Amberlydw8

If you want more info on peppermint oil and all it can do, pinterest is amazing! Put "Young Living Peppermint" in the search bar. You will be blown away by all it can do! Also you can see a bunch of info on my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/LovelyLiving/532743640186820?ref=hl

I love Peppermint Oil !!!! So I know allot of us have had problems with our tummies post-op. I wanted to share how I found relief. That acid reflex or what ever i am supposed to call it is a pain! I am 18 months out from surgery. I don't get it every day anymore, but there are some things that really set it off... Coffee is one of them... No I have not given it up yet, maybe someday but not today...lol And then there are some days that I don't even know what triggered my discomfort. I don't know about all of you but I really don't like over the counter meds... They seem to cause more problems and adverse side effects than the things they are trying to fix. So I started looking for more natural remedies and came across Essential Oils! Now, be aware... You must be careful not to get just any oil from the store or even the health food store. Many "essential oils" are not meant for internal use, and they will say so on the bottle. I get mine through Young Living. They are guaranteed pure therapeutic grade essential oils and have been distilled very carefully! Anyway... Back to the awesomeness... Peppermint oil is what I was getting too... I can take one drop of peppermint oil under my tongue and within moments... I mean less than a minute! I feel fine! My tummy is back to normal and I can go on with the rest of my day! I am so sold on the stuff! I ran out the other day and almost cried...lol Not to mention, peppermint oil can also be used for headaches, to bring down fevers, help with pain and even help with allergies! I know that many of us have had a hard time with our tummies after surgery. I hope I have been able to help even one person. If you want more info on getting these oils just let me know

Hi all... It has been a while since I have been on here. I can honestly say life is sooooo different!!! I can't imagine ever going back to where I was before. I know you all understand what I am talking about! Well My biggest NSV to date is my new man! As most of you know, I mentioned in older blogs that one thing my weight hindered was my love life. I was single for over 5 years during my biggest years. I have recently found the love of my life! He is amazing and he is everything I prayed to find in a man. He thinks I am beautiful even though i am no where near my goal weight. He is so good to me and has added 2 wonderful children to my life. I don't remember a time when I was this happy. I thank God every day for the changes in my life over the last year. I am down 110lb since surgery. I am at 182lb and a size 12 at the moment. I have not been very good about sticking to my high protein diet but I have been holding steady for about 2 months now. Its nice to know I can eat normal and maintain a steady weight. I do want to get down another 20+ pounds but I have time. I hope you are all doing as wonderful! That your prayers are coming to pass and that your joy is as great as mine.... Love you all... Amber

Hi there fellow sleevers... I am updating you with my 5 months post op information... I don't think I have put my measurements on here before so I wanted to put that out there today. I thought my weight numbers were drastic, but once I re did my body measurements it really put things into perspective! So My starting weight pre op was 293lb I am currently just over 5 months post op and am at 208 this morning...How awesome is that? I am almost to ONEderland!!! So excited! I hope to get under 200 by August. We shall see if I an make that goal... I got 2 weeks, I can do it! Ok as for measurements. Pre op 293lb.......NOW 208lb Size 22 Size 14/16 Arms 18 in....................14.25 in - 3.75 in Thigh 32 in....... ............25 in -7 in Neck 18.75 in ...............16 in -1.25 in Tummy 51 in.....................40 in -9 in Bust 46.5.....................41.5 in -5 in Boobs 55 in .....................47 in - 8 in Hips 55 in .....................45 in -9 in Calf 21.5......................17.5 - 4 in So that is a total overall loss of 47 inches!!! Totally awesome.... A few Non Scale Victories include... Being able to cross my legs (I am really stoked about that one) Don't feel gross in a bathing suit I have gotten rid of about 5 trash bags full of cloths.. all different sizes.. Everything is too big for me now I can go up stairs and hills without a problem. I get compliments from everyone My Ex thinks I look good... (don't worry, hi is still an Ex) Guys are starting to stare at me for the first time ever... I could just keep going, but I think I will leave the rest for my next post... Thanks to all of you for all the support! Your amazing!

Hey there everyone. I know I have not been keeping up on my blogs... I guess its because I am now out living life and discovering who I am as a normal person. Finding out I like to hang out, I like to go to the gym, I don't mind being in front of a crowd now... As for normal life its kinda hard rite now, I just started a new job and its not really paying out what I hoped, so the bills are a bit tight rite now. But I can tell you that my cloths are not! I am having to sew and alter many of my cloths because I am loosing so fast! Thank god I can sew! Or I would be in cloths that looked like sacks and togas...lol This sleeve is proving to be the most wonderful "tool"! And yes, everyone was right to say its a tool for weight loss! Its the thing that helps keep me on track. The reminder that I have a goal and that I don't want to stray from my mission. As of this week I am 14 weeks post op. I have lost 71 pounds and almost 45 inches! (9 inches off my waist alone!) I have gone from a size 22 pants to a size 16! Everything looks and feels different. I can cross my legs when I sit, I can run up and down stairs, I can be on my feet for longer periods of time, I am starting to be able to ware high heals again! And when I pass by a shop window, I don't recognize the person I see in the reflection... The little changes and victories are endless! I am so happy I made this decision. There are a few things for me that I have noticed are a little different than some of my other sleever friends. One is I am hungry regularly. I don't really know if it is what they call head hunger, or if my body is just telling me to eat more. I know that I am satisfied rather quickly, but I do feel hungry often. I am able to eat most anything I want (in moderation) I have a little bit of a hard time with fried foods. I try to stay away from them in general, but sometimes my will gets the best of me... I am normally sorry in the end because my tummy dose not really like it... In general I am at about 1000-1100 cal a day... And I loose about 2 or maybe 3 pounds a week rite now... I have been on the low end of my protein the past couple weeks. I have been making it a priority over the past couple days so I hope to see my loss pick up again. I have noticed it slow down a little. Im sure this will help. My other problem area is water ( I know, I am preaching to the choir on this one...lol every one has a hard time with water) I have been trying to drink allot more! I keep a glass full at work now and a bottle in my car. What ever it takes rite? Well, I think I have covered most of the things that are going on with me. I want to be able to keep a record not only for myself but for all of you who might find a little help or hope in following my story. I know I am not supper interesting, or amazingly charismatic, but its my story... and maybe it will help someone... All I got is my experiences and my personal victories... To all my supper awesome friends out there... Thank you for your support! You guys are awesome! Sarahr and TTL you girls are the best! I am always able to talk to you guys... and especially my friend VSGkirk ... You have been so wonderful, and such a great friend... Thank you! I am so glad we live close. Until next time. Keep up the good work!

I went to Dr Ortiz in TJ Mexico... I blogged about it if you want to go through you can read the whole thing And I had a very good experience

That is so awesome!!! I am so happy for you!!!

I had my surgery in Mexico also and I know what you went through trying to tell family what you did and where... You are an inspiration!!! I am only 10 weeks out and can't wait to get where you are... I also believe my life started post VSG! I am so glad you are so happy!

I did the exact same thing! Everything got clean, organized and thrown away... I think I made 2 or 3 trips to the Goodwill during that time. Going through my closets and kitchen. I cleaned everything...lol... It felt like nesting...haha... Im glad I am not alone, I felt so silly...

You can do it! This will be the best decision you have ever made! Not only for your kids but for you too... All of those other things that you have chosen to ignore over the years will also be your victories! Welcome to a whole new life, and a whole new you! Be proud of your self... You are about to start a whole new story for yourself and your family!

I am so excited for you! This is the hardest part, you get through this and you can do anything! Pre op dose suck but you can do it! I know you said you were looking for some protein ideas. Here is a blog I did about a few different kinds. My favorite is the Big Train Fit... Maybe something here will help http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/blog/2277/entry-5898-protein-where-to-get-it/ Good luck with everything! Your going to be so happy! I know I am

Hey all... Wow time has really flown by! I can't believe how long it has been since i have updated my little blog here. I am sorry I have been so busy and distracted. Well for my numbers! I am 10 weeks out and have lost 62lb! I have gone from a 47BMI to a 37BMI. I am very happy with my results. I don't think I would call my self a supper fast looser, but I am keeping it steady. Other thank a 3 weeks stall somewhere in the middle, I have been loosing about 3lb a week. That I can live with I have gone from a size 22/2X to a size 18/XL I am so happy! And everyone is really starting to notice the changes. I think that is one of the most encouraging things... I have also begun to really like exercise! I have started going to Zumba once or twice a week depending on my schedule... I just love it! For all of you girls out there who hate exercise but love to dance, this is for you! The friends you make at these classes are supper awesome! They keep you motivated, and wanting to come back. Its like a little support group all its own. At least that is how mine is, I really hope they are all like that... I know My Fitness Pall is my life saver and best friend lately... All of my friends who are on there supporting me every day are just wonderful! Thanks so much! You keep me going! If any of you want to follow me or need a little extra support of your own you can friend me on MFP my screen name is the same. amberlydw8 I have some new NSV's over the past few weeks... I can cross my legs!!! It has been forever since I have been able to cross my legs! Awesome! I can run for and not feel like I am going to die! (not very far, but its so much better than before!) My knees, feet and back don't hurt anymore! I don't feel like the "fat girl" in the room anymore! I know I have a ways to go yet, but its amazing the change in my confidence levels... I can walk miles with out getting tired! I have a waist line! Its awesome! Well, That is what I got so far... Everyone keep up the good work... Let me know if you have any questions I am an open book or if any NSV's of your own you want to share!

Brigitte... I am the same! I am 5 weeks post and have not lost weight since week 3... I know your frustration! I am going to also try upping my cal every day and see what that dose for me. I will let you guys know how it goes. Today I got up to about 900 cal... we shall see... Lifetime... I know that adding some healthy oils to your meals can help up your cal. I was adding a little coconut oil to many of my blended shakes and not only is it really good for you but it upped my cal for the day too... and it tastes good!