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Can not believe how much time went by since my surgery!!! I am grateful of the results that I have enjoyed so far. Like most slow losers, I wish I had lost more! But things are moving along. I am making changes that will not only help me lose the weight now, but keep if off in the long run. I just went through a super stall, BUT to my surprise I got the most comments and compliments during that period!! Go figure lol!! My upper body slimmed down significantly, but my lower body is stubborn and will not be as flexible:( I did lose, but not as drastically as my top did. I hope that will be the next site of improvement or I am going to look very disproportionate:( NSV: I wore heels for the first time in YEARS today! And I felt ( do I dare say ) so SEXY lol!!! I am of good spirit and faith. I am going to win this fight.

It's been a while since I posted...from the Monday before my surgey to the Monday after, I lost 11.2lbs. It's been harder than I thought only having liquids...I've realized I do not like protein shakes! I'm just ready to have soft foods, and feel like I have the energy to start exercising and being me again. I just didn't react well to the anesthesia, plus having the hernia repaired, plus going back to work this week...I think I've used all of my energy! Next week is a new week, and I'm ready to conquer it. My plan is to rest this weekend and feel even stronger.

I have had my second fill and am not in the green zone with 3cc fill appear to be stuck at this weight for 3 weeks now. I am trying not to get discouraged, continue to walk thinking about getting a personal trainer just to make the scale move. I had a large celebration this week with my only cheat being a 2oz sample of wine. First and only alcohol since going under the knife. No sweets at all and making healthy choices. Time to get back to my journal I guess to really see what's happening with my intake calorie wise. I have to remain focused, I can feel a difference in my clothes as I have shed an entire wardrobe! Another non scale victory under 100 to lose! I can do this....! Yes..I can!

things went well with the surgery (9/10). i was in and out quickly. they did find that my liver was way larger than normal, so they took a biopsy. came back and i have early fibrosis/non alcoholic steatohepatitis (fatty liver disease) that could lead to cirrhosis if i dont get/keep the weight off. in the hospital overnight, couldn't sleep. was on an 8 minute dilaudid pain pump, which i thank heaven for. just don't let them take out your IV/pain pump til they are actually ready to walk you out the door, especially if you have a long way to get home. i had mine out too long and got very agitated because the dr took 2.5h to write my discharge orders... i felt horrible and then started running a fever and my blood pressure and heart rate (things i don't have issues with) skyrocketed. the nurse had a horrified look on her face when she took them right before i left. on the ride home, every bump was horrible. i just wanted my own bed. and it felt like years before my husband got home from the pharmacy with my pain meds. other than that just poking and prodding. went home the next day, pain for about a day and a half, only gave my oxycodone. phenergan did not touch the nausea, so they called in some zofran. if you have nausea, DEMAND the zofran. much more effective. turned out to have been pain mainly from the nausea from pain meds. i was fine w just zofran the 2 or 3 days after that, then i felt just fine. within the week, i actually felt GOOD. weird. i did have one night where i laid in bed and felt like there was electricity going through my body. i couldn't sleep and was just restless. it was horrible. i think it was related to an anti nausea patch they gave me to put behind my ear? not sure, but i stopped using it and it hasn't happened since. so far, down 25 lbs and 25 inches. mostly in my arms, legs, and face. coming off slowly on the abdomen, which is where i carry everything. was initially scheduled for 3 weeks off work. i feel good. was cleared for soft food, sex, and exercise today, THANK GOD. walking wasn't cutting it. i did get approved for another 2 weeks off of work though. i want to be less exhausted from healing. my sleeve doesn't hurt. it cramps a little in the am when i am empty and haven't taken my prilosec, but other than that, no pain. no nausea otherwise. i think i am eating too quickly bc i am overly full when i am done. take the time to listen to your body. eat super small bites VERY SLOWLY and you'll avoid getting too full, which feels gross and can make you cough out the extra. it's really not fun. matrix mint cookie protein and i are bffs. the best flavor! and not too thick. so glad i did it! best decision i have ever made! questions? lol

Everyone has opinions and advice and that is what makes us different individually. I am not one to sugar coat things but for someone to come and tell another "you are giving out bad information or advice" is just dead wrong. That is the opinion bad information or advice is being given. Keys to a successful journey in my opinion is: Patience Education Following basic guidelines set forth by a Doctor and/or Nutritionist Making good food choices Develop good eating habits such as eating slow, smaller portions and chewing up food very fine Analyze your hunger to ensure it is really truly hunger and not head hunger Patience Ongoing Education throughout your journey Constant follow up with Doctors and Nutritionists throughout the journey. This is a must should band adjustments be needed. While I understand is is perfectly normal to read up on the manufacture website on the product I think I would put more faith in the experience others have had with the product and that goes for both patients and medical professionals alike. I read up on Realize band on the manufacture website but in the end they are trying to sell a product. I want to hear from the 'end users' and the medical professionals who work with the product. Just my penny worth of thoughts Oh and Fen-Phen said they could help people lose weight as well but in the end the drug was pulled for causing serious health issues along with deaths and they ended up shelling out $13 billion in settlements. Anyone who just takes the word of a manufacturer as FACT or word of law is not a wise person.

I had to do 2 weeks pre-op liquid diet which consisted ONLY of protein shakes, clear broth, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles. It totally sucked at first, but by day 4 I felt pretty good...and I lost 20 lbs. in those 2 weeks. You can do it!

I used to attend O.A. and I too lost a good amount of weight. I am fortunate that my O.A. groups never frowned on weight loss surgery. Higher Power made doctors too after all. I have been thinking about going back to O.A. just for the support its nice to know that everyone there gets what you are going through. I went back briefly before surgery and met another woman who had the sleeve done. No one judged her, we all go there because we have issues with food. The surgery is maybe the 9th tool.

I promise it gets easier. Just stay focused on your goal. I used to hate eating around people, but now I eat at the table with my family or I sit and talk to them while they eat.