StephF89

Initially I had an issue with shin splints, but I learned some amazing stretches that I do before hand and I haven't suffered since! I did a 5k back in April, I was 257 then and it took me nearly 2hours to complete (I walked about 99% of it and it was an obstacle run) but now I can easily run 5k (3.1 miles) in about 30-45mins without feeling like I'm going to die. I live about... 5 blocks from a large mountain type.. thing... and I make the kids jog it with me once a month. The way up they are major cry babies about it, on the way down they are all giggles. It's been an amazing journey so far!!

Checking in with everyone. I am 33weeks out today (the 14th will be my 8th month mark) and I am down 121 pounds. Things have been pretty smooth for me, thank goodness. I have taken up running (yes, omg running!) When walking used to get me winded at my peak weight the fact that I can run a couple miles without dying blows my mind. Yay for our new and healthier lifestyles!!!!

Stats: Surg date 2/14/2013 PreOP 318.8 DOS 308.8 CW 218.8 Down 100lbs in 5 and a half months!! Next stop Onederland!!! 18.9lbs to go til then. All together 33.8lbs til goal. (I may or may not adjust when I get there) Hope everyone is doing well!

Hey Fellow February Sleevers!! Just wanted to check in and let y'all know how I'm doing. I was sleeved 2/14/2013 SW 318.8 DOS 308.8 CW 228.0 Total loss 90.8lbs Inches lost Neck - 1.25 inches Waist - 11.5 inches Hips - 9.25 Total inches gone (from when I started measuring and limited to just the areas I've measured) 22inches, ALMOST 2 FEET, of me gone. So that's my update! Love reading everyone else's as well.. Keep up the hard work Feb-Sleevers!!

Today I am 3 months out, I was sleeved on Valentine's day and I am down 68lbs. I am about 3 pounds past my half way to goal mark. I think we are all doing amazing!!

SW - 318 DoS - 308 CW- 257 Surgery Date 2/14/13 Down 61lbs! Almost halfway to goal 5.5lbs til I'm halfway there. Whew! What a journey.

Hey, we have practically the same stats, just a 2lb difference. Same surgery date and amount lost so far!! HW 318 DOS 308 2/14/13 CW 268 Crazy!!

Hit 6wks out Thursday and down 45lbs on the nose. I only started taking measurements at 1 month 4days out, but have since lost a total of 9 inches off my neck, waist, and hips (combined). Water intake is so much easier as I can drink easier these days. I don't really don't drink much else, but I will have an occasional glass of skim milk. I've gotten the husband to alter his eating habits slightly (replacing ground beef with found turkey for recipes, skim milk, more veggies and lean protein) so this has been a family journey pretty awesome so far. Hope everyone is doing well!!

Hey Amanda, Congrats on your surgery! Here's to a pleasant recovery!! Welcome to the losers bench

I normally put peaches or pineapple with my cottage cheese, tasty tasty!

Thanks girl

Heck yea go you indeed!!!

Today is my official 1 month surgiversary! Down 36.6 lbs. I was stalled for a bit, lost 2lbs, stalled a bit again, then I upped my Water intake and I dropped another half pound. Today I start swimming, my incisions are no longer scabbed so I'm hitting the pool today with the kids! So excited. I've been waiting to go with them As much as I want to be upset about "only losing 36lbs in a month" I can't be... Nearly 40lbs?! I'm please. I can't wait to see where I am next month! Hope everyone is doing well, I love reading everyone's progress!

Chiming in a little late here! Hello!! My name is Stephanie, I prefer Steph, and I am originally from California (the Bay Area). I moved 1wk after my surgery to Bend, Oregon, don't worry I didn't do much. I sat with the dog while everyone moved everything lol. I'm 28 years old, married, and we have 2 kids (a 12 year old girl, and a 6 year old boy). I am a 'Valentiner" (I was sleeved 2/14/13). So given that it's March I'd say it's safe to assume that everyone in this group is officially sleeved! I'm excited to follow everyone's progress. Take care all!

We were sleeved the same day

Sleeved 2/14 down 36lbs

In my experience, you'll know! I have to take a bite, wait... See how it settles, the take another bite. Once I ate a bit too quickly and got a pretty uncomfortable pain in my chest. Did you feel sick or have pain at all?

That is awesome! Congrats on your loss and keep on keeping on!

Actually the Hotel Ticuan is lovely ;P

And to clarify: complimentary accounts aren't really "heresy" as much as non complimentary accounts are. Most of the time it's "I've been to Almanza and he was great and is recommend him" the 'I've been' makes its an experience, rather than "I read somewhere that he does this and that" which would be heresy.... Or readtype Can't we all just get aloooooong! Lol! There are 1st hand accounts on this forum of people who didn't like their experience with Almanza. Please be sure to read those... There's a thread "notes on hospital Jerusalem" or something like that where a gentleman goes in to great detail about what he didn't like about the clinic. I will say I think they should change there name from Hospital Jerusalem to "Clinic Jerusalem" There is also more than one location, in the same "strip mall" type area. (Hence the confusion over him being able to do X amount of surgeries)

Just to be clear I'm not saying Almanza is a God, nor is he the bestest bestest there ever was. My experience with his, and how I relay it to those who are curious and trying to make their decision, is as truthful and non bias as possible. I do not think Almanza shoots rainbows and butterflies out of his bum, however I don't think he's as bad as some make him out to be. For many it boils down to cost. And honestly, for people who aren't even interested in Almanza, some do sure show up on boards/forums/discussions relating to him a lot. I'm not pointing fingers directly at anybody, but if you feel it applies to you, it probably does. Either way. Traveling to TJ is scary. They drive scary, there are stray dogs, they are trying to sale you stuff on every street, and man are they pushy! Lol Hospital Jerusalem is a clinic. It's one patient in, get sleeved, patient out, turn over room, next! Luckily I didn't have to wait. I had surgery the day I arrived since my BMI was high I was late in the day anyways. The nursing staff is nice. The transport from hotel to testing places (as with MANY of the TJ places) can get annoying cuz you just had surgery and you're tired, you're in a new place.... Whatever. Fact is some people don't have the extra couple thousand dollars. Fact is we are all here for support. Fact is we are all fat and unhealthy and are looking for friends on the journey. I love Amanda Rae's signature thing but I know it a little differently: Before you speak, THINK is it True is it Helpful is it Inspiring is it Necessary is it Kind. Maybe we all should apply that. Don't expect glitz and glamour with Hospital Jerusalem. Do expect a clinic. Don't expect grim and rude people, expect clean (they mop tons) and kind people. Do as much research as you can to be as prepared as possible. It's easy to freak out, but in all reality we are ALL going off what people say they experience, regardless of our surgeon (unless we've traveled there to check it out prior). So do what you think is best for you, and screw everyone and their judgmental attitudes! Good luck

Chiming in! I went to Almanza valentines day, if you'd like to hear my FIRST HAND experience, rather than hearsay, please feel free to msg me