kcage

You ladies have my hopes up now. My husband and I just agreed to start trying for our last baby and my main concerns were carrying a healthy baby and not gaining 50 lbs during pregnancy. So if I blow up and start looking like I not only ate my baby but a set of triplets too I may cry lol....congrats and you look amazing.

I just want to say congratulations! We all can agree that this surgery was the best thing we could have done for our health. But your goal is going to change as the scale changes and as you begin to get comfortable with being smaller, I got to the point where I decided it is not about what the scale says but I want to have a normal BMI. Get ready people are going to say you are getting too small, but that really just means your weight loss is making them notice their own need to lose weight or they just haven't adjusted to the new you. It takes time, I am one year out 103 pounds lighter and went down like 12-16 sizes! It feels good no great no fantastic going to the store and my size 4 is the only size in those cute skinny jeans. We didn't have this surgery to still shop plus size. Embrace the new you eventually those that say don't lose anymore weight will embrace you as well or show their true feelings of jealousy and envy. Good luck keep going for you, your health and your life!

The one thing I vowed I would not do was turn 30 fat and thanks to the sleeve I won't! Happy Birthday all the liquids and tears were worth it. You look great and the best thing about the sleeve is most of us look like we were never fat once we reach goal.

Ok I am three pounds under my goal weight YAY and 3 lbs away from 100lbs toatal!!!!! Triple YAY, but now I am like what do I do? Do I set a new goal? HOnestly the most exercise I have done is the crap I do on kinect, so I am thinking of trying my hand at working out to tone and firm, bc I wear a pant size higher than I am supposed to due to my belly skin......yuck! I have considered plastics, but they make me feel vain since I haven't lifted a finger to naturally try and get rid of the flab. People are begining to say "don't lose anymore weight" but I am like if I lose another 7 lbs I am cool with it. My weight loss has slowed down tremendously as I have been eating in a maintenance mode, but I still lose at least 1 lb a week. I am nine months out and reached goal at 6 1/2 months. Ahhhhhh what to do?

I have been eating sushi rolls with a soy wrap instead of seaweed, I eat the small rolls and four pieces is my piggy max!!!! Like when it is just melting in my mouth. I have not had any problems and I saw on an earlier post about asking for less rice, will do. I have even been able to enjoy gyoza dumplings, never ever fried though! This is my fav thing to eat since the portion size is great and the nutritional value is pretty good. Sushi is a sleevers best friend......

OK so I am six months and a couple days post open and just got off the scale and I have achieved my initial preop goal of 160. I realized about 30 pounds ago that wouldn't be enough. I am so grateful for this opportunity and what I have lost so far but.......I still have 10-15adittional pounds 5 will put me at a normal bmi 15 will put me at a cushion weight where if I fluctuate 5 lbs its OK. So if you are preop just know he goal you should set is to happy and the number goal you set is just a guideline that may go up or down as long as you are healthy and happy!

April 9th. Day of surgery 239 today 170. No regrets just trying to stay on track with not eating crappy! 20 more to go, hope to be at goal by January 9 which will be 9 months! Congrats on all you guy's hard work.

I think the longer you are sleeved the more your goals change and the more you can begin to realistically determine what is heatlhy for you. I have a co-worker who told me at only 50 lbs lost not to lose anymore! I still have like 45 lbs to go to reach my original goal, but now I am like ok the number on the scale keeps dropping, but I need to get toned so I don't think I will try and go as low as I was in the begining I really think another 20-25 lbs will really be perfect for my age and height! Just take it day by day and as you begin to learn your new body let "it" telly "you" where it needs and wants to be!

Ok so.......I am happily married and have been with my DH for almost 7 years. When we met I had a one year old son whose father wanted myself and our son when it was beneficial for him to have a family! AH won't cry about it, I only wanted a relationship with him for the stability it would give my son. Didn't work and God blessed me with the most wonderful husband and father to our children! Ok fast forward 7 years my son is turning eight yay and we have three additional children. My son's biological father whom he has not seen in almost 6 yrs does not call, write, email anything he has abandonded the role of a father and we are fine with that! Well I have to go to court next week and I am hoping to get him to sign over his parental rights! Mind you although he has been an absent father he has actively pursued certain "relations" with myself (yeah right buddy)! He never saw me at my highest weight as I moved out of state and the majority of my weight gain was rapid and within the last 2 to 3 yrs. Well I am down 40lbs almost to the weight I was when we last saw each other and I plan on losing another 5 to 10 by the time I have to go home for court next week. I am willing to resort back to the original post-op diet for a few days of Clear liquids just to blow his mind! ok so that is person number 1 who will need to close his mouth. #2: Growing up I was extremely skinny and the majority of my family.......NOT.....as I got older and began having children and gaining weight they went from calling me anorexic to fat....well guess what they can say hello to my little friend. None of them know that I have had the surgery but they all seem to have an accurate count of every pound I gained! Well I cannot wait to see every one that made the comment ooooh how did you get so big? or Oh you can't call that baby weight! I might carry around extra tissue for the drool. I made a post a couple of weeks ago about how I do not like taking photos well I ahve been snapping like crazy. I finally see a change when I look in the mirror. My surgery scars are no longer a mile apart, those boogers are right there close together! And possibly my favorite NSV was when a young lady I know said I hope I look like you do after 4 kids when I get older. I smile so much now........no one knows my secret but all see my progress. Guys that are pre-op it is worth it your quality of life changes drastically after the first 7 days post-op! And each day it gets better and better! Go for it. I am 2 1/2 months post op and down 41 pounds and I feel like a new woman. I made a decleration that I would not turn 30 fat and this time my words are not full of hot air!

To those of you who are pre-op I know there are 1 million thoughts, questions, concerns going through your mind in the time leading up to your decision to have surgery and the actual procedure. One of the main concerns I faced was the negative perception others would have, thinking that I took the easy way out! I just want to encourage you that for everyone who says you took the easy way out I guarantee they would not be strong enough to deal with the lifestyle adjustment that you have decided to undergo. How many times have you lost 5 pounds just to gain back 10 to 15. We have tortured our bodies and minds. Food has consumed our thoughts and daily activites, taken us away from things we enjoy and caused insurance rates to be raised. Well you are strong enough to take your life back. The serious consideration of this procedure shows you are strong enough, being a part of this forum and doing your research proves you are strong enough! There will be times when you feel did I make the right decision, is this right for me? If you are ready to rid you of the extra baggage that no matter how good you feel on the inside you are unable to hide, the looks when you walk into a buffett, wondering if a chair is sturdy enough to hold you, loving to go shopping but hate trying on clothes in public. You are strong enough! Be encouraged because you are brave and wonderful and STRONG!

i just try to stay away from too much bread and pasta. Should i count carbs? Will that help if so please let me know how and what to count!

Ok guys......I am finally there. It is not by much but that scale has had a 1 in front of those two 9's for two consecutive days lol........I hit my first mini goal at exactly nine weeks, only one week later than I had hoped and I have to be honest in saying my sleeve did all the work. I slacked off on my walking and Water but have still continued to lose. Not as quickly as I would have had I done all the great and wonderful things I planned on doing but hey, my decisions and outlook on food are so totally different now that I really feel slow and steady wins the race. So many times I have gone on a crash diet, lost 10-15 pounds in a month and gained back double in 2 weeks! I know that the 40 pounds I have shed are gone forever......My husband is thrilled and the compliments are nice especially since people don't know I had surgery! So my ticker says 54 more pounds to goal and I truly believe that once I start and finish the Insanity workout (60 day program) that ticker will read more like 25 pounds til goal. Lets do it guys we still have the whole summer ahead of us and a winter where we can rock the tall boots because we have calfs, ankles a waist to tuck those ooooober cute sweaters into our skinny jeans! Ah the rewards of a little sacrifice! Next mini goal............going to think hard and make it a good one!

That is great.....I was looking through the latest magazine they sent in the mail and my husband stopped and said can you even fit their clothes anymore! And I thought hmmmmmm possibly the smallest size but hopefully not for much longer. We must chat on what our new fav stores are once we are no longer shopping at the LB. I wonder if the reason they charge so much is because we needed extra material? LOL oh well our sleeve changed all that now didn't he!

I am 2 months out......down 36 lbs and about 3 to 4 pants sizes. I am getting the compliments and people notice my loss, however........I have not taken any post op pics! I look in the mirror ( with clothes off) and don't see that big of a difference, and I know that I am overly critical of myself and I still feel as though the camera is going to tell a story that I don't want to hear! LOL. When were you all able to look in the mirror and see the changes for yourself? I notice some of our fellow sleevers are in love with the camera. Due to my weight gain I have resulted to saying I am not photogenic! I have been with my husband for six years, we have four children and have never taken family photos.....This is crazy and my weight has controlled so many aspects of my life! I am taking a stand!!!!! My 29th birthday is in August and since I no longer face going into my 30's fat, my family will take pics this August! YAY. I have a goal in mind of where I would like to be but hey I am just thankful that I am almost 40 lbs lighter than I was just 2 months ago........this post was random, but you guy's before and after photos inspire me and I realized I have none. Going to start tracking my journey.....and actually posting pics. Now the larger challenge........finding a BEFORE pic..LOL

congrats you look great! When were you sleeved? I am also 2 mos. out and my loss is about the same 36 lbs. Would love to see what you are eating daily, I like to compare since I have always kinda done my own thing in regards to the diet!

Remember fatigue is a sure sign that you are not getting what your body needs. Listen to your sleeve and at this far out you should be able to tell when you are hungry now! I think your doing great.....slow and steady wins the race. Most of the time it is our brain telling us we need more not our stomachs!

Proceed with caution! We all KNOW this procedure saved our lives, but others feel as though we took the easy way out. Remember your fb post are not only read by your friends but friends of friends that comment on your status updates. Not saying be ashamed, but start posting pics of your loss and progress and if they are sincerely trying to lose weight let that be an "inbox" type convo! Good luck and I am glad you are feeling GREAT!

I have only told a couple of people as we were talking about different measures to lose weight and she and I have the same insurance so I figured why not let her know it is covered! Someone provided me with this info so I felt it wasn't right not to share. Now as far as anyone else it is strictly a need to know bases. My mother-in-law was the one who came to my house to help my husband with the kids while I was in the hospital and she still didn't know, about four days post op when she was dropping my son off at home she asked so what did you have to have done my response to everyone that asks about surgery who I don't want to tell I had WLS.....I just tell them I had been having stomach and digestive issues and so I had the procedure done that they do when you have really bad ulcers. Look she is a registered nurse and was like oh ok so you had ulcers and I politely said no and now I never will. All the information is true, I have just decided that since I don't want anyone's opinion I won't give them the opportunity to give it. I give them enough info to where they leave me alone about it. My mom is in Afghanistan so I understand not wanting your mom to worry. I didn't tell my mom until a week post op as we talk regularly and she was a little worried after we didn't talk for a week. Just proceed with caution most won't understand and telling ppl you have drastically cut back on what you eat is truthful and since we have to exercise once you incorporate that you are doing what every other gym head is doing and what we should have been doing for years. Good luck and you know you have hundreds of ppl in your corner our own little supportive family!

Ok guys and gals.......... I am sooooo happy to report for those who are pre-op and very newly post-op that my sex drive has returned. I used to blame my lack of sexual excitement on the fact that: 1. You don't have as much sex once your married( however this was one sided as my husband thought buying the cow meant more milk!) 2. The kids....always around, sleep in the bed with you blah blah blah 3. There is so much more I could productively be spending my time on such as laundry, cooking, cleaning...excuse excuse excuse and then it hit me while watching BBC the show that comes on and takes all the food people are eating and lay it out on the table is gross. And the host told the couple that was on there that when they drew thier blood how food was ruining everything and this married couple was only being intimate three to four times a year. Anniversary, each birthday and maybe Valentine's day or Christmas. And I realized it was my weight. Sooooooooooooo 5 1/2 weeks post op and 30 lbs lighter and I am frisky! I noticed more energy during intimacy. I enjoy it again, it's not another chore on my list, I have even tried on some of my old sexy night gowns. My husband even requested a particular one! This has been a major NSV for me as I am sure all of you ladies can relate. So am I close to goal.......nope, has my life already changed.....yep the second I woke up from surgery! If you are pre-op and needing reassurance just know it will be difficult but sooo worth it. Take back the years that have been given over to obesity, bad health and being unhappy with who you see in the mirror. And welcome that healthier you that has been locked away! GO GET YOU!

Congratulations.....there is no better feeling than being in love with yourself and a great person.

I am loving that you posted this and I was actually hoping to get a male's perspective. My husband is a great guy who has said the weight didn't matter he didn't even want me to have the surgery, but he has been so supportive, he met me when I was MUCH smaller and has still tried to make me feel sexy and beautiful even at my heaviest but I agree those wires are crazy!

Lactaid has become my best friend. I drink a carnation meal replacement shake almost daily for breakfast and it has over 20 something grams of protein. Lactaid comes in a fat free version so yay to that! I did not enjoy the flavored silk however. I can tolerate cheeses, but I do buy redueced fat or fat free cheese. Also I am trying to find foods that offer that lean protein I have always believed in eating calories or nutrients and not drinking them. One of the big things we have to remember is that this is a tool for the rest of our lives and we cannot live on soups and broth and protein drinks for the rest of our lives, we have to learn how incorporate the healthy chewy stuff. I used to drink the total lean shakes from gnc and I have seen many sleevers say that they drink one as a meal replacement post op. They were really tasty pre-op but I am going to get some today and will let you know if those were tolerable just so you can have options. Good luck but I think it was a way of God ensuring we don't dive back into a tub of ice cream! LOL

Congrats and I know that during that stall you were still a big encouragement to a lot of us on here giving great advice. Kudos to you for not giving up on yourself and I have to remind myself at times that my sleeve is still working even when I don't think it is! Keep up the good work you will be at goal before you know it.

I asked my doc at my last pre-op appointment he said whenever you feel up to it....I waited until two weeks I was kinda milking it a little but didn't want to try to soon and actually hurt something.....and I was good I did however make my husband use extreme caution and if he was on my stomach too much I vocalized this. Take your time and yes if you are feeling like that still give it a few more days how far post op are you?

I have been skinny and been called bones and anorexic and now I have been fat and been insecure and uncomfortable! I cannot wait to experience a normal "HEALTHY" weight. I agree with everyone else you have to love you at any and every size so you can be appreciative and not totally vain when we are shopping for a size 4, 6 or 8! Don't get anxious because that can cause disappointment and anxiety but enjoy watching your body change knowing that the weight you shed will never return! Failure not an option because you have you joined www.myfitnesspal.com? Since joining my weight loss has resumed, counting calories, protein and carbs has never been easier! You can do this we are making obesity our you know what!!!!!!