CristinHope

I’ve been completely transparent with my decision to have surgery, for several reasons. It took me almost 3 years to make the decision to have surgery because I bought into the lie that weight loss surgery is the easy way out and that it’s something shameful. I was afraid to ask anyone all the questions I had because of fear of judgment or ridicule. When I finally realized that the only thing I was scared of was admitting to myself that I NEEDED the surgery, my mindset completely changed. I would have been given anything to have someone that I could have talked to during those 3 years, who could have helped me on my journey. So I’m sharing everything with anyone who wants to know. I post about it on my social media, my family, friends, and coworkers all know. I am NOT ashamed and, more importantly, I want to help other people. I’ve had 3 different friends start down this road since I started sharing my journey. This was the best decision I ever made and I won’t fuel the negative thoughts or judgements of others by keeping quiet about it. I am PROUD of this decision.

I’ve been completely transparent with my decision to have surgery, for several reasons. It took me almost 3 years to make the decision to have surgery because I bought into the lie that weight loss surgery is the easy way out and that it’s something shameful. I was afraid to ask anyone all the questions I had because of fear of judgment or ridicule. When I finally realized that the only thing I was scared of was admitting to myself that I NEEDED the surgery, my mindset completely changed. I would have been given anything to have someone that I could have talked to during those 3 years, who could have helped me on my journey. So I’m sharing everything with anyone who wants to know. I post about it on my social media, my family, friends, and coworkers all know. I am NOT ashamed and, more importantly, I want to help other people. I’ve had 3 different friends start down this road since I started sharing my journey. This was the best decision I ever made and I won’t fuel the negative thoughts or judgements of others by keeping quiet about it. I am PROUD of this decision.

Hi Fellow November Sleevers!
I hope you are all doing well on your journey and are starting to enjoy some of the super fun non-scale victories there are with losing weight!! I had my favorite #nsv yet this weekend when I finally felt confident enough to jump on the back of my boyfriend's motorcycle! I have always been far too self-conscious to do so, thinking I'd look like Miss Piggy on the back of that bike! But I am starting to feel great about myself and decided to push past my fear and just go for it!! It was THE MOST FUN!
I hope you all are discovering new things and enjoying life in new ways too!!!

So I am 4 months post-op and I still have to be proactive about this. I NEVER had this issue pre-surgery but I have accepted it as my new norm, which is fine now that I know how to manage it. I take Miralax every other day to keep me regulated. I don't have any issues with it upsetting my stomach or causing pain or diarrhea and it's safe to use as often as needed, unlike stimulant laxatives. I also take stool softeners regularly. You'll have to work to find the balance for how often you need to take something to get the right balance and not end up with the OTHER issue! Unfortunately, once you're really bad off, there's not much you can do other than what others have suggested with glycerin suppositories and/or enemas. LOTS of folks end up with impaction and/or obstruction. Make an effort to stay on top of it proactively to avoid the horrible consequences. Surgery was still totally worth it!

Let me start by saying this: There is no "right" or "wrong" choice to deciding whether or not to disclose WLS.
That being said, I have been very open about having WLS, both with close family and friends and total strangers.
“Isn’t that private or too personal?” Yes, it’s a very personal decision that should be made only after careful consideration. It is not the right choice for everyone. But was my weight problem private? Absolutely not! Though I could conceal the actual number on the scale, I’ve worn my weight problem every single day of my life, out in the open for all to see. My family and friends have seen me battle obesity since childhood. I joke that I learned basic mathematics by counting calories and Weight Watcher points. I have struggled and fought with my weight in front of anyone I’ve ever met, both those close to me and strangers I'd pass on the street. That’s the thing about being overweight....no matter how you dress it, there’s nothing private about it.
“Aren’t you worried about what people will think?” Yes, and that’s exactly why I decided to be open and honest. There is such a stigma about weight loss surgery, whether we want to acknowledge it or not. It’s something that causes people to judge you, possibly even ridicule or scold you, and offer completely unsolicited opinions. You’re made to feel as though you should be ashamed or embarrassed for even considering it. I struggled for over two years with whether or not I should have weight loss surgery. I was afraid if I voiced it, it meant admitting I was a failure, because that’s what society tells us. Society says surgery is “the easy way out” and “you should just diet”. I will never understand why we discourage people who are trying to improve? Like anyone considering surgery hasn’t tried every diet known to man? Ask me about the Cabbage Soup Diet! It was the worst! Let me tell you, there is nothing “easy” about having 85% of your stomach removed! Surgery doesn’t magically change what foods I choose to eat. I still have to make a conscious decision every single time I’m hungry. I still have to choose foods that will help me versus harm me. Surgery didn't prevent me from eating garbage. Weight loss surgery is just a tool. It’s all about how you use it.
Deciding to have weight loss surgery was one of the SCARIEST things I have ever done in my life and I am PROUD to tell everyone. If I can help just one person, it is all worth it! I have had multiple people come to me who were considering surgery but had no one to talk to or ask questions to. It's one thing to hear about surgery from a doctor or a website. It's completely different when you know someone who has gone through it. That's what makes it worth it for me, being able to help someone else. I will not feel ashamed for making this decision and I will continue to be as transparent as possible. I refuse to feed the stigma. If someone thinks I took an "easy" route, I take time to educate them. I honestly think most negative thoughts about WLS come from either a lack of knowledge or are the result of someone's own insecurities about their weight. The only way to change it is to talk about it! Most people have NO CLUE what WLS actually involves. And most aren't jerks, they're just genuinely clueless.
All of that being said, I do not judge anyone who chooses to not disclose or lie about their surgery. Everyone makes their own decisions for their own reasons. This is simply why I made the decision I made.

Let me start by saying this: There is no "right" or "wrong" choice to deciding whether or not to disclose WLS.
That being said, I have been very open about having WLS, both with close family and friends and total strangers.
“Isn’t that private or too personal?” Yes, it’s a very personal decision that should be made only after careful consideration. It is not the right choice for everyone. But was my weight problem private? Absolutely not! Though I could conceal the actual number on the scale, I’ve worn my weight problem every single day of my life, out in the open for all to see. My family and friends have seen me battle obesity since childhood. I joke that I learned basic mathematics by counting calories and Weight Watcher points. I have struggled and fought with my weight in front of anyone I’ve ever met, both those close to me and strangers I'd pass on the street. That’s the thing about being overweight....no matter how you dress it, there’s nothing private about it.
“Aren’t you worried about what people will think?” Yes, and that’s exactly why I decided to be open and honest. There is such a stigma about weight loss surgery, whether we want to acknowledge it or not. It’s something that causes people to judge you, possibly even ridicule or scold you, and offer completely unsolicited opinions. You’re made to feel as though you should be ashamed or embarrassed for even considering it. I struggled for over two years with whether or not I should have weight loss surgery. I was afraid if I voiced it, it meant admitting I was a failure, because that’s what society tells us. Society says surgery is “the easy way out” and “you should just diet”. I will never understand why we discourage people who are trying to improve? Like anyone considering surgery hasn’t tried every diet known to man? Ask me about the Cabbage Soup Diet! It was the worst! Let me tell you, there is nothing “easy” about having 85% of your stomach removed! Surgery doesn’t magically change what foods I choose to eat. I still have to make a conscious decision every single time I’m hungry. I still have to choose foods that will help me versus harm me. Surgery didn't prevent me from eating garbage. Weight loss surgery is just a tool. It’s all about how you use it.
Deciding to have weight loss surgery was one of the SCARIEST things I have ever done in my life and I am PROUD to tell everyone. If I can help just one person, it is all worth it! I have had multiple people come to me who were considering surgery but had no one to talk to or ask questions to. It's one thing to hear about surgery from a doctor or a website. It's completely different when you know someone who has gone through it. That's what makes it worth it for me, being able to help someone else. I will not feel ashamed for making this decision and I will continue to be as transparent as possible. I refuse to feed the stigma. If someone thinks I took an "easy" route, I take time to educate them. I honestly think most negative thoughts about WLS come from either a lack of knowledge or are the result of someone's own insecurities about their weight. The only way to change it is to talk about it! Most people have NO CLUE what WLS actually involves. And most aren't jerks, they're just genuinely clueless.
All of that being said, I do not judge anyone who chooses to not disclose or lie about their surgery. Everyone makes their own decisions for their own reasons. This is simply why I made the decision I made.

I hate this thread... I had to go through and like soooooo may well thought out responses my fingers hurt 😂

Let me start by saying this: There is no "right" or "wrong" choice to deciding whether or not to disclose WLS.
That being said, I have been very open about having WLS, both with close family and friends and total strangers.
“Isn’t that private or too personal?” Yes, it’s a very personal decision that should be made only after careful consideration. It is not the right choice for everyone. But was my weight problem private? Absolutely not! Though I could conceal the actual number on the scale, I’ve worn my weight problem every single day of my life, out in the open for all to see. My family and friends have seen me battle obesity since childhood. I joke that I learned basic mathematics by counting calories and Weight Watcher points. I have struggled and fought with my weight in front of anyone I’ve ever met, both those close to me and strangers I'd pass on the street. That’s the thing about being overweight....no matter how you dress it, there’s nothing private about it.
“Aren’t you worried about what people will think?” Yes, and that’s exactly why I decided to be open and honest. There is such a stigma about weight loss surgery, whether we want to acknowledge it or not. It’s something that causes people to judge you, possibly even ridicule or scold you, and offer completely unsolicited opinions. You’re made to feel as though you should be ashamed or embarrassed for even considering it. I struggled for over two years with whether or not I should have weight loss surgery. I was afraid if I voiced it, it meant admitting I was a failure, because that’s what society tells us. Society says surgery is “the easy way out” and “you should just diet”. I will never understand why we discourage people who are trying to improve? Like anyone considering surgery hasn’t tried every diet known to man? Ask me about the Cabbage Soup Diet! It was the worst! Let me tell you, there is nothing “easy” about having 85% of your stomach removed! Surgery doesn’t magically change what foods I choose to eat. I still have to make a conscious decision every single time I’m hungry. I still have to choose foods that will help me versus harm me. Surgery didn't prevent me from eating garbage. Weight loss surgery is just a tool. It’s all about how you use it.
Deciding to have weight loss surgery was one of the SCARIEST things I have ever done in my life and I am PROUD to tell everyone. If I can help just one person, it is all worth it! I have had multiple people come to me who were considering surgery but had no one to talk to or ask questions to. It's one thing to hear about surgery from a doctor or a website. It's completely different when you know someone who has gone through it. That's what makes it worth it for me, being able to help someone else. I will not feel ashamed for making this decision and I will continue to be as transparent as possible. I refuse to feed the stigma. If someone thinks I took an "easy" route, I take time to educate them. I honestly think most negative thoughts about WLS come from either a lack of knowledge or are the result of someone's own insecurities about their weight. The only way to change it is to talk about it! Most people have NO CLUE what WLS actually involves. And most aren't jerks, they're just genuinely clueless.
All of that being said, I do not judge anyone who chooses to not disclose or lie about their surgery. Everyone makes their own decisions for their own reasons. This is simply why I made the decision I made.

Let me start by saying this: There is no "right" or "wrong" choice to deciding whether or not to disclose WLS.
That being said, I have been very open about having WLS, both with close family and friends and total strangers.
“Isn’t that private or too personal?” Yes, it’s a very personal decision that should be made only after careful consideration. It is not the right choice for everyone. But was my weight problem private? Absolutely not! Though I could conceal the actual number on the scale, I’ve worn my weight problem every single day of my life, out in the open for all to see. My family and friends have seen me battle obesity since childhood. I joke that I learned basic mathematics by counting calories and Weight Watcher points. I have struggled and fought with my weight in front of anyone I’ve ever met, both those close to me and strangers I'd pass on the street. That’s the thing about being overweight....no matter how you dress it, there’s nothing private about it.
“Aren’t you worried about what people will think?” Yes, and that’s exactly why I decided to be open and honest. There is such a stigma about weight loss surgery, whether we want to acknowledge it or not. It’s something that causes people to judge you, possibly even ridicule or scold you, and offer completely unsolicited opinions. You’re made to feel as though you should be ashamed or embarrassed for even considering it. I struggled for over two years with whether or not I should have weight loss surgery. I was afraid if I voiced it, it meant admitting I was a failure, because that’s what society tells us. Society says surgery is “the easy way out” and “you should just diet”. I will never understand why we discourage people who are trying to improve? Like anyone considering surgery hasn’t tried every diet known to man? Ask me about the Cabbage Soup Diet! It was the worst! Let me tell you, there is nothing “easy” about having 85% of your stomach removed! Surgery doesn’t magically change what foods I choose to eat. I still have to make a conscious decision every single time I’m hungry. I still have to choose foods that will help me versus harm me. Surgery didn't prevent me from eating garbage. Weight loss surgery is just a tool. It’s all about how you use it.
Deciding to have weight loss surgery was one of the SCARIEST things I have ever done in my life and I am PROUD to tell everyone. If I can help just one person, it is all worth it! I have had multiple people come to me who were considering surgery but had no one to talk to or ask questions to. It's one thing to hear about surgery from a doctor or a website. It's completely different when you know someone who has gone through it. That's what makes it worth it for me, being able to help someone else. I will not feel ashamed for making this decision and I will continue to be as transparent as possible. I refuse to feed the stigma. If someone thinks I took an "easy" route, I take time to educate them. I honestly think most negative thoughts about WLS come from either a lack of knowledge or are the result of someone's own insecurities about their weight. The only way to change it is to talk about it! Most people have NO CLUE what WLS actually involves. And most aren't jerks, they're just genuinely clueless.
All of that being said, I do not judge anyone who chooses to not disclose or lie about their surgery. Everyone makes their own decisions for their own reasons. This is simply why I made the decision I made.

Let me start by saying this: There is no "right" or "wrong" choice to deciding whether or not to disclose WLS.
That being said, I have been very open about having WLS, both with close family and friends and total strangers.
“Isn’t that private or too personal?” Yes, it’s a very personal decision that should be made only after careful consideration. It is not the right choice for everyone. But was my weight problem private? Absolutely not! Though I could conceal the actual number on the scale, I’ve worn my weight problem every single day of my life, out in the open for all to see. My family and friends have seen me battle obesity since childhood. I joke that I learned basic mathematics by counting calories and Weight Watcher points. I have struggled and fought with my weight in front of anyone I’ve ever met, both those close to me and strangers I'd pass on the street. That’s the thing about being overweight....no matter how you dress it, there’s nothing private about it.
“Aren’t you worried about what people will think?” Yes, and that’s exactly why I decided to be open and honest. There is such a stigma about weight loss surgery, whether we want to acknowledge it or not. It’s something that causes people to judge you, possibly even ridicule or scold you, and offer completely unsolicited opinions. You’re made to feel as though you should be ashamed or embarrassed for even considering it. I struggled for over two years with whether or not I should have weight loss surgery. I was afraid if I voiced it, it meant admitting I was a failure, because that’s what society tells us. Society says surgery is “the easy way out” and “you should just diet”. I will never understand why we discourage people who are trying to improve? Like anyone considering surgery hasn’t tried every diet known to man? Ask me about the Cabbage Soup Diet! It was the worst! Let me tell you, there is nothing “easy” about having 85% of your stomach removed! Surgery doesn’t magically change what foods I choose to eat. I still have to make a conscious decision every single time I’m hungry. I still have to choose foods that will help me versus harm me. Surgery didn't prevent me from eating garbage. Weight loss surgery is just a tool. It’s all about how you use it.
Deciding to have weight loss surgery was one of the SCARIEST things I have ever done in my life and I am PROUD to tell everyone. If I can help just one person, it is all worth it! I have had multiple people come to me who were considering surgery but had no one to talk to or ask questions to. It's one thing to hear about surgery from a doctor or a website. It's completely different when you know someone who has gone through it. That's what makes it worth it for me, being able to help someone else. I will not feel ashamed for making this decision and I will continue to be as transparent as possible. I refuse to feed the stigma. If someone thinks I took an "easy" route, I take time to educate them. I honestly think most negative thoughts about WLS come from either a lack of knowledge or are the result of someone's own insecurities about their weight. The only way to change it is to talk about it! Most people have NO CLUE what WLS actually involves. And most aren't jerks, they're just genuinely clueless.
All of that being said, I do not judge anyone who chooses to not disclose or lie about their surgery. Everyone makes their own decisions for their own reasons. This is simply why I made the decision I made.

Let me start by saying this: There is no "right" or "wrong" choice to deciding whether or not to disclose WLS.
That being said, I have been very open about having WLS, both with close family and friends and total strangers.
“Isn’t that private or too personal?” Yes, it’s a very personal decision that should be made only after careful consideration. It is not the right choice for everyone. But was my weight problem private? Absolutely not! Though I could conceal the actual number on the scale, I’ve worn my weight problem every single day of my life, out in the open for all to see. My family and friends have seen me battle obesity since childhood. I joke that I learned basic mathematics by counting calories and Weight Watcher points. I have struggled and fought with my weight in front of anyone I’ve ever met, both those close to me and strangers I'd pass on the street. That’s the thing about being overweight....no matter how you dress it, there’s nothing private about it.
“Aren’t you worried about what people will think?” Yes, and that’s exactly why I decided to be open and honest. There is such a stigma about weight loss surgery, whether we want to acknowledge it or not. It’s something that causes people to judge you, possibly even ridicule or scold you, and offer completely unsolicited opinions. You’re made to feel as though you should be ashamed or embarrassed for even considering it. I struggled for over two years with whether or not I should have weight loss surgery. I was afraid if I voiced it, it meant admitting I was a failure, because that’s what society tells us. Society says surgery is “the easy way out” and “you should just diet”. I will never understand why we discourage people who are trying to improve? Like anyone considering surgery hasn’t tried every diet known to man? Ask me about the Cabbage Soup Diet! It was the worst! Let me tell you, there is nothing “easy” about having 85% of your stomach removed! Surgery doesn’t magically change what foods I choose to eat. I still have to make a conscious decision every single time I’m hungry. I still have to choose foods that will help me versus harm me. Surgery didn't prevent me from eating garbage. Weight loss surgery is just a tool. It’s all about how you use it.
Deciding to have weight loss surgery was one of the SCARIEST things I have ever done in my life and I am PROUD to tell everyone. If I can help just one person, it is all worth it! I have had multiple people come to me who were considering surgery but had no one to talk to or ask questions to. It's one thing to hear about surgery from a doctor or a website. It's completely different when you know someone who has gone through it. That's what makes it worth it for me, being able to help someone else. I will not feel ashamed for making this decision and I will continue to be as transparent as possible. I refuse to feed the stigma. If someone thinks I took an "easy" route, I take time to educate them. I honestly think most negative thoughts about WLS come from either a lack of knowledge or are the result of someone's own insecurities about their weight. The only way to change it is to talk about it! Most people have NO CLUE what WLS actually involves. And most aren't jerks, they're just genuinely clueless.
All of that being said, I do not judge anyone who chooses to not disclose or lie about their surgery. Everyone makes their own decisions for their own reasons. This is simply why I made the decision I made.

So I am 4 months post-op and I still have to be proactive about this. I NEVER had this issue pre-surgery but I have accepted it as my new norm, which is fine now that I know how to manage it. I take Miralax every other day to keep me regulated. I don't have any issues with it upsetting my stomach or causing pain or diarrhea and it's safe to use as often as needed, unlike stimulant laxatives. I also take stool softeners regularly. You'll have to work to find the balance for how often you need to take something to get the right balance and not end up with the OTHER issue! Unfortunately, once you're really bad off, there's not much you can do other than what others have suggested with glycerin suppositories and/or enemas. LOTS of folks end up with impaction and/or obstruction. Make an effort to stay on top of it proactively to avoid the horrible consequences. Surgery was still totally worth it!

THIS!! YES!! I started at 330 in June 2018. I was 283 when I had VSG on 11/6/18 and I'm 235 now, exactly 4 months post-op. I'm 5lbs away from being down 100lbs since June 2018. So start NOW, lose as much as possible beforehand. Everyone loses at a different rate afterwards.

You look great!!! Congrats on your progress!! I am going to that Mouse's house next week (for the first time EVER, I might add) and I cannot tell you how thrilled I am not to have that dread of "will I fit" hanging over my head! Or the "Am I gonna be in a middle seat on the flight?"And, I'm actually EXCITED about all the steps I'm going to get in too! Life is already so much more enjoyable.

Today is 6 months post op for me and I feel so good. I don’t look at this process as a diet, it’s my new lifestyle. I will have to watch my weight the rest of my life and I’m so ok with that...for me it’s all about the mindset.

I had so many medical issues before surgery and type 2 diabetes was the one that helped me to make my decision to have the gastric sleeve surgery. I can’t be more pleased about my decision and have never had one regret, i was on 1500 mg of metformin and the highest dosage of victoza and my blood sugars were still out of control, now I am not on any meds for diabetes from the day that I got out of the hospital from surgery, my A1C went from 9.8 to 6.6 that was 3 months after surgery so it’s time for blood work again, the endocrinologist said that my A1C will go even lower as I lose more weight...YES I’ve experienced the dreaded feeling sick 🤢 from eating to fast, trying beef to early but it’s all a learning experience and we all have to get adjusted to our new tool. I still have more weight to lose and I am diligently working on it, I do cardio and no strength training yet.

I want to encourage all of the newbies and pre-opers to hang in there, things do get better and better each day...I have so much energy, stamina and just overall better health.

I wish you all the best on your journeys 💕🌺

Greetings fellow November 2018 sleevers. I haven't checked in here in ages but today was my 3 month check up. So far, I'm down 25.6lbs since surgery which is PAINFULLY slow, but steady.
I try not to stress over the scale even though I'm jealous of other people's progress. That said, I can't afford clothes often enough to keep up with rapid weight loss, so it's really a silver lining.
My mood is great, my health is excellent, and in general I feel like I'm rocking this weight loss thing.

Since immediately after surgery (11/6), I am cold all the time. Constantly freezing! Pre-op, I was someone who ran extremely hot and I would sweat so much, I thought I had some kind of glandular disorder. Now, I BARELY glisten with exercise! While being cold all the time is a weird feeling, I'll take it any day over constantly sweating inappropriately!

Since immediately after surgery (11/6), I am cold all the time. Constantly freezing! Pre-op, I was someone who ran extremely hot and I would sweat so much, I thought I had some kind of glandular disorder. Now, I BARELY glisten with exercise! While being cold all the time is a weird feeling, I'll take it any day over constantly sweating inappropriately!

I’ve been completely transparent with my decision to have surgery, for several reasons. It took me almost 3 years to make the decision to have surgery because I bought into the lie that weight loss surgery is the easy way out and that it’s something shameful. I was afraid to ask anyone all the questions I had because of fear of judgment or ridicule. When I finally realized that the only thing I was scared of was admitting to myself that I NEEDED the surgery, my mindset completely changed. I would have been given anything to have someone that I could have talked to during those 3 years, who could have helped me on my journey. So I’m sharing everything with anyone who wants to know. I post about it on my social media, my family, friends, and coworkers all know. I am NOT ashamed and, more importantly, I want to help other people. I’ve had 3 different friends start down this road since I started sharing my journey. This was the best decision I ever made and I won’t fuel the negative thoughts or judgements of others by keeping quiet about it. I am PROUD of this decision.

Hi Everyone-

Just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing? I know the FB page is finally a closed group so it is cool to see people writing on there. I have a 1.5 lb regain? Healing? Bloating? Something that happened about a week and half ago, have since lost it and fingers crossed broke a two week stall with a two pound loss. I never broke from the program, but I do think I am supposed to be increasing something at the three month mark, calories to ratio burned? I am doing more so maybe that? Or calories overall? I am not super worried and have my 3 month meeting on Wednesday so I am looking forward to talking to them about it all!
What are people struggling with these days in food intake? For me I am always struggling to get the full Protein in at the end of the day when I get to I seem to hover at 57- 59 grams of protein but just no way I can fit anymore in, my carb ratio has been great, I tap out at about 800- 900 calories a day, the closer I am to 900 I feel like I have had to much... like fuller feeling on that day like open a button full feeling? Anyone else?
In other news I bought a swim suit... like legit thought it was going to be too small... a size 16 (previous swimsuit size 24) and it fit already. I am leaving for vacay in a month and it already fit... I was so excited!!!I had also bought a few capris in a size large and they also already fit a little snug but by the time I go I think will be perfect! I just am so excited.
It really is an amazing journey!

Thanks, and I am so jealous you are going so soon!!! I literally can not wait.... you are going to have a great time... magic extra if you stop at the barber shop on main street they can put pixie dust on you for free... additional note that dust can be found a year later I swear it doesn't come off lol! I hope you have an excellent time, I am actually thinking out taking photos and sharing my food options along the way lol... I love me some Disney and tend to go there more than I should lol it is addicting so if you have any questions let me know... but have the best time and enjoy all the moments.

You look great!!! Congrats on your progress!! I am going to that Mouse's house next week (for the first time EVER, I might add) and I cannot tell you how thrilled I am not to have that dread of "will I fit" hanging over my head! Or the "Am I gonna be in a middle seat on the flight?"And, I'm actually EXCITED about all the steps I'm going to get in too! Life is already so much more enjoyable.

Hi Everyone- I hope everyone is doing well adjusting to our new ways of living, I am officially 70lbs down... without weighing myself so far this week... I have realized sometimes how when I look at myself I think I am the same as always... my husband was laughing the other day because I said something like I wonder if I will fit... we booked a trip to a famous mouses house and I was talking about a ride... anyways he looked at me and was like for real... and I was. That was when he told me that I should do a comparison... you can see that below... yes I am not wearing makeup lol but the difference in just a few months blew me away... I mean I feel the difference energy wise, I know I have been following my plan... just harder to see the big change when you see yourself everyday I guess. So I encourage everyone to do the same to Celebrate the hard work we have been doing! On that note how is everyone doing can you believe we are coming up on 3 months? I have learned I want a healthy relationship with food, it takes only a few moments to food prep or make great choices. I do think I have fallen in love with cooking and baking again. I like and take comfort in making and prepping my own food to know I am ok. I see changes in my family as I am cooking better choices as well. I am struggling a little with meeting my Proteins everyday... just falling short of 60 grams... trying to find better ways to boost through food items... any suggestions are welcomed. I also realize I am still not showing any signs of feeling hungry but do see that when I haven't eaten in awhile my energy will plummet significantly... so I try to eat something small every three hours.

That is awesome!! you are doing a great job! I don't think you are losing too slow at all, I think even when I look at my numbers sometimes I am in shock it is easy to just look at the overall number that I have lost, but I do have to remember that a little was before surgery too. You are right in line with what they expect for you to lose. It is great to not look at it as a race. SO HAPPY FOR YOU!

I had my 12 week post-op appointment this morning with my surgeon.. I'm down 40lbs since surgery and 80lbs since May (when I started the insurance-required medically-supervised diet)!! I know I'm losing a bit slower than some but he was very happy with my progress and so am I! It's not a race and I just have to remember that! Hope everyone else is still doing great!