Peace36love

I am a lil behind on posting as I was not to encouraged as this week I gained weight. I have read plenty posts about the dreaded 3 week stall or weight gain but I was convinced I would beat it...Not...
 
But all in all it has been a good week. I started eating soft foods and it was a welcome addition. Eggs with cheese was my first meal. I have made some othe recipes from Emily Bites andTheworldaccordingtoeggface. Most of them have turned out pretty good...I even managed to eat some shrimp and handled it okay considering I did not like shrimp pre-surgery...However at 21g of protein and only 1.5g fat and 4g carbs, it will become a frequent visitor on my menu. Still eating about 2-3 ounces of food before I get full and still adjusting to making sure I chew my food well to avoid that stuck feeling in my chest. My body still has not figured out how to resume regular bowel movements. I could probably lose a few pounds justing taking a good ole dump...lol TMI I know...My heartburn has also become more frequent over the past couple of weeks so I am resolving to taking priolsec or something of that nature with my daily vitamins. I started but stopped but realizing at least for now this is not possible.
 
This week I hung out with my cousin who had lapband surgery in Jan 2012. She has had minimal success with it. I was so amazed at how much she could eat compared to the amount I was able to eat. Now mind you she had 7 months on me but I still thought our eating habits would be the same. I took a high protein, low carb potluck dish over it went over well but all the things she made were so high in carbs or fatty. She also tend to graze which all the reading I have done said this is a way you "eat around" your band or sleeve. I also notice that her pantry was riddled with things I would be afraid to bring in the house because all willpower would be gone...I do not say all this to judge but i do so it to say that even with the surgery we have to still exercise healthy eating habits. The surgery is only a tool and if we do not use the tool properly it is unable to perform as intended. I was careful not to judge her because I did not want to come off as a surgery eating expert after just 4 weeks of diet compliance. It was just an eye opener to be cognizant to not let my old eating habits that led to me being overweight erode the sleeve.
 
On to the good news...I started out my journey a size 18..Well, this week I got into a size 13/14 jeans I had bought about two years ago...A phenomenal feeling that was...so despite having gained two pounds this week, I looked over it as I twirled around in the mirror 4 sizes smaller than I was a month ago...And so many folk are noticing the weight loss and that too is a really good feeling. Something that nags at me is that thought no less than 20 people have told me I lost weight, my ex-boyfriend has not acknowledged my weight loss...I know he is an ex and I should not care...Obviously there was something that put him in the ex category and it wasnt good so I should let go. Easier said then done but that is another story.
 
I also measured today (09/16/12) and was pleasantly surprised at those numbers as well. I first measured on 08/23 so just under a full month
Neck -1 in Thigh -3/4 in Hi Wasit (just below breast) -2 in Natural Waist 2 in Belly Button (Abs) -3 3/4 in Chest 1 1/2 in Hips 2 1/4 in Biceps 1 in Shoulder -2.5 in.....Total Inches Lost 16.75.. :D
 
VSG 08/17/12
HW 232 08/13/12
SW 227
CW 210.4

Greetings to all you out there,
 
Michele here, and I guess I wanted to share some of my personal journey with you all. My heart is somewhat heavy but I am finding joy and excitement in this process just the same.
I have been praying for change, feels like all of my life, but I think I really got clear last year on the change I wanted to see. I was in a relationship with a man who was kind, gentle, quiet, and much older than me. We got along O.K. but I knew in my heart we where not the best for each other. Quite a few things was wrong in our relationship, but one of the main issues was we saw life quite differently. He cares very little about his health, and that's all I care about, my health. Like I said before I prayed for change and it wasn't long before the Universe had the ball rolling, to make a long story short we broke up in December 2011.
In my mind however, I thought we had a chance of reconciliation, not wanting to let go and Let God, I continued to hold on to that hope, and even after I had decied to go through with this life changing procedure, I still wanted to hold on to the old me and my old life and my old way of doing things.
As of August 2012, he has officially started another relationship. At first I was very hurt, as turbulent as things where, he was still my best friend, and I had grown to be very dependent on his emotional support, but now is the time for me to move forward by myself.
I realized it was all in Divine order. It was so fitting that he find someone new one month before my surgery, so we both can break this emotional tie we have to each other, especially me. The weight challenge has been mine, and I think relationship issues, in some form or fashion have played a role in this struggle. I really don't like being by myself, and it took me a while to figure out the difference in being by myself, and being alone *vs* being lonely.
The Universe is now giving me what I want, a change in my life for the better, a fresh start at a healthy lifestyle and an active life. All old must be removed for the new to enter. I wish him only the best, I am forever grateful for the time (6 years) we had together. I send all the Love, Peace and Blessings to him and his new Love, and I am so grateful for the new Love that I am moving forward with ....Me.

Greetings to all you out there,
 
Michele here, and I guess I wanted to share some of my personal journey with you all. My heart is somewhat heavy but I am finding joy and excitement in this process just the same.
I have been praying for change, feels like all of my life, but I think I really got clear last year on the change I wanted to see. I was in a relationship with a man who was kind, gentle, quiet, and much older than me. We got along O.K. but I knew in my heart we where not the best for each other. Quite a few things was wrong in our relationship, but one of the main issues was we saw life quite differently. He cares very little about his health, and that's all I care about, my health. Like I said before I prayed for change and it wasn't long before the Universe had the ball rolling, to make a long story short we broke up in December 2011.
In my mind however, I thought we had a chance of reconciliation, not wanting to let go and Let God, I continued to hold on to that hope, and even after I had decied to go through with this life changing procedure, I still wanted to hold on to the old me and my old life and my old way of doing things.
As of August 2012, he has officially started another relationship. At first I was very hurt, as turbulent as things where, he was still my best friend, and I had grown to be very dependent on his emotional support, but now is the time for me to move forward by myself.
I realized it was all in Divine order. It was so fitting that he find someone new one month before my surgery, so we both can break this emotional tie we have to each other, especially me. The weight challenge has been mine, and I think relationship issues, in some form or fashion have played a role in this struggle. I really don't like being by myself, and it took me a while to figure out the difference in being by myself, and being alone *vs* being lonely.
The Universe is now giving me what I want, a change in my life for the better, a fresh start at a healthy lifestyle and an active life. All old must be removed for the new to enter. I wish him only the best, I am forever grateful for the time (6 years) we had together. I send all the Love, Peace and Blessings to him and his new Love, and I am so grateful for the new Love that I am moving forward with ....Me.

Greetings to all you out there,
 
Michele here, and I guess I wanted to share some of my personal journey with you all. My heart is somewhat heavy but I am finding joy and excitement in this process just the same.
I have been praying for change, feels like all of my life, but I think I really got clear last year on the change I wanted to see. I was in a relationship with a man who was kind, gentle, quiet, and much older than me. We got along O.K. but I knew in my heart we where not the best for each other. Quite a few things was wrong in our relationship, but one of the main issues was we saw life quite differently. He cares very little about his health, and that's all I care about, my health. Like I said before I prayed for change and it wasn't long before the Universe had the ball rolling, to make a long story short we broke up in December 2011.
In my mind however, I thought we had a chance of reconciliation, not wanting to let go and Let God, I continued to hold on to that hope, and even after I had decied to go through with this life changing procedure, I still wanted to hold on to the old me and my old life and my old way of doing things.
As of August 2012, he has officially started another relationship. At first I was very hurt, as turbulent as things where, he was still my best friend, and I had grown to be very dependent on his emotional support, but now is the time for me to move forward by myself.
I realized it was all in Divine order. It was so fitting that he find someone new one month before my surgery, so we both can break this emotional tie we have to each other, especially me. The weight challenge has been mine, and I think relationship issues, in some form or fashion have played a role in this struggle. I really don't like being by myself, and it took me a while to figure out the difference in being by myself, and being alone *vs* being lonely.
The Universe is now giving me what I want, a change in my life for the better, a fresh start at a healthy lifestyle and an active life. All old must be removed for the new to enter. I wish him only the best, I am forever grateful for the time (6 years) we had together. I send all the Love, Peace and Blessings to him and his new Love, and I am so grateful for the new Love that I am moving forward with ....Me.

"Perhaps you and Larry will join us for the consumption of mass quantities this weekend... will we ignite our new flame pit and char some mammal flesh for you..".
 
Beldar Conehead
 
It's nearly 7 months now since sleeving. I've lost over 100 pounds since embarking on this war on superfluous body composition.
At first I mourned the loss of hours of mindless consumption.
Nothing to do while watching TV but watch TV.
No building the egos of the cooks in the family by gorging on mounds of their culinary belly-whompers.
No more hazy stupor of gluttony's aftermath.
 
But then the fruit of restraint began to manifest.
Clothing became flattering.
Energy arrived with a vengeance.
Health developed rosy cheeks.
My body seemed to be thanking my brain for stopping the tailspin that it was in.
 
I began to look around, in restaurants and at home. My 10 bites were long over before the others were just getting started leaving me with nothing to do but watch. Knowing what I have demonstrated to myself, that a body just doesn't need that much food, I started to be revolted at the sight of mass consumption.
 
And now, far from envying the volume vaulters, I struggle to not be disgusted. Some of these people are my loved ones who are having weight battles of their own.
 
Perhaps I will reach a place of peace about the matter. As for now, I will just look away and in my mind find a happy place of little plates and tiny portions.

Hi, Everybody, My name is Michele. I am a 43 year old Nurse, living in Athens Ga, and I am waiting with baited breath for my soon to be Surgery on 9/11/12. Just a little info on me and my journey. I have been fat all of my life and like many, if not all of you, been on every diet known to man. I have struggled with my weight all my life and now, like everyone on this forum, have found a way or a tool to let go of the struggle and live a healthy and vibrant life. I have dreamed of the day when I could bend and move my body with freedom and flexibility. And now I can actual see myself thin. I am so excited. I am also very grateful to find a web site to share my experiences and meet others who have or will soon go through the process.
I am going to Northeast Ga Medical Center for the Surgery, Dr. Peter Henderson to preform the surgery.
I'm looking for friends who share this process, please do not hesitate to send me a message. Much Love to You All..Michele

Hi, Everybody, My name is Michele. I am a 43 year old Nurse, living in Athens Ga, and I am waiting with baited breath for my soon to be Surgery on 9/11/12. Just a little info on me and my journey. I have been fat all of my life and like many, if not all of you, been on every diet known to man. I have struggled with my weight all my life and now, like everyone on this forum, have found a way or a tool to let go of the struggle and live a healthy and vibrant life. I have dreamed of the day when I could bend and move my body with freedom and flexibility. And now I can actual see myself thin. I am so excited. I am also very grateful to find a web site to share my experiences and meet others who have or will soon go through the process.
I am going to Northeast Ga Medical Center for the Surgery, Dr. Peter Henderson to preform the surgery.
I'm looking for friends who share this process, please do not hesitate to send me a message. Much Love to You All..Michele