SeaGirl

I was sleeved on 8/6 and I'm 50. I feel like this has saved my life. I'm down 78 lbs. Only 3 more to GOAL. I had a stall over the last few weeks, but the scale moved this morning. I keep looking at myself in the mirror, which isn't unlike before surgery, but now I tell myself much nicer messages. In many ways I feel the same, but now I feel like my body fits the woman that I am. In general, I'm a happier and more energetic person. I still struggle with getting in all my water, and am fighting the "eyes are bigger than my stomach" deal. But ultimately, this has been a relatively easy journey.

I'm am so glad to have found this article. Finally, and I'm nearly 6 months out. I had a sugar slip since Christmas and while all of my post op instructions are in line with this article, understanding the rationale for the education seems to be essential to my compliance. I seemed to be missing this. It's all good, it's not too late. I'm 9 lbs from goal, feel great and certainly "honeymooning". This article is a good push to get me back on track which will also give me peace of mind and freedom from food/diet obsession that has slipped in a bit since my healthy eating has fallen off a bit. It just is a good reminder that I need to ask "Why?"and then pursue until I get a reasonable response. Complacency is not my friend, and the discomfort of it can be so subtle. Action, and more action. Thanks again!

I don't have reconstruction experience. But I feel your pain. I just wanted to let you know I support you.

1. Walk or bike 55 miles 2. 3. Plank and crunch at least 3 times a week Theses are Gamergirl's goals and since I haven't met a goal I've set yet, I thought maybe I'd borrow her's. I hope you don't mind GG. It's 1/6/2014. I'm 5 months out today and 7 lbs from my goal weight. Time to make exercise a commitment. Yesterday, I walked for an hour in 10 degree weather in beautiful Golden Colorado, down by frozen Clear Creek. Truly invigorating!

Thanks All, I'll play without today. I prefer my liquids cold, and I have a neoprene sleeve for the tube to keep it from freezing. I hope I can tolerate it and the old Camelback won't need to be retired. It feels so good to be able to move in snow pants and ski boots and to be able to get up when I fall down. Looking forward to a cold and snowy day at Copper Mountain tomorrow!

I want to use my Camelback when I go skiing, so I stay better hydrated. Last time I went, I didn't drink enough and with the dry climate and the altitude, I ended up with a headache. I'm 5 months out tomorrow and know that early on I wasn't to drink with a straw. I still don't. So can I do this without discomfort?

I love these NSVs. I went SKIING today! What a blast. I had to make myself come home because I know I'll be sore tomorrow, but I wasn't tired, my big legs fit in those boots without cutting off the circulation toy toes and the snow pants I got at Costco in October (size women's Large) will require a belt next time out. So excited to feel normal. It's been 25 years since I've weighed this little.

I, too, had my surgery in Mexico. I went after interviewing surgeons locally and trying to get it done locally. The docs said I was a good candidate, the NUTs and Psychs agreed, and the insurance company is still in the dark ages. Knowing all this, doing my research, put me at ease that I would have success moving forward. I went to a surgeon in Mexico because it made sense financially. I got a good recommendation from a friend who had success and it felt right. I had a good experience and feel like it's been very successful for me. I was fully prepared and very ready. Best wishes to you in your decision. I know I would have stayed stateside if I could have gone the insurance route.

Glad you called the doc. It sounds like gas to me. I still have constipation. Try to get enough wate and get some walks in. It helps The gas and the constipation.

I'm glad he didn't use them on me. He was just a speed bump. It's all good now. My husband now is awesome and has been my best support in this journey and almost all of the journeys I've gotten myself into in the last 20+ years. And this year we were super romantic. We bought each other a new furnace for Christmas this year. The old one only blew cold air and we were headed out of town to visit my family in the east coast two days later. Being with my folks and sisters and nieces for the first time in over 20 years was the best gift!

Wow 7 lbs during the holiday? That's awesome and you look beautiful! I have 11 to go to hit my goal and am losing 1 lb a week or so. I'm almost to a normal BMI and feel amazing. Time too step it up so I hit goal sooner than later. You will be there super fast!

Here's an example of what not to do: My X husband gave me kitchen knives for Valentines Day! He was gone by April.

I had it mildly before surgery and only took zantac twice a day. After surgery it got much worse. Since surgery I take Prilosec OTC twice a day along with Zantac if I have breakthough GERD. It's better now that I am a little further out (4 mos) and I switched to the brand name from the generic omeprezole and it seems to work better.

This forum has been a great source of info, humor and sanity during my preop and recovery from my surgery. Welcome and stay close. You will find many supportive and kind people to help you through. Congrats in advance!

Sandee, I had the same issue with back pain. I had the MRIs and the blood work done to rule out SLE and other autoimmune disorders. My back would "go out" frequently and I would not be able to stand up straight. my one hip would literally be higher than the other, I would get leg pain, and sometimes even have less bladder control. I definitely had some sort of disc involvement, but no one ever caught it or did anything medically for me. Ice, rest, chiropractic and acupuncture became my treatments of choice. I was also uncoordinated. It seems like I would be catching my balance frequently. I was an apple shape woman, so much of my extra weight was in my abdominal area, but I had good size thighs and arms and when I started to lose, it went from everywhere. Be sure to measure yourself well before surgery, you will be surprised where the inches fall off. I had surgery in August of this year and my back is much better. I just don't have the aches and pains, I can run circles around my hubbie and don't have to lean on the shopping cart to get through the store anymore. I hope the sleeve helps you as much as it has helped me. I feel very fortunate to have been able to do this for myself and my family.

i feel younger, I think that I feel younger. My feet don't hurt. I actually ran on the treadmill without feeling like I was going to die. Amazing what happens when you lighten the load by 60 lbs. Yes, I see wrinkles and saggy areas, but I'm happier, more energetic and nicer to everyone including myself. Hang in there, you will get used to the new you. Be good to yourself.

Im down to 170.8. 5 lbs from my Thanksgiving goal. Will I make it? Not certain I will, but I'm grateful to be down 60 lbs from Preop diet start! Lets see if we cant get it off with more water, protein and no sweets.

I just figured out how to update my profile. I'm just posting to see my ticker!!! Yup, these days it really is all about me!

Thanks for responding...I'm back in Denver now with about 600 foils in my hair waiting to revert to a blond again.....deep sign of relief. Being on the road is good and bad. I love the work, but I get a little lonely. I do get 3 day weekends almost every week, so I'm sort of ruined for the real world. I was feeling fat, but realized it was my new pants and belt that felt a little tighter than the ones I bought a month ago. I was sure I hadn't lost any weight. My Friday routine is to wake, pee, strip, weigh....today down another 4 lbs... So that makes 50lbs since surgery! 59 total. My mind fucksED with me. Continually. I have a thinking disorder to go with the rest of my complex set of not so unique food issues. Thanksgiving on the beach sounds wonderful!!! We are doing Prime Rib this year. I'm not sure how I'm going to negotiate that. Lots of family and friends and food. I'm sure my usual week on the road is easier than holiday meals. In fact, now that I'm down to one breakfast taco, sans the tortilla, and one beef taco (for lunch), without the tortilla again.. and greek yogurt from the hotel breakfast, eating on the road is much more sane and simple than before surgery when I ate it ALL, and was fucked in the brain the whole time. Weds was a bad day, maybe more tired or hormonal than usual. Good news is I'm home. I weigh less. I'm sure to be blonder in another half hour. I'm having Prime Rib for Thanksgiving. I have friends here on this forum who truly understand me.

oh and my old departed dog, Rocky, developed a friendly relationship with the squirrel that ate the birdseed off the ground under the birdfeeder. My Mr. SeaGirl (ha, I kinda like that name for him) used to refer to the squirrel as "Rocky's squirrelfriend". Now is that cute or what?

Tree rats

Have a good surgery day! You are in great hands and will be on the mend in no time at all. Dr. Alvarez and his team are really super. No worries.

Those pictures are great. I especially like the close up. You look so happy! Congrats!

Hey Everybody, I've been reading this thread for a few days and am finally ready to post. Congrats to everyone who has weigh ins and rocks the fashion (or nudity) as a priority...I'm one of you, too. Misty, glad your surgery is over and I hope you are feeling better and are back running on Monday. Your post about your childhood was courageous. Thanks! In fact, I read many courageous posts about childhood, and life and food...you guys ROCK. This thread covers everything...and even some things I'm not following, like someone who had an opinion that stated it as fact and may be influencing newbies. So I'm traveling this week and have been reading this thread at meals with my companion iPad. Personally, I can't wait to get home and have some real human companionship, to talk at, to watch eat (because he tells me I stare at him eating when I get full) and to eat the part of the food that I know I won't eat. Tonight was a Red Lobster night. Huge plate of "wood broiled" seafood, which I dished on the lonely little bread plate and ate about a quarter of the serving. Tasted good, and I let the waiter take it away and not bring me a box. Won't be eating leftovers tomorrow. Nice to read all of your silliness, and seriousness while eating my meal. You guys are good entertainment. Had a little stress at work, a little loneliness on the road, and the fact that I wanted to pig out tonight couldn't go without mention. That's my addiction, my learned coping skills and the messages that get to come to the surface and be out in the world, so I can be free(er) or less fucked - as my friends on this string might say. On the brighter side. Man - I love my new cloths! I can keep up at the gym. I have amazing energy levels and sleep well at night. How do you spell clothes. Fucked it! Glad to see you are all here on the new site. You all keep me saner than I would be elsewise. Not sure how I'm going to deal with Thanksgiving, but I know I will be home and will have family and friends around. So that will be nuts and fun and probably therapy provoking when it's all said and done. Hahaha I feel like a dork posting...I hope someday I will get more comfortable with this.