S(he) be(lie)ve(d)

I am 7 months out and still have a premier protein shake in the morning. It is a fast, easy breakfast for on the fly with 3 kiddos. Even before surgery, it was my go to for breakfast.

It can be done! I am 7 months out. Only 4 people were told. Nobody else knows. They just know that I am making better choices with what I eat and exercise 5 days a week.

My diet follows 90% of the Paleo way of eating. I feel amazing, my labs prove it and I don't require as many vitamins post-op. I am 18 lbs away from my goal weight too!!!

Gas-X Strips and Mintox Anitgas/Antacid (At Costco) were a godsend for me. My hiatal hernia was graded a 4 1/2. It will get better over time.

Before you know it, you will be 6 months post-op! Seriously! Even though some parts seems to really drag, it all goes by so darn fast. I can't believe that it's been 6 months since my surgery. You can do it! It may be hard, but it is so worth it. I just kept telling myself to suck it up buttercup and just do it! You got this!!!

I have never tracked my caloric intake. I just make sure that I eat when it's time. Everyday I eat pretty much the same thing, except for dinner. That is my only variation. It make it much easier to be a creature of habit for the long haul.

If you don't want clip ins, there is also Halo Couture. There are no clips involved whatsoever. I've had mine for 2 years. But, after 2 surgeries close together and weight loss, I have lost so much hair. I have actually been wearing a wig. Yes, it is seriously that bad. The good part, NOBODY can tell.

I have used them. It was about 4 weeks after surgery. They were a lot more gentle on my stomach, than taking anything else. But, do get your doctor's opinion on it.

A year ago today, March 5th, was the date that I began my 6 month medically supervised diet. I thought it was a pain and hated the thought of having to go through 6 months of waiting, and recording everything I ate and did. It was actually a good thing though. I learned so much during that time period about myself, triggers and preparing myself for what was lying ahead of me. It is crazy to think that I have been on this journey for a year and my surgery was just about 6 months ago. I'm down a total of 73 lbs, with only 20-25 lbs left!!! When I look in the mirror, I see ME again. Not the stranger that I didn't recognize anymore. Who was she? I have my confidence and health back again. Really, the list goes on and on. Oh. My. Gosh. I feel so amazing!!!!

Today, it's been exactly 1 year for me, since I began my 6 month supervised diet. I've lost a total of 73 lbs. During the 6 month diet, I lost 23 lbs. I'm aiming to hit my goal weight by early summer. Don't worry too much! Keep going! You can do it! Everyone is different with losing weight. If you feel you need to revamp your eating or exercising, just do it. Sometimes, our bodies just need some change to kick itself back into gear again. You got this!

Exactly like a nap! If you are a mommy, it is a well deserved nap! I slept through my anesthesia and then some. I didn't wake up until 6 hours after surgery. My surgery was a day surgery. It didn't take long at all. My nap took the most amount of time. I didn't complain at all. It was nice to get caught up!

Once you have the sleeve done, you know that you have to have mindful eating habits. You only get so much room with your new stomach and have to eat in a specific order. You will notice that certain foods will make you feel horrible and eating properly will give you good energy and feel good too. I thought that too, at first. After my 6 month supervised diet, I had more understanding of what I was getting myself into. The 1st 3-4 months were the hardest. Then once a strict routine was put in place, I did great! I lost 23 lbs during my supervised diet. My surgery was almost 6 months ago. I've lost a total of 73 lbs, so far. I have 20-25 to go before I hit my goal weight! Don't doubt yourself. You can do it. You and your health are worth making healthy, stronger and happier. We've all been in your position and had your thoughts. You are not alone at all. You got this!!!

You are at a plateau. Don't stress to much. My longest plateau was a month long. They happen. You are only 3 months into it. The good old saying...."Trust the process". Your body is adjusting to it's current loss. During this time, even though you won't notice lbs disappearing, the inches will be. Hang in there!

I think the hair loss from losing weight amplifies the hair issue. It's really fine and brittle. So, it breaks off, giving the appearance that I am losing A LOT of hair. It is horrible. So much so, that I actually wear a wig now. My levels have been checked for the last 3 years and have been fine so far. But last week, my thyroxine free was flagged high. It's just weird.

My surgery was Sept 8, 2014. The shedding hit big time. I'm hoping it ends soon. However, I've had 2 surgeries relatively close together. About 3 months after each, I lose hair from the anesthesia and now from weight loss. So, with that said, I've lost A LOT of hair, but also have a lot of new growth coming in that is about an inch and a 1/2 long. It's had to be cut really short and is to the point that I can't even style it. Because of dramatic hair loss, I wear a wig. Nobody even knows it's a wig at all. My hair was really fine to begin with. I've done all the "to do's" to help my hair, but it's going to react the way it is going to react. It's life.

There have been a few shows on the "latest" diet fads. I've watched a few of them, including brain stimulation. I think I am more amused knowing that I have tried and failed so many diet fads. When they are over, I just shake my head and laugh. It's been 3 months since watching them. Before, I would hang on every word and think maybe it would be worth trying. Now, I can't stand to watch them, let alone hear people talk about them.

Surgery was Sept 8th, 2014. Can't believe it has almost 5 months ago! I usually get on here at least every other day, if not every day.

I'm sorry you have to deal with comments like that from her. That is awful! Over the years, I have learned that I need to depend on myself for getting my exercise in for the day. I used to workout with friends. Then eventually, excuses seem to rule the workout time for everyone. So, now, I have my own time that I workout with my music. Nothing interrupts me and there are no excuses and no comments from the peanut gallery. Keep going! You can do it! You are doing amazing! Go with what you are comfortable with and avoid the peanut gallery's unwanted comments.

I can't even fathom the idea of wanting to drink soda. The carbonation alone would give horrendous gas pains. I'm 4 months out and don't even miss it. But, I never was a big pop drinker. Just knowing the pain and amount of gas it would cause, I steer clear of anything that fizzes.

I've been told that I look younger now. I'm chalking it up to drinking nothing but water.

I have a whole container of the Chike Mocha. I had one scoop of it a few months ago and it made me feel horrible for a whole day. I am too scared to try it again.

Thank you for the warning. Last year I had a cancer scare. They thought it was Lymphoma. But after numerous tests, an inconclusive fine needle biopsy and finally removing a lymph node in my neck, it came back negative. It turns out that after I took a heavy duty medication, it messed up my lymph system and it wasn't draining fluids properly. The doctor told my that in all his years of practice, that he has never seen one as large as that one was and have it come back as benign. It was one of the most scary times in my life. I brought my tests to the attention of my primary care doctor as well. She didn't seem to be concerned about the results even though over the last year and a half, they have gone from 380 to 1026 and now >1500 (they didn't put down a specific #). She thinks it is all because of my diet. Could be, but I don't exactly know. I will talk to Dr. Billings as well about these results and see what he thinks as well. I would rather be safe than sorry.

I just had my blood work done for the 3 month checkup. My b12 level came back >1500 and was flagged as high. I was taking a sublingual, but now I am no longer advised to take it. It is interesting how everyone is different with how their bodies respond to the sleeve.

Aww! Thank you!!!