NewSetOfCurves

Woohoo! Hit the 150's to day...159 to be exact! Can't wait to hit goal!

If you search, you will find many threads on this very topic. That being said, I do want to reiterate what many have already vouched--via their own experience. If you are young, without children, and towards the bottom of the obese chart, you have the greatest chance of not having any excess left over skin. Your youth equals greater elasticity, lack of motherhood yields less over stretching of the skin, and numbers towards the bottom of the obesity chart means that your skin hasn't been stretched too much or too long (if you're young), for too many decades.

WOW!!! You look so much younger! Beautiful! Congrats!!!!

Congrats and good luck!

You look G R-R-E-E-A-A-A-T!!!! I'm around the same weight and size. I wish my tummy looked as great as yours! Congrats!!!!!

Thank you ribearty! I appreciate the compliment and I have to admit, I like broken records! Ha!!!

Exactly!!! Love it!!! Congrats on making those positive changes at home with kiddos! I think it's the best thing we can do as moms and it just reiterates the fact that this surgery is not only life changing for those of us he get it, but it can be life changing for our families as well.

Congrats to you! I can only imagine how awesome that feels! And all that weight loss!!!! What a success story you are becoming!!!!

Wrapping your head around having to let go of the one thing that brought you comfort is very scary. It's been your constant companion and you're forced to let it go cold turkey. However, it is issues within ourselves, not related to food, that we need to discover and deal with. Once that is complete, you have to arm your mind and constantly remind yourself that this addiction is slowly killing you. Arm your mind to protect yourself every time you have a craving, by finding a distraction, walking away, drinking a glass of water. The power is in your mind, you just have to utilize it. The sleeve makes it easier.

Any surgery is scary. Even when you look at the national numbers that state that there is a 2% chance of complications and even less percentage in mortality, it's still scary because you don't want that to be you. When I went searching for doctors I asked about their rate of patients who had complications, and if they had anyone die on the table or post op. I asked how many patients they had sleeved. I ultimately went with the doctor that seemed most passionate, up front and honest with me. My doctor even went to the extent of suturing over the staple line to even further minimize the risk of leaks. I task, he says, that only takes an extra 10 minutes that benefits his patients and himself. He talked about bougie size and why it's used and why you don't want to go to big or too small. He covered EVERYTHING and seemed so passionate that he gained my trust. I love my doctor and you should find one that treats his patients like an individual and not a number. That being said, this surgery is--like most people say on this site--life changing. It has been one of the most positive things in my life (other than my kids) and I would do it all over again. Good luck to you. Remember to arm yourself with knowledge, ask questions, and be picky about the doctor you choose. Oh...and thank you VERY much for the compliment!

You are GORGEOUS and looking FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!! Keep it up!!!

I live in south Texas, in between San Antonio and Laredo. My family has lots of rental properties and are always in need employees to fill the cleaning staff. There is a BIG oil boom too. Lots of companies pay very, very well for all sorts of services, from cleaning staff to management. More than 20 hotels have gone up in the area, all short staffed. Message me. I can help you find a living situation and there is plenty of job opportunity.

I agree with kindle. I've used the Unjury and it does have a distinct flavor...there is no such thing as flavorless whey protein, but it can be masked. I don't know what stage you're at, or if your at a full diet, but soups, mashed potatoes, sf puddings, homemade smoothies, etc all hide the flavor pretty well.

Looking GOOD!!! You're doing GREAT!!! Keep it up girl!!!

Woohoo! That AWESOME!!! Congrats to you!

Went into single digits! Size 8 jeans!!!

Post a pic so we can see your hotness!!!

Everything you're experiencing is normal. However, everyone is different as far as the amount of time it takes to fully recover. My aunt, who is almost 30 years older than me, recovered a lot faster than me. The weakness is from the lack of calories and fluid. Sugar free Popsicles were my life savor during that time. If you're still suffering from gas pain, apply a heating pad to that area. It helps profusely. Good luck to you, and even though this is the worst part of post op, it will soon pass and you will be reaping the awards!!!

Stalls are inevitable. It happens to pretty much everyone. Accept it now to save yourself from unnecessary frustration. As long as if you're doing everything right, you should be doing fine. Keep up your workouts at the gym. Get ALL your water in. Calculate you calories, you might be getting too little in, especially with your 11/2 hour gym sessions. Too few calories causes your body to go into starvation mode and forces it to store calories. Training also causes fluid build up in the muscles. There is also the possibility of monthly cycles and the water retention that comes with that. There are SO MANY factors. Like I said, I wouldn't fret if you're following all the rules!

There is NOTHING better than having the ability to enjoy life to its fullest with your loved ones! Congrats on your decision and good luck on your journey!

Thank you ladies!!!

I researched and researched this surgery. I got into this forum and read EVERYTHING. I wanted to know all the different scenarios and the different things I could expect post op. My biggest fear was what a lot people deemed as, "mourning the food." I didn't want to go into the depression that some people got pulled into because they were literally mourning over the loss of their ability to eat certain foods or copious amounts of food. Now, I'll admit it was definitely difficult post op. Your tummy is small, added to the fact that it is inflamed from surgery, and it is pretty darn difficult to get anything down. But, as many have already stated, that phase passes quickly. I was released to all foods after 6 weeks, instructed to slowly add all the food groups into my diet. I can eat just about anything. Breads and carbonated drinks are impossible, but I still get to enjoy food in small doses. I have, however, made the conscience decision to change the foods I put into my mouth. Researching this forum and other sites taught me that this sleeve really is a tool--as cliche as that term is on this site. It really is just the nail that AIDS in securing the structure of your new body. It WILL NOT hold the structure. You have to be the hammer that keeps adding other nails to create a secure structure for the long haul. If you want this to work indefinitely, YOU have to make those changes. People who are years out have gained weight back. They stick to unhealthy choices, they eat the same foods that they used to eat pre surgery, they graze throughout the day not watching their calorie intake, they did not make a conscience effort in that wonderful first year post op to re-teach their brain and their body how to eat. I'm not saying you can't eat what you want, but, as a previous poster said, when you eat smart and plan small little indulgences can happen without regret. I would recommend this surgery 150%! Research doctors, meet with them, ask the tough questions. Ask about their success rates, failures. Find support groups. It can help you change your life for the better if you are mentally ready and willing to make the changes necessary. Good luck! (Sorry for the long post!)

Wow! You look GREAT!!! So much younger too! Congrats in your success so far!

Your doing great Caroline!!! It's only going to get better!!!