Yesterday was my 6 month Surgiversary and I am so thankful! I began this journey April 2012 and had my surgery on September 14, 2012. I began at 225, I'm 5'3 and was praying this surgery was the answer!

What I have learned is that the surgery is the tool, but I am the answer. I definintely could not have done it without the sleeve because I really feel like it gives me the power to stay with the good habits I have been establishing and helps keep me on track.

I have also learned that it is still important for me to track everything I put in my mounth on myfitnesspal, and as long as I focus on Protein first, then veggies or fruit and drink drink drink I will be a success.

Have I realized it is ok if I have a bite of dessert everyone is sharing, absolutely! But, whereas now I can just eat one bite and that is all!

I also know that I never realized how powerful or brains can be in terms of what it tells me psychologically and what has been ingrained in my habits that I never even realized. It takes a while for my brain to see me now like I am instead of 5 sizes ago. I'm also amazed at how sometimes I will feel like I have eaten too much or eaten all day long and then I check myfitnesspal and I'm at 700 calories! So, I now know that the brain can be a tricky sucker with weight loss.

I have also learned patience! If the scale doesn't move for a few days or weeks, at first I would try all the things we read to get it to move, I now realize that is the time my body is trying to catch up and adjust and I usually lose a size in those periods. I also think that is the time my skin seems to tighten up!

Today, 6 months out, I have lost 60lbs exactly, lost 5 sizes from a 18/20 to 12's and 10's. And I have lost over 50 inches overall! I still have about 25 lbs more to lose, but I am so happy at my progress and I know if I just keep on keeping on, I'll get there.

I truly believe VSG is the best thing I have ever done for myself!

Congrats !!! You look beautiful

You look amazing!!! I have similar stats to yours, at 5'4" and 227. I just did my 4th appointment out of 6. I pray that this gets approved and that I will have success with this. Congratulations.

Congrats! You look amazing! I get sleeved next month and cant wait! Do you have any other personal tips to share, like maybe tips for the hospital or your first week? Everyone's journey and body is different, so I am taking notes from everyone I can!

Thanks in advance!

Rockin that sleeve! YGG! Awesome job! Keep it up!

femgem, congrats on your surgery being so close, you will be on the other side before you know it. Before surgery I gathered as much info from here as possible and some good tips were to try to have some things on hand so you don't have to run out a bunch at the beginning. I had measuring spoons, measuring cups, strainer and a lid strainer for cans, I also had lots of broth, boullion cubes, little bowls, plates, utensils, Protein powder, SF pudding. The most important thing when you first get home is walk,sip, walk, sip and repeat. Don't worry so much first week about protein more about Fluid and walking all that gas out at first! Let me know how you are doing!

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You are beautiful!!!!!! thanks for sharing!

Thank you for sharing, you look amazing!! This post is so exciting to me because I am still pre-op and 225, 5'3" exactly like where you were at! Gives me so much hope that in 6 months post-op I can look this great! What is your exercise regimen like?

What a great transformation, you look fantastic!! Thanx for sharing the pics with us!!

You look great!thanks for sharing

Readytobeskinny, exercise is the one area where i am hit or miss, sigh. Right now with my busy work schedule and kids' schedules we get home after dark most nights so I'm walking on my lunch hour or definitely walking on the weekends, and I have some bands and weights and DVDs at home. But I have not been as stringent as I should!

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Very well said I actually told my doctor I wasn't interested in scales. Even though I'm 2 weeks on and down 21 pounds I only know that because I had an appointment. I don't own a scale and don't want one. My surgeon said I had to I might listen. But my food I am definitley writing it down. I too feel like I'm overrating and I'll be at 300 calories. It really is so mental. Congratulations on your success come September I know you will be exactly where you wanna be. Keep up the great focus

Rebecca

Congrats

Awesome job. You were beautful before but you look happy and beautful now!