NewSetOfCurves

I too am 5'6"... Starting weight right under 250 Surgery weight 228 4 weeks post op: 208 8 weeks post op: 198 12 weeks post op: 185 16 weeks post op: 180 20 weeks post op: 173 24 weeks post op: 170 28 weeks post op: 165 32 weeks post op: 162 34 weeks post op: 159 38 weeks post op: 156 Current weight (1 week shy of 11 months post-op): 152

Dinner ended up consisting of 3 oz of grilled chicken breast (cooked with mesquite-love the flavor!) and lightly sautéed squash & zucchini.

Breakfast 1 (6:00 am): Premier Protein chocolate shake Breakfast 2 (8:00 am): 2 boiled eggs, 1 whole / 1 egg white only Snack (10:00 am): 1/2 gala apple with 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter lunch (11:45 am): small garden salad with cucumbers, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and 2 oz grilled chicken Snack (3:00 pm): 1/2 pack of Sweet and Salty Mix [This evening I will have...] Pre-Workout Drink: 6 ounces of Water with one scoop of N.O-Xplode Post-Workout Drink: Premier Protein Shake Dinner: 3 oz of a lean meat sauteed in olive oil + 1-2 oz of complex carb

I know...it's hard in the beginning, especially when you are surrounded by family and kids and you still have to do all the cooking. You will sit and eat with them again! This too shall pass...this phase will pass and as you and your sleevie get to know each other, you will come to love him/her and love the new body that comes along with it! Good luck to you!

Carbohydrate Basics There’s a shroud of mystery attached to carbohydrates and how food is converted to energy. And lately, some diets have even given carbohydrates a bad name. Here are just a few facts about carbohydrates that may clear things up. Complex carbohydrates are best: Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet and provide the body with the fuel it needs for physical activity and for proper organ function. There are two types of carbohydrates—complex and simple. Complex carbohydrates come naturally from fruits, vegetables, legumes (Beans, lentils, peas) and whole grains. Simple carbohydrates come from sugars, which are typically processed and contain no significant nutrients. Carbohydrates are the best form of energy: The energy from food comes in three forms: carbohydrates, Protein, and fat. Some of these fuels are stored in your body so that muscles and organs can use them as an immediate source of energy. Out of these three fuels, carbohydrates are the most important, yet least abundant nutrient for daily energy needs. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source for most activity and are burned more efficiently than protein or fat. For example, research has shown that the energy from carbohydrates can be released up to three times as fast as the energy from fat. There are other important functions and facts you should know about carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the most effective fuel for a healthy brain and nervous system. Low carbohydrate stores may diminish your concentration. Adequate amounts of carbohydrates help spare protein reserves needed for muscle growth, maintenance and repair. Carbohydrates help the body burn fat more efficiently than protein. Many foods high in complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) are also high in dietary Fiber for better digestion, and prevention of certain types of cancer. Carbohydrate Stores are limited: The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy, but the body can only store a limited amount of carbohydrate (about half a day’s supply of energy). For this reason, it is best not to limit or eliminate all carbohydrates as some popular diets lead us to believe. Eating some complex carbohydrates throughout the day will provide you with an adequate amount of energy for day to day needs... You can find the entire article at: https://www.medmutual.com/For-Individuals-and-Families/Healthy-Living/Nutrition-And-Dieting/Add-Healthy-Carbohydrates-to-Your-Diet.aspx

You know Fiddle, it comes down to the fact that there are too many variables. Genetics comes into play and dictates whether or not you are blessed with naturally great elasticity or not; the amount of weight loss in "X" amount of time (the greater the loss in minimum amount of time, the less you skin is able to adjust to you body and vice versa); your size pre-op (the bigger you are, the more stretched out your skin is, the harder it is for it to go back or adjust); age: the younger you are, the greater the elasticity and the older you are, the lesser the elasticity in your body is able to function (again, genetics comes into play here as well). For women, other factors come into play, like pregnancies and the inability to build as much muscle mass as men. Building mass definitely helps, but I think for the MAJORITY of weight loss patients, they will just have to deal with some or a lot of skin issues. Hydration, supplementation, physical exercise and mass building all aid in diminishing it, but they will not resolve it for most people . Frustrating, I know. I have come to terms and pretty much accepted that I would have left over skin. I have ALWAYS had poor elasticity and knew that it was going to hinder some of my progress. People like @aroundhky are the non-majority and are fortunate to not have to deal with the left over skin. You have had an awesome transformation, both physically and in the new habits you have gained or substituted in the replacement of your old eating habits. You have inspired me and so many others on this site. Good luck to you and I hope you get your six pack!

My cycle went hay wire. I missed my cycle for about 6 weeks, then got it back to back within the same month. But like the previous poster stated, check with your doc just to be safe. I took a pg test just to be safe as well.

As many have suggested, height and frame go hand-in-hand when it comes to an ideal dress size. I would love to fit comfortably in a size 6 for my 5'6" medium build frame. I'm currently an 8/10, having to go with the 10's at times because of my full thighs.

It's worth every penny! I paid out of pocket for my surgery, so the $2000 would have been awesome for me. But--that being said--as far as the psych eval, gall bladder sonogram, endoscopy, nutritionist consults, EKG testing, etc....my insurance covered. Most expensive co-pay was endoscopy since it was done on a hospital and they put me under. I too work for a school district and I did this last summer with the most AMAZING results. If all goes well for you, by this time next year you are going to look like a brand new you! I wish you luck! Love your attitude about "that's their problem", and I hope you keep us posted ????

Okay, since I've ramped up my weight lifting program, I've definitely seen results. Especially in my biceps and deltoid area, but man-oh-man, I CANNOT get my triceps to build up. HELP!

First off, WOW!!! 30 pounds is so awesome!!! As far as your weight gain... Your body is in starvation mode. Your switch in higher calorie foods has caused your body to hold on to every calorie BECAUSE it's in starvation mode. Your body is adjusting. If you're following your doctors orders, your are doing nothing wrong. It is normal to see fluctuations from time to time, including stalls. You're fine. Keep doing what you're doing. dde09

If you go to this site (my doctor's web page) http://www.lonestarsurgical.com/nutrition/#nutrition you will find (towards the very bottom of the page) PDF files with the nutritional guidelines his patients follow. There is a lot of other good info and print outs as well. Hope this helps!

Heating pads work for the gas! I lived with my heating pad that first week and a half! The left side pain is normal, too. It is where the biggest incision is made due to it being the area where they pull out all that stomach , but it too will go away in due time .

You have my deepest sympathies and I am so sorry for your loss. As previous posters stated, it is a risk. I have four children and researched the mortality rate for this procedure ceaselessly. Even as I shopped around for doctors, I asked and researched their individual mortality rates. At the time, when I first started this journey, this was one of the articles that I came across: http://asmbs.org/2012/06/new-studies-weigh-in-on-safety-and-effectiveness-of-newer-bariatric-and-metabolic-procedure-sleeve-gastrectomy-demonstrates-weight-loss-and-safety-comparable-to-more-established-procedures It basically states that risk of mortality is highest within the first 30 days and that deaths in this time period is less than 1%. This study was done on patients who had undergone weight loss surgery between 2007 and 2010. I am sure stats have changed, but for many the risk of remaining obese definitely out ways risks of surgery.

Congrats on your surgery and on everything going well and on 7 pounds down in 3 days!!! I wish you continued success

Thank you ladies! As far as the coverup, @@MisforMimi, I have to admit that I am still self conscience about my upper thighs. But, other than that, I am EXTREMELY happy! Sleeve + Clean food (90% of the time) + Protein + Water + Cardio + Weight Training = Success!!!

Hahaha @@Madam Reverie! I am NOT well ENDOWED at all! I've got nothing a little tape or band-aids can't hold up or cover up, LOL!!! I do plan to have a little enhancement done next summer, along with some tummy skin removal

@@cherrytree15 Thank you! I too had not worn one comfortable is almost 12 years! You'll get there before you know it!

Oh @@menjaz, that is very kind of you. You flatter me and I am far from that, but I have to say I am very comfortable and not so self conscience anymore. I appreciate it though!

I appreciate it so much ladies! Thank you! And you're exactly right "ziggy", we have to take it one day at a time; and if/when we slip, we get right back up and we do it again because we have a great tool to support us. Good luck to you all

For the first time since I was a young girl, I was able to put a swim suit on and not shed a tear about finding one that fit decent. Went to the beach and felt confident in what I was wearing. I still have the belly with the extra skin and I still have full thighs, but I am VERY, VERY, V E R Y happy with my results.

Wow! What a difference! You're tummy looks great!!! It gets me excited about my plastics, despite my fear of pain. Thank you for posting those pics and thanks to everyone posting their stories

Good for you for pushing yourself to get in there, even though you didn't feel like it. I think that's what is going to make you successful, because it's on days like that that you push through that leads to long term success. Yes, you're going to be sore, but don't let that stop you. Soreness is good. It means you're building muscle; and the more muscle you have, the more fat you burn! You have to work through the soreness. Keep it up!

Great job & looking good! Keep it up! And by the way, I laughed out loud with your 1 Big Mac pic

I felt that too due to the fact that that was the biggest incision sight. It's the area that is stretched the most because it's where they pull the stomach out from. You just had major surgery and you're only a little week out; it's going to take some time to heal. However, I would suggest to still call your doctor and confirm that what you're feeling is normal and not risk that anything else is going on. Good luck to you!