Lori228

Is your depression because of the stall or did you stall because you are depressed? Look at where you were and how far you have come and do some reflection. You are far more important to give up now so get back on track, start walking or whatever will make you feel better as long as it is moving, and start eating what your body NEEDS not what your brain thinks it wants. You are worth it.

Being surprised that others still measure and count calories should be a worrisome concern to you.
My failure to totally understand what was required was always my downfall with any past weight losses. I would figure I won the battle once I reached a goal weight and then slowly go back to my old habits.........and weight
I like that my sleeve is a ongoing reminder of the lifestyle changes I have made and will continue to follow forever now. I know from past failed experiences in contrast to my present success, along with the maintenance feedback of others, that the longer I maintain my lifestyle and eating changes, the more likely they will become permanent. No more illusions that I can quickly defeat obesity. I will need to be forever vigilant. This will be my new normal

The sleeve is just a tool, it's not a cure. You still need to address the reasons why you overate to begin with - emotional issues were my problem prior to surgery and I continue to struggle 18 months post-op.
I can eat a lot of food - just not at one time. I can graze all day long and have done it.
The further out from surgery I am, the harder it is...Some days I need to go back to basics - add a shake into my day or a Protein bar, so get me centered again.

I am a year out and still use mine. Part of that could be that I have not been checked out by a physician regarding my sleep apnea and the other part is I LIKE MY sleep. I took it off a few nights back and had those weird dreams again and woke up to go to the bathroom, etc. So I am thinking that maybe I still need it. Why, I don't know for sure, but I have gotten off 3 medicines and my numbers are great in regards to those problem areas so if I have to keep my CPAP in order to sleep, I am okay with that.

I made easy-peasy greek yogurt popsicles today. High Protein and great for warmer days. My popsicle mold (Ikea) has 6 compartments, and holds a total of 1 1/2 cups. For best results, measure how much yours holds.
Mix together:
1 cup plain greek yogurt (nonfat or whole, as you prefer)
1/2 cup fruit (i used strawberries, but if you are early out stick with cooked fruit and no seeds)
Splenda or other sweetener to taste (I used 3 packets)
Blend together and pour into mold and freeze for a few hours.
If you can't have fruit yet use 1 1/2 cups yogurt with sugar free flavored Syrup like Torani.< /p>
My next version is going to be coconut flavored with coconut extract and a few tablespoons of unsweetened coconut bits.

I have been using my cpap for 8 or 9 years. I now use the nose pad instead of the full face. Both work, I have just stuck with this under the nose thing. I can not breathe thru my nose without it!
I don't think I ever want to go without! I have cpap addiction!

Why is it that people always remember the ones who lose fast and forget the people who lose slow? LOL.
Everyone loses differently. i never lost more than 2 lbs a week and I exercised from the second week on, almost daily. But I'm 53 and post menopausal female. A young woman will lose faster, a man will lose faster, pretty much everyone else loses faster. So forget about comparing yourself and just enjoy your personal journey.
What really surprised me? How uncomfortable it is to overeat. How bad the first month was. How hard it was to reprogram myself to eat so much Protein and severely reduce carbs (I was a carb addict). How easy it is to eat sliders and fall back into old ways.

I am almost a year out, February 28, 2013, was my date, and I am not where I want to be yet, but have lost 84 pounds and am feeling pretty good from where I was at the beginning. I know I am still overweight but it is really nice to get the compliments that I do and I know that I will get where I need to go. You are doing well and you have done amazing things to help your health by losing what you have. Be proud and enjoy the success you have made so far. We have a year celebration coming up!!

I have not done that but need to get back to being good and finish out the year strong. Keep me posted and I think you have done well. Just imagine where we would be had we not done this.

It's been 1 1/2 years since my sleeve. I started as a 246 lb woman who wore size 28w. Now I am 118 lbs wearing a 0 sometimes size 2. I am thankful for the opportunity to have had the sleeve. Especially since I had a heart attack 2 years ago.

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Be patient, girl. Not even a week out.
It likely isn't hunger pangs when you sip at this point. Your stomach was just cut, it's still swollen, tissues need to heal. The discomfort is post-op discomfort and spasm of your stomach's response to what's coming down. . Trust me it ALL gets better.
Again...you just had surgery. Be patient.

I would like ppl to share their most favorite items they enjoy that is bariatric friendly> I have a few already. Here are mine...
1. Flax Seeds
2. Chia Seeds
3. Smooth Moves Tea (senna in it to aid with 'movements')
4. Organic Hemp Protein HI-FIBER powder by Nutiva (this stuff is frikken amazing)
5. Fage 0% fat Greek Yogurt (add to my Protein Powder shakes)
6. Royal instant Greek yogurt pudding (use only a tablespoon for added flavor and richness in my Protein shakes)
7. Spark Energy drinks from Advocare
8. Rehydrate gel from Advocare (perfect for us because I packs a lot of electrolytes in a gel form when you need to rehydrate but can't guzzle a ton of water)
9. MNS Max from Advocare (metabolic nutrition system which has advanced core nutrition, wellness, sustained energy release and appetite control).... took these pre op and will be taking again after I recover.
10. Sleepworks by Advocare (liquid herbal sleep aid... good stuff. Lavender/Spearmint flavored)
11. Just Good Stuff Peanut Butter (yummy but gas producing)
12. Anything wrapped in a tortilla... anything. LOL
13. Anything Indian. I have one of our docs teaching me how to cook more Indian cuisine b/c I simply LOOOOOOVE it!
14. Fage 2% yogurt w/honey
15. Activa yogurt... regular and greek
16. Happy Farms String cheese (Aldi's)
17. Carmelized Onion Hummus (Wegmans)
18. BabaGanouj and Tahziki
19. Wegmans Basting oil with garlic and herbs
20. Fig Flavored Balsamic Vinegar
21. Morning Star Black Bean Burgers (I need to learn how to make my own)
22. Brown Rice Pasta (delicious) not sure I can eat much of this
23. Cous Cous and Quinoa
24. Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
25. Cinnamon..... awesome in Protein shakes if adding spinach or kale (kills the bitter taste)
I will stop there cuz now I am thinking too hard. I hope other ppl share things they like b/c I definitely do not want to get bored with eating (highly unlikely) but I am interested in other good healthy nutritious finds.
Awesome veggies that if you don't eat... you are missing out.
Portobello Mushrooms
Bok Choy
Kale
Hot peppers (all kinds... really rev's up your metabolism)

Hey Sheldon, I feel your fear. I was pretty scared prior to surgery, too, but I felt very ready for the new me and I am almost 10 months out and I am so glad I did it. There are changes on the horizon but they are good changes and healthier ones. I feel so much better and can function so much better. I was worried about drinking lots of Water, and that is not an issue but rather getting enough in. I love Water and now I can even drink lots when I am thirsty. Some of my tastes have changed but it really is the unhealthy stuff that I used to love (like pasta) that has less appeal to me.
As far as people go, I work in a hospital and it just felt right, for a lot of reasons, to be honest. There have been a lot of people commenting to my weight loss and ask how I did it, and I told them. Some are very interested and want more information. Others are a little surprised but not rude. There has not been one person who has said anything since surgery about it after seeing the weight loss. There were those ahead of time that had those rude comments or looks, but I knew what I wanted and was not going to let them stop me. Since then there have been no rude comments (at least not to my face) but they cannot really say much when they see the change.
Anyway, I hope your fears are eased and you are happy with whatever decision you make. I just thank God that I made the choice I did. Good luck.

Sheldon --
I'm also an attorney, and I totally feel you about uncertainty.
It's totally normal for us to feel anxiety about this. I'm getting sleeved on Thursday, and I'm about to jump out of my skin with anxiety! However...
1. Have you ever had any surgery before? Did you tolerate the drugs alright? My surgeon told me that less than 1% of patients have complications during the surgery or right after.... Those are awesome odds! We can do this!
2. I've heard that some people don't vomit, as long as they don't overdo it on consumption. Maybe you'll be like that, eh? I hope I am too! I hate throwing up. On the upside, maybe this will get you over your phobia? Maybe? Eh?
3. You're not giving up your stomach, you're making it smaller. After healing, you'll have a perfectly functional stomach again.
4. Your tastes might change, that's true, but that's okay! Frankly, I'll be thrilled if I never wanted cake or pizza again! And I'm sure you'll be able to drink water!
5. This is the part I'm the MOST certain of: If someone judges you for doing this, eff 'em. No, seriously. You don't owe it to anyone to tell them that you had this surgery. If you do choose to tell people, they better get with the program. Haters to the left. This is NOT an easy choice, NOT an easy lifestyle we're adopting. But you and I are choosing to live healthier. Everyone in your boat needs to be paddling in the same direction, not drilling holes in the bottom.
6. 100% of the people that I've met have no regrets (after the recover process!). Everyone online, everyone in person. You may be different, maybe...but probably not.
7. BREATHE! You can do this! If you can get through law school, and pass the bar, you can do THIS!

Exactly 9 months ago I weighed 100 lbs more than I do today!!!!
It has not always been easy, but SO WORTH IT!!!
HW 1/28/13 340lbs
SW 6/25/13 295lbs
CW 9/28/13 240lbs
 

Once the weight comes off your health and confidence will improve! It doesn't matter about the excess skin. Once you fall in love with the right person they will look past those imperfections! Just take it one day at a time.

So true, the funny thing is my surgeon doesn't say no alcohol, they say its not gonna hurt you any... just moderation. Get a shot and sip on it over a few hours and drink it with Water if you want. Do what makes you feel comfortable. I am not a big drinker. I gave up soda, do I miss it yeah.. if my dr says i can drink it again I don't know if I would. I do want to be able to go to a friends house and not have to bring my own food, I want to be normal and just eat a small portion. If that means I have to drink a Protein drink or 2 because I can't get it all in then I will.
Guess I am different than a lot of people. Do I plan on eating better and healthier, of course. But my problem was portion control.. Now that I have my tool, I can control my Portion Control.< /p>

I go to Old Navy about once a month to check out their clearance rks. Today I found a cute pair of white skinny jeans. Knowing I barely fit into size 8 (which I was very excited about last month. I brought an 8 and a 10 into the dressing room. Both were too big. 6's fit perfetctly. Wow. First time Ive EVER worn a 6, ever.
Old Navy must have mislabeled their jeans. Something is wrong...

Looking good!!

Starting weight: 266
Current weight:190
Goal weight:145
Feels so good! Best decision ever!

I love myself again, that's as plain and simple as I can say it! August 2nd was my 1 year mark and I am down 138 pounds as of this morning. LIFE IS GOOD! I'd like to lose another 40-50 pounds to really get the results I want. The sleeve was the tool I needed so desparately and it has worked just as I hoped it would. I got my life back. I got me back. I am happy again. I am full of life again.
There are SOOO many positive things to list. I couldn't even fathom that I would be this happy a year ago. Yea, I thought I'd lose weight, but in the back of all our minds we are still self-doubting, self-sabotaging, etc., etc., etc. but I really didn't think I would end up here. I am training for a half marathon (walking), I do paddle boarding, I am DATING (miracle!), I am active with my kids, my friends (I actually WANT to go out!) my family. I just have fun in life again. The Sleeve was my life saver and I would do it a million times over in a heart beat.
To anyone struggling, just know that each day gets better. I do feel very lucky in that I have not had any side effects, I eat what I want and never feel deprived - YES I eat better than I ever have, but it's because of this tool.
I hope everyone has had the success that I have had. Lots of love and support to all my sisters out there (and brothers!)!!!!
The Sleeve ROCKS!!!!
(see my before below!)

chips and cheese and other Snacks don't make a bad day. Did you eat as much as you did PRIOR to surgery? Probably not. tomorrow is another day and just hold yourself accountable. It's OK to have some "bad food" just don't make it a habit. I'm 8 months out, down 90 lbs (almost to my goal weight) and if I want to eat something I do. I don't eat much but I eat it. I refuse to live my life on a diet and I believe that limited portions make all the difference. Hang In there. Xoxox

OK. Here's mah stats:
November 2012: weight 459
Surgery 5/2/13: weight 417
8/3/13 - 3 mo post op: weight 359.
That's a total of 100 lbs down from my highest weight!! I lost 42lbs in 6 mo pre-op and have lost 58lbs in 3 months post op. LIFE IS GOOD!
Here are some pics. I don't have a lot of "before" shots to choose from, because I didn't like to take pics when I was that heavy.
 
I see a major difference and look so forward to seeing all the changes in store for me!

What an incredible journey you have had. I am so sorry that it was such a difficult one. I truly hope and pray your journey turns a corner and you can finally heal and get well. I can truly relate to wanting to get healthy and for you to have such an unhealthy turn of events is such a bummer. Again, I hope it turns around for you.