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It has been almos ten weeks since I was sleeved and I have been having frequent moments of thankfulness for this gift: My husband can wrap his arms around me when we hug My feet don't hurt anymore first thing in the morning so I don't hobble around My brain isn't so foggy at work I am gaining confidence I can tie my gym shoes without losing my breath I don't crave nor miss sweets My ankles aren't swollen at the end of the day every day So I bought some cute sandals and got a teal pedicure! My eyes look bigger and not "hooded" anymore So I bought new make up and feel beautiful (lovely husband says I have always been beautiful even - and especially - without make up. Love love love him!!!) No more buffalo hump No one has been negative I don't snore anymore (that one never gets old!) Not one migraine I have more flexibility I am more inclined to go to the gym My husband said I get up from the couch or bed faster and no longer use my arms to brace or balance myself (I never even realized I did that before) I feel younger My friends and colleagues have been so supportive and complimentary, which feels good My clothes are almost all too big, even the ones that were too small two months ago I am just so lucky and thankful for getting through the surgery safely, the first part of recovery that was so scary in the week after, having no complications and getting to this point. If I never lose another ounce, I am so much better off than I was before surgery for so many years. I am now 197 lbs and the size 16 clothes that I have are too big (I plan to go shopping this weekend). When my husband married me nine years ago I was 206 so he has never known me any smaller or healthier. He always said he wanted us to go running together but I never thought that could happen. Now it seems possible. I just signed up for a 5K in January 2014 and have started training for it already. That is a huge deal for me. I am not interested in perfection because that is unrealistic. I am happy to be healthier and to appreciate the mobility that I am gifting to my future golden years. I heard somewhere that thankfulness is essential for good mental health and happiness. So, I am truly grateful for my life and the second chance that I have been given to live it.

The shakes are not just at Sam's and Costco - I just found them in 4-packs at my local Winn-Dixie!

I love it too. Like to drink them over ice with leftover morning coffee.

so I am a little over 60lbs down in weight. I am already showing signs of weight loss. I have sagging skin in my thigh area and my boobs. I really loved my boobs and they are leaving me. I developed a heat rash from the friction when I move.. I thought if I lost it slow enough I wouldn't have much skin. I really can't blame myself because I am half to blame for being obese anyways. The important thing is that I care now and I am more dedicated than I have ever been. The thing that has me so down in a funk is that my job is not being so supportive. they don't know what surgery I had and they never will, but they are just being unfair about certain things. I still feel a lot of restriction even with them taking 1cc out of my band. I am able to eat a little bit more. for some reason I can not tolerate my normal protein shakes. But I can eat 2 egg whites and 1/4 of a banana. then for lunch I had two chunks of pineapples , 7 grapes, and two small chunks of watermelon. I haven't had dinner yet because I am not hungry yet. Tomorrow I return back to work to see how I fair out. tomorrow. will be a better day...

Hello all I swear I am so bad at keeping a blog LOL anyway here is the numbers and updates As of today I am maintaining my 115 pound loss. I haven't met my personal goal yet but I feel I have had great success keeping my loss so far. I gained 15 pounds when I moved to VA (no sidewalks mostly driving) but I am able to get back on track quickly now I am in MD (more sidewalks and accessible parks to jog/walk) here are the numbers My surgery weight was 287 My current weight is 175 My goal weight is 135 As you can see I have a long way to go but I am confident I will get there. I plan on starting a Vlog on you tube on my 3 year anniversary. I am still a junk food junkey but now I have learned that I have to stop eating the bad stuff and that helps. On a more personal note My husband and I have decided to rekindle our relationship we will celebrate our 25 anniversary Sept 29 of this year. Wish us luck. Inbox me any questions you may have until next time xoxoxo COCO

That was seriously an awesome blog. I can't tell you how many times I've felt exactly what you're feeling now. I see all these commercials and half are for food (because we need more junk food like we need a hole in the head) and the other half are for the diet I supposedly need to undo all the junk food damage. But wait...there's more! I can buy a nifty cami that will make me look 3 sizes slimmer, but then I *really* need the hair removal cream because I can't been seen looking like a bush woman. Oh and then? I should seriously invest some of those videos that will teach me to exercise and look like I'm a stripper doing a lap dance at the same time, because you know, there's a good chance my boyfriend will buy that beer that shows the woman that looks like a rejected porn star falling all over the guy because he's drinking *that* beer. I need to look like a rejected porn star apparently. Seriously, really excellent blog post. I hope more read it because you totally nailed it.

If it is any help, you are not alone. You just decribed me! Congrats on the suit!

Ok, so I am two weeks and one day into my new sleeved life. I am feeling great in general and am so glad to be moving forward. I haven't posted anything much until now as it has been enough of a challenge getting fluids in and doing my best with the protein intake. I was so looking forward to the puréed stage of the diet and wanted to start getting protein in other forms besides the shakes, but I am still having a hard time even getting an ounce of puréed anything down. I feel full on so little - and although I enjoy the taste of the soups (blended) and thinned mashed potatoes with puréed chicken, I know when the stopping point has to be. So, I have returned to the land of the shakes! In order to increase the protein and making the shakes more palatable, I mix Lucerne protein fortified fat-free milk with one-third of a protein shake every morning and every evening. That wayI can experiment with other puréed foods during the day. I don't mind taking the next six weeks slowly My doctor gave me the go ahead to hit the treadmill and elliptical machines at the gym, so that is the goal for this week. I don't have an excess of energy (did a few things around the house and pooped out over the weekend) so plan to take baby steps so I don't collapse. I do make the rounds in the hallways of my apartment complex and went down four flights of stairs last night to check the mail (elevator back up). Good things are that I am down to 215 and can see my clothes are fitting loosely already. Also, weirdly, I used to be a big time snorer and have not snored since the surgery. I am sure that is why I am sleeping more soundly at night. What an unexpected blessing! I also met a couple of old friends I hadn't seen in years: my ankle bones! I travel a lot with my job in the spring and fall, so I look forward to fitting in an airplane seat without having to ask for a seatbelt extension Last year, I actually delayed a puddle jumper flight because they ran out of seatbelt extensions (flight full of husky oil and gas workers took all the available supply!). I was mortified when they made the delay announcement - never again! So this entry is a bit of positive musing ~ I am happy with my decision to take this leap of faith to change my life and get healthy. If you asked me last week if it was the righ decision for me, I would have had to think about it... But, today I can unequivocally say YES!