altagirl

You loog amazing - congratulations on your success and new life!

I had surgery on 9/10 and I thought I had avoided the dreaded hair loss. About 2 weeks ago my hair really started falling out. Today I am going to just get my hair shaped because it looks so bad. I actually lost all of my hair about 10 years ago from acute stress so I know that I will be ok if it all falls out - it does grow back! When my hair fell out before it happened in a matter of 10 days and I was completely bald. I can tell that it is causing alot of distress for you - but do know that it will get better. Maybe it is time to go wig shopping?

Congratulations - you look great! How tall are you? My goal is also 120lbs even though everyone thinks that is too thin - but I am only 5'3". I had surgery on 9/10/12 - did your weight loss slow down at some point or were you a consistent loser throughout. I am averaging 2.5 lbs per week and wondering if/when it is going to slow.

I am at my parents house for Christmas break - no scale so I don't know if I have made my goal or not. I won't know until I get back home on Friday January 4th....fingers crossed!

When are you having surgery? I have been so happy with my results - I did some after Christmas shopping yesterday and am in a size 6/8 at Ann Taylor and my shoe size has gone down from an 8 to a 71/2..... I was in a size 16 just a few months ago......I was amazed, but it sure is expensive! I will post before/after pictures soon. Good luck with everything and keep us posted.

I work in healthcare as well - When I am in a pinch I just get a small soup from the cafeteria. It is a quick, easy and generally healthy choice. I did not eat at fast food places before I had the surgery and don't now - but a friend of mine swears by the Wendy's chili and she is one of those naturally thin people! I would like to try Chipotle because I have heard it is yummy.

I had surgery with Dr Ortiz and I would never describe him or anyone I dealt with in his office as deceptive. One of the things I did like is I never felt pressure to schedule right away or buy the Vitamins they sold, etc - which I cannot say for other surgeons I contacted when doing my research. I believe this was a simple mistake. I was very pleased with the care I received and with Dr. Ortiz and Martinez. I have no regrets about having the sleeve. Good luck.

I had this surgery to avoid the health issues I could see coming my way. I am very happy with my decision to have the sleeve. My recovery was very easy -

I had surgery on 9/10 and was 182 lbs. Today I am 144 lbs. That is about 2,5 lbs per week. Because I know that the weight loss will slow down - I am hoping to get to goal by the end of March. I am 5'3 and have an apple shape.

To be honest I didn't really get on the scale until about 6 weeks after surgery.Many people gain weight just after surgery so not to worry. I think the speed and amount of weight loss is highly dependent on the individual so it is really not worth comparing. Follow the plan and the weight will come off, I promise. Good luck and stay focused!

OK I am 144 today - I am so excited. I really hope I make my goal!

My thoughts are with you - I am so glad you have a friend there to help you out. I went to MX for surgery and I think I would not have handled this as well as you are. Keep us posted and I am sorry that you are missing Christmas with your family. I am worried about you and will keep you in my prayers to get better very soon.

Don't get discouraged. Maybe this is your MD's way of trying to motivate you? Personally, this would have a negative effect for me because I would feel too pressured and probably not try. My advice is do your best and instead of trying to meet the number goal focus more on practicing new habits (eating right and exercising).

I felt the same way - To be honest I still have these days 3 months out. Just tonight I ate too quickly and felt that pressure in my chest. I am much better dealing with it now than I was when I was at your stage. In fact I remember many times crying from frustration early on - saying the exact same thing - "I just want to be able to be normal and eat normal food!" I am not much help but I promise it does get better.

I don't think you have ruined everything - and not everyone loses their weight in the first year. I know how stressful school can be - When I was in school I often found myself snacking/grazing not because I was hungry but because I was tired. It was also my way to alleviate stress. If you are working and going to school and have other things going on it can be easy to slip into old habits. Just refocus and move on. It is what it is - you can get back on track. Good luck

I am in - I will admit, exercising is my biggest issue. By St Patrick's day I would like to be walking for 45 minutes at least 4 times a week. Right now I have only made changes in my daily habits and I have really stuck to them - I take the stairs at work. At first I used the "one flight rule" - that means as long as it was only one flight I would use the stairs, now (3 months post op), I almost always just take stairs. Before surgery I was out of breath doing one flight - now it takes at least 3 flights for me to get winded, but I am doing it. Other than this - I have gotten in the habit of getting up from my desk at least once an hour to walk around. I will keep you all posted on my progress.

UPDATE I weighed this morning - 145! I am so excited! I still don't know if I am going to make my goal of 142 by Christmas but I think I will come very close. Good Wishes to everyone to make their Christmas goal!

I know you posted this a while ago, but wanted to let you know you look great - congratulations!

umm.... HOTTY TODDY GOSH ALMIGHTY... Who in the he$$ are you?!?! Is what they will say - You won't be recognized at the next tailgate.....YOU LOOK AMAZING!! Keep updating - you are inspiring. (PS - I noticed all of your decorations in your pics in case you were wondering where the reference comes from!)

In 2014 pre-exisitng conditions will essentially be a thing of the past, thanks to Obamacare. Not only can insurance companies not deny coverage - they also will be prohibited from charging more (increasing premiums) for people with PEC. In addition - I am surprised that you had trouble with new insurance. In my state, if you do not have a gap in coverage (eg buying Cobra for that gap) then you are not required to have a wait period for pre-existing conditions and use PEC for exclusions or increased rates.. Also, the gap in coverage is 3 months, so you would have to be without insurance for 3 months for the PEC qualifier to kick in. This saved me three years ago when I changed jobs - I was without coverage for about a month and nothing was pre-existing (as long as your previous insurance coverage was in place for 6 months or more). When your insurance runs out in March - will you be self covered or are you anticipating insurance through employer? This will make a difference. I had my surgery in MX and it was the best decision for me. I understand the stress related to future insurance coverage but realize that you will likely be healthier. Again, just hold tight until 2014 when your previous WLS won't be held against you .............and hope that Obamacare changes don't get overturned!!

I think in the beginning some people have mashed potatoes because they are bland & go down easily. For me, I didn't worry about protein for a while - I was mainly concerned with staying hydrated & having enough calories to avoid lightheadedness! Personally I am not a mashed potato fan but I can see how they are great for that mushy stage- as for ongoing post-sleeve diet I don't think mashed potatoes are the best.

Sorry I missed the pics- but congratulations on your progress! And it is HIPAA....drives me crazy when I am at work and someone (even in official documents) doesn't get it right.

I am feeling very frustrated - I have been going between 151 and 149 for the past 2 weeks. I am thinking I might have to readjust my goal for Christmas.

You should also check the hospital policy. At the hospital where I work kids under 14 are not allowed to visit in most cases. You really won't be up for visitors and like someone else mentioned kids really are not preparted to see a parent in pain. Maybe your sister (or family friend) can stay with kids at home and your wife can go with you to hospital - it could be much more fun for the kids.

I had a low bmi to start with. I needed to lose 60 lbs. I decided on surgery mainly based on watching my mother & all of her health complications at age 70. I was "pre-diabetic" bur no other health issues. I had surgery on 9/10 and it was the best decision (I am 41). My start weight was 182 on day of surgery & I am 151 today. I would like to lose about 30 more pounds. I expect it will take until June/ July to get to goal.