Newgirl

For the 1 year plus veterans, does the weight loss continue past the 1 year anniversary if you are not at goal? I am within 10 pounds to goal, but losing at 1 - 2 pounds a month will put me past my 1 year surgiversary. Thanks for your thoughts.........

I am getting sleeved in 7 days and I am a Catholic. Does anyone know about taking communion after surgery? I was wondering if I can still take it and chew it up real good and swallow it, how long do I have to wait to take communion? Thanks for giving me any experiences you may have on this.

Hello All, My maintenance is going pretty well since I achieved my goal a few months ago. I usually have a 3 pound fluctuation depending on the time of the month, but other than that is going well. My current problem is my saggy skin on my thighs. Can anyone recommend a cream that actually work s to improve the skin and helps firm it? I also read that taking a separate Vitamin E supplement will help. Does body wraps help? I am starting to change up my exercise routine to try and tone more in my thighs than my current overall cardio and body workout. Any advice from anyone that has found something that works other than surgery is appreciated. Thanks !!!

Today January 25, 2012 is my 1 year surgiversary. I have lost 76 pounds and my BMI is 24.5. My lab results when I went to the Dr. this week were good, I was told to try and eat more Protein. I am currently wearing size 6/8 pants and s/m tops. I feel so good both physically and mentally. I exercise 4-5 times a week, but it is usually riding my bike 7-8 miles a day. This year I am going to change from doing mostly cardio to trying to do some toning with bands and also my kettleball. This week I was able to break into the 140’s, which made me very happy. My Dr. said I will probably continue to lose weight for the next 3 months, and then I will probably stabilize. This has been the most incredible journey and the best thing I have ever done for myself. I love my sleeve. Thanks to all for the inspiration and support! Here is a pic of me at Christmas: and a pic in January 2011 two weeks before my surgery:

I received a great Birthday present on December 4th. I got on the scale that morning and I met goal!!! The best birthday present ever. i am finally at a normal BMI for the first time in my adult life. Now I do not know at what point my weight loss will stop. I am thinking I can lose another 5 pounds or so. I am currently wearing a size 8/29 pants and medium or small top depending on the style. I am not as focused on the size as much as the weight, because the weight is what my joints and body feels on a day to day basis. I am really nervous about starting "maintenance" because this is when I fear I will get too relaxed and have weight creep. So, I am not going to call it maintenance, I am going to enjoy a few things during the next few weeks for the holidays, such as a couple of glasses of wine and maybe a couple of margaritas. Since my surgery, I have only had two drinks so I could maximize my weight loss. Once January 1st comes around, I am going to focus more on exercise that firms and tones instead of mostly cardio for weight loss. I am attaching a couple of photos, one from January 2011, 2 weeks before my surgery, in Steamboat snow skiing and the other one taken last weekend in Gruene, Texas, and of course my scale pic Thank You everyone for your words of encouragement and guidance through this journey.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and encouragement!

Way to go Coops! You look terrific :blush5:

Congratulations Kelly! You look terrific.

Wow Coops that is great to hear. Congratulations on the loss!! I haven't had a 4 pound loss in even a month for a while, you now give me hope .

Suzanne, I am so glad to see you are doing well in keeping your weight off after 3 years. Now that I am 9 months out, I really love my sleeve, but worry about long term results. Thanks for the update and congratulations on your continued success. Your vacation sounds amazing !!!!

I am a few days past my 8 month surgiversary, and I am proud to say I have met the Dr.'s Goal!!! I don't understand though why the Dr. has a goal that keeps my BMI above 25. So, now I am on to my personal goal, which is to get below the 25 BMI mark, so I will be considered in a Normal weight category for the first time since high school. I think I have another 8 to 10 pounds to go to get to a 24.9 BMI. Has anyone else had the Dr. set a goal which would keep you still at an "Overweight BMI"?

Has anyone tried Lipotropic injections to work with the sleeve to help get to goal faster? I was thinking it would help my body process the fat cells faster and maybe boost my energy level some. However, I don't want to do it if in the end it does not work or harms your body. I am doing research now on the side effects and would like some input from the group. Thank You!

Hello All, Today is my 6 month surgiversary and I am happy to report, I have said goodbye to the 170's forever!!!! I weighed in at 169.2 today and have about 16 pounds to goal. I know 16 pounds doesn't sound like much, but I am loosing so slow at this point, it will probably take me another 3 months to get to goal. But, It is okay I know I can do this and the sleeve is an amazing tool! Happy Losing to All and Thanks for all of the support.

Congratulations, keep up the good work!

I Love me some sweet tea! I live in San Antonio and it is served at almost every restaurant or fast food chain. I am 5 1/2 months post op and I treat myself to one glass of sweet tea a week. The rest of the times I drink it , I use splenda.

I am currently taking Bariatric Advantage chewable Vitamins, that I bought at my Dr's office. I take 2 a day. The berry taste is starting to get old and I hate taking them. Does anyone else know of a "High Potenancy" gummy chewable that is a high quality like bariatric advantage? Thanks for your help!

Today is my 4 month surgiversary. I can't believe how time flies. I am down 47 pounds as of today and need to lose another 28 pounds to get to my goal. I am very happy with my sleeve, it is a great tool to weight loss. The only thing I wish is that I was more of a fast loser. This last month, I have only lost 6 pounds. I would be happier with 10 pounds a month loss. But I will take any loss over the weight gain I used to experience. I am very thankful to God for this opportunity to make my health, life and happiness sooooo much better. I feel sooooo good. Thank You everyone for all of the sharing in this forum it has truly made my journey much easier.