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Got all my blood work done and the nurse says I'm doing AWESOME! Incredible weight loss, all my vitamins are good, protein levels are good, no deficiencies at all. In fact, my protein is so good that I can eliminate one of the protein shakes. Thank god for that. I'm actually getting sick of them. The only thing I need to work on is getting my good cholesterol up (it's a tad low). That prompted a discussion on good oils. I use olive oil for everything because it's supposed to be so healthy. She said NO! That's just marketing. I should be using canola oil. Color me surprised! So I'll make that switch and see if it helps bring my good cholesterol up. So in 3.5 months, I'm down 74 pounds and I've gone from a 26/28 to a 14/16...and I was able to do it without destroying my health. Holy crap! I never thought this would be possible. Best. Decision. EVER!

It has been a while since i was on here last.. I would like to just give an update on my progress. Have my surgery 10-31-11 and as of today i have lost 79lbs. Putting my down to 176lbs. My goals is 145lbs to 140lbs. So i really hope to be there by my one year mark. This was the best thing i could have done for my self i would never take it back..

I'm telling you, we are a glutten for punishment. I have the lapband, I belong to healthy accountability on facebook and also belong to Dixie recipe swap. All those sweet southern recipes......yet its like a car wreck I gotta watch.... and see... and imagine....and fantasize....and....gotta go....headed back to dixie recip.......

I'm so excited for you! This is a big step, but worth it. I did not use any of the items I brought with me in the hospital, except the clothes to wear home. Hospital provides, basic care supplies and you will most likely just want to sleep or rest. Some suggested a notebook & pen for notes or journal, gas x strips, and ear plugs. The one thing I did not have when I got home was an old fashion night gown with no waist. My husband went & got 2 for me and that saved me! Couldn't handle anything around my waist for a week. Everyone is different though, but at least make sure you have comfy pants and tops for the first few weeks. Also I wouldn't leave the hospital without a prescription for nausea that dissolves under you tongue. Be prepared for an emotional ride the first 2 to 3 weeks, they feel like a roller-coaster, but it does get better as you heal and become more mobile. Make sure you have little 1 and 2 oz containers and cocktail size utensils at home. Also Lipton cup cream of chicken soup and chicken stock (not broth) to make it with, it adds protein and goes down well. It's a nice change from protein shakes also. You should read frequently asked questions in the pre-op forum section too. I've learned since my sleeve a month ago, that the only thing that has changed is the size of my stomach. It doesn't change food craving, choice of food we eat, what food triggers we have, our habits, or how much we exercise. We get full fast and that helps, will lose some weight no matter what, but all the rest we still have to work towards changing ourselves. We can do it though! I wish you all the best in your journey.

Also, I read this to my husband and I asked, "Did you notice the skin on my legs?" He responded yes. WHAT????? How could yo not tell me. He said, "I figured you would eventually see it and deal with it...more than likely in your blog." I have to admit, he really does know me. Gosh, I love that man.

One week ago today I woke up from surgery with my new gogo gadget tummy in me and haven't regretted it one itty bitty bit. I am so excited for the success this is going to bring me and I'm so excited for every story I read here on the VSG forums, knowing that everyone here will finally get the weight loss success we have all longed for most of our lives. We're finally going to be "normal". I can't wait until the day comes where I don't find myself looking around a room wondering if I'm the heaviest in it (and usually I am). It will be fantastic not to walk into a place and hope the seats aren't too small to sit in and the sheer embarrassment that is felt when you sit in a seat that you are not only crammed into, but have to worry about how to wedge your way gracefully out of it in front of a room full of people who will stare and judge you if you stand up and any part of that chair stands up with you. Those days will be gone!!! I've noticed during my first week of full liquids that I have found myself wondering if I'm doing something wrong, because I have not felt stuffed at all by anything I've consumed. I've not felt hungry and when I start to, it's usually time for a meal or snack. I think it dawned on me shortly before I started writing this entry what exactly what happening - I was eating normal. Normal people don't eat until they are stuffed every meal - they don't fill a plate and eat it until it's gone - they eat until they are full and put the rest away. I didn't feel stuffed, because hello!!!! this is what satisfied felt like. How the heck did I get this long and not know what that felt like? Here I thought I was doing something wrong and doubting I was doing it right, just because my tummy wasn't begging for mercy. Wow, the mentality I let myself get into. I am however and oh so thankfully happy to say, I am on the last night of my full liquid diet - tomorrow is soft foods!!! I've done fairly well on the full liquids as my doctor allowed a fair bit of goodies that helped me get through the week. I've had to consume 3 protein shakes a day (ugh, so tired of those after 3 weeks), but I could also have 2 snacks a day consisting of SF jello, SF pudding, SF popsicles, instant mashed potatoes, 98% FF cream soups, Cream of Wheat (tried it, don't recommend it for a few weeks ... the sleeve did NOT approve), Oatmeal and yeah, that's pretty much it. It wasn't horrible since I had 3 shakes and 2 snacks a day. I did find that I enjoyed combining 98% FF Cream of Chicken Soup with the instant mashed potatoes for a potato/gravy feel and I think it helped the potatoes go down easier and gave me some flavor. So, farewell my faithful full liquids - you were good to me, but it's time we part ways. It's on to softer and mushier foods for me! I've scoured the interwebs for various ideas and recipes for mushy stages and have found a fair bit that I think will keep me somewhat entertained for the next phase which will last me 2 weeks. Wow, only 2 more weeks and I'm back to solid foods.

Happy to hear you're feeling better today! That's the glory of a new day. It's a new chance to start over. I try to wake up every day thinking it's going to be a great one. As for the joint account - my husband and I had one together before we got married. As long as you trust someone on that level, I wouldn't worry about it!

Hi- Filter out those folks who stare at us who are obese and trying to get into shape. The great thing to think about is that sweat that leaves your body is another pound off! ROAR!

I had my sleep study last night. It went pretty well. I fell asleep around midnight and woke at 8:30. I don't remember any dreams I had but do remember waking about 4 times. Once was for the technician to come in and reattach a lead that feel off from my head. I have very long ( to my butt) wavy hair and he's peering around my head with a flash light pulling and tugging my hair to find that one lead. Now, anyone that knows me knows I love to joke around and make comments... so... me and my big mouth said "You 're pulling my hair and i'm not even having any fun". I'll blame that comment on the fact I was half asleep! HA HA HA Other then my night. Not much else has happened today!

I just hit my 3 month anniversary (YAY) and I've lost 72 pounds. I weigh myself every day because I love watching the number go down. But I know this won't last forever. I'm bound to hit a stall eventually and I don't want that to distract from my goal (like it did the last time I lost a lot of weight.) So here's my plan: Once I hit Onederland, the scale goes away. I keep doing what I'm doing: eating right, taking my vitamins, working out 4-5 times a week, being more active in everything I do, etc. I'm going to focus on how I feel, how my clothes fit, and NOT worry about the number on that evil machine. I guess I need to weigh my self once a month or so, just to make sure I'm not backsliding, but no more daily weigh ins. Just 17 more pounds to Onederland!!!