mysleeveid13

I started taking Biotin before my surgery and I'm still noticing a bunch of hair loss. I go back to my nutritionist tomorrow so I'm going to see if she has any suggestions. Sorry to everyone else that's losing it. It's so much fun to feel good about my weight loss but I am freaking out about the hair. Trying not to be vain. It's noticeable to me...but don't think everyone else can see yet. I've been using volumizing products when I style it and I've gotten a lot of compliments. So hopefully I'm hiding it. Bluesea71 - thanks for the recommendation, I will definitely look into it. Butterfly - so excited for your dating life. How fun!!! Enjoy it and don't stress about telling him. If you continue to see him, eventually I think the opportunity will present itself to discuss it. It's weird....I didn't think I would tell anyone...and there's certain people it just comes right out of my mouth and others I choose not to tell. Have a great time!

I'm glad you mentioned the hair loss because mine is getting super thin. I meant to ask you what it was when I checked in. Is it the stuff you posted a picture of a while back? I guess I better get some.

Don't stop checking in everyone!!!! I'm more accountable when I know I have to talk to you all. I missed yesterday, but I was thinking about everyone. Week 17 check in!!!! 1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7" 255 2) Weight day of surgery: 243 3) 17 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: 1.6 lbs lost this week / total since pre-op diet 75.8 lbs / total since I started with a different surgeon back in Oct 94.8 lbs (started classes at 274 lbs and then insurance said they wouldn't cover the surgeon I started with...started over with a new surgeon in Feb.) 4) Goal weight: 150-ish 5) Your biggest success this week: got back to the gym regularly. Increased time on elliptical to 1 hour on level 6. Even went for an hour after work several days after getting up at 4:30 am. I used to used any excuse not to go, but now I'm looking for ways to make sure I can get there! 6) Your biggest struggle this week: still having really horrible heartburn and 2 periods a month but they are getting shorter so maybe my new birth control pill is starting to regulate it and maybe I'll get back to once a month. If not, if I can get to my goal then I can tolerate both.....fair trade for the benefits.

Also, I had a whole day of NSV's today. It was my son's 3rd birthday party and a lot of my family hasn't seen my since my surgery. So there were a lot of "skinny" comments and shocked faces when they arrived. Also, we had it at one of those jumpy places where they have the inflatable slides and things you can climb through, etc. I was right up there with my three kids. Climbing, sliding, jumping....and it was easy this time! Last year, I could barely climb up the ladder to go down the slide with the kids....and only did it a few times because I was a sweaty, worn out mess. This year, the kids were fighting over who I would jump with next. It was so much fun. I truly feel like a new person. This summer has been the most fun, going to Six Flags or White Water every weekend and the zoo and just really enjoying my kids!!! This was definitely the best decision I've ever made. Oh and I hit 179.6 today, so dipped down into the 170's. Almost 100 down from my non - pregnant highest. My highest was over 300 when I was pregnant with my youngest. This has been incredible and I'm still not done.

Thanks! I had strep throat and it was really sore for a few days so several meals were protein shakes and kind of back to the liquid phase because it hurt to eat. But I still got in some workouts and I think the combo of trying to drink a lot to coat my throat and liquid meal replacements did it. I kept checking the scale because I was really surprised.

1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7" 255 2) Weight day of surgery: 243 3) 16 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: 180.8 / 6 lbs lost. Total since start of this program: 74.2 total since I started going to wls classes back in Oct: 93.2 4) Goal weight: 150-ish 5) Your biggest success this week: losing 6 lbs. 6) Your biggest struggle this week: still have two periods a month. It's heavy and a week long so it's basically a period every other week. But I'm still losing so trying no to complain but emotionally, my hormones are whacked out. Crying over silly stuff. But I'm happy....just crazy.

15 week check-in time! 1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7 " / 255 2) Weight day of surgery: 243 3) Week 15 post op weight pounds lost/gained: 1 lb lost - 68.2 total from start of this program. (87.2 since Oct - went to class with a different surgeon but insurance wouldn't cover so started over in 2014 with new insurance - not that the details matter but just the hope that I was going to have the surgery got me on the path to losing so I wanted it to count for something) 4) Goal weight: 150-ish 5) Your biggest success this week: Saw a friend that I have not seen since Nov. I spoke to her and she said, "Hello" but continued what she was doing. Then, she spun around and told me she didn't recognize who I was and just thought I was someone saying hi to her. Then, she walked me over to where her mom was and her mom had to look twice, as well. That's when it feels real....they don't recognize you. This is a friend thst is brutally honest and has fussed at me (all in a caring way) about my weight and my blood pressure for years now and I'm smaller than her now. 6) Your biggest struggle this week: back to not getting to the gym. Not making excuses, because I really want to be there, but my middle son starts kindergarten and oldest starts 8th grade on Monday. So between school clothes and supply shopping, orientation at two different schools, work and birthday parties, etc. I just haven't gotten it in. BUT, I did push around a 50 lb stroller/child on the hottest day of the summer, up and down hills at the zoo. And I only had one teeny, tiny taste of my absolute favorite baker's birthday cake, so there were some highlights.

Where is everybody? I thought I would be one of the last ones checking in today...but I'm on the east coast so it's later here than it is for some of you..... 15 week check-in time! 1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 2) Weight day of surgery: 3) 15 post op weight pounds lost/gained: 4) Goal weight: 5) Your biggest success this week: 6) Your biggest struggle this week:

14 week check-in time! 1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7" 255 2) Weight day of surgery: 243 3) 13 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: 187.8 lbs / 3.2 lbs lost/ total since 1st appt 67.2 lbs lost 4) Goal weight: 150-ish 5) Your biggest success this week: back to exercising regularly. Although I haven't had a stall (knock on wood) my weight loss was much lower when I didn't get in my exercise consistently. It's a good feeling when the scale moves when you know how much time you put in at the gym. 6) Your biggest struggle this week: still having a period every other week and reflux. Changed birth control...not helping yet. So I'm a little crazy hormone wise, but I feel great!

Happy Birthday, Blondiecakes!!! That's an awesome present!

1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7" / 255 lbs 2) Weight day of surgery: 243 3) 13 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: lost 1.4 lbs this week / 64 lbs total 4) Goal weight:150-ish 5) Your biggest success this week: I got up at 4 am today to go to the gym before work because I knew my husband wanted to go out to dinner tonight and I wouldn't end up going. It feels really great to already have it done. I'm really sleepy, but excited that I already got it over with for the day. Only thing is, I forgot my towel!!!!!!! So after my shower, I had to stand there butt naked and dry off with a hair dryer! I figured I'd share in case ya'll need a good laugh this morning. I just kept praying, please don't let anyone come in here...luckily, they didn't! 6) Your biggest struggle this week: I slacked off for almost a week exercising, so I said I HAVE to do better this week. So far, I got it in Sunday, Tuesday and today, so I feel better about it and have made up my mind I won't go that long without it again. I only lost 1.4 lbs so I think this is motivation to get back in and be consistent like I was.

Ok people, it's our 13th week! Time to check in! 1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 2) Weight day of surgery: 3) 13 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: 4) Goal weight: 5) Your biggest success this week: 6) Your biggest struggle this week:

Welcome!!!!! Sounds like you have done a really awesome job! I started at 255 and I'm right around 192 now 12 weeks out. It's exciting to hear someone that started out at a similar weight losing so much. I bet you feel like a new person. I already feel totally different and I'm just beginning. Congratulations to you!

1) Height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7" 255 lbs 2) Weight day of surgery: 243 3) 12 week post op weight pounds lost/gained: 4.8 lost this week / 62.6 lbs total 4) Goal weight: 150-ish 5) Your biggest success this week: still managing to lose without hitting the gym in a week. I did exercise by walking all over Six Flags on Sunday, but I was in a good habit of exercising at least 4-5 days in addition to my weekend adventures with the kids. 6) Your biggest struggle this week: I allowed mean, hurtful, vile, ugly, people to affect my mood and bring me back down to an overweight, insecure person when I had been feeling so confident and so incredibly happy with myself. My 18 year old sister in law got mad at me over something really ridiculous and sent me a horribly vulgar, hateful message that called me several "fat arse" type names. I know it's stupid to let her affect me since she's just a kid, but I had just shared with my in-laws about my surgery and they were so happy for me and then at the drop of a hat, they turned it against me. My husband and I decided we are done with them as I don't want hateful, negative people like that around me, let alone my kids. Sorry, just had to share since a) I haven't shared with everyone about my surgery and that was truly my struggle this week.

Oh my gosh, the poop pouch...too funny. I thought I was the only one that was losing my butt at a crazy rate. It's weird because I've always had a large arse, since I can remember. Even when I was just "thick" in high school, playing soccer and running 3 miles a day, my butt was so big that my friends called me GB for Ghetto Booty. Now, all of a sudden, I look back in the mirror and my butt fell off! So, I have a sag in the back of my underwear. I finally broke down and went from a size 10 underwear (that honestly didn't always fit in the past but I refused to go any higher in size) to a size 7.

I get a tightness in my chest. Almost like I can feel the food sitting in my throat. If I am eating too fast and have another bite in my mouth when the tightness starts, I have learned to spit it out (when I'm alone) because that one last bite will put me over and make me feel gross. I also get hiccups with or without the full sensation. I know if hiccups start, I have to quit eating. I've had more hiccups after surgery than I have my entire life, I think...

Oh no! Sorry to hear you have another hernia. That stinks. Hope the medicine can help. I didn't have hernia repair but I hear it's quite painful. Good luck to you!

Matt - Welcome! Yeah, I have to agree that we talk about it all here, so I'm glad you aren't shy. As far as differences..... Before: Stopped going to amusement parks with my children because my wide arse couldn't fit into some of the rides without feeling like I needed a shoe horn to squeeze in. After: I bought seasons passes to Six Flags and White Water and I ride EVERYTHING with no problems! Before: Had trouble sitting in booths that were tight at restaurants. One of my "straws that broke the camels back" was when I took my daughter in for orientation at school and they had us sit in the desks that are attached to the chairs. I squeezed in (barely) but when I got up to leave, the desk was stuck around my waist when I started to stand up. I was mortified. After: Room to spare in booths and other tight seating. With a lot of my belly gone, I have room for both of my boys to sit in my lap at the same time. Before: This is going to sound worse than it is supposed to, but I had to sit uncomfortably during meetings if there was not a table covering my legs. Couldn't cross them very well and so much fat around my knees, I couldn't hold them together long enough to be considered sitting in a "lady like" position. After: I didn't even notice, but one of my best girls at work pointed out that I sit with my legs crossed constantly now. Once she pointed it out, I was like, wow, I really do! Before: I used to hide constantly. Under my clothes. Hide from people I haven't seen in years. I always thought they would say, "Wow, look how much she's blown up since high school!" I didn't even like to get up to go to the ladies room at work because I didn't want people looking at me. After: I walk all over this office. Speak to everyone. I am happy with myself and cannot tell you when I felt this good.

Melodica - I'm sorry you are having trouble. I don't know if this would help, but I've noticed when I eat with regular silverware that I feel like a few bites in I get a giant lump in my sternum. Almost like the food is stuck. I bought some cocktail forks (which are super cute) and some baby silverware and it reminds me to take tiny bites. I've noticed I am more aware of my chewing when I use the small silverware. Sometimes if something tastes really good and I'm using normal sized, I tend to eat it too fast or don't chew as thoroughly and it feels stuck and is painful. I'm not sure if this helps, but I know when I've hit times that I've been sick or in pain, just one little thing sometimes made a huge difference. As far as upset stomach, I'm not sure if you are talking about nausea or just feeling yucka after eating, but two things really helped me. My surgeon suggested keeping sugar free cinnamon candy with me. I even branched out and got some SF lemon drops and SF lifesavers, but when I start feeling nauseous or just feel gross and don't feel like eating, I will suck on one of them and maybe it's mental, but it seems to help. If it's straight nausea, Zofran worked. I hope you start feeling better. Please don't stop posting because we are all here for you.

Alright people, it's Week 10, so I'll set it up this week. Check in time!!!! 1) height / weight starting our wls programs: 5' 7", 255 2) weight day of surgery:243 3) weight 10 week post op / pounds lost/gained: 199.6 / 2.2 lost this week / 55.4 total (by the way, someone posted congrats on my 63 lb weight loss so I had to go back into my profile. I had my original weight at 274, which it was back in Nov 2013, but I updated it to 255 which is what it was when I started with my surgeon. (tomato tomahto - but updated it to be more accurate from the beginning of this journey) sorry...rambling. 4) goal weight: 150-ish 5) your biggest success this week: I MADE IT TO THE 100's!!!!!!!! Seriously, I can't remember when I was in the one hundreds last. I was in denial for a long time that I was so big, because I went through two pregnancies and was really happy, then it was like I woke up one day and was really, really overweight. I've been going through before pictures and was like wow, I've been really overweight for a lot longer than I thought! Oh and I bought a size 12! I know I've already mentioned both of these previously, but these were my successes. And I did 60 minutes on the elliptical machine without feeling like I was going to pass out. I actually lost track of time and thought, "Oh shoot, I have to get back to work!" Awesome feeling when exercise is no longer a chore. 6) your biggest struggle this week: Reflux continues to hurt.....but the good news is the endoscope looked great, so no damage, just pain. But again, if this is the worst I have to deal with, I'll take it. A lot of people have way worse than reflux, so I'm willing to suck it up and deal with it. (I'll just complain to you all. Hee, hee)

Thank you, Kate. It feels so good to be happy. I was hiding from people I went to school because I didn't want them to see how big I had gotten. It's so awesome to finally follow something through and do what I've been saying I was going to do for years. Get healthy!

Oh and for those that say this is the "easy way out".... I did this on the elliptical today.... [ATTACH]45765[/ATTACH]

Guess who made it to the ones???? [ATTACH]45763[/ATTACH] This girl right here!!!!

As far as mixing the ppi and gaviscon....it didn't work for me, but that doesn't mean it won't for you. As your dr about it. I was taking carafate, priolosec, and gaviscon and no relief for me. They did a scope and said everything looked ok though so that's good. Changed me to protonix in the morning and two priolosec at night. They said it should go away after about 6 months....it really is awful, but my weight loss is going well, so if this is the worst that happens, I'll be ok.