Izuri

Thank you! It really is nice to be able to look back and never forget where you started. It's really an incredible journey.

I know - I love not having a fat face anymore =p

I was really strict with myself the first 2 or 3 months. Hit my protein goal every day. Once I was allowed to work out I was working out almost every day. Lately I've kind of fallen off the wagon as far as that goes, but I've been working on getting back on the protein wagon (I'm starting to have some hair loss so I'm hoping it helps that too). I love isopure zero carb and muscle milk light and drink one or two every day. Even when I don't work out, I walk a ton. My boyfriend and I go places to walk almost every weekend, so I think that's helped. Mostly I just follow my doctor's guidelines and I still have great restriction so it works well. I have a feeling that at four months you'll probably be close to where I am =)

Starting weight: 325 Current weight: 248.8 New Years Goal: 230

I don't really come on the forums as much anymore, but I'd like to keep a record for both myself and those who are looking through posts to find information about surgery. So I'm trying to at least keep my blog updated once in a while. I had my 3 month appointment last month, which went well. According to my labs I am high on Vitamin D, so I'll be stopping my supplements. I am also low on my Vitamin A, which kinda surprised me because I never really considered it would be something I'd be low on, so I am going to be taking a supplement for that for a while. Aside from that I guess everything was good. I haven't actually gotten a copy of my labs yet, I'm waiting for them in the mail, so when I do get them I'll have a better idea of where I'm at. My weight loss has continued steadily. I am down 76.2 pounds now. It's hard to believe really. There are days I feel thinner and there are days that I feel like I'm still the 325 pound person in the mirror. It's trippy to fit into new clothes but not see the difference when you look in the mirror. I am solidly in size 24s and just on the verge of being able to fit into some 22s. I have not been following the diet as well as I should. I know that I have not been getting in enough protein lately, so that's something that I'm actively working on. I also have not been doing workouts, but I have been walking a lot. School has been busy, and I've been going to stay with the guy I am seeing almost every weekend, which means I am almost never home nowadays. I need to make it a priority again. I don't think I get enough in to eat in general. I have not regained any of my hunger, which is a great thing for my weight loss, but it makes me at high risk for being tempted to skip meals when I'm busy. I have been doing better the past week or two, but it's very easy to slip into the "I don't feel like eating" thought process nowadays. It's really kinda strange because I never imagined it was even physically possible for me to turn into one of those people who just didn't really care if they ate. But I don't. I have had my period for almost 4 months straight now. It started a week or two after surgery and I've had maybe one week off of it. It's not heavy like a normal period, it's on and off moderate/light, but it's annoying. My gyno thinks that it's all the hormones and the fact that my pcp told me I could use 2 nuvarings in a row without having a period. She sent me for an ultrasound to make sure there was nothing else that could be causing it and they think I might have a cyst on my right ovary that they're going to take another look at in 4-6 months when I have lost more weight, but that there wasn't anything that would increase my bleeding. I've got my fingers crossed that it will stop any day now. I think it has been one of the hardest parts of the surgery for me. It's physically and mentally taxing to be on your period 24/7. I know this is probably TMI, but I wanted to vent a little! My life has been good. Things are going pretty well with the guy that I've been seeing, which has been great. He loves to share meals with me, which I think is fantastic. School has been crazy. I am doing pretty well though, and I just can't wait for this semester to be over. I am really not cut out to be a pediatric or ob nurse. While I have had a ton of really interesting experiences this semester, I am ready to go back to adult care. I never thought I'd say it, but I kinda miss medsurg (I know I'm gonna be eating those words next semester). Anyway, overall things are great, I love my life, and I'm gonna keep working on keeping myself on track. Can I just say, VSG changed my life in a way I never thought possible. This Thanksgiving it is one of the things I am endlessly thankful for. Thank you modern medicine.

1) Increase your calories a little if you can. There is no point in starving yourself, just take it slow, eat every couple hours, and make sure what you eat is high in protein - Your protein goal is far more important than calories. 2) Accept the stall. It's almost impossible to do while you're in it, but a few weeks out I hit a stall that lasted 3 full weeks. I was nutty at that point worrying that I'd gotten stuck and wouldn't continue losing. I tried EVERYTHING I could think of. Eventually it just broke on its own. I know I am gonna jinx myself typing this so *knock on wood* I have not had a stall since. My weight loss is slowing down a bit now (About 3.5 months out) but I'm still losing a good 2+ pounds a week. 3) Do something fun. All the stress just increases cortisol in your body, which can be a contributing factor to weight gain. I dunno if it really makes a huge difference, but either way - getting out and doing something for you so that you feel good is healthy! You're doing great. Hang in there and the pounds will just randomly start coming off again one day after your body finishes adjusting.

Yay for having fun with intimacy finally! I thought that I was going to feel very insecure and uncomfortable, but I'm not. One of my favorite NSVs =)

It took a good 1-2 weeks til I was even comfortable sleeping on my side. I don't sleep on my stomach a lot, but I would say that the first time I did after surgery was probably about 3 weeks out, and I don't think I really would have been comfortable before that.

Felt like forever. I think they finally fell off/I pulled them off about 3 weeks out.

Surgery day: July 26th, 2012 Starting weight: 325 Current weight: 257 Goal weight: 245

I'm gonna be in class tomorrow, but wanted to update for Halloween since I've already passed my goal. My post on August 25, 2012 was: Starting weight: 325 Surgery Date: July 26th, 2012 Current Weight: 299 Goal Weight by Oct. 31, 2012: 280 But my current weight is now 257! I lost 42 pounds between August 25th and today. Still am not quite into my size 22s, but I feel great! =) I hope everyone did awesome and has a great Halloween!

It has been a while since I have been on here regularly and written on here. I haven't even updated my weight for a few weeks. In the past 3 weeks I have gone from 276.8 to 262.6. So I am still losing well, and steadily. I'm down a total of 62.4 pounds now! Holy moly, I can barely believe it. Even though I know I still have a lot to lose left, I feel like an entirely new person. My life has kind of done a 180. I have energy, I have confidence, I feel like I look good when I wear my clothes. It's incredible. I cannot even list all the ways this surgery has changed my life. I have struggled with depression for the entirety of my adult life, and a lot of my late teens/early adulthood, so the level of difference is like night and day. I have had good times before, yes, but I feel like I've come so far in being where and who I want to be. I still have hard times, I still am a horrible procrastinator, but I feel like whatever the day throws at me, I am more ready for than I have ever been. And....I think I have a boyfriend. He hasn't actually called me his girlfriend, but we did have a casual conversation the other day in which we asked if the other was seeing anyone else, and neither of us are, so I guess that makes us exclusive? He invited me to a get together with his coworkers next weekend, so we will see what he introduces me as, or maybe between now and then we'll chat about it. He's really an awesome guy, and we click really well together. Last night we went to a corn maze and walked around for about two hours - something I probably never would have done pre-surgery. He has said that I motivate him to eat better when he's out eating and whatnot. I thought that was really neat. He doesn't have a lot to lose, maybe 40 pounds or so, but it would be awesome to have him get in shape and feel better too. So I spent the night at his place and the whole day and night were just fabulous. I can add one NSV to my list about having more fun during sex =) Skinnier sex is much more fun. Sometimes I feel like I need someone to pinch me, like is this really real? Is this my life now? How did I get to such a happy place so quickly? Not that I was horribly depressed before, but I certainly was not happy. I cannot say enough how thankful I am for this surgery. I will have to remember to let my surgeon know Thursday at my 3 month appointment that he has been such an instrument for change in my life. I'm sure he gets it a lot as people lose, but it would be nice to let him know that I feel so appreciative for the gift he has given me (Even though I paid for it =p). Anyway, I just wanted to update because I hadn't in a while, and I haven't really kept up on my food logging or searching posts here. I keep trying to get myself back into the habit of it, but it hasn't worked. It will continually be something that I try to work on until I can finally make it a habit. I haven't been eating poorly though, and my weight loss has been great, so I'm not concerned or anything. That being said, I'm procrastinating finishing getting ready for work, so I have to head off. I hope everyone is doing well! Life is good. =D

I have seen a wide variation of posts on this topic, from not having a period at all, to having very heavy periods. I was curious though if anyone has had a similar experience to me. I have been on my period on and off for the entire 3 months since I've had my surgery. At first it seemed like I was just getting it more often, but now it will start at the drop of a hat. I have just started seeing a new guy, and would love for things to progress in that department at a normal rate, but I'm kind of terrified that it will start up, since it does any time my hormones seem to get going. I knew hormones going wacky is normal, but this is really getting stressful. I started the Nuvaring today, which has been prescribed to me for the last couple months, but I'd been afraid to take it. I'm hoping that might have an effect. At this point I am even willing to go through a stall if it puts me on one just so that I can have a few weeks off! I have an appointment with my gynecologist in a few weeks, and I have my 3 month follow up next week so I will ask my surgeon, but I was hoping maybe anyone had a little insight on it or just to know whether anyone else is having this issue.

What is this only word? That's like 6+ pounds per week =p You're doing awesome! When else have you lost 25 pounds in only one month? You should be jumping for joy, you're doing great!

So yesterday I had my very first date post-op. I had met him online and was very nervous =) I had decided to tell him about my VSG before meeting him, so that was thankfully something he already knew about. It went really well, one of the better first dates I've had. I am a pretty shy person, but I tried to open up more. He is very cute and though I figured we'd only spend a couple hours together it turned into like an 8 hour date. We had lunch, walked around shops, played mini-golf, played arcade games, and went to a movie. I think he had a good time too, or at least I assume he did since he kept suggesting that we could keep hanging out after lunch. I'm gonna give it a few days or so and then I think if he hasn't mentioned it maybe I will bring up a second date. After all, I don't wanna make him have to do all the work. I'm reservedly excited though! I actually felt like I looked great. I should have worn a coat that was a little bigger because the zip hoodie I wore was almost there but not quite. So on to my progress: I have now lost 53.4 pounds! It's really pretty incredible to see that number. I haven't seen below 280 in like 4 years and now I'm at 271.6! I can't believe it most days. I still can't see it in the mirror, but I can see it in pictures now!! I need to get back on track with my protein though - I haven't been logging my food lately and I don't want to fall into bad habits. I want to continue to lose and the only way I can make this long term is if I self-correct when I make mistakes or get off track. Plus, I haven't been working out as much. This week my goal is to work out Tues-Sun. I would work out today but I have to head off to work shortly. I am like 15 pounds away from being able to fit into my Threadless t-shirts! I am sooooo excited about that. I collect t-shirts and have like 40+ that I will be able to wear very soon. And pants! I wore my 24s to the date yesterday and I think they looked great. 22s are still pretty far away, but I am gonna be sooooo stoked when I can fit into them! It will be simply incredible. October is usually the worst month of the year for me - Every October I seem to have issues or have a relationship end or whatnot. I dread October usually. And this October is great so far! If you had told me six months ago that I would be happy, down over 50 pounds, possibly about to start seeing a new guy who actually lives in this state, and doing decent in school all in OCTOBER - I never would have believed you! I feel like I should pinch myself to make sure this isn't just a dream. Can I just reiterate that I love my VSG? I know it's not all thanks to my sleeve, but dang, it sure has helped.

Yeah, we did meet online. I really am pretty shy in person, so it gave us a chance to get to know each other a bit ahead of time.

I was scared as heck too. Usually the anesthesiologist comes and asks if you have any questions and that's a good time to tell them you're worried, they are good at handling it. They gave me a sedative as they were wheeling me into the surgery room, so I was much calmer, able to get myself on the table and the second they put the mask on me I either fell asleep or at least got to a point that I don't remember. Woke up in recovery room feeling very foggy, but fine. It's scary but you'll come through on the other side and not remember a thing =)

I don't think a runny nose will postpone your surgery at all. If you were ill with a fever, maybe, but not if it's just a little bit of a cold.

I am a month late, but would like to join! Start weight: 325 Surgery weight: 321 Today: 271.6 January 1, 2013 goal: 240 Workout goal: at least 4 workouts per week Journaling goal: 6+days a week on MFP

You look fabulous! Keep it up =)

Awesome NSV =)

Congrats! You are doing great =)

Woohoo! This is fun, isn't it? =) Keep it up!

Congratulations!!! You are doing awesome, keep up the good work =)