Nichelle

Congratulations, thank you for sharing with all of us. Very inspirational story!

Okay, I won't lie. I have not been on a strict diet since month four. I really do eat pretty much whatever I want just in a much smaller portion. I do try to choose healthy, but there are those times when my friends want to go out and eat at the restaurants and I'm not not going. Love me some mexican and pasta. Oh chips and salsa you are my weakness!

I don't think you should feel bad about that. Those five hour energy's I believe are actually quite good when you are having a slow day. The biggest amount of what is in it is B12. Which is a metabolic Vitamin that most are reccommended to take after surgery anyways. I usually just try for a half of the 5 hour now since the surgery and it really does the trick when feeling groggy. Next time your out check the label it says everything that is in it and most are just vital Vitamins anyways. No sugar and like 8333% of B12, lol a good kick in the energy department. Try checking out some vitamins at your local walmart I always recommend a b12 for anyone that doesnt have the energy they wish they had, surgery or not.

I have to agree with the girls above. I actually remember feeling the same way. I was starving. I really felt like what the heck did I just do. Did I have my stomach removed or something else? Because I was truthfully extremely hungry. I reread some of my paper with details on the surgery and some forums here and they all say the same thing. It may not feel like heart burn, but the acid is causing what feels like hunger. Plus your probably still fighting your brain on how much food you think you should be eating. I'm sorry, but it will be like this for awhile. The hunger will pass try anyone of the above ppis they even have a equate brand that is a bit cheaper at walmart then the rest. I am 10 months out and still take one everyday. Heartburn or not your have to take preventitive care to protect your new tummy. Good luck, it does get easier.

Horrible thread, yet evidence that the sleeve is just a tool. Please be kind to each other. Remember it takes time to heal you did just have major surgery. Also remember you didn't get to be big all of a sudden it was years and years of bad habits that you should learn to change. Fake or not fake this person is simply asking for help and understanding from us all who have at some point gone through a similar stage. Remember there is a healthier way to eat, that I would highly recommend you check into, but only if that is your choice. I will promise to you this one thing if it is meat you crave you will be able to eat it. Just possibly not this close out of surgery. I don't want to rub it in your face, but I went on a lovely dinner date this past weekend and was able to have a great piece of steak. Yes, in a smaller portion than normal. You will be able to eat anything you want sooner or later right. Forcing it though will only keep your bad eating habits at hand and that could sabatoge your life style change later on. The weight loss will stop or come to a stop and sooner than you think. Try to take advantage of the fantastic choice you have made to have your surgery. It is one you won't regret if you make the most of it. I wish you the best of luck. P.S. If you want to do it your way and want meat try a different kind. Maybe a softer summer sausage, some pepperoni, maybe some turkey Snacks, or even cornbeef, tis the season of the irish, is a bit easier than ground beef. This stage is only temporary believe me or not you will find out yourself in time. P.P.S Remember everyone is entilted to their opinion and that is simply what it is. Your opinion. We are free to all share how we feel on here, but remember this is the place many of us come for support. The good and the bad can be shared, but let's remember to be kind in our responses to each other. We all want the same thing here respectively.

You look fantastic! Don't feel like you should ever have to wait to share your success with us or anyone you feel comfortable with at this point we all know that each and every pound should be and they are a huge success. Congratulations keep up the hard work and you'll have even more to share. Way to go!

Best I have found by far are called PREMIER PROTEIN. You can get them at any costco or online too I believe. They come in CHOCOLATE, VANILLA, AND STRAWBERRY. They have 30g of protein and 160calories. I truthfully think they taste great and are filling. You can drink them straight or I like to do them over ice or even blended with ice from something really cold when it gets warm outside. Also compared to many others I find these to be quite affordable (especially compared to the late night fast food stops I used to be doing). They are sold in 18 packs and about $25 each. Hope this helps.

Also yes the weight loss does slow down. I know I didn't lose anything on the scale in February, however I did lose one inch across my body and pretty much and entire jean size. I can now mostly wear 12 and I even have a pair of 11's I can get into. I know why I didn't lose weight and have now gotten back on the ball. This week alone I have already drop 3lbs. Its all about being aware of what you are doing. As difficult as it may seem its as easy as you make it; Calories in < calories burned = weight loss!

10 Month Measurements StartWeight: 273 lbs. **Goal Weight: 157lbs. Pre-op:--- 6 lbs. lost Surgery Weight: 267 1 month: 247 -- -- bmi 39.0 -- -- 20 lbs lost 2 month: 238 -- -- bmi 37.3 -- -- 9 lbs lost 3 month: 229 -- -- bmi 35.9 -- -- 9 lbs lost 4 month: 220 -- -- bmi 34.5 -- -- 9 lbs lost 5 month: 212 -- -- bmi 33.2 -- -- 8 lbs lost 6 month: 207 -- -- bmi 32.4 -- -- 5 lbs lost 7 month: 201 -- -- bmi 31.5 -- -- 6 lbs lost 8 month: 198 -- -- bmi 31.0 -- -- 3 lbs lost 9 month: 192 -- -- bmi 30.1 -- -- 6 lbs lost 10 month:192 - -- bmi 30.1 -- -- 0 lbs lost Lost since surgery: -75 Lost Total: -81 lbs. Weekly Break Down, lbs. lost pre-op week: 6 lbs week 1 -- 8 lbs. 2 - -5 3 - -3 4 - -2 5 - -2 6 - -3 ~2 months 7 - -3 8 - -1 9 - -2 10 - -6 ~3 months 11 - -0 12 - -2 13 - -1 14 - -3 ~4 months 15 - -0 16 - -4 17 - -2 18 - -1 ~5 months 19 - -1 20 - -3 21 - -3 22 - +1 ~6 months 23 - -0 24 - -3 25 - -2 26 - -1 27 - -2 ~ 7 months 28 - -0 29 - -0 30 - -4 31 - -0 ~ 8 months 32 - -0 33 - -3 34 - -0 35 - -0 36 - -1 ~ 9 months 37 - -2 38 - -1 39 - -2 40 - -0 ~ 10 months 41 - +2 42 - -2 43 - -0 44 - - ~ 11 months 45 - - 46 - - 47 - - 48 - - 49 - - 50 - - 51 - - 52 - - StartJean size: 24/22 Current Jean size: 14/12 some 10 & 11 Start Shirt size: 3x/2x Current Shirt size: xl/L some M Inches: Neck Start: 16 Last: 13.5 Recent: 13.5 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -2.5 Upper Arm Start: 15 Last: 12.5 Recent: 120 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -3 Forearm Start: 11.5 Last: 10 Recent: 10 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -1.5 Waist Start: 49 Last: 37 Recent: 37 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -12 Abdomen (belly button) Start: 55 Last: 43.5 Recent: 43.5 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -11.5 Hips Start: 55 Last: 45 Recent: 44.5 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -10.5 Bust Start: 54 Last: 44 Recent: 44 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -10 Chest Start: 44 Last: 36 Recent: 36 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -8 Thigh Start: 30.5 Last: 24 Recent: 24 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -6.5 Calf Start: 17.5 Last: 15 Recent: 15 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -2.5 1st month loss: -19.5 in 2nd month loss: -9 in 3rd month loss: -13.5 in 4th month loss: -6 in 5th month loss: -2 in 6th month loss: -6 in 7th month loss: -4.5 in 8th month loss: -5.0 in 9th month loss: -1.5 in 10th month loss: -1.0 in Total Lost: -68 inches Valentines Goal: Start weight 198 Goal weight 190 7 weeks – 8 lbs. End weight 192 ~ Missed goal by 2lbs. Easter Goal Start weight 192 Goal weight 182 8 weeks – 10 lbs.

Yes, thank you all. I decided to keep close track before I even had surgery because it was always what I was looking for on here. I wanted to know the details so I thought it would be great for myself to know where I came from and to share the reality of the numbers game with other who are interested in this part of the weight loss journey.

9 Month Measurements StartWeight: 273 lbs. **Goal Weight: 157lbs. Pre-op:--- 6 lbs. lost Surgery Weight: 267 1 month: 247 -- -- bmi 39.0 -- -- 20 lbs lost 2 month: 238 -- -- bmi 37.3 -- -- 9 lbs lost 3 month: 229 -- -- bmi 35.9 -- -- 9 lbs lost 4 month: 220 -- -- bmi 34.5 -- -- 9 lbs lost 5 month: 212 -- -- bmi 33.2 -- -- 8 lbs lost 6 month: 207 -- -- bmi 32.4 -- -- 5 lbs lost 7 month: 201 -- -- bmi 31.5 -- -- 6 lbs lost 8 month: 198 -- -- bmi 31.0 -- -- 3 lbs lost 9 month: 192 -- -- bmi 30.1 -- -- 6 lbs lost Lost since surgery: -75 Lost Total: -81 lbs. Overall Goal Weekly Break Down, lbs. lost pre-op week: 6 lbs week 1 -- 8 lbs. 2 - -5 3 - -3 4 - -2 5 - -2 6 - -3 ~2 months 7 - -3 8 - -1 9 - -2 10 - -6 ~3 months 11 - -0 12 - -2 13 - -1 14 - -3 ~4 months 15 - -0 16 - -4 17 - -2 18 - -1 ~5 months 19 - -1 20 - -3 21 - -3 22 - +1 ~6 months 23 - -0 24 - -3 25 - -2 26 - -1 27 - -2 ~ 7 months 28 - -0 29 - -0 30 - -4 31 - -0 ~ 8 months 32 - -0 33 - -3 34 - -0 35 - -0 36 - -1 ~ 9 months 37 - -2 38 - -1 39 - -2 40 - - ~ 10 months 41 - - 42 - - 43 - - 44 - - 45 - - 46 - - 47 - - 48 - - 49 - - 50 - - 51 - - 52 - - StartJean size: 24/22 Current Jean size: 14/12 Start Shirt size: 3x/2x Current Shirt size: xl/L Inches: Neck Start: 16 Last: 14 Recent: 13.5 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -2.5 Upper Arm Start: 15 Last: 12.5 Recent: 12.5 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -2.5 Forearm Start: 11.5 Last: 10 Recent: 10 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -1.5 Waist Start: 49 Last: 37.5 Recent: 37 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -12 Abdomen (belly button) Start: 55 Last: 43.5 Recent: 43.5 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -11.5 Hips Start: 55 Last: 45 Recent: 45 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -10 Bust Start: 54 Last: 44 Recent: 44 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -10 Chest Start: 44 Last: 36 Recent: 36 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -8 Thigh Start: 30.5 Last: 24 Recent: 24 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -6.5 Calf Start: 17.5 Last: 15.5 Recent: 15 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -2.5 1st month loss: -19.5 in 2nd month loss: -9 in 3rd month loss: -13.5 in 4th month loss: -6 in 5th month loss: -2 in 6th month loss: -6 in 7th month loss: -4.5 in 8th month loss: -5.0 in 9th month loss: -1.5 in Total Lost: -67 inches Valentines Goal: Start weight 198 Goal weight 190 7 weeks – 8 lbs.

I'm so with you on this one!!! The topic titles are there for a reason, if you dont like reading about other's stalls, pass over them. This is a forum for all topics of VSG and stalls and complaing and horrible rants are part of it. Including your own post complaining about others complaining. If it offers them relief then by all means please rant and feel free to. Others want to know what others have gone through; good and BAD. Just my opinion.

StartWeight: 273 lbs. **Goal Weight: 157lbs. Pre-op:--- 6 lbs. lost Surgery Weight: 267 1 month: 247 -- -- bmi 39.0 -- -- 20 lbs lost 2 month: 238 -- -- bmi 37.3 -- -- 9 lbs lost 3 month: 229 -- -- bmi 35.9 -- -- 9 lbs lost 4 month: 220 -- -- bmi 34.5 -- -- 9 lbs lost 5 month: 212 -- -- bmi 33.2 -- -- 8 lbs lost 6 month: 207 -- -- bmi 32.4 -- -- 5 lbs lost 7 month: 201 -- -- bmi 31.5 -- -- 6 lbs lost 8 month: 198 -- -- bmi 31.0 -- -- 3 lbs lost Lost since surgery: -66 Lost Total: -75 lbs. Overall Goal Weekly Break Down, lbs. lost pre-op week: 6 lbs week 1 -- 8 lbs. 2 - -5 3 - -3 4 - -2 5 - -2 6 - -3 ~2 months 7 - -3 8 - -1 9 - -2 10 - -6 ~3 months 11 - -0 12 - -2 13 - -1 14 - -3 ~4 months 15 - -0 16 - -4 17 - -2 18 - -1 ~5 months 19 - -1 20 - -3 21 - -3 22 - +1 ~6 months 23 - -0 24 - -3 25 - -2 26 - -1 27 - -2 ~ 7 months 28 - -0 29 - -0 30 - -4 31 - -0 ~ 8 months 32 - -0 33 - -3 34 - -0 35 - -0 36 - - ~ 9 months 37 - - 38 - - 39 - - 40 - - 41 - - 42 - - 43 - - 44 - - 45 - - 46 - - 47 - - 48 - - 49 - - 50 - - 51 - - 52 - - StartJean size: 24/22 Current Jean size: 14/12 Start Shirt size: 3x/2x Current Shirt size: xl/L Inches: Neck Start: 16 Last: 14 Recent: 14 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -2 Upper Arm Start: 15 Last: 13 Recent: 12.5 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -2.5 Forearm Start: 11.5 Last: 10 Recent: 10 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -1.5 Waist Start: 49 Last: 38 Recent: 37.5 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -11.5 Abdomen (belly button) Start: 55 Last: 44.5 Recent: 43.5 Loss: -1 Total Loss: -11.5 Hips Start: 55 Last: 45.5 Recent: 45 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -10 Bust Start: 54 Last: 45 Recent: 44 Loss: -1 Total Loss: -10 Chest Start: 44 Last: 37 Recent: 36 Loss: -1 Total Loss: -8 Thigh Start: 30.5 Last: 24.5 Recent: 24 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -6.5 Calf Start: 17.5 Last: 15.5 Recent: 15.5 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -2 1st month loss: -19.5 in 2nd month loss: -9 in 3rd month loss: -13.5 in 4th month loss: -6 in 5th month loss: -2 in 6th month loss: -6 in 7th month loss: -4.5 8th month loss: -5.0 Total Lost: -65.5 inches Christmas Goal: Start weight 207 Goal weight 193 End goal 198 **Goal missed by 5 lbs. Not do so hot on these goals, but I will continue to keep making them so that I have something to strive for and a number to which I can measure by. Valentines Goal: Start weight 198 Goal weight 190 7 weeks – 8 lbs.

Thank you all so very much!

This has been a miraculous journey. There are many, many ups and of course a few downs. There is nothing that can compare to the decision I made when I chose to have VSG. My choice has changed my life now and forever. It has saved my life now and for the rest of my life I can live like I always knew I wanted to, but didn't. This is a journey and this is only the beginning. I feel I have given myself a second chance and to those that know me know that I have been finally given a first chance to be me and nothing less. I am up for the challenging road ahead and simply want to share my short my fulfilling journey with any that wants to make a change in their life for the better.Today it has been 32 weeks and 2 days since surgery and I am in onederland. It has been over five years if not more since I have been this weight. They say you will never forget the day you see a '1' in front of you weight and know I know why. I know I didn't share a lot of specific details, but my journey has been so similar to the many on here with a only a few twists. I want to thank so many of you on here and tell you that without this forum I may not have made the best decision of my life. I also would have never known about the many things that happen along this road without your stories, that includes the rants too. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Your stories are inspirational and I hope you all continue being amazing and supportive. Best of health to all, because we all know luck didn't get us here in the first place. On to the fun stuff. Here are a few pictures I wanted to share with you all. Before: I knew I was big, but I had no idea. I don't think anyone does. I was always told and often that I was beautiful, I never even knew my weight was so out of control. To making better choices and not being terrified of a scale or tape measure. *Around 273lbs. 22 or 24 jean size 3x shirt Christmas Party Tijuana, three days after surgery Scale reading today Christmas Party *Compared to last year, WOW! Photo Shoot we did for my mom's Christmas present Showing off my new necklace I got from my grandma this year