hrhlaurie

Hi, in Colorado Springs and just over a year post-op. doing well and signed up for 2 Disney 5k races!

As of today, May 4, I'm down 90 pounds from 270 to 180. I'm 5'9" and tend to weigh more than I look so the numbers don't bother me even though I haven't hit my goal weight of 160, which was an arbitrary number. I wear size 10 now and look good even though a size 8 was my original goal. My diet is great, fairly low-carb, no breads or Pasta, rice, bagels, cereals, chips or crackers, etc. Not as hard to do as I thought it would be. I was exercising regularly but then tore the labrum muscle in my right shoulder so had to temporarily stop yoga and weight training for several weeks while it heals. I need to run more, especially since I'm signed up for a 5k at Disneyland in Sept. but I'm not as motivated as I should be. This summer I'll be swimming more, snorkeling, go back to yoga and weight training and starting tennis again. Overall, I'm doing great and my sleeve is the best thing I did for myself. I look better, move easier, feel great and I can continue to build on my success by exercising more and toning up some of these flabby bits. Didn't expect the arms to flap so I may some day sign up for arm surgery. I can handle the rest. It's great to stay in touch and I wish you all much success and delicious Protein shakes!

I'm in Colorado Springs and used Dr. Fedoryk and Memorial Hospital has a bariatric center of excellence that is just great. My Nut is wonderful and my surgeon and office staff were great. I'm 10 months out and over 90 pounds down and still appreciate the support I get from my team. If you are in CS and considering the surgery, I highly recommend my surgeon. It isn't the easy way out because every day we have to discipline ourselves to exercise and eat right. Just because our stomachs are smaller, doesn't mean we couldn't be eating breads, sugars, etc. instead of healthy choices. Easy way, pffffff!

I haven't been on here much lately but I'm in Colorado Springs and doing well. I'd love to find a running buddy if there is anyone local. My Nut is Julie Anderson and I highly recommend her. She's helping me lose this last 20 stubborn pounds!

Today I'm at 189 and my goal is 175.

Mexican, I order a soft taco and side of refried beans and eat some of the chicken or pork from inside the taco and some beans and cheese but none of the tortilla. Asian, grilled meat, nothing fried and watch the sauces because they could be high in carbs and sugar. Italian is hardest and I usually look for a piece of meat or appetizer of wings. BBQ, ribs or grilled meat and easiest to find food you can have. Breakfast, side of bacon or ham and a slice of cheese (I don't eat eggs). I can find something to eat at almost every restaurant, even fast food places, even Disneyland! I only eat meat and cheese and a few veggies, no breads, pasta, noodles, pretzels, crackers, rice or anything with too many carbs.

I'm in and will add my starting weight this Friday!

I met my goal and am 190 now!

Sorry I haven't checked in lately but current weight is 191. On 9-5, my starting weight for this challenge was 205 and my goal for Halloween was 190. For the first time, it looks like I might hit my goal for a challenge!

I'm in! Starting weight is 205 as of 9-5. Goal is 190. Thanks!

I was on vacation so missed a week but on Labor Day I weighed 208, which is 11 pounds over goal. I didn't anticipate my 3 week stall but have started losing again and losing inches so looking forward to the next challenge!

Ditto, hair coming out but I lost hair about 3 months after each of my children were born also. Something about the trauma of childbirth or surgery, it's a shock to your system. I've added hair, skin and nail Vitamins and hope it helps. SW 250, CW 212 I was hoping to be 200 or less by vacation tomorrow but my 3 week stall derailed me a bit. I am much smaller in inches and losing again so maybe I'll be in "onederland" when I return on the 28th.

I'm at 212 today, 15 pounds away from my Labor Day goal. At least I'm out of my stall but leaving on vacation Wed so may not be able to report in next Monday. I probably won't be able to weigh myself at all while I'm gone so that will be weird!

I was on liquids for a week and then soft and mushy food for a week. At my 2 week check, my doctor said I could try regular foods if I chewed it to mush before swallowing. At my 6 week check, he said I could have almonds and a few almonds are now one of my favorite snacks.

I agree, the sleeve is a smaller stomach and helps you commit to losing weight. You can fill your little pouch with carbs and sugar if you aren't serious about being healthy and in shape. While this is working for me, someone else may not give it the same effort. I knew head hunger and eating habits could sabotage my efforts so in the weeks after surgery I began retraining my brain to think of Pasta and breads as unappetizing. Before surgery, I ate crap and gained back every pound I would lose on a diet. Now I eat Protein, take Vitamins and have lost enough weight that I feel good and even jogged a bit on a treadmill yesterday! I admit that I usually only wait 15 mins after drinking before eating and I still eat too fast probably but I take in 3 - 4 ounces of protein in a meal and I try all different types of meat and cheese combos to make it interesting. I think people have problems because they feel deprived and are still focused on foods they shouldn't eat. I just look at bowls of pasta, pizza or whatever and remember that I used to like them but now I love being healthy. My reward is looking better, not shopping in plus sizes ever again, improving my health and accomplishing a goal. My trainer told me yesterday that stalls or plateaus are necessary for the body to adjust to weight loss. Usually, during this time, you will lose inches and gain some muscle. Since I've just been in a 3 week stall, I needed to hear that. Muscle weighs more than fat so you may gain or lose a few pounds but be dropping fat for muscle. I have lost inches even when scale isn't moving so I need to be patient and just keep doing what I'm doing. If you worry about surgery, check out The World According to Eggface blog to see some awesome recipes and the story of someone who had surgery, changed her life for the better and eats well.