Sassafras

Hello! When I started out I tried to research what my body and scars might end up looking like after surgery and there wasn't much out there. I promised myself I would post pics for other people researching these things...no matter how embarrassing lol I took pics from all angles (front, side, back) to give a full account. These pics are in no way flattering but... hey, I look pretty good with clothes on, so I'd take all this over being my former obese self any day lol Heres my stats for reference: 5'2", 34 yrs old,current weight 152, starting weight 217, starting BMI 39, 8 months out from surgery, surgeon Dr Kelly, 5 scars total. I still have about 20-25 lbs to lose. My loose skin is the worst on my tummy and thighs. I had to take my bra off to show my 5th scar (but I tried to cover up the girls the best I could), so there are bra marks under my breasts and around my torso. Those are not scars. I know those familiar with the surgery would know that, but those just starting out might not.

Hi all, I know there are plenty of MFP add threads out there, but most of the people I added in the beginning are no longer active loggers. I figure other people might have that problem too, and I really miss getting meal/snack ideas from there when I feel like I'm in a rut. I don't want to add from those threads because then it would be mostly people in liquid/pureed stages or who are several months out and can still only consume 2-3 ounces of food at a time. I'm hoping to add more friends that are past all that, so I'm starting this so we can all add some new MFP friends in similar stages as ourselves.

I have been wondering this same thing but didn't know quite how to word it. Thank you for asking this!

8 month update Sleeved 8-17-12 SW-217 CW-153 I am down 64 of the 81lbs I needed to lose to be at normal bmi...only 17 more pounds to that goal! Although that feels slower than everyone elses losses, I have lost 80% of my excess weight in 8 months and I am ecstatic about that. I stopped losing for about 2 months and thought I was in a stall but once I finally started tracking my food again I realized I had gotten off track and, while I wasn't being really bad, I had let the calorie and carb count creep up enough to be the cause of my stall. I have been back on track with my protein, water, carbs, calories, and logging everything on MFP for about 25 days now and have lost 7 lbs in that time which I was very pleased with. I know that when you get close to goal it slows down so as long as the scale moves in the right direction im happy. I really wish I had done what I'm doing now the first 6 months instead of letting the sleeve do all the work, but better late than never right? I even started exercising 3-4 times a week FINALLY...who woulda thunk it! I eat 900 calories or less a day. Try to keep my protein around 80-100g a day and my carbs between 30-50g a day. My primary high protein low carb staples I've been eating lately are Gortons Simply baked tilapia or salmon with a little bit of green beans or kale. These pepper jack bacon stuffed chicken breasts called Cravers (think). One of those is pretty filling so I don't eat anything with it. Gound turkey taco meat. Spaghetti sauce with ground turkey and turkey meatballs. Eggo protein waffles. I throw a bunch of chicken breast tenderloins in the slow cooker with some green enchilada sauce and a can of the healthy request cream of chicken soup and cook it until it falls apart and shred it. I eat that with just some cheese on it. For snack I love the ostrim ostrich and beef sticks from gnc 14g protein 2 carbs 80 cals and tastes similar to a slim jim. Plus it actually fills me up where yogurts and stuff just leave me hungry 30 mins later. If i want something high protein but crunchy and salty the microwavable hot and spicy pork rinds but you have to watch the sodium. If I want a little dessert I eat a weight watchers dark chocolate and raspberry ice cream bar for 80 calories.

I just want to mention some things that I didnt see mentioned in the other replies that may help someone in the decision process, since we all have different things that are important to us. I had my surgery with Dr. Kelly at Mi Doctor last August and didn't have any problems with the beds, nurses, or any noise. I was very pleased with my experience and care. When I was released, my coordinator needed to stop and check on another patient who was at florence, and since she and I were sleeve buddies off here, he took me and my hubby with... so I have been in both hospitals. My initial impression from the courtyard of Florence was that it was going to be very nice but when we got inside I was happy I had Mi Doctor. Nothing was bad about Florence, but her hallways and room felt darker and gave me kind of a closed in feeling. I felt like Mi Doctor had a brighter happier healthier feeling. The other thing that my friend was not happy about was that she had trouble getting more pain meds at Florence even though Dr. Kelly had authorized it. The coordinator told me that was a common problem there and seemed really ticked of that it was happening again. I have also read that a few other times on here. I was very fortunate to not have much pain, but the nurses at Mi Doctor were constantly asking if I needed pain meds. I said yes once immediately after surgery but never needed any more, but they were there at the drop of a hat. My hubby is having surgery June 1st and we requested Mi Doctor again, because we were very pleased and because he is a big baby and wants to know that there is pain medicine readily available lol. Oh and few last things we really appreciated at Mi...the free wifi, t he AC, and the satellite tv. The AC (with remote) in our room was fantastic, as an obese person that was VERY important to me...now my hubby will probably freeze me lol).And when we compared notes with our friend it seemed like our satellite tv at Mi had more channels (many in English) which is probably more important to your guest but its nice to have. I know these are little things but they made my hospital recovery easier. (Sorry for the weird font change I typed this on my tablet.)

Thats so funny! Well if your an alien then I'm an alien because those thing are dang good! I was curious about it before I tried it but I guess I never thought about ostrich being odd since we eat so many other kinds of birds.

I really love the peppered flavor Ostrim ostrich and beef sticks. They are heavy enough to fill me up for a while and are quite tasty (to me they taste like a healthier version of a slim jim).They only have 80 calories plus you get 14g protein and 2 carbs. I buy 10 packs on Amazon but they have single sticks at GNC. There are also other flavors (bbq, applewood, maple brown sugar, and teriyaki). I have only tried the pepper and teriyaki and they were both good but the teriyaki has 3 carbs so I always get the pepper. Hey anywhere I can cut a carb I'll take it

Woah! What a comment!! I felt it and shes not even my friend:( I cant imagine and am sorry she put a damper on your success

So after 2 days of keeping my calories under 1000, protein around 100, carbs below 40, and water above 64 ozs... I am happy to report I have dropped 3 pounds. I really am the girl who cried stall. I will never stop tracking my intake again! It is so important!

Way too easy! I guess once my capacity increasesd a bit it allowed more calories and with me slacking on MFP they just creeped up.Just because I wasn't stuffing myself with high calorie slider foods or grazing all day, I thought my calories were fine I learned my lesson! Just keep tracking, just keep tracking...

I haven't really been stressing about my lack of weight loss for the past 6 weeks(but I have whined a little). I assumed it was a combo of being 7 months out and weight loss slowing down and maybe hitting my first real stall. Since I was trying not to stress, I wasn't doing much other than cutting back on carbs a bit and waiting for it to pass. But...after tracking my calories in/out for a few days I have learned that I may be causing my so called stall. Although I wasn't eating bad foods,my calories have been more along the lines of maintaining rather than losing. Its been very eye opening and has encouraged me to cut back and ALWAYS keep track of my calories from now on. So now that I am back to doing the right things... lets see what happens. Hopefully once I'm doing what I should and start losing again I will find out I was just the girl who cried stall

I just bought Walk It Out used on ebay and can't wait to get it. According facebook, amazon reviews, and message boards this game is super addicting and almost has a cult-like following. They say you forget you are exercising because its sooo fun. Self proclaimed couch potatoes that hate exercise end up walking 7 or 8 miles a day trying to unlock new stuff. I am going to use this and wii Fit Plus. Thanks for this thread...its been very helpful to me.

Thank you very much! My phone keeps messing up my responses :-s

I would like to start keeping an more accurate and personalized account of how many calories I am burning each day. I believe it will make me more aware and accountable for my exercise...the way that tracking calorie intake on my fitness pal keeps me on top of my food intake. There are several out there now and I would like to know which ones you guys like and why you like it. I really need your advice and input. Im excited to find one and get started with it

I feel ya girl! I've been bouncing between 156-159 for about 6 weeks. I'm doing my best to not get to stressed about it and stay positive but its HARD! This is my 1st stall, so I've been pretty lucky so far, but I'm ready for that scale to start moving again soon. I haven't been eating bad, but I could stand to be a little more strict so maybe thats what I should do... I don't know.

Oh man I was hoping my neck would tighten up naturally over time...it might be 1st on my plastics wishlist!

I wholeheartedly agree! Differences of opinion are fine and welcomed but the bickering makes people hold back and not fully share.

Couldn't agree more...great advice! My hubby and I are the same way and have been extremely happy for 14 yrs. He was supportive when I gained weight, supportive of my surgery, and Iis VERY supportive of my new and improved figure.

Try the Victorias Secret cheeky panties...I swear by them! All the sexiness of the thong (I actually think they are sexier), none of the discomfort...and you still get the benefit of no panty lines.

Thanks! Im gonna try this

Even if they told me not to shave, I had to! A girl has to look her best and my hardwood floors are always polished Does everyone have a cath? I went to Mexico for my surgery and the first thing they said when I woke up in recovery was that they had to take my "intimate" piercing out for safety. I was wondering how they even knew it was there because its tucked so neatly like a pearl in an oyster. A catheter would explain it...hmmm

I love that feeling too!!

Sending positive thoughts and prayers for strength your way Try not to think about the "what ifs" too much...driving to drop the kids off was probably riskier than the surgery