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I'm always in search of the perfect pair of jeans. Throughout this weight loss process I've given away over 30 pairs of jeans and at one point only had 2 pairs, now I'm up to 4 and would still like 1 more pair. I LOVE jeans! I'm not sure how short you are or if you can fit petite's, a lot of times I find myself too short for regular and too long for petite's, which might be the boat you find yourself in? In the past I have liked the fit of Ann Taylor Loft jeans, but haven't bought any since losing weight, so not sure of their current style or inseams. Currently I'm really liking Lands' End jeans (found at Sears) and pants because they come with a 31" inseam, which is the perfect length for me to wear with my flat shoes. I also finally was able to start wearing my "goal" jeans made by 7 for All Man Kind, they ride low and I must wear a belt with them because of the lack of butt, but they are the perfect length to wear with boots. Good luck and please share any you find that you like.

Thank you Chancie! It's almost unreal that I should actually make this weight loss goal...it will be a first. Stoongal, you have been one that has inspired me as well, you're doing terrific on your journey!

Theresa, I cannot remember when my first bowel movement occurred, but I've dealt with constipation on and off my entire post-op experience. I think my worst one was 7 or 8 days and it took something like 3 or 4 days for Miralax to work. This was so different for me because before surgery I went at least twice per day usually. I've now found that if I haven't gone in more than a day, I'll have part of an apple, applesauce, or spinach and that does the trick. My surgeon and nutritionist said to up my Water intake, which I also did. Good luck, it should get better if you're anything like me, if not, talk with your surgeon's office so it doesn't turn serious. For the weight loss question, I didn't weigh myself until 11 days post-op (my surgeon had me promise to wait 2 weeks, but I just couldn't), and at that time I was down 14 lbs. One thing I love about this surgery is that if you do what you are supposed to do, you will lose the weight you want EVENTUALLY. Your doing a great job so far, I can't wait to follow you along your journey!

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get it for the new year, but the great thing is that you know it will happen. It's a strapless dress and I seem to be losing the last of my weight in the boob area, that's why I'm afraid it might get too lose. Luckily I left the tag on, and bought it for 60% off, but still super expensive, but maybe I can take it to a consignment shop if the top won't stay up;-)

Today I weighed 156.5 lbs, which is a little less than 10 lbs. to my goal and the lowest I've ever weighed. On a normal day I really don't notice much difference, but when I look back at pictures, I can really see the changes. I thought I'd post a couple of pics to show the difference, one is from December 2007 (around 235 lbs; size 20 pant, 1X top in picture) and the other is from this year December 2009 (156.5 lbs; size 10 pant, Small top in picture).

You WILL definitely be in those cute 16's this summer. I was wearing a 22/24 before my pre-op diet this last July and am now in an 8/10, but I do like to wear my clothes, especially bottoms, pretty snug. I bought a size 10, super cute dress a couple months ago and fit into it last month. Just tried it on today and it is loose, but still fits...I'm really hoping that another 8 or so pounds I have to lose for my goal won't make it too loose because I paid good money and want to wear it this spring/summer so badly.

Congratulations Katrina, you're off to a great start without surgery...developing those good eating habits will help you so much once you are sleeved.

Yay on the size 12's, you are doing and looking sooooo awesome! I decided to do my hair, throw on some clothes from earlier this week and take a couple of pics today. I really should be cleaning my house for the upcoming holiday stuff, but I feel that since I didn't get a snow day from work, I'll make it a snow day from weekend housework:-)

This morning my scale read 156.5 lbs!!! In 7th grade I remember going to the doctor for my period cramps and weighing 160 lbs. My weight went up from there and fluctuated from 160-180 throughout junior high and high school. My lowest being my sophomore year when I was so nervous about starting a new school and a new dance team that I stopped eating and weighed 158 lbs at Homecoming that year. I cannot believe I've reached this point! I've really been reflecting on what Chancie wrote in a post this morning about being in denial while overweight. That was me, that's why when I saw pictures of me on the beach last spring break I was so shocked at how I looked, I never really saw that girl in the mirror, just thought I was smaller I guess. Now the opposite is sort of happening, when I see myself in pictures and compare to the before's I'm a little shocked at how much I've lost, but on a daily basis I still feel quite large with so much extra weight to lose. I really need to get back to buying new "goal" clothes and taking pictures more frequently because it sort of forces me to feel better. It's really hard for me to accept compliments about the weight loss in real life and they make me uncomfortable, but I've always been this way (about any compliment said to my face) and have gotten pretty good at changing the conversation in a different direction. Don't get me wrong, I am pretty self-centered and a bit spoiled, but realize that there are many more important things than myself, so when I get a compliment for something I always want to give credit to everything/everyone that has made it possible for me to reach a goal or do something well. In this case, the sleeve is 90% responsible for my success. Sure I'm exercising and eating less, but in the past I've done these things with only 10-20% of these results. Well, just my ramblings on a snowed in Saturday. We've been issued a blizzard warning, but so far still have power, Internet, and satellite.

About 2.5 months post-op I finally broke down and took something because the same cold symptoms kept coming back week after week and realized that I was not going to get better if I couldn't rest. I used the liquid type of Tylenol Cold and Sinus night-time and didn't have any trouble with it. I wish I would have used it sooner. I hope you find something you can tolerate and feel better soon!

"When I was at my worst/heaviest........ my thoughts of myself were"altered"....... I didn't think I was as heavy a I was........ in total denial. Now after losing 158 pounds, I have a more "realistic" view of myself. My confidiene is so much better,and cannot believe I was in the dark place I was before." I think the above is why it takes me by surprise with the reaction I'm receiving from others, I didn't really have a true sense of how big I really was. One of my aunts called me yesterday because she just received some pictures my mom sent out from Thanksgiving. She started the conversation with "OMG! I don't even recognize you." I haven't seen her since 1.5 mos. post-op (she lives across the country). For some reason her comment and subsequent conversation made me actually realize how well I've done on this journey so far, I think I'm getting a more "realistic" view now as well.

Did you finish your last class??? I'm very excited for you to get a date!

I remember feeling better everyday, and then each week my first couple of months. I didn't weigh myself the first 11 days because my surgeon said I'd be up pounds from the surgery, but I do pretty much weigh myself daily (twice a day when I go to Jazzercise because we have a scale there for a competition we're doing) and it works for me unless I'm in a stall. I wish you continued success!

I am very glad that you were helped appropriately and are no longer in such pain. I wish you the best. Keep us posted.

I did a modified Atkins diet the month prior to surgery (from my nutrition class until surgery date) and then he had me do 2 days of clear liquids prior to surgery.

Welcome Olivia! My surgeon also puts patients on full liquids when they leave the hospital. That is what I followed then for two weeks until I was cleared for mushy/soft food. I agree with others, follow your surgeon's plan. I can't wait to get to hear more about your surgery and weight loss journey, I'll be thinking of you on Monday.

Breekahouse, what a great thought. For me I still feel exactly the same on a daily basis. When I pass a mirror I see the same person I have always been (now when I try on new clothes and fit into new sizes and pose in front of the mirror, I definitely notice the differences, but day to day I'm just still me). Over the last couple of weeks there hasn't been a day where at least one person hasn't commented on my weight loss, and I'm kind of shocked because I'm still the same person and don't feel I've changed in appearance hardly at all. So I guess the only difference I feel is due to the way others are reacting towards me. They are all so excited and happy for me and it's starting to get a little uncomfortable...what else can you say to people besides "thank you?" Personality wise, I am also the same, maybe a little less outgoing, but I think that has more to do with growing older and priorities changing rather than wls, but who knows. I think you'll have to go through the process and see what happens...life's journey is wonderful and I think (hope) you'll be pleasantly surprised at the end of this phase. Keep posting your thought provoking reflections/ideas, there are so many here that can offer lots of insight, but just remember we are all so different and will experience different things.

I'm glad you found something you enjoy, for me that's the key of sticking with it.

Have a great time and happy holidays!

I can't wait for you to get to that day. You'll be there before you know it. I agree with Tiff, you should buy that as a goal sweater. I love goal clothing with the sleeve, because unlike my "diet" attempts, I actually have gotten into all of them and you will too.

That's wonderful that you are progressing so well.

Thank you for the update, I'm very happy to hear you are feeling better.

I'm glad it's all worked out for you. Good luck on these last few weeks...you'll be sleeved and losing before you know it!

Congratulations! The time will fly by.

Click on your name next to the "Welcome" found on the top right of the page. You should see a "customize profile" and should click on those words (for me the words appear black located next under my user name, next to "send message"). Once there you can click on edit profile picture and edit avatar and upload pictures. I hope this helps!