Bluesea71

I used Mederma PM every night with great results. My scars are small, flat and soft. They are still red, but fading. I am 5 months out from surgery. I know it will take some time for them to fade. I've had other surgeries and the scars are now skin colored. I'm not expecting this to happen until at least a year out.

I found an old pair of Old Navy size 12 jeans I used to wear back in 1997. At the time I weighed 155-160 and wore a size 12. Today I weigh around 181 and have been wearing an Old Navy size 12 since I weighed 188. This whole vanity sized clothing thing is so confusing! I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this, but there have been times I see pictures on BP of people saying they are excited to be wearing a size 4 or 6. I look at the pic and think, "no way, they are more like a 10 or 12." Today I got my proof on how much sizing has changed over the years. I'm not sure if I feel better or worse that my theory has been proven that clothes are bigger now! I sill feel proud of the weight I've lost, but realize I have awhile to go before I will be able to squeeze into my pre-baby jeans! The waist on my old size 12 jeans is a whopping NINE INCHES SMALLER than the ones I bought last week! Sigh.

I ordered Toppik on amazon and its been awesome! Not only does it conceal the thinning bald spots, but I spray some between the layers on my scalp and it seems to thicken it up. I got the .42ounce size with spray pump for under $28. It will last awhile. The spray pump is an absolute must and works much better than just shaking it on.

Hi all - I still want to participate in this challenge. I was out if the country last week and didn't have access to a scale. I indulged in a few piña coladas and dirty monkeys on my beach vacation, but seem to be around the same weight I was when I left. Please put my starting weight as 183. My goal will be to loose 10 pounds by Halloween - 173

Hi all - glad to see this thread active and all is well with everyone. I've been beyond busy the last few weeks. We had major Water damage in our home and all of the flooring and sub flooring in the family room, kitchen, dining room and hall way is being torn out and replaced. Good news is the new flooring will be gorgeous! Bad news is my home is a disaster zone! I haven't had access to my treadmill for two weeks now! I'm plugging along. I haven't weighed myself in a week but last weighed 180 or so. I started back at my school job this week and everyone has been commenting on how thin I look. I'm leaving for an "adults only" tropical vacation with my honey this Saturday for 8 days. Can't wait! I can almost rock the bikini... But decided against it as don't want to risk my surgery scars darkening from sun exposure. So a tankini will have to do this year! I will check in when I can while traveling! Pic below I took while in Isla Mujeres last year. Can't wait to go back in two days!

The battery on the scale died! I will replace ASAP and update when I can!

I had my 3 month check up with the dietitian on staff a few weeks ago. The topic of hair loss was addressed. She suggested: 80 grams of Protein per day, 65 mg Iron, Biotin 2.5 mg (2500 mcg), Zinc 15mg , Flaxseed oil - 2 capsules. She also stressed the importance of some fat in the diet (avocado or peanut butter) to help process fat soluble Vitamins. My hair loss is pretty bad.... But somehow I've learned to accept it. We all knew it was coming, right? And we all know it will eventually stop and grow back in. If you google "hair loss related to weight loss" tons of articles come up. Get on Amazon and order some Toppik. The stuff really does help conceal the thinning parts on your scalp. Just make sure you buy the pump applicator to apply it.

Count me in!

2 week stall Over! Down 3 pounds this week Current weight: 182.4

Do a BP search on "labor day challenge" and the current one will come up. They are usually tied into an upcoming holiday. The previous one was for 4th Of July. At the beginning of the challenge you identify a goal you want to reach. You then report your weight once a week. Everyones results are plugged into an excel spread sheet. A link to it is usually found on the first page of the challenge post.

I think I posted a pic of the Nioxin shampoo and conditioner I bought. Don't bother, my hair actually seems to come out more with those products. It leaves your hair super dry. I just ordered Toppik last week on Amazon. I found the small size with the applicator in the same package for around $24. It will last awhile according to the reviews. My hair is dark brown with reddish highlights. I bought the dark brown color and its almost too dark. I'm going to order it in a shade lighter. It covers my white scalp beautifully and seems to thicken up my hair. I pump it into the problem areas and massage it in a bit with my finger tips. Highly recommend!!!!

Sorry for the late check-in. I'm knee deep in a big home renovation project. I need the accountability of BP too Sleeveid. I've been participating in the challenges BP has (current one is for Labor Day.) I'll let you know when the next one begins. Week 17 check in: 1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7" , 236 2) Weight day of surgery: 226 3) 17 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: I haven't been weighing myself this week as I was going on week 2 of a stall and it was messing with my head. I weighed myself yesterday and the scale finally moved, but I will report those pounds at the next check-in. 4) Goal weight: 160 surgeon goal, 140 stretch goal 5) Your biggest success this week: the scale isn't moving much but my body composition is changing. I went shopping last week and brought a large and extra-large dress into the dressing room. The large had huge gaps under the armpits on me when I tried it on. I had to leave the waiting room to get a MEDIUM to try on. It fit beautifully and I bought it to wear on my vacation at the end of the month. 6) Your biggest struggle this week: hair LOSS!. I thought it was bad before, but now I loose upwards of 80 plus hairs every day in the shower. Good news is I bought Toppik on Amazon and it works awesome! Make sure you get the applicator to pump it as it makes a HUGE difference. I also have fat brain. I ordered a bunch of clothes for my vacation on-line and when they arrived in the mail I discovered I ordered XL and XXL. I need to reorder everything. Despite being 58 pounds lighter than my heaviest weight of 241, I still don't feel comfortable in my skin. I know how I look and feel at a smaller weight and I can't wait to get there.

This week's check-in: 185.4. The same As last week.

Six pounds in one week?!?! Boy, am I jealous! At my rate of weight loss, I should reach the 170's by.... October! Just kidding. I hope!

Height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7", 236 2) Weight day of surgery: 226 3) 15 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: 1.8 pounds lost this week, 185.4 this morning although I was down to 184 earlier this week! 4) Goal weight: 175 mini goal by end of August when I leave for my tropical vacation. 160 surgeon goal, 140 stretch goal (although this would out me at a BMI of 22. That's teeny!) 5) Your biggest success this week: Im happy my stall only lasted a week! 6) Your biggest struggle this week: I don't think I was prepared for how much a head trip it would be to have a stall in my progress. In expecting more of them as I get closet to my goal.

Happy 16 week anniversary everyone! It's time to check in! Accountability is key in our success. I've read too many posts on BP from sleevers who stopped seeking support on the forum and gained their weight back! We can do this!!!!! 1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 2) Weight day of surgery: 3) 16 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: 4) Goal weight: 5) Your biggest success this week: 6) Your biggest struggle this week:

Go to page one of this thread and you will see the link to click on to get to the excel spread sheet

8/4 check-in: 185 I was 187 last week but it hasn't been recorded yet. I had a stall, so 187 should be listed for both 7/21 and 7/28

Just curious.... What is everyone eating these days? I feel boredom setting in. I can still tolerate eating anything. I've noticed I was grazing a lot more this past week. I sense danger ahead!

1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7", 236 2) Weight day of surgery: 226 3) 15 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: STALL! STALL! STALL! First time ever since surgery 15 weeks ago! Apparently that 2.9 pound weight lost last week sent my body into shock! Honestly, I don't know what's going on. My weight has been pretty consistent through out this whole process and this week it fluctuated daily and went up/down 1-3 pounds! Let me just say this process is much more fun when the scale is moving in the right direction!!!! I'm exactly the same 187. Next morning update: I'm down to 186.1. Go figure...... 4) Goal weight: 175 mini goal by end of August when I leave for my tropical vacation. 160 surgeon goal, 140 stretch goal (although this would out me at a BMI of 22. That's teeny!) 5) Your biggest success this week: I'm going to have to really reach here as this stall has really messed with my confidence. I guess I should be happy that I have consistently lost in the past (albeit sloooooow). I have walked on my treadmill most days for over an hour. I can almost do 4 miles during that time. When I started out I was only walking 2 miles an hour. I'm also thankful I still don't have any side effects from the surgery. 6) Your biggest struggle this week: I'm just annoyed. I start exercising like a dog and the scale stops. My body composition IS changing, so I think I need to ditch the scale for awhile. I keep remembering something I read on BP "skinny people look good in clothes, fit people look good naked". I know I can continue to loose weight without exercising, but I was becoming skinny fat. I was losing muscle mass and looking jiggly. That's what motivated me to start working out and I WILL continue to work out. I can't let this stall discourage me from becoming fit.

7/30 weigh-in: 187 I will admit, I delayed checking it until now as my weight has been all over the place this week. It finally settled back to 187 - Exactly what I was last week . I'm 15 weeks out of surgery and hitting my first stall. It's so much easier to stay positive about this process when the digits are moving in the right direction!

Goonie - you weigh 107?!? That's as much as one of my thighs!

1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7", 236 2) Weight day of surgery: 226 3) 14 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: 2.9 pounds lost (whoo hoo! That's big for me!!!) current weight 187.2 4) Goal weight: 175 mini goal by end of August when I leave for my tropical vacation. 160 surgeon goal, 140 stretch goal (although this would out me at a BMI of 22. That's teeny!) 5) Your biggest success this week: Avoiding another stall. I count my blessing everyday that (knock on wood) I have had such an easy time with this surgery. No negative side effects at all. I (gasp) purchased a bikini to possibly wear on our vacation the end of August. If I can get down to 170 by then, I will do it. 6) Your biggest struggle this week: no real struggles this week to report. Enjoying the summer sun and keeping active!

14 week check-in time! 1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 2) Weight day of surgery: 3) 14 post op weight pounds lost/gained: 4) Goal weight: 5) Your biggest success this week: 6) Your biggest struggle this week:

7/21 check in: 187.2. Down 3 pounds from last week and officially in the 180's!