The New Kel

Congratulations and happy re-birthday!!!

When sales people in "regular sized" clothing stores actually come up to you and smile knowing you are a very potential customer.

Welcome! You will find tremendous help and resources here. Good luck to you!

There are differing opinions on this. My NUT tells me not to have any ever again but I am a bad girl and I have coffee every day. I am still doing well in my weight loss. They say that caffeine can cause stomach upset due to acidity on your new pouch, and also it can mess with your natural hunger (making you either not hungry or too hungry unnaturally). That said I only have one (occasionally two) cups of coffee each morning. I waited for three months though, so that I ws fully healed before having it.

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming date! It's an individual and private matter that everyone feels differently about. I am a private person and only told my husband, daughter, and parents. Oh, I also told my boss because she needed to know why I was taking time off. She is professional and I know she will not blab my business about the office. I have not told anyone else. Friends and coworkers and have commented on my weight loss positively but have not asked "how" I did it. If you feel like keeping it to yourself, you certainly can! I personally would be really uncomfortable if everyone around me knew. Good luck!!

@Dknal2 You look so great!! Congrats on your progress!!

Good for you for taking the steps to prevent heart disease! My brother had a heart attack at age 45. I am 47 and before surgery I felt like a ticking time bomb. So happy to now have my doctors tell me my heart is healthy!

This is weird but when I am literally full and shouldn't eat any more, my nose runs and I feel like sneezing!

I have a hard time now with ground beef or ground turkey. I used to L.O.V.E. burgers. No more! But I can actually tolerate more spice than before. Which is a good thing since I live in the southwest!

Congratulations! You look beautiful! Great success.

Hi October 16 sleevers! I'm doing well. Really starting to enjoy life. Hiking! Lots of hiking, which makes me very happy to the core. My starting (high) weight in September was 239, and 219 on day of surgery- October 3, 2016. I am down to 166 lbs (74 lbs gone) so far. From a size 20 pants, 2XL top to a size 10 pants and Medium top currently. My goal is 135 lbs, size 8 pants and size Small top. I believe I will reach my goal by late summer this year. It is nice to now eat a variety of foods. Still very small portions, (3-4oz at a time) but at least the addition of vegetables, nuts and salads has been wonderful. And a few pieces of fruit now and then too! I'm still very wary of carbs and likely will not eat sugar again even after goal. I have come to discover over these past 5 months that refined sugar really, really, messed with me both physically and mentally, therefore I have pated ways with all things sugar for life. I'm attaching a before and after pic. Before was just before surgery and after was last weekend hiking!

Congrats on your progress! I too am trying to learn to run. It's tough for me, even with weight loss, everything hurts so bad after I run!

Holy smokes! Dude you look amazing! Super congrats on your success and getting further than you had even dreamed. I am almost 5 months post op and about 2/3 way to goal. Your story really inspires me. Yay you!!!

Congratulations! Feeling good and not tired and ill is what makes this sooo worth it every day. Thanks for sharing and continued success for you!

Hi everyone! I'm 4.5 months post-op sleeve and feel amazing. Some of the things that continue to amaze me lately are trying on clothes and having to double check the size...could that really be a 10?? Also doing things out all day and rarely feeling tired. What a gift! If only I had done this years ago!! I'm about 30 lbs from goal, and feel confident I'll get there sometime this summer. Eating is getting a tiny bit easier. I can now eat 3 oz at a time without too much trouble. I am able to enjoy quite a variety of vegetables and salads now, which I had really missed the first 4 months. My diet is mainly meats and fish, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, yogurt and a variety of cheeses. I'm exercising about 3 times a week for one hour. Life is good!

My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. I'm finally living life!

Same here! My weight loss is down to 5 lbs a month as well but I'm fine with that also. And like you, I just got off of a really long stall!! Congrats on your size 10s and soon to be 8s!!!!

You look terrific! Congrats and good luck on the 5k...way to go!!

Hi there! I have been following a very low carb diet since day one of surgery. It's working for me. I'm sure it's similar to Atkins. I stay under 24 carbs a day. When I reach goal weight, I will increase to about 45-50 a day just to maintain. I'm not gonna lie...I miss me some chips and potatoes!- an occasional craving! But so far I have been happy and very satisfied on my low carb diet and havent wavered. I feel like it have become a lifestyle change, residing carbs for the rest of my life and I'm fine with that. I'll never want or require as many carbs as I used to eat pre-surg.

I've stalled a few times, its normal. My longest so far was right at 4 months! I stayed at 171 lbs for 3 weeks. Yet, my clothes were still getting looser. hang in there...your body is just adjusting!

That's a beautiful tattoo! What a great reward. I am being rewarded this may with a trip to Ireland!! I have wanted to go my whole life, and to know I will be close to goal weight will be amazing. I will be able to hike and bike!

I warm mine up at about 20 seconds in micro. Thats it!! :-) I wouldn't eat them cold!

I know...those Starbucks one are sooo good! Thats why I had to make them myself The Sous Vide is a mechanical kitchen device that swirls Water around at an exact temperature. Too fancy for me, lol! Enjoy!! Let me know hows your turn out!

Sorry of this question has been asked over and over. I haven't read through all the previous topics, but I'm looking for ideas. I am 4 months post op and allowed to try anything as long as it is sugar free and low carbs. I have been existing on salmon, tuna, soft cooked chicken, soft veggies, cheeses and eggs for 3 months now. Getting boring!! Some things I like (and am hoping to incorporate into tasty dishes/recipes): Artichoke Onions Creams Roasted Red Bell Peppers Porabella mushrooms Garlic Chicken (if soft) All fish Steak- if extremely tender Eggs if not overcooked (Benedict is yummy) Thai seasonings and sauces Spinach Nut butters Bananas, Apples, Mandarins, Greek yogurts, low-cal dressings and dips I LOVE Pasta but I won't eat it- too many carbs. Looking for an alternative that is as satisfying! Not a fan of squash though. Cannot tolerate: ground beef or turkey, overcooked foods, breads, tough cuts of meat Looking for new, creative and tasty combinations and recipes with the foods I like and can tolerate! Anyone? :-)

Well, I can't help but I can sure sympathize! I am seriously girl-challenged in the makeup and fashion. People probably think I wear black to look thinner. The truth is I have no fashion sense so I wear black to avoid looking like a clown. At age 16 my mom suggested I start wearing makeup. 31 years later I still am resistant and challenged at the art of it. As far as colors I would suggest wearing what makes you feel good. I love the color red, but every time I contemplate a red shirt in the store I just can't imagine wearing and feeling confident. I will be following this topic so I can get help too!