MIJourney

In total, six large garbage bags and a whole lot of emotion.
The closet purge brought so many forgotten memories to the surface. Memories of trying desperately to close zippers, tight waistlines growing more and more tight until I relented and went up a size, then searching through racks of clothes to find a size large enough to fit.
I remembered all the times I tried to "inconspicuously" adjust my outfit to be more flattering. Always pulling down my shirt over my hips, and feeling shame when my top lifted enough for someone catch a peek of my saggy stomach fat pushing out from the waist of my jeans. Shirts would have to be long and loose enough not to stick around my rolls, but fit enough to look presentable at work.
I had a while drawer full of control clothes - those terrible things to wear under clothes that suck in fat. I wore the day after day year round. They gave me terrible rashes and sores, but I wore them anyway so I looked an inch thinner. I thought if I could find the right clothes, flattering and stylish, people wouldn't notice my weight as much. Really I wasn't fooling anyone.
Bagging up these clothes I can feel the shame lifting off my shoulders. Shame is a terrible thing to carry around. I didn't know how heavy it has been until today.
Looking forward to a life less heavy. Living in the moment, no longer preoccupied with adjusting clothes and hoping zippers stay zipped.

I think all of the usual side effects apply. You know the ones like passing out in random places. Or waking up in bed with some random person. You could end up in a fight or possibly even worse in jail. Of course these all depend on what type of party we are looking at here.
On a serious note the only issue I have had is a very low tolerance. Which honestly is not a big deal. It makes me a really cheap date..

Last Sunday I weighed 204. Today 197!!! Woohoo!!!!! I was beginning to fear I would never weigh less than 200 lbs again. That means I lost 7lbs in one week. I know for some of y'all that is no big deal, but for me it is amazing! I began my journey with a month long stall. My average rate of loss is 5 lbs a month with 2-3 lbs a week if its a losing week. I am over the moon! I just wanted to say keep following the plan and things do work out!

Feelin great!!!

Do a search on the forums for 3 week stall.
It's just something that happens to many.
Your body is catching up to your loss.
This too shall pass

Do a search on the forums for 3 week stall.
It's just something that happens to many.
Your body is catching up to your loss.
This too shall pass

From 226. . To 131..
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The one you can be consistent with.
Generally, this will be when you first awaken, buck naked, after the restroom, before eating or drinking. This will be your best comparison of weight from yesterday to today.
That said, your best measure of health is body fat percentage. Body weight and its obsession will lead to bad health decisions.
Your weight is your weight. Water weighs 4.1lb per half gallon.

You look awesome!!!!!!!!! Super job girl!

Still losing (more slowly)-- still following the rules-- still LOVING my sleeve.... 105 lbs down! Getting closer to my goal!!!!
Here's a couple pics:
( I also added a few photos in my gallery "8 Months PostOp" including pics of food I'm eating)

Feeling fantastic!!! Just found this pic from last summer when I was 204lbs. This makes me realize how far I have come. My surgery was 10/1/2014. I am so close to goal it's an amazing feeling not to worry about what I am eating or what I am going to wear. I am no longer embarrassed to go out in public. I am enjoying life and feeling good...

I thought I'd write about my journey for the older folks out there considering this surgery. Last Nov I turned 71 and after regaining 50 pounds I had lost two years ago (the story of my life) I could see that if I didn't do something drastic I would spend my remaining years in a wheel chair. So off to a bariatric seminar I went. I was encouraged by all that I saw there and decided to take the plunge.
I survived the two week starvation diet with out murdering my husband or eating the furniture and had my surgery on Feb. 4th. I started my journey at 298.5.
The surgery was interesting I guess. As they put in the gas to blow me up, the gas hit my vagus nerve and my body slowed way down. 40 heartbeats a minute. They backed off the gas and did chest compressions to get me stabilized. Then contacted the cardiologist who told them to go for it so they compleated the surgery and then sent me to the cath lab for a heart cath. That came back normal. Surgeon said I gave them quite a scare. I wouldn't know as I woke up in the ICU and don't remember a thing about even going to the OR.
Let me tell you, I used Tennova at Turkey Creek as my hospital and the care was outstanding both in the ICU and the bariatric wing. I couldn't have asked for better.
Woke up only to walk far enough to get them to take the catheter out. My surgeon checks for leaks during surgery so I would drink as soon as I woke up. Yayyyyy. I could drink easily and like the very cold the best. I had no nausea or pain when still. When I tried to get up that was another story. Seems like when they blew me up they also disturbed the scar tissue from my mastectomies of 9 years ago and that gave me fits for about a week. The actual surgery part was a breeze.
I have had no problem meeting my carb, Protein and fluid goals daily. I can drink normally but not as much as fast. I'm on liquids for 4 weeks on then on to purees. I am so looking forward to some refried beans!!!
So for you older folks considering this--go for it. I'm a two time cancer surviver and figured I had nothing but fat to lose and everything to gain.
I'd do this again in a heartbeat. Oh, and I'm down 23 lbs. from the start of my pre op so that part is going well, too.
Chris

So im going into second month of my preop supervised diet. If everything goes according to plan I will have surgery sometime in June/July. Joined the gym this week. My boyfriend is my little cheerleader so supportive and just awesome during all of this. Im truly blessed. Starting weight 403. I'm 400 now. Hoping to be under next few days.

As of today, I'm in 'onederland'....
That's right, people. I weigh under 200lbs.
I think the last time that happened, I had just been born.
Yippppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Anyone try it?
Bought some today... My fav is still chocolate chip cookie dough, but these aren't bad-- might taste better refrigerated-- like Cookies & cream icecream???
Oh yeah, and as of this morning, I'm 100 lbs down.. Here's a pic.

156 pounds lost!!

I know that when I was researching this surgery and this sight, I wanted to get an idea of the type of weight loss I could expect. I learned that EVERYONE is different and that EVERYONE loses at a diffrent rate--some faster, some slower. However, I wanted to share this with those who want to have some idea of the type of weight loss that can occur with the sleeve.
I was sleeved on a Tuesday, so I weighed myseslf every Tuesday; those are reflected in the weekly weigh-in's. I was sleeved on the 18th, so the monthly weigh-in's reflect my weight on the 18th of each month.

Surgery Date: June 18th, 2013
Height: 5' 6"
Starting Weight: 248 / BMI 40.2
DOS Weight: 228 / BMI 36.8 (-20 lbs)

Week 1: 214
Week 2: 208
Week 3: 210
Week 4: 208
Month 1, July 18th: 206 / BMI 33.25 (-22 lbs)
Week 5: 204
Week 6: 201
Week 7: 201
Week 8: 198
Month 2, August 18th: 196 / BMI 31.63 (-10 lbs)
Week 9: 194
Week 10: 192
Week 11: 188
Week 12: 185
Week 13: 182
Month 3, September 18th: 182 / BMI 29.37 (-14 lbs)
Week 14: 181
Week 15: 183
Week 16: 180.
Week 17: 177
Month 4, October 18th: 178 / BMI 28.73 (-4 lbs)
Week 18: 176
Week 19: 176
Week 20: 173
Week 21: 172
Month 5, November 18th: 172 / BMI 27.76 (-6 lbs)
Week 22: 172
Week 23: 171
Week 24: 170
Week 25: 169
Week 26: 168
Month 6, December 18th: 167 / BMI 26.95 (-5 lbs)
Week 27: 167
Week 28: 165
Week 29: 163
Week 30: 164
Month 7, January 18th: 163 / BMI 26.31 (-4 lbs)
Week 31: 162
Week 32: 161
Week 33: 161
Week 34: 159
Month 8, February 18th: 159 / BMI 25.7 (-4 lbs)

Try Unjury. All taste OK to me.

I have officially lost 70 lbs!! I am very happy. While I still have a ways to go to goal, I have to acknowledge how far I have come. I had come to a crossroads in my life where it was do or die. I made the choice to do. I get to live my life now, I mean really LIVE. (not just exist) Half this loss was done on my own. (-33lbs pre op) But without the sleeve I probably would have failed by now. I know the only way I have come to this point is because I had the surgery. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. Now I look forward to more milestones.. I may be a bit of a slow loser, but I WILL get to where I need to be.

6 lbs to go until huigh school and goal weight. meeting with Dietician Friday to try and slow down the weight loss.. I think i am done. I dont think i want to get any skinnier. Didnt know i would ever say that. Psyched. Jus bought a new Motorcycle. havent ridden in years.. Cant wait.
All the best to all
Chris

This too shall pass!
It was 4 months before I could drink Water without feeling like someone tossed a rock in a pond to create waves in the water.
I kept trying each day with a few sips and finally it just happened. Now I can pretty much drink as before surgery. Was not sure it was going to be that way again since it took so long.
I had no problem drinking hot Decaf coffee or tea but could not do room temp (my usual) or iced beverages.
Weird but didn't want you too think it was permanent!
Good luck with your journey!

BIG difference so soon!! Good for you!

Great job and much more fun when you look at clothes now.
Just did ANOTHER sweep of my closet and have about 20 more items that are too big.
My wearable wardrobe is minimal but I'm ok with that for a while longer!

Although in a stall since Jan 7th..I am officially out of plus sizes...went to kohls today...where I was previously a 2x..today I tried a 1x..swimming in it...carefully wandered to the regular sizes and walked away with a cute XL top and a pair of 18 rockstar skinnies from old navy and 16 from the gap..great way to close out the weekend!

BIG difference so soon!! Good for you!