Duchess Angie

I'm at a sort of midway point after the 168 pounds weight loss and still have more to go.
I'm at a point were i'm making my way back into society starting a new job, I feel human again. I can do so much more than i ever use to be able to do. Just to feel the wind on my face and the grass under my feet. Being able to stand on my feet for hours at a time without the need to sit down or feel the burning sensation under my feet. I feel in a sense "normal". Planning vacations and know i'm going to be able to travel and fit in a plane seat that now i dont have limitations it's a good and also a strange feeling. That might sound strange but for me it means everything and i know it's only going to get better and better.
For those who started out as large as i did, how do you feel now or really anyone whos gone through a huge weight loss but still has more to go.
How do you feel in public situations now? Still being over weight there are still people who look and look away. I can handle that now because i honestly don't care i think to myself how far i've come and nobody can take that feeling away from me.

After my last post, people asked for photos, so here's a photo of me from around my top weight of 485 or so wearing 60" waist pants. The newer photo I took today where I am wearing a 32" waist.

I'm about 7.5 months out and reached the 100 mark this morning (down 90 from surgery date)! I have 10 pounds to my physician's goal, and 25 pounds to my personal goal of 150, which puts me at a healthy BMI for my height on all those terrible, old, outdated (but still used) charts. I hope to be at my personal goal by my birthday, November 10th. I'm still really struggling with being active enough, which is becoming more necessary as the loss has slowed significantly (averaging about 1.5 pounds per week for the last couple of months).
I have all the tools and resources to exercise, I'm just... not doing it. Time to get my @ss in gear so that I can meet my birthday goal! It's only 22 weeks away, so it's a tight goal to lose 25 pounds in that time frame.
I look very different than I did 7 months ago, and about a month and a half ago I had to change all my work directory pictures because I was getting confused looks and several outright "your picture looks nothing like you" comments. It feels great.

I finally made it to Onderland! I am not sure how i feel about it. I am almost wanting to wait to lose another 2 pounds to make it Official! I do not ever recall being in the 1's LOL.. Mixed emotions over here!

Hey y'all! Anyone and everyone is welcome to jump in and join us.
This is the Intermittent Fasting DAily Menu/Results/Accountability Thread. It's where a few of us (or many) are going to log in and encourage each other while we experiment with our own IF plans. You can list or talk about anything--not just your food. I look forward to adding in HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and core exercises to my walking plan while practicing IF. So expect to hear about that too. hehe I expect some of us will talk about the known IF side-effects like insomnia, circadian rhythm disturbance, etc. It's all good! Let's hack this IF mofo! mkay?
There is not any 1 specific IF plan--there are so many to choose from, so this is a BYOIFP (bring-your-own-IF-plan) and join the fun! This is the thread where we'll post our daily menus and maybe some piccys at times! We can discuss progress, issues we might notice, look at how we may want to refine our own personal plans. I do think you should be healed from surgery and have your doctor's and RD's blessings to try something like this and you should do a ton of research and reading about Intermittent Fasting.
IF isn't only about weight loss, it's about taking specific measures to limit either quantities, calories, macros, or sometimes only consciously altering eating windows/schedules in order to effect metabolic change and reduce inflammation and improve health markers.
Ok, let's do this thang!!!

Surgery scheduled tomorrow have to check in at 5:30 am central. Would like some tips and advice for surgery day and what to expect I know everyone’s experience is different but still would like to hear some information. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated

It's been a great year, and I wouldn't trade it for anything! Down a total of 221 pounds!!

I used to have 2 bellies one at the top and one at the bottom...they have now merged into one LOL. Loving my tool, did I say that before 🤣😎☺️

Have a great day everyone ✌️

Guys this is unbelievable and has literally brought me to tears I'm 8 days post op just had my week check up weigh in and on surgery day I was 374 today I weighed 354 I lost 20 pounds this week I'm so excited about this journey I started in October at 406 pounds my heaviest ever
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The pictures on top were taken today at 193 lbs, I'm 5'9, so it may still seem high but I'm thrilled. Once I get to 175, I'm officially at my goal. I'm sure I have at least 10 lbs of excess skin thatll eventually be removed...but no rush. The pics below were 2 months preop (so around August 2018 and I weighed somewhere near 300lbs).
In 6 months , I'm down over 100lbs and feeling fabulous. Struggling with the excess skin on my belly and inner thighs. Any Spanx or waist trainer recommendations to conceal the pooch Lol!
Hope everyone is happy and would love to see updates on my fellow October sleevers and how everyone is doing in general! Xoxo!
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I had my surgery jan 22 2018, I am about to be 13 months out. (34year old, 5'7)
What a journey. Started at 402lbs, a weight I now can't believe I had. it's crazy and unreal. My skin DOES reminds me that "hey you had that weight" but I am trying to have less floppy skin I wish I worked on it before but it's fine. And maybe tmi but also working on my breasts so they are less in a sad shape.
I don't necessarily eat well and I probably eat less that I am supposed to but I am proud.
13 months ago i was at 323.4lbs, today I am at 187.8, sometimes i gained 1-4lbs, then i lose it back and lose some more. I only really had one plateau that lasted a month, i had some plateau that lasted a week or even two but after weight somewhat catched up, losing in general from 6lbs to 10-12lbs per month, I still got a few to lose to not be in "bmi overweight" but i am no longer in obesity. I am focusing more on my skin then my weight loss.
I wouldn't say surgery changed my life, but yes it improved it. I sometime see myself bigger then I actually am. I am still afraid to sit in booth thinking I won't fit... yet i fit with space to go. my shirt size went from like 3x to M or L.
picture of day of surgery at 323 and now
 

I just wanted to share about my experience in Mexico.
I arrived at the San Diego airport on 1/16/2019 and I was scared to death. A very nice young man named Robert picked us up as soon as we got our luggage and was very polite and encouraging on the way to the hospital which starting calming me down.
We arrived at the hospital and they were ready for us. The Valet (which is the person that takes care of my husband all week) unloaded our luggage and took us to register. After I filled out the paperwork we were shown to my room. All of my preop testing started (blood work, vitals, EKG) and my IV got hooked up. Everyone was so nice and accommodating. My nerves were finally starting to calm as they explained the processes throughout the day to me. They brought me "dinner" and my husband ordered off of the menu which he said the food was good all week. ($8 for dinner and $5 for Breakfast. He asked for a Coca-Cola and the Valet actually went to the store and bought.
I was the first surgery in the morning 1/17/2019. It went great. They kept my husband informed. I slept off and on most of the day but was in no pain and got up and walked every time I was awake. This day I could only chew icechips and spit the Water out. They don't want you to drink anything until you have another "leak" test.
Friday 1/18/2019 consisted of my leak test which was fine. Then they brought me a tray of juices and broth. I mostly sipped water and a little juice as I was very bloated from the gas during surgery. I walked as much as I could in between Netflix (the tv has an Amazon Firestick). Later in the day, the Nutritionist brought me a care package that had a bunch of drinks and samples from the BariatricPal Store. She went over the post-op diet and what to expect. She gave me a folder with detailed instructions and a Bariatric Help Book. I was given all of the meds that I would have to take at home with an instruction sheet, Multivitamins, pain meds, Maalox, antibiotics and shots that I have to give in my stomach every night for 7 nights to prevent clotting. I have to admit the shot the first night scared me to death but the needle is so small that I didn't even feel it.
Saturday 1/19/2019 morning our tour guides arrived and I was discharged from the hospital. They took us to our hotel. (Real Inn) and they checked us in and escorted us to our rooms. At 11am we met in the lobby and went on a guided tour of Tijuana. It was a lot of walking but it was needed. They took us to Caesar's restaurant which was nice. We were seated immediately and the companions ordered off of the menu and the "Sleevers" ordered Soup. The Soups were strained so we just had the broth but OMG it was the best French Onion broth I have ever had. I couldn't eat it all and ate very slow but it was amazing. We went shopping along the strip and bought souvenirs. After our tour we went back to the hotel in which I pretty much passed out.
Sunday 1/20/2019, our flight was at 10:30am so the driver had to pick us up at 6:30am in order to cross the border and give us time to go through TSA. This process when flawlessly. We had a 4 1/2 hour nonstop flight home and I paid for comfort seats in the front row. This enabled me to stand up every hour and go to the bathroom to prevent blood clots. The flight wore me out and I pretty much went to sleep as soon as I got home.
Since I got home, I have learned that very small sips are better because I am 8 days post op and although I have had no pain, Gas-X has been my friend. Yesterday was the first day I was actually able to get all of my recommended amount of liquids down just because I feel every time it hits my stomach. Each day gets better and better.
I know this is a long post but I wanted to share my experience in Mexico to help anyone that might be scared or hesitant. The nurses, doctors and all of the support staff were very nice. The care was amazing compared to the hospitals in my home town. The only suggestion I would have is to make sure you either speak Spanish or have a translation app on your phone because it is helpful with the nurses and that way you don't have to have the Valet translate every time. They speak English but very limited.
I would highly recommend BariatricPalMx!!!!!

Why is this nurse getting on my nerves. Lady just do you job! I don't need nor want your opinion!
Just let me live my life 😂

4mths post gastric sleeve.
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As of today's weigh in, I reached a mini goal that I had set for myself; I am officially down 200+ pounds! I'm so happy!

Started at 318 down to 198 and about another 15-20 pounds to goal weight which are coming off slowly but feeling great and could t be happier!

I was sleeved March 27th. Have lost 51 pounds and feel great!

Hi March sleevers!!!
So we all are about 9 months in. How's it going? I got sleeved March 5th. I stalled for a few months but now down 63 lbs. 17 lbs to goal which I would like to reach by my one year anniversary. Has anyone tried Keto along with Intermittent fasting on their journey?

Sleeved March 9th, I’ve lost 70 lbs total, 8lbs to goal, I feel awesome!! But have stalled a little in the past few months. I will finish the year strong. Back to the basics for me

So I had my surgery yesterday at 7:30 in the morning! Woke up a little nauseous and sore but I had told them before surgery that anesthesia has a tendency to make me vomit so they had given me a cocktail of drugs to combat the worst of the nausea. Spent a good chunk of the day in bed sleeping or watching TV but I managed to get up to go to the bathroom and walk down the hall twice. Today I've already done two laps down the hall and am now sitting in the recliner instead of the bed which my nurse was ecstatic about. Hubby has been with me the whole time and has been a huge help. Have had no trouble with ice chips or liquids other than the occasional pressure in my stomach but I'm just taking it one small sip at a time. My surgeon thinks I'm bouncing back quite well so I should be discharged this afternoon! Ready to begin this new chapter of my life back at home!

I'm officially in the 200's, as of today's weigh in! I made it by the skin of my teeth, but it still counts! Yay!!

Hello All,
I am checking in to see how everyone is doing. I was sleeved from a band on February 26th, 2018. I am so thrilled with the results. I went through what most people described here as 3 month stalls, 5 month stalls, 6 month stalls, Than I start loosing again. I have to say this tool is now really starting to be powerful. A lot of my old habits are slipping away, especially my compulsiveness with food. Would love to hear about good bad and the ugly.
Anyone out there with a lap band still in and struggling with throwing up on a regular basis and minimal weight loss, talk to your Dr. I found a new practice and it was done in one surgery. I regret going on as long as I did with my lap band not working, and so afraid that I would fail again like so many times before. I can honestly say, I am not failing at gastric sleeve bariatric surgery. This is what I had hoped my sleeve would do.
anyone out there considering a revision and needs to ask questions please ask.
Dawn Marie

So I was sleeved on June 25th of this year. My starting weight was 410. Fast forward to present day and I am now weighing 325 (thank you thank you lol). The fact that I am 2 months and 2 weeks out and down 85lbs already is mind blowing to me. Another 15 and I'm at -100lbs (my math skills are superb today lol). My concern though is, is this normal? I see many post on here and of people who are just months out as well and they haven't lost as much weight as I have (I'm not trying to toot my own horn here). I checked with my surgeon and he said all is well, I checked with my nutritionist and she says my diet is fine, my intake is where it should be and all my lab work looks fine. My surgeon says it's most likely due to my activity levels. I am very honest with my team, I let them know on how often I slip up, have drinks and foods I shouldn't but at this point even they said they dont even know how I am where I am but to just keep doing what I'm doing. I'd love to here some input or if anyone else is experiencing the same. Hope you all are having a great day!
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I began my journey back in December and now my gastric sleeve surgery date has finally arrived. Back when I first started out and was attending pre-op appointments, nutritionist visits, getting various tests and lab work done, and generally jumping through a lot of hoops, it seemed like I'd never get to this point.
Now that I'm here it almost seems like it's all happening too fast. I've done a lot of reading on here and other bariatric surgery forums in the past few months, but I never felt a desire to participate until now. I'll be heading to the hospital soon and I'm feeling emotional. Everyone seems to be so different in how their recovery progresses and I have a lot of anxiety over not knowing how I'll feel when I wake up and for the first few months.
It's also daunting to be making such a big decision that involves a serious and irreversible change to my body. Still, I can only hope it will be better than the life I've been living. I'm only 24, but I'm physically disabled (from birth) and I've spent most of my life overweight to obese due to low activity levels, a poor relationship with food and nutrition, and a lack of positive coping skills to deal with my anxiety and depression.
I'm tired of physically feeling heavy and how the weight exacerbates my disability-related pains and mobility issues. I'm tired of the slow creep towards various comorbidities. And I'm tired of looking in the mirror and being ashamed of what I see and how I got myself to this point. I also don't want food and eating to rule my life and my feelings anymore.
I am scared. But the stories I've read about here and elsewhere online have inspired me. I think I'm finally ready to change my life. Wish me luck.

After months of hurdles and rescheduling I finally had my procedure on Tuesday. I was discharged from the hospital today. I am sore but excited for this journey... shout out to everyone else in this crazy process!