NewSetOfCurves

LMAO!!!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post! It made me laugh and smile ear-to-ear. It is DEFINITELY NSV QUALIFIED and there is nothing more erotic than watching the hubby going down town!!!

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

I'm 5'6", medium frame, weighed about 250 at the beginning of pre-op phase, 228 day of surgery, 13 months later I now weigh 153. I've added a lot of muscle and some of the supplements I take add Water weight. I'd like to get down to 145/140. I'd like to maintain some curves and not get too thin.

@@MIMISAN, LOL!!!

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!)

It’s a combination of the meds and lack of calories. It is normal. I was very weak the first two weeks, week one being what I called "hell week". However, it does get better and it will pass. No matter how uncomfortable it feels, you need to work on getting that liquid into your system. Sip on the broth, get those sugar free popsicles (in my experience, those were a lot easier to get down), have someone make you sugar free Jell-O. GET THOSE CALORIES and liquid IN! The first couple of weeks are hard; you begin to doubt your decision, but IT WILL PASS! I promise!!!! Good things are coming. You WILL feel like yourself again. Give it time. Work hard in getting in what you can. You can do this, girl!

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

You know, if people lose the weight on their own, then power to them. Awesome. It takes commitment and sacrifice and dedication. I truly admire that. Unfortunately, not always, but in most cases those people gain it back. How many times do we see on this forum statements like: "I lost a 100 pounds and gained all back, and then some." They get stuck in that yo-yo dieting--a life of gaining and losing. Which is horrible for our bodies, metabolism and quality of life. Again, for those who take it off, completely change their life style and keep it off, I am in awe of them and super proud of their accomplishment.
However, for many of us that isn't the case. We tried and failed, tried and failed, and we tried and failed again. It is hard to erase a lifetime of habits, even if you're in your twenties. I wish I had taken this step in my twenties. To feel the quality of life that I now feel. The surgery was like a reset: a reset to my metabolism, my taste buds, the quantity I could eat. With that reset, I was better able to unlearn old ugly habits, pick up new healthy habits, and thus change my lifestyle. In essence, the sleeve gave me the opportunity to control the QUANTITY of food I intake. While I--me, myself and I, NOT the sleeve--taught myself QUALITY: the quality of eating a diverse array of healthy foods, the quality of eating small meals every 3 hours, the quality of exercising and activating my body for better performance and endurance. All of those things I DID. NOT the sleeve. The sleeve was the "tool" that got me there.
We do not and should not EVER apologize for that. Not one prescription or method works for all. The "natural" way did not work for us and our very lives, our livelihoods,our quality of life suffered for it. So, let them say they lost it the natural way. Let them compliment themselves or others. Agree with them, because that is awesome and it deserves to be acknowledged. But NEVER forget that our way was just as tedious--if not, more so because of the drastic change and toll the sleeve takes on our lives and body. NEVER forget that the sleeve may have been a jump start, but everything else in between is YOU. It is US. It is our efforts, our trials, our failures, our successes. We did that. Not the sleeve.
So, pick your head up sweetie. Because everyone of us here, knows better. Your efforts are validated. Your journey is validated. Your decision is validated. Don't let ANYONE knock you down.
...okay, stepping off my soap box.

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

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

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

I have learned that it is best stop trying to "diet" (in the context of a prescribed regimen of foods to aide in weight loss) and to just change my diet (in the context of the types of foods one chooses to consume) for life. It is so restricting and confining to "diet". Rather, I choose to eat a vast variety of foods that are healthy and balanced, ranging between good carbs, good fats, Proteins, and foods that are in excess of minerals and Vitamins necessary for the body's overall health. I eat to sustain energy. I eat to build muscle. I eat to be healthy. I stopped limiting myself to these "diets" that are ONLY temporary fixes, that usually fail once one is off the "diet", and whom often lack a proper variety of foods that contain all the nutrients that ones' body needs. No...I stopped "dieting" soon after my surgery and chose to change my diet for the rest of my life!

That's my exact situation! Everyone tells me the same thing, but I respond with, "If I could have lost it, I would have done it within the past 10 years!!! I have 80 pounds to lose, and I get sleeved June 18th...can't wait!

What are your preworkout, during, and postworkout supplements?
Preworkout: I've tried NO-XPLODE (however, I do not like the new formula), C-4 (made me constipated, TMI, but good info for those who have problems with the bowels), and I am currently taking MHP's Fit Trainer. I wake up 5 am, but I do not get to the gym until around 6 pm. I need a really good pre-workout to get my workout started at the end of a really long day. Any suggestions?
During: Aminocore by AllMax Nutrition . I have also tried a few others, but right now--in my bag--I have another supplement that increases blood flow. it gives me a really good pump. I'll add the name when I get home because I cannot remember it at this time.
After: Myozene by BioQuest. I have actually added on 15 pounds of solid mass with this supplement. I started taking it in October and I have increased my weight from 140 to 155. I am still the same waist size, but it has definitely helped me add on the mass.

When the small towels (the ones I used for my hair because they didn't fit my body) wraps around you with room to spare!!!

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

Last summer I was able to wear 2 piece, but with a coverup. I was still conscious of my tummy and thighs. But after recovering from plastics and working HARD in the gym 5-6 days a week, I can officially say that I will be hitting the beach this spring without a coverup. When I put on my 2 piece and saw my pic, I think I cried and cried for a good 10 minutes. Cried for my experience as an obese person, cried for the struggles of life post-op, cried because I WORKED HARD for this dang it, and I have finally arrived. People...I have FINALLY arrived!
Sorry for the crappy picture! My husband "cleaned it" with something that was not Windex...and I have yet to purchase a full length mirror! Isn't crazy how our past obesity still rules us even after we've shed the weight. Ugh! I am going to go and buy a full length mirror today!

Last summer I was able to wear 2 piece, but with a coverup. I was still conscious of my tummy and thighs. But after recovering from plastics and working HARD in the gym 5-6 days a week, I can officially say that I will be hitting the beach this spring without a coverup. When I put on my 2 piece and saw my pic, I think I cried and cried for a good 10 minutes. Cried for my experience as an obese person, cried for the struggles of life post-op, cried because I WORKED HARD for this dang it, and I have finally arrived. People...I have FINALLY arrived!
Sorry for the crappy picture! My husband "cleaned it" with something that was not Windex...and I have yet to purchase a full length mirror! Isn't crazy how our past obesity still rules us even after we've shed the weight. Ugh! I am going to go and buy a full length mirror today!

The "after" picture was taken 12 days shy of my 2 year surgiversary. As of yesterday, I am 2 years, 7 months out. In the "before" pic, I was a size 20; in the "after" pic, I am in a size 4 dress!!! Love my sleeve!

@@bdejong, you're absolutely correct about that -- it's funny. Funny and swe-e-eet, Now you can roller skate around in the larger stalls.
@@4MRB4PHOTO is ever observant with or without his periscope. Everyone, take note of who else is hanging around the public facilities before you go into the booth.

Was thinking about non scale victories the other day while on my thinking chair...yup, the toilet and it dawned on me. My best NSV so far is fitting in a regular stall... No more having to use the handicap stalls for me. I can "think" like the regular folks in the tiny stalls that are everywhere. No longer do I have to wait just because someone else is in the big stall. It's the little pleasures like this that make me thankful for making the decision I did.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

@@erp
Thanks for the link. At my age I don't think I will be a bikini model. lol. Building then cutting I'm looking into. I had a great glute and leg workout tonight. I'm feeling it! can't wait to get some booty.

I'm surprised no one has replied to this post as of yet. My weightlifting in the beginning was to maintain muscle mass to aid in the fat burning. I would say that around January of this year is when I started making strength my goal. My goals are realistic though, I am not trying to gain inches on my arm circumference or anything. My goal is body weight everywhere. Lift my body weight off the floor, 10 pull-ups in a row, squat my body weight... you get the idea.
What has given my the best results is not to focus on a deadline. That's not always the best, but for me it works. Last time I injured myself it was because I was trying to make too big of gains too quickly. As long as I can say I did my best that day, I call it a good day.
Last time I was at my surgeons office, I was at 17-20% body fat. That's right where he wanted me. He said I was getting down to essential fat and didn't want me to go much lower. Honestly though, I don't think fat is my issue, it's the excess skin!

The post I've seen from others here have inspired me. I never thought that working out would ever take me to the fitness level I'm at in my old age. Now I'm reading everything I can about weight lifting. I've been strength training for a year. I'm now curious of where this can take me.
How long have you been strength training?
What has given you the best results for muscle gain?
What body fat percentage should you have for your height and weight. (healthy zone)

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.