Shrinkingmom

CONGRATULATIONS!! You look awesome!!

I had my surgery July 17, 2012 and started at 321. You and I are right together on those but I am 5ft. 9in. and I am at 194 now and yes it is a LOT slower now. My surgeon has told me that you will lose almost all you are going to lose in the first 18 months but it is slower those last few. I have decided that I am EXTREMELY happy with my weight loss this far and if I didn't lose another pound, I am much happier and healthier than I was. I am really trying not to focus on a number (which is hard) but I would like to get to a "normal" BMI for once in my life, even if for one day!! Just keep doing what you know got you this far and it will continue. Consult your nutritionist if you feel like you need help. Good luck with this and keep me posted!!!

I use the tiny spoons and forks from World Market. They are appetizer size and they have forks, spoons, and knives that are all matching and have really cute handles. They are heavy as well! I have to find joy in the cute things while I'm eating! LOL!

I had to totally switch from the powders I used preop because the thought of one still makes me sick and I am 1 year out. Premier shakes from SAMS is the best I have found, 160 calories and 30G protein and they are premixed so you can carry them with you anywhere. The chocolate is the only one I like. I didn't find those for a while though so you have to find other ways to get your protein. I was never on just liquids after surgery but was on puree so I ate a lot of pureed tuna salad (which is not as near as bad as it sounds), cottage cheese with orange sugar free jello powder in it, refried beans with baby bel cheese melted on it, dannon light and fit greek yogurt, etc. There are lots of alternatives. Good luck with it because you CAN DO IT!!!

Prayers and congratulations on starting this new, awesome journey!

Remember that God knows things we don't and I don't believe anything happens without a reason... even a person not doing their job correctly. It will come faster than you think. I had setbacks too but it turned out for the better! Keep your chin up!!

On the advice of my NUT, I use Flinstones Complete Chewables. I buy them in large quantity at SAMS. She does not want us to use the gummies due to calories and sugars in them. Of course all NUTS and Surgeons are different so you may want to ask yours. I take one in the morning and one at night and 2.5 to 3 hours apart from calcium.

With my surgeon it is an absolute NEVER! But as you see on here, every surgeon is different and you should go by what your surgeon says.

If you can find them, they have baby plates that are sectioned and you fill them with hot water to keep your food warm.

You are beautiful and yes, everyone treats me differently now, even women. It is sad but very noticeable! I like the way you put it... "invisible". That is exactly what it seems that we were but now everyone wants to talk and act like you are "normal". Just continue the good work! YOu are doing great!

I didn't want to tell at first but people do begin to notice and start asking "what are you doing?" I tried saying, "just not eating as much" which was true but I still felt like I was lying and I am not comfortable with that so I just started telling them the truth. I was only met with one person who was non-supportive, who just said "Oh" and rolled her eyes and I literally started laughing and said "yeah, oh is right! Oh I am off all medications, have no more high blood pressure, no more depression problems, and no more sleep apnea! Oh is right" smiled and walked off. I have decided that other peoples opinions do not matter and I don't want to try to keep up with who I have told and if they do know it and you don't realize it, you look like a fool when you lie to them. I don't feel it is anything to be ashamed of. For me it is just easier but I would recommend doing whatever makes you feel ok. I think you might feel differently after surgery but you may not... Good luck with whatever you decide. It will be right for you!

clk is so right! My surgeon allowed any no calorie, no caffeine, no carbonation beverage that I wanted to help me keep hydrated. Sodium free bullion was a good addition for me because the heat was very soothing on my stomach. I am 11 months out and plain water is still hard for me to get down. I also use a lot of Sobee 0 lifewaters. You are doing great by planning and finding these things out ahead of time! Good luck and keep us posted!

CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU LOOK GREAT!

WOW!!! Awesome!! Congratulations on your obvious success! That is certainly something to crow about!!

Thank you for the kind words! I feel great and have completed my first 5K now and am going kayaking tomorrow for the first time! This is an awesome life but please remember that the only way to be successful with any of these surgeries is to do what you are supposed to do! This means eating healthy, (which is not hard to me since my taste has changed and I can only eat a small amount AND I hate the taste of sweets now!! Yay!!) exercising, and finding things to counteract the emotional and boredom eating if you are one of those like I am! I read where someone says they eat every 2 hours and that is great if you are fresh post op but you have to switch to 3 meals a day and 1 snack when you get to regular food and it is enough unless you get your body in the habit of eating often and grazing. That is a real danger zone! My sister had it done 3 months before me, started at 394 pounds and now weighs 218. We have made sure to stick right by the program though, and teach ourselves to enjoy the things we can have and not miss or grieve the things we can't! Being able to live our life instead of sitting on the sidelines is worth everything and anything we've gone through! Good luck with this decision and just Celebrate the rest of your new life!!!

I know everyone is different but I have a friend who had bypass 1 year before I had sleeve. She started out at 305 and got down to 260 and hasn't gone any further. She can eat 5 times what I can eat at one sitting. I am 11 months out and have lost 122 pounds and well on my way to goal. The dangers of the other surgeries are what made my decision for me. You do not know what your body will do with any of the surgeries so I personally don't think you should anticipate that as part of your decision. Look at the pros and cons and decide what is right for you. It is not a quick fix but a way of life for the rest of your life. I am soooooooo happy with the sleeve but others are just as happy with the other surgeries. Good luck with your decision, I know it will be the right one for you.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU WOULD CONDONE DRINKING ALCOHOL, ESPECIALLY SHOTS, AND PARTYING!!! Why did you get this surgery in the first place? I know I got it so I could never ever ever drink again or party or have fun of any kind and I am sticking to it with no problems!!!! I am hateful and mean just like I'm supposed to be when I'm STARVING and you should be too!!! LOL!!!!!!!! Just kidding!!! I couldn't resist!!!!

I use the bariatric advantage chewable tablets and my favorites are the chocolate. You can go to bariatricchoice.com and you get a 90 day supply for $45. The chewies are much better tasting but you get a 30 day supply for about $30 so the cost makes it worth the difference to me. It is my little chocolate treat 3 times a day. They are a bit chalky but now I am use to them and love them! The cherry ones are sour and taste just like a sweet tart if you like that kind of thing.

Different surgeons require different things... for my surgeon, I was on pureed foods for 4 weeks, then soft for 2 more months, then went to regular food.

You are sooooo right! It is my home but it was a real trip getting here!! LOL!! Thank you all for your support!!!

I am so truly blessed and so thankful to see 199 on the scales for the first time in over 35 years! I truly do not remember being under 200 and know it was either elementary school or junior high!!! I am so thankful for my sleeve and for the support of my dear husband and friends! This is not an easy journey but is SOOOOOOOO worth it!!!!

Wonderful post!! I couldn't have said it better or even as well! The only guilt I feel is waiting so long while my life passed me by!! Congratulations on your success!

AWESOME!!! Congratulations and you look fantastic!!

CONGRATULATIONS AND WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I will be so glad when my scale gets off 200! I keep expecting it but so far it's 200.0 to 200.4 this week! It will happen though and then you will hear me!!! LOL!! I am 48 years old and the least I remember weighing is 201! That was in the beginning of junior high. AGAIN... CONGRATULATIONS!! You too VS-Fat-To-Fit-Girl!!

My scale stopped at 2 weeks and didn't move an ounce for 3 weeks... remember that your body has to adjust. Think about how much you are eating. It is impossible not to lose weight when you compare it to how much you were eating. I wanted to see it go down fast and it probably will but give your body time to adjust. After that stall, I didn't stall again for 7 months so it was well worth it! You are not going to be the only person this doesn't work for I promise! (I say that because that is what I thought!) Just try to relax and concentrate on learning about your new eating habits and it will come... off that is! I am sure we will see all of your tickers dropping soon! Just hang in there!!