NewSetOfCurves

You're gorgeous...arm candy for your hubby Thank you for your continuous contributions of wisdom on this site and to all it's members, as well as sharing your journey. You're awesome, mam...always a source of inspiration.

[Long Whistle] You look FABULOUS, TINY, BEAUTIFUL, and SEXY as heck!!! Good for you girl...I think I'm going running now! Lol

You look great skinny man... young man... I mean penman!!! Congrats on your NSV!

Hey...you're almost 40 pounds down in 2 1/2 months...averaging 15 pounds a month! That is incredible! Most of us could have never done that consistently pre-bariatric surgery. You keep doing what you're doing. Eat right: the surgery gives us portion control, you have to do the quality control; if you haven't upped your calories with all that exercise, you need to do that ASAP and get your body out of starvation mode; get your water and protein in and don't forget the GOOD carbs your body needs for fuel (especially since you're exercising consistently!). You're doing great. Don't worry about anyone else's progress, but your own. This is YOUR journey. Keep it up girl, because you're doing awesome.

My doc told me it takes your hair about 18 months to two years out to go back to its normal thickness. I'm almost 14 months. My hair loss started at 3 months post op and stopped at about the 9th month. My hair is slowly thickening back up.

Yes, the lack of energy is extremely normal at this stage. When I was about a little over a week out, and I was feeling a bit of an energy burst, I decided to Water my plants. My planting bed is almost 40 feet wide. I nearly passed out! Everybody is different, but I didn't start to feel close to normal until about 4-5 weeks out. And mind you, I said "close to normal." My full energy didn't come back until I was able to tweak my diet, up the calories and consume energy giving foods...the good carbs. Malt 'O Meal (went down easier than oatmeal), sweet potato (just a couple of teaspoons in the beginning, much more now that I'm over a year out); fruits such as smashed banana, water melon, plums (anything that was soft and easy to chew down and digest. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but things will get back to normal. It does get better, and before you know it you are going to be a year out and loving the new you! My advice: up your calories as soon as you can. I started working out and I knew I needed the calories to get good workouts in and get my body out of starvation mode. You can do this! Good luck!!!

That is so awesome! Sounds like fun too! Congrats and your accomplishment

Congrats! You look younger and fabulous!

I agree "erp"! Your arms look great!

Wow! Those are some mighty delts and traps!

To make weight loss surgery a long time success story, we have to learn to eat right. The surgery helps with quantity, but we have to help ourselves with QUALITY. That being said, if you're eating healthy, quality foods for each of your meals, I don't see anything wrong with indulging every once in a while (I do it once a week) in foods that are not of quality, but just taste darn good. I eat right, I do cardio 5 days out of the week, I lift weights 4 days out if the week, and I do not feel guilty about my once a week indulgences (or outings where there are no healthy options) because I do everything right 99% of the time. And when I do give in it's in small, controlled quantities.

It is completely normal. Especially on a low carb diet. Carbs are the bodies main source of energy, and you're lacking those essential energy carbs with your new diet. At four weeks I would get my carbs from bananas (it would take all day to eat a small one well mashed, but nevertheless...), Greek light n fit yogurt, a couple of spoonfuls of mashed sweet potato (lightly mixed with unflavored protein powder), etc. All of these (except the Greek yogurt) have natural sugars and good, complex carbs that are great for your body and sustaining energy.

Congrats to you!!! Yay!!!

I know it's hard, but every time your tempted just remember how your strength theses next few days are going to contribute to the fabulous new you that is going to make her appearance soon!

I agree, you need to contact your surgeon. At 2 months out the swelling should have already subsided and allowed a little more room for food. I'm sorry you're enduring this. What soft foods have you tried?

RJ said it best! Don't worry about anyone else but you!!!

Wow! What an awesome start to your weight loss journey...60 pounds pre-op!!! That is so awesome. Congrats to you and wishing you the best as you continue your journey

Woohoo!!! Looking fabulous, girlie! Congrats!!!

To the original poster, I'm sorry you had to endure that. People judge and criticize things that they don't understand. It seems easy and simple for them because they've never struggled or battled it, but they have no idea the reality of the situation. However, I do agree with RJ. Weight loss surgery is not a miracle surgery that will end obesity for the rest of our lives. It is a means to an end. It will help us with QUANTITY control for a time being, but we have to retrain ourselves to only consume foods of QUALITY. We have to teach ourselves to implement activity into our lives (i.e. walking, biking, jogging, hiking). We have to change our life style for long term success. The sleeve is a small part of your overall success. It's just an instrument to help transition you from point A to point B. Before the sleeve, as much as I liked healthy foods , I loved my junk food too. Especially chips and dips, and anything sweet. I literally made myself throw everything out of the pantry and throw it all away before surgery. I refuse to buy any of the junk, because if I do I know I will eat it. The biggest battle is against ourselves. It's a mental battle. You can do this. It's not easy, but it can be done and the sleeve is a great tool to have at your side as you make these mental changes. Good luck to you.

Looking good! Keep it up!

You're welcome Kathy! Anytime! Good luck!!!

I am a few days shy of of 13 months post-op. Now I'm addicted to exercise vs. eating. I do cardio 5 days out of the week and lift weights 4 days out of the week. I've dropped 100 pounds from pre-op to now. I have been at a stall for about 2 months now, but I've also packed on a lot of lean muscle. My cloths are looser, even though I weigh the same. I'm 5'6" and weigh anywhere from 152 to 156. I'd like to get down to 145/140, but I need to tighten up on my diet. With summers off and the kids and I always going out and about, I've been snacking on foods that are not the best; however, I do eat clean for my main meals. As far as eating, I can eat anything. I keep sugary foods, snack/finger foods, and especially chips out of my house because they are still trigger foods for me and sliders. When I do slip up and eat them, it isn't an extreme amount, perhaps about a serving, but those calories can add up. I try to plan cheats into my calorie counts, so that I don't feel guilty and over consume them in the whim-of-the-moment. Again, being on the road with all of these summer road trips haven't helped, but I've already started to take control over those impulses. Other than that, my sleeve journey has been great. I feel good, I'm confidant, I can wear almost anything, and I'm loving the new me. I am going for plastics next summer. I'm planning on getting a tummy tuck, breast lift and augmentation. I hope that all you pre-sleevers out there are doing well and are excited about starting their journey. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...praying that you find the strength and courage to put one foot in front of the other and trek on.