Stacy Pendergest-Sandlin

So...I am officially 3 months out (surgery date was Oct. 2) and I am down 60 lbs total (20 lbs. pre-surgery, 40 lbs. post surgery) Currently at 212 lbs. I do have some hair loss but nothing too big...I am working on 60 Proteins a day...most days I end with a Protein shake though Had bread for the first time since surgery this past week....1 egg with cheese on a 1/2 of bagel thin (that was yummy!!) It has surprised me how much I have NOT missed bread so I dont really plan on adding it back into my diet I've only been walking on the treadmill and eliptical up to this point...have an appointment with a trainer tomorrow (VERY EXCITED) Have had many compliments and acknowledgements of my weight loss and most are appreciated....Really get bothered by some approaches of just letting me know that my clothes look too big.....YES, I know...but I also have 3 children to clothe and feed and shopping for me is a minimum until I get closer to my goal weight...............shopping is kind of an issue for me even when I do do it...It is crazy hard to believe that I'm looking at sizes that I am...and I think that I end up buying clothes not at the right size just because I can't imagine that I should be in a different size...I also have a BIG hip and thigh area so jeans/pants are difficult to find so that they look right and feel ok too.. Overall, I feel GREAT and don't regret my decision at all!! I couldn't be happier with my success so far and I know that I still have a ways to go (62 lbs.) I am HALF WAY THERE!!!

My surgery was 10/2....I've lost a total of 37 lbs. - starting weight 272 current 235 - I feel GREAT....still wearing my 22's but they are making me look like a bag lady - just haven't had the chance to shop yet...........I had 2 whole weeks of NOTHING lost and that was hard/frustrating, I'm getting in my Water now and have always gotten all my Protein....I think that I may have the problem of not eating enough....I don't EVER feel hungry so eating is something that I need to remind myself to do...and sometimes I don't (definately need to work on this) one of my favorite lunches (fast and easy) wrap a weight watchers cheese stick in a piece of ham/turkey and I'm good to go!! It's funny to fix a plate now...the amount of food that I'm used to putting on my plate to what i put on my plate now...and honestly it's still too much...my family likes to make fun of me saying that I like to put food on my plate to "pretend" I'm going to eat it Congrats to everyone! Hope everything continues to go well.

Good Luck to you firs of all on your surgery!! Take it slow and follow the rules and procedures that are given to you I actually went into a crying fit the night before surgery because of the hair thing...lol....I've been told to make sure that I take my Vitamins on a regular basis and work really hard on getting 60 grams or more of protein/day once you are allowed food again (pureed, soft, whatever) 2 Protein Shakes made with milk will almost get you there daily! keep positiive...and I'll be thinking about you! Congratulations on a NEW YOU tomorrow!!

Thanks! You made me smile

Hi! My name is Stacy and I began the journey to my new life officially 5 weeks ago, Oct. 2, 2012. I am a mother, wife, and teacher. I have 3 kiddos ages 11, 9, and 7 and a very supportive husband of 12 years. I have been teaching for 13 years and would do nothing else with my life. I LOVE what I do!! I have been considering surgery for a few years now...it was the years of dieting that never really worked, and the energy of my kids that I couldn't keep up with as well as the want to feel beautiful and sexy for my husband again that had me considering it. It was that insurance paid $0 of this surgery that really deterred me. After working really hard for a solid year to get all of my finances in order, I decided to go for it as a self pay patient. I made sure that the surgeon that I chose offered a self pay insurance to protect me against any complications post surgery and then applied for the loan. It was a HUGE decision due to the large cost but then I put it into perspective: I buy a new car for this price and it's just a car....I'm worth more than a car!!! When I first began seeing my doctor I was at 272 lbs. and am currently at 238 lbs. Which is GREAT and I should be THRILLED. I can't help to be disappointed though because on the morning of surgery I was 252 lbs. which means that I have only lost 14 lbs. since surgery...and honestly, that was the first 2 weeks. I've turned to VST because I just need someone to tell me that this is ok..besides my doctor. Our hospital DOES offer support group meetings monthly and they are great BUT...it's much easier to ask something on here than when everyone is staring at your face It just makes me uncomfortable. SO, I hope that this site offers me what I need in order to be successful at this...I really hate to fail at things so I really am working hard, following all the rules, and trying my hardest...I hope that it all falls into place!