chitowngirl

I never stopped taking them, per surgeons and anesthesiologist orders.

Ok so I agree. So here goes I wasn't obese....I was a fat @ss. I wasn't a foodie....I was a freaking pig. Unfortunately I never realized any of this until I was post op.

I agree. I love seeing pictures. What really bugs me is when people post updates, such as finally lost -100 lbs, or finally hit onderland, finally made it to goal, or 1 or 2 year surgiversery and they don't attach pictures. WTF man nothing speaks more than a photo. There are a lot of people who don't post their profile pictures, I guess a lot of that is a wish to remain anonymous. Well all I can say is I personally don't respond to progress updates on weigh, if there aren't any pictures attached. It may be mean or whatever, but in all honesty I am a visual person and I just really love reading a story with an updated pic at the end of it. Ps everyone looks awesome!!! Keep up the good work my fellow sleevers. With all that said here are my before and after as I am now a camera wh0re!!!

Chicken and tuna can be kinda heavy at this time. Try some yogurt, eggs, or even beans.

I was the same way. For the first three months. It was a little frustrating because everyone would post about all this energy they had. Not me though. When I told my surgeon he told me to up my Protein to 75g a day. When I had my blood work he also told me that Vitamins were low and I needed to take double dose of vitamins, which I don't mind because I take gummy vitamins. Your body is still adjusting and at about 1 month out I was eating about 500 calories and that's very little calories. So just give yourself time.

Nope I do not. I will drink up until I eat but from that point on I will not drink anything for a half hour after eating.

You look great!!! Congrats. You look like you have no sagging skin issues.

Sorry to hear about your struggles. How much weight have you gained if you don't mind me asking? I would highly suggest getting back to basics. Little miss divas boot camp will help kick that off. Please see link below. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28139-the-basics-boot-camp/ Also get back to basics... Log your food. There are a lot of sleevers (myself included) that use my fitness pal. Logging your food can become a pain in the but, however it can be a valuable tool. Nothing will make you more accountable and think twice like having to log that cup cake or donut knowing that is going to be the thing that takes you over your daily calories. Knowledge is power and you need to have a clear nutritional representation of what your putting in your body. Protein first, then veggies. I also don't drink Protein drinks I tend to eat all my protein. If I consume refines carbs it can easily shoot my calories way up. Don't drink your calories. Also I feel like when I emerse myself into the support group I do much better. You know the saying out of site out of mind, make this site and the sleeve a big part of your life again. Most of all don't give up!!! Best of luck.

You got this!!! You look great and good luck!

I actually had a really easy recovery. I didn't have to take any pain meds, and i barley used the morphine pump at the hospital. If I had to describe the pain I would say my stomach felt soar like I did 1000 sit ups. I was actually really fatigued the first two months. Once I had my blood drawn i was low on some Vitamins so I had to do take a duo me dose of vitamins, which I totally don't mind because I take gummy vitamins, which are such a treat. I didn't come out eating the recommended 60g of Protein, but I was gradually able to build up to that. With the Water also it took me a while to start drinking enough water. What I did was focus on one thing at a time. First I worked on getting my water in. Once I was able to do that I worked on my protein then last I focused on my vitamins. To get a handle of everything took me about 3 weeks. I know some people come out able to do it all but that is not so common.

I too was initially leaning towards the lapband, however I didn't really care for the back and forth of the fillings. I also once worked for a bariatric surgeon and from what I saw not everyone was successful with the Lapland it really was hit or miss, and I didn't want to take that chance. I really didn't know about the sleeve until I went to my surgical weight loss seminar. It was perfect for me. It did not have the malabsorption issues that the gastric bypass had, but it did have similar weight loss stats, and it was not as invasive as the gb. I also liked that I wouldn't have to be back every little while for poking and proding like the Lapland. If I was going to have weight loss surgery I wanted to do it once and do it right. So I am 9 months post op and I'm -92 lbs. I love my sleeve. Unlike the gb I can eat a piece of sweet cake and not worrying about dumping. There are no real long term restrictions with the sleeve, everything in moderation. The sleeve is a great tool to help with the moderation part. Ultimately this is a very personal decision. Research, talk to people and ask all the questions that you need to. Best of luck to you. Just in case you need some inspiration I've attached some before and after photos. As now I am queen of the camera... Lol

Yes, when I go to Costco or SAMs I always come back full from the 2-3 samples. I love my sleeve.

How about an OPI nail polish, I love their polish, but hate paying $10 for one so when I get one its a treat. New lipstick or a new makeup that you want to try. Or you could get a quick mani or pedi. I say something that is going to make you feel pretty. It's different for everyone, maybe you can get your hair blown out once a month.

A few of my favorites are chili, fajitas, homemade chicken soup, homemade beef and broccoli, and tostadas with chicken and beans.

Congrats!!! I know I still got a way to go, damn skinny sure does feel good.

Wow... I can't imagine the pain. I hope you heal quickly and all goes smoothly from here on out.

That's what we're here for. Congrats on your weight loss and much continued success to you.

Wow you look great!!! Keep up the good work.

Seeing is believing. It's all in the pictures!!! You look great. Keep up the good work.

I also don't care for protein. I eat all my protein. It took me a while before I could eat all 60g of recommended protein, but I'm able to eat all 60g.

Ok day 2 of bootcamp. Yesterday went pretty well. I only drank 14 of 16 cups of Water, so I was pretty close. I'm really going to try to reach that water goal today. On average my calories for yesterday was -400 than usual so, I'm feeling really good about that. Today my menu is B: 2 boiled egg whites and a turkey sausage L: broccoli and cheese and roasted turkey breast D: chicken salad.

It's natural to be a lite hesitant. There was a time when I thought to myself wtf am I doing to my self. In the end I knew it was something that I needed to do for myself. The one thing people say about having this surgery is they wish they could have done I sooner or while they were younger. Keep that in mind I wish I could have done this at 25 years old. Because your so young and not as heavy as it of people, you are the perfect candidate. Do you really want to wait 10 more years and another 100 pounds to realize you need help. It is really a big decision and it is also a personal decision. Ultimately you have to do what you feel is best for you. Best of luck to you.

You look great !!

Hello Frank. I am also from Chicago and am 9 months post op. I had an unremarkable surgery/recovery. I feel great and I would do it a thousand times over. I also didn't really care for protein drinks so early on I decided that I would get my protein from eating dense protein. Best of luck to you!

Yes. I'm 9 months post op and right about six months out I was able to eat more. I've also noticed a lot of it has to do with my food choices. If I focus my diet on Proteins I can easily go back to 800 calories a day as opposed to the 1200 calories I'm able to consume now. I've got about 60 more pounds to go, so I started eliminating a lot Of the high calorie carbs that were sneaking their way back into my diet.