It's been a while so I thought I'd post an update. I'm 7.5 months post sleeve, and feeling great!

I just got back from 2 weeks vacation in Ireland! It was so amazing. I was worried about the meals, and how to NOT gain weight. I love me some good beer, bread and potatoes so how do you go to Ireland without indulging? Well, I gave myself a break and I did eat some of the delicious Irish soda bread, a bit of potatoes and I gotta admit, quite a bit of Guinness! BUT, to equal it out, we walked a ton, like several miles a day exploring.

One day in particular, my husband and I hiked 10 miles. It was up a mountain, then across the ridge and back down the other side. Incredible! I could have only DREAMED of doing this before surgery!! That accomplishment was one of the biggest reasons I wanted to lose weight- to hike and explore.

Well, upon returning home (4 days ago), I got on the scale and it had not moved. Which is good. I wasn't expecting to lose anything, but kind of expected to gain a little. But I didn't and that was good. Here's the thing about Carbs and me- I get hooked really fast. So, while eating a bit of bread and potatoes and beer over two weeks, my body started to get hooked again. My first day back in the States at the grocery store, I craved bread and chips. I battled that craving for about 3 days and finally I feel good again, cravings gone. Carbs can be a monster with me, highly addictive.

But I'm back on track, and actually lost 2 pounds in the past few days. Could be water weight but none the less I'm happy to be back on the protein, low carb track. Another difficult thing about traveling is that I didn't have the high protein snacks every few hours like I do here at home.

Regarding basic stats, my highest weight was 240, size 20, 8 months ago. Surgery weight 7 months ago was 219. Today I am 149, size 8 and size medium in shirts. (sometimes a small). I'm 10 pounds away from gooooaaaaaaal!!!! Yippee!!!

Here a re few pics. The first few are from Ireland, the mountain hike. The last one is my before pic. I've come along way, never looking back!!

Loving life and living to the fullest now!!

Edited May 17, 20179 yr by The New Kel

Congratulations! You look fantastic and what an amazing trip.

16 minutes ago, YeaMe said:

Congratulations! You look fantastic and what an amazing trip.

Thank you!!

Amazing!! I am in the same boat as you -- I want to hike, explore, never have to worry that my size will prevent me from doing anything. Great job!!

Love the pics, Ireland is on my bucket list too, so glad you shared your experience!

21 hours ago, jillybeanRN said:

Amazing!! I am in the same boat as you -- I want to hike, explore, never have to worry that my size will prevent me from doing anything. Great job!!

Love the pics, Ireland is on my bucket list too, so glad you shared your experience!

Thanks! We started with very similar stats, so you will be hiking and exposing in no time!!

Awesome! I cannot WAIT to travel and not feel like I'm going to collapse within the first few steps. As a matter of fact, I already purchased tickets to visit my sister in Finland in November and am soooooo excited for the experience.

I just had my surgery last Friday. I'm 5'10 and was 302lbs on surgery day. I go for my first follow up next Friday and am looking forward to see how much I will have lost by then.

Congratulations on ur success. It's very inspiring [emoji253]

On 5/18/2017 at 10:05 AM, Diana Prince said:

Awesome! I cannot WAIT to travel and not feel like I'm going to collapse within the first few steps. As a matter of fact, I already purchased tickets to visit my sister in Finland in November and am soooooo excited for the experience.

I just had my surgery last Friday. I'm 5'10 and was 302lbs on surgery day. I go for my first follow up next Friday and am looking forward to see how much I will have lost by then.

Congratulations on ur success. It's very inspiring

Congratulations on your new beginning!!! I hope you are feeling well and dog good post op! Wow, Finland?? That sounds amazing!! You are going to be completely amazed at how good you feel and look by then, and you will be able to fully enjoy the experience of travel. I know I did!!

OMG how wonderful!! I'm so jealous of your trip and I hope to be doing that stuff soon as well!