Bedhead

I was sleeved 2/6/12 so I'm close to hitting 2 months out. I've lost 33lbs so far with absolutely NO exercise (I had some serious post op complications but now I can get back into the swing of things!), no low carbing, and not being afraid to have a bite of cake or a few M&M's. It seems like a lot in terms of actual numbers- but at the same time I feel a little disappointed that it wasn't MOOOORE! I was hoping to have lost 50lbs by the 13th but I think I'm just going to have to accept that because of the diet choices I have made and will continue to make, my weight loss is going to be slow and steady as opposed to rapid and thrilling. I still haven't dropped any clothing sizes yet but I can feel I have a little bit more room in certain shirts. Pants don't feel too much different yet All in all I feel great. I can eat anything I feel like eating (except for rice. For whatever reason I am scared to death to even attempt to eat rice of any sort so I've completely axed that from my diet!) and have really good restriction. I can no longer sip Water during a meal because it REALLY hurts! At first it didn't bother me in the least so obviously as my sleeve heals I'm getting a greater and greater sensation of fullness. How are my fellow Feb sleevers doing??

I spent my first 6-7 weeks feeling like I was on the cusp of death. I couldn't eat. I couldn't drink. I couldn't stay out of the hospital. I regretted it with my whole heart and soul. I cried. I was so mad at what I had done to myself. Now, I am 13 weeks out and I don't even feel like I ever had surgery! I eat less. That's it. I can take 3-4 big gulps of Fluid, wait about 20-30 seconds, and take 3-4 more big gulps... and that's how I drink now. I can drink icy cold Water with no sweetners or flavorings in it.... it's heavenly! I never thought I would be to this place but I'm SO HAPPY I got the surgery! I've only lost around 47lbs so far... but that's an average of 3.6lbs each week. I NEVER could have done that myself!

I added you! Surgery 2/6- Total lost so far 47.5lbs. I feel like I am the absolute slowest loser EVER.

This is a letter that I wrote from my overweight self to my skinny self. I thought that since we're all on this crazy roller coaster together, you guys may get something from it so I decided to share. Dear Skinny Bedhead, I don't know what we look like, what we're up to, or how long the winding road was for us, but I do know this- there are a few things that I want to say to you. It seems like we've been fat since the Dawn of Time... or at least since the age when body images start to really matter. Through all of these years there have been so many excuses: Injuries. Surgeries. Pregnancies. Illnesses. No more excuses. Excuses are easy to make. Changes aren't. But it doesn't matter anymore because the biggest change (surgery) has been made, and since I'm writing to my skinny self- I have to assume that we finally stopped using excuses as protection. Remember all of those nights sitting on the couch in front of the TV eating ice cream and Jax? Remember spending hours on Pinterest pinning outfits that we loved and wanted to wear someday but never really thought we'd be able to? Don't ever let us go back to that again. Don't dream about a life instead of having a life. I need you to be stronger than me, even though we're one in the same. I couldn't do it, no matter how many times I lost the weight, so I need you to be strong and never turn back like I did all of those times. Don't get discouraged by stretchmarks, sagging skin, or hair loss. Right now none of that matters. What matters is getting healthy and being able to to comfortably get on the floor to play, to go on rides at the fair, to ride the stupid warhorse at the Ren Fest. The kids. The kids are what matter. Being healthy and full of energy & life for those amazing little people who deserve so much more than a fat, lazy, tired, depressed mother. I'm ok with saggy skin and hair loss if I get all of those wonderful moments instead. Take pictures. Take a LOT of pictures, every chance you get. For years we've hidden behind the camera and there are thousands of pictures of daddy with the kids, but almost none of mommy with the kids. Change that. Smile huge, loving smiles. Teach the kids (our daughter especially) to love their bodies and treat them right. Make sure not to ever give them self esteem issues, but at the same time be sure to teach the absolute importance of living healthy. Do not ever let them become what we became. Be their support, their guidance, their teacher, and their friend. Don't be the voice of their self-hate. Never forget that we were fat. Don't ever look at an overweight person and judge them. Don't ever be cruel or snide or hateful. Not everyone can or will make this journey for a myriad of reasons that are nobody's business but their own. Always remember how much it hurt. Always remember the rude glances, the harsh words, and the utter desolation of obesity. Don't take this amazing gift for granted. It so easily could have not happened for us. We're lucky. Most people aren't so lucky. Be a candle in the darkness for those people. Uplift them, support them, love them unconditionally. But most of all, uplift, support, and love US unconditionally. Don't hate me for what I did to our body. Don't look back with bitterness or scorn. We learned so much through our battle with obesity that even though I hate the toll it has taken, I'm glad it's a burden we had to carry. Look forward toward all of the beauty, wonder, and awe this life has to offer. Grab it by the reigns and don't let go. Live life, don't let it slip away. Be the mother, daughter, sister, and wife we were always destined to be- Because it's better late than never! With so much hope, Your Fat Self

I'm so glad you guys like it! I know that if anyone on this planet can understand exactly how I feel and exactly what I wrote- it's my fellow sleevers!

I buy the 4 packs of Breakstone 4oz cottage cheese containers. I can sometimes eat all 4oz, but usually not.... so I'm going to guess that my capacity is right around and sometimes just under 4oz.

Bumping for newer users so that maybe you can write a letter to your skinny self too

There are 6 grams of Protein in an egg. Those grams are split evenly between the yolk and the white. So if you eat only the whites from 6 eggs, you're only getting 18 grams of protein. Perhaps I'm wrong here (please correct me if I am) but there is no way on earth you could get 42g of protein from 6 egg whites. In order to get that much protein you'd need to eat 7 whole eggs (both yolk and white). In my opinion- the benefits to eating dairy products FAR outweigh any 'risk'. One serving of 2% milkfat Breakstone cottage cheese has 6g of carbohydrates and 12g of protein. Well worth the carb intake IMO. I'm not into low-carbing.

This was my 4th major abdominal surgery- so we're old pros now. Once I was in my room I sent him home to be with the kids so that I could press that pain pumps button to my little hearts content!

My friend experienced almost the exact same thing as you and also had a bend in her sleeve because of scar tissue and the way she healed. Her surgeon was able to go in, cut the scar tissue away, and re-tack her stomach down to the surrounding tissue and when she woke up she said even through the surgical pain she felt so much better. It was that fast. Now she's at her goal, eats whatever she wants (within reason of course!) and just generally feels great. I so hope you are able to have a similar experience!!

I just started eating almonds again the day before yesterday

I don't do eggs every day because you do get a lot of saturated fat even from just one- but I have 1/4-1/3c of egg whites with cheese every morning. Some days I can eat it all, others I have to share bites with my kids.

My big incision still really bugs me and I'm over 2 months out.

I've never thrown up but I sure have gotten close!

No, I don't think obesity should be protected in the same way that gender or sexual orientation are. And how can you prove discrimination against obesity? You didn't get the job and the obvious reason is because you are obese? I just can't see how you could prove something like that.

I would avoid the egg beaters/egg substitute bc while they may be lower in calories and saturated fat- they are full of various things that can't be pronounced unless you have a Ph.D in chemistry. Instead opt for egg whites. You can get them in a carton and the only ingredient is 'egg whites'.

I was sleeved 2/6 and bread is still something I'm very careful with. The other day I had a 6" cheesesteak sub and in order to eat it I had to tear off pretty much ALL of the bread except a tiny layer at the very bottom to keep it together. Even then I couldn't eat the whole thing.

I'm only 10 weeks out but here's a typical day for me: Breakfast- 1/4 cup of egg whites and a slice of cheddar cheese (not the american cheese slices) Snack- 4oz Breakstone Cottage cheese Lunch- Spinach stuffed shell (stuffed with ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, diced spinach, and spices) Dinner- 1/2 - 3/4 homemade hamburger patty with ketchup, french style green Beans, tiny bite of baked beans Evening snack- String cheese/Greek Yogurt with fresh fruit/Frozen yogurt/More egg whites

2 Magnum Mini's ice cream bars. *facepalm*

2/6 sleever!

It took me 10 years to make the decision to have surgery. I went to more info sessions than I knew what to do with. I wish I had been emotionally prepared at 18 to do this instead of having to wait until almost 28- but I'm so glad I waited because looking back I know I wasn't ready to make the commitment back then. Hell, I struggle every single day with the commitment now- but in two short months I've lost 41lbs- that's not something I ever could have done on my own. You've got to do what's right for you right now. Maybe later on VSG will be the right choice, or maybe something else will come along and that will be the right choice- either way be happy <3

Graze. That is absolutely what could defeat me. One bite every 5 minutes and I could eat all the live long day.

My surgeon made it VERY clear to me that the absolute most important vitamin that I could never ever ever slack off on is the b12 because of the serious long term damage that can be caused without it.

I didn't make my 50lb goal... but I got close!