MichiganChic

Great job, you look great! And congrats on your recent marriage!

Personally, I would not have a major, potentially life threatening surgery for a BMI that low, especially with no associated health risks. If you lost 10% of your weight, that would probably be enough to move you out of obesity and into overweight. I know people here with low BMI who have done this surgery, succeeded, and are fine, but you asked for opinions. My opinion is that the risk far outweighs the benefit in this circumstance. The statistical risk of complication is low....until YOU become the one with the complication, then it's 100% you...and your three little kids. Not sure if you've looked on this site for complications, but I'd suggest you research that. Whatever you decide, good luck!

You will hear this a hundred times, but yes, it's normal. No two people will have the same experience from surgery to weight loss to maintenance. There is almost no difference between 4 and a half weeks and 5 weeks, so I'd say you are in the ball park. Congrats on your 17 pound loss! You can look forward to more coming off in the future. You will eventually learn your patterns, which may steady and slow, stair step and quick. Good luck as you continue in your progress.

For ME (and only me) I have to fight the urge to cheat some days. I don't want to do it, and I have to work hard not to. The sleeve makes it way easier to stay on track - so maybe it is the easy way out, IDK. I generally don't cheat, but once in a while, I have something I should not. I don't come here asking if I should or should not - I already know what to do, it's just whether or not I can. One thing I force myself to do is log it. I really hate to admit it to myself and see it in print, but it helps keep me accountable. As for why people plan to cheat, or even IF they planned to cheat, I'm not sure what drives them, but I know it's a rough road even when you WANT to be perfect. I can't imagine the struggle and disappointment for people who don't have a clue. I feel lucky to have had the surgery, lucky to have healed without major complications, and lucky to have the good sense to make the best of it I can. It's all a gift.

I'm just going to have my stomach cut out....oh wait, I already did that!

Are you pregnant? (sorry, couldn't resist)

Congratulations on your success, and your positive outlook on your goals! You are beautiful!

Well, I'm 5'3" and I'm pretty sure I'm never going to look like that again at any weight, lol. Ahh, youth

Wow, you look so great! You go to the beach and you rock that suit, sister, you deserve it!! Oh - and I like your Tigers shirt, too

Worth it to me, and I'd do it again. I'm an old woman and I've been heavy for years, and my skin is not that bad. At your age, you might not have any loose skin. You can hide a lot in clothes, and there is always plastic surgery if you think you need it. Lose skin it not a health risk, but obesity is.

I am nearly 6 months out. I can eat anything and everything. I eat out, and I entertain. Of course, I'm careful about my choices, and I track EVERY bite I eat, and count calories. I have to, otherwise I would not be losing weight. I have good restriction, but not like some people who can only eat a few bites, or people who can't tolerate lots of different things. Oddly enough, I used to love bread and pasta, and milk. All of them were off limits for me for the first 4 months, and though I tried a few here and there at about 2-3 months and tolerated them well, I still limit them to once or twice a week. I don't count carbs, but I think in the back of my mind, I do limit the obvious ones. Everyone is different, and there is no way to predict how it will be for you. Good luck with your impending surgery.

Look at you, in that little black dress! You look great, and should be bragging!

Oh yeah, not silly at all. So - how does it feel? I know I felt great just being obese instead of super obese. It's all relative, my friends!

You probably won't want to hear this, but my answer to that question is HELL to the NO! Lol, it was a little rough at first - not pain, not vomiting, just feeling bad in general. I also had a really hard time waking up, and had gas pain in recovery. However, I was able to get up that night and walk the halls, and it was nothing that really kept me down. I think I just expected to feel like all the previous posters who said how it easy it was. I had 3 c-sections, and those were a breeze for me. I am not trying to scare you, but you just never know you your body will respond. So, even though I didn't feel amazing, it was still absolutely worth it to me. That was short term pain for long term gain. It was nothing that wasn't manageable, but I did wonder if there was something wrong with me for not feeling great. Good luck, and congrats on your date! (PS- I feel amazing now )

Congratulations on your recent surgery and subsequent loss! It's still early, but it does get better every day. I remember around 6 or 7 weeks, I started feeling better. I used to be a hospice nurse (actually did PI, intake, was supervisor a while, educator, lol). But I believe that Hospice nursing is some of the best nursing out there...what a way to make an important difference for patients and their famiies. It will be so much easier for you to be in the field when you get your health issues resolved! Welcome to the nurse's thread!

Congratulations! That's such great news! It is pretty competitive all over these days, so good on you! You've got to be the whole package to get in. So, who is the lucky to school to get you? 2 year or 4 program?

Congrats, you look great! Loved the slide show, too - great idea. You look like you feel so good and are so happy!

Just thought I'd stop by and say congrats, and it sounds like you are doing great! Glad you had a good experience.

I've been taking it since before surgery. I lost a lot of hair....maybe would have lost more without it? I/m not sure, but not taking chances. It definitely did not prevent hair loss, though.

Good luck - let us know how you do!

You have done so well! Congrats on your phenomenal loss! Look at your BMI - You are no longer obese! So happy for you Tell me how it feels, I can only imagine, lol. I know what you mean about the numbers, i always hope to hit certain numbers by certain dates, but I know that if we are doing all we can, then there is nothing else we can do to impact it. Our bodies can only lose so fast. But you are over 75% of the way there! How's that for a great number? Happy six months - and here's to the next few months when you will undoubtedly hit your goal!

tboosrn

I thought I'd dig this post out and update it, just in case anyone is interested. My hair loss has really slowed down, and is coming out at about the same rate as it was before surgery. I can't really see any new growth yet, but my hairdresser says she can see some. The doc said it should take about 6 weeks. I do think the treatment did make a difference, as opposed to being coincidental. I just hope it returns to it's previous state!

I got them from my hairdresser. He/she can pick them up for you at the supply house if they don't have them at the shop. I also really like the shampoo, conditioner, and scalp treatment.

So glad to hear it! Good for you