Caradina

My hair has been falling out since month 3, and now at month 5, it's still going.. It was fine and thin to begin with and now it's really obvious. so obvious that my BFs kid mentioned it yesterday... "why is your hair transparent on top?! I can see your scalp!" Yeah... in public too... mortifying.

I plan to have ice cream (a small portion) every night once I hit goal.

You can do it. You still have your tool, you just have to get back on track.

Heh.. I agree too, but I'll never be that small. I have a large frame and am 5'9. I'm pretty lean at around 200, and in a size 16. I think after I lose my last 40 lbs and get a TT, I'll maybe be a 12.... but if I look shapely at that size, so be it.

I watched my barium swallow in the hospital. It is almost a < shape now. It is tiiiiiiiny...

I was regretful in a way until I stopped struggling. I still sometimes wish I could get my stomach back, have a huge meal like I used to, and then put my little stomach back in. No way though. This tool saves me from myself. I was obese because I was always hungry and so would eat far too much at a sitting, trying to satisfy a huge stomach. I'm thankful now. Give it a few months and I bet you will be happier. In the mean time, try to concentrate on your weight loss, how loose your pants are and how many complements you're getting.

Same as I was. I'm almost 5 months out now, and my capacity is still that small. I'm not complaining.

I'm saying the same as everyone else. Yes, the pre op diet was awful for me. I actually did faint, a couple of times. It was worth every moment of torture. Trust me. Try to hang in there, try not to cheat. Take it a minute at a time. If that is too long, take it a second at a time. You will get there. It's only food.

I look alot younger. I think I have less noticible wrinkles now too. I've also been psycho about skincare my whole life, especially since the sleeve. I can't reccommend it enough! Try a face cream that has Royal Jelly in it. It encourages natural collagen production. Burts Bees makes a good one and it's only about $18.00.

My stretch marks aren't different, but they are more noticeable. As I shrink, my stomach skin is getting loose, so to be graphic, I have a tire filled with goo around my middle right now. My entire body is fine, but my front is horrifying. It's frustrating. I'm getting a tummy tuck as soon as I hit goal, because I hate it so much. I have to wear Spanks to work out because there is so much. So try not to dwell. It's just part of the journey and it's fixable once you are done.

Oh man.. I don't know about the rest of you, but if I drink while or right after eating... it's urp city. No way.... LOL

I went to Mexico, because I knew that my craptastic insurance would make me jump through a million hoops before denying me. I paid around $7,000, they financed me, and it was a lovely experience in a clean hospital where they gave me better care than I have recieved in the US ever. I went through a medical tourism company. (Belightweight.com) I plan to use them again and return to Mexico in about 6 months to get plastics.

Like INT hospital in Tijuanna? I went there end of March to see Dr. Rodriguez. It was a very good experience. The nurses don't speak much English there, but all of the doctors did and I saw a doctor several times a day. I went through Belite, and I almost always also had someone from there availible to me. The hospital was spotlessly clean. Like could eat off the floor, but no weird cleaning smells. My room was private and had its own bathroom with shower, a real bedspread, and a window that opened onto REAL air! The floor had a sunroom area with comfy couches and big windows, so mostly we all just sat and visited and watched the city. It was a very good experience. The hospital was alittle older tech wise than we are used to in the US, but I had no qualms at all and would go back in a heartbeat, as I recieved better care there than I ever have in the US.

This is an amazing post! I'm so happy for you and can't wait for my own similar post in the future! Thank you for sharing!

LOL I was ready to blow up this thread!

I'm 5 1/2 months out and still struggling with hydration in general, especially plain water. It just doesn't feel good, and I'm frustrated trying to stay hydrated. I do historical reinactments, and in the summer heat, and all those clothes.... yeah. Hydration is key. I literally am sipping constantly then, and it gets annoying. I find that unless water is ice cold, or has some sort of additive like MIO or Crystal Lite, I can't hack it. I'm hoping this gets better, but I think I'm just going to have to live with it. Small price to pay in the long run, every time I look in the mirror. Hang in there.

I was sleeved by Dr. Rod in March, but in Tijuanna. He is awesome. Very professional and a great surgeon. I have had no complications. His bedside manner is amazing, and he has a great support staff too. I cannot recommend him highly enough. I went through BeliteWeight.com, and the coordinators were also great.

I've been very open about it. My loss has been very fast and noticeable and I get asked almost on a daily basis what I'm doing. I guess my co-workers are of a much kinder sort though, because they seem either happy for me, or curious because they too would like to lose weight. I'm open on facebook, with my social circles. I see no reason to be ashamed of my method. I look great, and I've done well. Since my surgery, 2 friends have gone on to get it too, and several people have contacted me privately to get the "skinny" on going to Mexico for the Sleeve. I'm so sorry you're having a negative experience, that really makes me angry for you, because it takes away the joy of your transformation in a sense.

I'm 5 months out, and still get occasional left shoulder pain. I've been leak checked many times, no leaks. It mostly happens when I'm hungry actually. Very weird. My doc said is ok. I would go get checked out anyways though.

I have reactive hypoglycemia since my surgery. If I eat anything too carb heavy, sugary, or fatty (mayo) It'll make me have all sorts of nasty symptoms such as headache, heart flutters, pounding heartbeat, weakness, blurred vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and sliming. I have to really watch that my eating is balanced, and then I feel great. I wonder if you had a touch of this? My doctor says it is because the smaller stomach empties faster into the intestines than the normal stomach, which means the body may produce too much insulin, swinging you low after you eat.

I had a breast reduction at 16 from a 36I (Yes I) down to a 36 C. Then I gained a ton of weight and went back up to a 40DD. Then I lost 40 lbs, and went down to a 36D. Then I gained it all back plus some and ended up a 40DDD. Through it all, the girls have been amazing. I'm hoping I can end up a 36D again, but I so understand the fear. I really don't want another breast surgery. I'm just hoping that they will hold up so well this time I'm almost half way to goal, and so far, so good.

I had this until about 8 weeks out. It's gone now. It'll go away. Eat slower, chew lots, tiny bites, and NEVER drink while eating. It'll help.

I think your main problem is too many calories. Try to stay positive, and cut the carbs. Eat veggies that add bulk if you feel hungry. I'm 3 months out, and struggle to eat 700 a day so my eyes are popping at the thought of 2000.

Hey ladies, I have three pair of size 20 Tall dress pants up for grabs. I am asking $30.00 total for them (not including shipping. I prefer Priority mail, which would be around $10.)They are all in good used condition. - Lane Bryant straight leg dress pants (red cut) in a medium grey - Ashley Stewart wide leg cut in dark brown - Ashley Stewart wide leg cut in grey.

Hi ladies. I have just listed my collection of formal wear as well as all of my size 40 DDD/F bras on EBay. Most are like new or actually new, and high quality so I need to sell them, but I thought I would give the heads up. Please keep an eye out, as I lose my items will appear here, sized 20 and below. My EBay auctions are Here: http://www.ebay.com/sch/althenae/m.html?hash=item2c643222b6&item=190659568310&pt=US_CSA_WC_Dresses&_trksid=p4340.l2562