juliarh

Oh I'm so glad this subject is being talked about -- Besides the bra issue (which I really can't do much about down here in Paraguay now), I've been looking online for some decent clothes . . . Here's my dilemma -- I can shop at Old Navy, which is fine and cheap and etc. But I would like to daydream and/or shop at other stores -- I don't know where to even start! What stores do you all shop in?? I've looked at Ann Taylors (way too expensive), Talbots (the same), but I'm clueless as to what to look for . . . I've always shopped at Lane Bryant or Old Navy. sigh. And since I'm 46 (almost 47), I don't want to look like a teenie bopper -- young, yes, but something like Forever21 I think would be too young, don't you think?? Please help, because yesterday I cried over this (seems silly when I used to cry over the fact that I couldn't find decent clothes in my bigger size) -- I guess I'm frustrated because I currently have only 2 pairs of pants that I can wear (and they are 2 sizes too big) and 4 shirts. I keep ordering from Old Navy only to find out that I guess wrong and it's too big. (another reason for the tears). I sooo want to be back in the States so I can shop regularly and figure everything out -- Can anyone give me some good online stores that have cute clothes that are not out of this world expensive (so that I don't throw my money away after losing more??)? Thanks so much! Oh, and about the bras, I measured myself and am ordering online . . . sigh. Crossing my fingers.

Getting there! SN................Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.....Lbs to Goal Avilda......................275.................187..............177..............10 Brendasgonnalose...335............233..............225..............8 Cherice95405.......248............... 177............ 164..............13 Chilo1.....................216................160...............154..............6 Coops ...................238................191...............177...............14 Cwalker.................250.................180..............170...............10 Daisy......................237.................138.............130...............8 DJackson..............229.................225..............215.............10 HollyW...................259..................233............215..............18 Ibejjo.....................249..................249............229................20 Juliarh...................230..................219..............215...........4 Kimmes................239..................222..............200............22 Kgremmy.............225.................210..............199..............11 Laylasmojo.........242.................180...............170..............10 LeslieH..................212..................212.............199..............13 LilMissDiva...........235..............233.8.............220.............13.8 Meriteri................240...................187.............170...............17 MichelleLee..........252..................225................199..............26 MINI-Me...............203..................124.6............125..............0 & holding! Mommy2Girls.......275.................240..............228..............12 Moniluv.................190.................190..............178..............12 MRSKOUBIK........317..................283.............267..............16 pattimomof3nj......203.4..............167.1..........155...........12.1 Sailorgirl.................240.................220..............200..........20 Secret Surgery34..........205.........174............165...........9 Sleeve 4 me.........166..................165.............156..............9 Sweatinitout..........245................170..............160...............10 Yolanda240...........236.................203..............170..............33 PlannerGirl………..…327…..……..…..275……..……..255…………..20 mlr777...........200.8...........174.6............160.............14.6 tlang262 - Texas.....240.......240..............230.............. seniorsleever..........290.......279..............260............19

Hey all! Today's my weigh in day -- don't know quite what's going on, but I've been losing like there's no tomorrow -- I haven't done anything different, so go figure. So this week I lost 7.2 pounds (biggest loss since I started out!) -- and I just zoomed past the 220s -- again, I have no idea what's going on, but I'll take it! Hope everyone else is doing well!

Wow, Brian, that is truly an awe inspiring moment -- very very cool

Tiff, I'm so sorry this is happening -- I have no experience with it but I would really like it if you'd keep us up to date -- I'm a worrier and I will worry if I don't know if everything is a-ok. Take care! hugs!

Hi Megan -- our bodies do not lose weight at a steady decline -- they lose weight, then try to "adjust" and then lose weight again -- kind of like a stair step. It's pretty normal about 2 - 3 weeks out to have a small stall, meaning you won't lose, you might gain a little, or maybe lose a teeny amount. That's ok. You really cannot help but lose it eventually. Look at the long term picture -- you're in it for the long term, so what you weigh today or even next week will not matter next year! There is a great thread that talks about weight loss and how our bodies actually lose -- I'll post it if I can find it. In any case, cheer up -- you will lose it -- I stalled around my 3 week and felt like crying every day (I think I did actually) -- but then after 2 weeks I started losing again. If you do what you're supposed to do (Protein first, drink Water, get some exercise), you will lose -- guarantee!

I think if you have serious reservations about WLS, you shouldn't do it. To have WLS, you must prepare for a lifetime change. The change includes what you eat, how you eat, your physical activity, everything. I think it's wise to hold off if you're not prepared both mentally and physically to do what is required. And I'm not saying that you're not prepared to change, but maybe you're not at the stage of realization that another diet is not going to work like many of us have already realized. Please don't get me wrong -- I really really think you're wise to hold off -- it's better to hold off and then be sure than to jump into it and not be mentally and physically ready. Good luck and I hope that with time you'll figure out what you need to do

Congratulations!! It's all down hill from here baby!!

Hi! I also felt comfortable with my appearance pre-op (not being fat, just my appearance) -- but my obesity really kept me from doing things I wanted to do physically. I only wish I had done this 20 years ago (I'm 46 now) -- I could have been much more involved with my kids instead of watching from the sidelines. And I guess that sums up my adult life until now -- I have been on the sidelines watching in -- yes, I felt I looked as good as I could, no one ever was mean or cruel to me about my weight, but yet I never was fully engaged. The sleeve has changed my life -- yes, I'm still the same person, but I WANT to do things, I am ABLE to do things, and I am able to live my life the way I had always wanted to, but couldn't. Don't hesitate - run and get your sleeve!

That's interesting -- before I was a diet coke fiend. Couldn't drink enough of it. Now I can't get enough of water. I think that the ghrelin removed just changes how our tastebuds taste. I LOOOOVE water now. To me, it's amazing -- if you had said to me pre-op, "drink water instead of x." I would have looked at you like you were nutty. Now, give me WATER!!

Ok, this is starting to make sense -- yesterday it was 110 here in Asunción, Paraguay and I was VERY comfortable. That NEVER would have happened in the past. In fact on Sunday, we had friends over to watch the Packer v. the Eagles (go Pack!) and everyone else was dripping (it was 75 in the house with the AC) and I was completely content. I have been lucky that I had surgery before summer started down here -- not so sure how I'll feel when winter starts in April. sigh.

Your whole body changes after pregnancy -- your rib cage widens, your hips widen, and like everyone else mentioned, the stretch marks, etc. My boobs drooped too! If you're going to get pregnant, I would wait until you're done with kids -- you don't know what will happen to you genetically (stretch marks are a genetic thing!) until you get pregnant -- And you're 24 years old -- I'm betting your skin has much more elasticity than my old 46 year old bod has -- a lot of people who have the VSG and then do a good amount of exercise and weights find after a year that their skin will "snap" back. Just my opinion, FWIW

I too eat 3 meals a day -- breakfast usually an egg or two plus bacon or ham; lunch is leftovers -- today is chili!; and then dinner is usually red meat or fish plus salad. Sometimes I will throw in some afternoon snack like cheese or ham. I do drink coffee (now) in the mornings. But, I'm usually sticking to the 3 meals a day . . .

Congratulations!!! Best wishes for the coming 9 months So excited for you!

Congratulations! Doing the happy dance for you

It may not be hunger pains, but rather a lot of acid which can cause that sensation -- are you taking anything to reduce the acid in your stomach like Nexxium or Prilosec??

Totally agree -- I think a lot of people are used to seeing overweight and/or obese people and therefore think that it's normal and therefore think normal is "healthy." We know it's not. I've read that many people when they get within 20 pounds of their goal weight have people tell them not to lose anymore -- probably because others are not used to seeing them so small. I'm sure it will happen to a lot of us too. So, totally agree with you -- I think that lots of people just want to be "supportive" and not be critical. Saying someone is overweight or obese is kinda the ultimate putdown now -- so saying you're not is like being overly politically correct. . . sigh.

Ok, here goes (let's see if I can add correctly ): 1st month - lost 38.6 2nd month - lost 10.6 3rd month - lost 13.8 4th month - lost 14 Grand total of 77 lbs so far Note: I did have to edit because I didn't add correctly - sigh. 2nd Note: my BMI (both now and starting) is on my ticker below -- as is my starting and current weight.

Cherice -- I was just telling myself "as soon as I get in the 170s, I'll be in heaven!" and look at you -- in the170s!! That's soo great! Good job with the weight loss -- isn't it amazing?? I still can't believe it

Mine was changed too -- here's a corrected copy: SN................Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.....Lbs to Goal Avilda...................275.................187..............177..............10 Cherice95405.......248...............177............164...............13 Coops ...............238................191.............177................14 Cwalker...............250.................180..............170..............10 Daisy....................237...................138.............130...............8 DJackson.............229.................229..............215.............14 HollyW.................259..................233............215..............18 Ibejjo...................249..................249............229................20 Juliarh...................230..................226..............215...........11 Kimmes................239..................222..............200............22 Kgremmy.............225.................210..............199..............11 Laylasmojo.........242.................180...............170..............10 LeslieH..................212..................212.............199..............13 LilMissDiva...........235..................234.............220..............14 Meriteri................240...................187.............170...............17 MichelleLee..........252..................225................199..............26 MINI-Me...............203..................124.6............125..............0 & holding! Mommy2Girls.......275.................240..............228..............12 Moniluv.................190.................190..............178..............12 MRSKOUBIK........317..................283.............267..............16 pattimomof3nj......203.4..............167.1..........155...........12.1 Sailorgirl.................240.................220..............200..........20 Secret Surgery34..........205.........179............165...........14 Sleeve 4 me.........166..................165.............156..............9 Sweatinitout..........245................170..............160...............10 Yolanda240...........236.................203..............170..............33 PlannerGirl………..…327…..……..…..275……..……..255…………..20 mlr777...........200.8...........174.6............160.............14.6 tlang262 - Texas.....240.......240..............230...............10

Globe, I seriously would not feel hungry -- now I do get irritable and trembly like you said. But hunger where your stomach hurts?? Or hunger like you gotta eat something NOW?? nope. I never feel it. Maybe that will change. I'm kinda hoping not. Because I really really don't EVER think about food until someone bugs me to make breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Hooray for onderland!! Keep doing what you're doing -- good job!

you're doing fabulous! wow! and in only 2 months! that's incredible -- don't ever get down on yourself AT ALL!! You look great

Hooray! It is the best feeling in the world to be able to be involved with those we love instead of sitting on the sidelines

You look great -- very very noticeable weight loss in the face -- I bet a lot of people are commenting, right?