decemberroses

8 months out and hit 143lb loss today!    

Okay, let's see if this works. Here are some more before and after pics of me. The before is at my highest weight of 247 and after is 5 weeks post op at 196 pounds. A total of 51 pounds lost!

So I took a ton of Biotin, drank tons of Water, and worked hard to keep up with my Protein. I still lost so much of my hair on top that I couldn't go out in public without a head covering. At first, I was getting really bummed about it (though, even at that time, I did NOT regret the surgery one little bit!), but I did a lot of research, and got a really pretty, very realistic looking wig and after weight loss, and with a head full of hair, I got all my confidence back. I am at 20 months out, and still don't have all of my hair back. It's very fine and thin and the texture is really curly now. I just keep wearing wigs. I love them, and no one has any idea unless I tell them, and then they act like I'm joking with them. Even though I put off having surgery for fear of losing my hair, I finally realized that the trade off was worth it. Seriously, I can always buy hair. Can't buy health or a new body if mine starts breaking down. It was still worth it, and I wouldn't change a thing.

I'm in Colorado Springs!

I'm in the springs too. Just had bypass surgery in 7/23, then bowl obstruction surgery on 7/29 and the cherry on top now as of tonight I've seemed to contract plabitist with cellulitis where my last IV was placed! Woohoo! I'm actually looking for anyone who's going through this as well!

I'm in Colorado Springs

I think every person's definition of "normal" is pretty different. I think I live a very normal life post-op, my mom doesn't, some of my friends don't think it's normal, but then I have other friends that know about my surgery and say things like "wow, I've never seen you eat pizza" because I really do stick to plan most of the time. However, I want to preface that with the fact that I was not an emotional, stress, or comfort eater. food was not this thing I turned to when stressed, sad, or overwhelmed. I just loved food in large quantities, and didn't have a stopping point. So, I do not and have never suffered from the "eat a carb, crave a carb" that I often hear about on forums. I did work on some behaviors that led to my obesity, but I refuse to classify myself as a food addict. I've dealt with addiction in other forms, and my love of food was not driven by compulsion or addiction. Defining what is normal to you, or every other patient might be different. I do have trigger foods that I really do avoid unless it's a special occasion such as cake, or cupcakes. Those things go down way to easy, and I can eat a huge slice of cake so I do not keep those things in my house. But, if I'm at a party, I'm sharing in the celebration with cake, a whole slice of cake ! ! ! My husband eats ice cream, Reese's Ice Cream, 4 nights a week, and not once have I been tempted to eat his ice cream. I keep some 100% whole fruit raspberry or peach sorbet that is no sugar added, no milk fat, in the house in the event I want frozen yumminess, but I can honestly say it's been 2 months since I've touched the container.
When I say my life is "normal", I am comparing it to the life I've seen other naturally skinny women living.I eat pretty much the same things and amounts of my skinny girlfriends. I might modify my plate to get in Protein first such as removing the bun, or eating the meat and eggs from the salad first, but I'm still eating somewhat normal amounts. The portions are smaller, but I'm rarely questioned as to why/how/ if my food is okay because I've eaten such a small amount. The only time it really happens is when I go to buffets with friends, and I only make one trip, and even then, that has only happened 2 times in 2 years, and the lady was convinced something was wrong. I can eat 1 slice of pizza and be perfectly content and satisfied. I can eat all foods in smaller portions that I could pre-op, but I have a different mindset on what I put in my mouth. I still go for Protein first about 80-90% of the time. But, sometimes I just want a big, fat juicy salad or a veggie plate from a restaurant. For example last night, we went to Sonny's barbque. My husband had a sampler platter of all the meats, my son had ribs, each of them ordered 2 sides with their meals. I opted for the salad bar knowing I would steal meat from their plates. That's exactly how it happened. I ate 3/4 of my salad, sat there and talked with them and then waited about 20 minutes and snacked about 2oz of meat of my husband's plate. I was perfectly content and satisfied. I can fit a lot more junk food in that I can nutrient dense food. I can easily polish off one of those 99cent bag of doritos without issue so I avoid eating chips because those are truly just junk food. I don't believe in "good or bad" or "cheats". I look at what I'm putting in my body as nutrient dense or lacking.
I hope that makes sense, and I'm sorry to ramble.

Walk, walk walk...yes, I have a sore throat too, may be from the general. My roommate in the hospital is not fairing well. She's in great pain. Andres says the only pain medication Dr Almanza uses is Tramadol. No morphine or Oxy. Shes not been up. I walked for 30 minutes. The day female nurse took a did
Ike to me, I think it's because I was very nervous and when she came in for the first time, to introduce herself, she said, as she was holding our paperwork, "are you here for the "sleeve?" I thought I was being funny when I replied," What? Oh, I thought I was here for a tonsillectomy?" I could tell immediately she thought I was being a smart pants. I apologized, but she has steered clear of me all shift.

I'm the same way! When I make a decision, I'm ready to act on it. I've got my pantry stocked too! :-)

Congrats to all of you who are getting your sleeve in the next few days! Hoping for a successful surgery and quick recovery!

Congrats to all of you who are getting your sleeve in the next few days! Hoping for a successful surgery and quick recovery!

Every time I made a lap in the hallway after my surgery I made him stop at the scale to see what I weighed. I'm sure it was the good meds that had me "logically" thinking i'd drop a pound for ever lap. Lol.

I can so relate to your post. My husband doesn't see me naked either. He used to when we were first married and I was 118 pounds, but I can hardly stand to look at myself now, much less be confident enough to let him see me. Maybe after I lose 80 pounds or so.
Ugh, I could have written this post too. I have a super amazing husband that I am confident is crazy about me. He says I do not have to lose weight for him. But I too feel such embarrassment when I meet any of his co-workers. He's always been thin. Worse though is his family. They are so caught up in weight and his dad has hurt my feelings SO bad before! I am just not comfortable going to visit them very often. I can't wait until I have lost weight and won't feel ashamed of myself around them.
My husband does not know what I weigh, and no way will I tell him until I weigh less than him.

So exciting to see the March surgeries happen as that means mine is right around the corner. I see a few of Dr Illan patients here and just wanted to let you know we have a support group for his patients called Team Illan. Great group of people! I can't wait to hear everyone's updates 4/4 can't come soon enough!

Tomorrow morning is the day! I fly to San Diego today at 2:40 mst. Got a call last night from my driver Victor. He helped put my mind at ease. He was so friendly and specific. Just a short 1 hr flight for me. Can't believe it's happening tomorrow!!!!

March 5th with Dr. Ortiz! 4 more days! Super psyched!

I will be in the new facility. I think Decemberoses date is just a few days before mine. Let me know by email how you are, both now and after.

My surgery is scheduled with Dr. Almanza for March 11. :-)

I can so relate to your post. My husband doesn't see me naked either. He used to when we were first married and I was 118 pounds, but I can hardly stand to look at myself now, much less be confident enough to let him see me. Maybe after I lose 80 pounds or so.
Ugh, I could have written this post too. I have a super amazing husband that I am confident is crazy about me. He says I do not have to lose weight for him. But I too feel such embarrassment when I meet any of his co-workers. He's always been thin. Worse though is his family. They are so caught up in weight and his dad has hurt my feelings SO bad before! I am just not comfortable going to visit them very often. I can't wait until I have lost weight and won't feel ashamed of myself around them.
My husband does not know what I weigh, and no way will I tell him until I weigh less than him.

I had sleeve surgery with Dr A on 2-14-14. The hospital is a maternity hospital, about 4 babies were born the day we had surgery. Very clean, nice nurses, awesome care. My mil and I had it together and stayed at Camino Real hotel. Nice hotel, 5 stars there probably 3.5-4 in CA. They took us shopping the day before we left (Omar was the driver). My MiL is 58 and diabetic, I am 33 and just had a radical hysterectomy in May (early stage uterine cancer). No complications for either of us. I was scared to death, I don't speak Spanish and you hear horror stories. Half the nurses spoke English, those that didn't apologized and tried to communicate with you. I had a great experience, best care I have received at a hospital ever.

Tanya,
I know what you have been through has been a struggle. Listen to me. I had my bypass 2/13/13. My weight when I started the process was 329lbs, now I am 201 which is a 128lb loss. Iused to get discouraged. I have a family I cook for, we go out to eat and everything. It is up to you to make this work. With the bypass, I can't eat a lot at one time. Just like any other program you still have to eat the right things. It seems to me you know what you want and need to do go for it girl, and I wish you the best of luck. If you want pizza , get smart ones and eat a couple of bites, you will be satisfied. when you go out to eat, order your meal and ask for a takeout container, put 2/3 in the container to take home and you will have food for a couple of days. Eat your sweets if you want to, just get the ones with Splenda. I do not intend to go back, I am looking forward nonstop
Look, this is a journey,and we are to help you with it.

Started my journey on July 2012. Starting weight was 310 and now 209lbs. 100lbs gone 30 more then I will start my second stage (bulking) to get rid of the excess skin and achieve the body I always dreamed about. I no longer wear 5x shirt or 47 pants, I don't look like a hip hop rapper with shirts hanging to my knees. I wear xl shirts and pants that i borrowed from my brother
I usually run away when a picture is taken, but after losing weight I got more self confidence
here is a picture my friend somehow was able to take it
Last year, I loved Burger king

Today

And im also down 4 lbs this week reaching 205lbs XD

I was actually thinking about this earlier and wondering if as many women are as modest with their husbands as I am, well when it comes to weight at least!
I've been with my husband for 10 years, married for 5. He has never seen my weight and I've always made him turn his head if he was at a dr appt with me. Everyone I have told thinks it's crazy, but my husband has also never seen me naked before. I'm so uncomfortable in my own body, and definitely not comfortable exposing it to him. Another reason I'm getting WLS, to he comfortable and confident in my own skin for the first time in my life!

Absolutely NOT lol in fact while I was in preop the anesthesiologist came in and asked my weight. I said I'm not telling u... But I know u have to know so I'll write it down for you. Lol hubby just laughed.

Congrats on setting your dates, ladies... I have never regretted my decision for a moment. The folks at the hospital were excellent...well, it is a Bariatric Place of Excellence ... but even with the few minor problems I had ...I wouldn't change a thing... I am so much more healthier and feel so much better about myself and life in general!

As commented before, I have RA so now I can walk (except long distances) without a cane or walker...and that, my friends, is the most exciting thing for me!

We have a vacation coming up in March and I am over the moon that I will be able to walk around and enjoy it without having to sit every 5 minutes to rest!

Take care... keep us informed!