NewSetOfCurves

Still have really full thighs and I'm working on those, but I'm not really complaining. Never thought I could wear something like this to the beach ever again, but I did! Almost eleven months out.

Wow! What a feat and how awesome is that weight loss! You're looking great, keep it up!!!

I did lose strength post op. Mind you, I didn't get back into weight lifting immediately after due to easily fatiguing. However, with the almost 100 lbs of weight loss, the definition is way better. I'm gaining my strength back and working hard to build it back up. You might lose some strength, but if you remain active up until surgery, continue again as soon as your cleared by your doctor, and--most importantly--work hard to get your protein in, you should be fine. It sounds like you're well on you way to healthy new you. Keep it up!

Thank you @@mochax! I too am impressed with my results. Can't believe how far I have come in less than a year. I still find it hard to believe that it is me in any pictures that I see of me. I see you are pre-op. I hope all goes well. Good luck!

Thank you Molly!

Thank you so much! I will tell you this...I feel a lot sexier today than I did at this time last year! I was doing all of my pre-op stuff, going to my first meetings and so forth. At that time I could not imagine looking the way I do now...it is so surreal. I cannot believe that is me looking back in the mirror or that those small workout pants can fit over my body. But sincerely, with all my heart, thank you for that compliment.

Ok? Old age? Psshhh, please @@aroundhky! You are 41 years young (only a few fingers ahead of me) and I know plenty of guys in their twenties that would kill for a physique like yours. So stop with this false modesty you know you're hot!

Congrats! I know you are nervous, but you are one step closer to healthier new you! I'm excited for you and wish you well!

Thank you @@littlelaura, and actually I feel really great above anything else! My beginning weight was right around 250. I lost 20 pounds pre-op, and 75 post-op. I am 3 pounds from surgeons goal and 8 pounds from my personal goal. However, right now my priorities have changed from wanting to find the ideal number to striving for shaping my physique into one that is ideal, fit and strong. Good Luck to You!

Thank you @@aroundhky! I will have to definitely take you up on that. Your physique is definitely impressive and inspirational. And I agree with you, not all carbs are bad and they are very necessary part of your diet, especially when trying to shape your physique. Keep up the GREAT work you're doing and keep posting those pics! LOL!!!

@@joatsaint, I can see it now! Ha!!! I love it!

I'm 10 months post-op. I started lifting about 3 months post-op, but was very inconsistent. I've really upped the weight lifting and muscle building diet this past month. Forcing myself to get more Protein in and those complex carbs has really aided in me seeing results. And thank you for the compliment, I feel fantastic!

Thank you! To build muscle you need to lift heavy, meaning you need to be able to lift a set where failure is anywhere between 8-10 reps. So if your doing alternating bicep curls, you need to find a weight that is light enough to curl, but heavy enough that you can't curl after 8-12 reps. That's called reaching failure. I've lost a lot of muscle strength through this process, so I'm able to do my first set of 10 reps with the 25 lb dumbbells, second set is about 8 reps until failure, and then the last set I'll go down to the 20's and get in 10-12 reps before failure. But you need to find a weight that works for you, even if it's a 10 lb weight or 60 lb weight! Another key to building muscle is the rest time in between each set. Rests should only last about 30-60 seconds. If your lifting bench press, squat, or dead lift, you can rest anywhere between 90 and 120 seconds. Another good tip is planning your workouts. You don't want to lift the same body part everyday. Plan it to where you workout each muscle only once a week. For example: Day 1: chest and back Day 2: quads, hams Day 3: triceps and biceps Day 4: shoulders and calves You can change it up where you pair more muscle groups if you have less time during the week, or the opposite if you have more time. The reason you separate the muscle groups you workout and don't repeat them in the same week is so that you give your muscle time to repair. When you lift, you tear your muscle. That's why you feel sore. When that muscle heals, new muscle tissue forms, and thus you've gained muscle mass. Another important element to that is getting your Protein in within 30 minutes post workout to aid in quicker muscle recovery. I also like to take amino acids before my workouts. I hope this helps. Good luck to you!

Yes. I can't take the full recommended serving because I get too jittery, but the half dose works for me. It really gives me great energy and the boost I need when I'm lifting heavy and try to push those last reps before failure.

Thank you! I feel great more than anything! I can't see your pic!

It takes your body from flab to fab! Loving my transformation! Can't "weight" to see how much further my weight training will take me. I've upped the weight, minimized rest times to 30-60 seconds between sets, 60-120 seconds when doing the "big three". Just downed my N.O.-Xplode and I'll be working my chest and back. I'll have my post workout protein immediately afterwards. #lovingmysleeve

My story is similar to @PdxMan. I too had a hiatal hernia repair and it was repaired during my sleeve surgery. I no longer suffer from acid reflux.

My surgeon recommended the sleeve for me. I had 100 pounds to lose and I told him I was horrible at taking daily supplements. The bypass required supplementation for life due to malabsorption. So, I knew the sleeve was definitely a better option for me. Talk to your doctor and talk about what he thinks is best for you and your situation.

You look fabulous! Check out those biceps! Keep working it girl, CONGRATS on such GREAT SUCCESS!!!

I agree @@Jen35! Even if i was not able to go through with the surgery, I am very happy with the way I look. The extra skin from my stomach is not that bad, and nobody knows it's there but me.

At three months post-op I was 43 pounds down from my surgery weight, 63 pounds down from my starting weight (I lost 20 pounds pre-op). I'm 10 months out and I have 3 pounds to go to get to surgeon's goal, 8 pounds to go to achieve my goal. You're going to love your sleeve, maybe not at first, but it'll definitely grow on you once you learn to work it and see your amazing results! Good luck to you!

Absolutely, without a doubt, 150% YES!!!! This surgery has changed my life, the quality of my life; it has upped my happiness, my confidence, my activeness with my children/with myself; it has completely altered my life for the better. I don't miss the food, I don't miss my fat or the rolls, the out of breathiness, the inability to bend over properly to tie my shoe or pick something up; and I definitely don't miss not being able to cross my legs, fit in a narrow chair, or go shopping and struggle to find something that fits right, looks good and that doesn't hug every extra tire on my body! I would do it over ten fold! It had been worth every pain, dizzy spell and chest tightening experience that plagues you immediately post-op. Chances are you are going to love your sleeve and life and all the positive experiences in between as your body changes and shrinks. One year from now you're going to look back and think, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I was that big." You're going to look in a mirror and see that healthy, beautiful you that was hidden under all those layers. I think it's great that you've made this decision. Good luck on your surgery, I'll being saying a prayer for you!

When your husband or significant other can lift you up and... ...carry you up the stairs! Lol!

@@Jen35, our stats are very similar, but I definitely have to offer you congratulations on all of your success. I'm loving your profile pic, you are so pretty! It feels great, huh? Despite how surreal all of this is. However, I do feel you with the stomach skin. I too have it and I am planning on having a tummy tuck next summer. My doctor wanted me to wait 18 months. However, since I am a teacher, I'm just going to wait until the summer after my 18 months are up. And YES, let's definitely keep in touch with our weight training and see what's working! Thank you @@Anababy, I appreciate it!!!

Thank you for the compliment JanetPRN! You know sleevexcited, I remember joining this sight around this time last year and looking through all the post-op pics and imaging what I would look like, if I would look like that, or if I would have that much success. It was hard to believe, but it's a reality now. It so surreal. It's exciting and it'll happen for you too! Good luck!!!