kittenkate

My coworker invited me to go along to Jimmy Johns with her. I was hesitant because I LOVE Jimmy Johns and knew that the smell would make me really want a sandwich. Since I'm only 6 weeks post-op I am staying FAR away from breads and pastas. I have never noticed their Unwiches before (why would I when I was enjoying their delicious bread?) but they will make any of their subs into an Unwich, which is just a lettuce wrap. I had the Club Lulu, my favorite sandwich, as an Unwich today and it is amazingly good!!! 30g of Protein (if you can eat the whole thing which, of course, I couldn't....managed about 3 bites) but it will make for an excellent snack or next meal. This may have been discussed already but I figured I would let you all know about it. I am so happy to be able to have Jimmy Johns! Delicious, and only 2 carbs.

I think, worse, my bad habits are returning moreso than my hunger. I find myself wanting fast food or soda, or heading to the kitchen because I'm bored. I'm trying to fight it but I've even gained back about 10 pounds. In the grand scheme of things thats not much, but I refuse to get even close back to the way I was before. It makes me nervous sometimes, but I just have to keep fighting it.

It's a very exciting journey! I'm 2 years out, I've lost 215 pounds, and it was the best, most challenging, most stressful, most exciting, most wonderful thing I have ever done. Good luck!

3 months out I actually spent a week in England. I will not sit here and tell you that I was super peppy cheerleader marathon runner. I took it easy. BUT, I never felt winded, I never ran out of energy, and I was able to spend entire days sightseeing. I think it all varies as long as you pay attention to your body.

I was told not to use a straw until 6 months out, same with any kind of carbonation. I tried using a straw after about 4 months and it really really hurt, so I nixed that idea. At 6 months out on the day I had beer at a baseball game, and it was SO painful. It was probably 8 months before I could use either without it hurting. I think its one of those things that you just kinda of slowly try to see how it affects you. Ive never had issues with either thing since......

I couldn't do the chewable ones either, they made me really sick. I had to use the liquid version made by Centrum. As you can imagine, it was not delicious, but I could keep it down and it was all the vitamins I needed.

I spent so many years hating how I looked in dresses so I just never wore them. I didn't even like wearing bridesmaid dresses, and I wore pants to prom. For the first time ever I actually love how I look in a dress and I can not WAIT to wear this outfit out this weekend. Everyone here has always been so supportive of me so I wanted to share these photos. Anyone out there on the fence about this surgery, all I can say is it is the BEST THING I EVER DID for myself.

Thank you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!

I never really talk about it because I know not everyone is the same, but I really did have quite an amazing recovery. With the exception of about 5 weeks where I was pretty sick I have had no complications. No leaks. No tears. No stretching. I am so blessed, truly.

I have been right at 15 pounds away from my goal for about 6 weeks now. I have been slacking though, I need to get back into the groove of things and drop those last pesky pounds!

I started off weight myself every day but it was depressing that I wasn't seeing the results I was expecting, so I started (and continue to do so) weighing myself only on Wednesday mornings. If I forget one Wednesday, I wait until the next Wednesday. Your weight fluctuates so much throughout the day (and even week) that weighing every day really isn't a very accurate way to measure your losses.

So I will be 16 months post-op this month and I have had ENORMOUS success with this surgery. I'm struggling getting the last 15 pounds off but a lot of the blame falls on me because my eating habits havent been as great as they were. I'm working on that though! My question though is this: I have noticed lately that I seem to be able to eat a LOT more than usual. I can't finish a whole plate, but I noticed last night that I had eaten a little over half before I started to feel full. Is this normal? Is this a point I should reach? I'm not too worried about stretching or anything, I had my noe year follow up where the checked my stomach with a camera and everything looked fine and healed great. I'm just more concerned that I'm eating slider foods maybe or just not being aware. I'm not sure. How much should we be able to eat once we've finished healing and are in the lifetime maintenance phase? Thanks!

Oh girl, you will! Be patient and take it one day at a time. The weight will start to fall off. My suggestion: don't weigh yourself every day. I set Wednesday as my weigh-in day and I looked forward to it every week. It's a more dramatic change and you won't be aware of those days where you only lose a small amount (or none at all).

Yea, I think this is one of those things where everyone gets a different answer depending on the personal preference of their surgeon. My surgeon advised me not to use one for the first 6 months and then to try it afterwards and see if it hurt. I tried at about 4 months and TRUST ME you will know if you're not ready for it. It does not feel nice! Ive been using straws since about month 8 but only if its necessary. I try to avoid them in general.

So after hovering between 201 and 204 for about 5 weeks I have FINALLY reached the day where my scale reads 199. I can not express the amount of joy iny my heart right now. I really think it was 6th grade or so, the last time the first digit of my weight was a 1. It's just surreal! I'm so excited and motivated to keep going. I'm SO CLOSE to my goal weight I can taste it! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had acryllic nails when I had my surgery and nothing was ever said about it. I can't imagine you'd need to remove it.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am so excited to get to Onderland. My weight has been floating between 200 and 204 for a month and its KILLING me! So happy for you, that's fantastic! You look great!

I just got a tattoo myself, one that I have wanted since I was about 15 years old. My parents never liked the idea but managed to keep me from getting it until now (13 years is a pretty good run....) I'm glad I waited because I see it now as a mark of my success with weight loss. I'm so sorry that your mom isn't being as supportive as she should be, that is a really tough situation. You seem to have a very strong head on your shoulders though, you should be so proud of yourself! Like NewKristen said, dont let anyone make you feel anything less than beautiful!

I eat greek yogurt for breakfast just about every day. I add sugar free vanilla Torani syrup with granola and bananas, or I'll do raspberry syrup with granola and raspberries. It's so good, and it fills me up for awhile.

I'm back at the hospital for my 1 year EGD. It's amazing to think where I was this time last year. 387 pounds. Scared. Uncertain. Now I'm here at the same hospital, 185 pounds lighter. It's a really happy and exciting feeling. Now to just make sure everything is peachy with my stomach. Anyone questioning whether this is right for you, take my word for it. Best. Decision. Ever.

EGD is done. Completely fine. My stomach is perfect, no stretching or leaks!l

I get the feeling I'm in the same boat. I'm going to increase my exercise and try and lower my calories. I really want to lose these last 20 pounds or so. I know I have about 10 pounds of loose skin that will be coming off (soon hopefully) but overall, I'm really happy where I am. I can shop at normal stores, wear normal clothes, and I'm healthy. Can't ask for much more than that!