Para-thighs Lost

good...proves they're working!

Great! The couple that sleeves together, loses together! Best wishes to you both!

Jane, I'm Bat's wife, and also a veteran. It's a process. First you tell your PCP at the vet's hospital,(Assuming you're already going there), that you are interested. Find out if there is a VA hospital that does the surgery in your area. Your Dr will give you an online questionnaire (maybe) and start the ball rolling. You must attend the VA's MOVE program for three months. There is an interview with a psychologist, and an extensive battery of tests. For example, blood work, stress test, for women, pap and mammogram and several others. It's a little daunting, but in the end SO worth it. I had my surgery at the VA in Pittsburgh, PA.and hubby will have his there too. We are SO grateful to the VA for offering this to veterans!

Hi, Kathy! Thanks for your response! He is a trooper, closing in on his 3rd week of Optifast! The VA's pre-op is strict, but they get excellent results. We are both veterans, and appreciate all that our VA has done for us! We are the first couple to have gone through this...in our state.

So happy for you two! Thanks for your reply!

The Optifast is great! I was on that too, as you know!

Does sugarfree jello work too?

Tell me Bat, what keeps you from getting hangry?

I too was weak for about 6 weeks. But I'm 66, and thought that was it. I got my Water in, and Vitamins (which I hated)...but finally got Women's Ultra Mega soft chew Multivitamin from GNC...mixed berry flavor (tastes a little like a starburst) and Chewy Bite Caramel flavored Calcium Citrate from Bariatric Advantage. Both are sugar free Sometimes I still feel weak, just rejoined the fitness center to do water aerobics and weight machines. I hadn't been in 3 months and I could really tell I lost muscle mass. Love the Nustepper which is like a recumbent bike sort of. The good news is you WILL get stronger...but I wish I would have walked or exercised sooner....oh, except I didn't have the energy. LOL

Very inspirational thread! This is my before, and three months out. Down about 65 pounds, but that includes my pre-op diet which was 6 weeks. I was sleeved March 11. Well shoot...I'm sure it's been covered, but how do you download the pics? OK, figured it out. Can't do it from my phone. Starting W 292 Sleeve W 271 Current W 222...so 70 pounds or so (it fluctuates) So yay me....and yay all of you!

Progressing about the same...still losing. Talked with NUT Wednesday for my three month evaluation, she said my % of loss was below average. I do everything but consistently excersise. How many of you are excersising 3-5 times a week, and are you losing faster?

Hi, SBH! My seem OK, the two larger ones and medium one are still sealed with glue. The quarter inch ones lost the glue and seem fine. Although for a week or so my medium bothered me a bit. I'm curious, did your surgeon use the DiVinci machine?

Hi, Jenny, Congratulations on your WL success! I'm two weeks out and down 16 pounds. I have dropped a dress size or two as well. My only issue is my chewable vitamins. I don't like them, but I did order Carmel flavored calcium, and I love them! Started puréed foods Sunday and I'm enjoying "almost normal" food. I also need to do more walking, but I'll get there. My NP reminded me I'm not a Spring chicken...

The best advice I got was from my daughter. She suggested using another method to track my success, other than the scale. Try measuring yourself once a week. You know your clothes are getting loose. Also, weighing once a week instead of daily. By all measures...you are VERY successful. Twenty nine pounds is great!!! Try to remember that for most of us, it took years to gain the weight...it will take a little time to get it off. Best wishes on your journey to a new you!

Well, Katyh, you're half way to 30pounds In a month! I'd say that's awesome! Before my surgery I got discouraged about slow weight loss...my daughter told me to find another way to measure my success. And that is to take some measurements... Once a week...and track progress that way. I knew my clothes were getting loser. Also, some folks have more to lose and may lose faster. Some men drop quicker than us. Celebrate your success!!! You're doing great!

Hey, Katyh, I'm doing really well. Just have trouble getting all the vitamins and calcium, and iron in. Someone mentioned liquid vitamins... Right now my biggest hurdle. Doing fine with drinking....starting puréed tomorrow! Earlier someone mentioned weight loss prior to surgery. Mine was just shy of 20 pounds. To date I've lost a total of around 30

It's daunting isn't it, Michelle? I do OK on the liquids, it's all the vitamins to chew I'm vhaving an issue with. But tomorrow, I start puréed foods, and I'm so excited!! Hey, Cristy, congratulations on your sleeve! Hop all is going well for you.

Michelle, you are doing fantastic!

Hope you're doing well Tamika! Took me a while to get online. Best of luck to you!

You young whippersnappers have everything! When I'm watching TV, I look at the time on the cable box and sip every 5 minutes. Just one average sip. In the beginning I was afraid to sip too much. Silly what we worry about, huh.

Michelle, I felt such a relief to have the surgery behind me. Make it a priority to get all your 64 oz in, it makes a difference! So happy to hear you are doing well!! Keep up the good work!

Good to hear Michelle!!! It gets easier everyday.

Thank you Lexie for a great article! I'm only 7 days post op and still trying to get all the supplements in. So thank you WL warrior, one a day sounds so manageable! I'm also printing the article for my daughter who is two years out and probably needs a boost!

You'll do great!!! Sending you lots of positive energy! Thanks!

hello everyone. I had my surgery March 11! I seem to be doing very well. Had my post op appointment today and everyone was pleased. I'm a 66 year old veteran of the US Army, and had my surgery in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania,at the VA hospital there.