LilMissDiva Irene

That is awesome, love it!!! Good luck to you!

Helloooo my BEAUTIFUL FRIEND!!! Thanks for sharing!! I love to see your awesome smile, and your LBD! Whoohooo!!

Wow great loss!! Feels good don't it.

I saw this on a commercial just last night and thought I'd share... Citracal Gummies. Wish I'd known about these a long time ago! I don't need them now but would've come in real handy just post-op. >>>CLICK HERE<<<

I do the "pinch test". I bought a body fat Caliper right off ebay for less than 7 bucks, then looked up on the 'net on how to properly perform the test. There are also many websites that will calculate everything for you by inputting what your Caliper says. I've also paid to use the Bod Pod which you will also find on the internet. They are usually found in Universities or at Health Centers. The closest one to me about an hour away at a Golds Gym. PS, Change in Lifestyle for ME means finally realizing there is never an end in sight. I will forever have to workout and maintain a healthy eating regimen. Until I die.

***FOR SOME REASON I CAN'T EDIT MY ORIGINAL POST*** So I am replacing my re-edits here: Sorry! I get lots of questions regarding how to get back on track. This journey is tough, and one thing I've learned is that I'm not perfect - but if I'm going to move past that I have to figure out how to forgive myself. For me, the main factor in my obesity was my inability to overcome this. So I would give up and gain all my weight back, and even more. I cannot do this to myself!!! I have to pick myself back up and keep it moving. I didn't go through 2 torturous painful weight loss surgeries to just keep giving up. Heck no!!! So, along my Sleeve Journey, when I noticed I wasn't doing well and needed to get back on track this is what I did: The BASICS BOOTCAMP: For 5 STRICT DAYS I will eat only... Proteins: Seafoods, Poultry and eggs, Dairies, nuts/seeds including Peanut Butter. Veggies: Green only. Fruits: None. Breads/Cereals/Other Carbs: None. Fluids: One gallon of water (128 oz. - or 80-100oz if that's too much. It won't hurt you!) Protein drinks (RTD or Powder) Gatorade or Propel.. Full Version to replenish your electrolytes (Calcium/Potassium/Sodium/Magnesium) and you Sugars. Avoid: Sugar and Sodium Once the 5 days are over, I am pretty much over the Sugar Carb Demon. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate carbs! I do need them to live a healthy life and since I workout a lot it is important I have them. However, I need GOOD carbs. Whole grains, fruits, veggies... But I don't need processed sugars. White carbs, in cereals, breads, rice... etc. Lots will do the 5 day pouch test. http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ Great! To each their own. I personally do not do this. My first reason is because I don't have a pouch. I have a sleeve. The second reason is because for me, this has proven nothing but torture for me. I don't feel like I should have to do that. My personal program works just as good without that side effect. The only reasons I've ever done liquids only is simply from being threatened with my life (post op) or if I'm just feeling sick and to let my Sleevie rest. That's it. Good luck everyone! This journey is tough, but nothing worth doing is ever easy. Xoxo

I usually have some real Gatorade around to replenish my electrolytes (Calcium, Sodium, Potassium) and sugars during the day. Other than that I pretty much just buy all fresh meat to cook at home, baking and tons of green type veggies. It's only a few days...

Hi Vicki! I'm a revision too from band to sleeve. Best! Thing! Ever! If you're anything like me you will be head over heels for it. I didn't go the same route as you, so I don't have any advice as far as timelines, just wanted to extend my warm embrace to ya. *hugs*

Wow that sounds scary! I've had similar situations several times with other surgeries so I definitely know how that feels. I'm glad you are ok however. Congrats on your new sleeve!! May you lose to your goal safely and with much health!!

Before I could swallow whole pills I was using Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenges. Now I just bought a two pack bottle from Costco for dirt cheap! Comparable to Citracal. One pill 2x per day should work, maybe 3 sometimes if I'm getting those darn leg cramps.

Using less pain medications, and moving the muscles around the area of the incision while healing will flare them up and make the pain/soreness more noticeable. I'm sure you're just fine, just keep a good eye on it. If you notice it getting really bad, or look out for any fevers - other than that it's pretty normal. Congrats on your new sleeve!!!

Holly, The quickest way for me to want to prove to someone I can do something is when someone tells me I CAN'T. Let me explain. Two years ago I was scheduled to have 2 knee surgeries. The reason was because I was extremely overweight and I loved to walk. Just like you. I was told I couldn't walk anymore because I'd completely abused my knees to the point of causing arthritis, to try other things... and I myself was only about 36 years old. So here's what I did instead. 1. I cancelled my knee surgeries. 2. I scheduled myself to have my Lap Band removed and replace it with a VSG. 3. I let myself recover slowly but surely. 4. I did other workouts to help me continue to lose more weight. 5. Once I got to a certain weight, I started walking again. 6. I continued to lose, and I continued to walk. 7. I signed up for my first 5K running event. 8. I ran that 5K, from start to finish. Today I have ZERO knee pain, and I didn't even ever need to reschedule my knee surgeries. Do NOT lose hope in that you will never run a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, or a Marathon. NEVER IS NOT IN YOUR VOCABULARY. Now, dust yourself off and keep doing what I know you can do, and that is keep working to be a better, more fit and healthy you.

Yayyy!!! Sounds like you're doing great. Enjoy your egg! It was my first real semi-solid food, and seriously I've been hooked ever since. I pretty much eat them daily (about 4 real eggs per week, rest egg beaters).

I could NOT agree more!!! And I'm going to pin this up for all to see.

That's great on your first 5K!!! Just an alternate point of view... for myself I really had to learn to get out of the "Eating out to celebrate" mentality. It was just an excuse to eat things I shouldn't otherwise, especially during weight loss mode. I'm not saying we never go out to eat because we do, it's not meant in the reward capacity. Perhaps you can celebrate without it being revolving around food? Perhaps you two can spend the night in a lovely Hotel or maybe go to a spa together? All the best either way!

LOL!!! This guy is full of comedy! I do my workouts on my own every single day, 6 days per week. I workout hard too, to the point I almost want to throw up sometimes. I am able to push my body to the limits, and I don't need no one else to get me there. Let alone some crazy man telling me lies and trying to charge me a mortgage payment to do it. Yikes. Run away fast!! I agree with Rootman, try it on your own, you and your Husband. I think you two can work together to train. If you have to watch some DVD's and pick up on how the trainer talks to you, motivates you... then try that on each other at the gym.

Aww darn! Well, I gues I SOL. I have a 36f oversewn to more like a 32f.

Happy Surgery Day!!!

I dealt with not seeing the new and true me for a long time. Then I started making side by side photos of me, like the one you see in my signature line. I can't say how much this helps to train my brain that I am no longer that fat girl. I don't even see her in the mirror anymore. I think the only last thing I need to get over is realizing that I CAN fit into some tiny clothes. I mostly always think it won't fit and it does. That will come with more time I guess.

Absolutely nothing wrong with mixing supplements with solid meals in the first stages. I did this for the first 4 months post op, and I'm super healthy AND at goal. You're quite lucky you have found something you completely enjoy... so do that - enjoy it! Blessings.