Teachamy

That's great you have someone who already shares your life journey to share your sleeve journey!

I love this quote. This is not a race--there is no finish line. This is a never-ending journey. We all move at our own pace, and if you stick with your program, you will lose!

I'm only in the midst of week 5, but wanted to tell you how fabulous you look! I really see the change in your face and around your waist!

Wow! I know this may sound cliche, but you don't even look like the same person! Great job and many congratulations!

I hope this gets better for you! My problem seems to be if I eat an extra bite, I throw up within 10 minutes. And what's most annoying is what I can eat fine one day is too much food the next. I hope your surgeon can help you--your problem is more troubling than mine, and mine is annoying enough!

YOU Are AWESOME!!! I have Type I diabetes, so no cure for me, but I have seen my blood glucose levels improve 100%! I have cut my insulin levels drastically. I know these new wonderful blood sugars will bring down my cholesterol levels too. Thank God for the sleeve! And thanks for sharing your inspirational story!

Happy for you! My first experience was Friday. Isn't it great to feel under control? I feel so powerful!

YAHOO! I am a type I diabetic, so I can't be cured, but I feel as close to cured as I have ever been. My insulin levels are less than 1/3 of what I was taking pre-surgery. Can't wait for my next A1C in April. It will be the first one under 7 I have seen in 9 years! Happy, happy, happy for you!

Just keep with the program to the best of your ability, and you"ll start to understand your body's signals. I don't think I really ate anything for about a week, and then, only a few bites. Otherwise, I learned how to drink water without becoming nauseous--that was a struggle for a while. Work on drinking, drinking protein shakes, and moving. I know it sounds cliche, but it really does improve every day!

I have been on WW many times over the years. A good friend of mine is even a WW leader! When I was in my 20's, I lost 25lbs' on WW, and thought I could do it again. But as the years went on, my eating became more compulsive, I became obese (although only a 35 BMI, it was bad enough.) Many co-morbidities reared their ugly heads. I watched friends eat and exercise worse than me and lose, while I stayed the same weight. I spent many weigh in's near tears. I had this surgery to get healthy. Now my blood sugar is under control, and soon I expect to see my sleep apnea and high cholesterol disappear. You may have thinning hair for a bit, your stretched-out skin may sag, but you will be PROTECTING your health. If your BMI says you are clinically obese, you need to consider seriously what staying obese means to your health. Try to think beyond appearances only. Only you can decide if this option is right for you. Personally, I would NEVER go back!

Wow. Your diet looks pretty darn good! The only thing I can think of is to replace the PB with PB2 and cut out processed carbs. (like Ritz crackers) Although it looks like you have controlled your portion...that is a frustration! I hope if you keep it up, those pounds will eventually come off! You deserve to see 100 pounds lost! Good luck! Amy

Well, a coffee shop really. One of those shi-shi poo-poo places where people sip from gigantic bowls of frothy goodness and munch on pastries, muffins, and biscotti. Was really my cup of tea. Literally. I am on the no-coffee plan for 2 more months, so there I sat with my pitiful little pot of herbal tea. Despite my insane jealousy of people drinking the coffee I so desperately wanted, I felt oddly empowered. I watched my co-workers complain about their weight on one hand while shoving in a chocolate croissant with the other. For lunch, they both had huge plates of pizza with thick crusts. I snuck in a couple of string cheese sticks, one for Breakfast, one for snack. For lunch I ordered a cup of vegan chili. I felt satisfied, strong, and had enough chili left to bring home for dinner. They felt sluggish and bloated, and ate far more calories for breakfast and lunch than I will eat in 2 days. So yes, even while eating out, the plan works. i feel less scared about being able to make it in the real world. And I must admit, I am really looking forward to being jacked up on caffeine again. (A skim latte, of course!) I am a sleever hear me ROAR! Best, Amy

Congratulations on one milestone year! You look great and I am glad you made the decision to post your journey for those of us a few weeks out!

Are you noticing swollen ankles or legs? Just wondering if it might be something else unrelated to the surgery.

Woo Hoo! great work!

That's great! Congratulations!

I have missed Laura-Ven's no nonsense responses. I missed the "offending" post, I guess! Boo!

I am sure if I weighed everyday during the last 2 weeks, I would have cried and felt major frustration! But waiting 2 weeks showed me a 3 pound weight loss, and I am happy with that. Weighing no more than once a week, or once every other week is going to be my saving grace, i think.

Pasta/rice are serious triggers for me. I've decided to allow myself starchy veggies (eventually) including an occasional potato, but I'm going grain free otherwise. Even though I can eat very little, I know I will try to stuff myself. Plus I know it slows down weight loss, and I don't need that stress. Rice, Pasta, and bread are all on my "foods to avoid" list too.

LOL! I was just talking about this with my diabetes specialist yesterday! When my blood sugar goes low while I am sleeping, I dream about linguine! So weird! When I am awake, I never crave Pasta, but I used to love it, so I guess my mind is playing tricks on me! I've been wondering about the movies too. I think I will bring my Water and try to get through 32 oz. during the film. That would be an accomplishment! Good luck!

Sorry Mswisdom--I thought you had the Lap Band because that's what it says in your profile to the left of your posts. Again, best of luck!

PB2 is the answer to your Peanut Butter woes, definitely. I bought it on Amazon. There's a chocolate version too. I mix it with skim milk. It's not as sticky as regular peanut butter, but the taste is excellent!!!! Also, did your doc look at your percentage of weight loss? I have lost 18 pounds in my first month. (low starting BMI) My NUT told me yesterday that it is 14.6%, which fits between their 10-15% guideline the first month. It looks like you had the lap-band, not sure what the expectation is for that but you may check with them to see what it should be after 6 months out. Best of luck. You can do it!

I use MyFitnessPal. It's an easy way to track calories, fat, carbs, and protein!

I REALLY REALLY miss it. My NUT is one of the few who says no coffee until 3 months out. I saw her yesterday for my 1 month appointment and she said, "Imagine you have a cut on the outside of your body, and you rub acid into it. That's what's going on on the inside of your body. Once you are healed at 3 months, 1-2 cups a day is fine." I am managing to get by without it, but I can't wait for my first cup!!!

My surgeon and nutritionist have always said that two Flintstone's Chewable vitamins are just fine. At least you don't have to wait for them to dissolve and they taste OK. I take 1 Flintstone's Complete per day. Make sure you get the Complete version in the purple bottle. They include minerals.