KristenVSG2014

That is awesome!!! Congratulations. What all is that you are using for tracking? I like it. The one above is an app called "Monitor Your Weight". I like that you can see where you started, where you are currently and how far from your goal. I also have My Fitness Pal but I haven't been tracking my food as much since I'm doing Whole30 at the moment and you don't worry about calories. Aside from electronics, I weigh weekly, measure and take a full body bra and panties pic monthly. It helps to compare pics month to month.

My coworker who has known me for 10 years (he's seen me at all my weights, especially my heaviest) saw me walking across the lobby to my office and he said, "I just saw you walking across the lobby and I didn't recognize you." ???? Nice NSV.

I know it can be discouraging when you are following the rules but the scale isn't rewarding you as much as you thought it should. My body actually "stalls" for about two weeks then I'll lose really well for two weeks. We are all different and our bodies lose the way they want to. As long as you are doing what you're supposed to be doing like reaching protein and water goals then the scale will catch up. I also notice sometimes I lose inches before a loss shows up on the scale. Make sure you are measuring yourself too. The scale isn't the only indicator of success. :-)

Welcome and congrats! It sounds like you are doing great with your surgery so far. Your story reminds me a lot of my own. I also was also diagnosed with PCOS and eventually diabetes and high blood pressure. Thankfully the only lasting proof of those now are some chin hairs that I happily pluck or wax. You will be at your goal weight soon. Try to take it day by day and take advantage of the honeymoon period while you have great restriction. If you need any advice I'm glad to help!

Whoops. I'm a few days late. Here are the latest stats: Total Inches Lost: Neck - 2 in Under boobs - 7 in Waist - 10 in Hips - 11 in Arms - 3 in each Thighs - 4 1/2 in each I can't believe I'm so close (yet so far away) from my goal of 160 pounds. I've never been successful beyond 20 pounds lost on my own so I'm still in denial that what the scale says is true. I have days where I look in the mirror and I see no difference. Then I'll see a picture someone took of me and I won't recognize myself because I look so much smaller. It really blows my mind. Last month my energy level was a little better but I'm still struggling with joint pain and sleep issues. I'm going to see my primary doctor tomorrow for my 3 month blood work and I'll ask him for advice. I've never been more excited to weigh in at the doctor's office! For those wondering, I'm 5'7 and at this weight I'm currently a very comfortable size 14. I could probably squeeze into a 12 but I don't like to feel like I'm going to pop out of my pants. My goal size is a 10. I may need a tummy tuck to get there though. The stomach is still shrinkled (lol that word makes me laugh every time) but not as bad as I thought it would look. Some day I'll get the courage to post those full body shots....

I served on a jury for DUI. A lot of people have the misconception "I'm not drunk. I'm mentally clear. I can drive." But what the attorney stressed was the charge is driving under the INFLUENCE, not drunk. That means if you are impaired at all, it's not safe to drive. All you need is to be under the influence of alcohol to be arrested for DUI. I personally cannot drink in good conscience 3 hours after one drink because since surgery, alcohol goes straight to my small intestine and I get buzzed very very fast. I had a pint of wine last weekend and I felt the buzz for at least 3 hours while walking around so I had my husband drive home. By the way, the jury unanimously decided the defendant was guilty. Thankfully he didn't hurt anyone.

If this article doesn't make up your mind I don't know what will: http://time.com/3746047/diet-soda-bad-belly-fat/ Quite terrifying. We spent so much money, time and energy losing weight. I think giving up soda is a small sacrifice.

This. Acid mimics that horrible feeling of your stomach eating itself it's so hungry. But it isn't hungry. It just feels that way. If you're already on a medication for acid, ask to try a different one. I'm sure this is what your issue is, I had the same one. Thankfully the acid only lasted for about 6 weeks then I discovered the culprit - nitrates. Even now after almost 7 months I still can't eat lunch meat (especially roast beef), bacon or hot dogs without getting severe heartburn. If I get nitrate-free organic versions I don't have a problem. But I mostly try to avoid them altogether. Except bacon. Bacon is amazing.

Half of the new ads do not give me an option to exit them. I have to force-close the page and hope I get an ad I can close out of. Here's an example:

They were video ads. They weren't loading. Now they load but it still takes about 10 seconds until the countdown for me to skip the video begins. This is only on the mobile app.

Thats a screenshot of which app? "Monitor Your Weight" on Apple Store. Not sure about Android.

Your body may be trying to adapt to a new gait with your weight loss. I would suggest asking a knowledgable doctor/chiro/physical therapist for advice. My chiro warned me about this and taught me to keep my pelvis (bucket) in a neutral position (don't spill the water from your bucket). It has helped strengthen my core and lower back.

Surgery was on 11/3/14 but I started my pre-op diet on 10/1/14.

Over six months post op and I only have two things that make me very ill - milk and lunch meat. Milk makes me dump and lunch meat gives me reflux. I think it may be the nitrates in the lunch meat.

The type of surgery you have does not determine your level of success before or after you reach your goal weight. The level of determination and commitment you show to following your surgeon's instructions is what will make you successful. You can gain the weight back whether you've had sleeve or bypass. You still have to make healthy food choices no matter what surgery you have. The tool you choose simply reduces the amount you can eat in one sitting. If you chose to, you could eat empty carbs every hour and ingest enough calories to gain weight. Not everyone who has bypass has dumping. So don't base your decision solely on that. You need to commit yourself mentally to simply eating what your body needs for fuel. Have you seen any episodes of "My 600 Pound Life"? There are some great examples of the struggle many go through with realizing (or not) that their surgery is simply a tool - the real work is their decision on what they put in their mouth and whether they decide to become more active. You can watch episodes online, I think.

Sexy way: lingerie that covers Practical way: Wear a tank top and pull the girls out of the top but keep the tank covering your mid-section.

It will take time before you and your sleeve get to know each other better. There will be a lot of trial and error that will educate you what it does and does not like. First, the feeling of fullness for me is different depending on what I eat. If I eat mostly Protein and stop before I'm truly full, I have a very happy, satisfied feeling. If I eat one bite more I have an overstuffed miserable feeling for about 30-45 minutes. If I eat any Pasta I get the latter feeling no matter what because it expands in my tiny sleeve. Second, I had no hunger until between 5-6 months. Even now it isn't anything near what it was pre-op. I love it!

I JUST celebrated 100+ lbs lost with a bra and panties from VS! I've never bought anything from there because I've always been too big. I almost had an anxiety attack looking for someone to measure me. But she was SO nice and helpful. While my boobs have shrunk, it was almost not enough. She measured me at 38DDD which is the largest size they carry in the store. I got to choose from 4 colors. I'm very happy with my purchase! I absolutely love the panties. They are super comfy and cute.

How many pounds are you from your goal weight?

I was sleeved 11/3/14 but I had my Mirena IUD already in place. However, it took my body a good six months to fully adjust to the IUD when I had it put in. This is not a hormone-free IUD so it could possibly interfere with weight but I wouldn't have it removed immediately unless you had severe problems. Give your body some time to adjust to it. I love my IUD! I haven't used a tampon in almost four years. It hasn't seemed to prevent me from losing but then again I'm only 6 months post-surgery.

Phentermine is some scary crap. I was only taking half a pill for 3 months and had terrifying side effects. My blood pressure got so high my PCP told me I had to stop taking it right away or I would risk heart attack. I always wonder if I caused permanent, irreversible damage to my heart. :*( It isn't worth it. Just hang in there with good old fashioned self-control. Your pre-op diet is a short amount of time. You can do it!

I lived on fat free refried Beans with a bit of cheese during the soft foods stage because not much else agreed with me at the time.

This has happened to me twice and only when I ate within an hour of taking a nap or going to sleep. Now I just make sure I don't eat less than two hours before sleeping and I always have a cup of tea before bed to make sure my sleeve is empty of food.

6 month update! I'm no longer obese, now I'm only overweight. Less than 30 pounds until I'm a normal weight. Also, I've lost over 100 pounds since my highest recorded weight. Updated measurements 5/1/15 Neck - 13 Liver - 36 1/2 Waist - 35 Hips - 42 1/2 Arm - 13 1/2 Thigh - 23 1/2 Total Neck - 2 Liver - 8 1/2 Waist - 10 Hips - 10 1/2 Arm - 3 Thighs - 4 Skin is starting to sag a bit, especially on stomach and legs.

Be careful though. I drank on a completely empty stomach after almost 8 hours with no food after indoor skydiving and I felt like someone slipped something in my drink. It hit me harder than anything I've ever felt and it was one sangria. It was horrible. I swore I'd never drink on an empty stomach again.