Holly5.3

Last night I had alcohol for the first time since August. I was cleared to have alcohol in Feb. but didnt really have an occasion to. I had staight raspberry vodka (mini bottles) and i took little sips of it with my peach Crystal Light. Over the course of 3-1/2 hours I had two mini bottles. I was pleasantly buzzed- not drunk (I was at a charity bowling event). I felt totally sober driving home after coffee and a piece if a protein bar...it was all good! yaaa! I was scared but it was fine!

Funny! Size 16 is a crazy size for me too. Size 18 is baggy and saggy, size 14 can close but are not comfortable yet! I refuse to spend money on a 16 when they'll only fit a short time! I got my 14's on sale in a regular Dept. store (Macy's-love it!) I'm either a ragga-muffin or muffin-top! Not fun!!

My sexual energy isn't what it used to be, by far, but I still can't say I want more or less. The problem for me is I'm married to a horn dog and as I get smaller, he's rediculous! I have two teenaged daughters in the house! I just can't when, where and how he'ld like! it's not fun, it makes make super uncomfortable when he's around-I feel I need to avoid being near him! Help!

Take my advice from a 'been there, done that" girl - if the opportunity does occur, be classy and hot, and polite. But if they ask you out, reply that you've changed in appearance only, you've always been beautiful. They, however, are shallow and ignorant. Was then and still are. Sorry, I deserve better. Nice see'in ya! Believe me, sweetie, the right guy will notice you!

I was sleeved Oct 11 and am sitting at the hairdresser now discussing the loss. I have thick hair so it's not noticeable to anyone but me, but there's a ton if hair in my brush, comb and all over everything! I started taking biotin (actually hair, skin snd nail vitamins) 2 weeks ago. I should have started Pre-op and will mention this to my dr. in Aoril at my 6 month post-op visit. My hairdresser has a shampoo and conditioner for me to try that she said will help. I wonder how long this lasts.

Not to worry, the weight will come off-you'll see! After surgery there is fluid retention and swelling. After the second week you'll start seeing the scale move fast! Depending on your BMI at the start, your weekly loss will vary. I started at 255 and my average loss from surgery (Oct) was 12 pounds s month until Jan. Then I only lost 5 and then 7 from Feb to March. Even though the pounds lost are fewer, they carry a bigger bang for my buck as far as inches and whole body shrinking. You'll do great-the post-op diet and the restrictive nature of a smaller tummy make it almost impossible to not do great the first 6 months. Good luck!

At 5 months and a very restrictive sleeve, I have mashed potatoes with my solid meats and fish -it helps it go down. As far as bread (I only have a high fiber/low carb wrap-can eat about 60% for lunch)-my dr. said to avoid bread for first year. Pasta and rice do not go down well-so I avoid on my own. I have a Fiber One brownie and a Special K thin crisp every day which seems to curb cravings for carbs, sweets, chocolate and crunch! My caloric intake is low so these 'treats' haven't messed my weight loss, but I'm looking forward to eating more veggies and healthy grains when I'm able.

Every day getting dresses I'm like, "do I want to look like a ragamuffin (clothes 3 sizes too big) or have muffin-top (clothe too tight, next size down)!" problems, problems....

As the old saying goes, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!" {I know, I hated it too, never having been "skinny" in my life!} Just wait, soon you'll remove your pants without unbuttoning them! I had to laugh at your heading, Miserable but happy.... I'm energetic, yet exhausted. (Huh??? But it's so true!) The worst part is when you have to buy new clothes...you become torn about spending the money, or even what size to get, since you'll grow out of the new stuff too, but it becomes a necessity when you have nothing to wear! Another ying/yang! Good luck!

Thanks to my last "diet" (Jenny Crarig), I learned that out of all the fast food chains, Panera seemed to be the "least" bad...(if you know what I mean). I would have a small black bean soup, 1/2 classic salad and 1/2 cuban sandwich. Now after my sleeve, this is still my go-to meal since I know it was the "healthiest" choice on the menu. I have 1/2 of a small black bean soup and the equivalent of one big bite of the cuban sandwich and no salad (yet - still have trouble getting raw veggies down). I laugh, because even with the low-fat, carb meal, I used to still eat the chips or extra bread (forget the apple - what am I a horse??- LOL) I'll have to ask about the "secret" menu. Although it won't make much of a difference for me now, I'm still very restricted at 5 months today, but some day, some day.....

I'm 5 months postop tomorrow and am struggling with depression the past few months. Dr said it was estrogen released from fat cells as weight is lost. The more rapid a loss, more estrogen is readed causing more havoc to emotionality. I may look good and feel great, but emotionally I'm a mess. Hope this phase ends soon!

Lookin' good hot momma! Keep up the great work - you're doing fabulous-very inspirational!

Thanks for the pix! The difference in your appearance in only 6 months is truly amazing! The sizes you went down is awesome! That's when it's fun-putting on clothes the next size smaller! Keep up the great work!

You look awesome! I'm happily married, but if I wasn't...

I remember living on GasX and marching in place in the middle of the night to get the gas to move up and out! The GasX was for broths which made me gassier. Movement is the best way - pump your arms up and down while marching. You will burp! You may want to do this in private lest someone think you've lost your mind! Good luck!

Hi Chica-I don't mean to make anyone feel bad if it seems to you that I've lost fast and I'm crying crocodile tears. To be honest, the posts here is what allows me to measure my success against others with my same stats. My dr didn't give me goals or figures to compare my loss with the "average". Some have lost less than me, sure, but some have also lost more. I realize the monthly average will decrease with decreased BMI. I was wondering if, at months 4-5 post op, this was typical or experienced by another sleever. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

I still eat too fast! Tiny spoon, tiny bowl and I still eat way too fast so it reduces the volume I can ultimately consume-which is my tough luck! I try to cut my food small abd eat with a baby spoon/fork so that helps but some habbits are hard to break. I try to take 15 mins. for a meal, which is about 1/3-1/4 cup -4 oz.-6oz. Solid food, 1:2 cup soft (yogurt).

Any other October sleevers experiencing a slower weight loss this past month? From Oct to Jan my average loss was 10-13 lbs. From Jan to Feb only 5 pounds, but my clothes have suddenly gotten bigger, and people are really noticing the loss, so I'm still feeling good. But I've decided to weigh myself only once a month (surgery date-the 11th) so if lose 5 pounds I can accept it in one painful weigh-in, instead of torturing myself when the scale is finicky -see-sawing up and down 2-3 pounds.

Yea! Shrinking chef (love your moniker!) keep it up girl! There are good and bad days but the weight does seem to melt off, so what could be bad about that? Keep up the good work, we're rooting for you!

Crystal Lite Mango Peach energy drink is new and pretty delish! I'm sick of all the flavors I drank post-op, so to find a new flavor was pretty terrific!

Sorry girl! Sending positive energy your way. Take it slow, sweetie. Can you have ice chips yet? Try to sleep and hopefully the nasea will subside. GasX helped me with chicken broth and other liquids that caused me to feel more gas. Are you getting the shot in the belly that reduces nasea? I had to keep requesting it-even when I wasn't that nauseous just in case. Good luck. Keep us posted!

I'm just like you Deltagirl! Some days I could eat all day, others a few bites of this and yogurt and I'm good! Carbs are the devil, tho! I'm struggling because meats and veggies must be chewed til vaporized, yet a cookie or something else made of sugar and flour goes down just fine! that's why I got to be close to 300 pounds-I love cake and cookies! I try to only purchase low fat/high fiber treats (like Fiber 1 brownies) so I get my fix without over doing it. But like you said, one day the brownie hits the spot, the next day I want to eat 3 (but don't!). Every day is a new challenge but as long as the results, however slow they may be, do happen-it's all good! 

Melissa, girlfriend, your surgeon is right! I just made it to 'onederland' (slang for going under 200 lbs.) the past month. My surgery was Oct 11th-started pre-op diet Aug 11 weighing 278. Today, almost 5 months post-op and I weigh 197! I haven't weighed under 200 lbs in 20 years-since b4 my 2 daughters were born and they are 18&19! I never thought I'ld see the day-like you I've dieted only to stall and regain. I look and feel better than I have in many years. Is it easy? He-- no! I stll have hard days, but with my diabetes reversed and sleep apnea gone, I now have the energy and drive to live my life to the fullest. Not just being worried about having a full tummy. Good luck-we're here for you!

My stats are similar to yours, so maybe this would help. DOS weight 255, size 22/24 dress. By 2/11, my 4 month anniversary, I was down to 199 (-56 lbs.) and wearing a size 14/16 dress. I am not too busty, so I would def. take that into consideration, as far as ordering the 16/18 goes. I guess you should be safer with the 16/18, then have it altered. It will depend on how much you take off. I would think you have a terrific incentive to really lose during the "honeymoon"! Good luck! Post a photo so we can see how gorgeous you looked!