jbgirl5856

Hey Everyone! I almost forgot to make a "five months out" post! I figured out how to put pictures side by side on my computer and it wasn't until I looked at the pictures side by side that I thought WOW. I barely recognize the person in the pictures five months ago. My life has been given back to me. I just turned 23 a couple of weeks ago and am very happy with where I am in life. I started my full-time internship for occupational therapy the day after my birthday and I feel like I have way more confidence than I had in my previous internships. I feel healthy and energized when I go to work. I really think getting this surgery was the best decision I could have made for myself. My weight loss is slowing down, but I am still losing a couple pounds here and there. I would love to get to 130, but I am happy with where I am now too Time will tell! I hope everyone else is loving their sleeve as much as I am Wishing everyone well! Date of Surgery: August 22, 2012 Height: 5'3 Starting Weight: 231 Current Weight: 148 Down 83 pounds total today!

love your dress! congrats on the 45 pounds - that's great

Welcome to the forum! I just turned 23 and am 5 months out. I'm really happy with my sleeve and have enjoyed using this forum as an added tool! Good luck to you!

Good luck to you! I was close to your weight when I started. I'm 5 months out now - best decision I could have made!

haha gotta love that collar bone! congrats I was super excited when I went to an interview and was able to comfortably cross my legs...it's the little things

I had my surgery on August 22nd, so I am a little over 4 months post op. This summer at 5'3 my consultation weight in July was 231 lbs and I am now 155 lbs - putting me down 76 pounds! YAY! I try to post monthly and this time when I was coming up with a picture to post I was just looking at pictures of my boyfriend and I from the summer. I think about how I felt this summer in pictures (insecure and uncomfortable) and how I feel now (confident and energetic) and I'm just very grateful. I've really appreciated his support throughout this process and looking at the pictures just made me feel grateful that I've had such a great support system, not just in him but in my entire family and my friends. I feel like it has helped me immensely. This surgery has just showed me that I really am lucky to have such great people in my life! I hope everyone had a great holiday! I always enjoy seeing people's pictures, so I will post some below! Picture 1: Sister's graduation party in July Picture 2: Friend's wedding in July Picture 3: Christmas Eve Party Picture 4: Christmas Morning! (No way would I have ever let him pick me up like that over the summer lol!) Picture 5: Christmas Day

If you want to check out my 4 month post, I write about what I eat and what I do for exercise in the comments I'll put the link below! I hope that helps. Feel free to ask whatever else isn't answered in there. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/63217-4-months-post-op-with-pictures/page__st__20 Thanks everyone for the supportive comments!! I really appreciate it

Thanks for the supportive comments everyone Here is an updated post for 5 months if anyone was interested http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/67697-beforeafter-pictures-5-months-out/

Hi there! Sorry it took me a bit to respond - haven't been on the site in a couple weeks. I started exercising a lot in the beginning, trying to get in the habit of it. About 5 days a week. I started my internship full time and I am currently exercising about 3 days a week, but I am on my feet all day at my internship (I'm a little over 5 months out now). As far as my weight history...this is kinda a rough estimate. Starting: 231 1 month: 190-200 (I can't exactly remember) 2 months: 176 3 months: 166 4 months: 155 Currently: 148 It varied as to how it came off. Obviously you lose the most in the first couple months. My weight loss has slowed down, but I am still losing and see changes in my measurements and how my body looks and feels. I also got stuck at like 200, 190, 180, etc haha it was weird but I swear it happened. Don't stress about the scale though - just keep doing the right things and the results come! Taking measurements helped a lot to motivate me. Hope that helps. Good luck to you

Haha not to my knowledge!!

Wow! Thanks so much for all the responses! Everyone is very kind I'll try to answer some of the questions... What do I eat on a usual day? I have a very hard time eating any bread, rice, Pasta - I basically don't eat that (which I'm sure helps with the weight loss0 Sometimes I miss it, but then i put on a smaller pair of jeans and all is great in the world again For Breakfast I usually have an egg with a piece of cheese and some kind of meat OR oatmeal and fruit For Snacks, I go for string cheese, hummus and veggies, yogurt, fruit, anything up that alley For lunch, I try to get my Protein in through having some kind of chicken dish - whether it be some kind of chicken stir fry or I'll get those lean cuisines or healthy choices and just not eat the rice, noodles, whatever and just eat the chicken and veggies For dinner, I pretty much have whatever - I make normal, healthy meals - just way, way smaller amounts Honestly, I don't feel like I'm on a diet. I track some days but not all. Basically i just try to put good, nutritious food in my body. If I eat like crap, I feel like crap. if I'm really craving something, I'll serve myself a small portion. I plate all my food and sit down to eat. Oh and when I feel hungry, I always check to make sure it's not just thirst! I can't tell you how many times my body thinks it's hungry but really I just need to drink some Water. DRINKING WATER IS SOOOOOO IMPORTANT!!!! As for the Protein shakes, I had them a lot in the beginning but not so much now. I probably have like 3-4 a week. I do make sure I get in a lot of protein through other foods though. Do I exercise? Oooo yeah! This is something I highly recommend. I don't have lose skin and I feel that my weight loss looks very natural. I started exercising a couple weeks before surgery and was walking on a treadmill right afterI had the surgery. I've grown to like running quite a bit (started that about 3 weeks post op) and I always do strength and core training. Nothing super fancy - I basically just get my butt to the gym and enjoy my time there. It's awful the first two weeks - I could barely run a half mile at 3.5 miles an hour and now I can pretty easily do two miles at a higher pace. What has helped me the most? Being honest with myself. Why did I get to the point I did? What are my triggers? You know to do some self discovery before having this. This is not something you just do to get skinny. If you don't just the fundamental problem, I feel the weight will just come back. I'm a much happier person. I went from a very anxious person to a person who just enjoys life. I feel NORMAL and it's a beautiful thing Also, surround yourself with people who SUPPORT you. I have been lucky to have wonderful parents, sisters, friends, boyfriend, etc to help me through this process. What has my experience been? I've honestly had the best experience. I'm 22 and did not have cormobidities - but I did have a BMI over 40. I loved my surgeon and the facility I had it at (Dr. Zeni at St. Mary's Hospital in Livonia, MI). The pre-op diet was so hard for me, but I stuck to it - didn't cheat once and felt so proud of myself. Anyone who is pre-op, that's my advice. DON"T CHEAT ON PRE-OP!! I did not have any complications. I followed my doctor's orders. My quote that I've posted several times on here is "Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret." It sums my feelings through this process. Every choice you make matters. Don't overwhelm yourself with huge goals. Just start by saying "Hey, I'm going to make a healthy choice for breakfast today" or "I'm going to the gym today." Slowly these choices become habits. Thanks so much for the responses. Feel free to message or ask any other questions. This forum has helped me a lot. Good luck everyone!

Congrats! You're looking great - and I like the yellow top!

I'm almost four months post op. I have thin hair and was worried about hair loss. I've been using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner since I had the surgery and have had no hair loss. Getting in protein helps too!

So I'm about 3 months post-op On Thursday, I had my 3 month appointment and my doctor was excited about my progress! I've truthfully been so lucky with this surgery and have not had any complications. I have no regrets and really feel like this surgery has changed my life! Time to conquer the holidays! Surgery date: 8/22/12 Starting weight: 231 Current weight: 165 Height: 5'3 Age: 22 The first two pictures are before pictures and the other four are from these past 2 weeks.

Thank you! Congrats on being 5 days post op. I do work out a lot. 4-5x a week and I do a variety of things. I do a 30 minute circuit, core strengthening exercises, and cardio. I started working out right away!

That's so great! Congrats to you You must feel so proud and happy!

I agree with everyone else! Look - you're not a failure. This surgery is hard!! The pre-op diet was the absolute hardest part for me and it makes you begin to think that you can't do this surgery and that this surgery won't work for you. Don't feel that way. Remember what your ultimate goal is. It sounds like you feel very guilty right now and guilt is a horrible feeling to have! When you have the urge to cheat again, think about that guilt and think about the pride you can have instead. This will work for you and you will do great. Just get back on track! You can do it!!! My favorite quote that got me through those days was "Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret." Good luck to you!

I loved reading your post! It's so inspiring to see someone still motivated at 2 years post. You sound so at peace with yourself and I think everyone deserves to feel that way. Enjoy the holiday season in your cute Christmas t-shirt !!

Good things are going to come your way!! Congrats on getting the surgery done and you will be up and playing with your kids happier and more confident than ever very soon!

You look very happy! Congrats

Hi Everyone! So this morning I ran my first 5k! The turkey trot at my university I was so proud of myself for running it. I definitely almost bailed on it last night...luckily I have friends that wouldn't let that happen! When I crossed the finish line I just thought about the week before surgery when I went to the gym, got on the treadmill, and was unable to go more than 1/4 of a mile without wheezing and feeling like I was dying! lol Working out has become a part of my daily routine and it is by far my favorite part of the surgery. I used to not believe people when they said they loved working out. I was convinced they were lying and I kind of hated them for it!! It's very petty, but when you're overweight and miserable you tend to knock down other people for being healthy. The quote "Insecurity is an ugly thing. It makes you hate people you don't even know" was very true in my pre-sleeve life. As a 22 year old girl in college, I had a bitterness inside me that affected my personality! I would get annoyed at my friends who went shopping, got ready for the night, worked out, etc. I was simply jealous. I feel like a much happier person. I am wayyyyy less anxious and feel laid back, healthy, and strong! I no longer feel constant guilt about my decisions I make on a daily basis. Whenever I don't want to get up and work out, I just think to myself - Will I feel proud of sleeping in 2 more hours or Will i feel proud for getting up and working out? What decision will make me happiest in the long run? I have to consistently remind myself of this to stay motivated. I work out 4-5 days a week for about an hour and a half. I had some people ask what my workout routine was in my last post so I posted a general outline at the end of this post. I also will post a couple of unflattering before pictures and some current pictures from the 5k and this past weekend. The biggest advice I have is to not be intimidated of working out. I am not great at working out. The first couple weeks of working out were absolutely miserable. I could not run 1/2 a mile and I threw up half way through the 30 minute circuit every time. I also had zero core strength! I have a friend that I go to the gym with and I just had to get over feeling embarrassed in front of her. I now feel comfortable going to the gym and it is something I enjoy - I just had to get over those first couple of weeks! What do you guys do for a workout routine? I have lots of room for improvement! Good luck to all of you and I hope everyone is enjoying getting ready for the holiday season! I busted out the Christmas decorations last night I apologize for the lengthiness of my posts - I'm a talkative girl Jordyn General Workout Routine -Stretch -5 minute cardio warmup (eliptical, treadmill, bike) -30 Minute Circuit (12 reps on the chest press, pull down, row, shoulder press, biceps curl, triceps extension, leg press, leg extension, leg curl, ab machine and step exercises for 1 minute in between - 20 stations total) -30 Minute Core Strengthening (I switch these up a lot....these were so hard at first but I can see the difference in my stomach!) -20 Minute Arms or Legs (I pick one or the other - consist of squats, leg lifts, or free weight arm exercises) -15-30 Minute Cardio -Cool Down and Stretch Stats Age: 22 Height: 5'3 Date of Surgery: August 22nd, 2012 Starting Weight: 231 Current Weight: 169 Total loss: 62 pounds Goal Weight: 130 Pictures: 1) Before Side Shot 2) Before Front Shot 3) Doing the corn maze with my boyfriend's family 4) About to go to school! 5) HAD TO POST THIS - I have always thought that pea coats are so cute and could never get them to fit me - soooo happy that they now do lol 6) Night out with friends 7) My bridesmaids dress for my friend's wedding in March - still a little snug but a big improvement from what it looked like before! 8) Finished with the 5k!!

Hey Everyone, I am a 22 yr old college student and was sleeved on August 22nd. I am a little over 2 months post op right now. I am loving my sleeve! I had a great recovery right from the start and am down 55 pounds right now. My starting weight was 231 and I am currently at 176. I can pretty much tolerate any kinds of foods - but just very, very small portions of food! The first picture is me at my consultation appointment on July 19th and the other one is a wedding from the summer. The next one is from this past weekend at a bridal shower. I have had stalls, but haven't freaked out about them. I lost 12 pounds my first week and then nothing for 3 more weeks. It kinda sucked but then it all started dropping!! I work out 4-5 times a week with friends - cardio, weights, circuits, etc. I just keep doing what I am supposed to knowing that it has to eventually come off! My doctor's goal for me is 130 which I can't even fathom. We will see!!! I'm feeling way more confident and am so glad that getting dressed is no longer such a depressing activity. I have more energy and just feel happy. I hope everyone else is doing great. Hang in there new sleevers!

You're welcome. Hang in there and just be prepared for it not to be easy. Five days after surgery I started crying for no reason at all. I literally mourned food and it sounds ridiculous, but food really had a hold on me. I ate when I was happy, sad, stressed, bored, angry, etc. I notice that I am more emotional than I was before surgery - you just kinda feel what you are feeling instead of coping with it with food. Fight through the hard days and the good days will be worth. Totally know what you're saying about the clothes. I have three beautiful younger sisters and it really sucked when we would all go shopping and nothing looked good on or even fit. I couldn't help but smile this weekend when I came home from school and me and my sisters all got ready in the bathroom and I felt normal again! Good luck to you