FitnFabfor2014

Congratulations! You will do great!

I feel great! I felt sore after my surgery. For me the first two weeks were hard. I couldn't wait to get the drain out! It went pretty fast and I couldn't imagine it would have been this successful! How are you feeling? When Is your surgery?

My Dr. told me about 3-4 hours. I went in at 10a and woke up at 2:30p in recovery. I didn't have any other surgeries with it. No complications. They did a leak test while I was under.

If you want chocolate have chocolate! For me I do so many positive things to stay healthy (eating right and exercise everyday). My one snack size piece of chocolate is not going to push me off track. I don't eat it every day. I make sure I work for it. I just make my treat something to reward myself. I've given up rice, Pasta and breads. I'm not going to go through life without ANY chocolate ever .

Cut up and paid off my Torrid card. It feels amazing to walk into any store and be able to shop. I hated being limited to a few stores. Congrats!!!!

I was able to eat shrimp....at first only 1. Now I'm able to get down 3-4 jumbo and feel full. There is actually this shrimp cocktail Soup at the Mexican restaurant near my house that is incredible.

My taste in music changes with my mood. Especially during work outs. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Pitbull - Time Of Our Lives w/ Ne-Yo. Lovin' the new one by Maroon 5 - Sugar. I just put them all on shuffle and fast forward if I'm not in the mood .

Congratulations on your weight loss! That is a great accomplishment! For me the girls are still too big for the skimpy bras LOL. I found a full coverage cute lace demi bra. Those are the only ones that work for me where the cup does not runneth over. Spanks work amazing for the loose skin. Never too late to feel sexy! I wish I could say the same, I wasn't even this small in High School. I was around a 13/14. I may have been this size in elementary.....I think.

Thank you!!! I think that was my "Ah, I made it" moment. I worked so hard, and this was such a treat. For me I think it was the realization that I CAN shop anywhere now. Congrats to you on your birthday and good luck with the VS requests!!

My Doctor wrote a letter stating I was having surgery and my expected return date. No mention of the sleeve. I was out for 5 weeks. My doctor wanted to make sure I was 100% before I went back. I had no regrets taking off all that time.

That is unfortunately the reason why I decided to not tell anyone about my surgery. I did the research and I made the decision. It's something we will have to live with, nobody else. Only we know the struggles we go through daily (pre-op). Nobody can judge us until they have walked a day in our shoes. I respect each person's decision to do what they want with their body, but unfortunately not everyone has that same respect for others. I can understand people have "fears" of the unknown. We are already struggling with our decisions, what we need is support. Not negativity. If you have gone through (or are going through) the pre-ops, the evaluations and are having doubts that is understandable. Having someone come and fill your doubts full of negativity is not positive for you. Maybe your not sure about the surgery yourself, even though you said you were committed. I know for me I tried so many different ways to loose, and so many ways failed. I needed a re-start, and this surgery has helped me figure out what I was doing wrong and most importantly curbed the temptations...which I severely needed. I can walk into a bakery or by the chocolate isle and it not even phase me now. Before I would think, ahhhh just one or two boxes! Now I have a larger goal....to maintain my weight loss and never be big again. Eyes on the prize!!! You can do it! It's not easy, but it's do-able.

Hi Everyone! I usually don't do much topic starting, but I thought I would share. One of the things I wondered about pre-sleeve is if I was going to be successful. I was the world's WORST dieter. I was even worse with sticking to anything long term. The sleeve has changed my life 100% for the better. Granted, there have been some adjustments that have to be made (like new allergic reactions to foods etc), but I wouldn't change this. I was walking in the mall last weekend and walked by Victoria's Secret. I have never purchased any bras (or anything matter of fact) from in there, my chest was just too big. I thought, what the heck, lemme check it out. I need new bras anyway (semi-annual sale, extra 25% COME ON!!). Let me start by saying I was a 42DD (even a 42DD at times this time last year), so I was a little apprehensive. I still think of myself as big (that still is taking some time to adjust to). I walked out of the store with a 34DDD and a 36DD, And they were sexy bras (too bad I am the only one that sees them lol)! I skipped all the way to the car! Woohoo!! I finally cut up my Torrid credit card (plus size store), and paid off the bill. Victoria's Secret here I come! I've gone from a tight 20, to a size 8/10, size medium/large shirts. The only thing that hasn't changed are my feet.....still an 11, but now I don't have to get wide width calves! I never thought I would have this opportunity! Thanks for reading, and have a FABULOUS day!

For me what happens is it either comes right back up, or feels like it's stuck and going to come back up any minute. I usually have to walk around and breathe to help it stay down. It mostly happens when I am not paying attention, taking too big of a bite topped off with not chewing enough. A year out and still learning lol.

Sometimes I forget and still do that!!!

Probably your stomach letting you know it's too soon for you to try whatever it was you had. There were quite a few things that I couldn't eat 3 weeks out, even though it was on the "approved" list. I had to stick with what didn't make me sick (which wasn't very much), and try things again a few weeks later.

Since I've started loosing all the weight I am ALWAYS cold. Long sleeves, jackets, sweatshirts you name it! I've even started double layering when I get ready for work or going out. LOL

Hi, Is it an uncomfortable feeling or a gurgle? Is there pain or do you feel nauseous? I get an uncomfortable (nauseous) feeling after I eat pork. I steer clear of pork now.

Hi, I don't own a scale, I don't want to be tempted. I weigh myself when go to my doctors appointments. I make sure I follow my food diary and exercise. That's what has worked for me.

Hi, Yes, Macy's has great clearance and sale items. I also spent a lot of time at TJMaxx and Marshall's (although I found I could get better deals on jeans at dept stores sometimes). I also found good deals at forever 21 (even though I'm way past that age). Also H&M. I like to dress fun and age appropriate too, so you can definitely find something there. Enjoy your journey!

I found that it was easier for me to get liquids in if they were warm or room temp. I had a hard time with phase 2, and actually had to go back to phase 2 when the pureed stage was not working out for me. So I spent about a month in the liquid phase. No fun....but I definitely found ways to make it work. I still find that warm or room temp works best for me. Good luck with your journey.

Hi, I just posted a thread (Victoria's Secret) regarding my new size. I went from a 42/44DD to a 34DDD/36DD. It is SUCH a great feeling. Yes the girls have deflated a bit, but the Demi bra is amazing at perking them right back up.

It SO funny that you mention chicken broth, because after the liquid and puree stage the smell of chicken broth made me nauseous. I had about 10 cans in my cupboard stocked for post surgery. They stayed there for months. Now, a year out I can bare the smell and taste of chicken broth. I never thought that was going to happen.

Hi DJMohr, Thanks so much for your response! I know EXACTLY what you mean about shopping. I hated shopping! That's why I LOVE shoes too! I have tons of shoes, and felt that was the only thing that I could buy that wouldn't make me feel so disappointed when I put them on!!! Clothes shopping has gotten a little more fun . I still can't grasp the size change, and I feel like if I grab a size and it doesn't fit I will disappointed. If I can he there you can definitely get to your goal! Good luck to you! Keep you eyes on the prize (sexy Victoria's Secret bras and panties lol).

Hi! My tastes have definitely changed. I'm a year out. I was a carboholic too. Rice, noodles...just gimme the pot. Now, no interest. I can't stand the taste of pork or red meat anymore either. I dunno what that is about, because I loved pork before (not so much red meat) My stomach just can't tolerate it anymore, and I lost interest.