diamond3

Hi all November sleevers!! Happy one year to us!!

My stats are:

HW: 289.6, size 24 pants, 2-3x shirts

SW: 264.6 (11/12/12)

CW: 161.5, size 10 pants, medium shirts

Down 128.1!!! Working to be 140 for my ultimate goal.... Then a lower body lift!

Smooth Move tea...... Works for me every time! (I prefer the peppermint one)

I have no regrets whatsoever. At all. I'm down almost 130 pounds and just 15 left to be a healthy BMI. That being said---- I wish I had been more prepared for what it's like emotionally to have chosen this. I am so happy- hands down- with me decision and progress. In preparing for surgery I thought I'd react well to some changes and have difficulty with others--- for example i thought if have more self esteem and building confidence would be difficult. For me it's been the opposite. I thought those nearest and dearest would have nothing but positive reactions to the changes- despite having a great support system that too is different than I anticipated- some people around me are happy for me but I think compare my success to their struggles and need to distance their involvement- not out of jealousy but the comparison they make ends up making them feel badly maybe....

It's a journey that is fantastic and confusing..., but for me 100% worth it.

I just met diamond3 for coffee this weekend and I have to say meeting a success in person has been very motivating! I suggest all pre-ops do it' date=' at least emails. She answered tons of questions and I'm sure I'll have more for her! We will be sleeve sisters and its a culture all it's own, so it's nice to share:-). I hope to pay it forward in the future...[/quote']

So nice to read this!!! It was so great to meet you and talk to someone who really gets it!!! It's still a daily struggle to stay the course ---- so reading you refer to me as a success is something I can't even put into words!! Sleeve sisters- absolutely. Hope to have coffee with you again soon.

Yeah I'm about a month out and my taste buds have totally changed. for me now sweet means a Dannon Light and Fit two times Protein Greek yogurt vanilla. I don't even feel like I need the fruit.< /div>

I do the coconut flavor Dannon light and fit Greek --- with strawberries and sometimes some chopped pecans. SO GOOD! I'm 11 months out and can eat anything without a problem now. (Still strict but no intolerances).

You will be able to eat a sandwich.... I'm just about eleven months out and my sandwiches are soooooo different but I eat them..... I use one piece of Ezekiel sesame bread toasted... Whatever lunch meat I want.... Reduced fat mayo if I want....a little lettuce, pickles.... Whatever really. The portion is SO much smaller, and the bread is always toasted but they are sandwiches. Also grilled chicken wraps with peppers onions and a little plain chiobani (instead of sour cream) for a healthy chicken fajita wrap. Grilled cheese (if I get my Protein in first) is still good too.

For the naysayers about carbs- I'm eleven months out, down over 125 pounds which is about 85% of my excess weight. I'm very careful about my diet.....and it's very healthy.... Everything in moderation works. Even carbs! ????

That's awesome!! Congratulations!

Thank you!! It's definitely roller coaster but I have to remember the good stuff!

How is everyone else doing?

Diamond3 and nadoue' date=' when did you guys finally feel like you could eat somewhat normally? I'm 13 weeks out and still can barely get in 3 oz of Protein at a time. Then I usually don't have any room for a bite of veggies or carbs. Also, hair loss. Did you both experience it and when did it slow down? Mine started about 2 weeks ago maybe. I see so much hair in the shower every morning and it pulls out as I brush my hair and put my mousse in. Thanks in advance![/quote']

For me I'm not sure when the intense restriction subsided..... I still feel it but can eat what I think is a pretty normal volume of food regardless of what it is. Take lots and lots of b.... I do a B12 and Biotin twice a day above the recommended Vitamins. I have had alopecia areata in the past and wanted to keep Hair loss to a minimum. So far it's worked for me.

On another note.... As of today I'm down 125 pounds and I'm 20 pounds away from my healthy BMI goal..... Six weeks from my one year surgiversay! (Feeling happy!!!!)

I was a smoker before surgery and quit about five months pre op. Since about ten months post op I've been smoking again and everyday I think to myself today is the day I will quit.... Then I smoke. UGH.

Does anyone know of any risks associated with smoking this far out of surgery? I know all the horrible risks of smoking pre op, soon after surgery, and of smoking in general......But I wonder if there are additional risks for VSGers after we are all healed up.

I went to BIDMC and Dr Scheider was my surgeon. He is excellent.... And Michelle (nutrition) and Erin (nurse) are fantastic. I'm 10 months out and down about 117 I think (haven't weighed myself in a couple weeks) since the start if my pre op diet. Couldn't be happier!

I broke down and joined one of the online dating sites- dating is a lot harder now! People say and do just about everything to get some attention. It was so much easier before when people weren't "after one thing". Man..... I definitely wouldn't have ever thought dating would be harder now. I just want to meet someone normal that wants a real relationship. And won't be freaked out by the surgery news. Anyone near Boston?

Still mostly stalled.... Anyone else wonder about when the belly fat (gut) will catch up with the other areas? Seems like everywhere is getting smaller BUT my belly!

I'm so frustrated. May was a month that I was not super strict with my diet or exercise. I didn't go crazy or anything but I was out of town for two weeks and I found it more difficult to be strict.... Now I am home, working out eating right and staying on top of everything and I'm still not losing weight. I've tried changing up my work out.... Changing up my diet.... And nothing. I keep on losing and gaining the same 2-3 pounds over and over. It's just like before the surgery except I am totally committed and haven't gone off the program (when I was out of town I wasn't strict but I was still following the guidelines).

Makes me super cranky. And I want a piece of pizza followed by a snickers.... Of course I won't but seriously the scale has got to move soon right?!?!?

I'm 66 so am not worried about some things younger gals are but my stomach actually growled on Wed when I was getting a massage. Haven't had it growl once since surgery. Wonder if it was because I started weaning off the omeprozele. Having to concentrate on what I'm eating and portions!!!

That happened to me on Saturday!!! Just a little embarrassing :-/

Ah yes! The sixth month curse... This is around the time that we all have to put in a bit of extra work. It's around this point when some of the hunger comes back and we are able to eat more.

Now is when the choices about what we eat become even more important!

I have to fight my junk food ways everyday and try and stick with Proteins and veggies. The call for processed food are really loud and strong.

You are not alone' date=' I take it day by day, minute by minute sometimes. The best we can do is just not give up on ourselves!!![/quote']

Oh thank you!!!! I really thought I was losing my marbles or should nix the birth control. I'm so happy that its neither of those things..... And sort of nervous now- the past week has been harder than pre-op and recovery! Yikes!

Ah yes! The sixth month curse... This is around the time that we all have to put in a bit of extra work. It's around this point when some of the hunger comes back and we are able to eat more.

Now is when the choices about what we eat become even more important!

I have to fight my junk food ways everyday and try and stick with Proteins and veggies. The call for processed food are really loud and strong.

You are not alone' date=' I take it day by day, minute by minute sometimes. The best we can do is just not give up on ourselves!!![/quote']

Oh thank you!!!! I really thought I was losing my marbles or should nix the birth control. I'm so happy that its neither of those things..... And sort of nervous now- the past week has been harder than pre-op and recovery! Yikes!

Has anyone else been experiencing some sort of out of control head hunger? I have been eating so much more and wanting to eat pretty much any of the unhealthy foods I can think of! Two things have happened recently- I was away for a week and not able to be as careful as I am at home and I started birth control again. Anyone have any similar experiences? Or have I been depriving myself of many of my old go to unhealthy foods for 7 months and now can't keep it together?

I was having the Hair loss problems too..... I started taking Biotin twice a day. As long as I don't forget my Vitamins, and get 70g of Protein I don't lose much hair the next day.....seems to be the magic combo for me. My doctor told me biotin is not proven to prevent hair loss but it can't hurt either...... Twinlabs has a chewable dot too. Pretty cheap.

Help!! I'm stuck. I have stalled and can not get it moving again. I've been lingering at the same total loss for 2 weeks. I have increased protein' date=' exercise etc to no avail. Getting really discouraged. I know that there is a common stall at week 3, but for how long? I feel like I've lost all I am going to and of course since numerous failed dieting attempts, this does not feel good.[/quote']

I was stalled for just over three weeks.... I increased my caloric intake and the scale started moving again.... Not sure if it was related but it happened right away. :-)

Broke my stall with your advice!!! Seems I needed more calories. Super excited about it because I'm down 50 pounds from my high weight.....feels so good!

I've been in a stall since December 3rd. :-( it's starting to get me down..... Anyone break there stall?..... And how did you do it?!?!?!!??!!

Thank you so much' date=' I really appreciate it :-) Im not going to let it get me down. Just keeping chipping away :-)[/quote']

Anytime George.... You deserve the same encouragement you give everyone else on here! BTW..... If you eat out somewhere that has some WLS friendly foods will you let me know where? I'm starting to feel like going out but don't know where! Ill do the same if you want the info too! There are so many restaurants in the greater boston area there has to be somewhere right?!?

It's not only you. I have been doing everything by the book. Protein' date=' Water, exercise, and eating a snail pace. This week the scale has stayed the same. I don't get it either. I was eating 3000 calories per day pre-op. How can I eat 600 per day and stay the same?![/quote']

That must be so frustrating!!!! I just want to encourage you to continue.... Your weight loss so far has been so incredible and I am 100% positive it will continue. Keep up the good work George!! I look forward to hearing about how you overcome this stall!!!

I finally felt like cooking something .... Made turkey meatballs with a side of Italian seasoned ricotta cheese with basil garlic Tomato sauce and a pinch of shredded cheese.... Baked together and tasted oh so yummy! Granted the portion was teeny tiny but I ate it and feel great!

Me!!!!!! I have to make myself eat n drink

I'm so relieved! Everywhere I look people are so happy to move to puréed food or to soft foods.... I've had the ok for ground soft foods and well chewed crackers even and I just have no interest whatsoever!! I need to start eating but jeez.... Why bother? Lol