Amberlydw8

Hi I found this idea online the jar on the left says pounds lost and the jar on the right says pounds to go... Obviously I have a long way to go! Lol I I color coordinated the marbles green for the morbid obesity bmi, blue for obesity, purple for overweight and pink hearts for my healthy weight range. I like it good visual! It's pretty too!

I like it. Each bead is a story and helps Mr to see how far I have came. I also get a nice braclet out of it.

As for the emotional side, the biggest thing I had to do was confront my baggage.
I thought that losing the weight would make me insta-happy. Surely my lack of confidence, my anger, my unhappiness were all tied up in the obesity I'd been battling since fourteen.
Once I got close to goal I really had to reevaluate that idea. Because I still wasn't happy. I wasn't overeating or using food as a crutch - I'd shaken most of those habits. But I still felt angry. I still wasn't happy. I couldn't figure out what was going on.
And then I started to really think about why I was obese in the first place. And it all led back to hurts from my upbringing and bad relationships with family members. For the first time I confronted my parents on the truly miserable and rotten job they did. I'm not exaggerating here or being melodramatic. Plenty of kids grow up thinking they could do things better or differently than their parents. But mine were truly awful. No kid should know the names of the state DCFS investigators and social workers by name and sight, but they visited our house more often than my grandparents.
I was able to really get through to my mom and it was huge. We're never going to be the absolute best of friends but we've come a really long way and are pretty close now. I had to eliminate the toxic relationships. I had not realized how much having certain people in my life was damaging me. But it was! And I was angry and resentful without really even realizing that I was the one in control - I could very easily choose to simply walk away from those relationships.
So I did. I don't speak to entire branches of my messed up family tree anymore. And that's fine. It's actually really, really liberating.
For me, a lot of what I had to shake was the anger - I had to either forgive people or forget them entirely. And I had to forgive myself and accept that I deserved to be happy despite mistakes in my own past and despite the fact that people had been tearing me down my entire life.
I am not perfect. We all carry around things from our past. I still struggle sometimes but I really feel like the bigger part of the journey (and I say this all the time) is finding out what makes us obese in the first place. Because in my case, I had a lot of issues that I was burying under food.
I'm very different now. I like the changes in myself. I'm happy and can't really remember a time in my life before this when I ever just accepted myself for who I am, faults and all.
I'm also more friendly (though it took a while to learn this) and affectionate. I don't feel shame - not of my body, not of my past - and I think that really helps me.
Anyway. I think this is the real thing people should focus on. For some people, this is just a way to shed fifty pounds. But for so many more I think it's a way to shed years and years of bad feelings, bad habits and bad experiences. I think that without overcoming these obstacles, I might not have been able to maintain. Being unhappy all the time probably would have made it easier to fall into those old emotional eating patterns.
~Cheri

I loves it, but have definately had some wild emotions at times. Lately, i have been feeling more normal, but occasionally have something happen that reminds me of this wild journey.
I have been going to the office alot and been asking for different/new work assignments. It is really helping me feel better - like I am getting my life back.

anyway, Friday I ran into a woman that I used to work with quite a bit - say 5 years ago. i saw her this summer, after I had lost probably 90-100# but I keep "reshaping". The LAST 20# I have lost have been more shocking to everyone then the first 100# somehow. I have lost about 140 now and I am a pretty solid size 10 now, and what I find surprising is that seems to be a huge leap from where I was even back in November when I was a solid size 12. I don't see much a of a difference but I am working out hard to and under that loose skin I am developing a pretty firm muscle base that probably makes a difference in appearance too. Anyway, I thought she was gonna have a break down. She has always been chunky, but she has really gained weight - don't know if that is what triggered it.

I saw her and stopped to say hello. She didn't recoginize me so I made a joke of it and we started talking about work stuff. She interupted me and said "I recognize your voice and your laugh, but my mind can't believe that is really you talking." I thought she might cry... seriously.... she was emotional and I acting kinda nutty actually. I gave her a hug, showed her my badge again trying to be funny about it but she never really recovered.

I got two things out of this encounter.

1. I am a lot more huggy then I used to be. I don't know why, never thought about it, but a few years ago I would not have been likely to hug someone that is a fairly insignificant aquaintance. I think I like this about the "new me" - I have always wanted to be a warmer person I just wasn't raised that way...lol. In general, people are friendlier to me now and I think alot of it is that I am friendlier as well.

2. I always thought people didn't get too wrapped up in how others look... I mean, seriously, who cares that much? I guess i was wrong.
I have been feeling pretty good about my body image lately so the encounter didn't upset me too much, but at weaker times, it might have. Losing this much weight in just over a year - it is a shock to the brain that is for sure.

Thing here is she wants to know I'f it'll hurt her sleeve. Totally forum related. Besides I want to know too and I'm sure I'm not alone. I think if he went to a sex forum and asked that same question ppl will be wonder WTH she's talking about! A sleeve???
Sent from my iPhone using VST

In June I'll be three years post op, I am still surprised at how quickly I can drop a few pounds. I'm still below Dr. D's goal of 150, but I hoover (sp?) around 147, just a couple of pounds above MY personal goal. A few days ago I thought, I'm going to alter my calories just a little and see what happens. I almost always keep a food log, but I've been especially dedicated this week. I've gone up and down a little, which is normal for me, but this morning I got up and weighed 145.7. Whoooo whooo! I normally need 1200 - 1300 to maintain, I have been closer to eating 1300, maybe a little over, since Christmas and my weight has creeped up a few lbs, one time I was 151, and that totally was NOT OK!!!!! LoL This week I cut it back to 1100 - 1150. I do not feel deprived at all, I basically cut out a snack. Yesterday though, my Protein was a little over 95 grams and total calories were 1034. Wow....and it feels as though I grazed all day but I kept track!! The cincher was dinner. I'd planned on making a chicken rice a roni casserole. I use Greek yogurt in it, half lite sour cream and half yogurt. It's topped with 2% cheddar.....it's not horrible, and I eat less than 3/4 a cup....but, there are still more calories than I really wanted. When I was at the grocery store I stumbled across a package of cooked, tail on shrimp in the meat dept. It looked sooooo good, it was half price because it had to be sold by today. I snatched it up and steamed it for dinner. Nothing else, cocktail sauce and shrimp. I made 6.5 oz but could only eat 4 oz at dinner. I saved the rest and THAT was a snack later on. That put me way over the top for protein. I am sure this helped with getting me down a pound from yesterday morning. (Yes, I weigh every single morning......for almost three years now!!
I just wanted to share this......it is still pretty simple to lose a few pounds just by making a few good choices, NOT a diet, just a choice!!!! A half cup of cottage cheese for Breakfast with about a quarter cup of pineapple 'tidbits'. Breakfast of champions!!!

Okay Jackie... here they are.

Ladies!!! I think all of us at some point should show off our assets and take some hawt photos in our Little Black Dresses.

  

Thanks so much to everyone who has put in their advice and recomendations. I love hearing all the stories of satisfaction. I have chosen to go with dr ortiz at the occ.. I'm really excited and will keep you all posted as things go through

Ten days out from my VSG. Other than being tired, I feel pretty good. I've had some, um, loose bowel issues. (When you gotta go, you gotta go!).
Am half way through the full liquid diet and looking forward to eating soft-foods. The desire to eat is there, but I wouldn't say I have been "hungry". And I think the soft foods will help satisfy the desire to eat, give that full feeling maybe help with tiredness (and hopefully help the bowel issues).
Incisions are healing nicely. Overall, the only thing I would change is taking 2 weeks off work vs. just 1 week.

I am going to give a very detailed experience. It was the one thing I would search for and want to read when I began my search for my options of going to Mexico for my surgery. I am not going to give details of my surgeon, as we have all researched (or will) our Dr.'s and make the decision best for ourselves. I have only seen a couple of posts concerning who he is on these forums, and they were VERY vague and people having questions, no information. I am NOT a paid employee, nor do I work for free.
My surgery was on Friday, January 11.
I chose my surgery to be in Cancun. I opted to not to go to a border town, because I wanted scenery and beaches and a mini-vacation. I researched which physicians performed surgery in Cancun. There are several that practice in Puerta Vallarta, Monterrey, and Cancun. Easy enough.
I arrived Thursday, January 10 and was greeted at the airport with no waiting. Took me to my hotel. When I arrived, the hotel staff was extremely courteous and offered me a free upgrade to a villa. YAY!! (I have pics and should really post them at some time if you guys want to see them.)
Met in lobby on Friday at 8:30 a.m. There was someone else going, they were late and we did not leave until 9:30 because she over-slept.
Straight to the hospital. I arrive and greeted by a wonderful staff. I speak enough spanish to understand and to be understood. The best part? When in doubt...they have flash cards they bring to you to translate for themselves. My doctor comes to greet me (perfect english) and the labs/EKG and other stuff begins. Took about an hour, at the most. I had a room to myself. The floor was empty except for one other WLS patient. The hospital was great! My room had a shower, I sofa thatfolded out into a bed, working Wi-fi, and a tv with a blu-ray player.
Anesthesiologist comes in and she was great. I answered a few questions she had and she answered mine.
I changed into a gown and walked into the operating room and got on the table at 11:25 a.m. I remember singing "Proud Mary" and realized the anesthesiologist put something in my i.v.
Woke up in the recovery room, and I really needed to pee. lol the nurse asked me, in her way, if I felt ok to go. "si, si, si."
After that, I was in and out every for a couple of hours. Anesthesia wearing off. Then I was 'OFF!' I began with the laps. I had read about all kinds of major gas pain on here and to walk, walk, walk and that is what I did. Every hour (I timed by the TV shows: when it ended, I walked. repeat)
At one point I heaved a little and saliva/clear stuff came up. I was afraid because of my new tummy. The nurse came in later and I told her about and she came back and put something in my i.v. and I did NOT experience it again while in the hospital. The nurses knew of my one episode of 'nausea' and kept the anti-nausea meds in the i.v. I was checked on hourly, my drain was checked and/or emptied.
Was I not in pain because of the pain meds? I don't think so...I declined pain meds in my i.v. because I was not hurting. I have not taken NOT one bit of anything for pain since the surgery, nor since I left the hospital. Everyone's recovery is different. Walking helps.
Saturday: this is something I had NEVER read about on these forums, my mouth began to Water and knew I was about to heave something. It came up, but I will say it freaked the poo-poo out of me. It was dark. like something from a horror movie. And it came up 3 times total. LOL. I could taste the 'metallic' taste to it and knew it was blood. I WILL SAY THIS: as soon as I got that up, i swear I felt like I could run a marathon. I literally felt that much better. The nurse made her rounds and came in, I showed her and she assured me it was completely normal. My Doctor came by later that day and told me the same thing. I was given ice chips several times throughout the day and was allowed to take the best feeling shower I have ever had. walked, walked, walked. watched NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order, etc.
Sunday: The inevitable blue dye is brought to me. OMG. It is horrible. Think of liquid Nyquil, the green one, and about 12 oz of it. Dr comes and gets me and we go to look. I get downstairs and I took a drink of some other clear liquid and watch it go down in to my new little bitty tummy. It's BEAUTIFUL!! lol. No leaks appeared. back to the room and he looks at the drain, no leaks or blue dye in there, either. YAY! He tells me he is going to pull it out and "It doesn't hurt. It just feels funny." Is it going to make me laugh? "No, but it just feels like it." He pulls it out and honestly, it did not hurt. just a quick 'zip' and its out. No stitches, he states. It is natures way of laughing at Dr's because it is going to heal and look the best out of all the little one's you have. I laugh. I "can then shower dress and get ready to go, the driver will be here at 11:30 to get you. We will call the hotel and pay for an extra day because check-in time is not until 4 pm." Great! and he tells me to walk and keep walking. We leave, get to the hotel, and we get upgraded again because they couldn't get a room ready quick enough. Leave my things and went walking on the beach for 1 1/2 hours, then went to the mall for 2 hours.
Monday: I am on soft/pureed foods and really can't hold much at all. I buy guacamole, but please put nothing in it. So basically, a smushed up avocado. Can I tell you guys.. I was scared to death. My tummy loved it. the entire baby spoonful I ate. I ate it for lunch and dinner. So, about a tbsp for the entire day. and only got in about 20 oz. of gatorade for the day. i ate a nibble of a piece of watermelon (it's on my approved list - and it came right back up. scared the poo out of me because i kept thinking i sprung a leak) It's just too much sugar for the new guy.
Tuesday: Leaving today. Pack, leave my stuff at the hotel desk, and went shopping. Drank 20 oz. of gatorade, 2 baby spoonfuls of yogurt and get on the plane with my bottle of Water.< /p>
Wednesday-Friday: Every day has got better and better. I don't eat much. 1/2 a boiled egg and 1/2 tbsp of light mayo blended, water, and a couple of Protein drinks, a couple of bites of yogurt, 1/4 c of blended Beans. nothing chunky, just smooth. I am not hungry and I set a timer on my phone to remind me. Right now, by the time it takes me to drink 12-16 ozs. of water, it's usually time for some kind of Protein. I have got more protein today than any other day. So, when everyone says it gets better and better, it really does!!
I have no pain, I have only heaved the once with the watermelon, and I am walking around and doing okay. (don't want to jinx myself!) I love my new sleeved tummy!!
I have lost 18 lbs total. 6 for the 7 day preop and 13.2 since surgery on Friday, 7 days ago. I am sure it will start to slow down very soon.
Good luck on your journeys and I wish every single one of you nothing but success! Thanks to every one who posts here telling their experiences - I knew what to expect, because of those.

You and me both sister

You guys are not alone.. I'm post-op day #6 & I did my liquid diet Protein Shakes for 2weeks before my surgery... All I had was dinner & I made sure all my dinners where my favorite foods except for Chinese food lol I did have my shakes for Breakfast & lunch on the last night of the old me & half a cheeseburger with onions & mushrooms with 2 fried Oreos as my treat!! Oh em gee ... After midnight that's it!! .. I felt horrible doing it but it taste oh so good now I been on a official liquid diet since Tuesday which isn't that bad at all.. I feel so full it takes me about 1hr to drink 4ounces of liquid.. The bloating feeling is just there ugh! Other than that good luck to you all... #teamsleeves

Well, that does it. I'm going to KanesMom's house for Valentine's supper. Save me a seat!

You're last supper sounds delicious!! I went to culinary school so I'm a pretty good cook. Our Valentines Dinner/Last Supper will be Arrancini Balls with a pesto dipping sauce to start and Braised short ribs, asiago mashed potatoes, and garlic spinach for our main course! I'm sure I'll be content after that!

I am rite there with you
I know how you feel. Even though I have been kissed, I have had very few relationships and my last one was almost 7 years ago. The thing that really sucks is even though I am way over weight my lobito leaves nothing to be desired and when I have the self confidence of a bug it dose nothing to help solve that problem or catch a guy, if you know what I mean...lol
As girls we dream up these ideas of what our life is going to be like when we grow up. In my dream, I was married around 25 with a couple kids by the time I was 30. Well, now I have turned 30 and don't even have a date for the ball...
I am really looking forward to getting my surgery and changing my life and how I feel about myself.
Oh and even though I have been kissed, The rest of my list is the same.
Never been out on a date
(go figure huh? a boyfriend but no real date! yes he was a looser, I know that now...lol)
No waxing (but I am not supper bummed on that one yet)
No bikini... (but I will )
Good luck with everything, Keep that hope alive,
We will loose this weight
We are beautiful
WE ARE WORTH IT!!!!

Just curious, what exactly are you going to enter into the Google box?

lmaoooooooooo everyone in my office is looking at me because i literally laghed out loud :-)

It is, huh? I'm checking off the first 2 when I fly out to mx!!! SO UNBELIEVABLY insanely excited. Man I hope it all works out. I'm hoping to go feb 18th but I'm not able to make the deposit until income taxes get here. I'm doing a lot of praying. His will be done.
In a couple years I'd love to get plastics so I can wear a one piece. Or heck, maybe a 2 piece at home. (Bashful)
Thank you for the kind words

Well I do pedicures and wax for a living. I hate waxing men. They have hairy butt cracks and have to get on all fours and spread em. Lol. It's hard not to laugh even being a professional.

I am working hard to get where you're at. I feel tons better already but I feel the real gains are still ahead of me. I'm glad there are guys like you here posting about your success. There are not enough men on this forum, and even fewer who have made it all the way like you have. It gives the rest of us guys the motivation to keep moving forward.
But I would like to add, that old saying about a man gains an inch for every thirty pounds he loses....well, I've lost damn near one hundred pounds and.....apparently, it's true.

Ummmm, I cannot wait to have skinny sex with my husband. We have always had great lovin', but I feel like I am more into doing different stuff when I am smaller. Hubby only needs to loose like 20lbs and I am sure that will happen when I am sleeved. (He is not the type to eat crap in front of me either).
Good for you and good for her
I don't care what some people say, sex is a very healthy, important part of any relationship. It was actually one of the things the Doc asked me during my psych eval.