CrazyJaney

Awesome!!! Our starting number is the same. My goal is 165. I'm 2months out and 60 down. But it's been real work to get that 60 off. I'm in awe of you!!!! I know it's annoying when we get all caught up in the "numbers" but what's your Protein, calorie and Water intake each day??? You look fabulous!!!

I waited 6 mos. Nothing carbonated...mainly coconut Ciroc and diet cranberry...maybe a little Malibu every now and then. Haven't had any issues, but really don't drink to excess.

I didn't think about diet cranberry. I've been looking n Pinterest for low carb drinks/mixes. I love margaritas. But so many carbs. I found a recipe that uses honey, lime juice and tequila. Still has quite a bit of carbs though. Maybe I can concoct something with cranberry.

5 weeks. I'm sure I was told not to but it was a Bruce Springsteen concert and i just really wanted one. I had patron over ice. I sipped it for a few hours. Never did finish it. Did not get drunk, or even buzzed. But I did feel dehydrated considering it was such a small amount. I'm 8.5 weeks out now, had half a margarita on cinco de mayo. Just get so full so fast that I can't ever finish anything. I logged it all in MFP. It's an utter waste of calories. But sometimes, on the right occasion, I'm glad I can still have a little.

I think it tally's your own views too. It is kinda creepy. I really wish there was a way to prevent coming up in a google search. Had to change my name just so others might not find me linked here. I really wish I understood the privacy settings here.

You've got to read RJ's story. She is am amazing person with a tenacious spirit. I don't think I could have gone through what she went through. Good luck to you. I'm 2 months post tomorrow and seem to be joining the slow losers club. Otherwise, I've done well and I'm thankful for that. Wishing you better days.

Try Kiyonna plus sizes. They have dresses with sleeves that are very fashionable! I bought one for a wedding back in February and loved it!

I've been trying to send you back a message but it looks like it won't go through. I checked out that site and I see several things I like. Definitely considering something from there. Thank you!

I still love this thread so much! Glad people keep posting. Practicing GRATITUDE every day helps me keep on track. Thank you to all who contribute.

Thank you to all!!! No one is stealing anything - that's what this board is all about. Great suggestions. I keep hearing that I should go to Ross. I'm still plus size 18/20 on top and prob a bit bigger on bottom although 3x is too big. I'm sooooo pear sized. I love the shrugs, I'll have to try again. The bat wings this soon after surgery was a SURPRIZE. Gotta say I wasn't prepared. I still have so far to go. I can't imagine how much worse it's gonna get. I love seeing everyone's pictures, so inspiring!

OMG, you are too cute! I have a long torso and am pear shaped. I always think it looks like I'm wearing something too small when I've tried these on. But this is so cute on you!!

First time out shopping for a dress to wear to a wedding. Is it too much to ask for a summer dress with sleeves??? I have a long way to go but dropped a size, maybe 2 on top, so overall pretty excited. But I couldn't find anything with some sleeves! Any suggestions? Anyone been out shopping lately? Shawls are an option but my arm wings can't be hid as well as I'd like!

I understand the surreal feeling! I still can't believe it sometimes. I was sleeved on 4/25. I also had a hernia repair; that stitch or 2 in my diaphragm was my biggest "owie".

Today is my 49th birthday. My family is genuinely distressed that they can't take me out to lunch or bake a cake for me. I didn't realize it would be so hard on them. They are far more upset about than me! I wasnt counting on how hard these changes would be on them and I feel bad about that.

But, my daughter and fiancé both commented this morning that they can already tell I've lost weight, it's already noticeable. Wow!

Jewelry is always good. Lol

Amen! No more celebrating with food! Bring on the jewelry, clothes, concert tickets, weekend away.... And maybe a tiny cupcake from Whole Foods for my Birthday in August! Lol

The Day The New England journal article, recently came out and showed the 5 yr data about surgery curing diabetes..... I looked at the 7 meds that I take each day, and decided.[/quote

I heard this data too. And it was a turning point for me, although I was only pre-DM. As a nurse, I was skeptical in the early days of WLS. But the longer term data was impressive.

My Center says 30 before and 45 after. I cheat a bit. Sometimes I take small sips with meals. If I get busy at work I won't drink for 2 hours after. I'm finally able to take bigger drinks. I think fluid goals are the hardest to reach.

but if you could undo it would you? is it worth it to you?

Filling up so quickly and then being hungry in 2 hours. Not drinking with meals. Drinking sips every waking minute of the day (except 30 before and 45 after). Eating 800 calories a day and gaining half a pound just randomly. The plateaus - even when you're eating perfect. But it's still worth it. This is not and easy fix. Not at all.

It is ABSOLUTELY worth it. I am 45. I'm profoundly sad that I didn't do it sooner. It IS a game changer. There are times I'm frustrated but I was on the road to an early grave last year. I would NOT have this kind of success without it. When you are preop, there is a tendency to think/hope that this is the end-all, perfect fix. What surgery doesn't change is; the stress in your life, time management (for exercise), cravings (although so much more manageable after surgery), and hard work (planning meals, avoiding soft carbs). It's still hard work but it's WORKING! My high weight was 325 (maybe more). I was so very sick last year. Just miserable mentally, spiritually, physically. I'm not that person today. I'm 7 weeks post op, down 56 pounds (including pre op). Life is so much more manageable and enjoyable. PMS is still tough. I was hungry before my last period, badly. But it's temporary and on normal days (whatever those are) I get hungry but my brain is beginning to understand "it's no big deal, you'll eat a little and be satisfied". Not sure if others feel/felt this way but preop, hunger could induce feelings of panic. That is going away and it's a relief. It IS frustrating to get soooo full so quickly and wish you could eat more. But that is my brain being retrained. So no, I don't regret it.

I get nauseated from plain Water too. I loved water before so it bums me out. I've added the crystal light, kool aid drops and it's helped. It also helps to have something on my stomach. I know we have to wait for 45 min to 1 hour after eating to start drinking. But if my stomach is empty and I'm trying to drink, I will eat a piece if cheese and it helps. Empty stomach + water = misery.

Shame is shame, no matter what weight you're feeling it at. I felt shame as an overweight teen (weighing 165 - my goal weight). I felt shame at 210 in college, at 231 during first visit to the Obstetrician at 29, at 282 pregnant with my second at 37 years old, and certainly at 325. The numbers don't mean much and don't change the feeling of not being good enough, of feeling weak and less than. How do we fully shake that shame? I don't have a clue. Other than what bearman says - say the good stuff til you believe it.

I am at the beginning stages of this adventure, but once lost a lot of weight on my own. I experienced the same remarks when I lost that weight and am not looking forward to hearing them again after my surgery. I have talked about this with people and they don't get it. What it boils down to is that you feel like you must have been so disgusting before the weight loss.

I went through that too, before with a 42 pound loss on Jenny Craig in the 1990's. I dreaded that when I started on this journey. What's different this time, mentally, is having this site to help vent, find better coping skills and to just build up the mental fortitude to deal with the emotional side. I've lost 54. It's noticeable. People keep using the word melting. I'm much more stronger and confident in my abilities at 45 than I was at 25. It's still hard. Even positive comments sound underhanded in my mind. It's especially worse in a big group. But it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I'm handling it better this time. I just try to minimize the attention and stay focused on the big picture. It's all such a crazy journey!

What was the hardest thing for you to cope/give up with having WLS?

forgiving myself for allowing myself to fit into the super morbid obese category..i had to weigh on a scale for the largest of large people in the doctors office.....they had to take my blood pressue with them super sized cuffs and i remember people looking at me and seeing will your fat rub off on me looks as i wallowed my way down the hall to the bathroom here at work...forgiveness is hard....i still find myself hating myself sometimes and even though i have lost (a lot) and gained better mobility which is what i wanted (not to be thin)......i still seem little reminders to what i did to myself (the saggy upper arms, the saggy mammoth stomach apron, the upper thigh areas).....reminders that i see daily.......and sometimes, forgiving myself is hard.... so that is what is/has been the hardest for me...

i thought it would be me not drinking my coors light......

I agree. The psychological stuff has been hard. Just being pissed you're in this spot in the first place. And constantly worrying I'll never get anywhere close to goal in the proverbial 18 month window. I'm just 6.5 weeks out and I already fear I'm going to "fail" again - even eating 800, Protein dense calories. Sigh.

I was sleeved 3/13. I've lost a total of 53 but 28 of that was preop. I've stalled one big time (after week 2 for 3 weeks.). I'm stalled again. Very frustrating. I'm not exercising. I know that's my problem. Usually hit Protein goal each day. Carbs under 50. Fats about 50. About 800 cals a day. It's so frustrating. I'm getting bored with food. Rarely hit fluid goals. So sick of sipping. Just wish I could down a glass of Water. Be so much simpler. I'm happy with weight loss but just seems like it should melt off. Finding time to exercise- grrrr! So frustrating.

Filling up so quickly and then being hungry in 2 hours. Not drinking with meals. Drinking sips every waking minute of the day (except 30 before and 45 after). Eating 800 calories a day and gaining half a pound just randomly. The plateaus - even when you're eating perfect. But it's still worth it. This is not and easy fix. Not at all.

The Vets are so important to all of us in the pre and early days. I was 6 weeks yesterday. I have good restriction but I'm quite surprised at how easy it is to graze, to eat soft foods and to slide on the slippery slope. It really is only a tool and not fool proof. I'm proud of where I have gotten but I have sooooo far to go. I don't know how I would have gotten through any of this without this site. The positive, and the not do positive, help motivate and keep me on track. All of you Vets are so valuable to us - like lifelines. Just wanted to say THANKs, again. Post op is a whole new set of challenges. And I've got a long way to go.

I am 6 weeks tomorrow and the bouts of freezing wax and wane. I'm cold when I'm losing quickly. I'm eating 600-800 calories a day. But I also was freezing when I was on Jenny Craig eating 1200 a day. Anytime I am losing, I'm cold.

I've just had another brief stall which correlated with starting my period. I don't forsee the sleeve to be more powerful than my body's ability to retain 10,000 pounds of water! Ugh! I'm 6 weeks post op tomorrow. PMS and Fluid retention unchanged the 5 days before. But I lost 1.5 last 2 days, hopefully I see more loss by this weekend.

I had glue over mine. At a week, they were reddish and tender but def not hot or infected looking. I had scabbing but the glue covered a lot of the scab. Mine healed surprisingly well (I'm 6 weeks on Thursday). I tend to keloid and these look great!

4 weeks.