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Well, I made it. One year!! So happy with my results. I'm the best version of myself.

Well, I made it. One year!! So happy with my results. I'm the best version of myself.

Well, I made it. One year!! So happy with my results. I'm the best version of myself.

Well, I made it. One year!! So happy with my results. I'm the best version of myself.

Well, I made it. One year!! So happy with my results. I'm the best version of myself.

Well, I made it. One year!! So happy with my results. I'm the best version of myself.

Well, I made it. One year!! So happy with my results. I'm the best version of myself.

Well, I made it. One year!! So happy with my results. I'm the best version of myself.

Hello everyone
I haven't posted in quite awhile. I've achieved my goal and wanted to say a few things to anyone out there who needs a boost.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely. I paid for my surgery myself and its the best money I have ever spent. I had my surgery on 12/26/2012. A christmas present to myself. I'm 9 months out and have lost 101 pounds. People are now telling me that I am "too thin" and need to stop losing. I've never had that problem before. I personally think I look fine - I'm happy where I'm at and really don't mind the 2 pounds up and down that still happen.
Did I have any complications?
I developed some seriously painful acid reflux in about month 7. Did everything the Dr. told me to and still had issues. A friend suggested eating a couple of crackers before bed and that finally worked. My crackers travel with me if I'm going anywhere overnight. Other than that - I haven't had any issues whatsoever.
hair loss
I took Biotin faithfully and doubled up on the doses. I used Biotin/Collagen Shampoo. It may have slowed it down but I still lost hair. I'm not bald - but definitely had some thin hair. No one noticed but me and my hairdresser.
How did I lose 101 pounds?
I followed the plan. If I had an off day I shrugged it off and started over the next day. The weight came off - sometimes 3 pounds a week and sometimes 1/2 a pound in two weeks. I weighed myself every Friday morning. That was my incentive to not go crazy over the weekend. I set reasonable goals for myself and when I got to them - I rewarded myself with a new pair of workout pants or new tennis shoes.
Stalls?
Oh yes - lots of them. longest one was 8 weeks. I stressed, I exercised more, I drank more Water, I amped the carbs, I upped my calories, I reduced my calories, stood on my head ....... still had stalls. I finally learned to keep doing what I was doing and eventually the weight starting coming off again.
How have I changed?
I went from a size 24 to a size 8. From a XXL top to a medium. Size 9 shoes to size 8 (that was surprising to me!) Everything else got smaller too. I have lots of energy and go up and down 4 flights of stairs without getting winded. I can walk 5 miles and still have enough energy to walk 5 more. My skin is a bit flabby but I'm working on that. The walking is helping to tone my legs. I hadn't planned on wearing any bikini's so I'm ok with my stomach being flabby. It actually isn't as bad as I thought it would be. My chicken wings are the worst. I'm just going to have to live with them. I have no regrets and I'd rather be flabby thin than overweight puffy.
If anyone is having second thoughts - I can tell you it's worth it. Your life will change - but in the best way possible.
Good luck to everyone and if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer what I can.

I've had to buy new clothes. Gave away 4 large black trash bags full of clothes the were way too big. Yay!! Haven't gone too crazy in the shopping dept. went from a size 20 pant. I'm now a 14. But plan on going down more sizes.

I was sleeved the 13th of March. I am down 75lbs!! Woo who!!!! Starting weight 258 lbs. I'm 55 and loving my sleeve. I would do it all over again. I have no complaints at all.

Holy cow, I can't believe this topic came up! I was applying for a job on line where I needed to provide my license and I started to think "who the hell would hire me looking like this" so I went last month to get a new license. I told them I lost my old one so I could keep it as a souvenir! Here in Illinois they do NOT let you take a new picture until it's time for a renewal so I had to get a manager to sign off on it. When I pled my case the manager pulled up my old photo and let out a loud "woah! This qualifies as a special case!" I actually laughed. Unfortunately I don't like the new pic either because they don't allow you to smile, but it's better then the old one!

Do you think one slice...
eeeeeeeek, oh nooooooooo
yet another pizzza question
not laughing at you
personal joke between me and a few hundred other sleevers
btw
at 3 months, 1 slice won't "kill" you - but its not as good for you as ............fill in the blank
i would continue Protein first, then lottttttts of Water
good luck ginger
kathy

Hi friends!!
Just wanted to post my 15 months progression pics. I am currently 167. I am 14 pounds from my goal of 154 which will give me a normal BMI of 25. I wish I could get to 145 but I think that is a dream!! It has really been hard the last 3 months. This weight is crawling off. I know I will reach goal but it may take me until the end of my 2nd year out. That is ok though. I started out at 294 and to date I have lost 126 pounds. I'm so grateful!!!
I'm having a lot of back issues and finally had an MRI two weeks ago that showed 9 bulging disc, two protruding in my spinal cord, benign tumor, bone spurs, spinal stenosis. This MRI was of my neck and middle back. I still have to get thelower back scanned. I know that if I had not gotten this weight off, it could be worse!! Right now, I have no idea how I would be able to carry the weight I use to carry. I know that being that much overweight is probably what put my back in this shape.
I need plastics bad!!! I have sagging skin everywhere! I really want my tummy done and my breast lifted. I need my arms done as well but I think I can live with them. Not that I want to but I will have to pay for these surgeries as I had to pay for my WLS. So I think it may be another year before I can get this all done.
Ok, take care friends!! You guys rock!

Stalls are a normal part of the process. It's just your body getting used to the weight loss and reduced calories. I just got past a 3 week stall as of today. But for the past 3 months, I've had at least 1 two week stall per month.
And I'll freak out, thinking, "Is this it? Is my weight loss over?" But I keep on working my diet and exercise program and the weight loss starts again.

Every Disney restauant and counter service has childrens meals that can be bought by adults. Some are really good.

I use premium Protein Shakes from Costco.they are pre-made in a carton 11oz. I keep several in the fridge and have a small cooler that I take with me if I'm going to be away from the house. You can buy the bags that you can put right in the freezer. I got mine at target. They work great.

heck no it's not a slow weight loss for 6 weeks....that's 6.67lbs average a week. You are killin' it! Keep up the good work!

I was told before surgery that this surgery ment no more carbonation.

Down 42 lbs. since surgery 03/13/13. So happy. I feel so much better. More energy.
Before and so far.

Down 42 lbs. since surgery 03/13/13. So happy. I feel so much better. More energy.
Before and so far.

Looking good, mama!!!
pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4

Down 42 lbs. since surgery 03/13/13. So happy. I feel so much better. More energy.
Before and so far.

Down 42 lbs. since surgery 03/13/13. So happy. I feel so much better. More energy.
Before and so far.