Dani.o.dani

When people say "I'll pray for you" to someone they know is a nonbeliever it is a subtle attack on the atheist's way of thinking. When someone says it to another person who they don't know what their religious beliefs are, they are projecting their own religion onto that person. Either way it's a way to force religion into the conversation and it's also a way for the religious person to assert their "rightness". What may appear as well wishing is actually a form of manipulation. This manipulation becomes clearer when we substitute the word pray for the word sacrifice. "Hey June, heard you are having surgery soon, I'll make sure to sacrifice a dog for you." The religious person is actually excluding June's beliefs and wishes and indulging in their own. It would be far less offensive to say "Hey June, heard you are having surgery, is there anything you would like for me to do?" keeps the well wishing focused on June and her actual experience, not the belief system of the religious person. "You'll be in my thoughts" is still selfish false sentimentality from the point of the believer, but it doesn't thrust their own religious perspective into the conversation so it functions as a better phrase.

I developed celiac disease and lactose intolerance post sleeve, so now I'm pretty paleo. I eat an egg and apple slices for Breakfast and lunch, an ounce of almonds for Snacks, and for dinner some homemade grilled chicken or beef and grilled veggies. No food after 8pm. Black coffee or almond milk lattes if I drink something other than Water. If I really crave something sweet I may have a banana, or berries. Every once in awhile I'll have 100% dark unsweetened bakers cocoa which was quite the adjustment for me. I don't eat any processed foods and I try to only cook for myself.

Hi everyone! I'm Dani and i'm having my Sleeve on Jan 21st by Dr Chae at Exempla St. Joseph in Denver. Can't Wait!!!

When people say "I'll pray for you" to someone they know is a nonbeliever it is a subtle attack on the atheist's way of thinking. When someone says it to another person who they don't know what their religious beliefs are, they are projecting their own religion onto that person. Either way it's a way to force religion into the conversation and it's also a way for the religious person to assert their "rightness". What may appear as well wishing is actually a form of manipulation. This manipulation becomes clearer when we substitute the word pray for the word sacrifice. "Hey June, heard you are having surgery soon, I'll make sure to sacrifice a dog for you." The religious person is actually excluding June's beliefs and wishes and indulging in their own. It would be far less offensive to say "Hey June, heard you are having surgery, is there anything you would like for me to do?" keeps the well wishing focused on June and her actual experience, not the belief system of the religious person. "You'll be in my thoughts" is still selfish false sentimentality from the point of the believer, but it doesn't thrust their own religious perspective into the conversation so it functions as a better phrase.

"Yeah, it's always heartwarming to see a prejudice defeated by a deeper prejudice"-Lone Star(1996)

Okay, I want a 2 piece swimsuit - I guess a bucket list item. I tried on lots of them but didn't do too well in the womens department. They have string bikinis and they have "matronly". The more modest ones didn't come in my size - I have a size 4 butt and modest bottoms in my local stores tended to start about size 10. Some of the prettier ones (that were not string bikinis) were too big OR were ridiculously expensive... I don't think I should pay $150 for a two piece swimsuit!
So, i wound up getting one out of the junior section. I bought Jr med bottoms and XL junior top and it fits, good price at 50% off sale. Not a string bikini, but not a matronly skirt type deal either.
Anyway it continues to blow my mind that I fit in the juniors section. I remember going swimsuit shopping previously and had trouble finding suits big enough...
I still feel kinda strange wearing a two piece but since I plan to wear a coverup most of the time, it will be fine. My new boyfriend has a boat so I will feel comfortable wearing it when it is just he and I or when I go in the Water.
I guess this is a NSV - I look somewhat reasonable in a bathing suit these days!

My junior sized suitie!!!

Let me begin with I'm 23 years old & have struggled with weight my entire life. Many times I have lost significants amounts of weight to only gain it back (& more) . This weight fluctuation was constant from age 12-23. In 2011 I weighed 180lbs. In August 2013 I weighed my highest as 318lbs. I new my last result had to be surgery. I went for the vertical sleeve on October 21 2013 . And let me tell you, BEST decision I have ever made. Today , 4/14/2014 (less then SIX months post op!) I have shed -101lbs. Day of surgery I weighed in at 304lbs Today I weigh in at 203lbs Here are some pics. Hope to inspire & give hope to anyone considering VSG! Before (week before surg) & After (april 2014)

Today marks 1 year post op VSG surgery! Down 95lbs and I couldn't be happier!

Hi! I'm Dani and I had my sleeve on Tuesday January 21st, 2014. I live on the Littleton/Centennial border. My insurance is Kaiser. Dr Chae did my surgery at St Josephs hospital in Denver. I'm originally from Aurora, but many generations of my family are natives from Silverton and Boulder. I'm a married 33 year old mother of two. I look forward to being fit in the fittest of all 50 states.
Hope your journey goes wonderfully! Keep me posted on your progress.

hey everyone today I hit 100 lbs. I am so happy. I was 330llbs. Date of surgery I was 318 lbs. Today I currently weight 218. THIS IS AMAZING I CHANGED MY LIFE ON JUNE 11, 2013. I won't change a thing. It's never easy but I have accomplished a lot. It's get tough but don't give up!!!

I'm no pro, not by any means, but you may consider upping your calories to 1200 a day and see if there is improvement. Just my opinion and experience.

Vday 2013 and Vday 2014...sleeved Aug 2013...I went from a size 20 to a size 12. Rocking this sleeve!!!

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I've lost about 82-85 pounds (depending on the day) since I started PRE preop at the end of May 2013. I'm thrilled with my progress. At my highest weight, I was wearing size 34 women's plus size jeans. I'm now wearing a 22 very comfortably and even fit into some size 20 white jeans I ordered over the weekend. a bit tight, but they buttoned and zipped! lol They'll be perfect for the beach trip in two months. While a size 20 doesn't sound that small to some of you who started at that size, it's phenomenal for me since I haven't been this small in over 30 years......... and didn't stay there long at the time. It's down around 7-8 pants sizes, so I can not and will not complain! continued success to everyone!

Hello everyone I'm Cynthia from small town eastern parts of Kentucky..called Hazard Ky.
very few AA in town..I'm 5'5. 296...I'm waiting to hear from my insurance and signed a date from my Dr. I'm blessed take this journey and happy to find encouraging words from all here!

I'm so elated as I'm finally in Onderland!
HW 282
SW 266
CW 197
Date 4/22
Amazing that I'm still losing despite MS Relapse causing inability to exercise.
Only 30 to reach goal! Praise God !!!

I was so hungry on the preop diet that I cried myself to sleep, more than once. I totally cheated by adding in one apple before bed, and I beat myself up about it pretty bad. I ended up talking to my nut who said that the extra apple wouldn't effect me much, but I did do an extra day of just Clear Liquids just to hopefully be on the safe side. For most of my life I felt like I was starving all of the time. There's absolutely no way I could have continued eating like that, and my nut and therapist agree. I got this surgery to be free from the bondage of hunger. So far it's been completely different. The last time I felt starving was on the operating table. To have a few days of freedom from such horrible and constant hunger is a beautiful gift. I am truly grateful.

I got sleeved and my partner didn't. I was 360 pounds to his 320. I'm now 274 and he's about 295. He has been nothing but supportive and encouraging for me so regardless of what he weighs I don't discourage him. I do point him in a healthier direction because he asked me to hold him accountable. If we're out at a restaurant and he wants a coke I say no. Because he asked me to. We work together to share food when we eat out and I cook pretty healthy meals. Like tonight I am cooking shrimp in yellow curry with carrots and instead of regular rice I am making cauliflower rice with some Thai basil. It's a healthy alternative and we went shopping together and work out at the gym together.
I think it's about working as closely together as possible on your health goals rather than 'this is me/this is you'. Have your own vision of your health but a partnership is a partnership. If they cannot honor their end, then re-evaluate the partnership based on your changing needs but I think you have a responsibility to not give up easily or throw your hands up in the air. That's you honoring your end. Its easy to forget that they didn't get this life changing surgery while you're dropping weight almost effortlessly at first. We just choose this path. Just like there are many paths to God, there are just as many paths to better health.
You're in this together. We're all in this together. Just my 2 cents.

8 weeks. Getting lighter.

I haven't done this before so I thought I would post a before shot and a shot from 7 months out. 65 lbs and feeling great! I'm a slow loser and for 2 months did not lose a pound. I was one who thought I could eat anything I wanted and still lose. That is NOT the case. You can prevent yourself from losing. I went to Hawaii and drank wine like it was going out of style and ate everything sweet that came my way during Christmas and low and behold....didn't lose a pound for 2 months. The minute I started eating my Protein and drinking my Water, I started losing again. This takes work and dedication to a lifestyle change just as much as anything else. It is NOT the easy way out! Although I still can only eat VERY small portions, if I choose the wrong foods those small amounts of calories add up quickly. Honestly though, I figured at 7 months out I would be able to eat a lot more than I can but thank goodness my tummy seems as small as ever
Have a great day everyone!

I have been a pretty frequent poster here since last March, except for the past few weeks. Almost 3 weeks ago, my husband was killed in a tragic fire at his brother's house. I am still reeling from the shock & trying desperately to find my way through this awful new reality into which I have been thrown. I miss him so much, at times I almost can't catch my breath. I am incredibly fortunate to have a strong & loving support network of amazing friends & family. Eventually, I will be OK. But at the moment, I am struggling to eat enough, I started smoking again, and I am having a drink each night to help me sleep. At some point, with the help of the many wonderful people who love me, I will find my way back to a healthy and happy path. I believe that in my head, even if I can't yet feel it in my heart. I am thankful that my improved physical condition will help me be better prepared to take care of myself now than I would have been six months ago.
But here's the thing I want to say to you. Sometimes, life is going to suck. Surgery is not a magic cure-all for the problems we deal with. Life is going to throw us curve balls & challenging situations. Sometimes we can prepare ourselves for those challenges, but sometimes there is simply nothing that will prepare us to face what we must. So, when life rises up & punches you in the face, remember these guidelines:
Spend more of your time focusing on your achievements rather than your shortcomings.
Devote more energy to expressing your love to others rather than tallying up the things that piss you off.
Understand that we are all far more than a number on a scale. If you are waiting to try new things until you lose weight, STOP WAITING. Your life is happening now, here, today....don't let it pass you by because of fear, insecurity, or doubt.
If you pray, send me a prayer. If you don't pray, then send me good vibes & healing thoughts. I appreciate all the good & supportive thoughts I can get right now.

I've lost 150lbs in 9 months! My start weight was 397 and currently weigh 243! I got 43lbs till I hit my goal weight! The weight loss has slowed down significantly but I'm still grinding everyday and eating healthy! Hope y'all are doing well also!

The sun seems to be shining for me. I am interviewing today for the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Masters Program. Monday is my surgery. I am ready for some life changes! I feel so positive and motivated! This site is so invigorating and inspiring.

I hadVSG surgery Oct 16, 2012!
SW 288
CW 190
I love my sleeve and my new body I exercise quite a bit for muscle tone. I eat just about anything but still in very little amounts! My skin is not terrible but I would like to have my stomach and Brest done this year! I'm glad I was able to retain my curves my goal now is to tighten and build firmer muscles!
Still have occasional reflux, like now!! But I know what triggers it! Today was caffeine in iced tea!! I forgot!
Oh I am so excited and glad that I can wear actual designer jeans!! I wear a 31/32 in True Religions!!!!
My clothes are mostly medium I wear 12 pants. I really thank God for my surgeon and my insurance!!! It has changed my life!!