MichiganChic

I just started using NewGel+E recently. Too soon to know if it is going to work. I have lots of scars from LBL, thigh and arm lifts.

My family was worried and thought I looked good like I was. I did it anyway and they were supportive, but my parents have forbidden any more surgery. I'm 52, lol.

This is a major surgery, and I think there is more to consider than just commitment. I think it's a matter of risk vs. benefit, and what your risk tolerance is. The risks associated with surgery are low, but if you have a complication, it can be life threatening or disabling permanently. You might want to review the complications thread and think if the risk is worth the benefit to you. I see you are trying again to do it on your own and your BMI has already dropped, so good for you. It's hard with or without surgery. Statistically, a 10% drop in weight gives you many health benefits. Good luck, whatever you decide!

6 weeks for me.

@@VSG AJH yay for you! So glad you dropped some. Georgia and CGJ, It is edema, and I do know that, but I was feeling sorry for myself this morning, lol. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to stick with it. I am secretly hoping I'm losing fat under the swelling, and some day that will go away and I'll wake up at goal!! It's just like the old days when I was fat and wished every day that it was just a bad dream and wanted to wake up thin, lol. Honestly, weekends are such a struggle for me. I look forward to them and being away from work, but I dread them a little because there is ample access to too much food, and the wrong things. Always somewhere to go, something to do, people coming over, doing nothing so thinking about food....the list is endless why I have a hard time keeping my intake under control. Does anyone have this problem? How do you deal with it? It was ok when I was recovering from surgeries and maintaining, but now I'm feeling like I really want to get goal so I have to be strict.

I had a lot of weight to lose, and I had clothes in many sizes. So at first, for probably the first 60-70 pounds, I had things I could wear. As all of it got to be too big, I watched for sales and bought super inexpensive but high quality items. I was lucky and needed things as they had big winter sales. Seriously, like $10 for shirts and pants. I found that I could find lots of things in the "normal" people sized in XL like that. So I bought things a little snug, and wore them until they were a little big. I don't look good in dresses so that was not an option for me. I always made sure I had enough outfits for a 5 day work week, and one decent pair of jeans, and a couple tops. I honestly didn't spend much even though I shopped perpetually. I never had much in the closet, but I did have enough to get by on and feel good wearing.

Premier protein RTD shakes Quest bars Quest chips Vitafusion Bariatric advantage Wonder slim

@@Queen of Crop great job! I agree it is such a good feeling to be able to do and succeed at it! Funny how people survive just fine without all the junk food and packaged/prepared food we have at our disposal here. I try to avoid a lot of it, but it does work its way in here. I've had a stellar week. Came in right around 500 calories both fast days, and right around 1000 on the feast days. I GAINED 1.5 since last Friday. Sigh. I was surprised because my clothes are looser and I look like my abdomen is about 6 inches thick from a side view. My arms feel tight though, and I know my legs are still swollen, but I really did expect to drop a little. Now I'm remembering why I weigh this much.....because it won't come off! I think the 1000 calories must be the culprit. I have said over and over that I have to go below 900 to lose. I guess I thought the 500 calorie days and intermittent fasting would help, but maybe not. I can't exercise yet either, so that doesn't help either. Maybe I need a 4:3 plan lol! I'm hoping you are all doing well and have better results than me!

Congratulations on your personal revelation. I'm sure you'll get to where you want to be. Isn't it surprising when the light bulb goes on and we are able to connect the dots to really understand what we really knew along?

How many calories are you eating? Are you weighing and measuring your food?

I would be interested. I would look at a variety of products, including vitamins, food products, and protein drinks and foods. I am not interested in auto ship, probably.

@@VSG AJH I know what you mean - my reality wasn't what I wanted to hear either. It really brings the words "it's a tool" (in reference to our sleeves) into crystal clear focus. No magic going on here, just hard work. But so worth it to me! However, at least the work pays off, now. This is WAY easier that with no sleeve. Also, as @@CowgirlJane mentioned, no shaking from hunger. I had that my whole life and I LOVE that it's gone. I pray it never comes back. So my weight is sort hanging where it's been since last summer. I got lots of the bloat off, but still have lots of Fluid in my legs and a little in my back. Low calorie and low carb is really helping to keep fluid retention down. I look thinner through the torso than I ever have, so I guess I'm losing some of the swelling from my August surgery. That didn't take long at all, lol. Who knows, maybe I'm actually 15 pounds lighter without the Water weight??? JK, but it does kind of drive me crazy. So I came in under 1000 calories yesterday, and it was more difficult than usual. It's been very stressful at work, and I'm a stress eater! I can't believe that after all this time, it's my first response to think to eat. While I didn't give in, I was a little shocked about how much that felt like real, physical hunger. Today is a fast day. Wish me luck - I have a stressful job and there is no reason to think today will be any easier. I'll let you know how it goes. Keep up the good work, ladies. I love to come to this thread and see how you are all doing! You help keep me motivated.

I love my Vitamix! I have the professional one, too. Makes soups and smoothies and nut butters and on and on. However, it's a lot of money if you don't cook a lot or want to make things like that.

@@feedyoureye you said it. We can never let up.

@@VSG AJH I am one who has to eat 900 calories to lose. It's pretty absurd, but it's true. It was quite a revelation when I discovered that. I did eat too much to get so obese, but that sure explains why diets never worked. It also explains how I was able manage my weight in high school and college - I hardly ate! I don't buy into the starvation mode theory. I ate 800-900 calories the first year and lost most of my weight during that time. I started maintaining at 1000-1100. So, I am hoping to get off a few more pounds quickly with 5:2, utilizing around 900 calories on "feast" days. Not much of a feast, lol. I think you already know you are not losing on 1200. Many programs keep their patients on 800 calories, so maybe you want to try? I quickly realized Im not one those people who can listen to their body,either. My body is useless in telling me to stop eating. I've made peace with it. For now, I like being thin better than I dislike calorie counting. Once in a while I get tired and take a break. It's my new way of life.

Yep Georgia, me too. However, I have to weigh daily. I'd be 300 pounds if I didn't. I hope your hard work pays off. We know it's only Water, you can't gain that in a day

Mine is a 36. There isn't much difference between 34-40, and I think they are all pretty standard. Too small can result in increased complications.

You girls are rocking it! Great losses! Yesterday was a fast day for me, and I came in at 540 calories. Honestly didn't know if I was going to be able to do it. There is some serious instant gratification and self satisfaction when I can, though. Does anyone else feel like that? @@Ms skinniness eating that low for several days in a row also makes me feel accomplished. Awesome for you! I am still having so much problem with Fluid retention that its a little disheartening. Last Saturday I was down to 164, and yesterday I was 169. Today 167. I'm not going to let it discourage me, but I'll be glad to get out of post-plastics swell hell! It's likely going to be a few months....and then it will be summer, and the humidity makes me retain fluids....can't win, lol. Have a good one!

@@Georgia Thanks for the website. I'm going to give some of them a try. Another thing that I do is use spaghetti squash in place Pasta. It already comes in spaghetti form when you bake it. Today will be a fast day for me. Wish me luck. Good thing, too. Yesterday was less than stellar. And by that, I mean GRAZING. I know why obesity rates are so high in Michigan. It's too cold and miserable to get out! Here's to you all, ladies! Have a good one.

I used to think eating was a chore, but that isn't true anymore, and I miss those days! I still have to watch what I eat, but I can eat way more and I wish it was a little like that still. Make good use of this time!

Yeah, 1200 calories for the rest of the world Is a diet, and for some of it's enough to gain weight. I try not to think about it like that too often, lol.

Great pics! Looking forward to seeing your modeling pics, too!

My kids say I look younger, but I have wrinkles now and I didn't have any before. The overall look with body and face combined is definitely younger.

I eat nonfat Greek yogurt with equal, salted caramel SF torani syrup and a tablespoon of peanut butter.

When you can rock your athletic daughter's size small shirt.