ShannonK

I am down 82 pounds from July 2nd. Jan. 2nd will be my 6 months out - and I have an appointment with my Dr. on Jan. 17th! I can't wait to see my awesome bloodwork! I have been doing really well and eating pretty much on target. I feel like I should be a poster girl for this surgery. I have never thrown up, been in pain, and things are going well. In fact, my 18 year old step daughter is coming to stay with us and see if she qualifies - what a life changer to have this tool so young. What a difference it could make in her life.
I am a huge advocate of this procedure. I would never TELL anyone to do it, but if people ask me - I am honest and open about it. I feel so good! I know not every one has had my experience - but for me, life changing!!! I have more energy, every one has told me how much happier I seem (I didn't think I was unhappy before - but maybe I was....)
I feel like - at 38 - I have a new life. food doesn't control me. I don't think about my next meal or how much I can have....I am not embarassed about my back fat rolls and not fitting in a chair. My husband's arms wrap all the way around me and clothes shopping is FUN!
If you are on the fence - jump over it! I was so scared before surgery - I am so thankful I pushed through that fear.
God bless you - and email me if you have any questions -
ssmonte72@yahoo.com
I would love to be support for anyone that needs it.

I am down 82 pounds from July 2nd. Jan. 2nd will be my 6 months out - and I have an appointment with my Dr. on Jan. 17th! I can't wait to see my awesome bloodwork! I have been doing really well and eating pretty much on target. I feel like I should be a poster girl for this surgery. I have never thrown up, been in pain, and things are going well. In fact, my 18 year old step daughter is coming to stay with us and see if she qualifies - what a life changer to have this tool so young. What a difference it could make in her life.
I am a huge advocate of this procedure. I would never TELL anyone to do it, but if people ask me - I am honest and open about it. I feel so good! I know not every one has had my experience - but for me, life changing!!! I have more energy, every one has told me how much happier I seem (I didn't think I was unhappy before - but maybe I was....)
I feel like - at 38 - I have a new life. food doesn't control me. I don't think about my next meal or how much I can have....I am not embarassed about my back fat rolls and not fitting in a chair. My husband's arms wrap all the way around me and clothes shopping is FUN!
If you are on the fence - jump over it! I was so scared before surgery - I am so thankful I pushed through that fear.
God bless you - and email me if you have any questions -
ssmonte72@yahoo.com
I would love to be support for anyone that needs it.

I am down 82 pounds from July 2nd. Jan. 2nd will be my 6 months out - and I have an appointment with my Dr. on Jan. 17th! I can't wait to see my awesome bloodwork! I have been doing really well and eating pretty much on target. I feel like I should be a poster girl for this surgery. I have never thrown up, been in pain, and things are going well. In fact, my 18 year old step daughter is coming to stay with us and see if she qualifies - what a life changer to have this tool so young. What a difference it could make in her life.
I am a huge advocate of this procedure. I would never TELL anyone to do it, but if people ask me - I am honest and open about it. I feel so good! I know not every one has had my experience - but for me, life changing!!! I have more energy, every one has told me how much happier I seem (I didn't think I was unhappy before - but maybe I was....)
I feel like - at 38 - I have a new life. food doesn't control me. I don't think about my next meal or how much I can have....I am not embarassed about my back fat rolls and not fitting in a chair. My husband's arms wrap all the way around me and clothes shopping is FUN!
If you are on the fence - jump over it! I was so scared before surgery - I am so thankful I pushed through that fear.
God bless you - and email me if you have any questions -
ssmonte72@yahoo.com
I would love to be support for anyone that needs it.

I am down 82 pounds from July 2nd. Jan. 2nd will be my 6 months out - and I have an appointment with my Dr. on Jan. 17th! I can't wait to see my awesome bloodwork! I have been doing really well and eating pretty much on target. I feel like I should be a poster girl for this surgery. I have never thrown up, been in pain, and things are going well. In fact, my 18 year old step daughter is coming to stay with us and see if she qualifies - what a life changer to have this tool so young. What a difference it could make in her life.
I am a huge advocate of this procedure. I would never TELL anyone to do it, but if people ask me - I am honest and open about it. I feel so good! I know not every one has had my experience - but for me, life changing!!! I have more energy, every one has told me how much happier I seem (I didn't think I was unhappy before - but maybe I was....)
I feel like - at 38 - I have a new life. food doesn't control me. I don't think about my next meal or how much I can have....I am not embarassed about my back fat rolls and not fitting in a chair. My husband's arms wrap all the way around me and clothes shopping is FUN!
If you are on the fence - jump over it! I was so scared before surgery - I am so thankful I pushed through that fear.
God bless you - and email me if you have any questions -
ssmonte72@yahoo.com
I would love to be support for anyone that needs it.

I am down 82 pounds from July 2nd. Jan. 2nd will be my 6 months out - and I have an appointment with my Dr. on Jan. 17th! I can't wait to see my awesome bloodwork! I have been doing really well and eating pretty much on target. I feel like I should be a poster girl for this surgery. I have never thrown up, been in pain, and things are going well. In fact, my 18 year old step daughter is coming to stay with us and see if she qualifies - what a life changer to have this tool so young. What a difference it could make in her life.
I am a huge advocate of this procedure. I would never TELL anyone to do it, but if people ask me - I am honest and open about it. I feel so good! I know not every one has had my experience - but for me, life changing!!! I have more energy, every one has told me how much happier I seem (I didn't think I was unhappy before - but maybe I was....)
I feel like - at 38 - I have a new life. food doesn't control me. I don't think about my next meal or how much I can have....I am not embarassed about my back fat rolls and not fitting in a chair. My husband's arms wrap all the way around me and clothes shopping is FUN!
If you are on the fence - jump over it! I was so scared before surgery - I am so thankful I pushed through that fear.
God bless you - and email me if you have any questions -
ssmonte72@yahoo.com
I would love to be support for anyone that needs it.

Highest weight 307
Weight day of surgery 292
Today = 219
November was a LONG stall - didn't lose a pound for 23 days...starting losing again around the holidays. This was also the month I started to C25K...go figure! I am wearing 14/16 clothes, and feel great. I am not letting stalls bother me, or even a measily 7 pound loss for a month bother me - it's 7 more pounds gone! According to the BMI chart, in 19 more [pounds, I will no longer be obese, another 20 after that and I won't be overweight!
I have done things I would have never done before - canoeing and kayaking with my kids, jumping off a diving board, fit comfortably in student desks at school, going horseback riding this Saturday.....all successes!
I hate my thinning hair, but love how clothes fit me now.
I regret nothing - it is the best thing I have ever some!
I struggle to hit my Protein - just get full easy!
I struggle to get my Water in - FORCE myself to drink.
I love Advocare's Spark - helps with my energy levels and just had my first Vitamin B shot the other day because I forget to take my Vitamins and sublingual pills.< /p>
A normal day of eating for me - an egg and piece of bacon or ham for Breakfast, tuna and a few crackers for lunch, whatever protein we have for dinner with a few veggies...
I CAN eat whatever I want - haven't puked once or been in pain....I have to CHOOSE the right stuff to put in my body....chips are way too easy - BEWARE!
I hope anyone on the fence goes for it. BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF!!!

This recipe yields 20, 3 ounce meatballs. 11 grams of Protein, 6 grams of fat , 3 grams of carb and 108 calories per 3 ounce meatball.
I didn't know what Spicy crackers were, so I just used the nutritional value of 8 Ritz crackers.

Just made a concoction I LOVE! For those of you that plug in all the ingredients to get calories, Protein, etc...Please do and let me know!
I had some ingredients in the fridge to use, threw it together, and yummo! I hope y'all try it, I really liked it!
I know it makes quite a bit, but you can make smaller batches...I am bad at following exact recipes anyway, so here is what I had and did
2 pounds 99% lean white ground turkey (Jenny-o)
1 package frozen chopped spinach thawed and drained, squeezed out.
1 can artichoke hearts quartered
2 eggs
1 cup fresh sliced parmesan - crumbled in
8 spicy crackers
Seasoned to taste (I like a little garlic and cayenne)
Mixed, formed 3 oz balls, baked on foil at 350' for 35 minutes (could be less if smaller meatballs)
Delicious!!!

Highest weight 307
Weight day of surgery 292
Today = 219
November was a LONG stall - didn't lose a pound for 23 days...starting losing again around the holidays. This was also the month I started to C25K...go figure! I am wearing 14/16 clothes, and feel great. I am not letting stalls bother me, or even a measily 7 pound loss for a month bother me - it's 7 more pounds gone! According to the BMI chart, in 19 more [pounds, I will no longer be obese, another 20 after that and I won't be overweight!
I have done things I would have never done before - canoeing and kayaking with my kids, jumping off a diving board, fit comfortably in student desks at school, going horseback riding this Saturday.....all successes!
I hate my thinning hair, but love how clothes fit me now.
I regret nothing - it is the best thing I have ever some!
I struggle to hit my Protein - just get full easy!
I struggle to get my Water in - FORCE myself to drink.
I love Advocare's Spark - helps with my energy levels and just had my first Vitamin B shot the other day because I forget to take my Vitamins and sublingual pills.< /p>
A normal day of eating for me - an egg and piece of bacon or ham for Breakfast, tuna and a few crackers for lunch, whatever protein we have for dinner with a few veggies...
I CAN eat whatever I want - haven't puked once or been in pain....I have to CHOOSE the right stuff to put in my body....chips are way too easy - BEWARE!
I hope anyone on the fence goes for it. BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF!!!

Highest weight 307
Weight day of surgery 292
Today = 219
November was a LONG stall - didn't lose a pound for 23 days...starting losing again around the holidays. This was also the month I started to C25K...go figure! I am wearing 14/16 clothes, and feel great. I am not letting stalls bother me, or even a measily 7 pound loss for a month bother me - it's 7 more pounds gone! According to the BMI chart, in 19 more [pounds, I will no longer be obese, another 20 after that and I won't be overweight!
I have done things I would have never done before - canoeing and kayaking with my kids, jumping off a diving board, fit comfortably in student desks at school, going horseback riding this Saturday.....all successes!
I hate my thinning hair, but love how clothes fit me now.
I regret nothing - it is the best thing I have ever some!
I struggle to hit my Protein - just get full easy!
I struggle to get my Water in - FORCE myself to drink.
I love Advocare's Spark - helps with my energy levels and just had my first Vitamin B shot the other day because I forget to take my Vitamins and sublingual pills.< /p>
A normal day of eating for me - an egg and piece of bacon or ham for Breakfast, tuna and a few crackers for lunch, whatever protein we have for dinner with a few veggies...
I CAN eat whatever I want - haven't puked once or been in pain....I have to CHOOSE the right stuff to put in my body....chips are way too easy - BEWARE!
I hope anyone on the fence goes for it. BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF!!!

Highest weight 307
Weight day of surgery 292
Today = 219
November was a LONG stall - didn't lose a pound for 23 days...starting losing again around the holidays. This was also the month I started to C25K...go figure! I am wearing 14/16 clothes, and feel great. I am not letting stalls bother me, or even a measily 7 pound loss for a month bother me - it's 7 more pounds gone! According to the BMI chart, in 19 more [pounds, I will no longer be obese, another 20 after that and I won't be overweight!
I have done things I would have never done before - canoeing and kayaking with my kids, jumping off a diving board, fit comfortably in student desks at school, going horseback riding this Saturday.....all successes!
I hate my thinning hair, but love how clothes fit me now.
I regret nothing - it is the best thing I have ever some!
I struggle to hit my Protein - just get full easy!
I struggle to get my Water in - FORCE myself to drink.
I love Advocare's Spark - helps with my energy levels and just had my first Vitamin B shot the other day because I forget to take my Vitamins and sublingual pills.< /p>
A normal day of eating for me - an egg and piece of bacon or ham for Breakfast, tuna and a few crackers for lunch, whatever protein we have for dinner with a few veggies...
I CAN eat whatever I want - haven't puked once or been in pain....I have to CHOOSE the right stuff to put in my body....chips are way too easy - BEWARE!
I hope anyone on the fence goes for it. BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF!!!

I am 38. I have been married to my best friend for 13 years, have 3 daughters (11,9,6) and live on a small ranch in rural Texas. I am a teacher, writer, and love to read. I have a brother that's 18 months younger than me that has both Down's Syndrome and Autism, and we are very close - he is in my home daily. I live near my parents (my brother lives with them) and have pet fish, a snake, a rat, 3 dogs, 3 cats, chickens and cattle.
I have always seen myself as "athletic" - and the outside of me is starting to catch up to the mental image I have! I love camping, hiking, and anything with Water. I have been to the Bahamas twice - and can't wait to go back! I love the beach and the Frio River. I love to fish - fresh or salt water. I love to cook - especially the game my husband brings home. I would love to completely live of the land....
I am loud, opinionated, and extremely loyal.
I have always viewed myself as more than my weight - and even after just 5 moths post surgery, do not define myself by that number on the scale.< /p>
I LOVE the NSVs associated with my healtheir self though....and have a bucket list of sorts I am checking off....
Next Saturday - I am back on a horse....

Highest weight 307
Weight day of surgery 292
Today = 219
November was a LONG stall - didn't lose a pound for 23 days...starting losing again around the holidays. This was also the month I started to C25K...go figure! I am wearing 14/16 clothes, and feel great. I am not letting stalls bother me, or even a measily 7 pound loss for a month bother me - it's 7 more pounds gone! According to the BMI chart, in 19 more [pounds, I will no longer be obese, another 20 after that and I won't be overweight!
I have done things I would have never done before - canoeing and kayaking with my kids, jumping off a diving board, fit comfortably in student desks at school, going horseback riding this Saturday.....all successes!
I hate my thinning hair, but love how clothes fit me now.
I regret nothing - it is the best thing I have ever some!
I struggle to hit my Protein - just get full easy!
I struggle to get my Water in - FORCE myself to drink.
I love Advocare's Spark - helps with my energy levels and just had my first Vitamin B shot the other day because I forget to take my Vitamins and sublingual pills.< /p>
A normal day of eating for me - an egg and piece of bacon or ham for Breakfast, tuna and a few crackers for lunch, whatever protein we have for dinner with a few veggies...
I CAN eat whatever I want - haven't puked once or been in pain....I have to CHOOSE the right stuff to put in my body....chips are way too easy - BEWARE!
I hope anyone on the fence goes for it. BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF!!!

Highest weight 307
Weight day of surgery 292
Today = 219
November was a LONG stall - didn't lose a pound for 23 days...starting losing again around the holidays. This was also the month I started to C25K...go figure! I am wearing 14/16 clothes, and feel great. I am not letting stalls bother me, or even a measily 7 pound loss for a month bother me - it's 7 more pounds gone! According to the BMI chart, in 19 more [pounds, I will no longer be obese, another 20 after that and I won't be overweight!
I have done things I would have never done before - canoeing and kayaking with my kids, jumping off a diving board, fit comfortably in student desks at school, going horseback riding this Saturday.....all successes!
I hate my thinning hair, but love how clothes fit me now.
I regret nothing - it is the best thing I have ever some!
I struggle to hit my Protein - just get full easy!
I struggle to get my Water in - FORCE myself to drink.
I love Advocare's Spark - helps with my energy levels and just had my first Vitamin B shot the other day because I forget to take my Vitamins and sublingual pills.< /p>
A normal day of eating for me - an egg and piece of bacon or ham for Breakfast, tuna and a few crackers for lunch, whatever protein we have for dinner with a few veggies...
I CAN eat whatever I want - haven't puked once or been in pain....I have to CHOOSE the right stuff to put in my body....chips are way too easy - BEWARE!
I hope anyone on the fence goes for it. BEST THING I EVER DID FOR MYSELF!!!

I'm Jessica, I am 29 years old. I am married to my best friend for a little over a year. I live in South Florida. I have struggled with my weight for the past 8 years. It got to the point where I was able to lose 80 lbs at one point, but over the last 4 years it got me to this point. I have even tried just eating sensible and hitting the gym but that didn't work out so well. Which is very discouraging because I am a certified personal training/spinning instructor. I had to stop working in the fitness field because I gained to much weight. So I work in the retail field. I am having my surgery done by Dr. Paul Wizman in Margate Fl @ Northwest Medical Center. I enjoy watching the Florida Gators, New York Giants, and the New York Mets! I like going to the beach, being with my friends and family, reading a good book. I wish everyone such a wonderful journey!

GREAT IDEA!
My name is Julie. I am 35 and the proud mother of three wonderful children. My son Josh, will soon be 20, and is in college, my daughter Crysta will soon be 18 and my youngest Felisa will soon be 16 (yes I started young). I have a wonderful boyfriend who is 6 yrs younger than me and keeps me on my toes but makes me feel like I'm 6 yrs younger than him. I love being a mother and hope to become a wife soon.
I have a wonderful career at a University in which I absolutely love running an online program for secondary teaching certifications.
I have a few animals. A horse Mia, 4 dogs, Deke, black lab, Tabby, black lab, Franklin, yellow lab and a little bitty black fuzzy dog we call Foxy, not really sure what she is.lol
Horse back riding is my favorite past time and is like the highest level of meditation for me. Now that I have lost weight it is 100 times more enjoyable. I also love to cook and create fun stuff with my girls in the kitchen. I love reading and watching movies as a family. I am thankful to be active enough to go do fun stuff with the girls now. Shopping has gotten to be so much fun now. As I really hated it before.
I look forward to a long life now instead of just making it day to day. I am grateful for my wonderful life.
God bless.

I'm Hanan, I just turned 20 years old recently, I study Intl. Relations and translation.
I have been suffering with my weight since I was 10 years old, I kept losing and gaining and once I actually got to 57 kgs, but that went away fast as soon as I graduated high school and passed my first semester in uni, and I became 106 kgs which is my highest weight ever. It took me a long time to convince my parents about the surgery, but after trying every therapy and diet it doesn't work.
I finally decided that I want to live my 20s to the fullest and be very happy and eventually get married and have an amazing career and love life.
It has been only 25 days, and I have lost 14 kgs, and I am currently at a stall, but I have hope, I feel better, and I hope by next semester, which is in a month, people will notice my weight loss and feel better about myself and get my grades up, and I hope by September, with the start of the fall semester I will be at goal weight and be on the dean's list! Too ambitious?

hi fellow sleeversi'
my name is kathy. i am happily married 58 yr. young grandmother of the 3 cutest grandkids. I am not being biased, just stating the truth i have one married daughter and a great son-in-law.
I took an early retirement at 53, due to the fact that i had broken my femur and 2 knee replacements within a very short time.
I was born in Budapest, Hungary - and came to the U.S. during the '56 revolution with my 4 yr. old sister, and my parents. I have 3 sisters, and 1 brother,
I am also a proud breast cancer survivor going on 12 years.
kathy

Well I'm gonna be the first man to ad their story to this topic. I'm a 53 year old man named Roy, hence the RoyBoy name. married to a 53 year old wonderful woman named Jean for 11 years now. We are the brady bunch as I had 3 girls and one boy, she had two boys for the perfect six! The family just melted together into one big happy family. All of our kids are grown with the littlest being 20, she's going back to college next semester, so she says but all the other kids have good jobs, nice homes and a wonderful family life. They have given us 12 grandchildren with two kids of our kids to go. Our number two son is getting married this winter in Riviera Maya Mexico for a warm needed vacation from cold Wisconsin and our number 3 son is doing the same next winter in Brazil! I love food and thats how I got to the place that brought me here! But love to hunt and fish with a passion and now I feel better every day so I fish even harder than I used too. LoL I've run and sold 2 companies and currently own a small trucking company with my wife working for a private college.
I'm a very thankful man for what God has given us and remember that every single day of my life!

Awesome idea.
My name is Lilliana, age 30 . I'm half Spanish and half polish . I lived in a speaking spanish country for 21 years till I got married to my now husband who is active duty in the army . I have PCOS and it caused me to struggled with infertility for 6-7 years . I finally got pregnant after losing 40 lbs doing weight watchers but that didn't last long after my pregnancy . So since I struggled with my weight my whole life , my dr decided to reffered me for weight loss surgery and I did research first in by pass for years until I found this site and picked the VSG for me . I have many health issues due to my weight . I'm a stay home mom for now with my 2 years old sweet girl . I'm planning to return to school soon to finish my bachelors degree in graphic arts .

Illgeturhairdid, what a wonderful idea! You're so right that the most of our lives have always been centered around weight, and probably always will be. But, there is so much more to us than that. Thank you for the reminder!
I'm 27, born and raised in Orange county, California. In 2004, I decided to come to India (I'm of Indian ethnicity) and pursue my medical degree. Now that I have finished, I'm working on getting back to the States and applying for Residency.
Over a year ago, an acquaintance of mine (who has now become a mentor) underwent a roux-en-y bypass, and I was amazed at he changes in her body and her confidence levels. She was very open about the surgery, and answered all my questions.
After passing out of med school, I asked my parents to support my decision for going through with the sleeve gastrectomy, and here I am, 4 months later! I've been very open about the surgery, in hopes to help someone just like my mentor did. Being open has helped me take charge of my own health, as well!
Being overweight all my life has been a blessing in some ways, because I have so much more confidence in myself and my personality because of it. I have never relied on my looks for anything! I've just had to be awesome! *winks*
I've been with my boyfriend for almost 5 years, and he has been a huge support. We both love good food (I still enjoy it), good music, and good company! We are also huge animal lovers and currently have a pair of male guinea pigs.
Good luck to everyone! I look forward to reading more about you all.

Love this Post idea! I am 47, Married to a wonderful little bit younger man. He is very athletic and handsome and treats me like a queen. I do not feel worthy of his sweetness. We have been together for 11 years, married for 6. We have four grown children together (2and 2). We also are blessed with 4 precious grandbabies. My first marriage was not so great, never had any confidence in myself and married way to young. and seemed to only care for others. Then I was single for many years while raising my 2 kids. I have always been overweight for as long as I can remember. My husband started at small family business 5 years ago and I am a server at Cracker Barrel, for spending money... no actually now for SLEEVE money. I am saving rather quickly I must say. Life is grand. I could not be happier, except for ......... to be sleeved. I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!!

This sounds like fun so here goes.... I am 43, mother to an almost 21 year old son, an 18 year old son and a almost 14 year old daughter. I am happily married to my husband Dave. We have been married for almost 5 years now. My first husband was abusive and it took me 10 years to leave that codepenant relationship. I have yo-yo dieted for 20 years. Loosing up to 40 pounds two and three times, but always gaining it back and almost never getting under 170. Once, on weight watchers, I got to 163 but it was very short lived. I was back over 170 in short order. I reached my all time high of 236 about two years ago. After i got remarried we wanted a child together. After all the fertility treatments and hormones, my weight was at this all time high. I knew I had to try something new. We never got pregnant either.
I hosted 10 exchange students over the years and went to see one of them get married in Brazil last spring. I have not hosted since being remarried though it is something I want to continue to do as soon as I can. I am a forensic scientist in firearms and toolmarks and have been for 12 years. My first career was cytotechnology (we diagnose cancer on the cellular level) so I have a pretty good medical knowledge, but i only use it as a little hobby now. My husband calls me "Dr. My Wife" because family members are always calling me for advice and to diagnose their health issues. I am not a doctor, however. I love forensic science. I am about halfway through my Masters program in forensic science administration right now. I am still in disbelief most of the time that I have lost almost 60 pounds already and only have 40 to go!
I know I can loose 40, I have done that before but this time I feel confident I will not be gaining it back again! I am 5 months out next week. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Newgrandmother, I was sleeved at Kaiser Harbor City. If that's where you are going, excellent hospital. I couldn't be happier with the care I received.
I'm 54, a high-school guidance Coordinator and former teacher, married to a teacher, with two wonderful sons. Spent quite a bit of time in the military and traveled extensively. I have a low-carb blog and an on-line jewelry business. Happy New Year!

You should be so proud of yourself! Yes, 250 pounds is daunting number- but remember you have support and people cheering for you! I had a total of 150 to lose and get sort of jealous when I see people who "only" had 90 pounds to lose. But we're all in this together and you will do great!