Decembersleever

I had zero pain when the staples got removed. Not a big deal at all

Awesome job!

And one more vote for the awesome forums!

Yep. I thought it was just in my head but I can't tolerate any kind of milk product

I have ankles .. And I can actually see them . My knees don't hurt anymore- neither does my back. I can go up a flight of stairs without gasping for air at the top I now shop in misses and the clothes are much nicer and definitely more of a selection. I can button my winter coat and put my boots on without leaning sideways to do it. I love my sleeve.

Yep. It will pass. I'm 9 weeks out and can drink without that yucky feeling. It is a process, sometimes a slow one. Everyday will get better. Welcome to the losers bench

You are doing great!!! Walking makes a lot of difference You are on your way to a better life. It gets better from here on out. Good luck to you

Congratulations Michelle. It's all downhill from here. Welcome to the losers bench!

Congratulations! Awesome results

I had cheese at the soft foods stage but it really cramped my stomach

I also slept the first couple of days and got along fine after that I don't have small kids at home but if I did I would probably have wanted some help the first few days

The dress is my favorite.

Hello everyone I am now 8 weeks out from surgery and settling into a routine. Surgery was on 12/26/2012 and I haven't looked back. I started the whole process at 257 pounds. Lost 9 pounds during the 2 week pre-op diet and that put me at 248 the day of surgery. I had a pretty easy road and had no issues with the surgery or recovery. I read this forum every single day and got a lot of good tips from those who have been there before me. I learned that you need to sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk so that's what I did. I was able to recognize what was happening when it happened because I read about it before I got to the hospital. I knew I was going to have some pain and I did. Others said that morphine made them sick and I didn't want to vomit so I asked them NOT to give me that. I knew my stomach was going to be swollen and I wouldn't be able to drink much ... but I survived. I knew that gas was going to be an issue and I prepared for it. Gas X strips helped but the walking helped more. My hospital stay was one night - I rested at home for a week and although I was really tired - I walked every day. It wasn't exactly a picnic getting used to things but I slowly figured it all out. There were a few rough days during the first week but I got through them. Learning what I can and can't eat is an adventure. What works one day doesn't necessarily work the next. I do a decent job getting most of my Protein in but not so much with the Water intake. Average calorie intake each day is about 500 - 600 per day. Some days more, some days less ...but that's a good average. I'm working out six days a week and I take Sunday off. Weight training 2 days a week for 60 minutes each day and some form of cardio 4 days a week. I'm sick of snow and cold and can't wait until it's nice enough to walk outside! I am currently down to 214 with a total loss amount since surgery of 35 pounds (43 overall). I can actually get into a size 16 but I don't like my clothes to fit snug so I'll try them again after a few more pounds are gone. I started at a size 22-24 so a size 18 feels great to me. I did take my measurements before surgery but haven't found the time to take them again. I KNOW I've lost quite a few inches based on how my clothes are fitting and how I feel. Even my shoes are loose now. I love the sleeved life. I was horrible at portion control so the surgery has taught me many lessons. There are good days and bad days but I take it one day at a time. You most likely will hit stalls - I've had one small one but because I read this forum, I knew what to do .... Nothing! I didn't panic and stayed the course. After a week - stall ended and I started dropping weight again. I average about 4 - 5 pounds of weight loss each week. I wish you all great success and remember that this forum is full of positive advice - you just need to take the advice and go forward. Good luck to everyone.

fantastic results!!!! Way to go

Thanks Grammy - I appreciate it

sounds like you had a wonderful experience - thanks for sharing

Congratulations! You are doing very well.

Congratulations - you look awesome

Welcome ! You will get a lot of great support from this site. Ask away

I'm also somewhat close. I'm 5'6", 57 years old and weighed 248 on the date of surgery. I'm down to 214 now for a total loss of 34 pounds since surgery on 12/26. I lose about 4 - 5 pounds a week when I'm not stalling. When I am stalling - I don't change a thing and eventually my body catches up and I start the process over. I've settled into a routine of eating about 500 - 600 calories a day. I get in about 1/2 my water (34 oz) each day. I almost always get my protein in but when I don't I have learned not to stress. I do weight training twice a week and some kind of cardio 4 days a week. I'm loving the sleeved life.

Ditto what everyone says Walk as much as you can. This time next week you will feel much better. Hang in there

Laura is right. It DOES get better and walking is the key. Stay strong!

Phenomenal results and an awesome attitude!

Wonderful progress !!!

Good luck to you - remember ..... sip, sip, sip .... walk, walk, walk, walk Have a positive attitude. This is surgery - you're going to have a bit of pain but it's managable. Give yourself some time to heal and then go forth and lose weight The first 3 days were the roughest for me but it was all downhill from there. Congratulations - see you on the other side