kittenkate

I always heard that "rumor" too and thought it was silly. Why would I still see myself as a fat girl when I'm no longer fat? Yea. It's true. At least for me it is. I still will walk into a department store and head for the plus size section, or I'll pick a shirt in a size 2X and look at it like "Yea, that should fit me" and then I try it on and it's very obviously way too big. My brain has been used to seeing me a certain way for 27 years, I imagine it will just take some getting used to.

Congratulations on your weight loss, thats fantastic!!! I'm right behind you, quickly approaching my 1 year sugiversary as well and I am SO THANKFUL for this surgery! I feel better than I did in high school!

I went through that for about a month in April/May. I couldn't keep anything down, I was really weak, I wasn't getting in NEAR enough calories or water. It was really rough. Eventually it passed. Hang in there!

Agreed. Decrease your calories, increase whatever activity you can, and log everything . I use MyFitnessPal too and I love it, it has really helped me.

That is what is so wonderful about these forums. Take a look at the people posting here. We have all been where you are, especially me! I will hit my 1 year surgiversary on the 18th of this month and I will be the FIRST to tell you that it has not been easy. The Notre Dame football game food you mentioned? I went through that last year with the Super Bowl. I was only a few weeks post-op and I was surrounded by all that delicious, bad for you, tailgating food and it was rough. I spent 26 years eating whatever I wanted and now all of a sudden I couldn't. It wasn't that I didn't want to, I physically couldn't, and it was hard. I had bouts with nausea, I had pain, I had cravings. There were days where I regretted it, there were days I questioned if it was right for me. Everyone goes through that, it's natural. You HAVE to stick with it because I promise you it is so worth it. I'm just under a year post op and I have lost 180 pounds. I started at a size 30 and I'm now a 14. I was a size 3X shirt, I'm now wearing medium. Every craving, every pain, every bad day, PALES in comparison to joy you will feel when that weight starts falling off. Stay motivated, you can do this!

I'm about to my breaking point with this hair loss. I'm about 10 months out and my once very thick gorgeous hair is now incredibly thin and still falling out. Anyone ever use Rogaine? Does it work as intended?

Being able to fit onto roller coasters again!

AND the LB credit card is in shreds in my trash can!

My family was incredible supportive but my fiance (at the time) was not. He said a lot of mean things, ridiculed me, patronized me, you name it. I have since gotten rid of him but I remember thinking how difficult it was having someone I loved not support this decision that I knew was right for me. Bring your dad to this site! Let him see posts from people who have had major success with it.

Mine started falling out at about 8 months and hasn't stopped. I hope it starts growing back soon. I'm not opposed to using Rogaine if I need to but I'd certainly rather not. I don't miss my extra 165 pounds but I do miss my thick head of hair....

Way to go, thats fantastic!

That is awesome, what a cool idea! Congrats! You look great!

This surgery is fantastic in that it can be a quick solution to a big problem, but that doesn't mean it's lightening fast. You have to give your body time to adjust. You will have weeks where you stall, or even gain a bit, and you will have weeks where you drop 5+ pounds. Decrease your caloric intake, increase your exercise/water/protein and I bet you see a difference. Stick with it, you can do this! We've all been there!

I forgot to weigh in each Saturday but I started this challenge at 250 and as of yesterday I'm at 230. My goal was 220 BUT I think losing 20 pounds in a little over two months is fantastic! My rapid weight loss has definitely slowed down, but at least it hasn't stopped altogether!

After my big break up with my boyfriend and fiance of 7 years I had a real hard time. I ate anything and everything and just really hit rock bottom. Since then though I've gotten the surgery, lost 160 pounds, moved into my own new place, gotten a promotion, and rediscovered my confidence and self-esteem. Life is GREAT right now! And, of course, I definitely enjoy dating.

I had this happen to me once at a restaurant called Whiskey Cake. The snooty waitress told me "No" and then I showed her my card from my doctor to turn that to a "Yes". Most major chains won't have an issue, I have never had a problem at places like Chili's, On The Border, etc. I've even had some places offer me other options (steamed veggies instead of Pasta at Olive Garden). I would recommend you get a card or note from your doctor that you can carry around with you. My doctor made his own and then printed a bunch and laminated them. I've had to show that card once, but it did it's job. I wish more people were aware and sympathetic to those of us who can't eat a full-sized meal.

I'm sorry if this comes off as a brag post but I'm just so dang excited! I came across a picture of myself from last Christmas (only 8 months ago!) that blew my mind. I don't remember EVER looking like that! Here's that picture along with one I took this past weekend. Please excuse my deranged smile, I was excited that that shirt fit me. Haha. -137 pounds!

Not as much as I should. I go to LA Fitness for weights and cardio, and then on Sundays I do Water aerobics. I'm usually only there for an hour at a time though.

I tried all the flavors and Grape Frost is the only one I can tolerate. I like it actually.

LOL! I assure you, I'm old enough to appreciate it. Gamer for life!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your profile picture. Zelda is my absolutel favorite!!! The triforce tattoo is one of my gifts to myself once I hit goal.

I did. That was a month where I was actually very sick and couldn't keep much down. It was a very hard uncomfortable month, but the loss is pretty nice.

What an AMAZING outpour of love, thank you all SO much!! My starting weight was 387 and as of today I am down to 243. Just incredible!

Hey Ladies! I have been highlighting my hair since I was about 13 (it would have been so much easier if God had made me a natural blonde). I am in DESPERATE need to dye my hair, but I have been battling the dreaded hair loss. I take Biotin every day and it has definitely helped. I still pull out a relatively large clump of hair when I get out of the shower but I can tell that it's less and less each time. Should I wait to have my hair chemically treated? I don't want it to all fall out but my roots.....oh man they're bad..... What do you guys think? Risk it or wait? Anyone out there ever have their hair colored post-surgery, espcially during the hair loss phase?

Thank you all so much for your input! *note to self* Pick up Zinc!