Lamonica2013

Rory it's been forever since I posted but wanted to throw out an update to everyone. My name is Lamonica and I was sleeved on February 5/2014. My highest weight was a year and a half ago when I weighed in at 298 lbs. during the course of a year I was able to drop 20 lbs, starting weight of 278 lbs right before surgery. I am now happy to announce that I am coming up on my 6 month mark and weighing in at 176 lbs. I feel great and I have so much more confidence and energy. I love my sleeve!

it's been forever since I posted but wanted to throw out an update to everyone. My name is Lamonica and I was sleeved on February 5/2014. My highest weight was a year and a half ago when I weighed in at 298 lbs. during the course of a year I was able to drop 20 lbs, starting weight of 278 lbs right before surgery. I am now happy to announce that I am coming up on my 6 month mark and weighing in at 176 lbs. I feel great and I have so much more confidence and energy. I love my sleeve!

Unhappysleever... I'm 4 1/2 months po and I also get those days. Some days I have tons of energy, others not so much and I end up taking a small nap. I have noticed when I get closer to time for my next appointment with my Dr my energy levels are usually low, but I think that's because it's almost time for my b 12 shot.

Hello everyone... I'm posting today because I have a bit of a problem. I was getting most my exercise in using an elliptical, but I have somehow managed to hurt my knee in the process. I'm 4 1/2 months po currently. Needing so advice and guidance now. The er put me on crutches and I'm not allowed to put any weight on my leg until I see the orthopedic Dr on Friday. What exercises would you all recommend to keep me active until I'm off these darn crutches? Assuming I don't kill myself using the crutches lol.

Not sure if anyone can help me or give me some advice, but here goes. I have been with my boyfriend for a year and half. I was sleeved this Feb 5th and am now 4 months po. I have dropped 76 lbs so far and feeling a lot better as I continue to lose the weight. Anywho... lately my boyfriend seems to be less interested in me than before. He told me he didn't want me to have the surgery after I had it done but since has been doing nothing but pushing me, and telling me what to do. What I should eat, how much I should exercise, what exercises I should do... on and on. It's driving me crazy. He wants me to be at my goal weight ASAP so I can have the extra skin removed. I'm happy with the weight I have lost and of course I don't like the extra excess skin, but I don't wanna kill myself to do it. I know I can get to goal, but do I really have to get there as quick as I possibly can?

I love chicken and all kinds of sea food. I have also noticed that i have a serious obsession with peanut butter now, reduced fat peanut butter of course. Just LOVE the taste now. I used to hate peanut butter.

Something I have to constantly remind myself is that we are all different. I am also 4 months po and have dropped 76 lbs so far. I know a woman that lives in my complex and has dropped over 100 and is only 3 months po. A big factor in the amount we lose is our starting weights. The higher the starting weight the more you lose and faster in the beginning. The only time I get aggravated is if I know someone isn't following our diet and exercise guidelines but still loses quickly. I'm a stickler and follow everything to the T so I'm sure you can see why it would get to me. Anywho... congrats on your loss and keep up the fantastic work hun

Pre op or post op? Pre op for me was 3 days and post op was 4 weeks, would have been 6 if the Dr had his way, but I wanted food... shakes were making me super sick.

Not sure if this may help or not, but I am also in Pennsylvania and carry UPMC for you. I was approved with them in less than 24 hrs and have heard similar things from others that also carry them. Is it possible for you to get coverage through them some how or are you on insurance provided from your work? I hope that you can find a way around this bump in the road you have hit. I hope that I have been able to help in some small way or another

I'm 4 months po and down 105 from my highest weight and 74 from my weight right before surgery. I wasn't cleared by my Dr to have veggies, especially raw ones until I was 3 months po. The first month I could only have protein shakes and other fluids. Only after that I could start with a scrambled egg and other soft foods for 2 additional weeks and then anything I want after that point. From my experience once I started actually eating again my weight loss slowed down. I dropped 34 lbs the first month. I still focus on protein first and if I can a bite or 2 of veggies. If I can't get them in at meal time I will have a couple baby carrots for a snack in the evening. I think u are doing great on your weight loss so far. Like my Dr says and repeatedly tries to beat into my head, "you didn't gain the weight over night so you're not going to lose it over night either". I average now between 14-18 lbs a month which he says is average.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I suppose my biggest issue is comparing myself to other sleevers with their weight loss, even though I know we are all different and those who are larger than me will lose more weight starting than I have. Also my Dr and bf want me to drop the weight as quickly as possible.. A year or less. I'm trying so hard to just focus on myself and what is right for me, and not compare myself to others but I just can't seem to get into the mindset for some reason. I know deep down I am doing well but fear going to my Dr appt next week with only losing 10 lbs so far this month. I really don't want him to yell at me like he did before and go through the depression again. I'm trying to stay positive and reassure myself that I am on the right path and keep working harder. I don't have any pictures of me from before except face shots so I can't look back at the person I used to be, I'm really kicking myself for that now.

Sorry I don't post much on here or really keep everyone updated on my process, successes, and struggles... Hoping to get better with that by starting a blog of sorts. Anywho... my goal is to reach my lowest goal weight within 1 year or less. Hw 293 sw 287 cw 199, at 3 1/2 months po. Some days I seem to have no motivation what so ever to workout, which is terrible and I believe the cause of my weight loss slowing down. What I'm looking for is any advice both nutritional and exercise wise from those who have been able to reach their goal within that first year. I'm hoping this will motivate me more and help to keep me positive to push forward with all of this with so much in my life falling apart right now. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for listening and looking forward to seeing your responses.

Today I stepped on the scale and that began one of the greatest days I have had since having my children. I was 199 lbs. I haven't seen a weight under 200 lbs since before I was 16, I still can't believe it. This month had been a slow loss month but to see that number under 200, I don't even care. I couldn't possibly be happier!

Today I stepped on the scale and that began one of the greatest days I have had since having my children. I was 199 lbs. I haven't seen a weight under 200 lbs since before I was 16, I still can't believe it. This month had been a slow loss month but to see that number under 200, I don't even care. I couldn't possibly be happier!

Hello again everyone. I'm 3 1/2 months out and I'm beginning to notice that my hunger has increased lately. It mostly hits in the evening it seems. I try to ignore it because my weight loss this month has been very slow because I was sick for over a week I think, and I'm afraid of hitting a big stall and not losing or worse yet, gaining. Has anyone experienced this issue before and can spare some time and advice? I would greatly appreciate any help on this matter because it's very frustrating. I don't want anything to slow down me reaching my goal in a year or less,

So sorry you aren't feeling well but I know how you feel. The first month after surgery I was sick most of the time. I could not handle the protein powders and still can't so I switched to Ensure High Protein and still drink one every day as meal supplement. The calories are a little higher than the powder and it only has 25g protein but I make it work. The chewable vitamins are disgusting in my opinion and I switched to a normal vitamin as soon as the Dr would allow me. You sound right on track for walking, keep up the good work. Things will get better, it just takes time unfortunately.

I'm 3 1/2 months out and hit a major stall around week 5 until week 8, right after the Dr started me on soft foods. From my experience and what I have read this happens to most people because our body is adjusting, especially after having a big loss. Our bodies are playing catch up. Keep doing what your doing, eat healthy, get in your protein, and importantly exercise, even if just small walks at first until you can build it up as you get further out. I have since hit a one week stall because I got a severe cold and could barely even function let alone exercise. My main advice is just stick to your plan and guidelines, try not to get upset with yourself (easier said than done I know). The stall will end though as long as you stick with your regulations and plan. Hang in there

I know exactly how you feel trust me. All the protein powders made me sick after surgery. I had to literally gag them down. I did find however that I can tolerate Ensure High Protein. There's 210 calories and 25g of protein in a 14 oz bottle so when I was at your stage I still had to split it up. Drink half and then finish it by the end of the day. I still can't drink the full bottle at one sitting but I can do it with in a couple hour period. I substitute it for my breakfast every morning. You can also try the unflavored powder mixed in with a smoothie, scrambled egg, soup, etc. Hang in there though it'll get better I promise. I'm 3 1/2 months out and finally enjoying my sleeve

I'm using warm salt water rinses and sugar free throat lozenges. Seems like this cold doesn't wanna let go so gonna try some Tylenol cold and flu today to see if that helps. Feel a little worse each morning.

So I have managed to drop 62 lbs over the last 3 months, but I've been sick for the last 3 days with some for viral ordeal. My throat is killing me, my body aches all over, I have no energy, and I'm losing my voice now. With being sick I have been forcing myself to eat a d drink because I'm not really hungry at all. My weight is going up a couple oz each day. I'm assuming it's because I'm not exercising. Does anyone have any tips or tricks that may help me continuing to lose weight during the this process or help with getting over this so I can have the energy to exercise. I don't want to stall my weight loss and be lectured by my Dr and boyfriend. Any advise would be greatly appreciated

Once I was a month out my Dr had my eat 2 eggs and a protein shake a day. A couple weeks later I was able to eat whatever I wanted, protein first of course. Couple weeks after that I started with 2 oz of meat and a 1/4 a cup of veggies though usually I could not get in the veggie most times because the meat made me full. Then in 2 weeks later I increased the meat to 3 oz which is what I eat now and a bite or 2 of veggies and I'm full. However a lot of the time I can only get in the meat. I still drink 1 protein shake a day but I split it in half because I drink ensure. It's the only protein. Shake I can handle. My best advice to you is make sure when you eat you get in that protein and as much as you can. It's the most important part of our diet. I do not eat potatoes or carbs. Not yet. I had my surgery on Feb 5

Thanks for your encouragement everyone it truly helps a lot. I will continue what I'm doing and just hope that I do t catch grief from my Dr. I have taken measurements the last couple weeks and I do see it dropping. Hoping it continues.

Yes I have I'm down a couple pant sizes from where I started. None of my clothes fit anymore. Thanks for your encouraging words. They have certainly helped me feel better about my progress so far.

I thought I was doing well until I seen the Dr he said otherwise.