brandnewme2015

My BMI was 35 + Co morbidities when I was approved. My surgery weight was 180,BMI 32.9 at the time of surgery April 1st. I am 3 weeks post Op and have lost 12 lbs, and 1 dress size. I expect the weight loss will slow down as I continue to introduce foods into my diet. My pre-op diet consisted of fruits, vegetables and Meal Replacement shakes for 1 week prior, laxative 2 days prior (doctors orders) to cleanse my colon.

Best of luck to you guys :you all have made a decision that is best for YOU. I was sleeved on April 1st with a BMI of 32.9. I qualified under my insurance plan with co-morbidities and a BMI of 35. I heard the same "arguments" from my best friend, and future MIL:"you managed to lose weight pre-op, why can't you just continue doing it like that instead of having surgery? " 1) no one understands my struggle with weight, the ups and downs, all my life, like I do 2) if I didn't think I needed this tool to help me lose and KEEP the weight off, I certainly wouldn't be doing this. It is far from the" easy way out ". I finally decided to stop justifying MY decision. My fiance, my kids, and most of the people that really matter in my life are in my corner. And.. I turn to this forum often for support. I am 5 weeks post Op now and am feeling better everyday. My BMI is 29 now, and though I have another 38 lbs. to goal weight I am more confident in my ability to get there than I have ever been. Keep in touch. I would love to know how you are all doing in your journey.

laxatives are taken to cleanse your colon - not for the purpose of losing weight..Bottom line is follow your doctor's orders and everything will be ok.

Timely post @@LipstickLady! Thank you!

@@hats123 hang in there and don't doubt yourself. If you choose to defeat your tool, you can do it; so it's best to use these first six months to learn new habits. As you get further and further out you will be able to eat a lot more than you think. But if you train yourself, you won't want to. The hunger--for me--hasn't returned, but habits do. Don't graze. Eat structured small meals and Snacks. At 15 months out, I occasionally indulge in treats and I allow myself to eat good carbs, because too much restriction backfires on me. I reached goal (22 BMI) around seven months out and have held steady. I eat like a "normal" thin person and no one questions how and what I eat (I've kept my WLS mostly private). Thin people eat carbs and occasionally share a dessert. I'm choosing to be thin. Good luck on your journey, and don't let your brain defeat your body.

Before WLS, I was always hot and sweaty. Now, I am always freeeezing. I wear tank tops as a base layer almost every day, even in the summer. In the winter, I wear long johns or tights under my pants. I am perpetually one season colder than everyone else.

@@brandnewme2015 - No judging! Congrats! And I am not near your size but I do feel like a lot of the places I go have 0's, 2's and 4's in the store. I also do a TON of online shopping - or will again once I know the brands I like in the right sizes. Have you tried LOFT? With coupons, it isn't soo bad and they had smaller sizes. Or Macy's and Dillard's have great sales / coupons. I also really like JC Penney's. Wish I could help more!!
Oh, one more suggestion.... go on Poshmark.com and search for clothing in size 0 and see what brands have styles you like then you can go to those stores and try on. Then maybe even order from Poshmark (which is basically online consignment). You can get some great deals on there, but if you aren't sure how certain brands fit, it can be a little tough. (You can always ask the seller questions about measurements though.) Good luck!

6 months, 7 days since my life changed forever ????

6 months today and goal! 65 lbs and 6 dress sizes down!

I'm not at goal yet, but I'm making progress. I'm 5'2" & my GW is 125.
HW: 196
SW (4/1/15): 180
CW: 143
Was a size 16 at surgery, now a 6!

Ross or marshells... are the best place to get decent clothes... I am also 40 and have had some struggles getting clothes that fit.... and I went from a 5 x.... to a 13 14 juniors.... having the worst time getting bras as I dont know my size need to seriously get measured... but Idaho falls is a small town... with not a lot of options :/

You go to the Taco Bell drive thru and the employee says "this burrito is bigger than you!". Of course.. there was no WAY I was going to finish more than 2 bites anyway!

13 weeks out from surgery and I think I'm finally ready to post my before and after pics on this forum. Everyone else's pics have been such an inspiration to me, I hope these pics inspire as well! ???? Heaviest weight Jan 1, 2015: 196 (I am 5'2").
SW 4/1/15: 180
CW : 143
GW: 125
Started out at a size 16 and I am now a 6! Healthy and happy!

laxatives are taken to cleanse your colon - not for the purpose of losing weight..Bottom line is follow your doctor's orders and everything will be ok.

I had my surgery 10 months ago and here are some pros and cons:
Pros
I am healthier and more energetic: don't need my CPAP, can exercise longer and harder- with no aches, pains, and running out of breath. I've dropped almost 10 sizes and can fit into clothes that models wear. I get compliments on my weight loss constantly- and oddly enough; it seems that more people talk to me (even strangers). It's been a great ego boost. I don't over-eat and I'm no longer an emotional eater: I've found more productive ways to cope with stress. Cons
I have had to buy a new wardrobe which has become expensive- although I now shop at thrift shops, Ebay, and consignment stores. It is VERY difficult to find clothing in size 0,00, and even 2P. I do still occasionally get sick and vomit when I've had too much (which is usually very little to most people) or have eaten something high fat/ high sugar It's much harder to maintain my weight than I imagined. My weight fluctuates between 119 and 121 and I'm still trying to find that sweet spot. I have had some hair loss and thinning, and am virtually flat-chested. This is nothing that a good weave/hairpiece/wig and push up/padded bra can't fix. Though I have more "cons": the #1 goal for having the surgery was to get healthier and I have achieved that. The "side effects" are a small price to pay considering I was on a dangerous path before the surgery.

You go to the Taco Bell drive thru and the employee says "this burrito is bigger than you!". Of course.. there was no WAY I was going to finish more than 2 bites anyway!

I lost 50 lbs. in 6 mos. I still haven't figured out how to maintain & stop the loss (I've lost 25 lbs. more than I wanted to) but I'm a work in progress. Docs and nutritionist tell me to eat more smaller meals during the day, add more carbs and Protein. My BMI isn't too low (yet), but I am close to being underweight so am trying hard to find that happy medium. Good luck!

I had my surgery 10 months ago and here are some pros and cons:
Pros
I am healthier and more energetic: don't need my CPAP, can exercise longer and harder- with no aches, pains, and running out of breath. I've dropped almost 10 sizes and can fit into clothes that models wear. I get compliments on my weight loss constantly- and oddly enough; it seems that more people talk to me (even strangers). It's been a great ego boost. I don't over-eat and I'm no longer an emotional eater: I've found more productive ways to cope with stress. Cons
I have had to buy a new wardrobe which has become expensive- although I now shop at thrift shops, Ebay, and consignment stores. It is VERY difficult to find clothing in size 0,00, and even 2P. I do still occasionally get sick and vomit when I've had too much (which is usually very little to most people) or have eaten something high fat/ high sugar It's much harder to maintain my weight than I imagined. My weight fluctuates between 119 and 121 and I'm still trying to find that sweet spot. I have had some hair loss and thinning, and am virtually flat-chested. This is nothing that a good weave/hairpiece/wig and push up/padded bra can't fix. Though I have more "cons": the #1 goal for having the surgery was to get healthier and I have achieved that. The "side effects" are a small price to pay considering I was on a dangerous path before the surgery.

I am down 37 lbs since my surgery 2 months ago and am only 13 lbs to go to my goal weight. I am ecstatic! You know the feeling when you get something new that you love, like a new phone or a new car? I feel like that every.day. The weight has just melted off, and the changes it has made in me are not small! I do my hair and makeup now, I wear cute clothes and jewelry, and it's fun! Before I would just wear stretchy yoga pants (because my jeans no longer fit and I couldn't stand the thought of buying a large new pair), and a plain t-shirt. I was just so frumpy and didn't care about how I looked at all. I had given up on myself. Now, I work harder at my job, I enjoy exercising more, and the extra attention from my husband is wonderful. And there are so many other positive changes in my life since the surgery! I know some people out there think a person has to be morbidly obese with comorbidities to justify gastric sleeve surgery. Well, I don't regret it one bit and am so happy with the change it has made in me! How are the rest of you doing out there?

It's been 15 months and I still don't regret it. It took me about 4 months to get to goal. One of the best things I've ever done for myself. It's so nice being able to workout in the morning and not be starving all day long. I still have a hard time looking at 0P/25 jeans and believing they fit me.
~LA

Pre-surgery pic 180 lbs. Size 16p
Post & goal pic 125 lbs. Size 0-2p
I weigh 122 now.

SW: 180, BMI 29
CW: 125 BMI 22.9
Just passed the 6 month post Op mark Oct 1. I went from a size 16 when I started this journey and am now a size 4.I am healthier, happier, and more confident in my appearance than I have ever been in my life.

Pre-surgery pic 180 lbs. Size 16p
Post & goal pic 125 lbs. Size 0-2p
I weigh 122 now.

Pre-surgery pic 180 lbs. Size 16p
Post & goal pic 125 lbs. Size 0-2p
I weigh 122 now.

You look beautiful