A'sgotthis

I am 5'9" and started (top row) at 302 lbs. The top pictures were taken 3/12/15, the date I started the pre-op diet.
The bottom row was 5/25/15, at 8 weeks and -58 lbs (244lbs).
It's so strange to have around 42% of my excess weight gone, but still wear size 20 pants. I have gone from 3x to 2x shirts at least.
I guess my point is why doesn't my close-to-naked body show more changes??? Thanks for reading my little rant
PS - I do love my sleeve!!!

Of the store! It's a little more fitted than I would usually go for but darn it....it FIT!!!! Lol
 
HW-321 SW-306 CW-262.6

You know you lost weight when you don't recognize your passing reflection!!!! ????????????

When you head for the restroom in a crowded restaurant and suddenly realize you don't need to scope out the widest path to fit your body through as you weave between tables to get there! Yippee!

A great NSV happen to me today. I am in a size 6 jean today. I could not believe it. Hard work and determination really has payed off..

I tried on a pair of size 16 jeans. They were stretch fit, but guess what... THEY FIT!!!!
I'm emotional. I still have a long way to go, but off to a good start!

Bought this dress last year and have been saving it. Wearing it for the first time today.  

I did my first sprint triathlon yesterday, and I finished!! (And didn't even need the aid car - wow!). A sprint tri is 1/4 mile open Water swim, 14 mile bike ride, 5k running - well, slow jogging by that time, and some walking...and I'm so proud of myself. I really wasn't entirely sure I could do it honestly, since I didn't train for it, but rather depended on being in good shape generally. Yay!

no painful bra strap indentations on my shoulders
having to go back and forth to the dressing room in a clothing store, as i keep picking up a size too big

You don't even look like the same person, congratulations.

June 18 will be a year that I had my surgery. I have lost around 60 pounds and have 25 more to go to reach my goal. I will be honest and admit that I have been very frustrated many times with my slow weight loss. I figured I would have been at goal by now especially with me working out like a mad woman. But I have realized something…so what it takes me a little longer to get to my goal than it does others. What's the hurry? This is a lifetime thing. I am happy and I feel great, like a completely new person so I will keep trucking along and doing what I'm doing. I will get there.
 

I am 16 weeks post-op. 62.5 pounds down, 51 of which are post surgery. I exercise very little (true confession time)...
A typical day is 950- 1000 calories, with a Protein goal of 88 or higher and carb goal of 50 or lower. I typically don't count fat unless I'm stalled. My surgeon is super pleased with my progress and blood work.
B: Decaf coffee with 1/8-1/4c of vanilla premiere Protein shake. I usually do 2 12 oz Keurig pods.
B2: Dannon Light & Fit Greek yogurt mixed with either 1 oz of nuts or 2 oz of fresh berries. Occasionally I will do 1/3c of high protein granola (Kind or Bear Naked), but that's only if I know I'm going to be very busy and not get a balanced meal day. I eat yogurt every day. It's good protein, goes down easily, and is full of Probiotics.
L: Leftovers (see dinner) or deli meat and cheese. I use ultra thin cheese mostly. Sometimes on the go I'll do a P3 pack or a tuna pouch.
S: 1oz Beef Jerky, cheese, or a T of Peanut Butter with celery (only if I have calories to spare).
D: 2-3oz of meat (primarily beef or fish. Chicken/turkey come back up 95% of the time and pork is insta-heartburn) and 1oz of veg (zucchini, asparagus, spaghetti squash, Brussels sprouts, etc...). No potatoes or broccoli- both get stuck. Tonight we are having spaghetti. I'll do spaghetti squash with meat sauce and a T of Parmesan cheese. I measure it out to be about 3-4oz total. I'll eat the leftovers for lunch for several days or until I'm tired of it!
S: Protein bar. I eat a Quest bar every day to meet my protein threshold. Some people advise against this, but I haven't seen an issue with my loss.
When I stall, I increase my fluids and cut nuts and beef jerky (salt and fat). I feel restricted mainly at dinner, so I make it my lightest intake of ounces. I can intake the most at lunchtime, thus the snack.
Eating out is still really difficult for me, and I find it's mainly because of stress over what to order. If possible, I'll check the menu beforehand. Because of this stress, restriction seems to increase so I tend to eat very little when I go and end up wasting food or having a ton of leftovers. Keeping this in mind, I'll order things that can be reheated easily or eaten cold.
Good luck!

I am probably an anomaly as I don't really feel like I've made any major changes besides 1) I eat more Protein 2) I make healthier food choices most of the time 3) I drink WAY less alcohol, and 4) I can't drink anything carbonated. Basically my sleeve changed how much I can eat and my brain changed what I want to eat.
I don't track or measure my food. I drink with meals. I use straws. I eat dessert. I don't use MFP. I don't exercise. I take NSAIDS. I eat when I'm hungry and I eat what I want. I still do all the same things I've always done, the physical things are just easier (working, riding my horse, hiking with my dog, kayaking, skiing). I'm still a couch potato on rainy, dreary weekends. I still go out with friends on occasion, but I'm still a hermit at heart and would rather stay home in most cases.
But I feel great, I look good. My knee and ankle pain is gone and my BP is normal. After a lifetime of failed diets, I do consider this the "easy way". I'm not saying this way will work for everyone, just pointing out one way it can work.

I have to weigh every meal otherwise I would eat too much and I'm only five weeks out. That scares me a lot! I don't feel much restriction at 4 oz of Protein which is the limit set by my doctor. I could eat more and that is terrifying to me.

I have done that too. I stick a measuring cup in a plastic baggie and throw it in my bag when we go out. It helps me remind my brain I am in control, and my tummy does need excess portions.

Have you mentioned it at any follow-up appointments? I would discuss with a doctor.

"People respond far better to being cut out of your life than they do to being called out."
LOVE IT!

"People respond far better to being cut out of your life than they do to being called out."
LOVE IT!

"People respond far better to being cut out of your life than they do to being called out."
LOVE IT!

At the gym I go to we do bear crawls-forwards and backwards. Never could do the backwards part until now. Huge personal victory for me with many more to come.

Shorty, who is your surgeon? My surgeon uses that exact comparison! :-)

i made it! i finally made it to "onederland"!!!! I am so excited!!! It has been over 25 years since i have weighted under 200 pounds! oh man the feeling of joy i had when i stepped on that scale this weekend was just amazing!!

I don't like the way they leave my mouth feeling like fur has grown inside.. blech!

Have you tried the Syntrax Nectars? They are lighter and mix well with Water. The Fuzzy Navel one tastes like slightly diluted orange juice.

sugar free Popsicles and no added sugar fudgesickles 40 calories no nutritional value but it satisfies the little sweet tooth and/or a need to eat something, sugar free Jello sugar free pudding are also great options. You can have a snack, jus thas to be a wise choice. I am 8 months out and met goal at 6 months. I am slowly adding some healthy Snacks. It doesn't make me feel deprived. So far so good. Good luck on your journey. You will find what works for you, everyone is different.