RareGold3000

I agree, you look WAY smaller than a size 14, maybe the swimsuits are sized larger, they have to be. You LOOK fabulous, and LOVE your smile. Way to go, and MANY likes for your courage and bravery!! I love the suit on your, the color is great!! Karen

Everyone is different on how they feel about answering the questions, it's a personal choice, of course. Personally, I tell everyone what I've had done since I might be able to help someone else on their journey. Many people just say that they are losing weight with diet and exercise, which is a round about way of describing it without divulging the total truth. I'm an open book and always am up front and honest. I've never really cared what others said, to each his or her own. Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you'll do what is best for you. Karen

You look awesome!! Congrats on your great success!! Karen

Wow, congrats, you've done great!! You look fantastic!! Karen

Awesome job, you look fantastic!! Congrats and thanx for sharing!! Karen

I've not colored my hair ever, so not sure about that part. But, I started losing hair around 4 months out and it lasted until 9 months out.

That's about 7 lbs a month which I think is good. As we always hear, and it's true, we all have our own journey, and our bodies lose at their own rate. Personally, for me, I track every day, every thing i put into my mouth through "Myfitnesspal" and there are other tools you can use to do this if you want. I am 10 months out, and get 800-1000 calories a day 'total' intake after subtracting what calories I 'lose' by working out 5 days a week. On the days I am not at the gym I take in between 1000-1200 calories a day. I try to make my 'slider' foods, sugar free popsicles or grapes, etc. Are you active? Do you work out regularly? I only ask because it might help to boost your metabolism. Trust me when I say I do understand what it's like to lose slow. I'm at a gym 5 days a week, doing 50 min of hard cardio and then adding strength training for 20 extra min 3 days of that week. And, I have lost 4 lbs this past month, 4 lbs the month before, 3 lbs the month before that and 1 lb before that. So, it's slowed down alot, EVEN with all that work at the gym. But, I know that if I didn't work out like I do, I'd not be helping myself at all. It truly is a 'total' lifestyle change which I believe we all have to embrace. This surgery is not a magic fix. Although some people have it easier than others, I'm sure. Everyone is different, our bodies are as individual as our genes. I'm not saying I don't eat a snack, but I limit how much of it, realizing that it could become an issue if I do not. Karen

I, also, never had acid reflux before surgery (8-21-12). I was on 2 famotidine (prescription strength Pepcid) a day, which then my surgeon upped to 3 a day. He said it would get better, but it was awful from the end of August after being sleeved, until one day, October 8th, (yes I remember the day) it was all but gone. So, it lasted almost 7 weeks total. I still have to take a pill every once in awhile, but that is like once a month. I used to wake up with acid in my throat in the middle of the night, I thought it would never end and regretted the surgery for weeks. I pray it gets better for you, as it did with me. Karen

Congrats!! Isn't it the best feeling EVER!! Be very proud!! Karen

That is fabulous, so happy for you. Keep up the great work!! Thanx for sharing!! Karen

I've had 4 C-Sections, but my sections were vertical, so more painful than horizontal, so I've heard. But, I think the sleeve was nothing compared to the C-Sections. I suppose everyone is different. Karen

I am 9 months post op (surgery 8-21-12). I lost a total of 85 lbs, including the 10 lbs pre op. I am 32 lbs from my own personal goal of 132 lbs, I am 5'5" and my weight before the pre op diet was 249 lbs. I am at the gym 5 days a week, 50 min cardio each day and 3 days I add 20 min strength training as well. Karen

Same here, I slept on my back the 2 nights I was in the hospital (actually I slept better in the reclining chair while in the hospital) and then my side or back when I got home. My drain was removed right before I was discharged, so I did not go home with the drain. Karen

I bought a goal outfit last September, my surgery was in August last year. I wore the purple shirt in April, but the jeans (Size 8) did not fit til now, and I'm still 33 lbs from my own personal goal. I have them on in my newest pics "May 2013 9 Months Post Op" Folder. They're the ONLY pair of skinny jeans I ever owned, I was surprised that even not at goal they don't look bad. I realize now that I will go below a size 8, but it kept me on track with the gym. So, although you might surpass your outfit, it's just one outfit, why not, if it will keep you motivated. Best of luck with your journey. I just realized the pic is also on the first page of my profile as my 'after' pic. Karen

Hello and welcome......I second guessed it as well during the 4 months of required appts and such, but I realized that I didn't want to keep gaining weight and I wanted to get back to being healthy again. I think we are all afraid of failure since we've failed at so many diets throughout our life. This surgery is the first step to better health and weight loss for sure, but we have to continue to take care of ourselves forever with what we eat and get exercise in, it's a life style change. Each surgeon and nutritionist have different plans. I take a Multivitamin and Calcium citrate supplements and B12, but my surgeon says since it's the sleeve I won't be taking these forever it's just due to the 'less' amt of calories I am getting during weight loss. And actually it can't hurt anyway to take a multivitamin and calcium with the maintenance phase forever. I didn't need Iron supplements. Since sleeve patients have normal absorption it's not necessary to forever be on supplements as with your Roux-en-Y patients. But, again check with your surgeon and nutritionist. I'm only giving you the advice that my surgeon's office tells me. Of course at the beginning after surgery I only consumed maybe 200-400 calories a day, but that eventually gets more and more. I'm now at 9 months post op and consume anywhere from 800-1000 calories on any given day. My surgeon says that at a year out I should be right around 1200 calories a day. I go to the gym 5 days a week with 50 min of cardio each day and then add 3 days of strength training as well, gym days I eat more but then again I'm making up for the deficit of what I'm burning, but still those days total minus the calories burned is only around 800-1000. I hope this helps some? Best of luck with your decision and with your journey, I'm sure you'll make the best decision for you. Karen