brutiemama

I 100% agree that it's a major surgery and we should be thinking of ALL the possible risks and complications prior to doing it. So many lives have been changed because of it.
Still, I'm going to call it a "tool". Just like obtaining regular exercise is a "tool". Just like obtaining counseling will give you some mental "tools" to employ to help you make better food choices and avoid emotional eating. The point of calling it a tool is to drive home the point that it IS NOT a magic pill... and it WILL NOT lose the weight for you..... It is still only a tool that we can choose to use or not to use.... and getting the sleeve is only ONE part of the equation. Granted, it's a tool that we have risked our lives to obtain.... it's a tool that if used properly can add many years of health to our lives... but it's still a tool... and to me to hear it called that in no way detracts from the gravity of the surgery.
It's all about context.. if someone is saying.. "it's just a tool.. no big deal" when they're contemplating surgery.. then yeah.. they definitely are looking at it wrong.. but when you've got people saying "Remember, this surgery won't FIX you.. it's only one tool that will help you on the journey"... that's a completely different context.

I always enjoy before and afters. Here are mine!
I lost 200 lbs in about 11 months. I started in 24's and 3/4 X shirts. My BMI was 53 and is now 22. I now wear 2/4 pants and med/large shirts. I am 5'7. I had an apple shape before and now I am still an apple...just smaller! So jealous of the hour glass folks.
I ate about 600 calories a day/ less than 20 carbs/more than 64 oz fluid/more than 60 Protein. I truly believe, for me anyhow, the key is low carbs. I weigh, track, log every bite of food on MFP (hollirrose). I had a handful of times that I ate off plan but never for more than a meal or day.
I don't work out that often. I walk some but not consistently. Overall I am more active.
I get the most private messages about skin. I have it. My arms are awful, my upper thighs sag, my tummy will never be flat. For the most part..I think I look normal in clothes. It all tucks in pretty nicley and if I wear shapewear..I almost look skinny. Naked, I look a little like an emancipated shar pie!  
   

By Elizabeth Goodman Artis (Shape Magazine)
We dissect the science of fat to help you pick the smartest strategies for losing it.
Fat is the ultimate three-letter word, especially the kind that you spend so much time watching your diet and hitting the gym to keep at bay (or at least to keep off your butt). But beyond making you look less-than-svelte, fat can have significant physical and emotional implications. We talked to Shawn Talbott, Ph.D., a nutritional biochemist and author of The Secret of Vigor: How to Overcome Burnout, Restore Biochemical Balance, and Reclaim Your Natural Energy, to find out a few essential facts that might surprise you.
1. Fat Comes in Different Colors
More specifically, there are different types of fat that have different hues and functions, according to Talbott: white, brown, and beige. The white fat is what most people think of as fat—pale and useless. Useless in that it has a low metabolic rate so it doesn’t help you burn any calories the way muscle does, and it’s the predominant type of fat in the human body, encompassing more than 90 percent of it. In other words, it’s a storage unit for extra calories.
Brown fat is darker in color due to a rich blood supply and can actually burn calories rather than storing them—but only if you’re a rat (or other mammal); certain critters can activate brown fat to burn calories and generate heat to keep them warm in winter. Humans, sadly, have so little brown fat that it won’t help you burn calories or keep you warm.
The third type of fat, beige fat, is in between white and brown in terms of its calorie-burning ability, which is actually very exciting. Why? Because researchers are looking into ways to shift white fat cells into more metabolically active beige ones via diet and exercise or supplements. In fact, there is preliminary evidence that certain hormones which are activated by exercise may convert white fat cells into beige ones, as well as some evidence that certain foods such as brown seaweed, licorice root, and hot peppers may have the ability to do this as well.
2. The Fat On Your Butt is Healthier than the Fat on Your Belly
It’s probably safe to say that no woman favors the fat on one body part over another, but it’s actually safer health-wise to be more of a pear than an apple, Talbott says. Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, is much more responsive to the stress hormone cortisol compared to the fat on your thighs or butt, so when stress hits hard (and you don’t find a healthy way to handle it), any extra calories consumed are more likely to end up around your middle.
Belly fat is also much more inflammatory than fat located elsewhere in the body and can create its own inflammatory chemicals (as a tumor would). These chemicals travel to the brain and make you hungry and tired, so you’re more likely to overeat or eat junk food and not exercise, thus creating a vicious cycle and perpetuating the storage of more belly fat. The good news is that anything that helps you reduce inflammation helps reduce those signals to the brain. Talbott recommends fish oil (for the Omega 3’s) and Probiotics, which you can take in pill form or get by eating yogurt with active cultures.
3. First You Burn Calories, Second You Burn Fat
The term “fat-burning” is thrown around willy-nilly in fitness circles, but as an expression of weight loss, it’s indirect. Before you “burn” fat, you burn calories, whether those calories come from stored carbohydrates (glycogen and blood sugar) or from stored body fat. The more calories you burn during each workout, the bigger deficit you will create and the more fat you will lose.
You can also create a calorie deficit by eating less. The trick, though, is time, since it’s hard for most people to put in the time needed to burn enough calories to make a weight-loss dent. Talbott (and many other experts) advocates high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to burn as many calories as possible in as short amount of time as possible. This method, which alternates between hard/easy efforts, can burn double the calories in the same amount of time spent exercising in a steady state.
4. Fat Affects Your Mood
Certainly there is no easier way to ruin your day than seeing you’ve gone up a few numbers on the scale, but having excess fat—especially around your belly—activates that inflammation/cortisol cycle, which studies show may be a factor in serious mood disorders like bipolar disorder. If you’re stuck in a stress/eat/gain/stress cycle, however, you’re likely to experience at least a perpetually low mood, even if you don’t have an actual clinical condition.
To help break the cycle, try eating a square of dark chocolate, suggests Talbott; there is just enough sugar to satisfy a stress-induced craving, but the healthy flavonoids help calm inflammation that leads to more stress. Low-fat dairy products like yogurt can have a similar effect—the combination of Calcium and magnesium can help calm the stress response.
5. Even Skinny People Can Have Cellulite
The dreaded c-word is caused by fat trapped under the skin (known as subcutaneous fat). The overlying skin "dimples" are created by connective tissues that tie the skin to the underlying muscle, with fat trapped in between like a sandwich. You don’t need a lot of fat to cause a dimpling effect, so you can be in great shape and have low body fat but still have a little pocket of dimpled fat, for example, on your butt or the backs of your thighs.
Building muscle while losing fat (and the fat loss part is key—you have to have it to lose) can help minimize the appearance of cellulite; cellulite-specific creams and lotions can also help minimize the look of dimpled skin (though they can’t do anything about the trapped fat beneath).

This is a rant in the truest sense of the word. This is probably the most frustrated you will see me get on this forum. I've been hanging out on VST for almost a year and I am now 3 weeks postop. I'm no expert, but I am a woman with food addiction trying to get healthy.
Some of the questions I've come across blow my mind. Truly. It's not that I don't get this is a journey and a struggle. I do. I get it. I've wanted to lick spoons!
But really?! bread a week out?! Trying to figure out how soon b4 you can get drunk?! Let's eat at McDonalds for Protein? ! I've been sleeved a month, can I get Chinese takeout?! I sure miss bingeing?!?! Pass the box of donuts, it is all I can afford?!?!
Disclaimer: I plan to eat realistically. I know I will eat bread again. I'm sure wine will pass between my lips again. I imagine I will partake in Chinese food, although a buffet would be a total waste. I will sink my teeth into a Boston cream donut. But I'm 3 weeks out. These things are not my priority. And while I won't tell others what their priorities should be, if these are yours you may want to find out why.
I've been tempted to ask my uncle, he is going on two years sleeved, what he can hold comfortably in one sitting max. But when I reflect on why I'm asking that I realize its my addiction wanting to know this. Wanting to anticipate max binge ability. When I read some of the above questions my brain translates it to my subject title: How Soon Can I Resume My Pre-Sleeve Eating Lifestyle?
Maybe I'm wrong/reading more into things, and my emotions and whatnot are getting to me postop.

From a 24 to a 8 my goal is 18 more pounds before June 5/2013....

http://youtu.be/pP3Ggbc9osY

My name is Emily and I'm an addict .. Dude I got kicked out of an OA meeting for showing up with a box of doughnuts who knew.. i was just trying to be social

Down more inches. Then pounds
[ATTACH]10924[/ATTACH]

So happy! Best decision ever Highest weight was 341. Now I'm 216

Can't believe I am already 6 months post op! While I will never forget where I started, it is starting to be a distant memory and my new life is better than I ever could have imagined!!
The struggles in the beginning were worth it, after all who wouldn't have struggles when you do something like we have done. I just try and take it one day at a time, we all have our good days and bad, but you can't let one bad day overtake all the progress that has been made!
Loving my sleeve still!

Hello,
My name is Brittani. I'm 25 years old and I"ve lost 297 pounds. Yes, you read that correctly. 297 pounds in 1 year and 7 months! I am happier than I have ever been.
Some major changes have happened in the last ~2 years. All for the better. Some happier than others, some not. I'm in the middle of a divorce. BUT, and some people may critisize me for it but I'm choosing to sharemy happiness, I am in a WONDERFUL relationship with my boyfriend. He is everything I have ever wanted and needed, and continues to amaze and surprise me with everything I've been missing in my life. I've been with him since October, and my ex-husband and I have been separated for over a year... It was time for me to allow myself to be happy.
ANYWAYS, I've lost a lot of weight in the last while. Downsides, I have a lot of loose skin, but I'm comfortable. I'm loved just the way I am and I love myself. UPSIDES! I DON'T WEIGH 500 pounds!!!
My daughter Zoe is growing and is almost two. I had my surgery when she was 3 months old. It was the hardest decision of my life to leave her. I flew to Mexicali Mexico and had surgery under Dr. Alberto Aceves. It was the most wonderful experience of my life and the best experience I've had in a hospital to date. And I've been in the hospital quite a few times.
So far the only hard part has been knowing my limits. Sometimes I push myself to eat more when I know I shouldn't, and I pay for it by praying to the porcelein gods, lol.
ProTip: Don't eat and drink at the same time, unless it is a TEENSY TINY sip! You can/will vomit. No beating around the bush here. lol
I have a few goals for the coming years. I want to have some cosmetic surgery done. My arms and my breasts are my biggest problems. Baggy saggy is all I can say... I want my legs and tummy done, but those and the ( oYo ) Boobies aren't getting done till I'm done having babies. Because I do plan to have more. My arms, those will be done by this year. I DEMAND IT! lol kidding kidding, But no, I want to do them by the end of next year at the latest. Just have to save up the money!
Alright my lovelies. I have to go to bed. But I am uploading two photos. My before and after at 200 picture, and then a picture I took last week at the Renaissance Festival. Prety sure I've changed a lot.
Love,
Bri

had my surgery on 2/25. I was on purees for a week and just started soft foods yesterday. Today was the first time eating with friends since surgery and I was so busy talking and laughing I didn't even realize that I was sipping my Water along with my tiny bites of food. I didn't realize what I was doing until I felt the horrible pressure in my stomach, chest and throat. My poor tummy couldn't handle the load and I was miserable. It took over an hour before I was sure I wasn't going to throw up. NEVER AGAIN! On top of the pain, I was terrified that I’d done permanent damage to my sleeve. This is a lesson I only need to learn once. From now on I won’t have liquids anywhere near me while I’m eating.
I get wanting to wash the food down after eating. It was second nature before the sleeve. But for me after being on liquids for three straight weeks pre-op and post-op (and still getting the majority of my Protein through them) it didn’t seem as important anymore. It takes some getting used to but after a while it will seem like second nature. Good luck on your surgery!

All things are possible! Hang in there! Still in the fight to a healthier me!

If that's your doctor, I think losing your passport is the Universe's way of telling you something! He' gonna make a man out of you! With just a step to the left.

Hi everyone. It's been a long time since I've dropped by, but I just want to give an up date and a word of encouragement. I had my one year post-op yesterday. It was a bit late (2/14/12 surgery), but anywho. I was down #160 (335-175), twenty dress sizes (28-8) and over 252 inches. If I can do this, anyone can. I had my toes in the grave. I was on 21 meds and the doc told me I would die that way...whether I lost weight or not. Because of my problems he (my PCP) didn't think I would lost a huge amount (50-60#), but he encouraged me to have it do so I could 'feel a little better about myself.' Well, I'm glad to say I proved him wrong. I did lose weight and a lot of it. I also lost all of the meds and the cane/walker/wheelchair. I am a WALKING miracle. I give praise to God for my healing. Now because I was instantly miraculously healed, but because he allowed me to find the path and the means (insurance) to get what I needed to be healed. I do believe God instantly heals somethings in some people, but I also believe he uses the hand of good physicians to administer healing. This is the way he chose to give me mine. I encourage anyone that has had a long, unyielding struggle with obesity to talk to a doctor about WLS... Sleeve in particular. If you are on the edge trying to make up your mind, take my advice. Do it! You are sick? In pain? Lonely? Depressed? What are you holding on to! You have nothing to lose, but all of that. Are there risks? Yes. Is it hard? Yes. But come on. We all know the fat has a 100% chance of causing complication/death. Is it really that much of a gamble to take a 1% chance with a surgery. You're more likely to get killed in a car wreck on the way to get your next fast food burger. Do yourself and your family/friends a favor and choose life. I did and I would do it again and again.

Before surgery (28, 335#) and on my 1 year Surgiversary (8/10, 178#)

At my 1 year post op (8, 175#) holding my old size 28 skirt.

Side view. Now a size 8.
Sent from my iPhone using VST

I did it!! Started at 299 and this morning 199.6!! I can't stop crying. I haven't been under two hundred pounds in 14 years!!!
<3

Whoa there lady, first week sex is a lot easier than going back to work......Unless you lay down on your back at work that is.

Unless you are screwing a horse or bending over backwards, I think the stitches are safe. LOL

Yes this is a pic of my legs crossed!!! This feels so wonderful after not being able to do this for sooo many years!!! I'm 7 1/2 months postop and down 78 lbs!! Forgive me! I couldn't resist the pic! Hehe

I had my surgery on July 24. I weight 317lbs. Highest weight 350. Loss 90 lbs almost 7 months. Here are some pics -
350 lbs
227 lbs

Not having my butt knock things off shelves when I turn around in a store.

I always liked seeing photos pre op...hell I still like to see them now. So here you go!
I just under 9 months out and down 172 lbs (about 20ish pre op). I follow the 600 -800 calories/+60 protein/+64 oz fluid/-40 carbs. I haven't really exercised and maybe walk a couple of miles a week. I am overall more active and I do plan on starting regular exercise soon. I have had off plan days but I can count the number of "cheats" on both hands. I wanted to get to a normal bmi quickly and this is what has worked for me. I am a few pounds away from "normal" and want to lose about another 20. Enjoy!
Before/Size 24


9 Months/Size 10

Not having my butt knock things off shelves when I turn around in a store.

I'm right there with you sleeping beauty. I'm scheduled for tomorrow too and sometimes it's all I can do not to panic. Just breathe deep and take it one moment at a time and remember all the reasons you chose this surgery. Nothing you've done to get to this point has been easy so you're definitely not taking the easy way out. You're making the right decision for you and your health and I know you're going to rock your sleeve. Good luck tomorrow! I'll be praying for all of us 25th sleevers.

Sleeved Oct 5 2012 down 71 lbs since day of surgery! I'm loving it!
Sent from my iPhone using VST