mysleevemylife

Does anyone with tattoos notice a change post surgery? Mine is on my upper back so I'm not sure if it will change. .ex. when my aunt got pregnant her tattoo on her lower belly/hip stretched out, does this happen with weight loss?

Enjoy the fact that you do not have a lot of complications (or maybe any for that matter). The only thing I would caution you on is to not allow yourself to become too comfortable where you're like "I can have anything I want. Yay!! let's go for it!" lol...really, though. I'm like you & I not too long ago had to tell myself to stay focused. Don't feel guilty b/c it may come somewhat easy to you in some ways. You're fortunate!! & also, don't be too hard on yourself. Take one day at a time & enjoy the journey. Hope this makes sense & helps some.

yes treat yourself every once in awhile you earned it!!

I agree about donating even the rough stuff, but I have gardening shirts that are quite literally unwearable. Stretched out, stained, unraveled seams, etc. THOSE went in the trash. As did old period panties. Can I say that outside of the 'powder room'? yep. I just did.
Good for you! Saturday it is!

I'm issuing a weekend challenge.
To all of you who have clothes that are TOO BIG in your closet (Laura-ven, I'm looking at you, too)... GET RID OF THEM!!!
You will never need them again. Do not hold on to these clothes as a back-up plan! Plan to succeed!
I'm going to take a look in my closet and dresser and make three piles:
-keep because it fits me, is comfortable, and looks good on me
-throw it away because no one else would want that nasty old/dirty/torn/worn out thing anyways, and
-donate! I always found it frustrating when the only plus size things at Salvation Army were muumuus. My nice things will go directly there.
Good luck, and God speed! Challenge accepted.
Do it, and do it right!

I was lucky enough to receive free tickets from my company for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this last weekend. I was afraid to try a rollercoaster at first, the last time I went to a theme park I barely fit in them. Between that time and my surgery I had gained quite a but of weight. I am happy to say that the two coasters I tried, I fit in! yippee!

I know that feeling. The same thing happened to me. Just stick with it!!! If need, increase exercise to help push you over that hill. You got this!

I agree, definitely a struggle...I feel tired sometimes but then I talk to myself & say, "Come on girl. You got this. Do it. Push it. You won't give up. Make it happen". Then I pray & say, "God, I need you to guide me & show me just what to do to make this happen....to get to my goal. God, please don't leave me. I can't do this without you. Thank you". So, my surg was March, 6, 2013 & I started at 303. My ticker says 257, but I did what I said I wouldn't & pulled out my scale this morn & 260! Well, I can only assume Fluid retention or muscle gain cause I lift faithfully every week. I'm encouraged, because I believe that the big "Whoosh" will come one day soon. Waiting....

I have total belief in you. You definately can do it..Just keep telling yourself that you did not go thru all of this for nothing. It is hard I know but you got to push yourself so hard. I am here if you need that motivation. I have to keep reminding myself that it will be hard the first time I do something but it will get better later. I was just diagnose with fibroid tumors this morning, so now this is another set back that I will have to deal with but nothing is going to stop me. I've come to far. On a lighter side, now I see why can't lose my stomach as fast as I am losing everything else, but it is all good. This to will pass..thats a promise..

I knew you would call me out on my typo!! No way to change the subject text after posting.

I'm ain't eatin' no moth for lunch let alone 6 or more of them

My wonderful wife gave me a card yesterday celebrating almost 60lbs gone with a surprise inside. She ordered a lifecycle and a Pilates machine to help me jump start my exercise plan. She said it's an early 25th anniversary present. I may even take a few classes once I start to feel a bit more comfortable in my own skin.
Sent from my iPad using VST

I just got ddp yoga. From what I've done so far, I really like it.
<-- crazy inspirational!

I find Hot Yoga a very effective workout, it raises my heart rate. I huff and puff all the way through. Post op be certain to Water load before and after a hot yoga session

Make sure that you're nice enough to order for them. They will probably want a Large Big Mac Value Meal with an apple pie on the side!! LOLOL....

If you are lifting weights, then you may be gaining muscle - and it may only seem like you are not losing weight. Or your body may be hanging onto every calorie because you're working out so much.
I wouldn't worry about it too much. This is a marathon, not a sprint. And everyone has to figure out how their body responds to different caloric intake, weight training, and cardio.
I personally have been gained back 3 pounds 2 weeks ago - and have been stuck there for the past 17 days. I've been walking harder and longer than ever before, but just can seem to start the downward tick on the scale. It's pretty damn frustrating. And I know that I haven't eaten anything more or different over the past 2 weeks.
But this morning, I hopped on the scale and was down just over 1 lb. Hopefully the weight loss is starting again.
I've been through these 2 week periods several times in the past 5 months and I am assuming that my body is just getting use to it's new weight level and caloric intake, then it realizes that this is the new normal and starts the weight loss again.
Man! I am so envious of those lucky people that report 25 lb/moth weight loss. To all those that have lost 100 lbs in 6 months, I salute you - and have a standing offer to take you to McDonald's for lunch. Muahahahahaha

Hi there, ask your surgeon if you can progress to cream Soups & also cottage cheese. I would, for example, get Cream of chicken & sprinkle Parmesan cheese (powder type kind) & a little hot sauce in it to kinda spice it up. Now, granted, I've never had much of an issue with Heartburn or Acid reflux, so use your own judgement on the hot sauce. Creativity will help you a lot. Inbox me if you have any specific questions.

So I have dropped 101 lbs with both pre- and post-op losses. I am feeling much better, obviously, and am looking more "normal" sized. The only time I am upset at how I look is when I try on clothes. The sizes are smaller (16/18) or L or XL, but God, my tummy...lets hope if it's the last to go it does GO. Ugh. Definitely my problem area. But I digress. I think I have done pretty well since surgery (71 lbs in less than 5 months), and have never had much of a problem with any one food. My sleeve accepts pretty much everything happily. I think I might be OK with losing slower at this point, like even if its 5 lbs a month or so. What that means for me is, well, continuing what I have been doing, i.e., eating about 1200 calories with healthy carbs thrown in. I will continue to avoid most Pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, and added sugars, with some indulgence in these "forbidden" foods very occasionally (I graduated on May 10 and had a small piece of cake two days last week- still lost a decent amount & reached 100 lbs lost). My diet really varies from day to day, depending on things like leftovers, etc. Sometimes I eat Cereal in the morning, sometimes scrambled eggs. I weigh and measure everything and track it on MFP. I go to the gym and Zumba as often as I can- usually 3-5 days a week. I guess what I am trying to say is that I want to eat like a normal person while making good decisions food-wise. I am hopeful that this way of living will help me make this change lifelong. If it means losing a little slower, so be it. I am happy.

Weight watchers is a good one not sure how high they go but I have one of theres, they mulitple ones so you would need to research good luck

Congrats to you! It gets easier as each week ticks off!

Ello, my name is Julie and I'm 26 years old. I've battled my weight me entire life making myself my worse enemy through most of my life. There were times when the diets and pills worked and I would drop the weight. Around my 21st birthday I had dropped down to around 170 with the help of Phentermine. Within the year it was all back. Then in 2009 I once again got back on the Phentermine, Adderall and joined weight watchers, I went from 209lbs to 155lbs. I was the happiest I had ever been. I was successful at keeping that weight off for about 1.5 years. Then I had a tragic loss, stopped taking the Phentermine and Adderall and shot up to a devastating 260lbs. This is when I developed high blood pressure, sleep apnea, dependent adema, and high cholesterol. I felt as if I was unworthy of happiness. The weight has taken its toll on every aspect of my life.
Finally, I decided this is it. I refuse to be a prisoner to my own body for the rest of my life. I've already missed out on so much. I went and saw my doctor who suggested surgery to me, at first I was shocked. I knew I was big... But big enough for this? Yes. I went to an information seminar and set up my first apt. With the bariatric center. My first apt. Was on Oct. 18th 2012. For the next 6 months I invested much of my time getting the long list of tests, and appointments done. On May 1st I finally got the news that my insurance authorized me, and my surgery would be on May 7th!
Today I am 8 days post op, and am so blessed and excited to start this new journey! A happy, and healthy one!

Just thinking. It would take me 2 weeks to eat it. I may start with a reg patty and make it the size of a mini personal pizza.< /p>
Now I'm hungry

Yep, I'm with ya! I pulled my scale back out...why?? lol...but seriously, I did & it reflects a 2lb gain. I've faithfully for the past few weeks been lifting weights, using ankle weights, etc. I'm def thinking it's muscle gain. Well, how I deal with the scale is this...I first do process of elimination to try to get at the issue that is causing it. Then I recommit to myself to Never Give Up. I also vowed to myself to allow my body to do what it wants, as long as I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. I know that this is a journey, so journies usually are for an extended period of time. I've driven myself "crazy" in the past by allowing the scale to dictate my mood & so forth, but no more! When I get off tonight, I'm going to Walmart to purchase a measuring tape. That's gonna be my way of telling from now on & only stepping on the scale 1X a mo. That's the plan & hopefully I stick to it. I wish you the best. Hang in there & refuse to give up.

Yep, I'm with ya! I pulled my scale back out...why?? lol...but seriously, I did & it reflects a 2lb gain. I've faithfully for the past few weeks been lifting weights, using ankle weights, etc. I'm def thinking it's muscle gain. Well, how I deal with the scale is this...I first do process of elimination to try to get at the issue that is causing it. Then I recommit to myself to Never Give Up. I also vowed to myself to allow my body to do what it wants, as long as I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. I know that this is a journey, so journies usually are for an extended period of time. I've driven myself "crazy" in the past by allowing the scale to dictate my mood & so forth, but no more! When I get off tonight, I'm going to Walmart to purchase a measuring tape. That's gonna be my way of telling from now on & only stepping on the scale 1X a mo. That's the plan & hopefully I stick to it. I wish you the best. Hang in there & refuse to give up.

Everyone hits stalls. If you're eating right a pound or two of gain could just be Water weight. The scale will move again. Stalls are a b_tch and we all go through them. Hope yours break soon.