MegInNOLA

I'm in with the hydration challenge--I NEVER met my Water goals, and I really don't drink very much at all these days. Thanks, Dorrie, for the change of focus to something so important!! I'm going to work on this for the next few days and see how I roll. On the up side, I met my short-term goal of getting to -120 pounds by my 1-year surgiversary!! I'm at 186 now (I'm 6'2", remember!--a lot of smaller ladies start out where I'm ending, which is sort of depressing) and in size 12/14, so almost where I want to be (which is a size 10/12). I don't think I'm doing anything particularly interesting at this point in order to keep losing; I'm just living my life and eating what my sleeve allows (and what I prefer now, which seems to be healthier stuff MOST of the time, jelly Beans notwithstanding!). I'll see how the water and drinking thing goes... hopefully my skin will get a bit less--well, "old-" looking.

Yes, definitely smaller and thinner. Went from a 12W to an 11.5M (hard to find, so I wear a lot of tight 11s and loose 12Ms now).

I honestly didn't drink a lot of soda before being sleeved, and I have absolutely no desire to do so now... it would HURT, I think--small sleeve plus bubbles doesn't sound like a lot of fun. I know there are folks on this board who routinely enjoy sodas, so I think it might be one of those "sometimes you can, sometimes you can't" type of things.

Ah, the infamous and almost universally experienced (and hated!) 2- to 3-week stall! Y'all should feel like part of the club for sure now! :-) Seriously, stalls reek, but they do occasionally happen along. No panic, no worries--just keep doing what you're supposed to do, and the weight loss will pick right back up again. Congratulations to all of you on joining the losers' bench!

I'm jealous with the bread thing--I still can't eat it or anything like it (like crust on a quiche or Pasta or tortillas, for instance)--but I can eat chunky, oatmeal-based Cookies with no problem. Crazy sleeve!!! Just really does not like those refined flour-based foods. I ate a sugar cookie today, which I knew probably wouldn't feel too good, and I was right--it tasted really yummy but it HURT for like 30 minutes! No more of that, thank you very much. I think y'all weigh more now at the same size because you're working out like fiends--you're muscle-y and toned (at least I think Coops is, from her pics--GT, haven't seen you yet!). I'm definitely not toned, and I'm feeling spongy like Dorrie--really kind of squishy in lots of places. Definitely getting smaller and can see the changes in my face and body; don't recognize myself in pictures yet, LOL; but I can't say I'm particularly "in shape." Thinner, yes. Healthier, hopefully. In better shape, nope. It's so bizarre to have absolutely no self-motivation for exercise!!!! Am I really just that lazy???

Hi Mike! Glad you're joining us. I'll look forward to watching your progress! When is your surgery scheduled, or have you already had it done?

I can tolerate it just fine--I didn't drink often pre-sleeve and still don't. I had a margarita about 6 months post-op, and I noticed immediately that it had a much stronger effect on me than pre-op. Now one drink or one glass of wine is more than enough, even with food.

Hey y'all: Sorry I've been MIA for a few--it's been a hectic time at work (it's the centennial of the founding of our university, so lots of extra programs, concerts, etc.). Down to 187 without really trying--so very strange--I honestly think it's the focus on veggies and fruit that's doing it. I don't eat a lot of cheese any more, either, so that might be helping (?). Most Protein now comes from vegetable sources (nuts, beans) and some dairy (milk, yogurt), but I eat a lot more vegetables and fruit than I have in a long time. I'm actually really looking forward to summer's bounty at the farmers' markets that I frequent. Wednesday is my 1-year sleeve-aversary. I'm going to try my hardest to get 1 more pound off between now and then to Celebrate that date with 120 pounds GONE. 120 flipping pounds--off my body. I am SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL for this sleeve!!!!!

Hi Grandma: I'm so sorry you're gaining back! Unfortunately, the sleeve doesn't fix our heads. We have to use the tool in an appropriate way. For me, this means limiting sweets (I still have to battle that myself--in the beginning, my sleeve didn't like sweet things, but now it's pretty tolerant--uh-oh!), focusing on the "Protein first, then vegetables" rule, staying away from anything I know flat out isn't good for me (pastries, fried foods, etc.), and staying hydrated. I guess it's the whole KISS rule--right? Keeping it simple, skinny? LOL Protein first (lean protein, like chicken, fish, vegetable sources), water-based vegetables (almost all of them except potatoes, NOT FRIED!), and fresh fruit--Water, Vitamins, some exercise. I think the whole sweets craving is easier to avoid if you just don't allow any at all, or if you do allow them, get a single serving outside the house and don't keep anything in the house. I have to make a special trip to get a frozen yogurt, for instance--I certainly don't keep it in the house!! It might be time to reevaluate what's on your shelves, in the car, in your desk drawer, etc. to be sure you're not tempting yourself with goodies. Don't panic. You still have the tool in place to keep you from volume overeating. You can definitely conquer the sugar monster! There are other threads on this forum that discuss avoiding sugar and ways to beat that craving. I know you can do it!! HUGS!!!!

You're looking fantastic! Congratulations!

My sleeve-aversary is coming up on April 18, so I'm 1 week shy of 1 year out. :-) So far, down 118 pounds from morning of surgery, 149 overall (I can't believe I just typed that). Seems so unreal, in a way. Everything about how I eat is different now, in a good way--I can honestly say I ate like a kid without any sort of remote attempt at nutrition before (except for the 2 years of veganism, LOL). Now, I am very aware of everything I put into my mouth, but without freaking out about it. I enjoy food even more than before, and I still feel fabulous after eating (not sleepy and sluggish because of too much of the wrong kinds of food!). My husband and I are both sleevers, and it's been really fun to sort of transform ourselves into healthier, thinner people. The biggest change I have found is that I am less worried about being "in the way," as I am no longer so self-conscious about my weight. I also really love being able to dress in cute styles instead of my former "wardrobe," and I use that term loosely. I also find that other people really do treat me differently at this weight; men have literally run ahead of me in order to get to a door to open it (and I am not a petite young thing, at 6'2" and almost 50 years old!). So I say, if this surgery feels right for you, go for it! It's a great tool, a very useful, long-term tool. I am so grateful for the chance to live longer and feel better about life--all due to the sleeve!

Wow, you look fantastic! Congratulations on your fabulous self. :-)

Love it! And the others are right, that's not a small NSV. Congratulations!!

I will say just to keep an eye on it when you have your blood work drawn. Be sure to ask the doc who's monitoring you on a long-term basis (for me, that's my primary care doc) about it and ask them to draw an Iron panel occasionally, especially if you're not menopausal. If you're able to eat red meat occasionally, you probably won't have any problem with it at all, but some people do. It's certainly smart to be aware and proactive about it, but no need for worry.

When you get that sort of comment, just smile, say, "Thanks, I will!" and move along. Nobody needs negativity brought into or sent out from your life. (The best revenge is living well, living longer, living healthier, and living thinner--and we're going to!!!)

I ate a bite of mashed potatoes early on--it was the first "real food" that would stay down! DON'T eat more than that, though--just a tiny bite and let it go down and stay down. It's tempting to try more at the beginning, but you won't like the results. :-) Also second the whole "try yogurt" thing. I could never get my Protein in, either, and in fact, still don't make the required amounts (and I'm almost a year out)--do what you can do as you can do it. Best wishes!

Hey there! I'm waving from across the lake in Covington--I teach in N.O. and make the Causeway commute every day. Good to see another Louisiana sleever here--there's a whole forum for us down in the "place-specific" forum--check it out! Meanwhile, if you have any questions, my husband is also a sleever, and we'd be glad to help out if we can. Best wishes to you--you're not going to be the "husky" one for much longer!

Congratulations! That's some super speedy loss you're having! Way to go!!!

Wow! Congratulations! You look fabulous!!

I think y'all are doing great!! Keep up all that good work! To me, any weight of mine starting with a 13___ is a pipe dream--at 6'2", I think I'd have to amputate a limb or two to get there. LOL But y'all GO!

Oh, yeah. This is going to be a bumpy ride..... your hormones undergo a lot of changes. Estrogen is stored in fat, and when you burn the fat, the estrogen releases into your bloodstream. It can make for some craziness. Perfectly, 100% normal. Feels really icky but I think most of us feel a lot of emotional upheaval after the sleeve. I think you're doing great--if you're already getting all your fluids in, you're well on your way to a great sleeve experience! And yes, being around your supportive colleagues will be a big help. Also, I found that pain meds make me nauseous, so if you're still taking those, might try to cut them out ASAP.... and be sure your Iron supplements are the kind that are easy on the tummy. Hang in there--you've made a big change in your life. Be gentle to yourself and if you need to cry, do it and don't sweat it. We're all here for you.

Mine's just the boring old "Sleevie," but he's a tyrant! LOL Thank goodness!!

Whoo-HOO Sharon! Isn't it great that you have a lot more options to answer the 'what to wear' question now? :-) I can't think of anyone who would be a better example for potential WLS patients than you. Congratulations!!! Can't wait to see it!

Oh, and good grief--I hopped on the scale this morning and I'm at 188--ME, at 188. And I'm not done yet, I don't think--I have a layer of stuff around my middle that's not just skin, plus some at the top inside of my thighs, so... I have no idea about the end product here, but I guess I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing and let it work itself out. I thought I'd really been much less careful lately (see post above regarding jelly beans!!), but good old sleevie is still doing it for me, I guess. We'll see. I have my 1-year sleevaversary coming up on the 18th and I can't wait to see what that 1-year total is. :-)

Congratulations!! That is some awesome success you're continuing to have!!