decamom

I still have my mother's saddle bags ....would like to see them go but if they don't...there's always plastics! Life is good! Love my sleeve!!! Laura

likeasulema...you made my day!!!!! I am 46! I dodn't have all my kids at once! They came along one at a time over 20 years...And I gained and lost and gained and lost with each and every pregnancy. Now that I got that part of me fixed (divorce and tubal ligation) I don't have to worry about the yo-yo pregnancy stuff anymore. In the past I could always lose the weight through very restrictive low calorie dieting and massive exercise. I could never keep it off though. My sleeve has changed all that! I am delighted to be where I am...you will get there too! Living the dream, Laura

Could possibly be spicy food as well. I see you are on vacation in Thailand....just a thought. Especially if you don't usually eat that type of thing. Living the dream, Laura

You just had major surgery. Some people are slower to recover than others. Follow what YOUR body tells you. When I first started exercising, I just swam in the lap pool because I didn't want to injure my joints trying to do Zumba. Worked up to an elliptical and bike and treadmill. Then I started the Zumba. Do what ever feels best for you. You know your body best. I sleep more now than I used to also...and I don't pee near so much! Went for a 6 hour ride on the motorcycle last summer and didn't need to make any pitstops! Living the dream, Laura

Thank you so much everyone! I am wearing my 18 year old daughter's pants in the recent photo!! Lisa821...I am 5'4" my weight loss had the usual stalls (nasty one at 3 weeks and then more later on.) I tried not to pay too much attention to them because I knew they would break eventually. Just like others have said, even when the scale didn't budge, I was losing inches and pant sizes. I go to the YMCA 4-6 times a week and do a Zumba class. I LOVE IT!!! It is so energetic and fun. I LOVE to dance and Zumba is a great fit for me. Sometimes I swim but not for aerobics. I do it for toning and relaxation. People in my Zumba classes have started asking me what I am doing to lose so much weight and telling me I am an inspiration to them! I always say that I am eating less and moving more. I don't feel it's necessary to tell my medical history to a stranger. I have 11 children (birthed every single one of them!) and my kids are all so thrilled for me. I am so glad I had my sleeve!!!! Living the dream, Laura

Yes Yes and again I say YES!! Feb. 2011 237# Dec. 2011 142.5 Nuff said... Living the dream, Laura

My friend...in the last 6 months, you have dropped over 10 pounds a month. as far as I can tel, that is pretty normal and not slow. Attitude can change everything. You are doing great! Living the dream, Laura

I went to a game store and bought a 2 minute egg timer. Then I would take a bite, turn over the hourglass and enjoy my bite. The egg timer let me know when I could take another bite and I didn't have to concentrate on counting my chews. I would read or watch the tv or chat with hubby. The timer always let me know when it was safe to take another bite. Worked really well for me. Now at over 7 months out...I don't use the timer anymore but it sure helped earlier!! Living the dream!, Laura

Surgery on May 2, 2011 Lost 17# pre-op and 74.5# post op total...drum roll please.......91.5# GONE!!! Would do it again in a heart beat!! Living the dream!, Laura

Before I had surgery, I was wearing a tight size 20. I set a goal for myself that I wanted to wear a comfortably loose size 8. I also set my goal weight at 140. Well, I have been hovering around 148-147 for the last while but those 8's fit pretty nicely. Just for kicks, I tried on an old (VERY OLD!!) pair of size 6 pants today and guess what!!!!!! Yep! They fit! I wore them all day and was totally thrilled with my success. I had gotten on the scale this morning and was a bit frustrated that I still was hovering at the 148 level. Darn scale can really depress me. But when I tried on my 6's, just on a whim, and saw they fit...I was happy as can be! I love this sleeve!!!!! Just had to share. Living the dream, Laura

My sleeve loves ice cold water, popcorn, popsicles, korean bbq meat, peanutbutter, apples My sleeve hates any dairy products at all, sweets (makes me gassy but I still partake!), lukewarm anything, some of my daily meds. Living the dream, Laura

Wonderful!!! Congratulations! Did you do anything special for yourself to celebrate your awesome victory?? I am so close that I can almost taste it...thinking about a nonfood celebration...any ideas?? Living the dream, Laura

Bad Habits: I eat some type of sweet every day I am getting most of my Protein from Protein drinks. I found some I really like and it's so much easier for me that trying to eat a bunch of protein rich foods. I don't eat on a regular schedule, just when ever I feel hungry or if it is "time" to eat. I graze. I weigh every day and sometimes twice (if I have had a BM...TMI!) Sometimes I eat a bite too much...still! Good Habits: I take a Zumba class 4-6 times a week. Exercise keeps me HAPPY. I take my meds and supplements religiously for the first time ever I get in all my protein every day 60-90 grams I read this and other forums daily to stay encouraged and to share my joy at being sleeved with others

I am 7 months out and find that I eat what ever I want but my wants have changed. That old fashioned donut that I used to LOVE ( and wolf down) doesn't entice me like it used to . Every once in a while I still buy it and end up eating 2 bites and throwing the rest away. That little coffee treat that I got at Starbucks a few weeks ago...well I could only drink about 2 ounces of it and I was done with it. I find that if I eat what I know I should (protein first always) and then let my self have what I feel I want ( this is not a deprivation diet like all the others we tried before) I am in control and my sleeve keeps me on track. I am not afraid of the holidays because I know I will eat a bite of this and a bite of that. But that's all I will want. I love my sleeve and the way it helps me to be in control. If I step out of line and eat too fast or too much...I feel awful and that is a great reminder to not do it . Sometimes I get frustrated that my weight is coming off so slowly. But then I remember that one of my goals was to wear a loose size 8 and I am totally rocking that these days. I have the rest of my life to lose that last 8-10 pounds....It's all good! Living the dream, Laura

I definitely had that period of "witchy-ness" It seemed that I didn't want anyone to tell me anything!! As you come into your own and realize that you are more than just your weight issues, it seems to take a toll on your emotions. Anyone who is in your line of fire needs to learn to duck. You are learning to deal with life with out the drug of food and I think that makes us angry on a subconscious level. I just tried to roll with it and did alot of apologizing for my uncontrolled emotions to my hubby for a while. Fortunately he was very understanding and just backed off! As time has passed and I feel more confident with my self, I have had fewer and fewer witchy moments. Exercise seems to help for me as well. Hang in there. This is a great trip but can be a bumpy ride along the way! Living the dream, Laura

I am finding that if I don't do some sort of aerobic exercise every day, I am getting depressed. I already take antidepressants. Can't I have a day off?? There is a ton of stuff going on in my life under the surface and the exercise helps to keep me balanced but gee whiz...every single day???? My weight loss has been slowed alot but my clothes are fitting well. I am surprised when I look in the mirror that the reflection I see is me. Happily surprised. But this dark cloud that shows up when I don't go to the gym on Sunday...yuck! Laura

Got myself to the gym yesterday and did a walk at home dvd today. Life is much sunnier and the day looks bright....guess I know the answer to my original question! YES...I need to exercise every day! Living the dream!, Laura

Paul11011, I cannot tell you how much I respect what you have done! Almost 270 pounds in 1 year???!!! You are my hero! I am just amazed! Good on you!!!! Living the dream, Laura

Thanks Rootman. The vagus nerve thing is very interesting. I have a hard time imagining it getting much worse! I am near goal so hopefully this is as bad as it will get. Over all I am totally thrilled with my sleeve! Wish I had done it sooner! Would not go back and undo it ever! But I wish I wasn't so darned cold! Living the dream, Laura

I know it is not uncommon for sleevers to be cold alot. But does anyone know why? There is the obvious answer that I give to every one...we have lost our polar layer. But I feel this deep down bone chilled cold. It's like it comes from the inside. I wear long johns EVERY DAY. I live in Seattle and so it doesn't really get that cold here. Not like Nebraska where I came from. My hands and my nose (OMG, my nose is always freezing cold) are cold almost all the time. I get into bed, curl up in a ball (how awesome to be able to do that now!) and shiver while I hug a heating pad. Any information would be so totally appreciated. Living the dream!!!, Laura

Just had the blood work done and my iron levels were normal. It would be nice if it was just a deficiency that I could fix.

Yesterday I went to an NFL game with hubby. When I walked through the turnstile...I didn't have to turn sideways! I just walked straight through and didn't bump into anything!!! So love my sleeve!!! Living the dream, Laura

My therapist, who I have seen every week for almost 2 years,looked at me and walked right past me in the waiting room. I was looking at him and he finally recognized me! He said I looked so different that he didn't realize it was me. I see him EVERY week!! I guess I must have done some big changing over that one week..... Living the dream!!, Laura

I am 6 months out and I gulp gulp gulp when I am in my Zumba class. I used to like my Water room temp but now I drink it ice cold. It quenches and goes down easy....just as long as I haven't eaten for a half hour before... Living the dream, Laura

I was sleeved the same day as well....I am down 68 lbs and went from a size 20 to an 8! Your weight loss isn't slow. 10 pounds a month is nothing to sneeze at! Keep up the good work. Glad you will be able to see your doctor again. We sleevers are tough in many ways but we need our medical check ups to make sure everything is on track. Living the dream!!, Laura