Lisa :)

I had my surgery two weeks before Thanksgiving last year and it was reported to me by my family that they thought I might kill someone!!! LOL!!! I remember just wanting to put REAL food in my mouth. And the fact that EVERY SINGLE commercial on TV was food related didn't help the situation!! I was miserable and miserable to be around!!! Hang in there....the holidays will pass, you'll move on to real food (eventually) and you'll love your sleeve!!! I like to equate having this surgery with giving birth....It seems absolutely horrible at the time and you ask yourself why you did it. But then when you look back on it a year later, you say it wasn't that bad and you'd do it all over again!!!

Although there are many who claim that there is a link between obesity and psoriasis....there really is no clinical evidence to prove the theory. There are arguments, however, that obesity exacerbates the problem and this could be due to a number of reasons. I had eczema as a child and was diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of 19 (I'm 43 now). I did not have weight issues as a child or young adult....I became overweight after the birth of my son when I was 26. My psoriasis has remained pretty consistent throughout my life. It's fairly clear during the summer when I get more sun and flares up more during the winter when it's cold and dry. I've also tried diets where I've excluded certain foods with no success. I've finally come to the point in my life where I'm okay with it....afterall, things could be worse!!! I've figured out how to manage it fairly well and when that doesn't work anymore....I'll try something else

I'm sorry to report that my psoriasis has not really gotten any better.

I was 6 months out before sliders slid....up until that time, everything filled me up.

Congrats Holly!!! Your transformation after the first 100 pounds was amazing and now you look even more beautiful!!! It's so obvious, looking at your pictures, that you are so happy and filled with hope!!!! This surgery, and everything that comes with it (even the struggles), is truly life changing!!....And you are such an inspiration!!!

First of all, I think we all have buyers remorse at some point right after surgery!!! The first few months after surgery were torturous for me!!! I had my surgery right before Thanksgiving last year and I was just so unhappy at not being able to eat anything that I wanted!!! But I'm here to tell you that things WILL get easier!!! I am a little over one year out and there isn't anything that I CAN'T eat (although there are some foods I don't tolerate very well). Now, that doesn't mean that eating whatever I want is what's best for me. I know that when I'm not losing, it's usually because my carbs are on the high end and I'm not putting Protein first. I don't think you will have to live a "Atkins" lifestyle in order to lose weight and I actually don't subscribe to the notion that carbs are "bad". Carbs are energy!!! We NEED them in our diets. I have been eating 1800-2000 calories a day since about April and I think my diet is fairly balanced. I also don't deprive myself of anything. If I'm craving something I have it. I love my sleeve....and someday, you will too!!!! Hang in there!!!!

It emulsifies anything you put in it. I had purchased one and ended up selling it. I'm one year out and still cannot drink ANYTHING mixed in a blender/emulsifier because of the added air. I take 3 drinks and I'm done!!! The other downside is that it's so much bigger than a blender!!!! I just couldn't give up the amount of counter space it took up.

Agreed!!! Hydration is more important than protein initially. Once I got to the point where I could tolerate more, I was adding unflavored Isopure to hot chocolate and broth....and I pretty much lived on this for the first two weeks. Hang in there....it absolutely will get easier!!!

What a long journey!! But I believe EVERYTHING happens for a reason!! You are in great hands with Dr. Takahashi!!! She did my surgery Nov 9th, 2011. She is a perfectionist and, I believe, the best surgeon at ASBS!!! Congrats on finally getting your surgery!!! The next few months will be challenging but so worth it!!!

Clear liquids does not include milk or whey proteins. The only protein I was allowed in the 24 hours prior to surgery was Isopure. If you can't see through it, it's not clear.

You look FABULOUS....and like a different person!! Congrats!!!

You look fantastic!!!! Congratulations!!!!

You've hit the dreaded week 3 stall. Hang in there, it'll pass!!! I was sleeved Nov of last year and now I look back and wonder why i got so freaked out about stalls. They are part of the process & there will be MANY more....focus on the positive things and try to enjoy the journey!!!!

Almost the entire day went by before I realized that my surgery was one year ago today!! It's actually nice not to constantly be thinking about my weight and food all the time. I'm just enjoying my life sooooo much I don't have time to think about that stuff anymore!!! And I can honestly say, this has been the BEST year in my 43 years on the planet!!! it hasn't always been easy, but "The hard is what makes it great"!!! I have fulfilled a 5 year dream to become a triathlete!! I did 3 triathlons this past summer and am planning on doing 5-6 next year. My goal now is to begin to do longer races and eventually do an Ironman (2.5 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, ending with a marathon). It sounds crazy, I know.....but I just having a burning desire to see what my body can do!! I still have about 40 pounds to lose and I imagine it's going to take me some time to lose it as I'm consistently losing about 2-4 pounds per month (which I'm totally ok with). I can pretty much eat anything at this point....but the amount depends on the food. meat and raw fruits and veggies still fill me up super fast with just a few bites. My relationship with food has completely changed....I now eat to live instead of living to eat!!! I absolutely LOVE my sleeve and i 100% recommend this journey to those who are still on the fence about it. I've heard a lot of people say that they don't want to "take the easy way out"...in fact, I was one of those people for many years. I always thought I should be able to "do it on my own". Well, I didn't because I couldn't. I needed help. And this journey has been anything BUT easy!! It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but it's also the best thing I've ever done!!!! So, here are some pics. The first one was taken 3 months before my surgery. There is also one of me with both of my legs in my BIG GIRL pants (which I used to fill out completely!!!).

futureskinny~ I did have a period of time where I seemed to lose a lot of hair but my hair is so thick and curly that it was not noticeable....even to me!!! I would just freak out every time I took a shower and, what seemed like, handfuls of hair would come out. It's been a few months now and I'm back to normal hair loss. One thing for me, was that my Protein levels were low from 2 weeks out through 6 months (my surgeon tests for it each time I see her). When I went for my one year follow up my protein level was finally normal. So mabye that helped....I don't know though

Yes, I have "bat wings" for arms!!!...and I'm gonna definitely need a tummy tuck!! But I am not even gong to consider any plastics until I've been at my goal weight for 18 months. The way I see it, the flab is better than fat....yeah, it bugs me but I want to see how things "settle" before jumping under the knife again.

Thanks everyone!!! i just came back from a cruise (a surgiversary gift!!!) to all these wonderful comments!! I had my one year follow up this morning with my surgeon and she was extremely happy with where I am!!! It's truly been an amazing year!!!

If that's what you want to do, then you will!!!! You're only a couple of weeks away!!!....Good Luck!!!

I've lost 90 since surgery and 117 total (so far!!).

Congrats!!!! I was doing the same thing you were a year ago today!!!!

Go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_913.html. There is an office in New Orleans. Also, if you want to expidited, you have to show proof of travel within 2 weeks and pay the expidited fee.

I live in the LA area and went to the Federal Bldg. Had to wait like 2 hours but was able to pick up my passport the next day!!!