hrhlaurie

Hi, in Colorado Springs and just over a year post-op. doing well and signed up for 2 Disney 5k races!

As of today, May 4, I'm down 90 pounds from 270 to 180. I'm 5'9" and tend to weigh more than I look so the numbers don't bother me even though I haven't hit my goal weight of 160, which was an arbitrary number. I wear size 10 now and look good even though a size 8 was my original goal. My diet is great, fairly low-carb, no breads or Pasta, rice, Bagels, cereals, chips or crackers, etc. Not as hard to do as I thought it would be. I was exercising regularly but then tore the labrum muscle in my right shoulder so had to temporarily stop yoga and weight training for several weeks while it heals. I need to run more, especially since I'm signed up for a 5k at Disneyland in Sept. but I'm not as motivated as I should be. This summer I'll be swimming more, snorkeling, go back to yoga and weight training and starting tennis again.

Overall, I'm doing great and my sleeve is the best thing I did for myself. I look better, move easier, feel great and I can continue to build on my success by exercising more and toning up some of these flabby bits. Didn't expect the arms to flap so I may some day sign up for arm surgery. I can handle the rest.

It's great to stay in touch and I wish you all much success and delicious Protein shakes!

I'm in Colorado Springs and used Dr. Fedoryk and Memorial Hospital has a bariatric center of excellence that is just great. My Nut is wonderful and my surgeon and office staff were great. I'm 10 months out and over 90 pounds down and still appreciate the support I get from my team. If you are in CS and considering the surgery, I highly recommend my surgeon.

It isn't the easy way out because every day we have to discipline ourselves to exercise and eat right. Just because our stomachs are smaller, doesn't mean we couldn't be eating breads, sugars, etc. instead of healthy choices. Easy way, pffffff!

I haven't been on here much lately but I'm in Colorado Springs and doing well. I'd love to find a running buddy if there is anyone local.

My Nut is Julie Anderson and I highly recommend her. She's helping me lose this last 20 stubborn pounds!

Today I'm at 189 and my goal is 175.

Mexican, I order a soft taco and side of refried Beans and eat some of the chicken or pork from inside the taco and some beans and cheese but none of the tortilla. Asian, grilled meat, nothing fried and watch the sauces because they could be high in carbs and sugar. Italian is hardest and I usually look for a piece of meat or appetizer of wings. BBQ, ribs or grilled meat and easiest to find food you can have. Breakfast, side of bacon or ham and a slice of cheese (I don't eat eggs). I can find something to eat at almost every restaurant, even fast food places, even Disneyland! I only eat meat and cheese and a few veggies, no breads, Pasta, noodles, pretzels, crackers, rice or anything with too many carbs.

I'm in and will add my starting weight this Friday!

I met my goal and am 190 now!

Sorry I haven't checked in lately but current weight is 191.

On 9-5, my starting weight for this challenge was 205 and my goal for Halloween was 190. For the first time, it looks like I might hit my goal for a challenge!

I'm in! Starting weight is 205 as of 9-5. Goal is 190.

Thanks!

I was on vacation so missed a week but on Labor Day I weighed 208, which is 11 pounds over goal. I didn't anticipate my 3 week stall but have started losing again and losing inches so looking forward to the next challenge!

Oh yes...for at least 3 weeks now, everyday its more than a hand full...i do have lots of hair to begin with...but my gosh there is hair everywhere

Ditto, hair coming out but I lost hair about 3 months after each of my children were born also. Something about the trauma of childbirth or surgery, it's a shock to your system. I've added hair, skin and nail Vitamins and hope it helps.

SW 250, CW 212 I was hoping to be 200 or less by vacation tomorrow but my 3 week stall derailed me a bit. I am much smaller in inches and losing again so maybe I'll be in "onederland" when I return on the 28th.

I'm at 212 today, 15 pounds away from my Labor Day goal. At least I'm out of my stall but leaving on vacation Wed so may not be able to report in next Monday.

I probably won't be able to weigh myself at all while I'm gone so that will be weird!

I was on liquids for a week and then soft and mushy food for a week. At my 2 week check, my doctor said I could try regular foods if I chewed it to mush before swallowing. At my 6 week check, he said I could have almonds and a few almonds are now one of my favorite Snacks.< /p>

I don't ever regret having surgery. However I don't really encourage my friends and co-workers to have it because none of them seem willing to put the work in. I feel like they would be blaming me for the hard times and since this is a change for forever I don't want that responsibility. Maybe I'm not giving them enough credit.

I agree, the sleeve is a smaller stomach and helps you commit to losing weight. You can fill your little pouch with carbs and sugar if you aren't serious about being healthy and in shape. While this is working for me, someone else may not give it the same effort.

I knew head hunger and eating habits could sabotage my efforts so in the weeks after surgery I began retraining my brain to think of Pasta and breads as unappetizing. Before surgery, I ate crap and gained back every pound I would lose on a diet. Now I eat Protein, take Vitamins and have lost enough weight that I feel good and even jogged a bit on a treadmill yesterday! I admit that I usually only wait 15 mins after drinking before eating and I still eat too fast probably but I take in 3 - 4 ounces of Protein in a meal and I try all different types of meat and cheese combos to make it interesting. I think people have problems because they feel deprived and are still focused on foods they shouldn't eat. I just look at bowls of Pasta, pizza or whatever and remember that I used to like them but now I love being healthy. My reward is looking better, not shopping in plus sizes ever again, improving my health and accomplishing a goal.

My trainer told me yesterday that stalls or plateaus are necessary for the body to adjust to weight loss. Usually, during this time, you will lose inches and gain some muscle. Since I've just been in a 3 week stall, I needed to hear that. Muscle weighs more than fat so you may gain or lose a few pounds but be dropping fat for muscle. I have lost inches even when scale isn't moving so I need to be patient and just keep doing what I'm doing.

If you worry about surgery, check out The World According to Eggface blog to see some awesome recipes and the story of someone who had surgery, changed her life for the better and eats well.

My husband, two little girls and I are moving to Colorado Springs in just a few months. I was sleeved 07/08/2013.

Welcome! This is a great community for kids!

I forgot to post yesterday but was at 215, same as today.

I've only lost 2 pounds since last week and have been almost the same weight for 3 weeks now.

I may have found a reason why I've been losing so slowly. I take thyroid medicine every morning and have always kept my levels consistent but I never took Vitamins either except for hair, skin and nails Vitamin which I took with dinner. For the past two months or so I've been chewing up a vitamin every morning and taking my Calcium mid day but I guess I'm supposed to wait 3 - 4 hours after taking my thyroid medicine before taking my vitamins because they prevent absorption of the thyroid medicine and if thyroid is too low then metabolism is practically nil. No metabolism, no weight loss. See the things you learn when you start getting healthy?

I'm sharing this in case I'm not the only one with thyroid issues, or maybe I'm just the only one who didn't know the rule about thyroid meds and vitamins...

Starting fresh today, following med rules, creating a med chart and giving my metabolism a boost!

Awsome! You look beautiful, congrats!! I too went from 22 to 16 (some 14's fit me already)!!! Sooooo exciting right?!! Continue the good work! Congrats again!!! Yayy for us!!

Same here, I was size 20, 2xl, and now wearing size 14 - 16, depending on the clothing, or a large in tops. Shopping is pretty fun now, right? I'm in a stall but still dropping some inches so I guess I'll wait it out until I start losing again.

cathy, my doc said we should avoid all fruits at this stage as they contain a lot of sugar which is stored as fat immediately.

I was having a banana daily, but now I have stopped it.

I've been tracking my intake on Fitness Pal and getting in all my Protein Agnes under 30 carbs. I do have a few little pieces of watermelon each day as a treat but I look it and I'm still under where I need to be. Stalled for over a week ago will exercise more and try strength training I guess. The article on stalls was really good so I'll relax and try mixing up diet and exercise a bit.

I've also been in a stall for over a week, I actually gained a pound, and guess I need to do something different. Do I add carbs or calories, less Protein, or what? I can't eat any more, I'm full!

Feels like I've been doing the right things but now it doesn't work. I can exercise more, but I guess 700 - 1000 calories a day of mostly Protein and less than 30 carbs isn't working.

Well, a little discouraged since I'm up a pound to 217 after stalling for a week.

Sleeved May 29 and down 34 pounds since surgery, 54 total. Had a stall week 3 and now another one this week. Same weight every day for a week. I limit my carbs to under 30 per day, get in at least 60 grams of Protein and drink Water constantly. Ive lost inches and like wearing normal clothes. Right now I'm shopping in my own closet and having fun finding old/new clothes again.

I don't think I'll hit onderland by my vacstion but hope to be there by the time I get home. A week of walking on the beach, snorkeling and eating fresh fish has to help! It will be weird not to weigh myself every day while I'm gone.

I've started tracking my food on My Fitness Pal just to see what nutrients I take in, ensure my daily carb intake is below 30 grams per day and monitor my progress. I also want to exercise more just to record it in my daily diary. I like that this app helps keep me accountable and I think about every bite I put in my mouth because I know I'll have to record it! In a mini-stall right now at 216 and always fighting Constipation.< /p>

Going to weigh now. It's my birthday and a great present to myself would be to be down a pound...

I'm a slow loser too and whenever I stay the same weight for a few days I think, well, that's it, I'm done losing. I'm only 2 months out from surgery and have lost 34 pounds since surgery date, not including weight lost during pre-op diet. Logic says I will keep losing, I just have to change things up a bit and be patient. I already look and feel better so the only thing that could make me feel bad are numbers on a scale. Keep trying and Celebrate all your victories along the way.