snochick2005

I'm 5 year post OP and came on here for the first time in 3 years looking for that same info. Following [emoji3]

I'm sorry! I think I forgot to post last week... I weighed myself but didn't write it down. I think I was at 162.8 This week I crossed a threshold I wondered if I'd ever cross, and I never thought it would be the day after thanksgiving!! I'm 159.2 today!! Happy dance!!

Oops. I weighed yesterday, but forgot to post it. I was 163.2.

My surgeon used a 34 French. When I asked why he uses that, he told me it's just a guide. Surgeons use all different sizes, usually 40-32 French. Another difference he said is how tight they pull your stomach before stapling it. My surgeon uses a smaller one, but he said he doesn't pull the stomach tight around it, so it's a little bigger then a 34... Some use a 40, but pull it really tight around it. In reality mine could be the same diameter as that. Length of your stomach also plays a factor because they don't shorten your stomach from valve to valve.

I'd love to join! I've been absent from the site for a while, but I need to get back on track with eating right and exercising. I'm at my official goal and well past my doctors goal. I'd love to lose another 5 lbs by my wedding in December. Being in the 150s has always been my secret weight loss goal so I'm going for it. Current weight: 164.4 Goal weight: 159 Doesn't seem like much but I've been bouncing between 166 and 162 for 3 months...

Yay! I'm glad everything is going well! Yes my abs felt like I overdid sit-ups for a while. Once I started doing sit-ups it realized how much cutting through the stomach muscles weakens them! It was hard work trying to get those muscles back...

Yay! I'm glad everything is going well! Yes my abs felt like I overdid sit-ups for a while. Once I started doing sit-ups it realized how much cutting through the stomach muscles weakens them! It was hard work trying to get those muscles back...

I won't be able to make the 20th now. I get to watch my niece in southern mn for the weekend. I wish I could be in 2 places at once...

Sorry I haven't checked the msg board for a few days... I see the meeting tonight was canceled and rescheduled for sept 20. Sounds good. Count me in...

I needed my gallbladder out at 7 months post op. I ask my dr why he didn't have his patients use a gallstone preventative after surgery. He said because the chances are really very low that they would be needed (he gave me the actual statistic, but I can't remember) and when they did prescribe them in the past most people don't take them anyways... I was just super unlucky! Personally after experiencing gallstones, I wish I had done some sort of preventative. It was the WORST pain in my life! Waking up from surgery was a cake walk compared to the gallstones... (I've never given birth, so I'm not comparing to that!) I do take Biotin. I've still lost a lot of hair, but it is growing back quickly. Also my hair is a lot stronger and faster then it used to. I'm blond, so my hair is naturally very thin. Bonus: your nails are stronger too :-)

Welcome Sarah! I currently live in Burnsville, but work in Minneapolis. We are also planning to move north soon... I hope you can make it to the dinners. I went to the first one. It was fun and great to talk with people that know what we are going through. I wish I'd had it when I started over a yr ago...

Are you talking professional clothes or casual? Casual is easier. I actually just wore some things a bit baggy and skipped some sizes, because I went through them so quickly. For professional cloths, I only had a few in each size, but it's hard to know how things are going to fit. I lost from my thighs last, so pants fit strange...I had to buy as I went. I don't have much time to show either. I always had awesome luck at good will finding cheap and good quality stuff fast. I didn't like spending money since I didn't wear them long... Hint: stop by the good wills in the more uppity towns. They have designer stuff with tags on it for CHEAP :-)

You can do it! Everyone makes mistakes... The best thing you can do is admit it and figure out what to do to fix it, which you've done. :-) Don't best yourself up about it. Make sure if you have pain that continues, you see your dr. Congrats on your success so far :-)

Like RJ said, almost everyone is focused on themselves and their workout. The cardio machines at the Y have TVs in them, so people are watching those as they do their cardio... If they aren't watching the TV, they are listening to music... Lifting weights, people are focused on their form... Personally, I felt the exact same way as you. I thought everyone would stare at the fat girl and wonder why i was even bothering... I couldn't join a gym until I had lost over 100lbs. Boy do I regret that! Once I started going I realized no one cares about anyone else (unless your on a weight machine they want). When I look around, no one else is looking around. Everyone focuses on themselves... When I see a bigger person, I'm actually jealous that they have the confidence and I didn't. Just think of how much further (or less loose skin!!) I might have if I'd started earlier... All that said, you go and work out! You deserve to be there as much as anyone else. Have that confidence I didn't. Rock the gym!!!

I'm really glad you've come up with a plan to slow down your phases and to see your therapist. No this process is not easy. I would venture to guess that most of us are food addicts. I know I certainly am... I've lost 156 lbs and I still consider myself a food addict. You are among friends who will tell it to you straight, so you don't hurt yourself and you can reach you goals. It is not always what you want to hear on this site, but what you need to hear... You CAN do this :-) we are here routing for you!!!