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!!

I have celebrated 6 anniversaries of my 29th birthday. I've lost 43 pounds since having surgery in March and wonder why the heck I spent my 20's getting so plump when I should have been living it up. Never too late to start, right?! And with the class of '93 reunion coming up in 2 years, I'm looking forward to showing them all that I've still got it!!! Congrats to everyone on the weight loss!!!

I have so much more energy now than I did prior to being sleeved (and I'm just 5 weeks out!!). I say i did the surgery for "me", but I really did it so I can keep up with my active boys!!! I love your attitude- keep it up!!!!

I had the VGS procedure on 3-16-11. I still have the JP drain that is VERY annoying and some left sided shoulder pain that comes & goes. I'm still trying to decide if I like what I've done to myself, speaking only of the short term discomfort not what I expect long term. I've lost roughly 10 pounds and am satisified with the liquid protein things I am able to 'eat', only today have I felt hungry and that was quickly calmed with a 4oz protein drink. I think I am starting to mourn food or at least being able to have it. I cook for my family in the evenings and even though I don't desire to take a bite, I miss being able to do so. I was prepared for changes going into this- mostly physical- but there are old habits I am breaking. I NEVER considered myself a food addict- caffeine addict yes- but food didn't hold any power on me. Apparently it did and I let it take over my body, this past week I've bid adieux to both vices and have had to find something substantial to replace them with. When my family sits to eat that evening meal I go for a walk (I can't stand to be around food smells for very long) and I have several hobbies I want to take up this spring- golf anyone? I have started to acheive one of my major goals: I feel as if my energy level has already improved- proving this past 7 days has not been all about loss!!

5 weeks out- doing great & 28#s gone for good!!!!!!! More energy and stamina than before surgery!! Eating small bites of high protein foods 3 times daily with a high protein snack once daily. I have been off protein shakes for 2 weeks, gotta find one I can stomach and get back into the groove. Water is my new "comfort food"- I reach for it when I would've went for carbs before surgery- at least getting my 64ozs/daily isn't hard

Whe I hit the 1's EVERYONE will know!!! That's goal #1 for me!! Good luck to all!!

I took I took off 8 work days off. I was tired the first few days but keep a small fridge in my office stocked protein shakes I took to work with me. Now I keep it stocked with cheeses, shaved lunch meat, and yogurt so I can sneak a protein filled snack when I need it. I didn't want to use vacation time, I want to use that when I can enjoy it, so when I exhausted my PTO I decided I felt well enough to go to the office. Everybody is different so do what feels good for you!! Best wishes!!!!

I've ate out a couple of times since surgery (almost 1 month out)- I've ordered the pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy. In case the roast was too much I had the potatoes as backup and a little gravy makes it moist. I figure since I can only eat about a 1/4 cup of real food anyway, a little gravy and 'taters won't hurt. Both times the roast was easy to get down and the left-overs were boxed up to bring home so others could enjoy. The chicken sounds like a great option!! Enjoy!!

I'm a few days late in seeing this, but I started pureed last Wed. I'm doing boiled eggs with a little Miracle Whip, I've also done homemade chili topped with Fage Greek Yogurt, last night I ate a little hamburger patty pureed with a little gravy to moisten it and it wasn't half bad. I did pureed some pot roast earlier in the week but even with au jus it was a little too heavy going down. Mashed potatoes is on my allowed list but only after I get my protein in- I'm doing very little potatoes and still drinking at least 8oz of a protein drink each day. Best Wishes & remember to be thankful the liquids only stage is over!!!!!!

This surgery is not easy and definitely not the "quick fix" that so many people assume it is. Do what your led to do and let the workies know that the last thing you need is their negativity, you appreciate that they care (yea right), but you've made up your mind regardless of what they say. PS Be prepared to be watched very carefully after surgery- everything you put in your mouth, someone @ work will be watching, but it's awesome when they finally start seeing the results of the lifestyle change that YOU made!! Best Wishes!!!!