POOHBEAR7699

Well the saying goes "Time flies when you're having fun", I cannot believe that today marks my one year surgiversary. Although I have 20lbs to go to meet my goal, I am so happy and proud of my accomplishments so far within this past year. I have managed to go from a size 20/22 & XXL to a 12 & M/L. I haven't seen those sizes since I was in high school and that has been almost 20 years. I can say that this was one of the BEST decisions that I have made and I did it for myself and no one else. I plan to post pics early next week because I will be celebrating this weekend my success thus far!!!! Once I get to my goal weight, I will really be able to celebrate!!!!! HAPPY SURGIVERSARY to all my March 2012 Sleevers.

Although I haven't met my goal yet I am still happy with my progress at 10 1/2 months out. Even though I couldn't see it visually, I knew the weight was coming off by my clothes. I haven't posted any pics until now. The first is me at my heaviest and the second one I took today. Yay Me!!!!!!!! [ATTACH]8486[/ATTACH]

I am so for this challenge. As of yesterday morning I am 194.4lbs, my goal for New Years Day is 160lbs which I haven't seen in 17yrs. Once I get there I will re-evaluate things and decide if I want to stay at that weight or shoot for the last 20lbs before my 1yr post op appt w/my surgeon in March. So I am just now being able to post my New Year's Weight...Although I did not reach my goal, I am still down 16.4lbs from where I started in September with this. As of this morning I am 178lb and that puts me 18lbs from my goal. I had a rough holiday and was sick from Christmas up until now and I am still not 100% but I still have a little over 2 months until my 1yr out and I plan to have met goal by March 13th.

OMG!!!! I felt this way just last week, one of my co-workers told me that I looked great with the weight I have lost so far, but that if they were me they wouldn't lose anymore. I know that the look that I gave to her was one that if looks could kill she would have fallen right there. The thing that "pi*sed*" off was the fact the person who said this is about 5'6 and she might weigh 100lbs soak & wet w/sand in her shoes. I was so aggravated because for a person who has never had a problem with their weight or has never had to shop at Ashley Stewart, Lane Bryant, or go to Wal-Mart and not buy something that has the worse patterns would not understand just how we feel. I decided right then & there that I will not allow anyone take me to that place again, I made the decision to have this surgery(as a tool) to keep me as a healthy individual and not encounter the health problems that plague my family. So keep your head up and don't let it get to you. As long as you are happy with whatever weight you want to maintain thats all that matters;)

Hi everyone, I haven't been posting alot but thought that I would give an update so far. I have gone from a pants size 22 to 14(and these are getting very loose), a 2x top to Large. I am losing slower than I expected but I have had alot going on and haven't been exercising regularly but that is changing so I hope to be at goal of 160lbs before Jan 1 2013. I have decided that once I get there I may re-evaluate my goal and shoot for an additional 20lbs before my 1 yr post op visit. I still can't see much of a difference but I can tell in my clothes so I can't complain and I know that although the scale isn't moving the inches are coming off and that with my strength training that muscle weighs more than fat(YAY). So here are my stats so far: Pre-Op weight:248.8 Surgery Date:03/13/12 Surgery Weight:239.8 Today's Weight:194.4 Total Loss:54.4 But if I don't have any weight loss next week I am gonna be like desertmom, and it will be liquids for the week;)

I am so for this challenge. As of yesterday morning I am 194.4lbs, my goal for New Years Day is 160lbs which I haven't seen in 17yrs. Once I get there I will re-evaluate things and decide if I want to stay at that weight or shoot for the last 20lbs before my 1yr post op appt w/my surgeon in March.

Okay so my week started off with a NSV(maybe). I live in NC but home for me is SC, so I went home this past weekend and I haven't been to my home church in over a year, although I go home at least once a month. Well I decided to surprise my grandmother by attending church but I didn't tell her that I was coming home or to church. So my husband & I get to church on Sunday and my grandmother is already seated, I go up to her and give her a hug & kiss on the cheek and sit down. Well halfway thorough the service she touches my hand and whispers in my ear that she didn't recognize who I was, she said that if it wasn't for my husband sitting with me she wouldn't have known until church was over. Now mind you she has seen me within the last month but I guess since I have lost a few more inches she didn't realize that it was me. At first I didn't know whether I should be elated or offended, but then I realized I must be "ROCKING MY SLEEVE" . Then this morning I get on the scale (which I normally do on Tuesdays but b/c my hubby had knee surgery on Tuesday I was preoccupied) and it read 199.8(5 months post op 08/13) WHOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't been under 200lbs in 14yrs. This is the best that I have felt in a long time and I know that it will only get better. My next goal is to be 185 on my 6 month follow up in September.

Thanks everyone for the support, I really appreciate it. This has has been a learning experience for me but I wouldn't change one minute of it.

So I haven't posted in a while, but yesterday was a shocker for me & I thought I really need to share this. I am almost 3 months post-op (06/05) and so far I have lost 40lbs (including pre-op lost), including 2 stalls. I can't see the difference but I know the difference in the way that my clothes fit. So yesterday I went shopping for some black slacks & a top for an upcoming job interview @ work. I started this journey wearing a size 20 or 22 on a good day, I do own a few 18's but in the past couple of weeks they are too big in the waist. I found a pair of slacks and a top both in a 16 (not a 16W), went into the dressing room to try them on (thinking that they would be too small, still the BIG GIRL shopping in my head). Lo and behold the pants fit and the top also, I broke down in the dressing room and these were happy tears that were falling. I can't believe that in less than 3 months I am down 3 sizes, my collarbones have made an appearance, and I am 10lbs away from my first 50lbs lost and I will hit ONEDERLAND. My goal for the first 50lbs & Onederland is June 30th.

Congrats

I am 5'3 and starting weight was 247lbs. As of this morning I am @ 219

So I am 4 weeks post op, and have lost a total of 25.6lbs since the beginning of my journey. Believe me, I am happy with weight lose so far and thought that things were going great, and then I hit the dreaded 3 week stall. I had 6 weeks off, but I only took 4 (going a little stir crazy in the house). Went back to work on Monday (I have a desk job), so far so good, a little tired today but glad to be back at work. I have increased my calories and making sure I am getting in 70g of protein. Hoping that now I am back at work & back into my daily routine that I will break through this stall.

I made it tonthe losers bench last week 3-13-12. The first couple of days were the worst because of the gas pains but a few GasX strips and I was good. Could not get my protein in at all last week and was forcing myself with my water intake. So today I got to start my mushies stage, so I decided that I would fix grits for breakfast. Made myself 4 tablespoons and 1/4 cup of low fat cheese. I was only able to eat about 1/3 of this. Still struggling with my fluid intake but its getting better. I think the best part of my day was when I weighed this morning. Pre-op I was 245, surgery day I was 237.2 (down 7.8 lbs). This morning I was 225 (down 12.2 lbs week one). I can't believe that I have lost a total of 20lbs in just 3 weeks. This is really exciting for me and I am loving how I am ROCKING MY SLEEVE.

@kjntwins, About to leave for hospital in about an hour. If you are having to use CMC, I would highly recommend going through Carolinas Weight Management & Wellness Center. I am not sure who your insurance is with (I have Aetna). I was able to do everything with them. Because Aetna required a 4 month multi-disciplinary program, I was able to see the surgeon, weight doctor, fitness and nutritionist all at one place. They even have psych there for that evaluation. The staff is very professional & friendly. I would encourage anyone to attend their information session. Hope this helps:)

Thanks everyone, I will keep posting w/post-op updates. @kjntwins, Dr. Stefanidis which Dr. are you using?