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On August 8 I had sleeve surgery. That's four months ago today. I went into this with no expectations; I was pretty much convinced it wouldn't work.
Then the weight began to fall off.
As I passed 90 pounds gone, and got closer to 4 months, I thought, wouldn't it be awesome if I lose 100 pounds by four months????
Did my body cooperate??? Nooooooooooo. I'm at 98 pounds down. The biatch is hanging onto those two pounds for dear life.
STOMP RANT FUSS STOMP RANT FUSS!!!!!
STOMP STOMP STOMP
STOMP STOMP STOMP
STOMP STOMP STOMP
STOMP STOMP STOMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before:

4 months and 98 pounds down:

Before surgery we got along quite well. It knew what I expected and I knew what it expected. We worked together. Since surgery it's been on extreme or another. Either I think I am about to pass gas, and...... wind up doing a load of laundry that is nasty, OR days go by where I forget I even have an ass because it does nothing except pass actual gas.
I have been trying to up my Fiber but I am still on stage 4, so no fibrous veggies yet. Chili has been wonderful with the exception of the gas (thanks to whoever discovered gas-x!)
This is how I have felt for the last 10 days or so. See attached image.
So I talked to my Surgeons PA and she suggested double doses of Miralax until I got settled. 3 days and nothing but more of the above. I get over 100oz of Water a day, so that's not it. I called her back and she suggested Milk of Magnesia, commonly referred to as MOM. 4 Tablespoons, lots of tummy grumbling and more of the above. So today I took a double dose of Miralax, and forgot I did and took MOM as well.
Fast forward two hours......
MOM should stand for Massive Out coming Mixture. I thought I was going to pass a bit of gas, and managed to hold off long enough to get to the commode. What happened next is too graphic for publication. I CAN tell you that my recent 'stall' ended I lost 5 pounds in about a 1/2 a hour.
So the lesson here is Trust in MOM. But whatever you do, DO NOT combine it with Miralax, Or you will have the worst case of volcano ass you can imagine.
This has been a public service announcement.

I am thankful for my sleeve, thankful for my great surgeon Amir Moazzez, grateful for my wonderful NP Kim Hohendal, grateful for my supportive friends, family, boss, colleagues and especially my sister who literally was holding my hand when I woke up from surgery. I am also grateful for all of the wonderful warnings advice and acceptance that I have found here from @@Babbs @@Elode @VSGAnn @@LipstickLady @@proudgrammy and all the countless other wonderful and insightful posters on these boards. All in all I am grateful for my new life, the chance to start over in mid life, and the wisdom to make the best decision I have ever made for myself. Of course I am also grateful that I am over three months out so that I can enjoy some turkey today but for those of you who can't because you're still on liquids, please know that you will be able to enjoy MANY more Thanksgivings in your life now that you have the sleeve, that you have the compassion, love, and acceptance of everyone in these boards, and that you've GOT THIS. You made it through the sleeve surgery and you can make it through Thanksgiving. It is a small price to pay for a lifetime of health, and you have our full support! ????

good luck! Only you know what's right for you.
From all I've seen/read/heard from others is it's a different experience for each person. Some sail through it with little to no pain, and others says it's awful. Just research and be prepared :-)
I happen to be going for my plastics pre-op on Tuesday. Definitely getting some jitters, lol.
Good luck!

good luck! Only you know what's right for you.
From all I've seen/read/heard from others is it's a different experience for each person. Some sail through it with little to no pain, and others says it's awful. Just research and be prepared :-)
I happen to be going for my plastics pre-op on Tuesday. Definitely getting some jitters, lol.
Good luck!

gotta put hubs on a diet

First time? High school.
Last time? High school.
Yup. Been a Longggg time

I'm scheduled with her for 12/9. Can't wait ! Glad to hear of someone else directly with a great experience :-)

it won't stretch your sleeve. That's what you were asking, right?

Surgery 8/26/14
Pre-Surgery Weight - 300
Surgery Weight 279
Current Weight 173
Down 127 lbs!!
Best decision I ever made.
No more C-pap, no more BP meds, only Vitamins and Protein and a personal trainer.

IMO Dr. Pandya at Lahey Clinic is phenomenonal.
She did my husbands full body lift, arms and legs many years ago.

Hard to believe it's been over a year! Sounds like you've sure had some added challenges along the way. Glad to see you're doing well. You'll get there!!
My highest weight was 265. When I started the program in 2014 I was 224. I dropped just below 200 the day of surgery. I made goal of138 the end of July 2015. I maintain between 131-134. (I creep up I buckle down again, lol).
I'm having plastics early December. (Insurance will cover the panni, yay!).

Hard to believe it's been over a year! Sounds like you've sure had some added challenges along the way. Glad to see you're doing well. You'll get there!!
My highest weight was 265. When I started the program in 2014 I was 224. I dropped just below 200 the day of surgery. I made goal of138 the end of July 2015. I maintain between 131-134. (I creep up I buckle down again, lol).
I'm having plastics early December. (Insurance will cover the panni, yay!).

I had my consult and was very impressed and comfortable with the surgeon. We really clicked. She's a perfectionist and relatable. It lasted about two hours.
Even though I've been at my ideal weigh for a couple of months she's very ok with moving forward with skin removal. There's no way to know if my insurance will cover it new year which is why I'm looking in to it now. I asked both my WLS surgeon and her if I should gamble on the insurance and wait and they both said no.
So I'm having abdomiplasty, panni, and arms done on 12/9.
Pics were taken for insurance. That was weird...
If the girls just needed a lift, I would have done that instead of the arms. (Really a better option considering the Tummy Tuck and needing to use your arms to get up afterwards). But since there's really no fat left behind, I'll need implants. She said she would do a lift at the same time, but not implants. So that will be some time next year. My home work between now and then is to collect pics of what I want. Lol.
So for those wondering, tummy tuck is $5k (not covered), and arms are $5k. Girls (silicone) are $7k. The panni would be about $7k because it will cover the night in the hospital.
I told my husband the prices and he was thrilled. He was expecting 30-40k. I'm like, geez, that was easy!! Lol

bread is the bane of my existence. Bittersweet. I have always considered a slice of toast, chunk of fresh baguette, a bagel with cream cheese, etc, to be a perfectly acceptable meal. But it is not and since I started my WLS journey bread has not even been in my house.
That doesn't mean I haven't craved it, hunted the internet for a reasonable substitute or sifted through hundreds of "bread" recipes on Pinterest.
Then I came across a post on another forum where a member was RAVING about a recipe for "cloud bread." She said it was awesome, amazing and we should all give it a try.
And I did. And it was amazing. I had chicken salad on a couple of "slices" and it felt like be reunited with a long lost friend.
Here is the recipe, try it, you won't regret it..
CLOUD BREAD
2 eggs Separated
2 oz Cream Cheese
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
Preheat oven to 300′.
Separate eggs. Whites in one bowl, yolks in another.
Add cream cheese to yolks and mix until smooth. In the other bowl add cream of tartar to whites, and beat with hand mixer on high until fluffy and peaks form.
Carefully add the yolk mixture to the white mixture and fold to combine
tupperware overnight. Like Magic they turn into “buns”.
Enjoy!
 

Four years ago today I had no idea how my life was about to change. On October 28, 2011, at age 58, I was wheeled into an operating room in Frankfurt, Germany, and like many of the readers here, a big part of my stomach was removed and a huge hope for the future replaced it.
My hope for a healthier life — where I looked and felt better, had more energy, and could move easily — not only came true but far exceeded even my wildest dreams.
It seems only appropriate on this anniversary date that I look back on these last four years and tell others how grateful I am to have had this shot at such a magical life. I know there are still many people who read my blog who have not yet had the surgery, and it’s important to me that this might be the push they need. That this is not just another diet that will last a few months. I’m living proof that you can have this surgery and four years later live life as a normal-weight person without dieting.
You can read the rest here: www.queenofcrop.com
And good luck to all the new people here!

Grilling was a hobby for the past few years.
Seldom do it these days.
The gym will be a new hobby very soon.
I'm getting back into shooting sports now.
Hey a fellow shooter! Anything particular you are in to? I shoot high power rifle, IDPA, and shotgun (trap, 5 stand, s k e e t, sporting clays). I'm also an instructor. Keeps me busy! lol

I had my consult and was very impressed and comfortable with the surgeon. We really clicked. She's a perfectionist and relatable. It lasted about two hours.
Even though I've been at my ideal weigh for a couple of months she's very ok with moving forward with skin removal. There's no way to know if my insurance will cover it new year which is why I'm looking in to it now. I asked both my WLS surgeon and her if I should gamble on the insurance and wait and they both said no.
So I'm having abdomiplasty, panni, and arms done on 12/9.
Pics were taken for insurance. That was weird...
If the girls just needed a lift, I would have done that instead of the arms. (Really a better option considering the Tummy Tuck and needing to use your arms to get up afterwards). But since there's really no fat left behind, I'll need implants. She said she would do a lift at the same time, but not implants. So that will be some time next year. My home work between now and then is to collect pics of what I want. Lol.
So for those wondering, tummy tuck is $5k (not covered), and arms are $5k. Girls (silicone) are $7k. The panni would be about $7k because it will cover the night in the hospital.
I told my husband the prices and he was thrilled. He was expecting 30-40k. I'm like, geez, that was easy!! Lol

I thought I'd post another update.
There's been some big challenges this past week. My husband had stroke #2 (the first was May 2014). He's doing ok. We hope and pray he recovers 100% again. But boy, it sure makes you realize how important your health is.
Our son is in the military (Air Force). As a matter of fact, he was deployed the day of my surgery. I remember how upset I was that I didn't get to say good bye to him because I was unconscious when my husband got his call, lol.
Because of health issues with his wife, his leave has been eaten up with her relocation to his current base and treatments. Haven't seen him since their wedding in June 2015. He was so shook up from his Dad's second stroke, he took emergency leave and together they came home. We were over joyed to see them, even though it was only for a long weekend.
The look on his face when he saw me at the airport was priceless. I caught a glimpse of it through the tears
The last time he saw me in person, and now...


Having my husband be OK, and my family here these last few days - I am truly blessed.

I had my sleeve done October 1, 2014.. I started at 246 with a bmi of 40.2... I am down to 129 with a bmi of 19.. I feel wonderful.. No knee issues or back issues
Below is my after pix
Don't have before cause I never wanted my pic taken
Hope everyone is doing great and at their goal like me

Stalls are part of it, in my experience at least - I lost in steps. But you sound like you've answered the question. Get yourself moving/exercising more and back on track. Back to basics - Protein first, tracking food, Water Water water...you know how it goes, lol. I bet that will get the scale moving in the right direction again :-)
If I look back at the year it took me, the weight loss was pretty consistent. It didn't stop at 6 months, but it was work!
You've done an awesome job!! Keep it going :-)

So I've lost over 80 pounds by following my doctor's plan as ordered. I have a whole new me and feel so blessed! I do go off track sometimes though and even just one bite of something wrong makes me so incredibly anxious. I worry constantly that I'm going to gain back the weight and will have gone through all of this for nothing. It's almost as if it's too good to be true. I just started seeing the counselor at our weight loss clinic and she says it's a normal stage. Just wondering if others feel anxious and worried like this as well?

Cancer-Free!!!!! It is official, and what I have been waiting for, for over 5 months. My husband Dave, is now cancer-free, out of the mouth of the surgeon, himself. The pathology came back with minimal lymphatic cancer cells, which means there will always be the possibility of return, but the surgeon is very optimistic about Dave beating this forever.
From stage 4 colon cancer, intense chemotherapy, HIPEC surgery, and now surgical recovery, 6 more chemo treatments, onto a future bright with hope. HOPE. NEVER give up, people. NEVER!!!! Pray until you can't anymore, let the Lord hear your plight, your love, your hope, and BELIEVE! Miracles DO happen, and even though Dave has a long, hard road of recovery ahead of him, those 2 words "Cancer-Free" has given him what he (WE) needs to get through this.
His epidural comes out today, and the real pain will begin. NO PROBLEM......we CAN deal with it! We WILL. The 6 remaining chemo treatments will be horrible, but we WILL sail through them. On God's wings, my friends.
HOPE. FAITH. TRUST.
I read in my little devotional a description of the word HOPE: "Hope is Faith, holding it's hand out in the dark." And we have lived that way, since hearing those horrible words (colon cancer, stage 4) over 5 months ago. Our hands, held out, to grasp the Lord's hand, with our eyes shut tight. He not only grabbed on, but yanked us out of that pit, hoisted us onto His shoulders, and gave us the PEACE of knowing we are fully enrobed in His Almighty, All-Powerful, and Most Merciful love.
He has a plan for us, and I know one thing: Dave, now healed, can once again go back to doing what he loves, saving others, because of God's unyielding GRACE.
So, once again, I (OUTLOUD, for the WHOLE world to hear) THANK YOU, MOST MERCIFUL AND HEAVENLY FATHER, FOR THIS BLESSED GIFT OF LIFE. FOR MY HUSBAND, FOR MYSELF, FOR ALL WHO WILL BE SAVED BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU. Amen.
And I thank all of my BP friends, who have SO LOVINGLY given of your hearts and prayers for Dave's healing. I am humbled by you.
Love,
Jenifer

I had a VSG at Northwestern Hospital (Chicago) on March 3 2015. I've lost over 110 pounds in those 7 months and to keep my progress up I'm able to do vigorous Step Reebock workouts for an hour every day. (My favorite workout from the 1990s) I'm off the pre-diabetes and cholesterol medicine and the only remaining pill I have to take is a fraction of the blood pressure medicine I used to take.
Probably after New Years I could start looking into having the hanging skin slopped off.
Having the surgery was one of the best things I ever did.

I was sleeved at 52 (two months shy of (52). Turned 53 yesterday. Best I've felt in 30 years.
Yes, it's not unreasonable to think you'll feel waaay better!