favoredone

Hey fellow Chicagoans!! How are you all?? I'm a 36 year old educator currently going through my 6 month supervised weight loss program through LCM Bariatric Center.... I'm interested in knowing what doctors you all choose and how you are doing so far!!

So awesome!! I'm very proud of you!! It's a great reminder that we need to appreciate victories that are beyond the scale!!!

I'm sorry about your sister.. BUT, my life was saved by having sleeve surgery. Perhaps people should be warned against the medical staff that ignored your sister's symptoms as well as the risks of surgery. I knew the risks, but I was willing to take them and not be confined to a dialysis unit, cane, and eventually a hospital bed due to obesity related illnesses... I'm glad you posted your sister's story and there are several on this board who have had severe complications.. A few may even regret surgery.. but what thing is life is 100% favorable all the time? Nothing... People should read your story and make an informed decision about what they want to do.. Blessings and thoughts of healing toward you and your sister...

Hey Guys!! Check in, check in!!!!!

Hey Guys!! Well, it's been almost a year... I won't be at goal by wednesday, unless I miraculously lose 75 lbs in 2 days!!! LOL... anywho, I'm grateful and a little more focused now!! Hopefully, the next 6 months will be filled with sweat, loose clothing and plumping muscles!! My NSV happened last weekend when I went home to be in a wedding.. I was the MOH and had a wonderful time.. My mom burst into tears when she saw me... and my best friend almost walked past me!!! LOL... I try to keep these events in my mind as I struggle with not having lost 100#s yet.. When I put things into perspective... I'm doing darn good!! No meds, besides allegery stuff... I can wear clothes in a regular department store (which has added to my shopping addiction) and I have influenced a number of people (several co-workers) to pursue WLS to help them achieve and maintain a better quality of life.. The real update is coming on Wednesday (I hope)... Be encouraged, no matter where you are on this journey.. and remember, we are changing our lives one meal at a time!!!! (now) (before)

Yeah.. I definitely have a carb addiction and my body does NOT process carbs well at all... I can't really lose weight eating fruit!! So, I've been slowly eliminating carby foods..even fruit.. and I will have to do it until I reach goal... I'm better about being a slower loser... I know I have to get my butt back on the wagon!!

Mine has been slow... but, I'm okay... I'm learning to go back to basics, cut out the bad stuff and get to goal.. No sense in living in the past or with regrets!!!

Congratulations!!! Proud of you!!! You've done an awesome job!!!!

Congratulations!! Awesome job!!

WOW!! Thanks so much.. I really needed to read this... I didn't go back to my support group for several reasons... but I found lots of support here... Now, I will recommit to getting support and actually allowing my sleeve to do what it was made to do w/o me stressing and beating myself up!!... Thanks again for sharing..

Sending prayers and thoughts your way...

You may want to try and add something to your workout and/or increase your caloric intake by 100-200 caloric intake w/ protein and veggies... Try it for a week and see what happens.. How much water are you drinking?

You will be your "new normal" soon.. It's very important to start changing habits and planning early out.. so as you progress it will become easier and a part of your normal routine.. Optimize your time.. Try not to stress out too much... it is counterproductive... Take 1 or 2 days a week and plan for a few days... Then you will kind of know what foods work for your body and what you need to avoid.. You will also know how much of something is enough (protein, veggies, etc.).... Take it one day at a time.. Breath and ROCK your sleeve!!! Let me know if I can assist you or answer any questions for you...

Awesome job!!!..

What about asking for a little break...There's nothing wrong with wanting to be single for a while.. Just don't be trifling, sneaky and lying about it... If you are meant to be together, no matter how much attention you get, weight you lose or other women you meet, NONE of it will compare to have her in your life... NONE of it... Just be honest and tell her why.. She may be a little hurt, but I think she will see your point... Good luck!!

Awesome job!!! I think I may try it..

Congrats.. Blessings and wishes for a speedy recovery!!!!

Congrats!!!! Blessings and a wish for a speedy recovery!!! Come on over to the Loser's Bench!!!!

Hey Fam!!! I know it's been a while since my last update, but things are a little crazy.. However, I just wanted to share a few things... So... I flew to DC over the weekend and I think my anxiety about flying is almost over.. So, I get on the plane... I didn't get any "no, I hope the fat lady doesn't sit here looks" and neither did I have to say excuse one time as I walked down the aisle w/ my very cute Anne Klein carry on (LOL, hey.. it was my gift to myself!!)... So, I sit in the seat and get ready to ask for an extender and then I remember, I can buckle this thing now!!! So, it was a little snug over my sweater, but hey.. I could breath!!! I dropped something on the floor and bent to pick it up w/o thinking about it.. (That's huge for me, using I mull it over for a few minutes!) At the hotel, I could actually soak in the tub w/o touching the side!!! Also, there was no fear about fitting into the chairs in the conference room or walking a few blocks from the hotel to meet w/ colleagues!!.. i may not have lost a million pounds, but I've gained so much more in terms of who I am and what I am capable of doing physically, emotionally and in every other kind of way!! I can now go into a department store (my favorite this week is Carson Pirie Scott) and grab things off of the rack.. in a few sizes smaller than the largest size they offer.. This is HUGE for me!! Before being sleeved, I couldn't wear the largest women's plus size in ANYTHING!!! Now, I have fixation w/ the Kleins (Anne and Calvin)... LOL.. I have to get a new winter coat or 3.. and boots.. So, I am 2 pounds away from kissing the 300s goodbye FOREVER!!!...Here are a few stats.. Starting wt. 382 Current 301 (and falling) Starting size 28/30 (3x/4x)/48DD Current size 20 (1X/ some XL)/42D Starting Waist 56 Current 43.5 Tina-isms: The sleeve can give you a great start to changing your life overall, but you still have to do the work!! Yes, I have bad days and eat BAD stuff... my body let's me know that it doesn't want it.. I can keep eating or I can allow my sleeve to do what it was meant to do. Don't beat yourself up, just tell yourself the TRUTH!!! I know when I'm not doing enough of the right things and I can't be mad at my surgeon, the scale or DOVE chocolate for making those delicious dark chocolate/raspberry bits of goodness!!! But, I don't have to beat myself up.. I just make a better decision at my next meal! Life, even the sleeved life is meant to be lived to the fullest and enjoyed to the fullest!!!