NewSetOfCurves

Size 18 / 20 tops and bottoms or 2x/3x tops Now Small/Medium tops or 8/10 pants. Depends on hip and leg room, I have a small waist and generous hips and thighs. All my pants fit huge at the waist and perfect in those other areas. But I'll take that problem any day!

Bandista is very right. I was just engaging in a debate with 2muchfun. I wasn't offended, I hope he wasn't offended. In my mind we were just offering the knowledge that we have each gained through our own experiences and research. We will each interpret that knowledge in our way, and that is why it's critical to read, read, read & ask, ask, ask and synthesize your own opinion. Again, I wish you the best.

I too will concede that stats do change and numbers were different when I was researching this over a year ago. However, despite what others might feel or agree with, the sleeve is not a malabsorption issue. http://gastricsleevenow.com/advantages-of-gastric-sleeve-surgery I talked to death about this with my doctor because I am horrible at taking vitamins/ pills/ medications/ etc.

Tu-shea 2muchfun! I am happy that you have had so much success with yours! I agree about the foreign objects. I have a 4 year old whom has undergone many heart surgeries and is alive today because of foreign objects. I agree that the lap band has been a successful tool for many people and that there are many, many more people walking around with the band vs. the sleeve; so, there are a greater number of people out there with their anecdotal success and horror stories. However, anecdotal or not, they are real experiences and experiences that can repeat themselves. If you look at the national percentage—which is the ratio that takes into account the number differences—the complication rates for the sleeve are a lot lower. When I shopped around for doctors, they all sided with the sleeve. One of them said that he would not perform the band. Period. Also, the sleeve does not have malabsorption issues; that occurs in bypass patients. All that being said, every surgery has its risks; you have to weigh your options and the risks and decide which RISK you are willing to take, if any. When my 2 ½ month old daughter (at the time) went into heart failure and they told me the horrible news and that she needed immediate surgery, and said that the survival rate of that surgery was 92%, and her chance of surviving was without it was 15%... guess what I chose? Anybody going into weight loss surgery needs to do their research, they need to talk to doctors and ask their opinions, they need to talk to people with weight loss surgery experience and ask about their experiences because each one of their stories holds a possibility…the possibility that you might experience the same thing. I went into this with my eyes wide open. I knew what the risks were, I knew the varied experiences that were out there and that I might experience them myself. I prepared myself for the worst and I hoped for the best. Again, good luck with whatever you decide and your weight loss journey!

Congrats to you! Hitting wonderland is the most wonderful feeling in the world! Super happy for you!

I too was adamant about the lap band. It was something that wasn’t permanent, I could remove it later if I wanted to, make adjustments as I pleased, etc. My doctor, like yours, was an advocate for the sleeve. He said he would do the lap band if I wanted, that it cost the same as the sleeve, but that the complications and the eventual removal of the band was of greater risk. He also said that at first doctors believed that the band was something that could remain permanently in the body, but with new research and the countless cases of slippage and erosion, that the band now has a limited life span (I don’t remember what the number of years was). I did the research and sure enough there were MANY horror stories and fewer successes. After I became a member on this site, I searched and searched, read and read through people’s experiences, the good and the bad. I didn’t come across that many horror stories, and I liked that the national percentage of complication rates were below 2%, and even lower than that for mortality. My doctor’s numbers were far below the national average, which I loved even more. Ultimately, I asked myself: do I want a tool that will help me out for a lifetime? I have been struggling with weight for a great deal of my life already. Will I be able to control it with a non-permanent solution? Obesity runs in my family. Am I doomed like many of them? With the help of this forum, especially the veterans who were 2, 3, even 5 years out, I made the best decision of my life. I LOVE my sleeve and I haven’t looked back!

Yes! Check out my weight chart. I stall several times and even gain a pound or two a couple of times. Totally normal!

Congrats on reaching your goal loseitsoon!!! You look GREAT!

Thank You!!! Thanks for the compliments everyone!

Woohoo!!! Two pounds closer to goal! You "geaux" girl!!!

I'm glad Gettingsexyback! LOVE your sign-in name by-the-way, You know part of our human nature is to have the need to be validated, and finding others with similar experinces is definitely validation that your progress is okay/normal/(even) great. You look like you are doing very well so far; honing in on that sexiness!!!

Welcome! Take advantage of the plethora of useful information that the members on this site offer!

WOW!!! Those are fantastic numbers! Congrats to you!!!

Yup! WOW!!! What a transformation!!! You look like a completely different person! I'm happy for you and your daughter...CONGRATS on a job well done!

Awe...what a great success story! Congrats...but I can't see your pic

There are several weeks throughout my weightloss that show no weightloss and even some gain. Stalls are MOST LIKELY GOING to HAPPEN due to a variety of reasons: water retention, lack of bowel movement, your body retaining calories because it is in starvation mode (meaning you need to eat more calories), etc. However, I like keeping track because it shows me the BIG PICTURE, which we cannot see on a day-to-day basis. You seem to be doing well and your caloreis are excellent for 7 weeks out. I wish you--and everyone here--the best of luck!

My daughter was a little over two years at the time of my surgery (I know not as needy for carrying as a 9 month old). The doctor said ABSOLUTELY no picking her up. But, to cater to the intamicy that child and mother need, I would lie down next to her and hug her, or my husband would put her in my lap. It wasn't that bad, and--before I knew it--the time had past and I could lift her again. As long as you have help, it'll be okay; but DO NOT risk your sleeve or your health. The time will pass quickly, it is not worth the risk. Make sure to ask you doctor about the weight limit and the time period!

I experienced the shoulder pain until I was 5 or 6 weeks out. It was bad initially, but then it would act up after I ate or went walking/slow jogging. Heating pads helped tremendously for me. Thankfully, it did finally go away.

All my tummy really tolerated were the sugar free Popsicles. They were my lifeline in that first week, well first few weeks due to the difficulty in consuming water or liquids period.

Congrats! I'm glad to hear that you are not in too much pain. I wasn't so lucky, even with all the morphine they pumped me up with. Keep walking, and if need be when you go home, use heading pads on your tummy and back to help with the pain from the trapped air--if you have it. If you have trouble with the fluids, sugar free popsicles are a life saver. Anyway, congrats again on commencing yout new way of life!

Check you out in that swear suit! Looking good Ms. Angela!!!

You looking pretty smoking hot yourself burtie! Lol! Thank you!

7 months post op

Oooo girl! You've got some curves! You look great!!!