abridgie

My philosophy from the beginning of my journey has been, train like an athlete for the rest of my life. I have food cravings, mostly Protein. My thinking revolves around feeding my muscles, having enough carbs for energy and Vitamin nutrition and fiber for health. The garbage food that is presented to me gets little more than a taste. I am building something here, I have sworn off tearing myself down.
The sleeve was a gift given to me. It cost me $1000. out of pocket and nearly $40,000 was paid by insurance. It was like I was walking to a goal that was impossible to reach and someone came along and gave me the keys to a Rolls Royce. I would be an idiot to not make the most of this.
An alcoholic once told me he used to detox just so alcohol would have a greater effect on him, not to change his life. Get clean, get dirty again.
You might hate being fat but that is not enough. You have to hate living and thinking like a fat person. You must hate the process of getting fat. Stay off that train, find the right one!

I so agree !!! and also shake my head when reading things like this... I admit.. being almost 6 months out and 70 lbs down... I can eat pretty much anything... but I choose to eat what I eat and WILL NOT go back to where I came from. So I try and make good choices, I exercise and I thank myself for making this choice and going through it to give myself another chance at being healthy and happy.

You look amazing I'm praying next Dec ill be the same!!!!!! Welcome back to your life

So hello VST peeps! Today is the day! I can honestly say the sleeve gave me my life back. It's been a heck of a journey. I am not at my ultimate goal of 200# down, but so far I have lost 145#...so just a few more steps and I will get there. I also encourage everyone to take measurements from beginning to end because I am happy to report I have lost a total of 48.5 inches from all over my body...wild huh? I wanted to share a pictorial journey with you . So here we go!
Me 12 hours before surgery



Me 6 months post op



Me at 9 months out



And me today right before my workout




So that's my story ..it's still a work in progress but with hard work, dedication, and diligence, it's becoming, finally, a reality!

Highly entertaining!

No shame! Ditto that.

Vilonia/Conway here! I used Dr. Baker I was sleeved 12-6-12.

City of bones series. Ok I'm a recovering food addict but ill always be a book junkie

City of bones series. Ok I'm a recovering food addict but ill always be a book junkie

Oh sookie stackhouse series is really good if your in to vampires

Vampire Academy is series. I liked it. I loved the Hunger Games. I thought 50 Shades sucked! Horrible writing.
Stephen King's 11/22/63 was AMAZING!

Well I suppose my comments ended that thread. Lol. That's what I get for posting at an intersection while waiting for green. He he. Doubly my bad for posting in the powder room. I swear I thought this topic was man room material. I will pay more attention next time and not under red light pressures. Lol.

I think it would be worth having to wax or shave your tummy if it meant not having that skin/fat above the lady part!
Thanks for answering my question!
Sheena :-)

I had to fight my old habits hard this week. My one true weakness has always been peeps. I could demolish a case of them in a day. I just kept remembering the scale and refused to break!

just wanted to share a non scale victory moment with you guys...
I love taking bubble baths... when my world slows down and I can take a moment...
usually once the bath is over... and I unplug the tub... all the Water in front of me goes out... when I get up there is more water behind me...
when I stood up to get out the bath tonight... there was NO WATER! I didn't dam up the tub!!
weird I know... but it felt good!

I'm 2 weeks and 3 days post op and today I tried on a pair of shoes that I had bought online and were too tight and they now fit. I guess I lost in my feet too.

The dark chocolate sugar free Jello Mousse's are really good. I think they only have like 60-70 calories and are a whipped consistency. Healthy choice makes a really good frozen greek yogurt. SF hot chocolate? As far as the chips...they would still be a no-no..but maybe something savory and salty...a small baked potato with shredded cheese?

Nuke a Hershey bar in the microwave for a couple of seconds 'til it's soft. Then it counts as a soft food, right? Just kidding! Please don't do that.
I was going to say a chocolate Protein shake, but these ladies beat me to it.

Kind of an amusing question, but I really want to know where weight goes when you lose it? I learned in high school science class that matter can't be created or destroyed. If I go to bed, then wake up 4 lbs lighter, where did those 4 lbs go? I didn't pee them out. Do they get converted to energy? Sometimes I feel like they're being passed out of my mouth in the form of bad breath.

Well I'm 5 6 my goal is 160 but I was happy when I was 180 honestly I just want to get back to a 10/12 and ill be golden

I removed all scales from my home before surgery. I weigh at doctors appointments only. I don't want to be a slave to the scale.< /p>

I'm 3 months out and live on my fitness pal!!! I usually get 650-800 calories daily 75-85 grams of Protein

This thread has been interesting read. Ladies, the girls will eventually head south as you age. I'm 49 and the girls are heading south no matter what the brain tells them...they are just not listening. So the brain has made a decision that once the body has reached goal weight and maintain for at least 6 months, then the body is getting a mommy makeover. I'm tired of the D cup and would like to be a B cup. It would be nice not to have to wear these huge 'over the shoulder boulder holders'. Anyways, the hubby had the right answer when I told him. He said 'more than a mouth full is a waste'

I didn't have that. I wasn't allowed anything first day after surgery. That sucked. The day after I was given 1 oz of ice chips hourly. That was heaven on my very sore throat!

I agree with spanx! I just hope when I get it all off my ins ill cover my Tummy Tuck