MegInNOLA

It's not only the freezing part--me, too, on that, by the way. It's stupid stuff like sitting in chairs!! How do skinny people DO it for long periods of time? My butt goes to sleep in like 20 minutes!!! On the flip side, haven't you always secretly wanted to wear all those cute fall and winter clothes? I definitely have, and I'm indulging myself with some really nice sweaters and--gasp!--leggings and boots!!!!! It's lovely to wear things without feeling like I'm going to sweat to death. It is cold, that's for sure, but I'm perfectly willing to bundle up if it's a cute enough outfit!!!

YES heels work so much more easily now! I'm not a runner, so I can't comment on that, but even at 6'2", I've always, ALWAYS wanted to wear cute high heels, and now I do!!! It's actually a blast--clothes in general are so much easier to work with, and shoes--let's just say my husband just rolls his eyes when another package comes in the mail. I don't spend much on food any more--that's my story and I'm sticking to it! LOL

Congratulations to you!! Happy dance all around!

I agree with everyone--red is definitely your color, and you look fabulous!! Congratulations!

You look wonderful! Congratulations!

Woo-HOO! Congratulations to you! I'm waiting anxiously to get there myself--keep a spot open for me, and enjoy your success!!

Y'all are so lucky your docs actually gave you a goal--mine didn't!!! My nutritionist said something about 220, but hello--that would have left me solidly in the upper part of "overweight," according to the BMI charts. I don't think I have "big bones." I think I have pretty small bones--they're long, but when I do that elbow-bone distance thing, my measurement comes in at "small." So at 6'2", I'm small-boned (!) and have a target BMI weight of between 194 and 154. Now, let me ask you, who makes these 40-pounds-leeway ranges???!? I seriously have no idea of a goal at this point, and I chose 190 originally only because I remember being 190 at some point, and it's in the "normal weight" range of the BMI chart for my height. My husband and I have recently discussed the concept of not having a goal. We started this conversation because I tend to stress out and feel bad when I don't meet goals; I don't think I'm going to meet my Halloween challenge goal, for instance. So, instead of stressing out about goals, I think I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing and see where my body settles.... but I do want to achieve a normal body weight!! So it's sort of an I'm-not-going-to-worry versus an I-really-want-to-have-a-normal-body-weight dichotomy. And this isn't really counting the whole size issue--I'm in a 16 now, which was my original goal size (since I was thinking moderation and I started at a tight 26/28). I can definitely tell I'm going to end up in a smaller size, but exactly where, I have no idea. I'm trying to think of this phase as fun, not stressful, but so far am not having much luck. What is fun is shopping!!!

I'm with you, Raine.... the girls are now the first part of my body to enter the room (not my stomach!). LOL Definitely lost inches and cup size, but still hanging in there. Hoping they don't go away!

CONGRATULATIONS!! You have definitely earned the right to happy dance all day long!!

SW-----CW-----GW-----Pounds to goal 229---215-----210-----------5 Still on the way--I was seriously hoping to exceed my goal, but it looks like I'm going to be pushing just to make it! That's okay--I've been at 215 for three days, and if my pattern holds, in a day or two I'll start dropping and will drop around a pound a day for a couple, then plateau again. I lose in this strange stair-step pattern, but as long as my weight is going the right direction, I'm all okay with that!! Good luck, eveyone! We're in the home stretch now!!

Hi Ivy: I have to say it's sort of a mixed blessing to try to develop the habits for post-op prior to having surgery. Here's the deal: What you feel now when you eat and drink will not feel the same post-op. I understand you're trying to develop good habits that will be in place already, but right now, your body isn't set up to feel "normal" with those habits, and I'm not sure if it can until you have the surgery. The whole "don't drink around eating" will become MUCH easier for you when you only have a few ounces of capacity--you truly won't WANT to drink when you eat, because it hurts (mine does, anyway). You will definitely want to eat breakfast. I guess what I'm trying to say (and probably saying poorly) is don't worry. The things that you need to do post-op will come, and you'll be a success with them, even if those exact same behaviors pre-op aren't really working for you. Don't beat yourself up about stuff that you can't really do anything about yet. Your body is what it is. Once you are sleeved, you will develop the habits you need to be successful, I promise. Right now, your body is still working with all the hormones/capacity of a full stomach; that will change soon.

Congratulations! Keep on working it--you'll be to your goal in no time!

Hey there! You don't say when you had surgery, but if you're still within the first month post-op, you may have hit the dreaded 2- to 3-week stall. There's a scientific reason for it, but it catches most newbies off guard. There could be a lot of reasons for your stall--I would say maybe try to up your calories a bit with good Protein, be sure you're getting enough Fluid, and keep doing what you're doing. You know with your head that what you're doing is bound to cause weight loss eventually--just hang in there. Stalls SUCK!!

You look great! Congratulations on your loss so far!!

Hi there! Hey, 17 pounds is 17 pounds! I know it can be discouraging not to see huge losses in the first month, but there might be any number of reasons for this. First, did you do a pre-op diet? People who do sometimes do start out post-surgery losing more slowly. Are you starting at a lower BMI? Are you a band-to-sleeve conversion? Are you hypothyroid? All of these things can lead to a slower starting weight loss. Don't panic, and try not to be discouraged. Everybody loses at a different rate. You might be super carb sensitive; are you eating low-carb now? Be sure you're getting your Water in--being dehydrated can make a big difference to weight loss. And for some people, exercise can make a big difference. You might also be in a longer-term 3-week stall.... If you're doing all the "right" things, don't panic. Your body may still just be adjusting to post-surgery reality. I'm so sorry you're struggling. Keep us posted on how you're doing!

You look wonderful! Congratulations on your achievements!! Keep on rocking that sleeve!!

Wow, you look amazing! Congratulations!!

Congratulations on reaching your goal size! I'm starting to think about the "next steps," too, and I'm not really even sure what questions to ask myself (or others) regarding when/what/how to live in a maintenance track. I'll be watching your post for some helpful responses (unlike mine--I'm just a "me, too" for you!).

Wow, so many different perspectives! I think the whole carb discussion has to be framed in very personal terms; what works beautifully for one or a hundred people might not work comfortably for others. I think I'm a strange case, since I have what is still a really particular sleeve and I physically cannot tolerate a lot of "bad-for-me" foods. I don't track or count anything, and I don't really follow a lot of "rules." Like one of the posters above, I get what seems to be "dumping" syndrome with too much sugar, so I don't eat foods with added sugar except for a shot of chocolate syrup in my iced coffee daily. I also avoid baked goods (no white flour), except for occasional saltine crackers, also because my sleeve has rejected such foods emphatically in the past, and I hate getting sick. Most of the Protein sources I eat also contain carbs--dairy, legumes, nuts--as I can't tolerate chicken (!), eggs, or beef except for hamburger. I eat probably a cup of fruit (melon or citrus) every day. Raw or steamed veggies are still pretty hard on my sleeve, even at this point, so I really have to limit those or blend them up in Soups. I guess the bottom line is, each individual has to find the combination of things that works. For a large and successful number, that's low-carb. For a perhaps smaller but also successful number, that's including carbs in moderation (or including "healthy" carbs). The actual amounts and patterns are things that have to be discovered through trial and error and through watching results and physical response.

Wow! Congratulations! You're really rocking that sleeve!

Doing the happy dance with you! Fantastic NSV!!! Enjoy the tar out of it! Congrats!!!

I'm 4 days away from being out 6 months (surgery April 18). YES I'd do it again in a New York minute. WHY? 1. Long-term health--no more "trending up" blood pressure and blood sugar. 2. Check the ticker--down 90 pounds. NINETY freaking pounds that I will never see again--and more to drop!!! 3. Wearing cute clothes! I'm wearing leggings today--I feel like shouting that--because I have NEVER worn leggings before. EVER. 4. Travel for work is no longer embarrassing or a potential source of stress. It's pleasant--I fit in the plane and rental cars easily. 5. Not being treated like the invisible fat woman--people actually make eye contact and smile now!

WOW! Congratulations to you on all your achievements! You look amazing!

Holy moly!!! I just said "Wow" right out loud!! You look fabulous! Congratulations on your new life!!

Congratulations to you on all your victories!