IrishEyes

So I don't mean to brag, but I have not told a lot of people about my surgery so this is really the ONLY place I can! I woke up this morning and weighed myself.. I had surgery on Sept. 7th, 2012. And I am officially "UnderHUNDER!" I am less than 100 lbs from my Goal! It goes a little something like this::
June 2012 Started my Pre-Op Diet at 299lbs (ashamed to say!)
Surgery Date- Sept 7th I was 279 lbs.
Post Op 11 Days I am 255 LBS!
My goal Weight is 160 LBS!!
So between pre op and post op I am down 44lbs and 95lbs from goal! I have been melting away so quickly these past 11 days, So I know it's going to slow down. But knowing that I am only 15 lbs from my PRE-BABY wieght! I have a 15 month old and it has been so hard to get the weight off, I am so close I can feel it!
Thanks everyone for the support and love! I can't wait to be in ONEDERLAND soon! Gahhhh! <3

Tbearfan, You have probably NOT stretched your stomach! That's very difficult, if not impossible, to do. Are you back on soft solids yet? If so, you need to try to get your Protein from food as much as possible. Regular food (chicken, pork, beef) will keep you full longer than a Protein shake. It will also help your sleeve heal. The stomach needs the challenge of digesting regular foods, and solids will stay in your sleeve longer.
When the weight loss slows down, you need to do a few things. One is to log your food and Water intake. Getting too few calories is just as bad as eating too much because your body will not have the energy it needs to work at it's optimum potential. You also need to drink Water to help flush toxins, hormones and fat out of your system. WATER and Protein are the keys to losing weight.
Two, take your measurements now and then do it again at least monthly. I lose inches when my weight loss "stalls". I lost my first pants size during a stall and I've lost most of my inches since my weight loss (in pounds) slowed down. I've lost slightly over 15 pounds in the last three months, but I've dropped several pants and shirt sizes in that same 3 months.
Three, shake things up. Add in a few calories or carbs...or subtract them. Do more, or less, exercise than normal. Go dancing with friends, play at the park with the kids, or buy and do a new exercise video. Sometimes just changing the routine makes a huge change and causes your body to let go of a pound or three.
Four, ENJOY THE RIDE. FavoredOne, another poster here, is a huge advocate of this. Look for the NSV's (non scale victories), enjoy your clothes fitting better. Celebrate the little things along with the big milestones. This is NOT a race. It's your life...and you're on your way to a better, fitter, happier you. That should fill you with joy, rather than make you stress that you aren't losing weight at the same rate as someone else.
Good luck!!

Congratulations SoonToBeThinKAT. I hope we can still be sleeve sisters despite you now being 2 days early.
IrishEyes and Nacol, I too am September 21st sleever. Just 3 more day ... oh boy!

My first first date ever was a success! We talked for over an hour and a half and it never got awkward. I am reasonably sure he'll want to see me again.

Hubby is resting as we speak. Surgery went well. Dry mouth and swabs for the moment. Leak test in the morning. Thanks for all the good wishes. I am so proud of him!

Congrats and good luck .... I as well will be sleeved tomorrow, I have to be at the hospital @5:30 am surgery at 7:30......

Getting Sleeved tomorrow @ 11am with Dr. Balette. Memorial Herman in The Woodlands Tx. Nervous but excited and can't wait to get back to work in a couple weeks. My coworkers at the chemical plant may not recognize me. My sexy Wife has her sleeve on the 26th. We are doing this together!

Thank all of you so much!!!! I will definitely keep you posted. And feel free to ask me anything about it. That's What I love about this site, everyone is so helpful!

Prayers for a successful procedure and pain free recovery!!!

It's crazy bc I don't think I will ever be ready. I guess I'll be ready when they wheel me out! Lol

No nervous feelings here...just ready to get it on! My surgery time is scheduled for Noon.

Good luck, guys!

Good luck to us all! Sending happy, positive thoughts...

Heard a song yesterday that motivated/inspired me and thought I would share. Eminem's song "lose yourself". I am not a fan of him but really like the song. I would post a link but don't know how to from my phone. You can YouTube it. If your not familiar with the song its basically about someone not settling for what they have and choosing to take a risk and make a change. It's his true story, also the movie 8 mile. Hope this sychs you like it did me.

Dana: I have been in the same shoes. Our minds play tricks on us sometimes when we read those "horror" stories. My advice....STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!! They do nothing but confuse and distort our perceptions. Talk with your doctor about any complications you are concerned about. That is the best route to go. I am a southern girl (fried chicken, cornbread, Beans and taters). There is also a long line of hereditary heart disease and Type II Diabetes that runs in my family. It took me over a year to make the decision to do this and my only regret....is that I didn't do this sooner. I wanted/needed to make this change for me AND my hubby. I am 4 weeks post op today, lost 19 lbs, still have a little soreness and am getting used to some "mushy" foods. I still have 2 weeks before I can have move on to the next phase of eating and my body lets me know the foods that agree with me now and I am sure that will continue. Don't let the negativity you see/read about get the best of you. I am still a newbie, but I know in my heart that this was the best decision I could have made for myself. Life is just beginning and I can't wait to see what is just around the corner. I know you will feel the same way! Keep your head up girl! This IS worth it!

Many people find that the sleeve has a shockingly-sudden positive effect on almost every aspect of your health. The doctors cannot even explain all of it, but your blood pressure, blood sugars, lipids, and liver enzymes all get really good really fast. No to mention things like sleep apnea and so on. With your fragile health, it seems pretty likely you will see a lot of big benefits.
Also keep in mind that people who have problems post a lot more than people that don't. Most sail through this procedure effortlessly. I am one of those. It was absolutely not a big deal. Minnimal pain, and a few weeks of restricted diet. I am 9 weeks post op and living a pretty normal life (67 lbs lghter).
I love food. I love to cook and I love eating with people. I can eat almost anything in small quantities. Since the surgery I have eaten stingray, and satay on the back streets of Singapore. At home I have eaten Creole, Sushi, Italian, Tapas and more. In the next 6 weeks I will be eating in Spain, London, Jordan, Chile, and Panama. I plan to eat well. I can't eat the carbs for a while, but I get in everything else. I am holding off on the alcohol, but I might get just a little of that in while I hang out in my favorite underground blues club in London.
The sleeve doesn't control your life, you do. Make your decision on the facts, and then make your new life the way you want it to be. It is all about taking control of those voices in your head and moving on with your life. You will be OK.

Good luck !!! I will be joining you on that side of the bench tomorrow ! Sending support and prayers!

Good luck everyone!!
Sent from my mobile productivity killer.

Beautiful time for all of us to pave a new road to health. I wish it wasn't so quiet here today- that might be adding to my anxiety! Husband working, kids in school - My day off- just keeping busy with little tasks. We can do this!

This must be our week! I am scheduled the 21st! @Kris, I had that thought briefly yesterday too!! Lol. To Kris, Liz, Joisey and Sunset~~~ many prayers you have a successful procedure and a pain free recovery. Oh, an prayers that the anxiety calms in us all, that we are overcome with peace and resolve that we are making the BEST decision for our future.

This must be our week! I am scheduled the 21st! @Kris, I had that thought briefly yesterday too!! Lol. To Kris, Liz, Joisey and Sunset~~~ many prayers you have a successful procedure and a pain free recovery. Oh, an prayers that the anxiety calms in us all, that we are overcome with peace and resolve that we are making the BEST decision for our future.

This must be our week! I am scheduled the 21st! @Kris, I had that thought briefly yesterday too!! Lol. To Kris, Liz, Joisey and Sunset~~~ many prayers you have a successful procedure and a pain free recovery. Oh, an prayers that the anxiety calms in us all, that we are overcome with peace and resolve that we are making the BEST decision for our future.

Glad you are feeling good. I started the creamy Soups and Protein shakes also. I have to admit that I am having a HARD time getting in all of my Protein. I do NOT like the shakes. I've got a bunch of different brands and samples and each one is hard to get down. Getting all my liquids in has become a full time job! I am however, surprised by how easy I am getting Water in.
Confession - I had a scrambled egg today. I couldn't even finish the whole thing, I ate about 3/4 of ONE scrambled egg and I was DONE! But man did it hit the spot!! And it was nice to chew!
I have to be honest, my first and second day were horrible and to be where I am right now, I feel truly blessed. I feel so good and appreciate every minute I have feeling like this. I know the complications that could have occurred and am just so thankful that I not only got through it but on day 9 am feeling so great.
Thanks for sharing !

I am doing good. I had my post op appt today and he said everything looks good.. I really have nothing to complain about...i have had no heartburn, no nausea, no vomiting and no hunger. I was never in pain..just sore and i stopped taking pain meds on Sunday/Monday. I was cleared to start full liquids today thank god because i was crying last night as nothing i was "eating" was satisfying me anymore. So i added greek yogurt and SF pudding today. I am down 9 lbs and a total of 33 with pre-op. I sometimes feel like i am bragging on here but i guess not everyone has issues ....sorry. I am glad that everyone is doing good though now.

Hi, just wondering how everyone is doing?
I am getting sleeved next weekend the 22nd, felling nervous and anxious. Good news I have lots about 10lbs (pre-op).