NewSetOfCurves

It's so exciting isn't it! Congrats to you and keep it up, your looking great!!!

You look great as well! I actually do have loose skin in my underarm area. It's not extremely obvious, but I've diminished it's flabby appearance by lifting weights as heavy as I can to build muscle and fill them in. I break up my arm workout into two days: biceps and triceps on day one, and--later on in the week--shoulders. For biceps I'll do a variety of lifts like curls, hammer curls, preacher curls; alternating between dumbbells and curl bars. For triceps I'll do overhead presses, scull crushers, kick backs, pull downs and dips. To workout the deltoids, I'll do standing flies, lateral flies, shoulder over-the-head press. Immediately after my workouts I'll take a post workout supplement called cell mass to help with recovery and gives a good little muscle pump. I'll also drink a Protein shake to help with the building of new muscle. Hope this helps! Keep up the good work, you look fabulous!

No, I haven't. But, as I mentioned in the original post, I do plan to have some done in another year. Those who do not have excess skin are few and far between. The ones I've encountered on this sight in a little over a year of looking, are men who work bout to build muscle and seem to be genetically inclined to gaining good muscle mass; and very young women who have not bore children. But again, there are many that fit that description and still have to endure the skin. It's a reality the majority of us have to deal with. My excess skin is not noticeable through my clothes, but when I'm as natural as the day I was born, I do have a small fold at the bottom of my belly, my extremely upper thighs have a slight amount and my arms have a little bit too. I can wear sleeveless and as long as I'm not waving my hands like a queen in a parade, no one notices. I work out 4 days out of the week with weights to try and naturally fill in that loose skin with muscle. It's made a world of difference. I'm sorry if this news is disappointing, but it's better to be prepared with the reality of what's to be than to elude yourself of the truth. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

Thank you ladies! Good luck to you all and stay positive! Despite some bumps in the road, the end result is positive! Just be sure to follow your doctors orders. If you slip, then wipe the dust off and get back up. Don't dwell, just keep trekking forward and you'll do great!

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.

I do all those, but I have that little bit of left over skin from my weight loss that I just can't fill up. I've upped my protein, I take pre and post workout supplements. They're growing...very slowly, but I think nutrition is going to be key. And perhaps continual exertion in upping the weight--less reps, high weight, lifting until failure after 8-10 reps.

sgreen721, I was sleeved June 18, 2013. Check out my pics that I'm attaching. Never thought I'd wear a swimsuit again! It was worth every fear, anxiety, pain and uphill battle. I LOVE my sleeve and I would do it all over again! Good luck to you and to all of my fellow soon-to-be-Sleevers!!!

Yesterday: Breakfast - Premier Protein shake Snack - Nature Valley's Crunchy Oats and Honey bar lunch - almost 1/2 of a Hamburger Patty (At a conference, not many healthy choices) with cheese, lettuce, tomato and pickle and 6 baked sour cream and onion potato chips Snack - 1/2 banana, a handful of nuts Pre-Workout: NO-Xplode 2.0 Post-Workout: BSN Cellmass 2.0 and Premier Protein Shake Dinner: 3 Thin Deli Sliced Lean Turkey meat and Cheese Stick

@@RNBSN786 Hi mam! I try really hard to eat clean, because some of the bad food--my trigger foods--slide . I eat about between 2-4 ounces. It just depends, sometimes I have a sleeve of steel and I can intake more, other days my sleeve just will not have it. I like to eat oatmeal because of the complex carbs. I try to intake more complex carbs on my training days, since that is the bodies main source of energy (it helps with not getting those dizzy/brief black out spells when you get up to fast). I shoot for a MINIMUM 1200 calories to 1500 maximum calories. On non training days, I'll consume 1000 min -1200 max. calories

Bkft: premier Protein shake Snack: oatmeal & boiled egg Lunch: chicken salad, 5 baked potato chips, 15 baby carrots, 30 cal packet of fat free ranch dressing Snack: pear and handful of peanuts Dinner: ??? Don't know yet!

There are these little chewable chocolate Ex-Lax laxatives that I used soon after I was post-op because I feared having to push with my sore tummy and tummy muscles (I use product until this day because they are so gentle and EFFECTIVE--lol). They do not make you cramp or feel ugly and they are sold everywhere, from Wal-Mart to a general dollar store. Here is a link to the exact product I use: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=15078&catid=184260&aid=338666&aparam=15078

I think @@JanetPRN said it best: "I have to make peace with my past so I can fully enjoy my future. Until then, this question will cause me to squirm, and will be perceived as an invasion of my privacy." A lot of people feel ashamed of their past, of their weight, at their past inability to control themselves and thus many people on this forum mention that they perceive their pre-sleeve selves as weak. I think we each have to do what JanetPRN said, we "have to make peace" with our past selves. When each of us post-ops started this journey, we started it because we needed help to gain back control. The thing is, a lot of people need help in all areas and walks of life. Our need for help is no different and we should not feel ashamed of our need. Instead we should feel PROUD that we had the STRENGTH to admit that we needed help in the first place, and the COURAGE to do something about it. Because trust me, I have friends and relatives that refuse to admit that they have a problem; whom try to take the first step, but retreat when their foot is half way in the door; or they get their foot in the door but fear to take the next step. I have sat there and comforted one relative--who was in panting tears--because she could not get herself to go to the first bariatric meeting that she had set up. She could not get her self to get up and go because she FEARED that if she went through with it, she'd have to let go of the one constant comfort in her life--food--and she was not ready. It takes strength and courage to do have done what we post-op people have done. So, when someone asks, "How much weight have you lost?" I readily reply, "Almost 100 pounds." At first, I felt the emotional internal response of, how embarrassing or I should be ashamed that I had to lose that much, but I do not feel that anymore. I needed help, I got help, and I have worked hard to change my life style and habits, and I SHOULD NOT and WILL NOT be ashamed of my numbers. I have made peace with my past and have began my trek forward. Now, there is nothing wrong with being private. Let us remember that people will be people, and sometimes their invasion into what some of us deem private is not purposeful or done in malice. They are just in awe of our transformation and their curiosity gets the better of them. I wish all of you the best of luck, both externally and internally.

You need to add more complex carbs to your diet. That is your bodies primary source of fuel. If you search "complex carbohydrate foods" you can find of list of foods you can choose from to incorporate into your diet.

Wow! Those are AMAZING results! Congrats to you and your continued success! ????

Lunch: 2 ounces shredded boiled chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado and shredded cheese Snack: oatmeal Dinner: Premier Protein shake Snack: 1 ounce pistachio and half a small gala apple

So far... Breakfast 1: Premier Protein chocolate shake Breakfast 2: 1 boiled egg, 1/4 cup grapes, 1/4 cup cantaloupe

I went through the exact same thing and I felt like it took me forever to bounce back in comparison to others (some of whom were already back at work after a week!). It took me a little over 5 weeks before I felt a shred of normalcy. I was fatigued, I would black out when I got up, I slept sitting up with the heating pad over my tummy or my back or shoulder (the gas!), and I was definitely not getting in all my fluids and Protein. But, as a previous poster stated, hydration is key. sugar free popsicles and Jello saved me. Water hurt too much and I felt like I had extra restriction because of the hiatal hernia repair. At one point I felt better and decided to water my plants and nearly fainted. However, the feelings of normalcy will come. The swelling will subside and allow for more intake. As your stages progress, the calories will increase and you will gain back your energy. I know it doesn't feel like that now, but I promise you, it is around the corner. Good luck to you.

Congrats to you!!! You look GREAT!!! Look at you all fabulous in those dresses and I am loving that blue dress and the coordinating brown belt and shoes . Good luck to you on your continued success!

Congrats to you! What an amazing feat in such a short amount of time! I have to agree with @@skinnygirlwithin, though. Reward yourself with a new outfit, mani/padi, a new hair do; not food. Good luck to you and your continued success!

I experienced this too. Didn't start to feel normal until after 2 months. My theory was always that I felt that way due to lack of calories and carbs. Carbs are what fuel the body. So, as my diet progressed, I would try my best to incorporate complex carbs (boiled squash & zucchini with some good flavoring was my favorite; I would blend them slightly during my soft food stage). Look up best complex carb foods and think of creative ways to incorporate them in with your protein intake. It definitely helped with my energy levels and stopped the "blacking out" every time I got up or moved too fast and the fatigue.

I deeply, deeply, deeply empathize with you. I have lost two dearly loved ones to terminal cancer. I know what it is like to see them deteriorate before your eyes with each passing day, to know that their time is limited, to be powerless to take away their suffering and their pain, and to have to remain strong and firm before their eyes but drench yourself in your tears at night. It is hard and it impacts your health. Do not feel guilty to take time for you. You need it and I'm sure your husband wants you to take care of you. Let him see you take care of yourself so he can have peace of mind that you're going to be okay. Of course, when we lose loved ones a part of us never fully recovers, but we CAN be okay and find peace within our selves. You've taken the right step in NOT buying those Popsicles. If they are there, you WILL eat them. So, eliminating them from your grasp is your ultimate favor to yourself. Make small steps. Eliminate the bad and substitute it with something good. You can do this. You've endured a lot, but you ARE strong. You ARE capable of doing ANYTHING you set your mind too. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband.

Wow, wow, WOW!!! You look GREAT!!! It gets me excited about the plastics I'm planning on getting a year from now. You are absolutely fabulous and I congratulate you on. Your AMAZING transformation!!!

LMAO!!!!

I agree with ZiggypBang and McButterpants! Inches count more. So many factors go into the scale, from increased muscle mass if you're working out/lifting weights to retained fluids due to a variety of reasons and your body adjusting to each phase. Concentrate on your inches, overall health, and mental well being--not the scale!

20 lbs! I never lost that much again, though. I'm 5 weeks shy of being a year out and I average 2-3 pounds a month now. Good luck to you!!!