Piplula

Not recognize yourself? This may sound paranoid and honestly at the time it was, but here it is. I was shopping and kept noticing this person's reflection in windows and the occasional mirror out of the corner of my eye. And finally I thought myself..well I have had enough of this follow me so I whipped around and guess who was there..the reflection of myself . So I had been all freaked out because apparently I was following myself ..didn't even recognized own image...weird I know..but now when people don't recognize I get it. So remember..if you think someone is following you, just turn around it probably is your own shadow! LoL

I am a creature of habit. I eat the same thing everyday for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack..dinner is where I change...so for me...tracking got boring because...well..it was the same thing everyday....so I don't track..I probably should..but I haven't.

I was 367 # and I am 5'8". Current wight is 218-217... I am fluctuating right bow...but it will keep on going down if I continue with the running exercise ect.

I had GERD prior to surgery and it was 10,000 x worse after. But I take my PPI, acid reducer everyday and I am fine. I take Dexilant everyday and know if I skip it! But I would not every change the fact I had the sleeve.

Well...I finally can say I completed my first 5 k! I finished in 45:20 minutes! Now I know..it's slow...but by golly..I may not have been first...but I sure wasn't last!!! I ran some and walked some...and now I am looking forward to increasing my time and looking forward to the next go around! Here' s a picture of our group..I'm in the green shoes!

Before After 1 year 1 month out..150 pounds down...want 50 more to go...

So hello VST peeps! Today is the day! I can honestly say the sleeve gave me my life back. It's been a heck of a journey. I am not at my ultimate goal of 200# down, but so far I have lost 145#...so just a few more steps and I will get there. I also encourage everyone to take measurements from beginning to end because I am happy to report I have lost a total of 48.5 inches from all over my body...wild huh? I wanted to share a pictorial journey with you . So here we go! Me 12 hours before surgery Me 6 months post op Me at 9 months out And me today right before my workout So that's my story ..it's still a work in progress but with hard work, dedication, and diligence, it's becoming, finally, a reality!

WOW...that's a first!!! Another great NSV!!

Thank you all for the kind replies! It just motivates me even more to strive for that goal weight!

Thanks everyone! You guys are truly inspiring as well! This will Work for you if you let it and stay the course...good luck to each and everyone of you...I am still fighting the battle...but I am getting there!

Thank you! It is truly life changing! And you will be there very soon as well! Good luck in your journey! It's all about self discovery...

I do have some loose skin that I will will be looking into plastics for ..but overall I feel ok..but I do have some loose skin, but again I will be looking into plastics. it's just a part of the overall process. Some people don't have the loose skin, I had a lot of weight to lose so I will have loose skin regards of how much I exercise...especially in the hips, thighs, and buttock area. My arms are pretty good though..it's just still a work in progress.

Bawhahahahahahhahahhahahahahah oh oh I about peed myself!!!

Alright here is my secret to success! Exercise, follow the meal plan, stay away from breads and sweets as much as I can because my body loves to hold into carbs, and I treat the sleeve with the respect it deserves because it is giving me back my life. Everyone is different on how we process nutrients so here's what helps me stay fit and healthy. Your dr may have different recommendations, so find what works for you! My dr recommended 50-60grams of Protein a day. I normally stick to that. Sometimes, I will go into the 70-80 g per day range and if it is seafood, I can easily hit 100g per day. I do chose chicken and fish most days only because with pork and beef, I have a harder time getting in what I need before I feel full. Nothing is fried ..I prefer roasted, baked, broiled, or grilled meats...reason why is I slime and then promptly vomit when I eat fried meats...or it takes my hours to eat small bites here and there and to me...that's just too much work and not worth the effort. I eat fruit and veggies everyday...without fail. Now I will indulgent in an occasional piece of chocolate, cake, bread, ect. But I find when I do, I 1) don't feel as well, 2) can't eat healthier foods because all that other stuff took up my space. Honestly, eating healthier has become such a habit that I actually will crave those foods and I don't miss too many of the old foods. I still drink a Protein shake daily to help with protein intake, but I now mainly get my protein from foods. Now realize I am a year out and Protein shakes where the way I got my protein in for a long time. I also had lactose intolerance immediately after surgery so any milk or dairy was off the radar for 6 months. I lived on Soy milk and unjury Protein powder. Eventually my tiny tummy decided to start making lactase again so now I enjoy EAS Carb Advantage Shakes, milk, cheese without worry of horrible diarrhea. So for those of you wondering when the diarrhea will stop...check to make sure you aren't lactose intolerant. And now...constipation is on board...so that's a whole other discussion. Now onto exercise. I had a trainer in the beginning and it helped, but you don't need a fancy gym to become physically active. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise to do in the beginning. I walked but my favorite was yoga. I found a peace with yoga and my trainer informed me that yoga only burns 10% less than aerobics. And then proceeded to ask me do you ever see a yoga instructor that isn't fit? So, for the first 6 months...I strictly did yoga with the occasional treadmill and weight routine. Rodney Yee was my best friend and still is. Then once I got enough weight off to be able to run, I started the couch to 5 K app but due to incorrect form( thanks to a very special bud on here for correcting my form..you know who you are..many thanks to you!!) I injured my hip..so I am getting ready to start that back now that I have healed. So in the mean time, I got into Leslie Sansone's Walk Fit...love it. I exercise 5 days a week religiously...it's important for the success of your sleeve. Yes I have hanging skin...but I'd rather have sagging skin and less hair than diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. And I can always get plastic surgery. Now onto fluids, I drink the majority of my fluids as Water. I do indulge in a glass of sweet tea here and there. I do not partake in carbonated drinks or artificial sweeteners. It's not that I have anything against these..it's just my preference. I do get some artificial sweetener in my protein shake ...so like I said I am not against it...it's just a personal preference. I also do not partake in alcohol. Again...I not opposed to alcohol, I just prefer not to drink it. I drank maybe 4 cocktails a year prior to surgery so for me that wasn't much of a stretch to stop. I could take it or leave it. Same thing with carbonated beverages. I grew up with tea and water ...soda was a treat ..so that wasn't a stretch. Now I will mention one more thing before I end this...I drink from a straw. I get more fluids in. I asked my Dr and Nutritionist what the scientific basis of not using a straw was and they said there isn't any...it's just a recommendation. Ask your provider for studies showing that straws are detrimental to the sleeve...it's not there. So, if you get less air from a straw..I say use it. I gulp too much air without it. If you have anymore questions...please feel free to contact me! I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability, but remember your surgery team is your best bet! Good luck everyone! You can do it!

Will post at the end if the thread! ????

I am going to post this at the end of the thread!

Just look for Piplula!

Thanks everyone! I still have more of my journey to go, but I have to inspire someone to take that leap of faith. It worked for me!

Ok ..I have to go back to the reverse cowgirl. I think it's overrated...but that's me...and my two cents...now cowgirl sex...that's a whole other topic! Ok ..back to regularly scheduled post...

I am a veteran I would think ..will be a year out on 4/3. I have learned lots and I am still learning. I got nothing of importance to add to the conversation here....why did I post again?????

I can't wait until I can say that..I have never weighed less than him! And I am 7 pounds from it!!!

You are looking pretty hot there yourself!!!!!