ChinaWood

Some people are insensitive to what comes out of their mouth. You cannot control it and all you can really do is state you feel that it is an inappropriate statement. Usually makes them feel awkward and takes the issue off you and focuses back on them.
Surgery is NOT the easy way out. By far, it is very hard and has so many risks attached too it. Your absolutely right the easy way out is to not do anything and continue to gain weight.
Don't let her rude comments bring you down at all...your looking GREAT!!! Keep up the hard work :-)

I am 2 months out today, and when I weighed this morning I was so elated because I'm down 40 lbs from my pre-surgery weight. Unfortunately my elation didn't last for long. ;(
I am a private person, so I haven't told anyone at work that I had WLS. When people say something about my weight loss I cringe and stumble through the whole, "I'm working really hard, under a DRs & NUTs care, no carb, low fat, no sugar, blah, blah, blah" schpiel. I hate addressing people's curiosity, and because 2 other ladies in my office had WLS in the last few years, I'm sure that some people are digging for info. I usually manage to brush these encounters off, but today was different.
So this morning as I'm rocking a brand new size 8 pair of jeans...down from a 16-TYVM...I go to the break room to cook my egg whites that I'm getting so damn sick of having for Breakfast, and a friendly colleague of mine says, "Girl, you are wasting away right before my eyes". I say, "I'm getting there." She then proceeds to tell me that she is so glad I didn't take the easy way out like the other two did!!!! I am dumbfounded, and trying to gracefully and tactfully get myself out of this conversation, but I honestly wanted to cry. I told her that I didn't think there was an easy way out with weight loss. She said, "yeah, I know, but taking the easy way out is sad and it really shows that you have no self control."
I was devastated, and I've been in a funk ever since. I know without a shadow of a doubt that she would have never said that if she knew...that makes me so sad. It also makes me sad to think that someone I admire in my professional life would be so condemning of an issue she obviously has never struggled with. I felt dirty and cheap and like a coward for not coming clean and telling her, "My dear, I had WLS and it is not the easy way out." Instead I just let her walk away thinking I'm this goddess of self control and that I have done this all by myself. Ughhh, I'm so mad at myself.
I have worked my ass off to get to this point and I've invested a TON of money in making sure my future is as healthy and happy as it can possibly be, because there are people in my life that I adore and I want to see 30,000 more sunsets with them. I have never fought for something so hard in my whole entire life.
I didn't take the easy way out. The easy way out would have been to do nothing. The easy way out would have me giving into every craving and eating grotesque amounts of food just because I can. The easy way out would have been to continue to get fatter and fatter, and sicker and sicker and to die way before my time.
Sorry, I just had to come here where y'all would understand. Today hurt, and it discouraged me and it sucked. Thankfully, tomorrow is a new day...and I'm going to be one step closer to my goal.

Hello my name is Tiifany
I am 30 years old. I had my sleeve gastroectomy on 9/17 to date i have lost 10 pds. I thought that it would be more than that by now.I had alot of pain the first day in the hospital it was horrible. I also developed a infection in my incensions but my doctor has me on antibotics and it seems to be getting better.

October 5th 1:40pm

YaY! I got my approval letter from the insurance today and if the letter is correct I will be Oct. 15th extremely nervous and excited.

2012 OctoSleevers
( 224 members!! )
10/1 -- ( 24 )
IsaacsGram
ann48
luvlife
conrow1994
hockeymom1010
highschoolfigure
urboyp
FoxyRoxy
diamondzlife
hsirk
SleevenChica
twoplusone227
krenzema
mztialady
innermyth
readytobethin
D2b11f
BigGirlPanties
imgonnaloseit!
mcwillj
Nita M
Sugarlovernomore
Kirstyn1226
cdscott89
10/2 -- ( 12 )
SkinnyMinnie2Be
melinda.trujillo
ThinkThin78
kolerz219
minkywinks_esposa
Peazwithin
tqmeri30
story
awaywego
angie2005
Shawn Kuriger
Chclte06
10/3 -- ( 12 )
miriamK
NDN_RN
mztj99
laurenw
katstally
UTGal99
Frenchi
HollyC
ashleytn
lasvegasdimples
cheeri1
meremb
10/4 -- ( 6 )
Scottishlassie
KishaE
cherrybombknits
arathfon.rn
plbutler
#1Mima
10/5 -- ( 6m )
Jenni Smith
mom2han
Kiki74
valdostaGA
SolizeTheGift
cmayfield85
10/6 -- ( 2 )
bellesol
CCCross
10/8 -- ( 17 )
vitaleEM
JustSkinnyMeInside
jonesy8844
az1369
chad2rad
Jae-R
ElaineB
MommaMeg01
lilly's journey
turbosprint
Mrz.LaWSOn
auggie
FeelsMe2
tylr3316
andreagoeldner (DS)
lby226
LaurenD3
10/9 -- ( 22 )
hbjewelry
Natava
JazzyJ
SweetTee
shastarey3000
sacharliem
cosmo95
Malisima69
shamrockjulie
Tanya~101
TuscanyDreams
kbaith25
Chills562
XoTiffanniXo
sacharliem
052407
diva30
dyvasha70
shall0207
pink grace
Zuwi
Robert Olsen
10/10 -- ( 9 )
ready2bskinny
butter-fly
Missdede
geewalk
LivinADream
VSG Duck
ecannizz
Italiangurl
AJDuke
10/11 -- ( 12 )
Lil'LO
choc_thicktothin
Holly5.3
gottaloozit
ME123
charchar
SCS
MNSleeveGirl
CaliAmber
VNaNa
Gig
suejersey
10/12 -- ( 2 )
TeeBeeCee
KZBen
10/15 -- ( 16 )
Susan 2.0
Cyn
Hnbc1986
Ely
kmoore
change4life2012
Jackie6
Hnbc1986
welittle1
Bella86
Geauxforit
Happydash
drexelgirl
phatmomof2
chelbroyer
fatgirlslim75
10/16 -- ( 16 )
kssooner2
Anicmice
unobaby
JonathanS
SkinnyMinnyMom
neenee
MrzSongbird
HoneyMcgee
ms.mcbride1105
berthaeaster
Amelia Browne
Crystalite
mindovermatter
Alenr
CLTgirl
Ely
10/17 -- ( 6 )
IrishShannon
Neda17
MsInzee2010
tbnote71
SharraKMD
Sassy.Sleever
10/18 -- ( 8 )
sleevemeup
Lauren610
ladyofdamage
imworthit
quitaboo1
ahh2bm3
Reedikulus
ME123
10/19 -- ( 2 )
mae
buttahfly
10/20 -- ( 1 )
buffygirl
10/22 -- ( 11 )
xmasbpig
Riaa90
Donny
Strangefruit
bethxxx
DebInAZ
brandy79
jplummer3
clynn
mendymeyham
whitneymalae
10/23 -- ( 11 )
littlemiss0428
mrsjones075
time2getskinny
kymbo
jennifer4444
healthiermom
shanti4758
MKate73
JANNCS
BRAT
Androfan
10/24 -- ( 3 )
jlfinmn
bethanyruff
pamalam
10/25 -- ( 10 )
this.time.its.4.me
meeshluv81
jrabbit81
lifechanging
sleclerc
lovex5
Robbino
OneManWolfpack
LDallas
funkeechiggen
10/26 -- ( 2 )
mandymae
sheppy33
10/27 -- ( 1 )
zenoosh
10/29 -- ( 7 )
jeriberi
Look@meitsEmily
Gonnabeslim1day
liz32
Oh2Bthin
simplybirdie
Mudpuddle3
10/30 -- ( 4 )
yanik
TheNEWME!
scarletwoodward
shamyra1
10/31 -- ( 2 )
AliciaA122
faeriefyre
Honorary Members:
JLS (moved into Sept)
gabby899 (moved to Sept 28 )
Buckeye_girl40 (formerly tfazio -- moved to Nov)
RJ’S/beginning (moved to Nov 6)

Edited the list to add you in!! And glad to have you as a sleeve twin (I'm on the 15th, too)!

It's different from person to person. I had surgery last Wednesday and was In pain for 2 days them more like stiffness now. You'll be just fine.
Order My Steps Dear Lord...

Wow I was sleeved January 30, 2012 and boy can I say Life has been good. Although I have slowed down in losing weight. I am still losing inches and my Health couldn't be any better. I am currently 75 pounds down and so far I am off my Diabetes meds, I am down to only taking 1 blood pressure med pill. I went from a size 24 in women clothing to a 16-18. I still have about 70 more pounds I want to lose. It feels great to know It is a goal that can be reached. I am one of the lucky ones to have no complications so far and I just wanted to say that the surgery saved my life. I do not regret it nor am I ashamed that I had to do it. when all else failed.Just felt like sharing my story.......

Losing weight is similar to rolling a ball up a hill and down the other side.. It's slow goin up, then it'll almost stall at the peak then once u hit the slope it'll all come together. Just keep doin what your doing.. And stay active which is most important..

I loved looking at the before/after/progress pics while I was just getting started here, so I always try to reciprocate
Before: 241 (probably got up into the 250's but wasn't tracking)
No real pre-op loss.
Currently: 166-168.
Nutrition: Focus on Protein and Water. Can basically eat and drink whatever I want in very small portions. Foods that don't agree with me: bread, tortillas and rice generally don't sit well so I avoid them. Pasta is ok, and so are crackers/toast. My favorite foods: anything seafood. In the last few weeks I've eaten salmon, swordfish, shrimp, and sushi. Also: cheese, in any way, shape or form. I've had more caprese salad in the last month than in the rest of my life combined. Yum yum! My not-guilty-at-all guilty pleasure: coffee, with full fat Creamer and occasionally some sweetener (read: on my period, heh). Every day. Mmmm. Stuff that goes down easier than I wish it would: Anything made of potato. DAMN YOU, POTATOES! *shakes fist*
Also worth noting - I can eat as much fruit and veggies as a "normal" person. No one would ever know I had surgery when eating from a veggie tray. For some odd reason, there's no restriction with those two items. I can't eat as quickly as I used to, but I could graze all day. Weird!
I've taken a purposeful no-stress policy over this. Stress stalls weight loss. You heard it here first! I had no pre-op, I have very, very laid-back post-op, and although my weight loss has slowed, I'm still losing consistently. 75lbs in 4.5 months is more than good enough for me My current exercise routine is... well, nothing. Not NOTHING, I guess, if you count typing as exercise. I work a lot and am terribly out of shape. So it's been slow going to get started.
Pictures:

Size 18/20. That's an XXL shirt from Kohl's. Summer 2011.

This is a before/progress. Winter 2012 on the left, and about 40lbs down (or about 35lbs ago) on the right.
Approx. 168lbs
Approx. 168lbs. Size L yoga pants from Target (Champion) and size M shirt (unisex)


Trying on at Old Navy Sweetheart boot cut jeans in 12 short. Hoodie is a L. Both fit comfortably and will likely be loose in approx. 2-3 weeks.
IF I CAN DO IT, ANYONE CAN. Hope this gives someone out there the inspiration they need to get healthy!

Well, today is the 6 week Surgiversary of my Sleeve and the 8 week mark since I started on my pre-op diet. I can hardly believe that I am down 60 pounds. I must admit that I don't see all of them, but I do feel them.
If anyone out there is doubting that the sleeve can work, please reach out to my privately. I will share with you how, in just a very short period of time it has had a profound impact on my life!

However you did it congratulations, its your money so no one else's sarcastic opinions count....
Order My Steps Dear Lord...

The tax repercussion is less because now I can claim anything medical over 7.5% of my annual income which will offset and negate the tax I would be hit with for taking it early... and no it isn't a joke... Over a decade with the company and they fired me two days after my birthday... "restructuring" they call it...

Hello, my name is Tonika and I had my sleeve done September 26 2012. I originally had the lap band In 2003 and I was 374 pounds. I got down to 176 pounds nevertheless I started having problems with the band and I creeped back up to 288 pounds. I went In for a revision on my birthday January 26 2012, my liver and my stomach were merged together. The surgeon said he's good but not that good so once he freed the band and liver and stomach he aborted the revision. I woke up to disbelief he said I had too much scar tissue and would never be able to have any weight loss surgery again. I was depressed for 8 months till one day I said God please heal my insides I'm not meant to be heavy. I went online researched everyone told me no till West Lake Hospital came up I called and the rest is history. I went in on a Monday in August and three weeks later I had my surgery... Scar tissue completely healed. What a mighty God we serve, I was nervous the nigh before so I prayed and God whispered trust me your stomach is ok and I just believed and was ok after that.. FYI MY NURSES NAME WAS JESUS AND I HAVE A ROSARY BEAD TATTOO AND SHE PRAYED ON IT...

[ATTACH]5271[/ATTACH]
Order My Steps Dear Lord...

I guess I was lucky because I had my lapband out in January and thought that was it. I went in on September the 14th for a consulting and the surgeon said set up a surgery date your scar tissue should be healed by now. They had me to go to the nutritionist once that Friday and my insurance was put through the next week and the 26 of September 9 months to the day I was sleeved from my band being removed I was blessed ....
Order My Steps Dear Lord...

How long after surgery should the Water weight go away.... I'm 5 days out post op and I'm still bloated, I'm following my diet but no weight loss yet.. is this normal
Order My Steps Dear Lord...

I'm done in November I can't wait ...2 more visits here i come

I just downloaded it, ill give u all my info when I figure it out.
Order My Steps Dear Lord...

Hello, my name is Tonika and I had my sleeve done September 26 2012. I originally had the lap band In 2003 and I was 374 pounds. I got down to 176 pounds nevertheless I started having problems with the band and I creeped back up to 288 pounds. I went In for a revision on my birthday January 26 2012, my liver and my stomach were merged together. The surgeon said he's good but not that good so once he freed the band and liver and stomach he aborted the revision. I woke up to disbelief he said I had too much scar tissue and would never be able to have any weight loss surgery again. I was depressed for 8 months till one day I said God please heal my insides I'm not meant to be heavy. I went online researched everyone told me no till West Lake Hospital came up I called and the rest is history. I went in on a Monday in August and three weeks later I had my surgery... Scar tissue completely healed. What a mighty God we serve, I was nervous the nigh before so I prayed and God whispered trust me your stomach is ok and I just believed and was ok after that.. FYI MY NURSES NAME WAS JESUS AND I HAVE A ROSARY BEAD TATTOO AND SHE PRAYED ON IT...

[ATTACH]5271[/ATTACH]
Order My Steps Dear Lord...

After my surgery I had so many questions for people that have been thru the surgery also. I went on my Iphone and typed in vertical sleeve in the app search box and low and behold this app popped up! At first I thought it wudnt be populated and that it wud be boring and I wud end up deleting it anyway. But I am soooo glad I found it bcuz it has answered so many questions and been so informative in helpin me wit this. I only wish I had found it while I was pre op

I'm really sorry to hear all this. You shouldn't compare yourself to others, though. A lot of people who have had this surgery are much heavier than you, and the more weight you have to lose, the faster it comes off. I have slowed down dramatically since I got to around 202. I have been losing a pound a week myself. At least you are losing though, right? Also, you mentioned you've been working out a lot - you are probably gaining lean muscle mass. You may want to try eating a little more to give your metabolism a kick. It works. Hang in there. I know it must be hard not to be frustrated after 2 surgeries. Catch up on some sleep and give your body and mind a rest. Stress doesn't do anyone any good.

Hello, my name is Tonika and I had my sleeve done September 26 2012. I originally had the lap band In 2003 and I was 374 pounds. I got down to 176 pounds nevertheless I started having problems with the band and I creeped back up to 288 pounds. I went In for a revision on my birthday January 26 2012, my liver and my stomach were merged together. The surgeon said he's good but not that good so once he freed the band and liver and stomach he aborted the revision. I woke up to disbelief he said I had too much scar tissue and would never be able to have any weight loss surgery again. I was depressed for 8 months till one day I said God please heal my insides I'm not meant to be heavy. I went online researched everyone told me no till West Lake Hospital came up I called and the rest is history. I went in on a Monday in August and three weeks later I had my surgery... Scar tissue completely healed. What a mighty God we serve, I was nervous the nigh before so I prayed and God whispered trust me your stomach is ok and I just believed and was ok after that.. FYI MY NURSES NAME WAS JESUS AND I HAVE A ROSARY BEAD TATTOO AND SHE PRAYED ON IT...

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Order My Steps Dear Lord...

Well this is a free country so I wouldn't say a word, but FYI In reference to your question the reason there are institutions such as colleges, groups, clubs for people of African ancestry is because at the time black people wanted an education; they were unable to attain this by just walking into any college, they risked being hung, shot at, sprayed with Water hoses, you name it, you could also google the University of Alabama where several students were jeered and called things I dare not mention, James Hood and Vivian Malone in 1963 were apart of this group, the first group of African Americans allowed to enroll at the University of Alabama, which was an all white institution at the time.... Most black colleges were established after the civil war, there were also some established before. These colleges are called HBCU's or Historically Black Colleges and Universities. There is racial diversity at HBCU's here is a quote from wikipedia:
Racial diversity at HBCUs
As colleges work harder to maintain enrollment levels and because of increased racial harmony and the low cost of tuition, the percentage of non-African American enrollment has tended to climb.The following table highlights HBCUs with high non-African American enrollments: there was a chart here that showed European American enrollment you can google HBCU's to see the chart on wikipedia.
and there's:
Other HBCUs with relatively high non-African American student populations
The following list illustrates the percentage of white(Caucasian) student populations currently attending historically black colleges and universities according to statistical profiles compiled by the US News and World Report Best Colleges 2011 edition: Langston University 12%; Shaw University 12%; Tennessee State University 12%; University of Maryland Eastern Shore 12%; North Carolina University 10%. The U.S. News and World Reports statistical profiles indicate that several other HBCUs have relatively significant percentages of non-African American student populations consisting of Asian, Hispanic, International and white American
I do not feel this group was started with the intent to be racist, nor any college. I am sorry you are offended by this, and hope you will research this more.

I contemplated whether or not to address this comment, but just couldn't let it go. Honestly the group is called African American Sleevers but is not prohibited from any other race. It was created for those of us ( African Americans) to gain information pertaining to things that relate to us specifically. For example hair (texture, weaves, locs, shedding, coloring), skin discoloration (incision sites), etc.
Although I'm only 29 I go on the groups for ages 35 and above just because I'm not 35 doesn't mean in can't participate in a discussion on a site/group created for older people. Don't be so sensitive, you're more than welcome to join in.