kw2walker

Today is the day the purge begins............ I'm am sending my 22/20/18 to the Salvation Army. They have served me well and I pray that they can continue to do the same for someone else. It has been amazing to be able to purchase clothes in sizes 16 or 14, depends on the cut, style and fabric of course. I find that I love trying on the clothes at the stores not necessarily buying them lol $$$$. Another cool thing I love is that it's not just clothes its the under garments as well. I have purged my size 10 undies to buy new size 8, my 40D bra to a 36-38D (styles vary). The maintenance part of this journey is now finding the track to keep proteins first and staying hydrated. Just as before I feel I'm getting comfortable and I should not. I need to keep this process fresh and enjoyable so I have the success of health and happiness. So I'm back in the gym and loving it. I even purchased a kettle bell for home; as winter approaches I plan to be ready lol I'm happy with my decision of the sleeve and hope those reading are happy as well with their WLS decision. I continue to do research so I understand the changes the body will undergo, again continued maintenance. I encourage you to do the same. I now find every few weeks I stand in front of my mirror nude and take it all in. It's amazing! This transformation rocks! Best of all I love saying to myself, "who is that?" Continued and joyous success on your journey. Karen

Thank you both! I hope your sleeve joinery has/is a good one. Since the post I've moved into a size 16, I have not been that size since high school! And then I was laying flat on the bed just to zip the popular jeans of that fashion fad lol. I have found that I'm not getting my water in like I need to; I'm shaking myself (bad, bad) and setting alarms on my phone. Have to start keeping my sip bottles everywhere again, I can't get too relaxed this is a life long journey. I have fallen in love with having tuna salad for breakfast, I know lol but it's a morning protein I like. I found I was eating two bacon strips or one sausage and not enjoying it or not finishing it. I eat three tablespoons of tuna salad and I'm good for my morning. Enjoy your journey and have great continued success. Karen

Surgery was July22, 2013; recovery time four weeks. No major problem other than morphine is not my friend. The weight is coming off at a rate I can enjoy. Any faster and I'd have to go to work in a sack. Lol the slow weight loss allows me to purchase a few new clothes. All of my 22-20 size pants don't fit and I can assume my skirts won't either. I don't get upset if the scale does not move. I just look in the mirror and can see the difference in the inches I've lost. Best advise, follow the program outlined by your doctor, go to all follow up appointments, ask when and how often you will need blood work done. Continue to get your fluids in everyday. Take your vitamins and supplements, they are very important. Eat protein first. When you are unsure, ask your doctor. We are all different so the way your doctor may have trained and performed the procedure will be different and the instructions you follow will be different from someone else. That does not make it wrong, just different. Join a support group that is up lifting, I don't stay on this one much any more due to some bad vibes of folks and I've had to block them. I do check in from time to time because there are good people asking great questions and need help. Have more than one support outlet. Lastly don't judge. How and why we became over weight is personal. How we opt to lose the weight is personal. When you start to judge, please stand in front of the mirror to ensure you include yourself in the mix. If anything play it forward, be a good mentor and friend. There are some out there that will truly benefit from it. Stay true to the journey. Karen

That is wonderful! I can't wait to get where you are, I've got 12 lbs to go.

I'm ready to use this tool and work really hard to maintain it. Again thank for the support its greatly appreciated.

Thx you all!

I crossed the finish line. What a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. The day of surgery I was up at four, showered again (my skin hated that soap) and did my skin prep (skin hated that as well) and dressed. I dressed in a sassy, long sleeveless maxi dress and high wedged sandals. I thought I looked cute lol. My friend came and off we went. The friend and I sat and talked for 30 minutes then I went into the hospital. They didn't start allowing folks into admissions until 5:45 so I had a 15 min wait. At the given time we go up and the steps of the journey begin. I was fine at first then I started praying that all goes well and I felt like crying. The tears were happy and sad, happy I was having the procedure and sad in thinking that if my mom had taken this chance she would still be here with me. I dried my eyes, I couldn't have folks think I was a chicken lol. And waited. All of the doctored, associated staff came by to introduce themselves etc., it was cool. I had the best nurses that setup my IV and checked my vitals. They assured me I would be fine and vouched for my surgeon big time. They said he did not play around and took his work very seriously. I felt all the stress leave me then. Then they said, it was time. Eight folks were in the room and all introduced themselves. I moved onto the table, they lined me up, strapped me in and put the gas on and I woke up in my room about noon. I need to be very clear on this point, I HATE MORPHINE! Ok, that's better. That stuff made me so sick. I worked too hard to it vomit. They made me walk in a morphine stupor, that my friends was ugly. I stopped using the morphine pump (PCA) at 10 pm that first night and felt tons better. My pain was minimal compared to the soreness I felt from trying to control muscles that have been operated on so I would not vomit. Day two was sooooo much better, 2am I buzzed the nurse and asked to walk. I did three laps around the long halls and felt good. Then I was told I could wash, that was like winning the lottery. At 6am I was up and walking again, two laps this time and once in my room I was allowed some peaceful time in the bathroom to wash and change my gown. The rest of the day was spent begging to have the foley removed and texting friends and family to let them know I was ok. Then cat napping. I was successful in getting the foley removed and having more quality time in the bathroom. I had a private room and wonderful nurses and CNAs to help me. My favorite nurse was named Karen. She was nice, friendly, and very helpful. About 2 pm I started making my arrangements for a ride home. My niece was staying a week with me so she had a friend come with her and they picked me up. I did not realize how scared she was for me, she burst in the room all wild eyed. I started laughing and asked what was wrong, she gave me a good looking over then said nothing, nothing just wanted to be sure you are ok. Later I found out why she was so worried. She visited some sites that told of horror or of things that went wrong for those having the sleeve. I assured her that I was fine and that if she had asked I would have shared the sites I used in my research. Today marks a week and one day since surgery and I have NO regrets! I feel good, I'm losing weight slow and easy. I can even administer my shots myself with ease. I am thankful and very blessed to have this opportunity. I'm glad I waited until this time in my life to have the procedure. A special thank you to all that read the posts and respond to them. They are life lines of insight into the WLS world, they help with issues, concerns, fears, successes, defeats, joy and pride. I would like to wish you all continued success on your journeys. Karen

I purchased and read as well. Very informative; he has said there will be an updated version. (Found several typos). The book helped ease me with a lot of my fears.

My doctor used a 38 for me.

Your Philly Cheerleader is here for you. You will rock this thing mama! I'm so excited for you. Karen

Seems like we are all full of it. LOL. What to weigh once empty? Muscle? I hope to uncover a six pack somewhere on the bod. LOL

I guess my mind set and having spoken to my doctor about my fears and concerns have allowed me to not want to weigh or even be disappointed if the weight is now just falling away. I'm know the body does strange things in order to compensate for trauma and this surgery is trauma, part of a organ is being cut away. I know I will win the race it's the view along the way that I want to take in. So stalling would allow me to view what the body is doing and how it's healing. I figure with 40+ years of obesity, what's a little stall every now and then? Keep up the fight! Sleevers rock!

Two days away and I will have crossed the finish line. Today I have been eating SF Popsicles all day along with broth. I don't fell hungry. I just could not drink another Slimfast! I plan on having SF jello for tomorrow. I will be packing shortly. I'm so excited. I don't want to over pack. I have to drag that stuff three flights up once discharged. So light is the way to go. Thinking of wearing a maxi dress or draw string shorts; Simple comfortable clothes. Hope it's not super hot when I'm discharged. I plan to walk the hall until my first post op visit. Then if all cleared I can do the stairs and I can walk the track. I also wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their kind words and thoughts as well as the great advice and feedback to all the sleevers on this site. It has been a great help. Continued success on this journey! Karen

Had the hair cut yesterday going to dye it today trying to decide if I want to be blond or red. Lol Will get dressed shortly in order to have feet done. Then home to do all last minute cleaning and packing for Monday's surgery.