shrinkydinkme

Hi
I got stuck at 208 and would love to be 185 by the first of January.

Sweet! I am so in for this challenge.
This morning I am 221 - by January 1 I would like to be under 200 lbs.

I'm in... and it is my first VST challenge. I was 260lbs this morning and want to be in "Wonderland" by Jan. 1st! 199lbs here I come!

I was close at 309pounds to start. I lost 25 during the 6 month pre-op and was 284pounds on surgery day Aug. 1st. I have lost another 24 in the 5 weeks since my surgery. All went well for me, I have been able to meet all liquid and Protein totals every day. Excited for you, it is so nice to have the sleeve to help me with the weight struggle I have had for so long.

everything especially loosing 60 pounds only to put back on 80 over the next year and a half.... then when I heard about the Sleeve, I knew it was for me. A couple years of looking into bypass and not being able to do that to myself. Talked to Sleevers and researched it and was ready to go.... while waiting the 6 months for surgery a 4yr old asked, "Why are your legs so big?" that sealed the deal for me.

I am not much on sweet stuff so i take plain greek yogurt and add stuff like parmesan cheese and salt and pepper, dried ranch dressing, salsa verde, mix it in with chilli sauce and it makes a yummy protein supplement and tastes naughty like real sour cream.

I tried 6 Isopure flavors and hated them all. Don't over buy... sample. It is so hard to know what you will like post-op and even 3 weeks post-op my likes for certain things changed again. My favorite was the syntax nectar Cappuccino and crystal sky ( kind of coconut tropical) I go 11 sample packs from BJsbariatrics.com and VSTalk is a code for $7.50 off a $30 order. And when 17 days post op I could no longer tolerate the chewable Celebrate Vitamins I thought tasted like candy after surgery... so they exchanged them for the capsules I wanted. GREAT service!

I tried 6 Isopure flavors and hated them all. Don't over buy... sample. It is so hard to know what you will like post-op and even 3 weeks post-op my likes for certain things changed again. My favorite was the syntax nectar Cappuccino and crystal sky ( kind of coconut tropical) I go 11 sample packs from BJsbariatrics.com and VSTalk is a code for $7.50 off a $30 order. And when 17 days post op I could no longer tolerate the chewable Celebrate Vitamins I thought tasted like candy after surgery... so they exchanged them for the capsules I wanted. GREAT service!

I tried 6 Isopure flavors and hated them all. Don't over buy... sample. It is so hard to know what you will like post-op and even 3 weeks post-op my likes for certain things changed again. My favorite was the syntax nectar Cappuccino and crystal sky ( kind of coconut tropical) I go 11 sample packs from BJsbariatrics.com and VSTalk is a code for $7.50 off a $30 order. And when 17 days post op I could no longer tolerate the chewable Celebrate Vitamins I thought tasted like candy after surgery... so they exchanged them for the capsules I wanted. GREAT service!

Well.. As sometimes happens, I had this post all typed out and then I lost it. Ain’t that the pits? :-/
I could call these progress shots, or I could call these goal shots as I am 9 lbs away and I am so happy that I feel like I am already a success story, Even though occasionally I still see “Fat Heather” in the mirror, I see her less and less with every passing day. I am only a week and a half away from my surgiversary and I think these are the first “progress pics” I have posted.
Let’s start with the stats.
I started this journey:
Weighing: 302.4 lbs
Wearing: Size 24W pants, 2X shirts
Waist: 50"
I am currently:
Weighing: 164.4 lbs
Wearing: Size 10 pants, M shirts (I think with a tuck I could wear an 8)
Waist: 25"
I have lost 5 ft. total from my bust, waist, and hips alone. I still have a nice, ample 34DD bust and my waist is 25 inches. I am so proud of this, let me tell you.
I also started married and am now divorced. Funny how that happens.
Anyway, enough jabbering before the pictures, but after I will share some NSVs I posted in another thread so maybe stick around to read those?
I guess I should start with those dreaded befores.. The first few in the dark bar are from either late July or early August of 2011 and the last is from September 2nd, 2011 with my sleeve sister on sleeve day.
Before:



Now for the afters (these are WAAAAY more fun!):
August 20th, 2012 (164.4 lbs)

August 4th, 2012 (Idk.. Maybe 170?)


Father's Day 2012 (183 lbs!)


About 25 lbs ago, I was carried around piggy back for the first time since childhood... All around my house. It was the most amazing feeling ever!

21 lbs ago, I got the courage to post the bathing suit picture 2 up on FACEBOOK!!
I can shop for panties and bras at VS..
I think I look my age more now (26), I think.
I wear my 4 and 5" heels with EASE!!

I can sit on my BF's lap and not ever worry about hurting him.

I have freaking defined collarbones! Not the scary kind, but defined and I love them.

I fit into EVERY chair, usually with room to set my purse next to me.. This is sometimes not the case.

I think by the time I hit goal and have my plastics, my measurements will be very, VERY close to 36-25-36.

Men ask for my number in bars and clubs.

I get carded more often.

Doors are opened more often.

I am 110% more confident at work.
Well, (in the words of Forrest, Forrest Gump) That's all I have to say about that! Thank you for reading and viewing and (possibly) commenting.
xxoo
Heather (GemInTheRough, soon to be JustAGem)

Okay, this may not be a big NSV, but it was to me. I have never worn less than a size 22 or 24 in LB jeans, even when I lost weight on my own. But, today I stopped in LB to buy some Spanx and said let me try on some jeans. My surgery was 2 weeks ago today and I could wear a size 20 jeans! Woohoo! I don't know how much I've lost because I decided not to weigh until I go to the doctor on Wed., but I'm pretty happy with that little victory! Yay me...

I tried 6 Isopure flavors and hated them all. Don't over buy... sample. It is so hard to know what you will like post-op and even 3 weeks post-op my likes for certain things changed again. My favorite was the syntax nectar Cappuccino and crystal sky ( kind of coconut tropical) I go 11 sample packs from BJsbariatrics.com and VSTalk is a code for $7.50 off a $30 order. And when 17 days post op I could no longer tolerate the chewable Celebrate Vitamins I thought tasted like candy after surgery... so they exchanged them for the capsules I wanted. GREAT service!

I tried 6 Isopure flavors and hated them all. Don't over buy... sample. It is so hard to know what you will like post-op and even 3 weeks post-op my likes for certain things changed again. My favorite was the syntax nectar Cappuccino and crystal sky ( kind of coconut tropical) I go 11 sample packs from BJsbariatrics.com and VSTalk is a code for $7.50 off a $30 order. And when 17 days post op I could no longer tolerate the chewable Celebrate Vitamins I thought tasted like candy after surgery... so they exchanged them for the capsules I wanted. GREAT service!

I would strongly recommend you go to a Vitamin Shoppe (or something similar near you) and try individual bottles of products before you order a bunch online. Vitamin Shoppe will give you a refund if you don't like a product (return it with the receipt). Personally, I love chocolate Muscle Milk Lite (its sugar free, sweetened with sucralose), and powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken broth flavored Protein powder. I've tried three different flavors of the ready-to-drink Isopure drinks, and found them to be disgustingly sweet (truly undrinkable, even diluted with water). Another high-protein product you can get samples of (just email the company) is Gelatein 20...packs 20 grams of Protein in a little 4oz cup of "jello".
Best of luck!
Laura

Here's the diet and shopping list we were given for the first 90 days after surgery http://xnet.kp.org/misg/bariatrics/after.html
I did like the Premiere Protein Shakes in Choclate from costco and Sam's.

TO THE CENTURY CLUB???!!!!!!!!!!
I ranted on here a little bit the other day about not hitting 100 pounds before I went back to school... well it finally happened 2 days later! I waited out the 2+ week stall before taking pictures and now I attached some below. Before is February 2012, 4 1/2 months before surgery.
I should be over the moon but it's just so surreal to me... I guess I'm just a pessimist and still see myself as fat (which I am). I had a bit of a breakdown this morning when I posted one of these pics on Facebook because I was embarrassed and humiliated of my before picture. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm gorgeous and I was quite confident 100 pounds ago but when I look at those pics now I think "how in the hell did I think I was attractive?" This milestone has made me feel guilty for what I had done to my body. I am disgusted now, even though I wasn't then. I haven't felt overly emotional through this journey but I think it's all hitting me now... all of the NSVs, no clothes that fit, announcing it on FB, etc.
Anyway, I still have a long way to go... but I appreciate all of the knowledge and support I get here everyday.
Next stop... twonderland!!!!!! (Did we ever come up with a better name for that?)
   

And so, underhunder was born.
It should be used like this though... "I have reached underhunder" vs. I am in underhunder (for which onederland is reserved).
It sounds like a disease... "My underhunder is acting up today!" "Call the Dr. --Oy my underhunder!!"
So we contact Webster's?

Love it I also have underhunder to lose!!!

I concur... Underhunder. Spell check hates it.

Underhunder it is! My goal is to be there by next Saturday.... if so, or when ever it is I will start a forum topic for the first time after being on here for 7 months! Glad you like the name I created..... and glad to have friend like all of you on this journey!

I like underhunder too!

Marty you have started a new trend concerning under 100 lbs to loose
underhunder is great
doors wide open as you enter underhunder
congrats
keep up the good work

Thanks Kathy!
Shrinky, LOVE underhunder!

I like "underhunder"!!

I was just thinking the same thing.... I am 5 pounds away from 100 to goal and feel like there should be a name for that achievement. Wonderleft... or Underhunder.... I will keep thinking!