Ready?Going..

Hunger- wasn't hungry at all the first few weeks.....now, 4 months post op, I get HUNGRY!, when it is time to eat, 5-6 bites later, I'm full and good to go for another 3-4 hours! Energy - came around 4-6 weeks out.....and gets better every day! I LOVE it.....feeling more like myself again,..the younger, thinner self that is Clothes - I purchased a pair of size 16 Jones New York Jeans about 8 years ago.....they still have the tags on them, I've moved 750 miles and into 3 other dwellings since I bought those.....and they followed me faithfully. I put them on, zipped them up about 4 weeks ago.......and that's when I cried. Today, I wear 'em and look damn good too! I've lost about 45 pounds, first started to notice it in my face. Last night as the hubby and I lay in bed, he was looking down at me and I asked what he was looking at (afraid I'd missed a chin hair when plucking)......he just smiled and said......."your beautiful face. It's back."

The pain is mostly soreness and gas. Take the pain medications as prescribed and walk.....walk......walk. It works the soreness out and moves the gas on thru. Seriously, as soon as you can stand up......straight......walk. Sometimes the first walk looks more like a shuffle........hum a little tune and shuffle along. The first 24 hours after surgery were the most uncomfortable to me.....on a scale of 1-10, I'd have rated my worst pain as a 6 or so. And I discontinued the iv pain meds myself as the ones you take by mouth last longer and you feel better. This is awesome and the BEST thing I've ever done for myself........other than marry my husband.......well, and give birth to my 4 kids.

Every body loses differently. I'm 4 months out, and have lost 45 pounds. What has been weird for me, is days when my clothes are bagging and sagging.....the scale will read I haven't lost anything or even gained a couple of pounds. Very odd. I don't weigh daily, or even weekly.......I just eat and keep moving and grooving. I figured the scale obsession - and impending discouragement - I had for multiple years was part of how I got to 264# in the first place. As long as the clothes are getting looser.....you are winning the race!

Woot! Woot! Woot!.....keep it up, cause my word......you look awesome!!!!

A southern woman!!!! Lord, have mercy, I know just how you feel!!! Born and bred southern cook here! I have NEVER met a pat of butter or a cup of sugar I just didn't love!!!!! I have 4 kids (17-26) and a hubby that love my cookin' and lord knows I love to cook for them. Just 2 nights ago I was pulling roasted potatos and meat loaf outta the oven......had greens cookin' on the stove and the hubby says "this is almost perfect, where's the corn bread?". Truth be told, I didn't have any corn meal in the house (I know, my grandmomma is turning over in her grave right now) and hadn't thought about any. Another ah ha moment for me..........funny how life changes and the things we love fall to the way side when something else really cool comes along.....like 45 pounds less of me!! But, there'll be some corn bread this weekend or early next week.........cause his parents are coming to Houston and bringing us a "fresh mess" of turnip greens!

This life is different....not bad, just different. I had one of those days about 3 weeks post op where I wanted to be able to deal with a particular life stressor in my favorite old way........eat a ton of chips and salsa, drink way to much, and dive into enchiladas like tomorrow would never come! Of course, the 'ole sleeve doesn't allow that. And that was an ah ha moment for me...........why had my habit become a slow torment for me? Why did I need to punish myself? And I learned to embrace the Beatles.....just let it be. Tomorrow is another day. A good night's sleep, a smile from a joyful child.....and the world will be better tomorrow. And the new you will just keep showing up, little by little..........or I guess in our case, the new us shows "down" little by little.

Thank you ladies. It was a fun, ah ha moment!

I'm sitting here, working in my home office, dressed in jeans and a soft, thin, brushed red sweater. Why is that such a big deal? Well, because the jeans are size 16 and the sweater is from American Eagle, size XL. These are normal sized clothes and they aren't binding or pinching or look gross. I look normal. I'm still 200+ pounds and have more to lose than I have thus far, but this is just so awesome. This is the first time in 15+ years I've worn normal clothes and felt so comfortable. I love my sleeve. I love my surgeon...........and I love my hubby most of all, because thru thin, emaciatedly thin, thick, thicker and thickest this man has loved me for me. When I was so uncomfortable in my own skin, when I was a younger me, angry with myself for what I felt I had done to myself..........this man loved me. And I sit here now, happy as can be, sipping tea, wearing jeans with a soft red sweater...............enjoying the little things...........and the littler me.

Today is 3 months post sleeve. I was in the surgeon's office yesterday to check in .......40 pounds down from pre-op weight. I quit weighing at home. It was too damned stressful and just not good for me. I knew my weight was at the lowest it has been in the past 13 years because my clothes look really pitiful on me. In fact, I'd gone shopping to the local outlet mall over the weekend to buy some pants because I'd seen some photographs taken recently and refused to put those pants back on.......they were too baggy!! And I knew my weight was down because when I look in the mirror, I'm beginning to resemble something that got left out in the sun too long!! Time to go to the gym! Which leads me to this funny story...... So, after the surgeon check in, I head off to my local Curves to sign up. I like Curves. It is good for a beginner. I'm a beginner.......again......I'm an experienced beginner. The lady checking me in does her questionnaire....."Have you lost or gained weight recently?" I smile, "Yes, I've lost 40 pounds in the past 3 months." Her eyes get big, "Really, how?" "I had a gastric sleeve procedure"......she looks confused....I clarify "I had weight loss surgery." Ding Ding Ding......she gets it! So along with the measurements, weight, etc........then she asks, "What do you want to gain from this?" I answer "I don't want to look like a record that's been left in the sun too long?"......She laughs, but I didn't give the answer she was looking for, so she tries again, "Ok, what else are you hoping to accomplish?"........I answer "Well, my 2 month old grandson weighs 15 pounds and I need more muscle to bounce that kid to sleep.".......another chuckle, but not the answer she was looking for..........she tries AGAIN "What do you want for yourself from the exercise program?".........my answer "Well, you see, I need to create a muscular core so when the plastic surgeon goes to reconstruct my abdomen, he'll have something to work with." I'm laughing my fat butt off, and she's chuckling, but I'm still failing the Curves admission test...........finally she just asks the question "Do you want to lose more weight?" Then I do bust a gut laughing.......... "Of course I do, ma'am........that's why I had the surgery 3 months ago. I'm gonna keep losing weight, regardless of whether I work out here or not. I want to work out so that I look GOOD and FIRM as the weight comes off.........not sick and saggy."

Girl, I was sleeved back in June, and after about 5-7 days I was hungry....I swore I could just run a tube down my throat and pump those liquids in cause my arm was so sore from lifting the cup ALL THE TIME! I'd take 2-3 sips, be full as a tick on a fat dog........and then 5 minutes later starving to death!!! My surgeon laughed at me (for some reason, I get that response a lot) but encouraged me to keep drinking and sipping, things would even out........and they did. And maybe all that lifting toned up my biceps a little too.

I was sleeved back in June of this year and I'm surprised now regarding how hungry I can feel and how much of some things I can eat. I have discovered if I eat foods that are not processed (ham, greens) I get full quick!........but girl, I can eat me some Cheeze ITs........those things just go right in and right down sooooo easy. I don't know how much weight I've lost - somewhere around 35-40 pounds. I don't really care and I don't weigh often at all. I think it was all that obsessing that got me in this shape (round, rotund, obese) in the first place...........but I do know that I now wear a size 16 jean and I haven't done that in more than 15 years! Hang in there........this sleeve thing is very interesting and seems to be unique to each individual.

One advantage to slower weight loss......our skin has time to adjust so we don't look so.....deflated? Always a silver lining

My surgeon reminds me that we must eat to lose, told me to forget about counting calories, to eat high protein, low fat, few processed foods, no sugared beverages and just live my life. He was right. All this obsessing is part of how I got to be fat in the first place. Stressing, worrying, counting, pushing, and then the guilt......feel like a failure......and so the circle went. Eat well, live well, love much and laugh often............and have faith this sleeve will do it's job!

Congratulations!!!....ain't this just grand?!?!

I am 3 months post surgery today. I get hungry, about every 4 hours, but that is a good thing for me. Otherwise, I'd forget to eat and that doesn't help anybody! The cool thing is I can eat a small amount, like 4 Chick-fil-et nuggets, and call it a meal. Then I'm good for another 4 hours or so. The other night, the hubby and I had gone out to a local bar, danced our toes off, and were headed home about 1:30am. I was STARVING!! I told him he had to take me to get something, cause there was no way I could go to sleep.....my belly button was chewing on my back bone!!! 1 pinto/cheese from Taco Bell later (well, most of the 4 oz cup) and I was full as a tick on a fat dog and fast asleep.....and the hubby thinks it is great that I'm such a cheap date! LOVE my SLEEVE!

I LOVE Unjury Chocolate Splendor!!!!! I have it every single morning in my coffee - best mocha ever!!! I also enjoy the strawberry sorbet mixed in lemonade - nice and tart lemonade. I was sleeved June 20 2012 and like you had tried the samples from my surgeon's office prior to. After surgery, I've noticed if I mix the protein shakes in milk (as I did prior to surgery) it is too sweet and I don't enjoy it. I also noted that when I omit the 2nd shake of the day (typically the strawberry and lemonade) I have more fluid retention - swelling in my feet and ankles and sometimes fingers. Who knew protein could be so awesome!!!!!

Halloween 2012 will mark my 47th birthday..........and I am loving every minute of it!! It boggles my mind when I hear people be-moaning turning 40. I've got to say the 40s are fantastic. My hubby and I married when we were 19, spent our 20s having our 2 sons and 2 daughter, our 30s were spent chasing after those 4........and now @ the ripe ole age of 47 our youngest is a senior in high school!! It is so marvelous to be old enough to have the money you want to play with and young enough to enjoy the game!!! 40s ROCK!

Today I had my 3 week post op check with the surgeon. He is very happy with his incision site healing. I told him I'd dropped 20 pounds the first 10 days or so, but have stalled since that point......not that I'm complaining.....just wondering what is going on. He questioned what I was eating. My daily intake has been 64(+) oz fluids daily, predominantly Water, 2 powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Protein shakes (to be sure I get @ least 50gm protein daily), 4 oz yogurt (Activia, I am c.o.n.s.t.i.p.a.t.e.d.), and maybe 4 oz apple sauce, fat free refried Beans, or cottage cheese. I've been taking in about 400-500 calories daily. His answer?.........eat more! Increase the carbohydrate intake to stimulate the metabolism as my body has gone into starvation. He actually told me to quit worrying about counting calories and just eat. Of course, that is with the understanding that what I'm going to eat isn't some calorie dense liquid, like milkshakes. I was instructed to stop worrying about having meal times, and just graze.....keep food available and when I'm hungry, just pop a bite in my mouth. Continue the protein intake like I am currently doing and continue the Fluid intake and.........eat. Has anybody else had this advice?.............how did you get past the stall out?

I'm now 8 weeks post surgery. I ordered unjury Protein powder prior to surgery and still love it! I add the chocolate splendor flavor to my morning coffee EVERY morning (can you say Mocha?). I almost feel guilty enjoying something so much that is soooo good for me. I had been drinking a second shake (typically strawberry shake mixed in sugar free lemonade) but had kinda gotten away from it in recent weeks. Funny thing was, I noticed my urinary output had decreased significantly and my ankles/feet were swelling again. No other dietary changes, just quit the second shake. Well, I added it back a couple of days ago and.......surprise!! I'm peeing like a Russian race horse and have ankles again. The shakes account for 40 grams of protein daily and by the time I finish my meals, I average 65-70 grams protein daily. All protein grams are most not the same in quality - that much is certain.

Oh yes, MJ....I most definitely had a cocktail!!!! My beverage of choice has always been Crown Royal with water......nothing exciting or exotic. And on Wednesday of last week.......it was Crown and Ice! and it took a good hour to drink it, which was fine by me. I've always had an unusual tolerance for alcohol, so the effect was minimal - other than it just took the edge off my nerve. Not really sure if it was the alcohol that did that, the setting, the company (I really do like my hubby), or just the fact I sat there, breathing in and out, sipping on my beverage. But if your question regarding effects of alcohol were more tolerance directed....it doesn't hurt my stomach, cause nausea or anything like that. And if your question is more of how does it effect my weight loss, couldn't tell ya cause I quit weighing daily weeks ago. I discovered that was bad for me. Leslie - go for it girl! And, ain't it lovely to cherish all 4 delicious bites of whatever it is that you're eating (cottage cheese and tuna are a favorite of mine)? I don't remember really enjoying eating pre surgery like I do post surgery.

We've been in a fairly stress filled situation the past few months, and recently it has gotten more so. Stress isn't related to my surgery or weight loss........is related to other family issues. Nothing tragic, just stressful. So Wednesday evening, I told my hubby he had to get me outta this house........and being the wonderful charming chap he is......he did. I was just tied in knots and needed to blow off some steam. I don't have any girlfriends that I can share this with, so unfortunately for the hubby, he gets to play that part. In any event, I digress. So, we're riding down the road in his truck, he turns and asks "What do you want to eat?" I replied, "Does it really matter? I'll eat 4 bites and that'll be the end." And, we laughed..........and went for his favorite food......MEXICAN! So, we're sitting in this Mexican cantina, listening to the pitiful "live" music for Wednesday night and it happened......... I found myself wishing I could just stuff myself with food (chips, queso, salsa) and beverage (code word for Dos Rita - Dox Equis beer inverted in top shelf Margarita!) so............(now this was an eye opener for me)........I could FEEL BETTER!!! OMG!!!!! It's been 1 1/2 months since surgery and not once has that thought crossed my mind. Typically, I'm giggling at being the world's cheapest date, but somehow with all this stress, I WANTED to EAT and DRINK. I can't (stuff me with food and drink) and I gotta say it is so good to be saved from myself. But it does leave me wondering....is this part of how I got fat in the first place. I know it is, part of it. I can look back at food journals and see I dove off the wagon in times of great stress, usually self directed hatred at my own short comings.........and then the cycle started up. What to do with this new self discovery? How do I fill the space gluttony used to take in my life? More so, do I fill that space? Maybe the space where gluttony used to live.............is kinda like when I clean out my closet. I clean out what I don't want any more so I have room for all the new, cool, groovy, awesome stuff I want now. Or maybe I just leave it as a reminder that it leads somewhere I just don't want to go..........like those ugly, ugly jackets with the linebacker shoulder pads from the 80s!

Over the weekend, the hubby and I took a little road trip down to Galveston Texas to tour the new Pleasure Pier. If you aren't from our area, let me explain. Galveston has many piers that jut out into the gulf. One had a hotel on it. After Hurricane Ike demolished what was left of the pier and building, the question of what to do with the space came up. So, Galveston put a carnival like space out onto the pier. There are restaurants, a merry go round, roller coaster, log ride etc. as well as all the fun carnival games you remember from childhood. The place just opened this summer and we'd been too busy prior to this past Sunday to go down and look it over. So, we started our afternoon sitting in the bar of the Bubba Gump Shrimp company enjoying some Cajun steamed shrimp, cold Shiner and people watching (my favorite sport). The place was packed, the staff was busy and the people watching was awesome. One customer was getting on the bartender's nerves to the point I was ready to open bets regarding who was gonna win the inevitable brawl (the bartender was a cute little blonde chick, about 100 pounds soaking wet). The brawl was everted by a smart manager who found an open table - far away from the bar- for the obnoxious customer. In any event, I digress. I ended up going to the toilet during our time @ Bubba Gump. Washing my hands afterward, I glanced into the mirror and almost laughed out loud. I was not the biggest chick in the mirror!! No disrespect to the other women in the toilet intended, this blog is after all, all about me and my journey.......but for the first time in a very long time, I was not the biggest chick in the bathroom !!!!. I did contain myself and stifled my laughter (they would have had me hauled out for insanity if I just burst into hysterical laughter after looking in the mirror) but I did giggle all the way down the stairs and back to the bar. Taking my seat on the bar stool by my hubby, he asks what happened in the bathroom.....and I told him. He just shook his head and laughed with me. Again, I am amazed when I think of all the sad, little conditioning that has occurred over my 20+ years of obesity. Until Sunday, I wasn't aware that every time I was in a room, I was scanning to see if I was the fattest chick there........and sad to say, many times I was - the fattest chick in the room. All of the subconscious bull shit I've done to myself over the years continues to simply appall me. And it was so undeserved. I've always said being fat is 1) NOT a character flaw and 2) if that number was my IQ rather than my weight, we'd be excited!!! And I've believed that......but yet, here I was comparing myself to others and beating myself up without even knowing it. Well, the beatings end here!.........let the love-in begin!!!

Yes, today is 1 month out of surgery. And what have I learned? And how much have I lost? What I've learned is.............I don't know how much I've lost and just don't care to watch the scale. I mean, don't get me wrong, it was FUN to watch that scale like a hawk for the first couple of weeks. The pounds literally melted away over night. And then..........I hit the stall.......and got scared. Met with my surgeon 3 weeks post op and was immediately questioning him. He reviewed what I was eating and told me to EAT.......yes, EAT. His words were "quit worrying about calories and just eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full." Of course, he followed with the guidance to eat sensibly, if I consumed milk shakes all day I certainly would stop losing weight and start gaining............ok So I've learned 1) don't be stupid, eat girl! 2) be active, the more I move the more I want to, and 3) give up the old habit. See, the old habit of counting every single bite that went into my mouth and watching the scale like a hawk got me in this situation in the first place. It was a vicious cycle.....eat strictly - not the results I anticipated, back to trash intake - increase in weight, feel like I don't deserve good things so punish myself by either starving or binging on garbage, slap myself back into reality and back on the diet band wagon........and so on and so forth. So I am measuring my success in this journey (at this point) by how my digestive track is functioning (if I eat enough food, I poop w/o problems), how my clothes are fitting, how my face and hair are looking, and how I'm feeling. I'm down a full size in jeans......and the smaller ones fit just right, not to tight, but not saggy bottom either. My bras fit differently. My daughter noticed I have a waist. My hair is not falling out (I must admit, I remain a dedicated consumer of the Unjury protein shakes daily), my skin on my face looks better than it has in years (less puffy) and I am beginning to rediscover my old energy. I like moving. I don't hurt after I walk or do a little weight resistance work.....and I don't hate exercise any more. Not sure when I'll step on a scale again.........and not really stressing about it is an unbelievable release from a life long burden!

Sleeved on June 20 in Houston by Dr. A. Ahmad. After an extra night in the hospital (my bladder REFUSED to wake up post op, so I was cathed every 6 hours or so until I could pee)........and a "superficial" blood clot in my right bicep had me lay around the house for another 5 days............I am now happy to say I'm up to my old tricks and down on the scale by 20 pounds!!! My energy isn't quite back to where it was. I still need a nap about 3 pm but life is goooooood. Last night was a beautiful 4th of July and I celebrated with my husband, daughter-in-law, and 2 daughters by having dinner @ Blackfinn and watching the fireworks from roof top. I've discovered tea (w/o ice) is my friend and soups (low spice, no cheeses) are most reliable to eat when you aren't sure about other items. I am excited and hope the rest of my June buddies are too. If you are having a hard time now, remember tough times don't last............but tough people do!!!!

Thanks for the encouraging words ladies!.........Onward and upward (or rather downward, in our case )