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I haven't posted for a while. I had a few weeks where I plateaued, but I'm moving again and as of today I was 220.2 lbs - down 57 lbs from initial weight. I am doing really well - my energy level is good, I"m working out time a week and doing the treadmill every day. A few more lbs and I will be half way to my goal weight of 150. I'm very happy with my progress. A few dietary challenges - I have found there are a lot of things I can't tolerate - bread (except very thin toasted bread in small quantity), tortillas (I can only eat about half of a very thin wrap), baked chicken (I can eat thighs, but no breasts - too dry), hamburger (unless in sauce it is too dry). I can only still eat a very small quantity at one time - just 4-5 oz at a time. Its all good. And the great thing is that I still don't have an appetite. Which is wonderful! Good luck to all of the other sleevers out there - I think we have all made a great change in our lives - a courageous change! A better, healthier life. A happier life. Happy Memorial Day!

I really don't have any hunger. Still. I'm a little over 4 weeks out, and not only do I have no urge to eat, the things that I normally crave - chocolate, bread, cheese - nothing! no craving, nothing. Its weird. But I'm grateful. Hope your recovery is doing well!

In just a couple of days I will be 1 month post op. I can't believe it. 31 lbs lost so far. One size down. Worked at at the YMCA - 30 minutes on the treadmill, and 30 minutes on the cycle. And I feel great. I've made some mistakes - eating too fast (uh - horrible feeling in my throat like it was all backing up on me - no vomiting, but almost wanted to to get rid of the feeling), not eating enough (hate that lightheaded woozy feeling). Funny thing is that I still don't have an appetite - I can eat, but I have no urge to eat. People at work have noticed - apparently I had a chubby face, and its noticeably thinner. I can't see it, but a bunch of people have mentioned it. I am really enjoying wearing clothes I haven't had on in years. Journey well under way, a few bumps but nothing serious. Smooth sailing...

I walked every hour or so while in the hospital, and used Gas-x strips (the ones that dissolve in your mouth). Honestly I didn't have many gas pains, and what I did have only lasted a couple of days. I would STRONGLY recommend you walk as much has you can. You will do great!

drum roll please........... 2 weeks, 28 lbs lost (including 5 lbs week before surgery). SW 277, CW 259, GW 155. I feel great. No dietary issues. Not hungry. Full after 2 oz of salmon for dinner. This couldn't have been easier! I know that the weight loss is going to slow down too as I increase calories (currently 500-600 cal day), but I"m enjoying the quick weight loss while it happens! Today I spent a couple of hours going through my store of work pants - I have pants varying in size from 22 to 12. I am able to fit into a couple of pairs of the 20s - which is amazing! I figure a couple of more weeks and all of the 20s will fit. In the past when I have dieted I have saved the pants that no longer fit - just in case I needed them again. But I am committed this time to take the clothes that don't fit to the salvation army right away - because I am never going to fit into them again! I also joined the YMCA yesterday. I know that in the past I've convinced myself that the amount of exercise I get at work is sufficient (I'm on my feet a lot). But I've promised myself to be honest about everything - how much I eat, the amount of sweets I eat, and the amount of exercise I get. An I have promised myself to exercise at least 3 x a week at the Y. Journey is off to a good start. I know there will be bumps along the way, like any journey. But the journey has begun!

so strange - i feel so well. No nausea, no issues with drinking (other than forgetting), no lightheadedness. No need for pain medication. Bowels moving well. Weight 257.7, down around 7 lbs since surgery. Loosing pretty fast, but given the calorie intake not all that surprised. The important thing is that I don't have any symptoms of protein deficiency - fatigue, constipation, excessive sleepiness, hair loss. So far so good. Very early in the process, but so very glad I made the decision to do this. So very happy.

I had a laparoscopic gastric sleeve & gall bladder removal on monday the 14th. The surgery went without a problem, and I was up and walking a few hours later. I have been very fortunate - many of the side effects that people report (gas pain, nausea, vomiting) seem to have passed me by. AND my bowels are already moving. Last night I slept very well (so glad to be back in my own bed). Today I'm working hard to keep up with fluids and proteins - I feel like I'm drinking continuously. But no nausea. It almost feels surreal - I've actually had to check the incisions a few times just to confirm for myself that the surgery took place. I have no appetite, and it takes very little to make me feel full. I started at a highest weight of 278. At surgery I was 262. Plan to wait a week before weighing again. I'm so very happy that I finally made the decision to move forward with improving my health. I expect set backs and challenges - after all, this is a huge life change. But so far so good.

I have a date! I started on my surgery journey about 18 months ago. I was two months into managed weight loss, had all my testing done, psych assessment, everything going great. And then suddenly I developed numbness and muscle weakness with my left arm. Cancel bariatric surgery, schedule cervical spine surgery. Surgery went great, 6 weeks recovery with full return of function. But - had to delay the bariatric surgery for more than a year. Started back on the managed weight loss in December. Had to repeat some of the testing because it had been so long. Finally met with my surgeon yesterday for final visit, and am scheduled for March 14th. Am so happy to FINALLY have a date. I have been fat to obese for most of my life. Like most people who have the surgery, I have lost and gained more pounds than I can count. Diets don't work for me. I need the sleeve surgery as a tool - to jump start me into a new way of eating. Not a diet. A complete permanent change to my relationship with food. I work in health care. I've had very mixed reactions from people at work who know about the surgery. Some are supportive, some feel duty bound to tell me all the horror stories about the surgery. I don't care. I am ready. I look forward to sharing with this community. I have derived inspiration and from you posts. I'm excited to be part of the community, and can't wait to share my journey.