Cait12

Thanks everyone! Each time we've gone out it's been somewhere that's difficult to get small plates, so I decided to just make it as normal as possible, ate slowly, eating as much as I could, and stopping when my tummy told me to. We've gone out a few times to eat and each time he's made a little comment about how little I ate, but I brushed it off. I just wish it wasn't so noticeable.

I'm just over 1.5 years post-op, and down 130 pounds--25 to go until my goal. Anyways. I've recently started dating again, and have been asked out on some first dates. So far, I've either gone out for coffee or a drink, which hasn't been any big issue sleeve-wise. But a new guy asked me out to get dinner and I'm nervous. I don't want to be so up front as to tell him about my weight loss or surgery yet (I want to wait and see what happens), but he's obviously going to notice that I can only eat a small amount (probably smaller than what could be covered up by a "I'm just trying to cut back" excuse or something like that). My question is, has any one on here gone on dates post-surgery where food or meals were involved and how did they approach the issue? Thanks!

My most recent then and now. Beginning weight: 305 Current weight: 195 Surgery was May 21, 2013 I still have 45 pounds I'd like to lose although during the last couple of months the scale has barely been budging.

One of the things I was excited for after getting surgery was dating. I haven't done any since I've began to lose weight because I wanted to focus on bettering myself. I did sign up for online dating, but had no luck with it. I know some people who have had luck with online dating, but overall I'm not a big fan. I mostly got messages from guys I wasn't interested in. Some were nice (but I didn't find them attractive), others were losers, and of course there were the players. I deleted my profile yesterday and decided to try letting it come naturally. Which interestingly, I talked to a cute guy on the subway home that same night, and had an actual conversation. Nothing more came from it, but it was definitely exciting and a confidence booster. I always thought of myself as the type of girl that the type of guys I like wouldn't go for. Whether this guy was interested in me or not, he was nice, and willing to have a 20 minute conversation with me.

Thank you! I'm going to try and not weigh myself for a couple of days so I'm not focused on the scale. I've been working out more lately, and my body feels good, so I'll take that as good news.

I fainted once about two months post-op, and then was close again five months out. I went to the ER, but they couldn't give me a definite answer as to why. I think it was from low Iron, and not enough liquids/protein. I also have had times when I've felt light-headed while in the shower.

Hi I'm 24 and had the sleeve done a year ago. My instagram is caitlin_christiana. I'll find all you guys on there! I like to post updates on my journey, and see others as well.

I plan on having surgery once I reach my weight loss goal. I guess I'll just have to be patient. I'll have to look into the reformer as well.

I'd participate! I have a bag full of clothes ranging in sizes.

I have this...pouch...(for lack of a better word to describe it) underneath my belly button, it's kind of like a second belly. I was wondering if anyone knows of some exercises that would help tone it? It's definitely shrinking since surgery, but I'm really self conscious of it, and would like to help the process along. Thanks!

My surgery was May 21st, and I'm down 94 pounds. I'm very happy with my progress, but right now, I'm stuck. I gained two pounds and the scale isn't moving. I'm trying to get down to the 100's, and hope to lose about 60 more pounds total for a goal weight of 150. SW: 305, CW: 211

Thank you. I'm not trying to sound petty or unappreciative of the progress I've made so far. If that's how it comes off as, that wasn't my intention. I know how far I've come is something to be thankful for and be proud of. I felt I needed to vent to people who understood the struggle and what this lifestyle is like, because most people in my life wouldn't understand. I've considered the fact that this may be the end of the honeymoon phase--and I knew it would come eventually. But it's still scary and new to me. And when I'm so close to a major goal, it makes it even more rattling.

I push it under my bed far enough that I can't get to it easily, to lessen the temptation.

I'm just under 9 months post-op, down about 95 pounds and I feel stuck. The pounds seem to be holding on for dear life. I'll lose one, then regain it. I was at 209 the last I checked a few days ago, but I've hid my scale from myself because I was becoming so stressed out. I'm sure part of it is because I really want to (finally) reach the 100's and to be able to say I've lost 100 pounds, and I'm so close. I've been trying to stay on track with my food--keeping a food diary, chosing high protein/low carb choices, and drinking water. I guess the fact that my weight loss is beginning to slow down scares me. I've been so used to comfortably losing approximately 10 pounds a month, but now it's more like 5 since the beginning of January.

Hey everyone! I know I'm late to the conversation, but my instagram is caitlin_christiana. It's not entirely vsg-related, but I post lots of photos related to my weight-loss journey.

I don't know if this is just me or if others notice the same, but it seems that I get fuller much more quickly when eating out compared to when I make my meals. Not that I can eat much to begin with anymore, but even after a couple bites at a restaurant, I begin to feel the restriction and fullness. Anyone else notice a difference?

I'll probably have a few bites of everything, and stop once my tummy tells me to-trying to focus on the protein. I'll probably share a small slice of pie with my mom who is also sleeved. It's just me and my parents this year and we're going out to a nice restaurant so I don't have to worry about having to explain to people who don't know about the surgery why I'm eating so little.

Sleeved May 21st, 2013. Surgery weight: 294 Current weight: 229 (Been stalled for a couple weeks) I'm trying to make it as close to Onderland by New Years as I can!

I'm 23 and had my surgery just over 5 months ago. I believe it's difficult for others who don't live with the problems and frustrations of being overweight understand that surgery is our way of reclaiming our lives and taking control of our health. I tried many diets and exercise routines and lost and regained the same 15 pounds for years. I believe having the surgery at this time in your life is a good idea. I will say that one thing I wish I had prepared myself a bit more on is how much life changes after the surgery. It is a lifetime commitment. I also didn't understand how people could be depressed or have rough patches after getting the sleeve, but now I do.

I confess that... I still mostly see myself as I looked pre-surgery. I compare myself to people having better progress. I don't give myself enough credit for what I have achieved (as proven by the first two confessions). I do give into cravings sometimes. I drink pop and Starbucks every so often. Not nearly as much as I used to, though. I think about food and eating more than I should. I need to be more strict in making sure I get in all of my water and protein everyday. Sometimes I wish that I can keep eating after my stomach tells me to stop. I am too focused on weighing myself and the number on the scale. I'm afraid that I won't reach my goal.

Hi I was sleeved May 21st and started off at 302 before pre-op diet. Day of surgery I weighed 294, and today I weigh 238. I feel like a slow loser compared to other people whom I've seen who have lost that much in less time, which makes me feel discouraged. I also have a difficult time getting in all my water and protein but I'm trying to get back on track. It's a bit scary when the weight loss starts to slow down from what I was used to in the early days. I'm thinking of trying to give my body a jumpstart by going back on the pre-op diet/liquids for a few days. I really want to hit Onderland!

I can't have fast food anymore. It's like my stomach knows I shouldn't have it and sort of shuts down. A couple times I was desperate for some protein so I got a burger from McDonalds, and a couple bites in I couldn't stomach it. (ha!) It made me feel just overall gross, and gave me a heachache.

Is there anyone here who uses Instagram to post updates and photos of their progress? I love checking the #vsg, #verticalsleeve #vsginstacrew, and other hashtags to get motivated by people's success and to see their awesome progress. My username is caitlin_christiana, and I also post many update photos.

Starting weight before pre-op diet: 305 Day of surgery weight (May 21st): 294 Current weight: 239