Oliver's Mom

Butter - you are amazing. Honest, helpful and oh so kind. That post nearly brought me to tears. I thought to myself - I don't know him personally but I 'love' that man! LOL, no worries, I'm a very happily married lady. I think that your response was dead on perfect.

You won't go bald. It might seem to you like you're losing a lot, but people normally lose between 200-300 hairs a day normally. It slows down and then stops. I take Biotin (10,000 per day) and I used a thickening shampoo. Breathe, relax and know that this will pass and people won't even notice.

Look at You!!! You look wonderful, I bet you feel so great too! Isn't it nice to see the changes in print?? And to know it's due to your sticking to your plan, exercising and your commitment to the work. Keep it up girl, you are an inspiration to others!!

Cheri - you look amazing!!! I love all of your posts - you have the calm voice in the sometimes chaotic chatter. I lost pretty quickly at the very beginning of the process, but have been a 'slow loser' for 4 months now and I am OK with that. I have committed to this way of eating and exercising for the rest of my life - and like anything in life, I know there will be ups & downs. I'm 9 pounds from goal - at 8 months out from surgery. Losing .2 or .4 and holding for a week or two at a time. My WLS team says I might go down a little bit from that by 1 year out then gain a bit back and stabilize. I'd like to be stable at 140, and firm up my abs a bit. I don't think I'll have any plastics on my stomach or legs, but have a consult scheduled in 2 weeks for info on a breast reduction/lift. Want to have several months to sock away the $$ for the surgery. Maybe down the road, 2 years out I'll have my arms done, but right now I am Ok with them. Your baby is beautiful and she looks so happy.

check out Skinnytaste too! I love the recipes on Eggface - my very fussy non sleeve husband eats them without any negative comments.

I add a little bit of Oikos greek yogurt dip and a spoonful of pickle juice.

Wow!!! You lost an average size woman with that weight loss. Amazing- your results show the work & dedication that you have put in. Way to go....and applaud you. Keep up the great work.

So today I had a lot of errands & appointments scheduled. I knew I would be gone from the house for hours (including snack time & lunch time). Without a thought I packed a bag with low fat, high Protein, low carb food for both my lunch and a snack. I grabbed two 24oz bottles of Water (it's day three here of a heat wave) and headed off. When I stopped for lunch, sitting on a park bench under a large shady tree and opened my bag it hit me........who is this person I've become? I like her! She no longer goes to a drive thru fast food restaurant, or stops at a convenience store for a lunch of soda, chips and a candy bar! Packing the lunch and healthy Snacks was done without even thinking about it. This change all happened a step at a time over the last 11 months - almost 8 months post op and the 3 months of preparation for the surgery. :-)

Great post, you are so correct and sometimes I think we all can get stuck focusing on the scale. Keep up the great work.

I could drink 'normally' about a week post surgery. The first week I just sipped. I was not only full fast but a little nervous to drink too fast. When I work out, I can take a big-ish drink from my Water bottle. Most of the time, it feels fine, only sometimes it feels like too much. I think it is because it's water and moves quickly thru my stomach. food is 4-6 oz and I am FULL. The 6 oz is stuff like yogurt or cottage cheese. Denser food like chicken or meat and I am FULL at 4 oz. Good luck! You have just begun your wonderful journey to health.

You look amazing!!! Keep up the great work.

I do!!! On Friday,50 minutes into my hour long training I was beginning to feel dizzy & lightheaded - when I said that she chuckled and said ' only 4 more to go!'. When I completed the set - I had to lean/sit against the wall because I thought I was going to pass out. Sometimes I laugh during the workout because I want to say 'wait' or 'break' but I know I won't get the break or a wait!! But the training is changing my body, I'm so much stronger and even when the scale stays stuck I see the differences in my body.

Wishing you an easy surgery and an uneventful recovery. Be patient with yourself, it's a journey of a lifetime. The 'stages' of eating before you are in your new normal may seem long while you're in it, but it's really not. We care about you and are here for your support. Be well.

My husband was on vacation last week (I'm retired.) We had a friend here visiting from Indiana. We ate out every night, breakfast out at least 3 times too. We went to a Red sox game, partook of all of the July 4th celebrations in town. Weather was in the 90's the whole time. My NSV's - no weight gain at all! I know that I did not exercise as much as I have been. - being able to comfortably walk around town for all the festivities - being comfortable in the seats at Fenway - room to spare actually!! - having so much energy that folks were trying to keep up with me this year!! I made sure I got in all of my water - averaged about 90+oz a day. Continued to track on MFP, only 2 days I went over my 1200-by less than 60 calories. I feel like this was a good test for me - I know I can do this for life. I must say these last 11 pounds are stubborn, losing just oz at a time. But it will happen, for all of us December Sleevers!!

You look beautiful! Congratulations on your success!

Very well said! Kudos to you!!

Sounds like your life has a 'full plate' of stress - try not to translate that to a real 'full plate' of food. It's hard not to fall back on our old habits when outside stressors are pushing. You have already lost 105 lbs so you know you CAN do this. Laura is right get the crappy food out of your house. Get back to basics. Be kind to yourself, don't beat yourself up - this is just a bump in the road. We all care and there isn't one of us who hasn't responded to stress with poor food choices. We are here for you. One step at a time, and they can be baby steps - is how you will get back on track. Pick one thing (Water for example) and commit to getting in your 64 oz. Stress - that's tough to deal with. Everyone has their own way to deal without food. But through it all remember to breathe. My way now to deal with stress is to take my dogs outside (I have 3 small dogs) either in the yard and toss a ball around for them for a while, or leash them up and take them for a walk. For me just being outside and moving a little, plus seeing the antics of my dogs calms me down. Good luck sweetie, we care, we truly do. And we are on your team, rooting your on, knowing you can do this.

Wow! You look great - not 'just' 55b lbs. 55 lbs is a lot, be proud of that. AND your body shape has changed so much. Good going. Going to the gym will be helpful too!! Looking great!!

Wow, you look great! Congrats!!

I had my surgery almost 7 months ago with Dr. Benedetto at Salem Hospital. NO post op problems or issues, I feel fantastic. I'm 11 lbs from goal. The support groups are good, the post op classes (great team of RN, NUT & exercise physiologist) were very helpful. Good luck!!! Salem Sleeve Sister!!!!

You look great - very cute suit!

Wow!! You look great!!

I, like Sassygirl, eat my Protein first. I'm 6 months out and continue to weigh my portions of meat/fish. If I still have room I eat veggies (there are naturally occurring carbs in fruits & veggies). I by choice don't eat bread, Pasta, rice. Since I have always had a gluten sensitivity it's easy for me not to eat that. I do eat 2 fruit servings every day as Snacks. I feel like I eat a 'normal' diet - so much so that when we're out to dinner with friends (who do not know I had surgery) I don't 'stick out' with the way I eat. Example: I'll order a small salad, dressing on the side. Eat some, take the rest home. I'll order fish or chicken with veggies (no rice or potato) eat some, take the rest home. I sip Water before the meal but stop before I eat and don't drink during or for 30 minutes after I eat. I don't eat the bread at the table. I leave full & happy and with food for lunch or my dogs the next day! My NUT stresses eating a balanced diet which includes fruits & veggies. Good luck, you will find your 'normal' and still lose weight.

AMAZING transformation Kevin!!! You look great! Very nice results from all of your hard work & dedication. Your story is an inspiration to all of us.

Great job Tink!!! You look beautiful. Nice results from all of your hard work.