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I believe anyone that has 85% of their stomach removed will lose weight. You can't help but lose, if you are limited to 4oz of food every few hours. Now the big question is, where is your hunger coming from? Only you can figure that part out. Is it from emotional eating, boredome, stress, or is it because you have hunger pangs caused by the hormone ghrelin? From my own experience, I knew that my hunger was real (even though I had eaten 2 hours earlier, I'd be hungry again). It wasn't until I talked to my surgeon that he told me that I had an excess of the hormone ghrelin (produced by the stomach). The bigger the stomach, the more of the hormone produced. The surgery stopped my hunger pangs. I have not had that nagging sense of hunger (other than my stomach growling) since surgery 7 weeks ago. And 4 or 5 oz of food keeps me satisfied, whereas before, I could eat 1 lb of steak and know I'd be raiding the fridge in 2 hours. And I don't have any cravings anymore for certain flavors. Whereas before, I'd think about something that would taste good and I couldn't get the thought out of my head until I ate it - and a lot of it, not just a small portion. Don't get me wrong, you can sabotage yourself after surgery. There are foods, called slider foods, that are calorie dense (ice cream, peanut butter) that pass through the stomach quickly, so it's possible to eat more. And it is possible to just graze all day on snacks that are high in calories. The sleeve gave me the control over my eating that I needed. When I eat, I have full control of what I eat. I can pass on the donuts or just have 1 and be satisfied. With the exception of pasta - it triggers my sugar cravings. So I have to be real careful about eating it. But I don't know if I'd the same success if my hunger was tied to my emotions instead of hormones. I really believe food was an addiction - one you can't quit and never touch again. Other addictions can be quit and never touched again. But what if a heroine addict, smoker or alcoholic knew they had to take some every day or their body would die? What if they had 75 TV channels that ran commericals for cigarrets every 10 minutes during their favorite programs? Or had reality programs (like the best places to pig out or the food challenges) devoted to the best places to get their fix and showed people taking drugs and loving it? Could the addicts just reduce the amount they took every day and never over do it or would they give in to the nagging voice in their head telling them how good it was going to feel? Ok, rant over. :-)

I don't have many pictures of me (not even face shots). I was looking to for one to post and I don't have any. I also haven't hung up any of my weddings photos -- you know the event that I paid a gazillion dollars for and hired a professional photographer. We don't even have any family photographs. My memories are filled with photos of the kids - none of me. I've noted that I really am happy with who I am until I look in the mirror; then, I don't recognize the person staring back at me. Apart from my health issues, in my heart ... I don't feel that hugely fat. It's amazing how a layer of fat makes you look like a different person. I'm tired of getting together at family gatherings and the topic of conversation is always losing weight and the pure shock at how much I've gained. Truthfully, sometimes I start that conversation because I feel defensive... Hey, you tend to develop a coping mechanism. I want to live my life ... I don't want to feel like getting dressed is a chore. Going to the store and feeling like a failure because I can't find jeans that fit me right... Oh, the dreaded muffin top when I sit down. I swear it constricts my breathing. Ughh. On that note, I only have one pair of jeans that fit me right now. I also have a closet full of clothes that are way too small. I don't know why I keep them. I wear the same the same work clothes every week because I don't like to think about putting outfits together. I like the comfort of knowing exactly what I'm wearing ... to assure I have no disappointments. This is all apart from knowing that if I continue on this path, I will develop more health issues related to weight. Don't get me wrong, I have parts of my life that I'm very proud of -- career, family, etc. I just want to live a longer and healthier (and more physical) life not being ashamed of how I look. I just want to be able to tie my shoe without getting winded. I just want to take a family photo and put it on the wall ...

Roaming around I found this website which is pretty cool. Shows really women at different weights, heights, and shapes. I think it will help me to get a better idea of where I want to end up. http://www.mybodygallery.com/

Well, hello out there~ This is my very first blog, ever, and it happens to be on the day before my gastric sleeve surgery. I am less nervous than anytime before since being approved for this surgery and hope that this calm, positive, forward-looking feeling stays with me all the way to the anesthetic! I have had other surgeries before, so I know what to expect in that regard (always a couple of nerves during the medical history/IV pre-surgical stages). For now, I am visualizing my success through the first phase of the post-surgical diet and walking every two hours. I have started packing my bag for the short hospital stay and organized a shelf in the fridge for my shakes and drinks, plus one in the cupboard for the protein powder and broths. Something I found yesterday at Target was a 42-gram protein shake from EAS Myoplex in strawberry cream flavor that may be the best tasting protein shake, ever! Really tasty! If you are tired of chocolate and vanilla this is for you, and better than the Slimfast strawberry flavored shake (plus, 42 grams of protein in one bottle is hard to find). That being said, I did not realize how bad my breath was from the protein shakes in general, until my husband said something. I thought the aftertaste was just something I could detect, myself. Apparently, it rivals my cat's breath (I checked, he's right) so my nutritionist recommended breath strips. I sure hope the bad breath is a temporary side effect that will go away after the protein shakes are no longer such a big part of my diet! Good luck to everyone out there who has had or will have a gastric sleeve! I truly wish success for all of us~ I hope that if anyone posts a comment on my blog that they will be positive and supportive (thanks in advance!).

We made it to the circus last night and I am happy to announce, no one stepped in elephant poop! (Thank the good Lord above for that) The kids had such a great time, it was a really good show! I haven't been to the circus in many years, it was great to see the reaction on my children's faces when they saw the many wonders of the circus world! Its moments like these that we live for. Speaking of moments like these, today was the first of many baseball games for my kids! My oldest son played his very first baseball game today! I know this may not seem like that big of deal to some. I actually cried! (laugh it off, its ok ... go ahead and laugh, I'll wait) My oldest son when he was only 3 years old was diagnosed with autism. He didn't talk much before the age of 6 years, to say the least we have come a long way! Here he is 12 years old and one of the most amazing kids you would ever meet, believe me I am not just saying that because he is mine. He played an amazing basketball season helping his team come into 2nd place out of the whole season (missing first place by 1 game). I had to talk him into trying baseball, I thought it would be a good way for him to spend his extra time during the spring, and it might help him unwind from basketball. Since 2 minutes after his last basketball game he has been dying to play again. My family is very complicated, my children are a lot of work. That was the nice way of saying, my kids are out of control! It is very rare I will take all four children some place without my husbands help, and the same for him. Each of the kids have sensory issues and it can really be a very stressful event to do on your own. Today my sons first game was going to be at 9am and it was a half hour away! He needs to be there by 8:30. My husband has to work at 8 am. So this means? I am doing this alone! My mother did take the youngest which was a big help, I took the twins with me. I found out during basketball season that dum dums will keep them still and quiet, however you do pay for it since if my son has a half a gram of sugar he will bounce for at LEAST 3 hours! The next best option is Nintendo DS! I set them up with that, me up with my camera and it was peaceful! During the second inning my son, my pride and joy, my Trevor came up to the plate to bat! I was so excited and scared for him. I thought to myself "oh God, what if he misses?" just then the pitcher threw his first ball, "STRIKE!" I said a little prayer "Dear Lord above, please, please for all that is holy let this boy hit that ball just once today!" I saw my son (5 foot 11 inches, 195 pound power house) step into the batters box again and he raised his bat, perfect stance! Here comes the pitch.... and CRACK! There goes the ball!!! I stood to my feet, screamed and yelled and literally cried like a baby! (the tears are coming back as I re-live this event now) every fan sitting there cheered for MY boy! At least 4 or 5 mothers came to me during and after the game to express how amazed they were by his hit! MY son is amazing! Tomorrow we begin our t-ball season with the twins. I can hardly wait!! My daughter is very devoted to baseball. She spent over 2 hours hitting off the tee without direction the other day. When I asked her what she was up to her response was "duh, I'm working on my swing mom!" As for Ethan, her twin brother, he would rather be playing in the dirt and that is where I expect to see him most of the game tomorrow. I can hardly wait! Now for a quick update on myself. Ive had a lot of heart to heart talks with my husband about my surgery, my journey and I have come to realize that he is my biggest and strongest rock! I will do all of this with grace as long as I have him by my side. I have one really awesome, amazing, and loving man for a husband! And together, we got this! Today Aunt Flo visits, which is so crappy since yesterday my scale read 300.0 which I know 100% without a doubt today it would have been 299! Since I started my period, I wont even breathe in the direction of my scale for the next 3 days. Sigh - the joys of being a woman! On that note, I am going to hop off from here and go make up some yummy bbq for my family.. going to have grilled chicken, I myself am skipping the pasta salad and going to go green instead, then I have a really yummy sugar free strawberry cheesecake cobbler to enjoy after! Bring on the warm beautiful weather. I love my family, I wouldn't be anything without them, and Im coming to realize, they wouldn't be much without me either... self worth, turns out that's pretty important!

Hi, My name is Myla and I'm from Boone, IA. I am 48 years old, the mother of three beautiful daughters and grandmother to a gorgeous little grandaughter and one handsome little grandson. We live close enough to all that I could see them daily and yet like to give them some privacy also. I work full time as a buyer for a company that I love...I have watched it grow from a mom and pop place to a huge company. I truly enjoy the challenges that come with my job...and after all who does not like to s spend money and haggle for a good deal... I also own my own online scrapbook store that keeps me hopping most of the time. My daughters are all grown and with families of their own. My husband is retired and we are enjoying the the grandparenting years. Looking for some vacationing time. It is tough to do when one works full time and the other is retired. Our schedules dont usually match up. About a year ago, I really started thinking more and more about a healthier way of life... I want to be here to see those grandbabies graduate and get married. Another fear that set in was I lost my own mother at 53 years of age...and as I approach that 50 mark it starts to get a little scarry. The doctor has told me that I have pre-hypertension... and so I have started to come into touch with my own health... Over the years I have tried so many diets and the only one that really was ever successful for me was Weight Watchers, for my oldest daughters wedding, I lost 40 lbs.It just seemed as their was a big goal at the end...and once that was over... then the goal was gone. I also stumbled with some depression shortly after the wedding. I think it was a sense of knowing that it would not be long and the youngest would be gone from home also...Needless to say the weight came back on. It seemed like for the past 6 years I have held to between 230 and 240. Always being told that I was not over weight enough to have the surgery....You need that BMI to be at 40, well since I been shrinking in height over the past few years and have been working hard to quit smoking that number crept right up on me. Now at 5'6" and 253 lbs. I have to admit that I feel better not smoking and everything smells better... With all this has also come the continued borderline high blood pressure, now the LDL is too high and the pre-diabetis... I have started the steps to have the Bariatric Sleeve done. I have been to one informational class, and have a group class on May 3, followed by the first visit with the Doctor on May 13th. I'm ready for the life style change and to be thin and feel good again. I know that it wont be easy, but I'm sure it will be so worth it.

Yesterday was my 49th birthday. As I look back over the past almost-decade, I’m amazed at how much has changed, and how far I’ve come. Since I turned 40, I have gone through a number of big life changes, including divorce and remarriage, job/career changes, and achieving a college education. All of those changes have been enriching and empowering for me. It feels like my 40’s have just been one change after another. I have really come into my own over the past few years, in so many ways that I never anticipated. I am excited about becoming a professional counselor, and inspired by the opportunity to have a positive impact in my small corner of the world. I have been so blessed by supportive friends and family, and I am very grateful for the love that lifts me up each day. Over the past few years, the one major negative change has been my mobility. I can no longer do so many things that I used to do and still want to do. The degree of limitation in my life has become unacceptable to me, and the time to take action is now. So, as I celebrate turning 49, I am already looking ahead to my 50th birthday next year. At that time, I will be 11 months post-op. I have no idea how much weight I will have lost, but I trust that my physical condition will have changed for the better. My plan is to celebrate the beginning of my new decade by doing something physical that would not have been possible at the end of this decade. I don’t know exactly what it will be, but I’ll think of something. It seems very appropriate to celebrate turning 50 by doing something that was not possible for me at 49. I don’t expect to start running or take up mountain climbing; I just want to walk without pain. I want to be able to stand for more than a few minutes, and maybe even to dance again. I want to be able to walk around downtown, or go shopping at the mall. I want to be able to do projects around my house and work in the yard. When we go to the beach, I want to be able to take Tony’s hand and go for a walk in the sand. But until that day comes, I will be thankful to hold his hand as I take this next step, and give myself a gift for next year and beyond.

i started my liver shrinking diet today, really believe it is going to happen now, 13 days to go,x