Who Dat 70461

You'll be there before you know it! Good luck!

The before pics were taken February 2013, after pics in December 2013. Don't rush the process. Follow doc's orders (no, it's not okay to cheat a little...follow the plan!) and as soon as comfortable, get to moving around (which will be much easier without the extra lbs., I promise!), whether it's walking, swimming, biking...whatever, just do it! You're in for one helluva journey! Regardless of what others may say or think, you aren't taking the "easy way out"...it's going to be work, but you can/will be able to do it and come out on the other side loving life!

Fantastic progress! You look great!

Anticipation leading up to the surgery is the worst! However, the process itself will be over before you know it. I'm a little over 8 months and it is amazing that it all seems so long ago! You are in for one heck of a journey! Follow doc's orders to the letter and walk as much as possible after the surgery (trust me, it'll help the recovery go much easier). Good luck!

Don't freak out...just a little stall. I would hit stalls for 2 weeks, then turn around and lose 5 lbs. the following week. You are human, you will eat things that you shouldn't, but it's not the end of the world. Just get back to doind what you know you need to do (eat healthy, i.e. lots of Protein and get as much exercise into your routine as you can)...and just do it! You just got sleeved on 12/23? C'mon, give yourself time to get into a routine...you got this! One bit of advice, don't be addicted to the scale and don't let the number on the scale be your only gauge for success. Pay more attention to how you feel...how your clothes fit...etc. Don't let the number on the scale define you. Everyone has their own opinion (you know the saying...), but I weighed every 3 days for the first few months, then went to weighing weekly...at the same time every week. I promise, before long you will look at this phase as a distant memory, as you are enjoying the heck outta your new life! Good luck!

Awesome progress! Very motivational/inspirational!

It's not irrational to have fear of the unknown, actually rather normal. This is major, life-changing surgery and any number of complications could arise, a blood clot being but one. However, at your weight, if you do nothing...you know how the story will end, i.e. stroke, heart attack, going to sleep...and not waking up, etc. Please don't think I'm trying to be a downer here, only repeating (almost verbatim) what I was told not too long ago...when I had major reservations about proceeding with surgery. While it may not seem like it right now, you are so young and have an incredible life ahead of you! (My God...to be 25 again! LOL) Life is far too short to fade into the background of pics, dread the waitress sitting you at a booth (that you know will be uncomfortable), asking a stewardess for a seat belt extension, avoiding flimsy chairs, shopping in the "Modern Woman" (or whatever other cutesy name they can think of for "Fat People's Section"), etc., etc. The list in endless. Ultimately, whatever you decide needs to be your decision, no one else can or should make it for you. Being a bereaved father, I guess I look at things a bit differently (or in a goofy way as some would tell you! LOL). I feel if it is our time to go, it is our time to go..regardless of what you do, when you do it or how you do it...when your number is up, your time here is done. I had a textbook experience and never had a single complication. My wife was sleeved 2 months after me and had a rough 3-4 weeks (she had two hernias that were also repaired). I am 8 months out and at my goal weight (lost 101 lbs.), my wife hit her goal about 3 weeks ago (70 lbs. down). The sleeve is not a magic bullet, you have to put in some work, but with less fat dragging you down, trust me, the energy you have is unfathomable! Whatever you decide, good luck and Godspeed!

Awesome! It only gets better my friend! Fantastic progress, keep it up!

My wife and I also paid cash and were originally going to use Dr. Borland. We had a great experience with Dr. Borland and his staff, but in the end, opted to use Dr. Lavin in Mandeville, due to the logistics involved (We live in Slidell and were able to use Southern Surgical Center in Slidell...too convenient w/school age children.). I'm 8 months post op, 101 lbs. down (hit my goal two weeks ago!) and my wife is 6 months out, 70 lbs. down (she hit her goal 3 weeks ago...then decided she wanted to lose more...women! LOL). We were talking last night about getting crawfish next weekend...now we can boil enough for the two of us in a small stock pot on the stove! Good luck!

Great move...hope you left tire marks as you sped away!

Most peaceful sleep you'll have this week! Godspeed for a quick recovery!

I was 326 day of surgery (May 8, 2013) and 225 now. Followed doc's orders to the letter and had zero complications. I started light cardio about 3 weeks out, then switched to weights when I felt comfortable doing so...3 mos. or so. As mentioned previously, please don't get caught up in measuring your success based on the results of others...you'll end up depressed (or depressing someone else!). Good luck and get ready, you're in for an awesome ride!

Fantastic! Enjoy your cruise, you deserve it!

Fantastic! Enjoy your cruise, you deserve it!

I suspect these feelings are normal. My wife and I were looking at some old pics recently and had similar reactions. I did not feel as big as I was, but looking at the pics now...wow, I was a whopper! LOL I put a few of those "old me" pics on the wall of our home gym and use them as motivation. You have the right attitude...you are no longer the sad gal in those pics, the new you needs to embrace life and live it to the fullest!

Wow, awesome progress!

Plenty of guys on here, as mentioned previously, there's a forum specifically for men....not nearly as lively as the Ladies Room though! LOL Being nervous is normal, no worries though, it'll be over before you know it. I was sore for a few days, but off pain meds the third day and back to work within a week. Seems like a lifetime ago...I'm 8 months out and hit my goal two weeks ago (101 lbs. of fat gone forever my friend!). Good luck and get ready, you're in for an awesome ride!

8 months, 101 lbs. Before - Feb. 2013 @ Disney After - December 2013 @ Disney

Spoke with our CPA last week and he said we could deduct all of the expenses, due to having comorbidities. My wife and I were both sleeved last year, 100% out of pocket, so for once, I'm looking forward to having my taxes done!

Hang in there, stalls are going to happen. As stated previously, it is impossible not to lose the lbs. if you maintain your current intake/workout routine. Keep it going! Good luck.

At five weeks I was starting to introduce soft fruits (no skin), omelets, oatmeal, Greek yogurt, etc. Don't be afraid of carbs, if you can tolerate pizza rolls, eat a few. Pizza rolls aren't evil...unless you eat a whole bag of 'em! Hang in there, this phase will be a distant memory soon! Good luck!

Wow! You've maintained that loss for a lot ov lbs! When were you sleeved? May 8th. Have followed doc's orders to the letter and working out (strictly weights, minimal cardio) like a maniac! LOL

While I'm not a tall woman (which is a good thing!), my wife is! LOL She is 5'10" and has gone from 236 to 169 in 5 months. I think she looks fantastic, however she wants to drop another 15 lbs. I think anything less than that would look unhealthy. Good luck!

I was the exact same way...couldn't get enough information! Today makes 7 mos. post-op...95 lbs. down and lovin' life! I guess I was fortunate...zero issues/complications. I was fanatical about following doc's orders, however still visited this site daily for post-op info/advice. Before you know it, the surgery will be behind you and you'll be having the time of your life! Good luck!

Same skin...just not full of fat now! LOL 30 lbs. pre-op? Wow! Surgery will be a breeze, just follow doc's orders to the letter and frequent this site for great info. Get ready for an awesome journey!