so SURELY it must have been broken, right? Wrong. I was stalled. I'd read the posts, I'd done my research, I knew it was possible but like most I thought "HA! Not me!"
For the next 2 1/2 weeks I analyzed every bite I put in my mouth, I doubled up my sessions with my trainer, I increased my Protein and fluids, to no avail! A week after my stall started, the scale still would not budge! Seriously, it's digital, how could it be broken? Maybe I somehow saved my last weigh in and it was just showing me that # every time I stepped on. Maybe? No. Maybe this was it. Maybe 40lbs was all I was meant to lose? No. Maybe I'm just built differently and the sleeve isn't going to work for me? No! It was a stall! A point at which the weight temporarily stops coming off and the scale stops moving. A time for my body to try and play catch up after the havoc wreaked on it for the previous 4 weeks.
Two 1/2 weeks after my stupid stall started, I noticed something - I was getting a LOT of compliments! I mean, sure people had been commenting before my stall but now, now people I NEVER talked to were commenting how good I was looking and what a great job I was doing. Surely they must be mistaken, I haven't lost ANY weight in the last 2 1/2 weeks. They're crazy. To prove it, I took a picture.
As I sat at my computer making my little collage so I could show them just how crazy they were, a gasp escaped my mouth when I added the last picture. Could it be? Surely it wasn't possible! I am the EXACT same weight that I was in picture #2, a fact that I was painfully aware of, but something was different. I actually LOOK thinner! Amazing! And to think I spent the previous 2 1/2 weeks silently stressing because the scale wasn't budging! The whole time while my weight wasn't shrinking, my waist was!
So to all of you out there stressing over stalls my message is this - Just because your weight isn't shrinking, doesn't mean your waist isn't. Just keep doing what you're doing and you will be successful - don't sabotage your success just because your scale is temporarily broken

I wanted to take a moment to share my experience with stalls, because I see a lot of people getting discouraged because of them and that's simply not necessary and really bad for your self esteem.
I was sleeved 1/20 - over the first 4 weeks I lost 40-freaking-pounds! Amazing! I was so excited and thought to myself "At this rate I'll be at goal by Easter!" And then, about half way through my 4th week something sad happened. My scale broke! I mean, it must have been broken because it kept saying 237 every-single-time I stepped on it, so SURELY it must have been broken, right? Wrong. I was stalled. I'd read the posts, I'd done my research, I knew it was possible but like most I thought "HA! Not me!"
For the next 2 1/2 weeks I analyzed every bite I put in my mouth, I doubled up my sessions with my trainer, I increased my Protein and fluids, to no avail! A week after my stall started, the scale still would not budge! Seriously, it's digital, how could it be broken? Maybe I somehow saved my last weigh in and it was just showing me that # every time I stepped on. Maybe? No. Maybe this was it. Maybe 40lbs was all I was meant to lose? No. Maybe I'm just built differently and the sleeve isn't going to work for me? No! It was a stall! A point at which the weight temporarily stops coming off and the scale stops moving. A time for my body to try and play catch up after the havoc wreaked on it for the previous 4 weeks.
Two 1/2 weeks after my stupid stall started, I noticed something - I was getting a LOT of compliments! I mean, sure people had been commenting before my stall but now, now people I NEVER talked to were commenting how good I was looking and what a great job I was doing. Surely they must be mistaken, I haven't lost ANY weight in the last 2 1/2 weeks. They're crazy. To prove it, I took a picture.
As I sat at my computer making my little collage so I could show them just how crazy they were, a gasp escaped my mouth when I added the last picture. Could it be? Surely it wasn't possible! I am the EXACT same weight that I was in picture #2, a fact that I was painfully aware of, but something was different. I actually LOOK thinner! Amazing! And to think I spent the previous 2 1/2 weeks silently stressing because the scale wasn't budging! The whole time while my weight wasn't shrinking, my waist was!
So to all of you out there stressing over stalls my message is this - Just because your weight isn't shrinking, doesn't mean your waist isn't. Just keep doing what you're doing and you will be successful - don't sabotage your success just because your scale is temporarily broken

I wanted to take a moment to share my experience with stalls, because I see a lot of people getting discouraged because of them and that's simply not necessary and really bad for your self esteem.
I was sleeved 1/20 - over the first 4 weeks I lost 40-freaking-pounds! Amazing! I was so excited and thought to myself "At this rate I'll be at goal by Easter!" And then, about half way through my 4th week something sad happened. My scale broke! I mean, it must have been broken because it kept saying 237 every-single-time I stepped on it, so SURELY it must have been broken, right? Wrong. I was stalled. I'd read the posts, I'd done my research, I knew it was possible but like most I thought "HA! Not me!"
For the next 2 1/2 weeks I analyzed every bite I put in my mouth, I doubled up my sessions with my trainer, I increased my Protein and fluids, to no avail! A week after my stall started, the scale still would not budge! Seriously, it's digital, how could it be broken? Maybe I somehow saved my last weigh in and it was just showing me that # every time I stepped on. Maybe? No. Maybe this was it. Maybe 40lbs was all I was meant to lose? No. Maybe I'm just built differently and the sleeve isn't going to work for me? No! It was a stall! A point at which the weight temporarily stops coming off and the scale stops moving. A time for my body to try and play catch up after the havoc wreaked on it for the previous 4 weeks.
Two 1/2 weeks after my stupid stall started, I noticed something - I was getting a LOT of compliments! I mean, sure people had been commenting before my stall but now, now people I NEVER talked to were commenting how good I was looking and what a great job I was doing. Surely they must be mistaken, I haven't lost ANY weight in the last 2 1/2 weeks. They're crazy. To prove it, I took a picture.
As I sat at my computer making my little collage so I could show them just how crazy they were, a gasp escaped my mouth when I added the last picture. Could it be? Surely it wasn't possible! I am the EXACT same weight that I was in picture #2, a fact that I was painfully aware of, but something was different. I actually LOOK thinner! Amazing! And to think I spent the previous 2 1/2 weeks silently stressing because the scale wasn't budging! The whole time while my weight wasn't shrinking, my waist was!
So to all of you out there stressing over stalls my message is this - Just because your weight isn't shrinking, doesn't mean your waist isn't. Just keep doing what you're doing and you will be successful - don't sabotage your success just because your scale is temporarily broken

I wanted to take a moment to share my experience with stalls, because I see a lot of people getting discouraged because of them and that's simply not necessary and really bad for your self esteem.
I was sleeved 1/20 - over the first 4 weeks I lost 40-freaking-pounds! Amazing! I was so excited and thought to myself "At this rate I'll be at goal by Easter!" And then, about half way through my 4th week something sad happened. My scale broke! I mean, it must have been broken because it kept saying 237 every-single-time I stepped on it, so SURELY it must have been broken, right? Wrong. I was stalled. I'd read the posts, I'd done my research, I knew it was possible but like most I thought "HA! Not me!"
For the next 2 1/2 weeks I analyzed every bite I put in my mouth, I doubled up my sessions with my trainer, I increased my Protein and fluids, to no avail! A week after my stall started, the scale still would not budge! Seriously, it's digital, how could it be broken? Maybe I somehow saved my last weigh in and it was just showing me that # every time I stepped on. Maybe? No. Maybe this was it. Maybe 40lbs was all I was meant to lose? No. Maybe I'm just built differently and the sleeve isn't going to work for me? No! It was a stall! A point at which the weight temporarily stops coming off and the scale stops moving. A time for my body to try and play catch up after the havoc wreaked on it for the previous 4 weeks.
Two 1/2 weeks after my stupid stall started, I noticed something - I was getting a LOT of compliments! I mean, sure people had been commenting before my stall but now, now people I NEVER talked to were commenting how good I was looking and what a great job I was doing. Surely they must be mistaken, I haven't lost ANY weight in the last 2 1/2 weeks. They're crazy. To prove it, I took a picture.
As I sat at my computer making my little collage so I could show them just how crazy they were, a gasp escaped my mouth when I added the last picture. Could it be? Surely it wasn't possible! I am the EXACT same weight that I was in picture #2, a fact that I was painfully aware of, but something was different. I actually LOOK thinner! Amazing! And to think I spent the previous 2 1/2 weeks silently stressing because the scale wasn't budging! The whole time while my weight wasn't shrinking, my waist was!
So to all of you out there stressing over stalls my message is this - Just because your weight isn't shrinking, doesn't mean your waist isn't. Just keep doing what you're doing and you will be successful - don't sabotage your success just because your scale is temporarily broken

Well yo are looking fantastic lady!!! Congrats!!!

I was sleeved on December 28th and I just overcame my first stall, which lasted FIVE WEEKS! Like most of you, I lost 33 pounds right off the bat, but that fast and furious weight loss soon came to an abrupt stop. I was convinced that the sleeve just wasnt going to work for me or that the battery in my new scale was just not working. However, I was loosing inches during the five week stall, as I actually went down a pant size during that time. It is just mentally draining to step on the scale and see the same number everyday for 5 weeks.
Atlast, I am happy to say that I have lost 7 pounds in the last 1.5 weeks. I hope that the "stall" doesnt show his ugly face for a while!!

This is such an inspiring transformation for us all. We are forced to look at our anxieties and fears of not being able to lose our fat. It will happen whether you watch you scale or not. It's time to enjoy the day and enjoy our transformations.
CONGRATS to everyone for our successes! We are looking good!

Thanks for the post. I really needed the encouragement.

I love this saying “Just because your weight isn't shrinking, doesn't mean your waist isn't” it’s going to be my WLS mantra for the next week, thank you!

Ok, I know this post will be helpful to many, but I'm positive you wrote it just for me!! I'm one month out and I've lost 40 pounds total, and I've been stalled for a week and a half. Every time I step on the scale it says 300. I'm waiting with baited breath to see that number drop into the 200's, and it just NOT HAPPENING!!! I'm getting 6 to 700 calories a day, drinking, and walking. What else can I do! I keep taking pictures every couple of days, and I have my measurements to go by, so i'm hoping that will be my encouragement during this stall- or as I like to call it- 'plateau.' I knew this would happen, and I know everything you are saying is true. I just didn't know I'd freak out so much about it. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll come back and read this when I need to..

How timely indeed!! I am now 5 weeks out and have been stalled for a week and a half....boy is it frustrating!! Unfortunately I don't have a good "before" picture to compare myself to and even with the huge wt loss I have had, I have only changed 1 size so far. But I know it will come, its just going to take some time!

Congrats Lilee, you look great!!!

So true! I was sleeved 1/31 and I wish I would've taken people's advise to measure myself and not to focus on the scale. You look great!

thank you ! What a timely post. I thought my scale was somehow not working correctly too. You can see by my signature that I have actually gained 2 lbs in the past 10 days (could be water). So... deep breath.... this will work, this HAS to work, it is physically impossible to NOT work !
It is kind of interesting though because when I have dieted in the past and come to a stall like this I would just give up. This time I CAN'T give up. Thank you Mr. Sleeve !