mysleeveid13

Good for you Bluesea!!! You dont have to tell them how much you lost if you dont want to. Obviously they will see the weight loss but dont feel pressured to tell them how much. Congrats on your weight loss success!

With my new complication with the sleeve. And repeating several tests and having work done to fix the newest complications. I have become a topic of conversation in my area of the medical profession.
I have been asked out of the blue by at least by 6 people who work at the hospitals and clinics how much weight I have lost...Stunned that that is the first question out of their mouths and instead of me keeping it close to my chest I tell them 200 lbs. It is only after that that they ask questions regarding the surgery. The next most asked question is would you recommend it? And then, would you do it again?
Most that have found out how much I have lost, scream you must be proud. You should be on a poster in the hospital telling everyone there is hope. You must feel so good about yourself...I have thought about it a lot and I don't think proud is the word I feel...I feel a great sense of relief and a huge weight lifted off me literally.
I feel that this is a life long journey for all of us and that pride has nothing to do with it. I did not win a contest or a marathon or the lottery or save millions of lives. I am working to save mine and it won't be done until I breath my last breath. A work in progress. Not to allow myself to get complacent over this new adventure and turn back to my old life...
I am thrilled that I finally had the opportunity to get this gift of the sleeve. But there is no inner pride. There is satisfaction that I have gotten this far. But pride no. I still have so much work to do!!!

Hi. New guy here. This topic made sense for me to introduce myself because I definitely did have a 'final straw'.
I've been trying to loose weight off and on for a long time now. However, I do remember a moment when I decided that surgery was my best option and that enough was enough. Funny thing is, it seems insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but it packed a punch for me that I could no longer ignore.
It was 2 years ago at NYCC(NY Comicon) 2012. I'm an artist in the process of making a career for myself and my wife and I attended NYCC so that I could meet some of the professionals there. I also hoped to show some of my art and get a critique.
So before getting to artist's alley, there are many obstacles one has to navigate. There's the walk from the parking garage, the long lines, the endless crowds and the confusing and Godzilla-sized convention center itself. Intimidating, but not so bad for those lighter on their feet.
Then there's me. I plod through there like Steve Martin trying to get out of a prison cell in the Three Amigos: all weighted feet and arms outstretched, grasping for my destination. I was exhausted. I couldn't make it the length of a hallway without needing to stop. By the time I got to artist's alley, I was out of breath, dripping with sweat and my back felt like someone took a chainsaw to it. Embarrassed and feeling like I was going to faint, I walked past everyone whom I idolized since I was a kid and collapsed in a corner. I didn't talk to anyone and I didn't show any of my art. I just sat there on the ground with my back propped up against the wall. I just sat there with my heart racing and every inch of my body in pain. I sat there and saw my hopes and dreams slipping away.
The next thing I knew my wife was besides me. She had gone ahead when we entered the convention center to another exhibit and the plan was to meet in artist's alley when she was done. I didn't see her approach - I guess some time must have passed because I didn't expect her till later. I only remember staring into space, not being able to think of much, and then she was there. That's when the punch connected.
You see, I was knocked down physically by the exhaustion I felt and even emotionally by the embarrassment of the experience, but the actual knock out punch was the realization I made that what being this unhealthy really meant.
It meant that if my health failed, I might not be around to make my hopes and dreams a reality. More importantly, (I realized as my wife helped me to my feet), wass that I might not be around for her, and the family we hope to create. My nephew might not have his uncle; my sister, and brother and parents and friends and all the rest of 'em might not have me in their life any longer...
...and I was not about to let that happen!
So we left there and I decided that I needed to have surgery. We researched the options together, and in 2013 I started on the process that has lead to now - about 5 hours away from getting my actual surgery date.
It's been a long process but I'm as dedicated to this path now as I was when the 'final straw' happened to me.
Thanks guys for taking the time to read this!

It happened today - my supervisor at a worksite I do contract work for ran into me in the copy room and asked me if I had lost weight. "I replied, yes! Almost 35 pounds. You're the first person to notice!" I then went on to tell her that I made some pretty drastic lifestyle changes at the beginning of the year - no caffeine, no carbonation, no processed food, no fast food and no bread or Pasta of any kind. This is a school site so I won't see them all summer. Boy, will they be surprised when I return in September!

I too went out for the first time. It was to a birthday dinner for my niece at a buffet. I was a little worried before hand but it was great! I had wonton Soup & a few bites of imitation crab meat.< /p>

I also took 6 weeks off. I go back to work on the 28th. My job as well have a bunch of catty females. I only told my family, a few friends & one close coworker. I don't plan on telling anyone else unless I am asked. I'll just ignore the negative feed back if any.

Not that you asked my opinion, but try increasing your daily intake and see if that makes a difference. Somewhere between 600-800 calories at this point. Many people on this board report stalls when their calorie intake is too low. What do you think is preventing you from getting in enough Protein?
Ugh. People monitoring my weight loss progress is exactly why I only told my parents and Honey. I'm glad I didn't tell anyone. No one knows as wls isn't even on their radar. On the downside, I haven't had many people comment on my almost 30 pound weight loss yet.... Until yesterday. I ran into an old friend who called me "skinny" as she walked up to me! I also benefitted from the honesty and directness of young children yesterday! I walked up to a group of 5 kinder/1st graders yesterday. As I did, one of them stated, "you look tall and skinny. Your legs are long. I really like your hair!" Three more kids agreed with the statement. The last kid stated, "I don't think so." Hahahahaha. Love how honest young kids are!

I went out to dinner for the first time tonight. We went to Chilis and I ordered chicken quesadillas. Umm my sleeve didnt like the mozzarella cheese at all so I just picked out the pieces of chicken and ate it with the pico de gallo (tomato/onion salsa mix) and I got full instantly. So not so bad for first time eating out and kudos to me cause I didnt touch the molten cake that hubby and friends ordered.

Proud of me.....This was on the elliptical. Anyone who tells me I took the easy way out might get punched in the throat.

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Proud of me.....This was on the elliptical. Anyone who tells me I took the easy way out might get punched in the throat.

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Proud of me.....This was on the elliptical. Anyone who tells me I took the easy way out might get punched in the throat.

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I agree I just started eating solid Protein today. I had 1 chicken drumstick, my tummy made a few sounds shortly after eating but no nausea thank god. So I passed the chicken test! Im hoping same thing happens to me and I can lose a couple pounds this week. Im not gonna weigh myself til Saturday so will see.
Goodnite my fellow sleevers...

Are you tracking your food intake on my fitness pal or Lose it? I think it's so important to get in the habit of recording what you eat. I've noticed how easy it is to rack up the calories since introducing real food. My sleeve hasn't rejected anything, so everything seems to be fair game. In general, I'm staying away from carbs. If it starts the digestion process in my mouth (ie: starts breaking down with saliva) I avoid it like the plague. I have my lose it app set to 800 calories a day. I usually eat 700-750 calories at this point. 70-90 grams of Protein and as few carbs as I can. I do notice a difference in WHAT I eat. Its true, if i eat protein, I'm stuffed for hours. Anything else, it quickly moves through my pouch and i could eat again 30 minutes later if i wanted. As challenging as those first few weeks were, I'm now beginning to understand the challenges that lay ahead. Its easy when we couldn't eat the first month. While I will never be able to consume the volume of food I did before WLS, a few high-calorie food choices would stop my weight loss. Tracking my food intake makes me think twice before I put something in my mouth. When my calories are up for the day, I stop eating. I have been just eating three meals per day and maybe one snack midday if I'm hungry. The grazing we did all day long right after surgery isn't a good idea for the long haul.

1. 5'2"/260
2. 250
3. 237 at a stall : (
4. 160
5. Hiking
6. Still trying to get 64ozs of Water in
Happy 1 month sleevers!

1) 5 91/4 (dr just measured me again) 290
2)271
3)245
4) realistic 190 bmi 170
5) getting food to stay down
6) getting food to stay down and enough Fluid in

1) height / weight starting our wls programs: 236
2) weight day of surgery; 226
3) weight four week post op / pounds lost/gained:
Current weight; 206.6, lost 3 pounds this week, 29.4 pounds overall
4) goal weight: 140, I 'd like to hit onederland in the next two weeks!
5) your biggest success this week: still getting 60-90 grams of Protein in a day. Maintaining on average 550-800 calories. My ability to take in more liquids is increasing, my UTI infection is finally gone after round 2 of antibiotics! I have more energy this week!
6) your biggest struggle this week: finding clothes that don't make me look like I took a dump in my pants. Everything hangs. We are going through a heat wave (100 degrees here today) so I'm finding summer dresses to be an easy solution!

Ok this is going to sound really weird, but I just have to share. ....I really enjoy putting on lotion and washing my arms and legs now. (Not that I didn't enjoy bathing before) strange I know....but the reason why is because they already feel so much smaller! It's like there is less surface area to clean! I know I sound crazy. But I can't believe the differences already. I guess 2 weeks of clear liquid and 2 weeks of full liquids is really paying off. I'm totally not bragging. ..just felt good about something for once and had to say it! Anybody else noticing weird things you've never thought of before?

Mysleeve I am so with you! I noticed the other day I can see my cheek bones and my face has gotton so much smaller, its weird cause I dont remember the last time being this weight and looking at the mirror has become more pleasurable lol I had to retire a pair of jean yesterday, when you can slide off your jeans easily without unbuttoning them, you know they are too big. They were my fav comfy jeans and now they are all baggy everywhere on me. My friends told me I needed to stop wearing them and let them go lol
Ok onto the next subject. I went to my Dr today he prescribed antibiotics, he said it should soften the incision bump and heal. He said worse case scenario in a week go back and he would have to make a small cut on the incision. Ouch! I so dont want that, so I hope 5 days on these antibiotics work. Prayers up and fingers crossed.
And as far as the Constipation he told me to just buy OTC stool softener like colace or any other. He said to not use magnesium citrate cause that would be too ruff on my tummy, the acid.
Ohhh and last but not least, all my coworkers have noticed my weight loss and when they ask what diet Im doing I say Im doing the dont eat food diet lol Am I lying?? They just laugh at me and compliment me, feels good.
Goodnite my fellow sleevers, you guys are awesome! Feels so good to come on here and share our journey!

Ok this is going to sound really weird, but I just have to share. ....I really enjoy putting on lotion and washing my arms and legs now. (Not that I didn't enjoy bathing before) strange I know....but the reason why is because they already feel so much smaller! It's like there is less surface area to clean! I know I sound crazy. But I can't believe the differences already. I guess 2 weeks of clear liquid and 2 weeks of full liquids is really paying off. I'm totally not bragging. ..just felt good about something for once and had to say it! Anybody else noticing weird things you've never thought of before?

Just want to wish all the Mom's in our group a Happy Mothers Day. Im not a Mommy yet but hoping I will be once I lose all this weight. Have a great day Moms!

Thanks for sharing mysleeve! Just in time cause Im going to Walmart today and the candy has been added to my list.

I saw this on Facebook today. A reminder that the number on the scale reflected back at us isn't everything. All of these women weigh exactly the same amount!

Bluesea, I thought of you today....I was standing in front of the Sabra Hummus trying to decide if I could figure out a way to make it a "liquid" so I could add it to my diet. Ever since you mentioned it I've had a huge craving for it. It would probably make me sick anyways but since they are saying runny grits or oatmeal qualifies for the liquid diet, I wanted to try to add hummus, too! Oh well. I didn't buy it. I'll get some soon enough. All in my head, I know. I'll just live vicarously through you guya telling me the new foods you are adding. Haha.

Mysleeve I know how you feel. I had issues with cottage cheese this week, I started to feel nauseas so I stopped eating it this week. I also cant stand greek yogurt anymore. You are not alone Mysleeve.
I hope you can get back to eating your foods you were eating, until then just take it slow and one day at a time.

So....I hate to admit it, but on the clear liquid diet, I did fine for 2 weeks. I never felt sick and the only time I felt nauseous was after I took my calcium citrate. Then, I moved to all liquids for weeks 3 and 4 and I'm nauseous a lot!!! I just drank a few ounces of Protein shake and I feel so nauseous. I'm going to take the zofran he just prescribed and see if that helps. I know we are all different, but it feels like I'm going backwards. I did so well in the hospital and made it through with virtually no issues and now it's like I feel sick a lot! I even threw up for the first time the other night after having strained soup! Thankfully, I'm out of work on disability because I couldn't go feeling this nauseous every day. I think I'm going to go back to just Clear Liquids to see if that helps. But it's weird for me to see a lot of you moving on to purees or soft foods and here I am sick on liquids? Anyone else sick?
And Bluesea, I bet you're tired. I'm so tired just taking care of my kids. I don't know how some of you are already back at work. Don't overdo it.