jhansen71

I agree you are a great writer. Have you thought about going to a completely different weight loss surgeon for a 2nd opinion and another leak test? It sounds like no one wants to admit any guilt here and even if you had a true leak or a true clot in your lungs maybe your Dr is afraid to take blame for fear of malpractice. An unbiased surgeon can do his/her own testing and put your mind at ease or figure out what is wrong. It's just a thought. I'm worried about you and feel so sad for you too. Take care as best you can and keep us posted. Hugs!

I confess that your post made me sad. You have our support! My other confessions include: I confess that I have gone down all the sizes in my closet and i finally hit the smallest size and they no longer fit (size 12) so I literally have NOTHING that fits. Sounds like a good problem to have, but it has me very depressed. I confess that I get irritated when people tell me to buy new clothes because my clothes are too big. If it offends them so much they can buy me some. I confess I don't want to spend the money on clothes for fear I will not be able to wear them long. Plus size 12's are too big, but 10's are snug. What can I wear? I confess that this depression has made me snacky and self sabotaging on my diet. I ate Cookies today and FRIES yesterday. I confess I am worried when I get in these funks that I will go back to old habits because I don't feel worthy. I confess I love the people on VST because they are always willing to help and listen. It's like free therapy. I confess I love this thread. Still feel yucky in my clothes though.

You made it to Onederland!!! Congrats!!!

SW: 243.6 Challenge Starting Weight: 190.4 Last weigh-in: 175 Today: 173.6 Lost this week: 1.4 Total lost in challenge: 16.8 Labor Day Challenge Goal: met goal of 175, revised to 169 Pounds to go for challenge: 4.6 Weeks left in challenge: 3

Glad to see you are doing so well. Can you believe a size 12? Crazy isn't it? Congrats on all the success!

I weighed in at 173.6 (lost 2.4 lbs) which means I have officially lost 70 lbs and my 5 month surgiversary is Monday. Woo! Hoo! 38 until I hit goal.

I think it's about the same. However, you do get pain inside from drinking too fast or too much and this pain you obviously don't have when you have a c-section. Pain meds are probably better or stronger too since they usually don't prescribe the good stuff if you're nursing. So if you did okay with a c-section, you will be fine with this surgery too in my own opinion.

Welcome to our challenge. Good luck!

I weighed yesterday, but forgot to post. I was a bit under the weather. SW: 243.6 Challenge Starting Weight: 190.4 Last weigh-in: 178.6 Yesterday: 175 Lost this week: 3.6 Total lost in challenge: 15.4 Labor Day Challenge Goal: met goal of 175, revised to 169 Pounds to go for challenge: 6 Weeks left in challenge: 4

I took off 2 weeks and was glad I did. I had no pain by week 3, but I was EXHAUSTED and mean bone crushing weak. Everything physically was an effort week 3. If I had it to do over, I would have worked half days on week 3. good luck to you!

The reason why not everyone has tickers or updated information for that matter is because the mobile apps do not provide this information. I primarily use my iPad to use this site so I can never view anyone's ticker, profile, etc. This is why I always ask people about their SW, CW, height etc. They probably think I'm being lazy and not checking out their profile, but I just can't see it in the mobile apps. I also cannot update my own ticker either. I sure wish they'd update this app, it would make life in VST easier for all of us.

SW: 243.6 Last week: 178.6 Current week: 176

You look unbelievable. Did you by chance log your weight loss by month anywhere? I started out weighing 4 lbs more than you and my goal weight is also 135. I am 5 months post op and just wondering about what to expect in the coming months. I know everyone is different, but maybe seeing your journey will help me better prepare for what's to come. Congrats to you! I hope to be in your shoes by the 1 year mark. You really do look amazing!

Houston, well actually League City (suburb of Houston).

I live in Texas too bought some Zumba DVDs I do in front of my tv in the air conditioner or I'll go to the gym or ride my bike at night (8-9). It's working well for me, but you have to find something you enjoy so you'll stick with it and look forward to doing it. I absolutely love Zumba and I believe it has transformed my weight loss. I was losing an average of 8 lbs per month for the 1st 3 months and these last 2 months I've lost 15 lbs each month. Incidentally this is also when I started Zumbaing. It burns an incredible amount of calories. Check it out: zumbacalories.com. Everyone is different, but when you find something you love, things start to click. On another note, I also log every calorie (on myfitnesspal) that goes into my mouth and have been doing so (also) for 2 months so it could be a combination of both activities that has helped me achieve some better weight loss. Good luck in your fitness search.

Me too!

"I feel thin and beautiful and love wearing new clothes.". Isn't this part of the reason why we have surgery (plus good health of course)? To get to the point where you love yourself again tells me you need to revise your goal and be so proud of your success. I think you look amazing. A size 12 is now considered average so an 8 means you are smaller than most of the general population. I understand feeling disappointed because you didn't reach a certain number, but I say you revise it, keep doing what you are doing and when ounces or pounds drop off here and there, consider it bonus weight. Congrats on all of your success!

Do you live in League City or Clear Lake?

Dr Terry Scarborough at TLC Surgery in the med center did mine. I have had zero complications and 4 1/2 months post op and have lost a little over 65 lbs, with 40 to go. Dr Yu is his practice partner and I have heard very good things about him too. They've been on the local news about their successful procedures. I think this link is on their website. Good luck!

I am almost 5 months post op and was averaging 8 lbs per month for a few months and then all of a sudden I dropped 11 lbs in 3 weeks. It was crazy! I'm back to losing at a slower rate and would be ecstatic with 8 lbs per month. I guess my point is that you never know what your body will or can do; quick loss, slow loss, stalls, no stalls we are all so different and every journey is like a fingerprint (unique to each of us). It's easy to get down, but if you just stick with it crazy things can happen, like just living again! Congrats to everyone for every ounce and sticking to your journey. Hugs!

Surgery Date: 3/13/12 SW: 243.6 Challenge Starting Weight: 190.4 Last weigh-in: 183 Today: 178.6 Lost this week: 4.4 Total lost in challenge: 11.8 Labor Day Challenge Goal: 175 Pounds to go for challenge: 3.6 Weeks left in challenge: 5 I am determined to make a challenge so I refuse to adjust my goal until I officially make the first one. Other Goals: 1. Log food every day into MFP-religiously logging 2. Exercise 4-5 a week-5 times 3. Make it to week 10 on Couch to 5 K. I might just skip ahead. Ran 24 minutes without stopping (2 miles). Congrats to everyone else on their weight loss!!

Let's get an update going on March sleevers. Sleeved 3/13/12 Height: 5'5" SW: 243.6 CW: 178.6 Things that have really changed for me since surgery... 1. I've gone down 5 pant sizes, now size 12 2. My shoes are too big 3. My watch is too big 4. My wedding ring is too big 5. I can cross my legs 6. I can drink 80 oz of water 7. I can eat 80 grams of protein 8. I can run 2 miles without stopping 9. I'm addicted to working out 10. I cut 7 inches off my hair 11. I can fit easily into a booth, airline seat, behind a steering wheel and so many other places I never could before. 12. I smile so much more and have become social again. Loving my sleeve!!!!