Staci

This past week has been filled with so many NSV's that I have to share... 1) my 16 year old outgrew a pair of his 30X34 jeans- they fit me!!!!! 2) I recently started a new job & still haven't got acquainted with everyone- I overheard someone describe me as "the tall SKINNY girl with blondish hair"!!!! 3) I went to North Face & bought size 8 khakis!! (I thought size 8 jeans I have were a fluke!!) 4) I ran into someone who hasn't seen me in a few months & she didn't recognize me!!!! 5) I never ever saw a resemblence between my children & me until reently- I found that we have the same facial features/bone structure, mine was just hiding!!! 6) Oh yeah- I've caught men lookin'!!!! 7) My shoes are too big!! 8) I made an appointment with plastics, for a few minor enhancements!!! 9) I walked by a mirror the other day & thought "she's got on the same shirt as me", only to realize "IT IS ME"!!!! 10) I posted all of my old clothes for sale on a classified site, I'll NEVER need them again!!!!!! Hope all of my fellow-sleevers enjoy the little NSVs as much as I do!!!!!

Just want to check in with all the March Sleevers!! We're now entering our 8th month and the start of the holiday season (and holiday carb temptation). Hope everyone is enjoying their sleeve success as much as I am!!! I'd love to hear updates!!!

I'm so glad this topic is on here!! The first 2 weeks after surgery I was in a HUGE funk. I likened what I was feeling to the hurt that I felt when my father passed away. I was angry at myself for "mutilating" (oh yeah- I said it) my body. Food was my best friend for 35 years and we went through a nasty break-up. During the time I was only allowed liquids but still had to prepare meals for my family, which caused more tears to fall. Once the JP drain was removed and I moved along to more palpatable foods I started thinking that this may not be so bad after all. Once that first month was over and I found some sort of normalcy in the day-to-day I was back to my happy-go-lucky self!! Thankfully for me, I have no ovaries to blame for my depressed state, I was mourning the loss of my BFF- FOOD!!! Now I'm 61/2 months out, almost 100# down, at my doctor's suggested goal weight, and wearing a size 8, and eating a healthy diet. I think that 1st month freak-out was a small price to pay for feeling & looking healthier!! Oh sure, the tears still roll from time to time. Now its always when I'm in a dressing room and the pants I took in are too big & I need to go down a size!! Good luck to everyone who will be going, is going, or has gone through the 1st month meltdown!!! It really is the hardest part of the process!!

Your body is getting smaller & your smile is getting bigger!! isn't somethin' how that works?!

I watch my fam eat & I think "what gluttons". Memorial Day cookout I managed to eat 1/2 a grilled burger patty and slice of tomato while they scarfed down burgers & dogs One thing for certain- I'm cooking healthier and more often!! I skipped lunch out with the girls today- I'd rather eat my cottage cheese than waste $ on a less healthy alternative. I'm glad other sleevers "get it"!!!

Sometimes I get discouraged- I've lost 44# in 10 weeks. My doc and nutritionist both have said that people who start with a lower BMI than others (mine was 40) lose "slower" than those who start with a higher BMI. I have to remind myself that I didn't become overweight overnight (though I like to think I did), and I shouldn't expect to lose it overnight. I eat high protein, meats and cheeses, and drink tons of water daily so I know I'm playing by the rules. I also know that the faster the weight comes off the skin will become extra loose, maybe by losing slowly we're doing our skin a favor. It always helps me to zero in on a negative persons shortcomings- like bad breath, a booger in the nose, etc- maybe your doc is a big booger with halitosis!! Best wishes!!!!!

I am 5'8" and was 140 in HS, too (and felt fat). I've set my goal close to that now, but I'm happy where ever my body feels comfy. Best wishes!!!

What an inspiration!! It amazes me how complacent I was- now with 43 pounds shed I have moments where I feel like a brand new person!! I always considered myself self confident, but I'm finding more confidence with each pound lost. Keep up the great work!!!

I love Botox for those little wrinkles but clothes & jewels are awesome rewards, too!! Best of luck deciding!!