CraftyChristie

:thumbup: That is totally awesome.... you just changed my whole perspective about being worried to tell people. You are so right. I am going to be open about it.

Wow Connie.. you guys are doing so great. Thank you this is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to hear about. We have only been married one year (together for 3 1/2) but we have gone through cycles of losing and gaining together too. I would absolutely LOVE to hear more details about your daily life together, what you cook, do you work out together and when, etc... we are trying to figure out how things are going to be for us!

tsmith, welcome! I am pretty new here too and have found a lot of helpful info. Congrats on getting approved for the sleeve, I think it will be a much better tool and allow you to get where you want to be. I just wanted to take a moment though to recognize your accomplishment because you seem to be overlooking it - you have maintained 215-221 for 7 months? That is approx 80 lbs below your starting weight and you've been maintaining - I want you to realize that is a big deal!!! I'm impressed.

I second the photos request :thumbup: I think it's great how well you are doing and you have the right attitude... planning to do what you need to do to get to goal. Congrats, you are truly a success.

Great attitude... keep it up!!

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone!! I'll check out Wal-Mart today. I am also looking at Bento boxes on Amazon but they all seem too big for early on, might work better in a year or so after surgery when I eat more normal sized portions.

I can only imagine!!! Even now at over 300 lbs restaurant portions seem huge to me and I can rarely finish anything. I hope after surgery I can just steal little bits and pieces off the plates of others Oh you don't want your broccoli? I'll take that. Can't finish your chicken? Thank yoooou.

Well Tiff, you should totally have a blog. You have a wealth of information that you plaster around these boards and its soooo helpful... your blog would be such a great resource to people!! And I completely agree with what kromrider says. Even though I am pre-op, I know enough to know that this surgery doesn't do the work, you do the work. Most people have success, but some don't, and not everyone makes it so far like you. And I don't just mean the #'s, I mean those mental and emotional changes. I think that is what truly makes you into a new person, not the #'s!

Yes... that is a big part of the reason for me too! Mentally feeling like it's more food... also being able to limit the portion size easily

tiff, do you have a blog? seems like someone as knowledgeable as you should be putting all of their insight in one place!!

WOW! That's wonderful! Way to work it girl! When your 16's get too big save 'em for me ok? hehe

That dress is fabulous and so are you! Congrats and thank you for being so helpful to everyone around here even though your journey is mostly complete... you keep sticking around and spreading wisdom and encouragement and that is awesome!

Wow! Congratulations you have worked hard and it has paid off. I think staying away from the carbs really speeds things up... that seems to be key with everyone who has been successful quickly. I need to keep reminding myself of this when it's my turn What kind of workouts do you do 6 days a week? Thanks for telling us about your progress!

Thank you everybody for all the suggestions!!! I think I'll go to Wal Mart or Target and look for some condiment bowls and things!

Welcome Brian... I am new here too (no surgery date just yet, consult coming up on the 12th) and I am finding it to be a wonderful place... a home away from home There is so much information here and so many supportive people. I'm so sorry to hear about what you've been through. I think the fear you feel about leaving your children without you is perfectly natural and you obviously love them very much. The risks are much lower with this surgery as you know. I think you are making a fantastic decision by taking care of yourself because you can't take care of them if you haven't taken care of yourself. Wishing you all the best in this endeavor.... before you know it you'll be on the other side of all this and very happy with your choice!

Best wishes!! I am vlogging too but I use Vimeo, I am posting the videos on my blog Health and Happiness I love vlogs!

Tiff, thanks for posting this list of reasons - it reflects my own and you worded it so well! I will definitely be sharing this on my blog if you don't mind!!

It sounds like an allergy to the adhesive - I get the same way if I put a band-aid on my stomach even though band-aids don't bother me on other places on my body! I think because the tummy skin is white, unexposed to sun, etc... it's more sensitive. They do make tapes for sensitive skin, maybe ask at the pharmacy and switch out the adhesive. Ask your doctor if you're not sure!

The duodenal switch was the only surgery for a long time before RNY, now noone does DS anymore. When the band came out people thought it was crazy, now it's just as popular as RNY. Right now the sleeve is the new kid on the block.. people haven't heard of it, don't know enough about it. The majority of people will always want to stay with what's tried and true but it doesn't mean the new thing isn't better! With everything I know about this surgery, I am pretty sure that in a couple of years it will be just as popular as the others, if not more so!! Go with your gut and trust yourself and your decision :thumbup:

Thank you for posting this! So many people seem to stop posting about their progress after the first few months. It is nice to see how stable things are for you - you are doing great!! I look forward to checking out your photos too.

I would say the same as everyone else did so far. The mal-absorbtion is just too big a problem, especially with rare cases when someone can not stop losing weight. Also besides the comment about using the muscular part of the stomach and less stretching.... with VSG you also lose most of your Gherlin (sp?), the hunger hormone... so it really helps control hunger. I haven't had sleeve yet but these are my reasons for wanting it over RNY :frown1: