Holly5.3

Thanks to pre-op testing (Sleeved 10/11/12), I found I had 3 hernias (pop 'n fresh dough-girl, am I!) - hiatal, ventral (belly) and the 3rd by my c-section incision! The hiatal was repaired during the sleeve and I think my discomfort was more from the hernia repair than the stomach surgery! Twisting, bending and reaching was out for at least 3 weeks. I tried to return to work to soon and the pain from moving too much too soon sent me back to bed for another week! Tylenol worked wonders - better than the narcotic meds prescribed by my surgeon. Good luck - you'll feel great soon!

I agree with above post. You are a calmer being on the inside -animals sence that! It sounds like natures beauty is being reflected back from you. Beautiful!

Stalls or slow weight loss be damned! Think about what you want to look and feel like. Say it out loud, "I am a success story in the making! I am doing this!". I believe we can create our destiny...keep thinking, saying or posting that "the sleeve isn't working for me" and it won't work. It doesn't work -we do the work. Even more so after surgery than during Pre-op and surgery and recovery. It's the lifestyle changes we must embrace after the sleeve together with a positive attitude about our future success that makes it happen! Some posts become rediculous- negative energy won't help anyone here! Just sayin'........

Love my Spanx! After losing 82 pounds, last week I actually wore a form fitting sweater dress to work. I'm too lumpy without them! Holds everything in nice and tight and with a good bra...let's just say shaoewear is a good thing! (they also help when transitioning into smaller jeans, pull in the tummy!)

Last night I had alcohol for the first time since August. I was cleared to have alcohol in Feb. but didnt really have an occasion to. I had staight raspberry vodka (mini bottles) and i took little sips of it with my peach Crystal Light. Over the course of 3-1/2 hours I had two mini bottles. I was pleasantly buzzed- not drunk (I was at a charity bowling event). I felt totally sober driving home after coffee and a piece if a protein bar...it was all good! yaaa! I was scared but it was fine!

I averaged 13 lbs./month Sept-Jan. From Jan -Feb only lost 5 lbs. And from Feb to March, -8. I'm not exercising regularly but am a million times more active than a year ago at 270 pounds! I can eat such a small amount of solid foods that I have a Greek yogurt and cottage cheese every day. I'm taking a break from shakes for a little while. I have a few snacks like z fiber one brownie or special k thin crisps too. I'm losing inches more than pounds so I'm only weighing myself once a month -the 11th - day of surgery in Oct. The scale was making me have a nervous breakdown! Now I rely on how my clothes feel. The weight will come off but it has to slow down as your BMI gets lower too. Looking forward to spring and nice outdoors weather. This has been the longest winter in New York! Don't worry -keep your calories in check snd you'll be fine!

Funny! Size 16 is a crazy size for me too. Size 18 is baggy and saggy, size 14 can close but are not comfortable yet! I refuse to spend money on a 16 when they'll only fit a short time! I got my 14's on sale in a regular Dept. store (Macy's-love it!) I'm either a ragga-muffin or muffin-top! Not fun!!

My sexual energy isn't what it used to be, by far, but I still can't say I want more or less. The problem for me is I'm married to a horn dog and as I get smaller, he's rediculous! I have two teenaged daughters in the house! I just can't when, where and how he'ld like! it's not fun, it makes make super uncomfortable when he's around-I feel I need to avoid being near him! Help!

Take my advice from a 'been there, done that" girl - if the opportunity does occur, be classy and hot, and polite. But if they ask you out, reply that you've changed in appearance only, you've always been beautiful. They, however, are shallow and ignorant. Was then and still are. Sorry, I deserve better. Nice see'in ya! Believe me, sweetie, the right guy will notice you!

I was sleeved Oct 11 and am sitting at the hairdresser now discussing the loss. I have thick hair so it's not noticeable to anyone but me, but there's a ton if hair in my brush, comb and all over everything! I started taking biotin (actually hair, skin snd nail vitamins) 2 weeks ago. I should have started Pre-op and will mention this to my dr. in Aoril at my 6 month post-op visit. My hairdresser has a shampoo and conditioner for me to try that she said will help. I wonder how long this lasts.

Not to worry, the weight will come off-you'll see! After surgery there is fluid retention and swelling. After the second week you'll start seeing the scale move fast! Depending on your BMI at the start, your weekly loss will vary. I started at 255 and my average loss from surgery (Oct) was 12 pounds s month until Jan. Then I only lost 5 and then 7 from Feb to March. Even though the pounds lost are fewer, they carry a bigger bang for my buck as far as inches and whole body shrinking. You'll do great-the post-op diet and the restrictive nature of a smaller tummy make it almost impossible to not do great the first 6 months. Good luck!

At 5 months and a very restrictive sleeve, I have mashed potatoes with my solid meats and fish -it helps it go down. As far as bread (I only have a high fiber/low carb wrap-can eat about 60% for lunch)-my dr. said to avoid bread for first year. Pasta and rice do not go down well-so I avoid on my own. I have a Fiber One brownie and a Special K thin crisp every day which seems to curb cravings for carbs, sweets, chocolate and crunch! My caloric intake is low so these 'treats' haven't messed my weight loss, but I'm looking forward to eating more veggies and healthy grains when I'm able.

Every day getting dresses I'm like, "do I want to look like a ragamuffin (clothes 3 sizes too big) or have muffin-top (clothe too tight, next size down)!" problems, problems....

As the old saying goes, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!" {I know, I hated it too, never having been "skinny" in my life!} Just wait, soon you'll remove your pants without unbuttoning them! I had to laugh at your heading, Miserable but happy.... I'm energetic, yet exhausted. (Huh??? But it's so true!) The worst part is when you have to buy new clothes...you become torn about spending the money, or even what size to get, since you'll grow out of the new stuff too, but it becomes a necessity when you have nothing to wear! Another ying/yang! Good luck!

Thanks to my last "diet" (Jenny Crarig), I learned that out of all the fast food chains, Panera seemed to be the "least" bad...(if you know what I mean). I would have a small black bean soup, 1/2 classic salad and 1/2 cuban sandwich. Now after my sleeve, this is still my go-to meal since I know it was the "healthiest" choice on the menu. I have 1/2 of a small black bean soup and the equivalent of one big bite of the cuban sandwich and no salad (yet - still have trouble getting raw veggies down). I laugh, because even with the low-fat, carb meal, I used to still eat the chips or extra bread (forget the apple - what am I a horse??- LOL) I'll have to ask about the "secret" menu. Although it won't make much of a difference for me now, I'm still very restricted at 5 months today, but some day, some day.....

I'm 5 months postop tomorrow and am struggling with depression the past few months. Dr said it was estrogen released from fat cells as weight is lost. The more rapid a loss, more estrogen is readed causing more havoc to emotionality. I may look good and feel great, but emotionally I'm a mess. Hope this phase ends soon!

Lookin' good hot momma! Keep up the great work - you're doing fabulous-very inspirational!

Thanks for the pix! The difference in your appearance in only 6 months is truly amazing! The sizes you went down is awesome! That's when it's fun-putting on clothes the next size smaller! Keep up the great work!

You look awesome! I'm happily married, but if I wasn't...

I remember living on GasX and marching in place in the middle of the night to get the gas to move up and out! The GasX was for broths which made me gassier. Movement is the best way - pump your arms up and down while marching. You will burp! You may want to do this in private lest someone think you've lost your mind! Good luck!

Hi Chica-I don't mean to make anyone feel bad if it seems to you that I've lost fast and I'm crying crocodile tears. To be honest, the posts here is what allows me to measure my success against others with my same stats. My dr didn't give me goals or figures to compare my loss with the "average". Some have lost less than me, sure, but some have also lost more. I realize the monthly average will decrease with decreased BMI. I was wondering if, at months 4-5 post op, this was typical or experienced by another sleever. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

I still eat too fast! Tiny spoon, tiny bowl and I still eat way too fast so it reduces the volume I can ultimately consume-which is my tough luck! I try to cut my food small abd eat with a baby spoon/fork so that helps but some habbits are hard to break. I try to take 15 mins. for a meal, which is about 1/3-1/4 cup -4 oz.-6oz. Solid food, 1:2 cup soft (yogurt).

Yea! Shrinking chef (love your moniker!) keep it up girl! There are good and bad days but the weight does seem to melt off, so what could be bad about that? Keep up the good work, we're rooting for you!

Crystal Lite Mango Peach energy drink is new and pretty delish! I'm sick of all the flavors I drank post-op, so to find a new flavor was pretty terrific!