ChaChaBurch

Probably the food I have most dreaded trying was salads. I have put off eating one for fear of it causing an issue. Well, Saturday I tried a small salad, and . . . TA-DA!!! No issues! I've had one almost every day since! Still no issues. So thankful I have missed having salads and now that it seems they aren't an issue, it's such a relief. I'm down 45lbs today, and am so happy!! This sleeve definitely rocks! I watched a series of videos on YouTube last night about a 19 year old boy in Houston, Texas who weighed 799lbs. It was heartbreaking. I thought about how easily that could have been me if I didn't get things under control. It's horrifying what "junk food" and "fast food" can do to one's body, and how horribly addictive those things can be. For me, NEVER AGAIN!! I am now in control of what I eat and what I don't eat. I never knew that the sleeve was an option for me, if not for this forum. I wouldn't have had the courage to go through with it if not for the encouragement and support of folks on this board! Thank the Lord I found it. :wub:

Yesterday was exactly 3 months since my surgery. The whole process seems so surreal! I can't believe that I'm down 55lbs now. I haven't been this size in over 15 years! I went from a size 24W to a size 16 so far. The changes in how I feel are amazing and seem like a miracle. I feel great, and everyone tells me that I look amazing. My diet has seen some really big changes. I now eat primarily fresh foods, and very rarely eat processed foods. When I do eat out, I'm am extremely cautious on what I choose. Since I hold so much less, I would much rather put in good quality food, than a bunch of junk. Yes, we still eat out about twice a week, but we choose restaurants that have a better quality menu than fast food places do. Also, I drink water all day. I walk 3 miles 5 days a week, and have recently started a Beginner's Yoga CD and really enjoying it. The fact that I weigh less, helps me try things that I haven't tried in 15 years, and I'm thinking about trying bicycling. I really don't want to buy one - they can get pretty expensive - until I know it's worth the investment. Looking back, it seems like a dream. All the worry, all the liquids and protein drinks, all the preparation was so worth it. Even the post-op diet seems to have passed so quickly - although at the time it seemed to take forever. I thought about the sleeve 24/7, and now it's just a normal part of life, It's been the best decision I've ever made regarding my health, and I have no regrets. I read some of the posts of others who haven't made their decision yet, and all I want to do is shake them and tell them to just do it! However, everyone is different and just because it's been a great experience for me, doesn't mean it will be the right one for them. At first, I was very vague about how I was losing weight. When folks would ask me, I would just tell them that I'm eating a lot less. Now I'm much more vocal about the surgery. If someone asks, I tell them that I got the sleeve. So far, no one has been negative about it, and if they are, I'll just tell them to mind their own business. My immediate family has known about it from Day 1 and been extremely supportive. This forum has been a life saver for me. All the friendships, support, and feedback has been fantastic, and I wouldn't be healthier today if it wasn't for this website.

After my stall, I stepped on the scale today, and showed a loss of 2lbs! Hooray!!

Stepped up on the scale and was down 2lbs this morning! Hope my stall is over with!

On the day I started my pre-op diet, the thought crossed my mind, "I should take measurements", but I didn't. I was too ashamed, and frankly was afraid, and really didn't want to know. If I could do it all over again (AND I WOULD), I would have gone ahead and taken my measurements. Now that I'm almost 12 weeks post-op, I know how much weight I've lost, what size clothes I wear, but have no idea how many inches I've lost - not that I'm looking for them! I took my measurements today, and will start with that. So for all of you who are starting this journey, I would strongly urge you to take your measurements, no matter how scary it is, because the good news is that you WILL lose them and not go looking for them in the future, except as a reference point!

I haven't been able to get on this website for about 3 weeks due to computer issues, and then family illness. Thankfully, that's all taken care of now! It's hard to believe that 2 months ago I had a life-changing, mind-blowing experience with the realization of getting my sleeve. After years of major struggles with the lap-band, and 2 years spent searching for a Doctor who would even consider seeing me, God opened the door for me at Dr. Kaler's office. Dr. Kaler had no hesitation in telling me, "Yes, I can do your revision". I remember sitting in his exam room with tears in my eyes, thinking "Finally, someone who can help me". The sense of relief that this ordeal was finally over was surreal. After years of struggling with the band, the sliming, the sticking, the not being able to eat out in front of anyone other than my DH, my mother's comments of "Oh honey, I just wish there was something that could be done for you", my revision was done in one surgery. The changes that have occurred in my life since have been amazing. No more sticking, no more sliming, eating out with friends, feeling like I'm 15 years younger, the energy, the ability to get out and move, the improved numbers from my bloodwork, actually enjoy life has been such a blessing. As of this morning, I am down 42lbs, and 3 dress sizes. I still struggle with my eyes being WAAAAYY bigger than my sleeve. I suspect this will be a challenge for quite a long time. But it's always surprising to me how much is left on my plate. My DH has enjoyed my leftovers many times and isn't complaining. To have the ability to eat without the expectation that it's going to be a painful experience, has made me realize that I have taken eating for granted. I no longer do that. I know truly enjoy my food, more as a true pleasure, and I'm focusing on making sure that those meals are well worth the effort. I'm learning new recipes, experiencing new foods, and focus on eating whole, healthy, fresh foods. And it's such a great time of the year to do this. With the Farmer's Markets that are open now, my vegetable garden, learning to can and freeze fresh fruits and vegetables, purchasing grass fed beef, free-range chicken, and the most recent addition to our little farm - a Devon pig, who will be filling our freezer this fall, our food quality has increased by leaps and bounds. No more pre-processed food, no more white carbs, a significant reduction in gluten in our lives has made a tremendous difference in not just my, but my DH's life. I never would have made these changes in our life had it not been for the sleeve. I'm eating pretty much anything I want, just in drastically smaller quantities, and the only thing I haven't tried yet is a salad. For some reason, that's the one thing that looms in my mind as the "The Big One". I'm sure it's just in my head that way, but I still see a Salad and think, "One day I'll be able to eat that and really enjoy it", but I haven't tried one yet. I'm not big on restaurant salads, but prefer to buy my own ingredients and make them at home. That way I can control what goes in to it. I will always encourage those who are thinking about getting the lapband toward the sleeve, and I will support those who want a revision by sharing my experience. Just as so many of the folks on this wonderful website have done for me.

I've hit my first stall, and as I'm reading the last few comments I got to thinking about what I'm eating. Yep, I've added carbs back to my "normal" eating. I haven't used Myfitnesspal like I used to. Gotta get back up on that wagon and get it headed in the right direction. Thanks folks for reminding me that carbs are bad (not all of them, but certainly the one's I've been eating lately).

So exciting! Keep us posted!

It would seem that my first time to participate in a "challenge" would just happen to coincide with my first major stall!!! So frustrating. Any suggestions? Haven't lost a single pound in almost 2 weeks.

I haven't been on the forum as much lately. Having to play "catch up" with everything that I put off while recuperating from my surgery. At almost 12 weeks out, I am now down 50lbs, and in a size 16. Unbelievable! I shopped last week for a few new clothes (don't want to spend too much since I plan on shrinking out of these soon!). I automatically headed to the "big girl" sizes and couldn't find hardly anything that fit! I had to go over to the "normal" sizes, and was able to wear almost everything I picked out - WOW - what a feeling! I bought 5 tops that will I can dress up or dress down, and spent less than $50. As I've said before, I think the dressing rooms are nicer on the other side Of course, it could just be my attitude. Struggling with my mental image has been interesting. My brain says, "No way you can get in to that", and then I try it on and it's either a bit too big, or it fits just right, and I think "OMG - I can wear this!!!". The other thing is that my eyes are still WAY to big for my sleeve. When I am putting food on my plate, I think, "That's not enough, that won't fill me up", and then I can eat only half of it, my sleeve says "I'm full, STOP", but my brain says, "I WANT MORE"!! I don't know if this is something that I will adjust to or not. As I've said, it took my brain 50 years to reach this point, so it will probably take a LOOOOONG time for it to stop thinking that way. I went to the first WLS support group last night. There were 2 other lovely ladies there that have had the sleeve surgery. One lady had her's just this past April, another real go-getter had her's in February of 2010. She was amazing! She just turned 62 and looked fantastic. She had also done her very first half-marathon! What an inspiration!!! The setting was just a Q&A of 9 other ladies who were scheduled to get their surgery soon. I think 3 of them were getting theirs in the next few weeks, other's were somewhere in the process of getting approved. They worked for the hospital, and their insurance was now covering their surgery and pre-op testing. They also have the ability to do a flexible spending account to help with their out of pocket. I believe the financial department told them that their total out of pocket would be around the $1650 mark. What a great benefit!! It was great listening to everyone's concerns, and the other sleever's experience. We all had different experiences at the different phases of our journey, but we all felt the same way . . . so very thankful for our surgeon - Dr. Kaler rocks! - and so very thankful for our sleeve! We are going to meet again next month - CAN'T WAIT!!! I seem to have hit my first major stall - struggling with the same 2 lbs, and I know it's normal. So I think I'll just wait it out and see what happens over the next couple of days/weeks. I know that this is just part of the process and look forward to that next drop on the scale! I must confess though, that I haven't been tracking my food as well, so that means I've got to get back into it! Gotta be held accountable for my end of the deal, since my sleeve is holding up it's part of the deal!

Yep, even this old lady has re-discovered how great sex can be after some weight loss! It's amazing and I am much more active than before. DH is very happy and so am I!

Congratulations! What an achievement!

Welcome and congratulations! I think it's wonderful that both you and your wife will be taking this journey together!

Congratulations! What an achievement! All that hard work is paying off.

Way to go girl! You rock!!!!

I went to Cato's today to look at some tops, and just automatically went to the "big girls" side, then realized everything there was too big!! Is it me, or are the dressing rooms nicer on the "other side"????

Don't I wish!!! My eyes are still way too big for my sleeve, and I still try on new clothes, thinking "There's no way this will fit" and then find out that it's too big. I know it took my brain 50 years to get to this point, and it's only been 2.5 months since the surgery, but gee whiz -- enough already!!

I didn't want my hubby to stay with me, but ended up being glad he did. The night nurse was incompetent. She spilled pain medication on me when she tried to change it out in the machine, almost pulled my tube out, and then fell on me when she tripped over the bed. I told my DH "you need to stay with me, they might kill me". Thankfully, the day nurse was extremely professional!!

One time won't hurt. I did the same thing, and my NUT told me that it was okay. Just once won't hurt anything, and it won't make them upset. They know that some folks have the same issues. Now, just get back up on that there wagon and follow the rest

Okay, so I woke up this morning thinking about this thread . Some life huh??? Actually it's kept me smiling most of the day -- the names/slang are hilarious!!

I just ignore the rude comments, and stick with the positive ones -- thankfully it seems that the positive is WAY in the majority. Don't let others keep you from asking questions. That's why we're all here! Sending you hugs!!!

I'm so glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery. I've followed your story, although I haven't posted before, but I have been praying for you!

Best thread EVER!!!!!!!

You cracked me up! I spit Water out my nose!!!! I can say that there is a lot less "padding" than there used to be prior to the surgery. Also, I have an easier time "trimming the hedge" since I can now see it!!!!

Joni - Yep, super, duper busy lately. I guess I'm having to "pay the fiddler" for all the slacking off I did while recuperating. I no longer have that luxury, so now I have some catching up to do at the Fire Dept and Food Bank. However, I need you guys to hold me accountable! If you don't hear from me, you gotta come and find me . I will try to get on the boards a little more often than just every 7-10 days though. I sure do miss a lot and have to spend some time catching up! Looks like you're doing awesome!