TealSister

I stopped cold turkey on 1/15/15 and surgery was 3/26/15. You will be SO HAPPY when you finally quit. Combined with surgery, you can breathe again, walk much further, smell better, live longer, etc -- you know the benefits. Surgery is so much better than smoking Good luck!!!

You were beautiful before, but you glow now. Great job

7/13/15 = 229 lbs (Goal = 219 lbs) Thank you!

I haven't been shy about telling people about the surgery. However it took until around 50 # for people to actually notice. A few of my self-absorbed size 0 sisters-in-law have not said a word (I'm at 71 # lost now) - which is fine. Also I guess I should watch my mouth because everyone who asks how much I've lost or how I'm doing, I respond proudly "Down 71 lbs, 66 to go!" I kind of tell it like it is :/

I'm 14 weeks post-op and have trouble sleeping as well. I asked my PCP and surgeon's office about it and was told Tylenol PM would be fine to take. I take 1-2 every night. It's not ideal but it does the trick.

CURRENT: 231 GOAL: 215 Thanks again!

July 5: 231 lbs

It's hard going from laying around feeling fat and depressed to exercising 30 min/day 7 days/week - at least for me! My surgeon's office gives all patients a Garmin Vivofit after surgery and I finally started wearing it (14 weeks) again. Having a desk job it is so sad how few steps I get during the work day! Bad days or good days, we just have to remember to keep moving. We can do this! We have to do this. Unfortunately, this tool isn't magic so we need to utilize it the best we can

I was initially going to have RNY (the "gold standard" of WLS according to my surgeon's office). However I take a med that would not be effective with RNY absorption issues. After that ruling and while waiting my surgery date, I did more thorough research and the more I read, the more happy I was with the idea of the sleeve. It's been 14 weeks and I couldn't be more thrilled. You can't help but learn to live with it and how to make good lifetime decisions for yourself and your body. Good luck with everything

My weight loss has been good (68 of 137 excess lbs lost). I have struggled with sugars lately; I have always loved bread and pasta but I've been craving candy and cookies lately. I have had a bite or two but try to be good. Protein around 60 grams / day (still have to have a Premier Protein shake every morning). Water around 60-70 oz / day. Exercise has been hit or miss. Finally started wearing my Garmin again so I'm getting back on track. No hair loss yet. I am really wanting to gorge on food but it's just impossible - thank GOD!

I had been eyeing it for a while and finally bought some. The store was out of skim so I ended up buying 2%. I found it disgusting. I really, really wanted to like it!! Maybe the skim would be better - I normally drink skim. Hope you have better luck!

I'm in -- hopefully I'll meet goal this time

I am impatient as usual - meaning I contacted my dr office but haven't heard back so I'm looking for feedback here My 3-month follow-up appointment was scheduled for July 10. I received a call late last week asking if I could reschedule my appointment for OCTOBER. I was so flabbergasted that I just agreed to it. On hindsight, is that a good idea? Shouldn't I be doing blood work or something to make sure all of my stats look good? Thoughts? Thanks

The RN called me back today. The PA in the office had her baby so everything is chaotic in her absence. They do blood work at 6 months so I'm okay. I was concerned about carbs, but she said as long as I'm hitting my Protein, liquid and exercise goals they aren't too concerned with carbs (plus with the amount of food we can eat, carbs can't really add up that fast!). At 3 months I have lost 50% of my excess weight (69 of 137 lbs), so she said I'm doing well. I plan to start attending their monthly support groups to keep myself on track! This is so hard but so worth the effort!! We are blessed

6/29/15 = 233 Thanks!

6/22 = 273 Thanks!

6/15/15 = 239 Thanks!

I am 5'9" and started (top row) at 302 lbs. The top pictures were taken 3/12/15, the date I started the pre-op diet. The bottom row was 5/25/15, at 8 weeks and -58 lbs (244lbs). It's so strange to have around 42% of my excess weight gone, but still wear size 20 pants. I have gone from 3x to 2x shirts at least. I guess my point is why doesn't my close-to-naked body show more changes??? Thanks for reading my little rant PS - I do love my sleeve!!!

Thanks everyone. I didn't do measurements when I started, so I won't get the "full picture" now. I probably should do it anyway so I can stop using the mirror! After the first few days of absolute regret, I have converted to a full-fledged SLEEVE LOVER!

6/8/15: 240 Thanks!

I quit cold turkey 1/15/15, one month to the day after we buried my Mom after a horrific year battling brain cancer. I can't believe I did it. As one of you said, I am almost more proud of that than doing WLS. I have ruined so many vacations, have been a crabby mom and wife all because of my obsessive "closet" smoking habit. It's time to embrace LIFE and HEALTHINESS!

I'm a huge fan of counseling. It just so happens that my counselor has also had WLS (found out when I was prepping for mine). It has been a true blessing. Regardless if you have a counselor that had WLS, talking through and working through your demons is amazing.

Thanks for the pictures, @LipstickLady. I have wondered what you look like (beyond the lipstick) I originally wanted the RNY, but because of one of the meds I take my surgeon said the sleeve was my only option. I'm so glad I went this route. I'm only 10 weeks out, but have lost 44% of my excess (60 lbs of 137) and can exercise without sweating profusely! Not that this wouldn't have happened with RNY, but the thought of my innards being re-routed kind of scares me. It's hard work either way. food isn't as enjoyable and you have to focus on finding other things that you enjoy -- a GOOD thing! Best wishes in your journey. You have a ton of cyber support here!

I'm piggy-backing on this topic. I am 9 weeks post-op and my PA wants me only eating things I can eat with a fork. No more Protein shakes (and no protein bars). Based on no Water 30 min before, during or 60 min after meals, how the H do you eat and drink??? I need 100+ hours in a day to get all the fluids and Proteins in without breaking some kind of rule. A yogurt is 12(ish) grams of protein, but eating 1/3 gives you 4 grams. Same with everything. I can't even eat a whole egg at a time. Am I missing something? As it is, I'm still doing a Premier Protein every morning to at least have 30 grams in. Thanks, and sorry OP for butting in

My starting weight = 242 (you already have my goal = 219). Thanks!!