amccombs11

YES! I was "sleeved" on Dec 11 2013... and almost right away I noticed a change - I have always had keen sense of smell - but now... it’s crazy... and my sense of taste... holy craziness!
I use to LOVE bacon, pork chops, HAM… they use to be my very own food group… NOT anymore! Even tap water… I can taste the chemicals, so I do bottled (sigh)…
Really anything that has been processed has a funny chemical taste to me… like Pasta, bread etc… I can taste the flour and salt etc… CAKES… omg they are disgusting now, they are just grossly sweet… its really helped with my weight loss… because foods that I would “go to” are no longer appealing to me. I have lost 73lbs in 4 months… I don’t know if I would have, had it not been for my taste buds being completely different…

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I dug up some old images of me in the past 2 years. The first is before I got seriously motivated about weight loss (10/2013). I was probably around 520lbs, maybe higher. (Highest ever recorded is 585.) Then, in late March 2014, diabetes made me realize that I had to do something about my lifestyle and weight. I started seriously trying to lose weight (again...other times I gained back plus some) and weight loss surgery. On 4/1/2014, I was 515lbs. Then, I had surgery on 9/15/2014 @ 415lbs. Yesterday was my 1 year surgiversary at 233lbs.

I'm only 8 weeks out but I see the difference  

Look up Couch to 5k plans online or apps if you have a smart phone! The app I used is called Get Running but there are lots of them.
They are interval training to get you started running. They start with like walk three minutes run 15 seconds (and I thought I would DIE in those 15 secs!!!!). And slowly work you up to running for a full 30 mins at a time.
Lots of places to go after that point.
I was NEVER a runner even back in High School I walked when we had to run in PE. I just finished my first Marathon in May and have done a dozen or so half marathons and countless 5k's and 10k's... A few relays and triathlons too. All since my December 2013 surgery and I'm 46 years old. If I can do it anyone can!!!! I just won first overall female in a trail 10k last weekend!

Hi, I got back into running after surgery and I'm training for a marathon right now. I started out signing up for a 5K. I started with walking and then would add a few intervals of jogging for a minute or two. Then I would just increase the number of intervals and the amount of time I jogged.
Last year before surgery, I would get tired walking on the treadmill for 20 minutes. Last Saturday, I ran 14 miles. All you have to do is start.

When your 21 year old daughter answers her apartment door and greets you with "God mom you look like a starved orphan!"

When your sister in law that hasn't seen you in months (lives out of state) walks past and didn't reognize you.
Also, when you actually default to going into the "normal" stall in the public bathroom instead of the handicap stall.

When your husband starts calling you "Hottie" in front of all your friends!!

You can answer, "Either is fine with me.", when asked, "Would you like a table or a booth?"

You spend and entire 2 1/2 mile run holding up one side of your pants or another, because by the time you realized hey were gonna shake right off your butt, it was too late to turn around and go back home.

I think it is very common to feel this way when we start to introduce new foods.
The best advice I can give is to take it slowly. Introduce one new food (that is in line with your plan) each day. Eat slowly and see how your system reacts.
As you are able to introduce more foods and have more variety to choose from each day you will become more confident and less fearful.
If a food doesn't agree with you, don't force it. You can always try again later.
If you are worried about eating too much quantity, be sure and measure your portions, eat slowly, and pay attention to how your stomach is feeling. You will start to learn where the tipping point between satisfied and one bite too many is for you.

I am on my second week of "mushy" foods and I have two distinct signs, 1) the hiccup or burp. I will hiccup hard twice quickly. That is my que to stop. 2) just before the hiccup, almost as a pre-warning, my nose will start to run. I can't explain it, but I have learned quickly to listen to my body. When I was on liquids, I had no problems getting 60-80 g of Protein by basically sipping Protein drinks all day and I never really ever felt "full". As soon as I started the mushy foods, a few bites in I would start to get that feeling. 3-4 Tablespoons of food really does fill you up! Good luck!!

I'm one of those people who have chosen to NOT nominate a set weight.
When sleeved, I was a big boy...
BIG!!
So my aim is for functional, healthy, fit and active...
Also, with the addition of muscle mass and the huuuuuge 'apron' that will be around my formerly fat belly, a goal weight will be difficult to judge...
Oh ok, I'd like to be a fit, healthy, reasonably muscular 110kg (240-ish pounds)
There, I've said it!!!
I can dream can't I??

I am on my second week of "mushy" foods and I have two distinct signs, 1) the hiccup or burp. I will hiccup hard twice quickly. That is my que to stop. 2) just before the hiccup, almost as a pre-warning, my nose will start to run. I can't explain it, but I have learned quickly to listen to my body. When I was on liquids, I had no problems getting 60-80 g of Protein by basically sipping Protein drinks all day and I never really ever felt "full". As soon as I started the mushy foods, a few bites in I would start to get that feeling. 3-4 Tablespoons of food really does fill you up! Good luck!!

So this is my latest update, I know I haven't done one in a long time. The picture of me overweight sadly is not even me at my highest (301lbs) , the other one is last night. Sorry classic mirror picture but that's all I can do when I'm by myself and my aunts want updates.

I've noticed here lately that since losing a substantial amount of weight (90lbs) people (strangers) seem to be a lot more open and friendly. Nobody was ever mean to me before but now people go out of their way to strike up a conversation or hold doors ect.. little things like that. Then on the opposite end people I know seem to rather choke to death on a piece of glass than acknowledge the huge change I've made. Not all people just a few. It's not that I need acknowledgment or anything, I did this for myself but any time I notice a change like that in a person I say something! I'm kinda a big mouth too though. It seems women have a harder time complimenting other women for some reason. I wonder why that is? It doesn't take anything away from you to compliment another woman. Anyway just an observation.

small amounts post-op of mushy foods, like eggs, cottage cheese, strained cream of ____ Soup, refried Beans, yogurt with no fruit chunks (look out for seeds). I craved scrambled eggs with cheese - on Day 3 post-op they were delicious!