Hi! I just started my journey and I am looking forward to chatting with those of you who are on a similar time-frame as myself. My insurance is Cigna so they require a 3 month supervised diet, psych eval and sign off from my primary (which I am worried about, I haven't seen him in 5 years so what if he wont sign off? should I find someone new? suggestions?)

I am aiming for an early September surgery date, my Dr. said it is doable! I am excited and nervous.

I have learned so much already from reading about everyone else's experience it has really helped to calm me down.

I feel like I am obsessed with this and it's all I can think about. I have probably watched 200 youtube videos so far. LOL

Any tips, tricks or advice is welcome and appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

UPDATE time! been a long long time since I have been in here.

So it's safe to say it's about time!

TODAY I am Officially 1 year and 5 months out today.
WOW! the time sure is zipping by! seems so odd to see that typed out!

let's hit those stats!
Starting weight 251
Surgery day weight 238.8
Weight today – 180 (I had gained for the holidays and I was at 188 on January 1st)
Total current loss – 71 lbs
Goal weight - 135
DREAM goal weight - 125

So what have I been doing? or not doing?

wellllllllll for starters after SCREAMING when I saw the scale on January 1st I reigned myself and Sylvia (my stomach) back in and got back to the basics and back on track!!
What does that mean for me?
means Protein protein protein FIRST
seems like the simplest of things and yet why do we stray?
because we just fucking do, that's why! hahaha so yeah I have been keeping my carbs under 100 grams a day (I actually try for under 50 but give myself the leeway)
Water water and more water and yes I STILL struggle with this and I still use the hydrocoach app but I tend to ignore it. not good.
(however working out has certainly helped me get water in!)
tracking in MyFitnessPal
I have been able to work out hard for the first time since my accident in June! I joined Orange Theory Fitness and I am loving it! It's not easy but I feel it's efficient, motivating and I love that I know exactly how many calories I have burned. I also joined their weight loss challenge so it's a good way for me to be accountable since I have to go a minimum of 3 times a week to stay in the contest. I have been averaging 4 times a week! woot woot!
I also went back to using my wean green jars for food (pictured below) they are six ounce jars and the perfect portion size. If it doesn't fit in there then it's too fucking much and I ain't eating it! LOL!
also stopped eating those horribly yet wonderfully addictive wasabi rice crackers! those crunchy spicy little fuckers were going to kill me and Sylvia if I didn't stop!
I also have released myself from the obligation of always cooking. I am tired of tossing food in the bin, it makes me feel incredibly guilty (having parents that were born in 196/1933 doesn't help that guilt) so instead I have been shopping a lot at the Italian market by my house, they do a lot of premade items that are GREAT including seared ahi tuna and they also make zoodles which I LOVE! So I find I am eating different stuff (which keeps me entertained) and I am not wasting food which is good.

What else is going on?
this past month at the end turned surprisingly and unexpectedly stressful for me and my son when my ex-husband informed me he is moving out of FL to MA. I was pretty upset because that greatly impacts my son and if any of you know me at all you know that my son is my EVERYTHING he is my why and even typing that out put tears in my eyes. The good part of it...I didn't OVEREAT out of stress. That is really a fucking miracle!! Because no one pisses me off or spins me into a rage quite like my ex-husband and the stupid selfish shit that he does. I am happy to say it seems we have somewhat come to an agreement that will work and hopefully over the next two months it will all get finalized. I just want my son to be ok and I know it's not going to be easy on him.

let's see...what else?

I realized that I still identify with the fat person. In the gym I see the big girl or guy and I think, that's me...but it's not.
not anymore.
It's so weird.
Sorta goes hand in hand with shopping and picking up items that are WAY too big yet I think they'd fit me.
Not sure how long it will take to sort that out in my head but I am working on it.
I actually want to run up to every overweight person I see and SCREAM YOU DON'T HAVE TO FEEL THAT WAY anymore!! YOU CAN CHANGE IT!!! but I know they have to be the person to have that epiphany. I know in my heart that this is the best thing that I have ever ever ever done for myself (other than having my son) and the only regret I have is that I could have done it sooner.
I do plan on making up for lost time, that is for sure.

So keep at it my fellow sleevers, we are on a mission and it's a good one! Don't give up. EVER because I sure as hell don't plan on giving up.

Hoping everyone is doing GREAT! Hard to believe that my 2 year surgi-versary is just months away!!! WOW!!

well folks...it has been a while...like a long while but I figured wth? might as well post an update!

I am officially 6 years post op.

My current weight is at 188

I never did hit my "goal" weight but honestly totally fine with that, I still maintain that this surgery was the BEST thing I EVER did for myself.

Working on ditching 23lbs but overall?

Thrilled to be where I am at.

For any of you new folks...don't give up! You got this! xxxooo