ncturtle

Happy birthday!!! I was just like you! I had my surgery Nov 3rd and my birthday is Nov 11th! It's soooo worth skipping out a year. I was 267 on my last birthday, this year 150.2! Hang in there, you can Celebrate more normally next year and you probably just add a few extra birthdays to your life!

No, this is your DAY! In caps, because it should be a celebration of all you've gone through to get here. I remember my DAY. I woke up smiling and I don't think I've stopped smiling since.
You've got a brand new wonderful future awaiting you. Go get it! ????

Hi Everybody-
My name is Shannon. I am 30 years old. I had my lap band surgery on July 12, 2002. I just had my one year anniversary. I started out at a weight of 306, and to date I have lost 75 lbs. The weight loss has slowed considerably over the past 2-3 months, but most of that is probably my fault. I have a new very stressful job. I also have the greatest guy in my life so I am not exactly doing all of the things I used to. I don't have as much time to go to the gym and I'm not being as careful with what I put in my mouth. I will definitely get back on track soon! I also had a minor setback a fewmonths ago. I was very sick, couldn't even keep Water down so they took all of my fill out (1.8 cc's) and made me rest my stomach for two weeks. It is amazing how fast that weight comes back on. It proved to me that I will never be without my band!!!! I am somewhat back on track and my fill is up to 1.25 cc's.
By the way, I was banded by Dr. Ren at NYU. I think that she is absolutely wonderful and would recommend her to anyone!
I would still like to lose about another 50 lbs, and I will get there!!!
Feel free to ask any questions. I think that we have all made a gerat choice to do something good for ourselves with this surgery.
Take care,
Shannon

It's exciting, isn't it?

My 1 year anniversary is coming up in 4 days! I've posted plenty of pictures in the last year but this one is one of my favorites! It has nothing to do with my face or body but has everything to do with my health. I'm still have those "pinch me" moments quite often. It doesn't seem real, my brain still has issues comprehending the numbers that I see on the scale. I feel incredibly blessed to have been given the chance to have a "rebirth" and I want to thank each and everyone of you who has been with me on the journey you guys are a big reason for my success. I would name you all off but It would take forever and I don't want to miss anyone. I am thankful for each and everyone of you and wish you all a successful and blessed journey to health! Let's keep it going! This is a NSV but the numbers are just as important to me. ❤️ WINNING!!! ❤️

After I got the news that was I approved for surgery I was nervous, excited and scared. Every emotion hit me at once. It was so bad I thought about canceling the surgery didn't know if I was ready for it now that it was really going to happen. 9/17 came and I said there's no turning back now... 3days out and I'm happy as fat kid with cake... Lol. Good luck everyone

In a one word response...YES! lol As I prepared for surgery it seemed as though my life revolved around the process. At 4 months post-op I have settled into a routine. I still visit here and read and respond to posts and I attend my monthly support group meeting but my life is settling into the new normal.
As time passes you will most likely settle into a routine and life will carry on.

@@Margie122 Pounds Lost - Pounds to go vases. My best investment from the dollar store You get the satisfaction of sound when you move a stone over to the pounds lost jar..(hate it when I have to move one back for a weight gain. After reaching goal they look pretty and are a great reminder of how far you have come. 2 glass vases
3 Bags of glass stones (any color)
1 pack of peal and stick letters

I made this to remember how far I've come on this journey. It's been fun crossing out the pounds!

You could try the clear Protein drinks like Isopure or Syntrax nectar. They don't taste as thick as milk based shakes. You can also try having Soup or broth with a bit of unflavored Protein.< /p>
Non shake based suggestions:
Try adding a mid-morning snack to the mix.Try also adding a tbsp of nut butter and or greek yogurt as a snack. If you don't have a cholesterol problem, eat the whole egg. Most of the good bits are in the yolk. Add a bit of shredded cheese to the eggs. I've read other posters have a Protein Bar for snack instead of shakes. I'm not a fan of Protein Bars, but the qwest bars seem to be really popular.
ETA:
Try this:
Breakfast:
2 eggs, 1/8 shredded cheese 2 sausage links - 24protein
Snack - qwest bar 20 protein
lunch - 2 ounce baked chicken ½cup of romaine (or spinach leaves for another 2gms protein) hard boiled egg and shredded cheese with either a light vinaigrette or oil/balsamic vinegar or salsa to keep calories low) 17 -19 protein
Snack: String cheese 7 protein
dinner: 2 ounce baked chicken or other lean meat. Dark green leafy veg ~ 9 protein
That should give you between 76 - 80 grams of protein without a single shake and plenty of Fiber to keep you regular.
Add an Isopure nocarb drink (40 grms protein per bottle)diluted with Water and you increase your protein to close to 100

It has been an bit of a struggle with a pound down a pound up for a few weeks, but I finally made it to onederland!!!!!!!!!

My surgery went perfect. They said there was no complications and that I am healing well. Yesterday was the first day after my surgery and it was very hard. I was in a lot of pain and had terrible heartburn which caused more pain and nausea. But they kept me in the hospital until they figured out the right medicines to give me. This morning I woke up like a whole new person! I am still sore where they cut my stomach but it's nothing I can't handle. I am just worried about getting all my fluids in. it seems like and impossible task to drink so much Water when my stomach can only handle a tiny sip at a time!

My hubby took me to Breakfast this morning. We hardly eat out since surgery. I had on jeans ( MY FIRST NSV I HAD WEEKS AGO ) so I casually CROSS MY LEGS UNDER THE TABLE WITH JEANS ON!!!!!!!! AND I HAD ROOM BETWEEN THE TOP OF MY LEG & THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TABLE!!!!!!! I was in shock!!! I SAT there staring at my leg!! My husband asked me what was wrong, I told him I can't believe I just crossed my leg under the table comfortably with jeans on!! I have wanted to cry!!! I was so happy!!!!! I didn't want to leave the restaurant I was so excited I haven't done that in years!!!!!!!!

I was well over the 400 lb mark when I began this process. In fact, I wasn't too many pan pizzas away from the next mark.
I always assumed that I'd get back on Adkins diet and kill it in the gym and get my weight back under control again. Back & leg injuries earlier this year kept me from doing any type of gym work.....and even made doing my job impossible for a several weeks.
I knew it was time to take more aggressive action and do something that would help me lose weight wile still healing from these nagging & reoccurring injuries. I assumed I'd need gastric bypass for the simple fact that my younger sister had it done 15 years ago and has maintained incredible weight & health ever since.
I consulted two surgeons and went through classes with each as well as two nutritionists. By the end, my surgeon helped me to see that the sleeve was the best choice for me. This, in no way, means it's best for everyone. Each patient has unique demands and needs. You have to take all that into account, along with your surgeon's advice.
I'm only 6 days out from my surgery, still recovering, sore as hell from the hernia repair and waiting on the post-op inflammation to clear from my abdomen and the 9 new holes in it. I say that to say this.....I regret not one part of it. I'm glad I had the surgery. It's going to be a huge aid in my new way of living. I will get lean, stay lean and build my strength.
I had my 47th birthday last month. I am going to feel 15 years younger by my next birthday. By my 50th, I'll most likely feel better than I did on my 30th.
There has been zero pain from the sleeve portion of the surgery. I have to pull my shift up and look to prove that I've had it. The only pain has been from the umbilical hernia repair and it is less than it was on two previous open repairs.
On day 4, 5 and 6 I've been able to get in 3 Protein shakes each day. On days 5 & 6 I've been able to drink as much Water as I've wanted, but making myself drink at least 8 24oz cups per day. No gulping or chugging. Just frequent small sips.
Life is good. The tool has been delivered. There are no excuses, no whining, no complaining. It's time to get busy and get lean. There will be no compromises.

I think a lot of people share your fear. Many of us worry we aren't losing enough or fast enough but it sounds like you're doing great. It's not falling off me either but I expect reach goal (100 pound loss) by my surgiversary and that will be truly miraculous in my mind. Pre surgery I think it would have taken me a couple of years to lose that much weight with far greater effort because I would have had a lot more hunger. This tool gives me a fighting chance.

Yes, I am scared of regain...I am scared of"disability" as I love my body, my freedom to do things, my pleasures of daily living.
However, I have decided to shift gears from anxiety ridden helplessness (my history of regain) to pragmatic tactics. I don't need to be anxious or fear ridden as long as I use my accountability strategies. When I do go off course, I still love myself...and I correct my course. So far, this is a much happier way to live than fretting or obsessing over it.
It's weird, we screw up lots of times in life...but weight gain seems to be the unforgivable sin to many. I choose to think differently. It is hard, partly because my friends are all skinny people and I am STILL bigger than them. I can't let my self worth be guided by that comparison.

So I am headed to Vegas next week with my hubby and I thought, you know what....I want a more-sexy, less-mom bikini for this trip. SO I went out on a limb and ordered one from Victoria's Secret that I would normally never, ever think about wearing, let alone, buy, let alone post a picture of me in it.
But then today I was looking back through some old beach vacation pictures and I couldn't find one single picture of myself in a bathing suit or with my kids at all. Through 4 summers worth of pictures that I got through, I found ONE. One single picture and I'm trying desperately to hide behind my kids. It made me so incredibly sad because I remember so clearly what that was like. Can I just say, it is freaking amazing and freeing to be able to feel good in my skin and not feel the need to pull a kid in front of me when the camera is around.
Here is the ONE single picture I could find, along with the quick snapshot of the new bikini for Vegas. :-) (Don't mind my scar sheets from my TT sticking out...this wasn't a picture I intended to share), as well as one snapped this summer at the beach. I also did a side-by-side comparison of myself in basically the same "at the beach with my daughter's" pose. Just thought I'd put this out there for anyone on the fence about the journey or the process. It works if you stick to it!!!!!
*** PS be kind. I know that I am not perfect. I still have saggy legs and arms. It's a work in process!***

So to avoid uneducated comments I have decided to NOT inform certain people about my journey. For now Its my husband and kids(all for it, extremely supportive ), two best friends, and my insurance broker (she comes in handy) Who am I on the fence about and havent'told, my brothers and my parents. Why...........well, I can just hear it now. Everything everyone said in the above comments, and I don't need that now while I am trying to focus on myself for the first time in a long time. Sadly mom manages to make a situation that has nothing to do with her, about her. Don't get me wrong love her etc. but everyone elses situation magically becomes all about her. I do think my dad will be fine with it, I just am not ready. I need to stay mentally focused on what Im doing here. We all need to stay focused on ourselves. This is a major decision for all of us going through this. And the last thing we need are the nay sayers of the world giving us "mind frick" to shoot us down because of THEIR insecurities and failures. So for those who are just beginning this don't feel like you have to divulge everything about this, it is no ones business but your own.
Surgery date is Oct 12th!
I'll let you know how it goes if I do tell them

This is a huge NSV for me. I've always had big feet for a girl. Kind of embarrassed about it especially because I'm only 5'6 ish.
My brother used to make fun of me and call me Saskwatch!! So mean ????????????
Anyway, at a size 9.5 my feet were already above average. When I gained weight, they grew to a size 10.5!!! ????????????????. Almost 11!!
Oh. My. God. The horror!!
Anyway. I've lost 130 pounds. And I now wear a size 9!!!!! Yes!!!!
Thank you vsg for saving my feet. And no foot pain either!!
What did your feet do?

I'm down 95 pounds from my all-time high.
Just had my annual physical with my PCP, and he is out of his mind and over the moon happy about how well I look and how well I feel and how great all my blood tests and other health metrics are.
He said he gives me "an A plus plus plus!"
THAT's what a supportive doctor looks and sounds like.

I'm so proud of myself.

Honestly, my energy started to improve within days of starting the pre-op diet. About two weeks out from surgery I had another surge that has not stopped. I honestly think it is about 50% or less to do with the actual weight loss and the majority of my energy is simply me waking up from my carbohydrate induced coma and doing the Protein thing. Seriously within about 3 days most of my knee pain went away. My knees have not really bothered me at all since surgery.

Six weeks postop tomorrow and I am down THIRTY POUNDS!

This surgery is about reclaiming YOUR LIFE. Your health, Your confidence, YOUR happiness.
If sharing that w/ your significant other is important to you, then you will do that.
If your health, confidence and happiness is important to your partner, then they will share that as well.
But sometimes, its' not.
and that's ok as well.

I can't believe I never posted any pictures! Here's a few...keep in mind that my "before" photos were few and far between because I avoided the camera whenever possible. I'm 5'1.3" (gotta count that extra bit) and was 242 pounds on surgery day. I wore a snug 18/20 and XXL shirt. I'm now easily maintaining between 134-138 and wear 4-6/small.
Before Surgery:

Fifteen months (down 101 pounds):

Sixteen months (feeling like a princess):

With my stepdaughter - I'm at goal, in a size six/small:

With my husband, loving life at goal: