Well, I thought I'd do a quick update on my progress at 2 months and one day out. I had a lap band installed in January of this year. I was 200 lbs and 5' 3" and went to Mexico to have Dr. Ortiz placed my band. I never had much luck at all with the darn thing and "only" lost 15 lbs, but suffered from PBing and overeating all the time. It was a mess and I hated having the darn thing.

In June I started researching other options and found more info on the sleeve and started to consider it. It took me several months, but in October, I headed back to Mexico (on my own this time) - this time to see Dr. Rodriguez - and had most of my stomach removed. I will tell you that the first night was hell, but it has gotten better ever since. The first month of recovery was horrible. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and returned to work the following Monday - probably a bit too soon as I was making mistakes in my new job - something I definitely could have done without.

Anyway, during the past few months I've suffered from hot flashes when I eat too much sugar or fat (not that I'm eating much at all, but I have become extremely sensitive to them both), massive constipation that has thankfully cleared up this past month, but best of all, I have lost weight!!!

The sleeve is everything I was hoping for in the band. I wish I had done this first, but my journey is what it is. I don't think there is any way that I would have had the sleeve done had I not done the band first. That would have just seemed way too radical for me. I'm just glad that the choices I've made have gotten me to where I am today.

Today I am weighing in at 157. I am wearing a size 8, can run without any pain in my hips, feet or knees, get compliments by friends about my progress (98% of my friends and family do NOT know what I've done). I am looking forward to what the next 2 months will bring.

I had to deal with a nasty 2 week stall at 3 weeks which was no fun at all, but I am learning to trust my sleeve and know that this is going to work! That ol band left me feeling very unsure as to whether this would work for me at all and thankfully it is doing its thing quite well! here are a few pics to show off where I'm at. I have so many awful before pics, but I'll save the bikini ones for a few more months down the road.

Best of luck to you all.

PS: I'm the one in the gray dress in the holiday photo below. I've also lost another 5 lbs since that pic (9 days ago). Truly love my sleeve!

Also should throw in there that I've lost 28 lbs in my 2 months since being sleeved.

The bad news? My boobs are turning into pancakes so now I'm going to start saving for new boobs.

Who knew that my lap band procedure (my first surgery in my 37 years of life) would lead me into becoming such a fan of elective surgery.

Congrats! You look awesome! I hear you about the boob thing. I have lost a total of 48 pounds...36 pre-op and 12 post-op. So far my boobs are still there and look good. But once I lose additional weight I am sure they will be going bye bye. I have to wait and see how my body turns out on whether or not I need to get plastic surgery. Well I should say that I am sure that I will need it, just don't know if I will want it enough to go through the pain or spend the money! Keep up the great work!

You look so awesome!!! I feel the same way you do about the band. A week from now and that thing will be gone for good for me! So happy for you~