Camella

I have list 51lbs, half way to my goal!!!!!

Wondering how everyone is doing? It seems now everyone's life is beginning and less time for VST anymore. Hope all are still doing well.

You should try Healthwise Protein hot chocolate! Has 80 calories but 15g of Protein in it. I make mine with nonfat milk so I boost the protein even more! It really makes a great nightcap, especially with a few pumps of sugar free creme de menthe Syrup in it.

Today was my 6 month follow up with my surgeon.
I have lost 55% of my excess weight. According to him, the average loss at 6 months is 40%.
My starting weight was 262. Surgery day was 249.
Today I weighed in at 194 on my scale. 196 on his. I liked mine better.
He also noted in my medical file the redness and itching under my breasts and pannis. He said if he puts it in my file, any Excess skin removal would probably be paid for by my insurance as medically necessary. YAY!!!
I walk 2-3 miles per day and can eat anything without issue( not that I do). I do have an occasional treat, and HORRORS!!!, have had soda a couple of times.
This is my journey and its a life long one.
Its been amazing so far.
Please don't bother to comment if what you want to say is negative. Don't want it or need it :-)

One of the things I should of mentioned is the night I got sleeved I almost died, doc says I must have been leaking, I just kept feeling worse by the second and so much pain doc ended up taking out two liters out and says he had to put 4 in, my blood pressure dropped to 38 over 18 I code purpled, I think your right about the trauma, I kept thinking what did I do to myself, now I feel so good I think I also need to push myself to more walking then I'm doing, I guess it's all just a matter if figuring things out. I really enjoy this forum I think it's going to be very helpful for a lot of people.

So I don't think there's anything wrong with this, but I can't help but notice that the profile pics for almost everyone (especially the ladies on here) make everyone look like they are about 21 years old and not a single pound overweight.
Even people that haven't had any surgery or lost any weight, the pic of their smiling face appears to be that of a 21 year old who is not overweight in the slightest. Do people just post pics that are from before they gained weight? Pics from when they were 21? Or are some people finding the "perfect angle" that makes you look really thin? How does one do this?
Maybe I want to make a "glamor shot" picture so I can also be a sexy 21 year old woman. How can I accomplish this?

I've attempted ice cream at least 5 times (I'm a slow learner). Makes my stomach cramp for hoyrs. Its the only thing that causes me pain (its a bummer that more doesn't cause me pain, maybe Id lose a little faster)...

Lissa Congrats! What an amazing story and what an amazing achievement! You have really motivated me.

Congrats Bec! keep up the great work!

So so so happy!!!!! I have now lost my first 25.1kgs!!! That is since 20th May (start of pre op) doing the happy dance
Oh and I'm down 10 BMI points

Happy Sleeversary to me I can't believe that it has been 12 months since I had the surgery. For those of you who don't know me (for which there would be few on this thread) here are my stats: Starting weight was 173kg and my current weight is 87kg. Before surgery I hadn't slept lying down in a bed (comfortably) in over 7 years. I had chronic asthma, everything hurt all of the time (although I denied it back then) and it was just a struggle to move around.
I had the surgery on September 3 2012. Things went badly. I got a leak. It took several surgeries and many months in ICU/ Surgical Ward before I could get the all clear to leave. That was November 2012. I didn't go back to work full time until the end of January 2013.
Since then, well heck, things have just been getting better and better. The weight loss has been amazing. I've lost 86 kg - so tantalisingly close to half way lol. No fudging though - pesky 0.5kg The NSV's have been even better - the CLOTHES, shoes, movement, I am a "runner" now (on week 3 of the Couch to 5 K and am running in a 5K obstacle course at the end of the year), energy, clarity in thinking, enjoyment in life, exciting opportunities, flying without the embarrassment of asking for an extension seat belt, people looking you in the eye, not being "invisible" anymore, shop assistants are helpful and attentive, men FLIRT (okay, so maybe I do too - just a little), I've had a significant promotion, looking to travel OS next year, am planning for a future THAT I WANT not just settling for what I think I can have.
It has been a truly amazing journey. I love you all - you have become friends to me even though (with the exception of Kelli) I've never met you in person. You've understood my struggles and triumphs in ways that my family and friends here struggle to do. I can't thank you all enough for your kindness, encouragement and support. And I promise that I WILL get around to meeting you **Wow, hope that doesn't sound stalker-ish...Deano, you're the copper - is that a bit creepy lol**. Before I finish my rambling post, here are some comparison shots that I put together. Thank you all for sharing my journey and helping me out so profoundly along the way. Much love to you all! Cheers, Liss
  

Thank you all so much for the pep talk. My gym choices are few and far between (I'll have to drive 25 minutes to the next town) but I think I have found the perfect one for me. It says that it is a TRUELY non jugemental gym that has varying rules about harrassment. They have child care, nutrition classes, and a few classes I always thought I was too fat to attempt (Zumba, kick boxing, yoga). I spoke to the manager and she was very helpful (And understanding) and offered me a free day at the gym, and a free session with a trainer before I made my decision. I'm going in today (In thier slower time) to take a tour of everything. I'm excited! I really want to do this right, I don't want to take my sleeve for granted! Thanks to everyone for your support and I will update you soon!

I have definitely felt this way! I still have gym phobia but I found that it helps to just make your goal getting to the gym initially. The fact that you were in the parking lot is great. maybe next time make your goal to get through the door and walk on the treadmill for 10 minutes (or less) and then the following time 15 minutes on the bike. Just showing up is half the battle. You will get there!! Just take baby steps initially.

I'm not yet sleeved but I did maintain a nearly 100 lb weight loss for the last 6 years with my lap band and never once wrote anything down. In fact I refuse to live my life that way. Focus on health and your relationship with food and look into why you eat and not just what you eat and find what works best for you and you will be fine

Yes Yes Yes! I felt exactly like you did and I'm pretty sure most people do. I am now 9 weeks post-op and instead of being a major thing, it is now a minor frustration (once or twice a week). The one thing that I promised to do for myself is buy GOOD food despite how little I eat. When I go to a restaurant and I see a main course dish I like I order it, despite only being able to eat a 10th of it, because I don't want to deny or punish myself. I hope that helps. It will definitely get easier in the next couple of months!

Yes Yes Yes! I felt exactly like you did and I'm pretty sure most people do. I am now 9 weeks post-op and instead of being a major thing, it is now a minor frustration (once or twice a week). The one thing that I promised to do for myself is buy GOOD food despite how little I eat. When I go to a restaurant and I see a main course dish I like I order it, despite only being able to eat a 10th of it, because I don't want to deny or punish myself. I hope that helps. It will definitely get easier in the next couple of months!

It took me about 4-5 weeks to not get exhausted doing the simplest things but now at almost 4 months out I feel fantastic!!! I have lost right at 70 pounds and am loving life! Hang in there it will get better.

The flap is better than the spare tire that was there!

I think the pre-op diet is to make you so mad you do not care if you live through the surgery.

If you have a smart phone they have apps to help you eat slower. Look up bite timers. My doc says aeal should be no less than 20 and no more than 30 minutes. My timer is set for one minute between bites. Most of the time I am done before the 30 min mark as i am full. Portion Control stops overeating and the timer helps me slow it down! Hope that helps!

Be glad that eating too quickly does not make you puke. That's what happens when I eat too fast. It happened a few times and I quickly learned to chew, chew, chew, and put my utensil down between bites. The NUT said it should take at least 10 minutes and not more than 20 minutes to eat my meal. Also do the Portion Control - max 1 cup of food for the first year they told me. I'm between 1/2 and 1 c most of the time.

In between taking a bite of food, set your silverware down and chew your food. Only after you swallow, pick up your silverware and take another bite. Hope that helps.

Ummmm.. Call your doc ASAP if you're in excruciating pain. No offense but nobody is going to be able to give you proper advice besides your Doc. Or worst comes to worst, I'd go to the ER if it's really that bad.

Hi everyone
I haven't been on for a while as I'm on holiday (in Australia), but just wanted to post an update - almost eight weeks post op and down 18kg - amazing what a difference two months makes!

I'm almost eight weeks post op and I have to keep reminding myself that this is something I need to constantly work at and constantly improve on. I make mistakes on a regular basis, but, I try a little harder the next day. You will get there! Fortunately the sleeve doesn't give you the option of giving up. I know that if I hadn't had the surgery I would have definitely given up by now. It sounds like you are being quite hard on yourself. Be kind to yourself and make small improvements each day. (ps. I have eaten ice cream three times and each time it has made me feel sick - some lessons are harder to learn than others) Good luck!