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So, today I looked in the mirror. I mean really looked in the mirror and what I saw was a new me. I haven't really noticed how much I have really really changed because everytime I would look in the mirror I still saw the old me. The fat me. How is that possible to still see that person, honestly Im not really sure. I am amazed at my journey. How I have gone from a size 20-22 to a size 6. From 240 lbs to 143 lbs. I am 3 lbs from goal of 100 lbs. That is an amazing accomplishment. It wasnt always easy. Surgery is NOT an easy way out. Its the tool that some of us need to help us. When I was diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnea in December 2010 I knew this was it. I had been fighting with my weight from my PCOS and was getting depressed and frustrated that nothing was working. Diets and exercise were not working either. The PCOS had made it very difficult. Which then caused me to have this severe Sleep Apnea. My PCP was so concerned about the Sleep Study that within 4 days I was given a CPAP machine. That was enough for me to talk to her about getting referred for a lap-band (which was what I was thinking of doing in the beginning). So she referred me to a surgeon and I started the process. It was quick I was surprised, but then being military...Triwest stopped my surgery referral and sent me to the Naval Hospital Surgery Center where I pretty much had to start my process all over and take even more steps. I did get to finish quickly since most of my testing was already done outside. The surgeon was awesome. He explained all the different types of surgery to me and I researched them all. I got to choose which one was best for me. I wasnt swayed one way or the other. They let me decide. So I chose the Sleeve. That was awesome. My Niece was also seeing the same surgeon I was and she had told me about the sleeve. The two of us took this journey together and we ended up having surgery on the same day back to back. It was awesome having her as a support system as we started our journey down the liquid phase and so on together I will be 11 mos post op on April 18th. I have found that things I used to eat are nasty and gross now. I have found that I can tolerate somethings more than others. I have realized that even though I was eating right before the surgery that it wasnt enough to help. I don't eat much anymore, I try to eat every 2 hours but for me thats hard. I don't enjoy food like I used to. Yes there are times I will eat something and think Im in heaven LOL, but there are many times that food just doesnt interest me. I am thankful for the sleeve. I love that I had the loving support of my Husband, my parents, my grandmother, and several friends. I didnt care what the negative people had to say. If they couldnt be happy for me or support my decision then they were not worth my time. This was a life changing decison that saved my life. I went hiking and boulder-ing for the first time in my life. I can keep up with my kids. My husband loved me before and still loves me after. He has always told me that I was beautiful. I have to admit the SEX (LOL) is amazing I know TMI, but trust me, you will see too I had to share Im not embarrassed to admit that at all. I look in the mirror and I see the new me. My self-esteem is high, Im happy, I love riding bikes with my kids. They love that I can chase after them, play with them and I dont get winded climbing up a flight of stairs. Each and every surgery is a personal choice. I tell everyone do your research and don't let anyone discourage you. This is for you and you only. You have the power and the strength Be happy with who you are and know that no matter what there are others out there that can be your support system. I am happy to share things with each and every one of you. Just ask I will share food ideas and other things with anyone who wants to know. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE ON YOUR JOURNEYS AND PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS HERE WITH ME

I am home at last. I crawled into bed at approximately 1 a.m. I don't feel any pain or discomfort and I worked hard to get in liquids the whole day flying. I should have kept the compression socks they put on me for surgery and worn them as it was definitly uncomfortable sitting for so long. I got an aisle seat and got up at least once during each flight but I kept thinking of those darn blood clots! I'm alive so I think I am good to go My liquids yesterday included an 8 oz bottle of water, a 15 oz bottle of apple juice, a 16 oz bottle of apple juice, 2 oz of water on one plane and about 4 oz on the other plane. I wasn't hungry at all. I had to go back to work today but I kept to a desk most of time and got up here and there. Had normal energy levels. Didn't feel like I was dragging (in fact if it weren't for the bandages still on my stomach and my inability to consume large sips of liquids I wouldn't even feel like I had a procedure). I keep waiting for an energy crash of some kind with the level of calories I am consuming but apparently my stored fat is keeping everything in check for now. I am making my husband do my "heavy lifting" which included getting my luggage out of the car and bringing the full dirty laundry basket into the laundry room. So far today I have had 8 oz of water, 16 oz of light cranberry juice, 8 oz beef broth, and 2 popsicles. I'm going for some light apple juice next and more beef broth for dinner.

Yesterday afternoon, I suddenly became ravenously hungry! It was like I hadn't eaten in 3 weeks -- which I really hadn't. It was such a surprise. I also noticed that I could drink without any issues. I guess maybe the swelling in my stomach has gone down . . . I just don't know. I ate some tuna fish salad, and avocado AND some cottage cheese with pureed peaches.It seemed to take forever to begin to feel any sense of fullness. I ate slowly, and it took me about 45 minutes, but I finally felt satisfied. This morning I woke up, and I was back to "normal" -- not the least bit interested in eating. Well, I have a TON of errands to run today, and I will be away from home for about 7-8 hours, so it remains to be seen how the day will progress. I am taking my cooler with snacks and drinks just to be on the safe side thought. CONFESSION - After the "eating binge" I seemed to have had last night, I stepped on the scale . . . terrified that the needle had gone the wrong way, but BEHOLD . . . more weight loss still.

Hi Everyone, Well, if you have been keeping up with my blog you will know that I was a bit concerned as I felt I was able to eat far too much!!! Today I again had a boiled egg with cheese for lunch. This time I made sure I counted how many teaspoons worth I ate. I realised that I only took about half a teaspoon at a time and by the time I had finished all the egg I had had eight half teaspoons. In other words 4 full teaspoons of egg and cheese. Woopee. Others can manage three teaspoons so my four, although more, is not too excessive. Boy was I relieved. Now I am sure they did remove most of my stomach and not just make some scars as a placebo effect! So today is two whole weeks since surgery, and apart from the scars and getting tired very quickly I am extremely well. In fact I would say that everything was ticketyboo! I realise just how lucky I am and am indeed so very thankful. I hate feeling ill, so to feel this good so soon after a fairly major surgery is just wonderful. Hope everyone else is doing just fine too Phoenix

Let me say to every who is think about having this surgery DO IT! Man each day is just getting better and better. Many people choose to undergo this surgery as a means to improve health not looks. If your suffering from sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure or other obesity related illness, this is the reset button! i'm 3 weeks post op and no longer need my CPAP, blood pressure 120/80, Blood suger 128. The day I got home I walked one mile and have increase that until now i'm riding six mile on my bike. Also waiting for clearance to lift weights. Now the downside: I was not aware that I was not to eat more than 1oz, so of course i was trying to eat the allowed 4oz, I figured out that will not happen right now. I think it was a mind thing because I am almost never hungry. Still working on the fluid increase i was able to drink 80 for a couple of days but, that started reflux, so if any one has any ideas on dealing with that let me know. My reflux shows up about 5 to 6am every morning for the last week and a half. The fact that i can get out and be active again is so cool! I'm down to 225, but my focus is to get physically fit again. So I hope for those how have doubts that we on the forum, can give you the info you need to make a educated choice. this is a tool not a miracle cure for obesity, so if you can start approaching food and exercise with the right attitude you will be well on your way to being healthy.

I'm always being asked how or what I did to get to where I am now. I'm always happy to answer any questions anyone brings to me, because I completely understand. I mean, I've been through it - the ups, the downs, the in-betweens... and I had even considered writing up a huge novel-like post to spell it all out. But life got in the way, and here I am today. Time got away from me and my project fell off the map. That's okay because I think that made the picture in my mind that I was trying to canvass a lot more clear. I'm seeing the forest for the trees now - and I have to tell you, the secret of my success is far more simple than I ever thought. Finally early this morning as I was getting ready for work I started to simplify all the things I did that worked for me, and here is what I came up with: The 5 P's to my success: Positivity. Patience. Persistence. Push Fluids. Protein First. Minding my Q's: Quit the Salt. Quit the Sugar. Quit the Excuses. Quit the Denial. Avoiding the C's: Candy, Crackers, Cakes, Chocolate, Cookies, Chips, popCorn, iceCream. When it comes down to it, these are the things that got me to where I am today. Seriously, nothing more and nothing less. I mean sure, I worked out and a lot - but I've got that covered with Persistence AND Quit the Excuses... Blessings to you all. You'll get there, just keep doing all the right things!! I know, I say that all the time, and you ask - "well, what's that"?? Now, I've got "All the right things" written out on your screen. Source: The Secret Of My Success