Aussiegirl

Hello,
· The next time you decide to un-clutter your life and clean up your space, start with the things that are truly useless: like regret, shame, and anger.—Sandra Kring Author.

When we have weight loss surgery we need to start by un-cluttering our kitchen to get rid of food that we should no longer be eating—if it is gone it will not tempt us. We make space for the new healthy foods that will make us successful in our weight loss journey.

I don’t ever want you to have regrets or feel shame or be angry because you have not been successful before. It was not your fault—we have a disease and it is called obesity—Weight Loss Surgery will give us the tool to overcome this. You are doing something that is going to save your life and add years to it. You are being your very own HERO because you have taken control of your life for the first time in a long time. I know how you feel because I went on this journey 3 ½ years ago and successfully lost 105 pounds and have kept it off.

Please believe in yourself enough to do the same thing for YOUSELF. If you don’t believe in yourself or on the fence about doing this I am here to help you and support you.

One thing that helped me so much was having the right surgeon. My choice was Dr. Aceves. It took me 6 months to do my research and Dr. Aceves was the name that kept coming up in all my research over and over.

Hugs,
Suzanne
Sleeved 10/21/2008

That is pretty amazing, you look like you have lost about 15 years as well

I know we were told not to, but I still drink soda. I don't find that I can eat more, it doesn't bother my stomach anymore, and I'm still losing weight (13.5 months out). Personally, I did this surgery so that I wouldn't have to give things up, and I find things in moderation work for me.

I hear ya!!
It sucks being single and having all this "stuff" going on.
Atleast there is my battery operated friend TMI lol

I hear ya!!
It sucks being single and having all this "stuff" going on.
Atleast there is my battery operated friend TMI lol

I am taking some time to Celebrate a scale victory today.
- BMI out of the 40's....buh bye 40's BMI, wont miss you at all!!
- Made my weight goal before my vacation in New Orleans, thats 40kgs (about 88pounds), 2 days early.
Still a LONG way to go but will enjoy the small victories along the way!!
Bring on the next goals.....

Does it count if you can't stop checking your own self out? Gheesh, i've suddenly become a mirror ***** since losing this weight!

Yup, kinda become a regular thing. *huge adorable grin* everytime I notice some woman check me out or do a double take and smile or turn red when I catch her looking and look right in her eyes. I get this goofy grin. I have to admit its the best feeling!
That is all for now
Pasquini

This guy tripped and fell staring at me the other day lol. He got up and said to me, "you are soooo beautiful"! I told him thank you, and he just kept following me around the store (a little weird lol)- I had to turn him down, I'm going on 8 years with my BF but it was still very cute. It's funny how these things happen when you start losing weight- I haven't dealt with such things since high school lol.
P.S. I attached a new pic :smile1: All smiles! Loving the new me :smile1:

Positivity and committment are the biggest tools you can bring to this journey.
Good luck with your surgery~

36!! haha, you're a pup!! You look great! Good job, good job.

Congrats! Can't wait to see the 8 month update!

CONGRATS!!! You look great!!

Go girl! You look AMAZING! I'm just 13 days post up, but hope I'll have a similar story at 4 months. Rock that sleeve!

Today I am 4 months post surgery.
I look back and see how much my life has changed. I was fairly lucky before surgery I had no major issues, no medication etc. However I was constantly injuring my foot in one way or the other. It felt like everytime I attempted exercise I was reinjuring my foot, spent quite a few months in a foot boot. But overall I was ok.
Since surgery I have not had one injury (touch wood), I work out 2 twice a day and have started running.
It seems almost coincidental that I have also hit my half way mark on my 4 month anniversary. 83 pounds down. I have thrown away all my clothes from pre-surgery.
Life is so much better, food does not control me. I am happier and more content with myself than I remember being.
I know I have a long road to go still to get to my healthy weight. I know it will only get harder from here on in but I feel up to the challenge. 2012 is my year.
Bring on the next 4 months.

Thanks for reading this =)

Hello there VST!! It's been some time since I've sent you all some updated photos... so that's my full intent right this very moment.
I've been through a lot!! I've been struggling to get healthy and fit for 6.5 YEARs now. Well guess what, TODAY and everyday after will be a success, because that is exactly where I am right now. I do NOT regret one single second of my long journey, and certainly never punished any pound lost. I celebrated them all, because they all mattered! I avoided the word "only" like a disease because that one single word can change a sentence by volumes. You are what you make of it. I made it gourmet, and I encourage all others to do the same.
Never let anyone tell you there is an end to the weight loss with the sleeve, never allow anyone to put an "expiration date" on your tool. The only one person who has control over that is YOU!! If you believe it, you will BE IT!!
Be LOUD Be PROUD... OWN IT!!! Keep on fighting!!!
Remember, I'm always only a message away. I'm always happy to give out my help if you need it, because I already know how difficult and mentally trying weight loss can be. I was there!! But... even when I was at my lowest point, that was when I reached down deep inside, picked up my big girl panties and made it work!
Heaviest ever weight 330 Lbs. Lap Band weight 283 Lbs. Sleeve weight 272 Lbs. Today 170 Lbs!!!

Hello all,
I can't believe that it has been ten months already since my VSG. I have had no complications and have no issues with food. I cannot say one thing that I regret about getting the VSG and would do it again in a heartbeat. I started this journey at 308lbs and am currently 172lbs as of this morning. I have gone from a 3x top to a large and a size 24 pants to a size 10. I went to Hawaii and got to zipline because I was now a weight that I could do it and also biked down the side of a volcano. My sleeve has opened up a new life for me and I thank God every day for seeing me through it. I wish success to all of you as well on your journeys to a new and healthier and happier you! The first picture is a before and after at pre op and at 10 months out. The second picture is of my husband and I in Hawaii, where I was happy enough with myself to get professional photos taken. I can finally admit that I actually love a photo that I'm in, never thought I would say that!

Today I'm 5 months out and I feel wonderful about my weight loss this far. I'm not too far from goal and I feel like i will be there in less than two months with the work outs I have planned. The work outs are on the back burner right now because I have a pulled muscle in my hip-upper leg area from playing laser tag with my teenagers.lol I guess if you gonna get a pulled butt muscle, get it having fun.
I have an upper respiratory infection right now so it's kinda hard to talk about all the wonderful thing's I have accomplished since being sleeved but I'm going to try.
I have the energy to keep up with my wonderful daughters. We can go shopping at the same stores now and they don't have to wait on me while I shop at Lane Bryant for something I could both afford and that looks good. I can actually fit in some of my oldest daughters really cute jeans (she's 17).
I have met the most awesome man in the world. He is truly a blessing to me. Never once has he made me feel less than perfect and I hope that feeling never ends. He is wonderful to my kids and has stepped up as a wonderful father figure they have never had.
So, some of the things I miss since I had surgery......
.......
........
Well, this is harder than I thought..... Really the only thing is... to be perfectly honest.... I really would love to sit down and eat a whole steak or go to a nice restaurant and have a whole meal. I eat pretty much what I want but sometimes it just tastes soooo good I'd like to finish it while it's hot and not left over. But then, I say to myself....that's what got you a fat ass in the first place and that feeling disappears.LOL!
Some of the things I don't miss since I had surgery.....
Sore knees
Sore feet
Sore back
Snoring
Not being able to breath
High BP
Migraines from the High BP
Shopping at LB
Walking from our parking garage to my office and breaking into a gushing sweat. Heck... I barely sweat at all now.
The feeling that everyone is talking about how attractive I "use" to be.
Having the biggest jeans in the laundry.
Not being able to wear the stylish boots that come above my calves.
I could go on and on but really I just feel so much better. If I someone has any doubts about this surgery, I can honestly say I would do it again in a second.
Thank you everyone on this site for being here though my journey. I have no intention of leaving because you guys are the greatest! I'm sure this last 20 something pounds are going to be the hardest yet so I will need all the support I can get.
Thanks
Julie

I was sleeved on December 20, so I am just over two weeks out. While I knew I would feel better over time with my weight loss, I have been so thrilled with the unexpected immediate benefit of waking up with hope.
I think all of us here know all about self-loathing. For years now, I have awoken each morning feeling disgusted with myself and hopeless for change. The pain and shame of being fat has prevented me from doing so many things. Knowing how the world views a fat person has not helped, it has made me terrified of putting myself in a position to be judged by my weight.
Although I haven't lost too much yet, and in fact am in a weight loss mini-stall just two weeks out, the one thing I noticed from day one after surgery is that I wake up each day with HOPE.
I no longer feel that the rest of my life will be an endless struggle of starving to lose a few pounds, and then gaining it back with one wrong move. Repeat, repeat, repeat. That has been my life for years now.
I know I will have to work at this for the rest of my life, and I will have to be careful not to sabotage my new tool, but until this surgery, I cannot remember the last time I woke up with hope and optimism instead of the first thought of the day being about just another day of being fat.

It really does get better. I was petrified that I would somehow stop my weight loss by eating "wrong." Actually, if you don't eat, what happens is your energy level gets crummy, you don't feel like exercising or moving around very much, and THAT sabotages your weight loss. I stopped thinking of food as the enemy and started thinking of it as fuel, and that really helped me both make good decisions about what to eat and to feel better about eating in general. I always think "burn, baby, burn" when I eat--just to let the food know it has a purpose, and I'm using it to help myself feel energized.
Also, honestly, you're still pretty early out from surgery. Listen to your body and trust that it will let you know what it needs. Some people progress at slower or faster rates than the "norm." It all comes out okay.

Thanks Kimmie!
The run did help make it better, was a beautiful day in Sydney and the harbour looked amazing. I got home and had a spa and feel so much better.
The head did not win the battle today

Okay, so those who know me (even a little), you know I'm a softie.. cream puff.... and I LOVE people!! So, I just wanted to share a few of my New Year's wishes that I have for you... my sleeve family...
I pray the New Year brings:
Strength for you to conquer any challenge set before you, whether a stall, slow insurance approval or friends/family who don't get it!
A greater feeling of confidence and love for who you are inside and out, regardless of the acknowledgement from others
More opportunities for you to surround yourself with positive people who Celebrate you and not just tolerate you... You are wonderful and you should hear it OFTEN
Favor and blessings beyond your wildest dreams, so that you will know that you are loved, you are a gift and you are AMAZING!!
Finally, I pray that you will have an opportunity to encourage someone who is struggling w/ their weight and/or suffering needlessly w/ obesity related illnesses, to at least THINK about and research VSG... You are a witness to how life changing this surgery is... Share it with someone who needs it!!!

My love, hugs and best wishes to each of you and your families as we close a very eventful year and enter a new one filled w/ possibility, opportunity and greatness....
A new year is like a clean canvas in the hands of an artist... what masterpiece will you paint??!!!
Love you guys!!!
Tina

I've noticed that my pants get bigger through out my day, and there not stretch pants either. LOL

That is so interesting. I am glad that there is this worldwide community where we can share things like that. Like, I found out yesterday that I LOST weight during the holidays (i am still ~3 mos. pre-op)...it was only 3 lbs, but I felt RAD.