juliarh

OMG!! Lisa, that is sooo awesome!! And with your clothes ON!! Happy dance! So proud of you and feel so inspired Congratulations!!!

Hooray! Let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it, ok?

Congratulations on feeling good!! I'm glad that telling people has worked out well -- those pics are great!

Congratulations!! It's weird that our bodies don't drop inches and pounds at the same rate or time -- but a 38" waist and an XL shirt is awesome!!

You look absolutely fabulous -- you really really do! Congratulations!

Hey Irene -- so sorry you went through this -- but I'm really glad it had a happy ending. I was slightly lactose intolerant before surgery and now am REALLY lactose intolerant -- won't go near the stuff. It will just come out really fast (I know, I know - TMI). And good for you to recognize that you were getting back into some bad habits. Let us know how your liquid diet goes. Feel better soon!

Ok, just to put some perspective into this -- The death rate for giving birth in the U.S. (in 2007) was 8.7 percent. The morbidity rate associated with tonsillectomy is 2% to 4% The morbidity rate for a laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is 1.9% The point is, I could go on and on about the chances of dying in surgery (or from complications) -- but the fact remains that VSG morbidity rates is .5% -- that's TINY compared to giving birth, having your tonsils out or having gallbladder surgery (one of the most common surgeries in the U.S.). I know that having an elective surgery for obesity is scary. I think we can all admit that we were all a little bit scared. But please don't focus on one thing and make that the reason why you might not consider having a surgery that could ultimately save your life. As for myself, I KNEW that if I didn't do this FOR ME, that I would die - it was only a matter of time -- I didn't want to not see my children get married or leave my wonderful husband alone. I also wanted a new lease on life - I had not been living my life - I had given up and had given up everything that I found enjoyable about life, except for food. What a waste! So I gave myself the very best present I could give myself - a way to take control of my obesity and live a normal life. I really really hope you reconsider this -- please feel free to message me - I know how scary it is to consider the surgery - it took me a year to get up the guts to even see a doctor. But I if I had the chance to do it again, I would run to the doctor and beg to be operated on immediately. Take care, I hope this helps. Julie

Congratulations Jackie!!! It's a great feeling, isn't it?? To actually think that we will lose the weight and be able (with work) to keep it off?? Keep up the great work!!

Chilo!! I thought for sure I posted to this (my mind must be going!) -- YOU LOOK FANTASTIC!! Really, you're like another person! Incredible -- congratulations! And even though you're not "there" yet, you look like you are

Welcome to both of you -- this site is awesome and has been extremely helpful, informational and supportive Good luck with your surgeries!

I try to stick to 30 carbs a day -- sometimes I have more, sometimes less. But my rule is to eat all my protein first, so sometimes I never get to the carbs. But for a snack or something I might have fruit, which is a good source of fiber and carbs

You're looking great!! I think your weight loss is really noticeable -- the befores and afters are stunning -- great job!

I am so happy that I got the sleeve -- it wasn't a perfect landing (1st 2 weeks were tough), but now that I'm outside of that and trying to get my emotions in order as well as follow the physical requirements of being sleeved, I can't help but be sooo thankful for so many things. And I'd love to hear what you're thankful for as well as we go along this journey together. My list (surely, not complete, but it's a start): 1) I am soooo thankful for this forum. I'm thankful for the advise, the wisdom, the comfort -- I don't always write back to the person who's given me the advise when I come across it, but you all should know how very thankful I am that I have you in my life 2)I am thankful that I like being active again -- I love my exercise, love my jaunts around the city. At 303 lbs., there wasn't much that I enjoyed doing that was physical. I am so thankful I can move! 3) I am thankful for realizing how dependent I was on food for comfort -- I'm just now starting to read Eat It Up! by Connie Stapleton (post WLS guide) -- it has opened my eyes to why I was fat, what I used my fat for, etc. It's kinda bittersweet -- sad that I was/am using those strategies, happy that I realize what I was/am doing and that I can overcome them. 4) I am thankful that I have a new lease on life -- both health-wise and socially -- I don't know what the future will hold for me in my social life when I get to goal, but I do know it will be different and I'm thankful for it. I am also thankful that I get to spend the next half of my life being more healthy and active than I ever was. That's it for now -- I know there's more, but it's a beginning! I'd love to hear what you all are thankful for

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal LilMissDiva.....247..................247.............226................21 Mini-Me.........203..................133.............125................8 Chilo1..........216...................169.............154................15 Kgremmy.....225................221..............199.................22 (being sleeved 12/14/10) Juliarh.........303.6.................247.............225...............22

I don't remember to eat at all -- it can be a pain because I don't have an internal clock (I'm always late!) -- so when I think it's noon, it's 2 or 3 pm. And I've missed lunch, I have to eat and then I have to make dinner in 3 hours -- I know it sounds good, but for me, without my internal clock, it's a pain. I'm taking Tiff's suggestion and gonna set an alarm for me to eat

Steve, congratulations! It's good to come on the board and get motivated to get yourself on the right track -- I think with a re-focus on your diet and adding in some exercise, you'll get to your weight -- it might take a while, but I think you definitely will get there. What's most remarkable is how much you've lost -- so congratulations -- get in there and don't lose the fight before it's over!!

Congratulations Doeboy Glad everything was great and that the experience was good too

My first two weeks were the worst with my acid reflux -- one night I even inhaled it in my sleep -- that was scary (won't go into the details). But I have been on Nexium since my surgery -- so I asked my dr. if I could take 2 since my reflux was so bad and he said fine, but as soon as it calmed down, I should go back to 1. And since it calmed down, I've been back to 1. But you better believe me, if I EVER get it again, I will be back to 2 in no time.

Congratulatons

I try to get between 60 - 80 per day, but some days I'm just not hungry, can't force myself to eat and only get in 50ish -- but I think if you're pretty consistent with trying to get 60 in, you'll be good

Same here -- 2 weeks -- gas X helps A LOT.

good luck! You'll be fine -- and when you're up to it, let us know how you're doing

My doctor said after 2 weeks (which is probably after my pain meds were done) -- why don't you give your dr's office a quick ring?

Hey everyone -- just checking in -- I ended my week at 247 with a big loss of 6.8 pounds -- don't know what I did differently, but I did something -- I probably won't lose next week * Jordien -- great job on the 3 lbs!! Ok, now where are our other Sept. weighers??

I can't begin to tell you guys how happy I am with the sleeve and what a difference it has made in my life. It's just beginning to dawn on me that this is really happening and that I don't have to worry that I'll gain it all back or do something that will make the scale gods unhappy with me. I really really am so excited for my future -- I just can't believe it -- I feel like I have to pinch myself!! Thank you all for your support -- even though I haven't said it enough, you guys are the best! Starting weight: 303.6 Today: 249.2