diamond3

Hi all November sleevers!! Happy one year to us!! My stats are: HW: 289.6, size 24 pants, 2-3x shirts SW: 264.6 (11/12/12) CW: 161.5, size 10 pants, medium shirts Down 128.1!!! Working to be 140 for my ultimate goal.... Then a lower body lift!

Smooth move tea...... Works for me every time! (I prefer the peppermint one)

I have no regrets whatsoever. At all. I'm down almost 130 pounds and just 15 left to be a healthy BMI. That being said---- I wish I had been more prepared for what it's like emotionally to have chosen this. I am so happy- hands down- with me decision and progress. In preparing for surgery I thought I'd react well to some changes and have difficulty with others--- for example i thought if have more self esteem and building confidence would be difficult. For me it's been the opposite. I thought those nearest and dearest would have nothing but positive reactions to the changes- despite having a great support system that too is different than I anticipated- some people around me are happy for me but I think compare my success to their struggles and need to distance their involvement- not out of jealousy but the comparison they make ends up making them feel badly maybe.... It's a journey that is fantastic and confusing..., but for me 100% worth it.

I do the coconut flavor Dannon light and fit Greek --- with strawberries and sometimes some chopped pecans. SO GOOD! I'm 11 months out and can eat anything without a problem now. (Still strict but no intolerances).

You will be able to eat a sandwich.... I'm just about eleven months out and my sandwiches are soooooo different but I eat them..... I use one piece of Ezekiel sesame bread toasted... Whatever lunch meat I want.... Reduced fat mayo if I want....a little lettuce, pickles.... Whatever really. The portion is SO much smaller, and the bread is always toasted but they are sandwiches. Also grilled chicken wraps with peppers onions and a little plain chiobani (instead of sour cream) for a healthy chicken fajita wrap. Grilled cheese (if I get my Protein in first) is still good too. For the naysayers about carbs- I'm eleven months out, down over 125 pounds which is about 85% of my excess weight. I'm very careful about my diet.....and it's very healthy.... Everything in moderation works. Even carbs! ????

Thank you!! It's definitely roller coaster but I have to remember the good stuff! How is everyone else doing?

I was a smoker before surgery and quit about five months pre op. Since about ten months post op I've been smoking again and everyday I think to myself today is the day I will quit.... Then I smoke. UGH. Does anyone know of any risks associated with smoking this far out of surgery? I know all the horrible risks of smoking pre op, soon after surgery, and of smoking in general......But I wonder if there are additional risks for VSGers after we are all healed up.

I went to BIDMC and Dr Scheider was my surgeon. He is excellent.... And Michelle (nutrition) and Erin (nurse) are fantastic. I'm 10 months out and down about 117 I think (haven't weighed myself in a couple weeks) since the start if my pre op diet. Couldn't be happier!

I broke down and joined one of the online dating sites- dating is a lot harder now! People say and do just about everything to get some attention. It was so much easier before when people weren't "after one thing". Man..... I definitely wouldn't have ever thought dating would be harder now. I just want to meet someone normal that wants a real relationship. And won't be freaked out by the surgery news. Anyone near Boston?

Still mostly stalled.... Anyone else wonder about when the belly fat (gut) will catch up with the other areas? Seems like everywhere is getting smaller BUT my belly!

I'm so frustrated. May was a month that I was not super strict with my diet or exercise. I didn't go crazy or anything but I was out of town for two weeks and I found it more difficult to be strict.... Now I am home, working out eating right and staying on top of everything and I'm still not losing weight. I've tried changing up my work out.... Changing up my diet.... And nothing. I keep on losing and gaining the same 2-3 pounds over and over. It's just like before the surgery except I am totally committed and haven't gone off the program (when I was out of town I wasn't strict but I was still following the guidelines). Makes me super cranky. And I want a piece of pizza followed by a snickers.... Of course I won't but seriously the scale has got to move soon right?!?!?

That happened to me on Saturday!!! Just a little embarrassing :-/

Has anyone else been experiencing some sort of out of control head hunger? I have been eating so much more and wanting to eat pretty much any of the unhealthy foods I can think of! Two things have happened recently- I was away for a week and not able to be as careful as I am at home and I started birth control again. Anyone have any similar experiences? Or have I been depriving myself of many of my old go to unhealthy foods for 7 months and now can't keep it together?

I was having the hair loss problems too..... I started taking biotin twice a day. As long as I don't forget my vitamins, and get 70g of protein I don't lose much hair the next day.....seems to be the magic combo for me. My doctor told me biotin is not proven to prevent hair loss but it can't hurt either...... Twinlabs has a chewable dot too. Pretty cheap.

Broke my stall with your advice!!! Seems I needed more calories. Super excited about it because I'm down 50 pounds from my high weight.....feels so good!

I've been in a stall since December 3rd. :-( it's starting to get me down..... Anyone break there stall?..... And how did you do it?!?!?!!??!!

I finally felt like cooking something .... Made turkey meatballs with a side of Italian seasoned ricotta cheese with basil garlic tomato sauce and a pinch of shredded cheese.... Baked together and tasted oh so yummy! Granted the portion was teeny tiny but I ate it and feel great!

I'm so relieved! Everywhere I look people are so happy to move to puréed food or to soft foods.... I've had the ok for ground soft foods and well chewed crackers even and I just have no interest whatsoever!! I need to start eating but jeez.... Why bother? Lol