SparkleCat

NSV! Well, my dermatologist wouldn't agree! Got my very first sunburn on my white belly after wearing my first bikini to the pool today!

Sleeved 4/22/14 HW: 231 SW: 220 CW: 162 Start size: tight 16, XXL Current size: 10, L (some M) Start BMI: 38 Current BMI: 28 I have recently stopped tracking food...I knew I didn't want this to be "another diet" and didn't want to track everything I put in my mouth as I tend to get obssesive. We will see how the no tracking goes...I will go back to it if I start gaining. I also promised myself to not freak out over stalls and, in general, I have been good at this...I still weigh every day and my weight loss looks like the dreaded "stair steps"...down a little, then stall, down a little more, then stall. I know this is normal. I am loving my new confidence, I change clothes several times a day just because I can!, I bought and have worn my first bikini ever and don't give a rat's a$$ what my saggy skin looks like! So glad I took the leap of faith and had this surgery! I know I am going to struggle, but am looking forward to struggles that aren't weight obsessive...I have spend 40 some-odd years with nothing in my brain but my weight, food and my appearance...it's time to start living and experiencing life's ups and downs without that monkey on my back!

Update! Surgery date: 4/22/14 Complications: 0 Difficulties: Still eating most of my calories at night in front of the tv. Oh! and beer...I miss beer. Bubbles really irritate my sleeve. Luckily I have never cared about soda Disappointments: None really...losing my hair is pretty horrifying Beginning weight: 231 Current weight: 162 Pounds lost: 69 lbs Size: Went from a tight 16 and am now a solid 10...can probably wear an 8 in some brands, but haven't tried one on yet. Body parts lost: My friend saw me in a bathing suit yesterday and exclaimed "What the hell happened to your boobs!?" I am shedding hair like a dog in summer!

Wasn't bad at all! Though getting up to walk and moving certain ways did give me some "zings" that weren't great....so I was glad to get it out, but all in all it was worth it for the peace of mind!

My surgeon used a catheter because he said one of the first signs of a leak is decreased urine output....having a catheter gives them the ability to quickly see output. He has only had one leak and he caught it within 24 hours. Once he explained the reason...I was more on board!

One of the highlights of my hospital stay was packing up the box of pee to walk the halls! I actually psyched myself out for nothing! Glad to get rid of it, but it wasn't a huge deal

Thanks All! I have never in my adult life been this thin and NEVER have I lost this quickly...and I am FAR from perfect in my eating habits (I allow myself small bites of whatever I want, I enjoy the occassional adult beverage, probably snack to much at night which has always been a problem for me) I guess I am so afraid of doing this wrong, that I am seeing problems rather than success. I got the sleeve so I could control my portions rather than particular foods. The skin and hair thing definitely bug me...but I was expecting them. I just didn't know the extent to which I would have to deal with both. I feel kind of selfish even posting about this...but it has confused, concerned and excited me all at the same time. I will definitely count my blessings and keep my Protein and Water up....I also promise to never bitch about a stall again!

I still seem to be losing quicker than normal.... my nutritionist says I am ahead of most of their sleeve patients it should slow down, but I have to admit I am kind of freaked out. I know most would love to have this problem (and a big part of me is thrilled), but I am starting to look like a bag of skin and my hair won't stop falling out.... I don't want to mess up my metabolism or go bald! At the rate I'm going I should be at goal (150 lbs) within 5 months of surgery if not sooner Are there any major side effects to losing too quickly? Or should I just enjoy the ride and stop worrying about a "problem" that many would kill to have? CW: 166 HW: 231

Yay!!!! I am planning in going to the pool today sporting my first ever bikini....I'm terrified, but gonna do it anyway!

My dr and nut said not to worry about calories....concern yourself with Protein. They (and I) don't want the sleeve to be another diet....most of us were slaved to diets and calorie counting and wls is the start of a new life that, for me, isn't dictated my # of calories or the # on the scale. Frankly, I was relieved when the nut "gave me permission" to stop counting calories....it was a revelation! I do track protein on MFP....but not calories

Promised myself I would not freak out over a stall....and I'm honestly not. I just have a small concern that I'm curious about. In the past 3-4 days I have gained about 3 lbs....got down to 168 lbs on Monday and have inched up to 171 yesterday and today. Diet is a little different...have eaten minimal carbs (1/2 cup of Kashi Go Lean cereal, a handful if grapes and, during a dinner party, snatched a couple of fries from a friends plate). Have also not worked out quite as much because of a new job. Even with these two things, I eat WAY less than before and don't think it could account for a 3 lb gain. The other variable is I have been pretty lucky and my weightloss has been ahead of my Dr's schedule. Are small gains pretty normal as your body is adjusting and changing or is this something I should be more concerned about? Surgery date: 4/22/14 HW: 231 SW: 220 Low Weight: 168.4 CW: 171 Thanks for the insight! (Sent from my phone, please ignore typos and auto-correct!)

3 months post op and am shedding big time. RD says there is nothing you can do but wait it out. Rograine has become my best friend....but I don't even think it helps

Thanks for the info!! Like I said...it's not really bothersome, just one of those new experiences for me! I truly never understood would people "forgot to eat" and now I totally get it! Eating like a skinny person is strange

I, luckily, was never a soda drinker so I have no desire to have any post-op...However, I did enjoy a beer and have a good friend who owns an amazing brewery, so, of course, I had to see if I could have a glass of his amazing Stout every now and then....Nope! Can't do it...two teeny tiny sips make me miserable. I am actually pretty sad about it All in all, for me, the benefits of the sleeve outweigh the sacrifices...I am happy to avoid bubbles for this healthier me!

I had 5. One under my sternum, one above my belly button, two on the left of side of my stomach and one on the right. Luckily none near my bra line or waistband. I saw a thread earlier that asked this same question, the range was between 3-6 with the majority being around 5

I had my surgery in April 2014 and I never felt like I really lost my appetite....until now. I have noticed in the past week or so I am just not hungry...I have to make myself eat. For example, this morning, I know I need to eat Breakfast...I made a skim milk latte earlier this morning and had to force myself to drink it. I am now "force-feeding" myself a cup of greek yogurt, not because I want it, but because I know I need it. Two weeks ago I would get up and be excited to make breakfast...almost couldn't wait to get it in my mouth! Now? It is a chore. I am not really complaining...just curious. Do ghrelin levels change this far out? Being overweight most of my life, I have never experienced lack of hunger and no desire to eat...prior to surgery, all I could think about was my next meal or snack...it consumed me 24/7, so forcing myself to eat is completely foreign to me. Just trying to figure out how this ghrelin/ hunger thing works post op

3 month progress SD: 4/22/14 HW: 231 SW: 220 CW: 171 1st pic: 1 month pre-op at my HW 2nd pic: 2 weeks ago, around 175 I don't have a goal weight, but would be thrilled with another 20-30 lb loss

If anyone needs to update their smaller wardrobe on the cheap...ARC thrift stores are have a sale this Friday and Saturday...99 cents for shorts, capris, tank tops and swimwear! I was never a thrift shopper until wls....but I have found several shirts, shorts and two awesome pairs of jeans...one I just now fit in and a pair I hope to wear soon

I knew it was coming, but was secretly hoping I would skip shedding my limited hair supply...not that lucky...hair is falling out like crazy! My problem is I have completely white hair under all that brown color and I need to do my roots (dark hair looks MUCH thicker than the Snow White nature has blessed me with) Any one continue to color once your hair started thinning? How did it go? Any coloring products that may work better than others?

They spoke with my PA and accepted my PCP clearance letter (which was written, signed and dated a month prior to my first class) as acceptable for the additional days needed for 89.... I was approved and Surgery proceeded as scheduled....no issues with payment. Talk to your surgical team and let them know your concern about the minimum days now and see what kind if magic they can create! Best of luck!

Add me as well!

One of my big NSV is not being terrified of a camera...I had to make a conscious decision to not hide when photos were being taken. Was so glad I did! I even posed in a bathing suit!

I skipped ahead to soft foods by about a week...But only with my surgeons PA's approval after my three week consultation! Still to the plan unless you have instructions otherwise from the Dr!

Almonds, walnuts, string cheese, apples or celery with peanut/almond butter, banana, Quest protein bar

Have the "get-2-goal" app where wls patients can enter their weight and see if their loss is below average, average or above average. Well today my weight weight below the above average line. I'm torn between being thrilled and a little concerned. My hair is now starting to thin (a little early compared to what I've read here) and I would like my skin to have some time to bounce back as I lose. I eat between 800-1000 calories a day, usually get all my Water and get between 60-70 grams of Protein a day. I tend to lose nothing for several days (even gaining an ounce or 3) and then, BAM, I will have big losses for several days in a row (at least a lb a day) My next nut appt is next week. Do y'all believe there are consequences to losing too quickly and are they great enough to make adjustments? Stats: HW: 231 SW 220 CW 176.8 Height 5'5" Surgery date 4/22 Start size: 14/16 (probably closer to 16/18 since my only pants that fit were very stretchy Old Navy Sweetheart jeans size 14....and they were super tight!) Current size: 10/12