Gburto3

I personally kept it from most people for 6 months. I didn't lie per-say but more or less told people this: I started to exercise more, did a high Protein, low fat and carb diet and reduced my intake. Also supplemented a meal with Protein shakes. This in itself is not lying. I am now just about a year out, and am finally telling people who ask how I lost the weight. I wear it as a symbol of strength not weakness that I had surgery to help me lose weight. I think of it as I took the best decision to save my life. If people look negative on this, you do not need them in your life anyway. This is the NEW you. Enjoy it! Be proud if it and your accomplishment Also, if they find out, just tell them while laughing, "well, I did have a little extra help" =]

So. I am almost a year out and I just made this smoothie. I have been feeling that I do NOT eat enough fruits/veggies so this is a good treat for me strawberry short cake smoothie 1/2 green apple 4-6 strawberries 1/2 cup blue berries 1 single serving of vanilla-orange (or any citrus flavor with vanilla) chobani yogurt (You can do 1/2 vanilla and 1/2 any other flavor too) 1/4 cup sprite Blend all very smooth Enjoy! Also I have a non Protein veggie smoothie I make if you want that recipe

I drink them as treats. If I haven't eaten an hour before or don't plan on eating an hour after, I'll indulge in one. I drink them very slowly though. I also do a beer every now and then (which isn't great on the diet but, guilty pleasure especially during the holidays). As long as you do them slow and know your own limits, I was told it's not that bad.

I totally understand your frustration. I am just over 6 months post op and not until about 2 months ago did I really feel like I made the right choice. My surgeon was a complete a-hole and I changed doctors (haven't seen either of them since post op week 2). I thought I had a leak bc I was vomiting and had SEVERAL bowl movements that were ...just bad. But I got through it eventually. My only advice to you is to stick with it and know you made the right decision. When you are holding your new baby and know that you will live a long, healthy life with him/her, you will never ever question if you made the right decision! Good luck to you

So far my favorite protein is the Gladiator from smoothie king. I bought myself a tub of teh chocolate, I add almonds to it and bananas to it at home with a tsp. of almond extract. Tastes like a chocolate wedding cake. Now this may be biased bc i havent had anything really sweet in a long time but you should go to smoothie king and buy a 20oz one and try it. its 45g of protein

Ok so I had this in the begenning too and ended up getting IV fluids 5 times. If you end up with burning diarrhea or intestinal pain, go to your doc and get a fecal sample done...I ended up with C-dif. and didn't know it and because I had it so long, the antibiotic was like $900 =/. He also told me to take a bulk forming fiber supplement until the runs would stop. Hope it get's better for you! =]

Congrats!!! =] I know you're feeling great about your success!! Keep it up

I'm going to have to do this as well. Sounds like a good idea. Knowing me though I'll go up to the stranger and make them stand side by side with me just to make sure haha

So today I got on the scales and was SUPER excited because I had reached a weight loss of 70lbs! 40 more to go!!!! I haven't been this thin since I started college. I know my life is better now, healthier, and happier.... but here is my problem and I was wondering when it went away for yall: I still FEEL fat...I am fitting into clothes that I haven't ever been able to wear, people tell me all the time how good I am looking, but I just don't feel it. I went to try on new clothes and they fit me, but when I looked in the mirror i still saw my old fat self (even though I am not my old self). Does anyone have any tips or personal experiences that can help me through this? I feel like at -70lbs I should feel dramatically different (appearance wise) I dont want to seem like a complainer or a whiner, because I am not. I am so happy that I can now jog with my dog, go for hikes with my dad, and just have energy! Just the mind is a powerful thing =] Thank yall!

Thanks everyone for yalls support and comments. I am glad that I am not the only one who's mind is "slower" than my weight loss =]. I will say this: My mom and I went clothes shopping and she knew I was still in that "I look fat mode". She made me try on new styles of clothing that I never used to wear EVER like a thin V-neck and "slim" shorts. I used to wear a 42 waist and to my amazement I was in a 36 and one pair a 34! The shirts fit me and when I saw myself in the mirror...it changed for me. When I went to my friends house she just stared at me and was like "WOW! YOU REALLY HAVE LOST WEIGHT GREG!" it's getting there. I have looked through most of yalls profiles and EVERYBODY is looking great!! We will get there, and CONGRATS to everybody on our great accomplishments! Keep it up

I am actually wearing some of my older clothes that fit me pre surgery (only shirts because the short DO NOT fit at all! they are so baggy!) I used to have a pair of "skinny" shorts that I wanted to lose weight to be able to wear one day...now those "Skinny" shorts are WAY big on me =]. I can see the results but my brain doesn't register it. But great tips thanks

THANK YOU =] and I agree I need to start taking more new pictures

also, I do the protein blends like this because I work 12 hour shifts and it's hard for me to sit down and eat. it's a good quick fix

What I do to get some veggies and fiber in is to get some vanilla Protein, mix it with fat free milk, add some fruit to it and blend it. its filling, good protein, fruits, and tastes good. What I am about to try because a friend recommended it, was to do unflavored protein and put veggies into the blender with the protein and add one sweet tasting fruit to it to cut the protein taste. I am 9ish weeks out and I am in your same boat

I was honest when people asked me but I said it like this: I am doing a LOT more protein than I was before (replacing a meal or two with a high protein shake) and doing low calorie, low carb, and daily exercise. Nothing of this is a lie, and this type of "diet" would definitely show results. You can feel confident and proud saying this because it's the truth and it gives the person asking all the info they need. win win! =]

so just a heads up, I have been tanning for a month now, and I did'nt cover my scars (I did not think to do so, but I did start tanning after they healed) and now they are darker than the rest of my skin. So I agree, if you are going to tan, put sunblock or something to cover them at least every other tan. I don't regret tanning b/c its blending my stretch marks into the color of my skin, but it's funny seeing my incision scars that dark =] Happy Tanning

I did not know we had to wait. I started tanning as soon as my incisions were healed. I don't see any complications or feel anything weird.

This is beyond ridiculous that a company would do this to people....it's because of people like Him that make people like us feel bad about ourselves...I haven't met a mean person or jerk on here yet and I would take 50 of any of yall over 1 of these A&F aberdeebags! As I told Purplrose, I want to go roll around naked in one of thier stores so they have to throw away everything I touch! =]

Try taking some gas x (or anything with symethicone). Does great wonders. But As Melody said, go ahead and call your doc!

Congrats on your surgery date! The upper GI wasn't anything bad at all. I got the barium swallow (aka an upper GI). They put you on an X-ray table and have you sip the liquid barium while they x-ray you and see if you have any reflux, hernias, or difficulties swallowing. It does taste bad, but its a quick and painless thing. Word of advice: drink plenty of Water today to pass that barium and your stools are gonna be a pasty white. This is normal! You want to pass that barium! Good luck to you!

SO.....I want to revise my previous statement on how I regret my surgery. I was AGAIN diagnosed with Cdiff. But the good thing is, I got on some strong antibiotics and its all cured. Now that I am well, I am able to eat food and enjoy it. I feel fantastic, I am looking great, and I just feel 100% better than I did before surgery. Anyone who is having negative feelings about the sleeve, I promise it gets better. I thought I was going to hate my new life forever! But now I'm getting ready to go out for cinco de mayo in some new skinnier clothes, going to be able to actually eat with my friends, and feel good knowing that I am still bettering my life. Good Luck to yall! =]