vmerrill

I am from upper northwest Iowa, although I am going to Des Moines to have my surgery done by Dr. LaMasters on November 8th. Super excited! 10 days to go....

I made it to onederland today. Words cannot express my happiness. I have not weighed under 200lbs for 20 years.

You are doing fantastic! My birthday was the 25th of April. I missed my goal by 1 lb, but today I made it! I was a week out, so who cares. You have had a huge weight loss. I was on a lull for the last couple of months only losing maybe a pound a week. Then I started walking to get ready for a 5k and was losing a half a pound a day. My body was finally catching up. My Hair loss has slowed waaaayyy down, thank goodness for that too. I am patting myself on the back, and you should do the same. Keep you eye on the prize. You look great.

I made it to onederland today. Words cannot express my happiness. I have not weighed under 200lbs for 20 years.

I made it to onederland today. Words cannot express my happiness. I have not weighed under 200lbs for 20 years.

I made it to onederland today. Words cannot express my happiness. I have not weighed under 200lbs for 20 years.

Thank you for sharing you good news. I was just an off the cuff comment to this Doctor and see what a difference it has made to you. I'm sure that will be one of those moments you will remember forever. I hope I make people feel that wasy sometimes. A lesson to be learned by all about the comments we make to others. Congratulations on your new identity! It's kind of like when you move away, and no one knows you,so you can be who you want to be and no one knows your past.

Yes it is a half a pound a day. I thought that is what I put. Sorry of I didn't. I do feel good though. When I had my labs done last month all was good just a little low in vit D, but I am taking more now.

I stated this thread back in July 2012 to get more motivated. I was sleeved 11/7/12 and I just hit ONEderland last week woohooooo!!!
HW 276
SW 261
CW 198!!! Yippee! I feel fabulous AND kept my curves! 40 more to go! I'm almost 5 months out!

I haven't been on VST much the past few months, I moved most of my activity over to MyFitnessPal. However, today is my one year "Surgiversary" and I have so much to be thankful for.
I lost 81 pounds, from 274 to 192, and still losing (verrrry slowly now).
I went from sizes 22/24/2X to 8/10/M, bra size from 42DD to 36C/D(treated myself to a fitting today, yay!).
I lost a full shoe size.
I lost high blood pressure, hypothyroid, plantar fasciitis, and Vitamin D deficiency.
I lost pain in my hips when laying in bed.
I lost being out of breath constantly and being drenched in sweat with the slightest exertion.
I lost excruciating back pain that left me with a possible permanent limp.
I gained strength and stamina (from working out at a gym).
I gained the ability to push myself through first Water aerobics, then elliptical, then strength training, then spinning, Pilates and yoga.
I gained (most of) my self confidence back.
I gained more energy than I've had in my entire life - and I'm almost 43!
I gained the ability to buy clothes from any store I want.
I gained the joy of not being too embarrassed to have my photo taken.
I was very lucky and have had zero complications. I've never gotten sick. I credit this to following doctor's orders! I'd still like to lose another 10-20 pounds, but it's ok if I don't. I have some jiggly skin and cellulite, but nothing I can't live with. I couldn't care less about plastic surgery. If hubby doesn't care, then I don't either. I did lose some hair but not too bad. I seem to break out with acne a lot more.
So, that's me in a nutshell. My hubby and I are celebrating with a little champagne tonight, and tomorrow I'll be back at the gym for spinning and yoga, and recording all my food on MFP. VST was an amazing lifeline for me pre and post surgery and I'll always be grateful to all of you for your support, honesty and assistance. Onward and upward!

I am almost 5 months out and for the last month my is coming out REALLY bad. I swear when I wash my hair my hands are covered in it. The top of my head is very thin. I am just going to continue to eat Protein and drink lots. I don't have any answers just feeling your pain. Hang in there.

Oh wow, I went through a pretty bad spell last week since it was my 4th month (11/20). I'm down 49, but wanted to be at 50 or more. Still need 50 to hit goal. i didn't expect to be at goal weight quickly, but a lot quicker than I am now. Have been pretty disappointed with the sleeve at this point. Feel like more weight should be coming off. I'm doing everything by the book, but still only losing about 1 lb a week. My biggest disappointment is that I am losing weight that I have already lost a bunch of times. I want to get to the other side of 200 so badly it hurts. Everyone here has been super supportive in saying that you shouldn't compare yourself to others, and they are 100% correct, but it is still hard when you are busting your butt going to the gym 5-6 days a week, logging everything you do, measuring everything you eat and watching every gram of carbs and Protein for a lousy pound a week. I'm grateful for the loss, and I am grateful that I've been able to cut my meds in half, but I want to be where I need to be. Anywho, I guess all us slow November losers have just got to keep on keeping on.

WOW! Super job!

Okay, November 15th sleeve family...drum roll please......I'm posting pics!!! This morning I decided to take my 3 month pics and compare them to my before pics. I really had not expected to see such a dramatic change. I still see my old overweight self when I look in the mirror. Wow my eyes hath deceived me!! I cannot believe how far I've come in such a short time. Hope all of you are doing great as well. So HAPPY!!!!! 60 lbs gone FOREVER!!!!

Ok so my husband was going through his photos in his phone today and came across these old pictures of me and I swear I never looked that way. I was sleeved on November 8th. Pre sleeve I was approved at 272 lbs.. Went into surgery 8 lbs less. Today I weigh 219. I don't know who that person was. I hope I never have to remember.  

Ok so my husband was going through his photos in his phone today and came across these old pictures of me and I swear I never looked that way. I was sleeved on November 8th. Pre sleeve I was approved at 272 lbs.. Went into surgery 8 lbs less. Today I weigh 219. I don't know who that person was. I hope I never have to remember.  

Ok so my husband was going through his photos in his phone today and came across these old pictures of me and I swear I never looked that way. I was sleeved on November 8th. Pre sleeve I was approved at 272 lbs.. Went into surgery 8 lbs less. Today I weigh 219. I don't know who that person was. I hope I never have to remember.  

Ok so my husband was going through his photos in his phone today and came across these old pictures of me and I swear I never looked that way. I was sleeved on November 8th. Pre sleeve I was approved at 272 lbs.. Went into surgery 8 lbs less. Today I weigh 219. I don't know who that person was. I hope I never have to remember.  

Ok so my husband was going through his photos in his phone today and came across these old pictures of me and I swear I never looked that way. I was sleeved on November 8th. Pre sleeve I was approved at 272 lbs.. Went into surgery 8 lbs less. Today I weigh 219. I don't know who that person was. I hope I never have to remember.  

Ok so my husband was going through his photos in his phone today and came across these old pictures of me and I swear I never looked that way. I was sleeved on November 8th. Pre sleeve I was approved at 272 lbs.. Went into surgery 8 lbs less. Today I weigh 219. I don't know who that person was. I hope I never have to remember.  

Ok so my husband was going through his photos in his phone today and came across these old pictures of me and I swear I never looked that way. I was sleeved on November 8th. Pre sleeve I was approved at 272 lbs.. Went into surgery 8 lbs less. Today I weigh 219. I don't know who that person was. I hope I never have to remember.  

I had my 3 month check today. Despite having Vitamin issues, my Protein and Iron were spot on. My Vitamin D and B-12 were a tinge low. I am so happy. If I can get passed the mental thing and take the Vitamins I'm in good shape. I've lost 48# since I started and 36 since the day of surgery.
I have found I can eat everything. Dense foods don't sit well, like Protein Bars, dry meats, nuts on an empty stomach and my old favorite comfort foods like bread, Pasta, etc. I can eat just a bite or two and I'm done with them or I get that awful too full feeling. I can eat an apple and salad with no problem. I love the crunch. It's also so much easier to drink Water. I still drink at least one Protein Drink a day. I'm loving this sleeve!
I was tested last week as I visited my family in my hometown. It was both of my folks birthdays so there were sweets and those foods that I only eat when I go there which is once a year or so. I did indulge but in moderation. I'm proud of myself that I could eat just a taste or a bite and yes I may have wanted more but knew better. After I let it rest, I was fine. So if any new sleevers are reading this it does get better.
I must add I didn't have co morbidities but was my blood work before surgery was borderline bad. I had some pain and discomfort in the hospital right after surgery, but I could walk laps around the hospital at normal speed and had no problem with pain once home or with the Protein drinks the first week. Then they made me sick, the smell, the taste, even Water got hard to get down. I still cringe at the thought of the Protein powder before surgery I liked and at week two it made me sick. I ended up with powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury unflavored with crystal light raspberry lemonade. I don't like crystal light but it worked. Grapefruit juice by simply brand and fresh squeezed work better. This was my favorite blend. I did put it in a fresh veggie juice but the powder was too clumpy. Maybe I should have blended it.
Anyhow, the road gets easier each day I still have times where I eat too fast or take a bite too big or that bite you know as you swallow it was better left on the plate, but not as much. When eating around other people, I live alone, I sometimes catch myself eating as fast as them, immediately stop and rest then I watch them and get grossed out on how much food they put in one bite. I scarfed my food too before surgery and never realized how awful it looks till now.
This is such a wonderful learning process about myself, besides learning how to use the sleeve and more about my denial of what eating meant to me. I have realized that I was really eating for no reason in the past 11 years that got out of hand and uncontrollable because of major stressors. I am not the girl who was fat all my life, just the past 10 years really. I never drank regular sodas, much processed foods, just too much of empty foods when i was stressed. I'm 52, my forties were not very good. Too many life changing things I wouldn't wish on anyone. I'm feeling very healthy mind, body and soul. Still may start to go for food when stressed or anxious but catch myself, I know why, and try to do something else. It works and I hope it continues.
Okay. I really didn't mean to write this much, but felt it may help those not out this far. I'm not the perfect follow by the rules kind of person and my weight loss maybe slower than some which I hope in the long run is easier on my body. The best part is its faster than when I was dieting only to deny it since it was healthy food. Gained it back plus 20 this last time and was mortified when I weighed the 290 at the first dr visit.
Oh one last thing because I don't think I understood what meds or NSAIDs were allowed. I thought it was forever from info I read. My doctor gave me the go ahead for any meds. Which is great as I have to have arthroscopic shoulder surgery next week. And am allowed the pain pills.
I hope this helps someone I'm sorry I got so winded but I felt that it could help someone. Thanks for reading.
pen
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Today I am officially 10 weeks out from surgrery and down 45 lbs. I never thought that I would see the 220's. I can't wait to be under 200. I am serious when I saw a new life has started for me.

Today I am officially 10 weeks out from surgrery and down 45 lbs. I never thought that I would see the 220's. I can't wait to be under 200. I am serious when I saw a new life has started for me.

HW: 245
SW: 226lbs
CW: 193lbs
Total loss of 52lbs, 33lbs since surgery on 11/16. I'm happy so far. I realized I was down more than 50lbs on my bday on Jan 20. Best present ever.