Yasmine

1/13/13 I am 35... Married with 2 kids... Ages 16 & 17 We started off young LOL Well to be honest- Being a mother and wife consummed and defined me. Over the years I put myself on the back-burner, and my body packed on the pounds 5 pds here... Another 5 there :/ Before I knew it- Years went by in a blink of an eye, and I found myself lost! The 2 titles I held dearest... Mother & Wife were fading. I was dealing with my two children who mean the world to me... Pushing away. I guess impart it's normal for High Schoolers to distance themselves... But I wasn't ready for the change... Especially from both at the same time! Oh how I missed the days of elementary & junior high! Next my Hubby... My partner since the age of 16 1/2... Had an affair... Yes It was the most painful and hurtful experience I have ever delt with. I had NO idea... He was Sooooo sneaky... This went on for 8 months until I found out. My kids knew about the affair, because the lady contacted them via Facebook. And their way of coping was to confided in one another, and for my sake not tell me. The truth finally came out once I found out that my daughter was "cutting", and the reason why :'( Honestly this was too much to bare... I felt like I was in horrible Spanish- Novela My kids were growing... and dealing with the effects of my crumbling life. My marriage was hanging by a thread. It was time to focus on repairing damages. My main focus was the kids, and offering them comfort and stability. Next myself...I started to eat less... Mostly due to stress, but after a while I made the choice to change. I watched my diet, and started to work out. The weight started to come off. I went from 310 - 240. Since I wasn't sure if I would still have insurance through my husband I started the process for WLS. I had played with the idea for 5-yrs or so. But finally I was ready!!! I was sleeved on Nov. 12th, 2012 in Fresno, CA. As for my family... We have attended counseling, though the church and privately, and some how we are still standing. My children are happier & healthy ... and my husband and I are working on reconnecting... I'm still a Mother & Wife... The only difference is that I finally am taking care of me. I realized... I'm not just a Mother and Wife... I'm a person too!!! What did I do to myself... My highest weight was 310. I felt unhealthy & ugly. Over the years I excluded myself from actitives due to embrassment. I was tired of feeling like a failure... I wanted to renew my life! I'm only 2 months out, and I know that WLS was a great choice. It may not fix everything, but the changes in my personal life and weight are getting better! Thanks be to God O:-)<

I absolutely agree with Blue Star Mom!!!!!! It might seem like fun & games right now ,and innocent thoughts. Be careful... Not to dance with the devil!!! Get professional help... crossover addictions are very very common after surgery!

Silly I know... But if you could give your WLS/Journey a "theme song"... What song would you choose for "before" and "after"???? These are my choices... BEFORE THEME SONG... (You See the Real Me - Natalie Grant) AFTER THEME SONG... (This Girl is On Fire - Alicia Keyes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27EI_2GPjlM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Try to stay away from sodas! My doctor told me not to drink it, in fact I stopped a few months before surgery. I'm only 2 months out so it's easier for me to speak right now... But if you can try to stay away from it. My Dr.explained pretty much what everybody else is discussing ... and food-for-thought that my Dr. told me... Why do you think restaurants give free refills on soda and nothing else... because it increases appetite... and the bubbles stretch your stomach out... therefore you will eat more. Good Luck!!!

[ATTACH]8275[/ATTACH] Thanks everyone for sharing. I really like this thread... <3 I absolutely LOVE music, and I find it very healing... I realize that my "before" song is very somber, but that song speaks my truth. In fact, I listened to it over and over right before my surgery. I was about chicken out, and that song actually help me. But I'm pleased to say that my "after" song... which I guess really isn't an after song, cause I'm only 2 month out- It's a vast contrast! With the weight that I have lost so far I'm already gaining confidence, and self esteem which I soooo needed. I forgot how it felt to feel Pretty, Empowered, and Worthy. My advice to myself, and others... Do not dwell on the past.. (Forgive yourself and others) Enjoy the present... (Acknowledge the small triumphs) & Look forward to the future... (It's never too late to live happily ever after!!!) May God bless us All O:-)<

Lol... Love your answers PS... You look Great!!!!

Great choices!!!

We Can Do It!!!!! [ATTACH]8221[/ATTACH]

Thanks Everyone...

First of All- You look Awesome!!! Regarding your question... It all depends on how you feel... I'm Puerto Rican, and in my culture the woman tend to be cuvry, and I like being cuvry! My Dr wants me at 145... Currently I'm only 2 months out at 204. But personally 145 would be too thin for me. Plus I lose weight from my face first... Than down. So if I lose too much I will look as if I were sick. I feel that if I lose too much... I won't look like myself, But that's just my opinion... Congrats!!!

Current weight 204 [ATTACH]8213[/ATTACH]

My Pear is shrinking little by little :-) [ATTACH]8212[/ATTACH]

:-) [ATTACH]8208[/ATTACH]

Thanks everyone... I really debated posting this thread - Because it's soooo deep and personal. But it was a release, I found it to be therapeutic! I must admit, I paused several times while writing because I was so emotional. I'm thankful to have this forum to vent, and release. Not only my weight has weighed my down... Holding on to my feelings, and not being able to confide my experience to friends/family has been difficult. (Only a few trusted people know of the affair & now my WLS) I figure... Since my weight is coming off- I might as well lessen my mental load too. Feeling lighter Lol Thanks <3

Thanks for the information...Well said!! Oh ,and Go Yankees! I grew-up in the Bronx... Just a few blocks away from Yankee Stadium - The old one.

Thanks... I'm working on renewing my Life... Health & Priorities! I'm pleased with my weightloss... Currently I'm 204. My Dr wants me at 145. Not sure if I want to get that small??? I'd be happy at 165-175... I think?!?! I'm Puerto Rican, and we have hips Lol [ATTACH]8127[/ATTACH]

Im not sure how to add on mfp either but I will try... Status... Surgery Nov. 12th WT 240 Currently 204 Eating approx 500-600 calories per day per my Dr.

Hello... I'm looking to add friends to myfitnesspal... Add me "PuertoRicanPear"... Lol All one word with 3 capital letters... I really need to see what other November sleevers are eating... I want to keep track with other LADIES... Since our calorie count will be similar- Thanks

Its a lot... So sip sip sip

I wish we were all on a universal diet and had that same guidelines... Each Dr/ Facility is different- Follow what your doctors says! I too am in a stall... And feeling frustrated But last time I was in a stall it passed and this stall will pass too... We just need to stay focused! Try drinking more water... Take your weight divide it in 2 and that is the amount of Water in ounces that "your" body needs to lose weight... GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS

Hello... I'm looking to add friends to myfitnesspal... Add me "PuertoRicanPear"... Lol All one word with 3 capital letters... I really need to see what other November sleevers are eating... I want to keep track with other LADIES... Since our calorie count will be similar- Thanks

Don't get too upset... Call your Dr and talk to him/her... Are you really eating 1000 calories 1 month post op? I am 2 months post op and my Dr has me eating 500-600 calories. But Yes... Stalls drive me nuts too!

How many calories do you think you're eating per day???

Well I wasn't sleeved on the 7th... I was sleeved on the 12th. I just wanted to share that you are doing better than me... Even with rating carbs! I started at 240... Now I am 207 and I strictly stay away from carbs. So Good for you... As long as you are still losing you are ok! God Luck and enjoy youth weightloss success PS: I can't wait to be under 200... My aim is to be under 195 by Valentine's Day

I was sleeved on Nov 12th... Start weight 240... Current 207 Down 33 pds. I'm currently in a stall :/ I'm also worried because now my new tummy seems to be ok with just about anything... I seem to be hungry often I use myfitnesdpal and average 500 calories per day... Is that good or bad??? Concerned!!!???