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Hey all! I have started on my elliptical trainer instead of walking. A treadmill or long walks really aggravate my back pain so I have found that elliptical works great for me. At least 20 to 30 minutes, not too fast. I figure as long as I'm moving it will help. I'm also using a shake weight every day. I am making my own home gym by finding things at yard sales and flea markets. So far I have a balance ball, shake weight, resistance bands. I debated on joining a gym and I may still do that but I wanted to get my kids interested in working out too. I've lost 25 lbs since September 12! Was sleeved on the 20th. I'm doing ok, but struggling some days cause I miss food! But I've noticed that is getting better. Good luck all!

Hello everyone. I am 6 months out and down 126 lbs. I know I love seeing progress photos...so here are mine!
I follow the 600-800 calorie/min 60 protein/min 64 oz water/under 40 carbs plan. I walk 2-5 miles a week.

Hi Everyone!
I'm Dana from New Orleans (Mandeville). I've been lurking around trying to get a handle on whether I have the courage to do this WLS. It just seems sooo drastic. I lost 160lbs 10 years ago by doing low carb and kept it off (although I was still overweight but relatively happy at a size 16 compared to a 32). I kept most of the 160lbs off until about 4 years ago when I slowly started gaining. Then freaking out and losing, then gaining ....it became a horrible struggle. I have now gained 60lbs back and I am devastated. Nothing I try now works. I've tried doing what I did when I was successful and that did not work anymore. I tried Weight Watchers thinking maybe the low carb success had run it's course and my body needed a change. I GAINED on Weight Watchers. Then tried LC again, then WW again. With each defeat I became more and more depressed and devastated and my self esteem was completely destroyed. About 2 weeks ago I had sort of an epiphany --- I decided that WLS might be my only option and hope. I started doing research online of course. The Lap Band just doesn't seem like a good choice other than it is reversible if there are complications. That is a big plus though. Gastric Bypass to me is just asking for trouble...lol.... I basically came to the conclusion that the sleeve looked like my best option. Surgical Specialists/Dr. Lavin is one of my clients (I'm a sales rep) so I called to start the investigative process. I have two insurances - Aetna and Federal Blue Cross and they verified my coverage -- I would have zero out of pocket. I have to do the nutritionist/diet thing for 4 months ( we disappointed me). I was excited to see a Louisiana thread but surprised there wasn't more people from Southeast La or New Orleans. My first visit with Dr. Lavin is next week to discuss options and what would be best for my situation (I have Multiple Sclerosis ). I have so many questions, some seem so trivial and some seem very important! But they are the kind of questions that I need from actual sleeve people -- not the docs. Would you guys mind answering some questions? Stupid questions included?
This seems like an awesome invaluable support site!
Dana

Hello all. 9/23/2012 marks exactly 3 months since my weight loss surgery! I’ve lost exactly 50 lbs since the day of surgery on 6/23/2012, and 64 lbs since my highest recorded weight on 6/2/2012. It hasn’t been an easy or smooth road, but having VSG surgery was one of the most fruitful decisions of my life. I am humbled by, and grateful for this journey. I’ve seen my life and my thought processes change and grow thus far throughout this journey. Areas where I was once weak no longer have power over me. Everyday I get stronger.
The periodic discoveries are awesome to see. Clothes that were once skin tight now falling off me. Having a workout that initially could only last as long as 20 mins (cuz that’s all I could take) now lasting 60 minutes (an easy 60 minutes…some days). Having people notice the weight loss. Noticing my natural body shape begin to emerge from the once mounds of fat. I liken it to the slow, arduous process of a sculptor chiseling through stone or ice to reveal a masterpiece underneath.
While my masterpiece is still in the midst of creation, I know that it is through some divinity that the true me is being unveiled. Yes, it is God’s hand at work in me, because He knows I didn’t do it alone. All I did was show up, but the transformation of me–mind, body and soul–that has to come from a divine, loving place. Within me and without.
I don’t have all of life’s mysteries figured out, but I know God when I see Her.
As I look forward for the next “trimester” of my rebirth, I can now say that I welcome the process. All of the blood, sweat, tears that have already been shed, and those to come. But also ALL of the joy, love, self-esteem, health and growth.
Who knows how the next 3 months will unfold? I sure don’t. I just promise to show up.

I had my sleeve on 12/14/11 when I was almost 61 1/2. My bd was in June nd I turned 62. I am no longer on any medication and feel better than I have for years. I went from a size 18 to 4 jeans. You are never too old to be healthy. I hope people who really need this done, will realize that age is not an issue. I only had 55 lbs. to lose but it was all in my abdomen headed for my heart and in a very dangerous place. Who knows what would have happened had I not had this surgery. I also had some repair done to my esophagus at the same time from some damage from some reflux surgery I had in 1999. I feel my VSG surgeon saved my life. I never had any pain or complications, never was nauseous, and never had Hair loss. i am truly blessed to have been able to have this done. Good luck to anyone over 60 who is thinking about having this done. No regrets here. LOVE my sleeve!

These are my daily thoughts and conversations with myself (the VST names are fictitious!)
You Dana are daydreaming if you think this will work.... Ha! Here you go again...thinking you can actually win this battle...
NO really, look... FattyCathy lost 101 pounds in less than a year, SleevaDiva lost 92 pounds in 6 months, TubbyMummy lost 50 pounds in 3 months.. don't be ridiculous Dana, do you really think YOU will be able to lose that kind of weight? YOU are different...you are destined to stay fat and live a half life...those others must have something you don't.
No really, this could be different. ......Could this possibly really actually be different? Maybe, yes, maybe it can... .... oh please, don't get your hopes up. You'll let them poke 5 holes in your stomach, blow it up like you're 7 months pregnant and then slice off of 90% of it. FOR NOTHING. You'll be throwing up, getting nausea inducing bloating off 3 green Beans and having to concentrate like it's a full time job on sip sip sip sip sip, chew chew chew chew, don't throw up, did you get your Protein in today?, maybe I have a leak, uh oh- that pureed egg salad Soup did not agree with me, trying Protein powder brand #63 --taking one sip and gagging -- and on to brand #64...., oh thank God, it's been 4 weeks-- I can finally eat the Gerber pureed liver and brussell sprouts- yum!!........... all of this will be for NOTHING, because you are delusional if you think YOU will finally shed the monster that has consumed your life for 40 years. YOU are destined to stay fat -- and your surgeon will be dumbfounded by the fact that YOU (the failure) are not losing weight...he'll think, well she must be sucking down Haagen Daz by the gallon every day... wow, what a failure...Never thought I'd find a fat person that could not lose weight with this... Dana Must Be the First Person In the World who has been an utter failure at not losing weight under starvation conditions.. yep, he'll find you out...you are just a failure.....now just go back to worrying that if you die at home in the shower the paramedics will have to lift your 260lb naked ass to load you and then the funeral home will have to special order an Elvis Presley casket...... but maybe, Oh please God, maybe this COULD work?
And all of these thoughts are in just the first 9 minutes since I woke up....

Before:



Progress (during)



After (now)