cherylsleevie

Hi guys!
I get on here every six months or so to update y'all I've never made a topic with progress pictures before, so I thought I would this time, as I've been maintaining below goal for almost a year now.
SW: 323
CW: 153
Size 24/26 to a 4/6
No skin removal
I ran my first half marathon in February and am running another in November, which is pretty cool! When not in race training mode, I run 3-6 miles, three days per week, and do HIIT style training (heavy weights and cardio) at the gym 2-3 other days per week. I tend to fluctuate between 150-153 lbs, depending on the time of month and just general day to day food/water intake.

That's great you guys. I was sleeved September 30. Tomorrow will be 11 weeks. I started out at 281. And now weighing in at 230!!!
Can't wait to see what the next three months have in store.
Keep it up everyone!
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That's great you guys. I was sleeved September 30. Tomorrow will be 11 weeks. I started out at 281. And now weighing in at 230!!!
Can't wait to see what the next three months have in store.
Keep it up everyone!
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100 lbs, gone forever. I still have 5 months til the end of my 12 month loss grace period. Really looking forward to seeing how far my sleeve can help me go!
Happy Thanksgiving, all!
HW: 293
CW: 193
GW: 185
Sleeved 4/14/2016

Hi everyone,
I was just curious if anyone knows if it's okay to smoke hookah after the sleeve. I'm 10 days post-op. Feeling great.
Thank you guys!
I haven't asked my surgeon and wasn't planning to...Not desperate to smoke.
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Not sure why it put ****** I'm asking about hoo-kah
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@@okcbaby I'm only pre-op (day 8 of liquid diet) but it's very clear to me that head hunger and cravings are real and still an issue for most after WLS. If not - we wouldn't be seeing far too many posts talking about "cheating" so soon after surgery. I went to therapy to learn how to deal with these exact issues. It's helping pre-op - and I assume will help post-op. I think once I can eat food (even mushy) - it will be much easier to satisfy my cravings with healthy alternatives. Only being able to have Protein Shakes, broth and Water is a different story. I've actually been testing myself now - knowing that it will help post-op. I made a delicious smelling pot roast for my SO the day my pre-op diet started. The next day he made himself shaved steak sandwiches (one of my favorites) and even the ketchup smelled good. :-) I stopped to pick up pizza for him Friday and 5 Guys on Sunday. He went out and got a pizza again yesterday. I made a really good veggie broth yesterday and it tasted incredible. I am managing much better than I expected and again - I think this will give me a head start post-op.

My doc told me 10 days
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Hi everyone,
I was just curious if anyone knows if it's okay to smoke hookah after the sleeve. I'm 10 days post-op. Feeling great.
Thank you guys!
I haven't asked my surgeon and wasn't planning to...Not desperate to smoke.
Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App
Not sure why it put ****** I'm asking about hoo-kah
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@@Boudala,
Congratulations on your surgery!
I know it is difficult right now, but take heart. You are in what can be the toughest post-op period. The few days right after surgery can be just as you described, with a lot of abdominal pain, plus feeling gas in your chest and the desire to burp.
It makes it mentally tougher when you have challenges like missing your little son! If you want chicken broth, why don’t you have it? As long as it is clear broth, it can just count towards your Fluid requirements for the day, and it might help you feel better.
The feelings of hunger that may not be hunger are also common, although they are confusing and frustrating! Sometimes what you think of as hunger can actually be pain from your surgery wounds. It is difficult to tell.
At this point, you will probably just want to get down whatever Protein and fluids you can tolerate to try to hit the goals your surgeon or nutritionist gave you. Then you can work towards recognizing hunger and fullness as you continue to heal and are feeling a little more normal.
As others have suggested, you can use walking to help manage the pain. The more you can keep moving, the better you will probably feel.
Try to stay positive and remember that this will pass, and probably very soon. Life will look a lot better when your son is back with you and you are not hurting so much!
Good luck!

That's what's up! Keep rocking it out! Sent from my VS987 using the BariatricPal App

I am in the pre-op stage of this journey. I held out on anything surgical for years, saying I would save it as a "last resort." I guess my last resort has come. I think my years of yoyo dieting along with the "on-again-off-again" exercise routine has brought me to this point. I keep telling myself, "I'm a lifetime Weight Watchers member - I SHOULD be able to do this without resorting to WLS." But that "SHOULD" doesn't seem to happen anymore. I was in my 20s when I lost weight with Weight Watcher and in a very different situation.
Now I am 50, I'm a ten-year recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I quit all forms of nicotine seven years ago. I am an emotional eater at the very least, even a food addict, so WLS is the next step of my recovery. I am nervous about this step. I know that WLS is a tool to fix my hunger, but it won't fix what's between the ears. While I am a fan of 12-step recovery, I am not a fan of food-related 12-step recovery (I've tried them.) I am planning to work with a therapist, as I know I need cognitive behavioral therapy when it comes to food. I'll also be seeking some bariatric-related support groups like this as well as face-to-face if they are available in my area.
Sometimes I find myself thinking
- why haven't I been able to do this without surgery
- I am permanently altering my body which seems so severe
- what if I get this surgery and nothing changes
- what about the gas and the pain and the diarrhea and the Hair loss that I've read so much about here
- what if surgery causes irreversible damage
- Will I be able to consume all of the Water and Protein needed
- Will this be sustainable for a lifetime
- Will I be able to extend my life and my QUALITY of life
- Will I be able to lose the 100+ pounds I want to lose
- How much damage have I done to myself already, will it be reversible
- How much sagging skin should I expect
But while I worry about all of those things, I remind myself of all of my WHYS
- I want to feel better and be more active
- I want to avoid type II diabetes and stop taking Metformin (I already have high-normal blood sugar)
- I want to lower my cholesterol and stop taking Lipitor
- I want to lower my blood pressure and stop taking lisinopril
- I want to be active with my son (he's 14, rail-thin, and super active)
- I want to live a long time for my son
- I want to be more active with my partner (she is also in recovery, overweight, and she and I will have WLS together)
- I want to reduce the pain in my joints from carrying this heavy body around every day
- I want to go to baseball games and concerts and broadway shows and fit comfortably in the seats
- I want to be able to tie my shoes effortlessly again
- I want to be able to reach fully around my body to scratch my back or clean my back - I have hampered that ability with my size
- I want to fit on the rides at the fair or at six flags again
- I want to zip line and horseback ride with my family on vacations
- I want to get back on a jet ski and not have to fear whether or not I can get back on it if I fall off
- I want to fit in normal-size chairs and booths again
- I want to climb a flight of steps without getting winded or causing agony in my joints
- I want a "pep in my step" again - everything feels so cumbersome right now
- I want to fit in a coach class airplane seat again without overflowing into other passengers seats
- I want to fly without the need for a seatbelt extender
Most of all, I don't want to die to young like my mom did. I lost her four weeks ago--heart disease ultimately took her but there was so much more that led to her death. This loss has been devastating and it think it's my tipping-point. Mom was only 76 and she's gone way too soon. My sister and I said for years now that she might not live to see 80. But it was still a blow to us. Mom lived an unhealthy lifestyle for decades and developed weight-related diseases and impediments. I think she set the example for me of what NOT to become. However, I am on her path right now. I live a sedentary life, I eat too much of the wrong things and too much food in general. Fortunately, I quit smoking years before Mom did. But it's not enough. I MUST change or I fear I will suffer her fate.
So that brings me to the present. I'm nervous, I'm excited, and I'm ready for a lifetime change.

Omg you're right. I totally forgot that I had a hiatal hernia repair as well. That's exactly where it is. In between my breasts I can press on where the pain and tightness feels and now that you reminded me...That's exactly where the hernia probably was. Haha okay good!See I didn't need to call my doc. Just support from like minded people going through the same thing!
Thanks!!
I just got on the scale for the first time and I think I'm down 30 lbs since 2 week pre-op
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You're in good hands. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!!

I had mine Sept. 30th...but I can pretend I'm an October buddy
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Hey I was also sleeved on the 30th. And I felt like I was sipping Water all day until I set an alarm that rings every 8 minutes to take a sip. Now I'm actually getting in fluids. I mixed gatorade zero with Water. Plus having chicken Soup broth a sip at a time. Plus made a Protein shake which is taking a whole day to drink as well!
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Hey I was also sleeved on the 30th. And I felt like I was sipping Water all day until I set an alarm that rings every 8 minutes to take a sip. Now I'm actually getting in fluids. I mixed gatorade zero with Water. Plus having chicken Soup broth a sip at a time. Plus made a Protein shake which is taking a whole day to drink as well!
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Eek! I'm having my surgery tomorrow morning with Dr. Schwack. Like you both said, the office was incredibly difficult to get a hold of. Dr. Schwack was very nice and informed me about all procedures available. I only met with him once, since I did my pre-op visits with my PCP.
Getting nervous for tomorrow but so so excited!!
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