Xrystyl

Thank you everyone for all the comments. To those with upcoming surgeries CONGRATS!!!! Welcome to the next chapter of the new you All my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you here that are on this journey now or ready to begin it.

One year ago today I had my Vertical Sleeve. I can't believe its been a year already. I went from 240 lbs in Feb 2011 to 229 lbs the day of surgery May 18 2011 to 142 lbs today. What a transformation it has been. From a size 20-22 to a size 6. From low self esteem to finding myself and the high self esteem I used to have. It hasnt been easy. It wasnt an easy decision. When I was diagnosed with severe Sleep Apnea, that was it for me. I had to do something for myself and my family. I researched everything. I chose the Sleeve because the risks were lower and the more people I talked to that had it, the more I found it was the ideal choice for me. Its not an easy thing to choose, its a personal choice. Its what you feel is right for you. I have had my share of hard days, don't get me wrong. I started having hair loss around month 4 because I had a really hard time keeping up my protein. I had an issue with most protein drinks, until I found the Atkins Protein Shakes and asked my Nutritionist what she thought. She said if it works use it. It was a life saver for my hair. I was able to really get in the protein I needed. Trust me when I say make sure you follow your post-op diet to a tee. Make sure you are getting in the recommended protein, all your vitamins and tons of water. All of these help with the healing process I am always here to help anyone who feels like they can't do something, or are having a bad day. We all have them and we all need to remember we are here to support one another. The other things is make sure you have the best folllow up care. Its not just a sleeve and go. You can't just do that or you will fail at it. You need the support for after. Trust me! I love that I am so active now. I missed that part of my life so long ago. My kids love that I can play with them. We do so much more together now My Husband and I plan to run a Mud Run at the end of the year...I am so looking forward to that Life has had its ups and downs this last year, more ups of course, but I had some great support systems and the love of my family and friends. Thanks everyone for being my rocks! I wish anyone who travels down this path a new them, that they remember its their decision, whats best for them, and that only they can make that choice. Don't let anyone's negativity bring you down. There is a huge support system out there to help you through those bad days and to cheer you on, you just have to look for them Again remember make sure you have excellent follow up care because in the long run, thats what you will need to make it work, you can't do it alone! Happy Surgiversary to Me and to many other's out there who are closing in on their 1 years too

On May 18th I will be 1 year post surgery and 98 lbs lighter! WOO HOOO!!! Amazing, I can't believe it. This last year has flown by. I feel great, I look great and am so happy to no longer need a CPAP!!! That was the best thing ever I am glad I had the surgery. No complications, struggle with protein but managed to get through it. I did it. Now they say that after the 1st year it becomes harder to keep yourself on the right track, well not this girl! I am happy with myself and where I am at and where I am going. I look at life a lot different now, since surgery saved my life. From a size 20-22 to a 5-6 in 11 mos, I never would have thought or even pictured myself here. 240 lbs to 142 lbs AMAZING! To all of you here that either have had surgery or are contemplating it, YOU CAN SUCCEED!!! You can tackle it all 1 day at a time. Be proud of who you are, who you will continue to be and who you will become. Life is too short to stress and worry, live your life to its fullest and enjoy it! GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!!!! I want to thank you all for making my Facebook page so successful. I love sharing my experience as well hearing all of your stories too. We are all in this together to support one another and to be of encouragement to others! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gastric-Sleeve-Sharing-My-Experience/113932348696629

You are very welcome kiki19 I love to share my experience in hopes to let others know they can do it too

I did great with surgery. No complications and the only pain I had was in the beginning and couldnt quite lay in my bed so I had to sleep in our recliner. Wasnt for long though If you have a facebook you can follow me there too, I post more on there than here my page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gastric-Sleeve-Sharing-My-Experience/113932348696629 Good luck with your journey....you will do great

So, today I looked in the mirror. I mean really looked in the mirror and what I saw was a new me. I haven't really noticed how much I have really really changed because everytime I would look in the mirror I still saw the old me. The fat me. How is that possible to still see that person, honestly Im not really sure. I am amazed at my journey. How I have gone from a size 20-22 to a size 6. From 240 lbs to 143 lbs. I am 3 lbs from goal of 100 lbs. That is an amazing accomplishment. It wasnt always easy. Surgery is NOT an easy way out. Its the tool that some of us need to help us. When I was diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnea in December 2010 I knew this was it. I had been fighting with my weight from my PCOS and was getting depressed and frustrated that nothing was working. Diets and exercise were not working either. The PCOS had made it very difficult. Which then caused me to have this severe Sleep Apnea. My PCP was so concerned about the Sleep Study that within 4 days I was given a CPAP machine. That was enough for me to talk to her about getting referred for a lap-band (which was what I was thinking of doing in the beginning). So she referred me to a surgeon and I started the process. It was quick I was surprised, but then being military...Triwest stopped my surgery referral and sent me to the Naval Hospital Surgery Center where I pretty much had to start my process all over and take even more steps. I did get to finish quickly since most of my testing was already done outside. The surgeon was awesome. He explained all the different types of surgery to me and I researched them all. I got to choose which one was best for me. I wasnt swayed one way or the other. They let me decide. So I chose the Sleeve. That was awesome. My Niece was also seeing the same surgeon I was and she had told me about the sleeve. The two of us took this journey together and we ended up having surgery on the same day back to back. It was awesome having her as a support system as we started our journey down the liquid phase and so on together I will be 11 mos post op on April 18th. I have found that things I used to eat are nasty and gross now. I have found that I can tolerate somethings more than others. I have realized that even though I was eating right before the surgery that it wasnt enough to help. I don't eat much anymore, I try to eat every 2 hours but for me thats hard. I don't enjoy food like I used to. Yes there are times I will eat something and think Im in heaven LOL, but there are many times that food just doesnt interest me. I am thankful for the sleeve. I love that I had the loving support of my Husband, my parents, my grandmother, and several friends. I didnt care what the negative people had to say. If they couldnt be happy for me or support my decision then they were not worth my time. This was a life changing decison that saved my life. I went hiking and boulder-ing for the first time in my life. I can keep up with my kids. My husband loved me before and still loves me after. He has always told me that I was beautiful. I have to admit the SEX (LOL) is amazing I know TMI, but trust me, you will see too I had to share Im not embarrassed to admit that at all. I look in the mirror and I see the new me. My self-esteem is high, Im happy, I love riding bikes with my kids. They love that I can chase after them, play with them and I dont get winded climbing up a flight of stairs. Each and every surgery is a personal choice. I tell everyone do your research and don't let anyone discourage you. This is for you and you only. You have the power and the strength Be happy with who you are and know that no matter what there are others out there that can be your support system. I am happy to share things with each and every one of you. Just ask I will share food ideas and other things with anyone who wants to know. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE ON YOUR JOURNEYS AND PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS HERE WITH ME

*****Im not deficient in anything Just saw that in my blog...ooopppssss LOL!!!!!

So, I saw my nutrtionist yesterday and she says I am doing fabulous and that I am a poster child for the Sleeve! How awesome is that. All my blood work came back great, im deficient in anything and Im keeping my weight stable YAY!!! She asked me about any loose skin and I told her that I have been using It Works products and that I lost 9 inches around my belly. She said that was awesome! She told me to bring information about it to our next support group to share! Thats so cool, she said that she was impressed that I have had minimal skin issues I am too! Im so excited to go shopping these days too I love being able to try on the normal size clothes. I weighed in still at 143. I am 4lbs from my goal and am going to step up the exercise a notch to try and hit that goal Have say tho, going from 240 to 143 and from a size 20-22 to a 6 is amazing for me to see. I hope all of you are having a wonderful journey like me. Im here to chat if anyone has any questions or would like me to share anything from my experience.

Thanks Kathy, I sent you an email

I so love to shop now. Its exciting. I found that with the rapid weight loss, discount stores or good will are the best place to shop for pants, jeans, shorts etc. I still go to other stores and always shop the clearance rack I am so happy with my sleeve. I love that I feel great and look great. It wasnt so much about the looking great part as it was the getting healthy part. The looking great is just a bonus I love that I was lucky enough to not have significant amounts of loose skin. What I do have I am taking care of with skinny wraps Have a great day everyone!

On May 18th 2011, I had whats called a sleeve gastrectomy. My weight gain was due to something called polycystic ovarian syndrome. I couldnt lose weight and it was affecting my metabolism. Then in December 2010 I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. And the weight was putting a strain on my heart. Not including all the stress I was under with the mindless, useless drama that invaded my life and is now finally over. After everything I started researching options, talking to my Dr and was then referred for a surgery consult. I ended up at Balboa in March after starting the process outside of Balboa in December, it took 5 mos total of classes (nutrition), tests, etc before they would do the surgery. Its very in depth and a lot of information. I weighed 240 in March when I saw the Balboa surgeon and was a size 20-22. As of 3.6.12 I now weigh 143 and am a size 6. I am currently 3 lbs from my goal. This surgery was explained to me that it will eventually replace the lap band because of its effectiveness and its way safer than a bypass. If it wasnt for the medical necessity I probably would have kept trying exercise and all the fad diets, but they just werent working. Now I walk alot, eat better, feel better and am starting to return to my old self. I look forward to chasing my kids around and exercising with my Wonderful Husband who has been one of my biggest supporters as well as my Amazing Family. Before I was afraid to tell anyone, but then I thought why? It was to help me and for me to be around for my kids and family