VSG AJH

Ok I finally found a pre picture so I will try to upload them.
The teal dress is a size 10!

I am so happy I decided to have the sleeve. I just got so tired of being fat. I say fat, because I was. I'm still on my journey to a better and brighter future. I'm the type of person who believes, if something can go wrong with me, it will go wrong. I was so nervous going in to surgery. What if I die? What if I get a serious infection? What if I quit breathing? I decided to start praying and quit worrying! Thankfully, I have been the model patient so far for the sleeve. I have not had one complication! I have strictly followed my Drs orders. I'm experiencing a lot of different reactions from family and friends. My mom and sister are trying to force feed me. They think I'm not eating enough, which in fact I get in at least 65 g of Protein plus my 64 ounces of Water everyday! My friends look at me weird when I eat a few bites, and I'm full. But everyone still supports me. I have such a good sense of humor, I make light out of their worries about me. They are more afraid of this lifestyle change than I am. I still have a long way to go, but I'm loving life more and more everyday! Oh and I'm not a bit scared to stand on a scale! Bc I know I will never be at my heaviest EVER AGAIN!! I had surgery October 30, 2013. So I'm not quite 4 months yet, but close enough! 90 pounds down and I couldn't be any more proud of myself!

Started at 256 wearing a 20-22. 9 months ago. I'm so fricking excited today. I just brought a dress for my Mardi Gras ball and it's a size 10.
A sexy, Jessica Rabbit size 10 dress. (People my age will understand the Jessica Rabbit thing)

54 waist to 33. 4xl shirt to large,
Im going broke!!! I think Im done though.. Thank goodness.
Chris

You will get there I am 10 months out start weight 237 day of surgery 215 now I'm 138 in a size 6-8 & small/med shirts

Just went shopping and guess what....size 10 even an 8. Wow!

Here is one of me. This was taken one year post opt.

Just went to Aeropostale and fit into a pair of 38 slims......5 months ago I was in a size 50....The feeling to be able to shop for clothes any where again is Awesome!!!!!!

By before I weighed 244, I'm down to 123 in my current pic. It was taken last week by my daughter. I went from pics of myself being as rare as a bigfoot sighting to signing up to do a pinup girl style photo shoot.

Unfortunately I don't have much in the way of tips. I was on crutches for most of my time, and since it is my right foot I wasn't able to drive either. Essentially, I just sat on my couch. If they say you're able to do low impact stuff I imagine (on top of what you already do) the elliptical would be best because your feet don't move at all. If your gym has them, try battle ropes too!

My starting weight for this challenge is 211.0. I'm still in the stall that I ended the Valentine's Day challenge in, but despite that, and despite the short length of this challenge, in going to set my goal at 199.0. Because of the stall, I know that might be a little ambitious, but I'm hoping to break this stall and have a banner loss. Fingers crossed!!

Before my surgery and right after I worried about people knowing, but now that I am 7 months out and down almost 100 pounds, I could really care less. I am also a nurse, but I work in Corrections, so I get the double wammy with the gossip circles. When people ask me now I tell them "I went to Mexico and had weight loss surgery". They are usually far more interested in the fact I went to Mexico than they are in the actual surgery. The conversation usually ends with "well you look great".
At the end of the day, do what makes you comfortable and happy. Most I have found are very supportive, the ones that aren't are usually just jealous of the fact that I now look like a new person.

Thank you so much for that. I am so scared that I am being selfish. But not being able to BE the mom I want my children to have is so much more crippling for me. Complications or not I am resolved in my decision.

Bea -- Thanks again for organizing this challenge! I sure didn't realize just how challenging it would be. Looking forward to the next one!
I'm at 211.0 today, so down only 0.6 pounds for the week and 1.0 pounds away from reaching my overall goal. I also think I might be in the beginning of my very first stall as I've been up and down the same 0.6 pounds all week despite careful intake observation and exercise. Boo. I'm not too discouraged, though, because I've lost almost 15 pounds during this challenge, and I'm 10 weeks out without having ever stalled before. Not too bad. Best of luck, everyone!

Bea -- Thanks again for organizing this challenge! I sure didn't realize just how challenging it would be. Looking forward to the next one!
I'm at 211.0 today, so down only 0.6 pounds for the week and 1.0 pounds away from reaching my overall goal. I also think I might be in the beginning of my very first stall as I've been up and down the same 0.6 pounds all week despite careful intake observation and exercise. Boo. I'm not too discouraged, though, because I've lost almost 15 pounds during this challenge, and I'm 10 weeks out without having ever stalled before. Not too bad. Best of luck, everyone!

Congratulations, Junkie!! Adoption is so lovely! We have six kids, and two are adopted. Our oldest was adopted via foster care, and our fourth child was a private agency adoption. We're anxious to adopt again, but I'm taking a little "get well" time before we resubmit our life book to our agency. I'm scheduled for a sleeve December 3, so maybe in a year or so we'll go active again.
I read your other posts about your little one's history and the other kiddos you're thinking about. You might look at Karen Purvis' book The Connected Child. It's an excellent book that addresses some of the attachment stuff that comes along with kiddos coming out of hard places. If you're a Christ follower, there's a Bible study that can be used as an accompaniment called Created to Connect. You can find both of those resources at Tapestryministry.org.
I've attached a picture of my kiddos just because they're so awesome! They're the reason I'm opting for WLS. Gotta keep up and live forever! Congrats again on your growing family!

Is your husband saying you're not considering your children because you're planning to have the surgery, it because you're torn? I have six kids - ages 13, 11, 4, 2, 2, and 7 months (was 5 months old when I had surgery). I'm two months out and down 56 pounds. Sure, I was concerned I'd have complications that would steal me away from my children, but obesity comes with complications that will steal me away from my children. As I'd unsuccessfully tried everything to lose weight on my own and keep it off, I was guaranteed the complications from obesity. At least now I have a tool to hopefully help me avoid those. Already, I can do so much more to care for and keep up with my crazy bunch. Even my husband commented on this last night as I rocked our little one to sleep, then just stood straight up from a seated position on our deep couch (without struggling or scooting) with him in my arms to carry to bed. I attribute that to the 56 fewer pounds, a much smaller gut, and the air squats I'm now able to do. . While it's normal and reasonable to be scared, this is a tool that can actually bless your children.

I agree. I miss their witty banter and sage advice. Not nearly the same awesomeness without them.

I agree. I miss their witty banter and sage advice. Not nearly the same awesomeness without them.

This was so cool! My client came in the other day and I greeted her and said'I'll be right with you', she responded, 'oh, thanks, I'm waiting for Seela'. I just started laughing, which totally confused her for a few seconds then she took a good look a me and her sincerely shocked look when she realized it was me was awesome. Such a fun moment

Please go see a doctor right away and tell him what you told us.

I'm in, Bea! I've enjoyed the V-Day challenge. Thanks again for organizing!

I am glad you guys are questioning the 6 month doctor comment. I wonder where these guys get this stuff sometimes. My surgeon was one of the best, worked at a center of excellence, studied at the best bariatric center in America. Words like that never came out of his mouth.
I lost well the first 6 months but lost nearly as much the second 6 months. I never have sweated stalls. I figured they were scientifically doomed. I was right. They were just a curiosity to me.
Having an active lifestyle, eating right, living right, becoming a life hound instead of a food hound, these things bolster your success.

I'm four weeks out, and have had an easy time of everything. No nausea, pain, or other problems since the day after surgery. If it wasn't for my incisions, and the stomach restriction I feel, I would wonder if I even had surgery! I LOVE my sleeve!

I felt the same way... I had surgery on 11/20 and cooked thanksgiving meal for entire family....... Felt great... Didn't believe my doctor that I had the surgery but I do know now....... Good luck sounds like ur doing great