AllyJonesVSG

I have been in the "obese" category for so many years and I just realized that in only one more pound I'll be officially down to "overweight" - which may not seem like much of a victory, but sure feels like one to me. I'm wearing another pair of my college kid's jeans today - size 14! - because I don't fit any of mine (again). And I feel SOOO healthy. So glad I did this. I'm GREAT at losing weight, but horrible at keeping it off, so this? This is wonderful.

I have been in the "obese" category for so many years and I just realized that in only one more pound I'll be officially down to "overweight" - which may not seem like much of a victory, but sure feels like one to me. I'm wearing another pair of my college kid's jeans today - size 14! - because I don't fit any of mine (again). And I feel SOOO healthy. So glad I did this. I'm GREAT at losing weight, but horrible at keeping it off, so this? This is wonderful.

I have been in the "obese" category for so many years and I just realized that in only one more pound I'll be officially down to "overweight" - which may not seem like much of a victory, but sure feels like one to me. I'm wearing another pair of my college kid's jeans today - size 14! - because I don't fit any of mine (again). And I feel SOOO healthy. So glad I did this. I'm GREAT at losing weight, but horrible at keeping it off, so this? This is wonderful.

I have been in the "obese" category for so many years and I just realized that in only one more pound I'll be officially down to "overweight" - which may not seem like much of a victory, but sure feels like one to me. I'm wearing another pair of my college kid's jeans today - size 14! - because I don't fit any of mine (again). And I feel SOOO healthy. So glad I did this. I'm GREAT at losing weight, but horrible at keeping it off, so this? This is wonderful.

I have been in the "obese" category for so many years and I just realized that in only one more pound I'll be officially down to "overweight" - which may not seem like much of a victory, but sure feels like one to me. I'm wearing another pair of my college kid's jeans today - size 14! - because I don't fit any of mine (again). And I feel SOOO healthy. So glad I did this. I'm GREAT at losing weight, but horrible at keeping it off, so this? This is wonderful.

I have been in the "obese" category for so many years and I just realized that in only one more pound I'll be officially down to "overweight" - which may not seem like much of a victory, but sure feels like one to me. I'm wearing another pair of my college kid's jeans today - size 14! - because I don't fit any of mine (again). And I feel SOOO healthy. So glad I did this. I'm GREAT at losing weight, but horrible at keeping it off, so this? This is wonderful.

Down 150 pounds. Why didn’t I do this surgery 10 Years ago!?!?!?

Hello fellow sleevers. I have been on this site very little in the past couple of years but have logged in today to respond to a question. Since I'm here, I feel obligated to tell you all the things I've learned after 5 years.
1. The people that told me my approach to living life with the sleeve was all wrong and that I would fail, gain weight in a few years, stretch my sleeve, and regret my actions are mostly gone now. I have seen a couple of them around but the most are long gone. Do not pay much attention to the know-it-alls. They know no more than anyone else and are just as likely to fail.
2. Obviously you want to follow your Dr's instructions but don't get too hung up on strict rules and diets. If you make reasonable decisions and balance your good and bad food choices, your sleeve will do most of the work for you. I have eaten anything I wanted since day one. I try to pay attention to Protein etc., but I do not deny myself anything. You have the sleeve for a reason. Let it do it's job. Don't force it to hold more than it can and do not deny yourself the things that make you happy. Balance - just do it.
3. WLS is much more than losing weight. It is getting to the bottom of the issues that cause us to compensate with food in the first place. Pay more attention to your mental well being than the numbers on the scale. Your long term success depends on it.
4. Know that even after you reach your goal weight you will still be the same person with the same insecurities. Being thin changes nothing. If you did it for health reasons then hopefully those will no longer be an issue, but the person you are and how you feel inside doesn't change from losing weight. That has to change on the inside. No way around it.
5. Know that once you have made the necessary changes inside and out there will be some people that don't relate to you the same or just plain don't like you anymore. Also know that what they think is completely irrelevant . Physical and mental changes for the better intimidate those with small minds. Don't give them a second thought.
Thanks for reading.

Give it some time. I was where you were. Just expect the first month to be hard, and look forward to month two. I promise it will get better. I'm only 3.5 months out and 55 lbs. down. It's an amazing feeling!

Congrats!! I need to do this!

Give it some time. I was where you were. Just expect the first month to be hard, and look forward to month two. I promise it will get better. I'm only 3.5 months out and 55 lbs. down. It's an amazing feeling!

I have had many NSVs in the last 6 months since my surgery:
Not worrying about fitting in the seats at the amusement park TUCKING IN MY SHIRT...I've never actually done that Having my kids arms go the whole way around when they hug me New clothes, new shoes Riding bike again after 10+ years Feeling proud I am almost 6 months post-op. No regrets, only wish I had done it sooner!

I had to go to a formal event last night. I was so worried I wouldn't have anything to wear because it was last minute. I found a beautiful gown in the back of my closet from when I was maybe 13 or 14 years old that I bought for a cousin's wedding. I nervously put it on, and not only did it fit, but it looked better than when I wore it the first time. I'm almost 20 now.

Isn’t it wonderful?! I’ve had to buy underwear twice in the year since surgery, and it’s been so fun. I can finally fit in hanky Panky brand which I always wanted to! And I can buy bras in regular stores!

I can sit in a movie theater seat without having to lift one of the armrests up (or feel completely restricted if they're the sort you can't raise!).

I managed to swim 2000m today (that's 80 lengths). The last time I swam that far I was 15! (Mind you, it took me a lot longer to do it this time than when I was a teenager!).

I have one! My teen daughter has been raiding my college for clothes from my "old days I'll never fit these again but I refuse to give them up" bins for a couple of years now. This weekend, she gave clothes to ME! She came home from college and gave me two pairs of jeans she doesn't like because I am down to a size 14!! And a few tops that fit me too. It's crazy. I wore trendy skinny jeans of hers (now mine) Friday and couldn't believe it was me!

I have one! My teen daughter has been raiding my college for clothes from my "old days I'll never fit these again but I refuse to give them up" bins for a couple of years now. This weekend, she gave clothes to ME! She came home from college and gave me two pairs of jeans she doesn't like because I am down to a size 14!! And a few tops that fit me too. It's crazy. I wore trendy skinny jeans of hers (now mine) Friday and couldn't believe it was me!

I have one! My teen daughter has been raiding my college for clothes from my "old days I'll never fit these again but I refuse to give them up" bins for a couple of years now. This weekend, she gave clothes to ME! She came home from college and gave me two pairs of jeans she doesn't like because I am down to a size 14!! And a few tops that fit me too. It's crazy. I wore trendy skinny jeans of hers (now mine) Friday and couldn't believe it was me!

I have one! My teen daughter has been raiding my college for clothes from my "old days I'll never fit these again but I refuse to give them up" bins for a couple of years now. This weekend, she gave clothes to ME! She came home from college and gave me two pairs of jeans she doesn't like because I am down to a size 14!! And a few tops that fit me too. It's crazy. I wore trendy skinny jeans of hers (now mine) Friday and couldn't believe it was me!

I have one! My teen daughter has been raiding my college for clothes from my "old days I'll never fit these again but I refuse to give them up" bins for a couple of years now. This weekend, she gave clothes to ME! She came home from college and gave me two pairs of jeans she doesn't like because I am down to a size 14!! And a few tops that fit me too. It's crazy. I wore trendy skinny jeans of hers (now mine) Friday and couldn't believe it was me!

I have one! My teen daughter has been raiding my college for clothes from my "old days I'll never fit these again but I refuse to give them up" bins for a couple of years now. This weekend, she gave clothes to ME! She came home from college and gave me two pairs of jeans she doesn't like because I am down to a size 14!! And a few tops that fit me too. It's crazy. I wore trendy skinny jeans of hers (now mine) Friday and couldn't believe it was me!

I'm not late 50s but will turn 55 in November which was the impetus for me to do this. My dad died of a heart attack at age 55 and I was sending myself right down that road. My first month sucked, because I hate sweets and there are no Protein Shakes that taste like popcorn, LOL, but I feel AMAZING. Total loss of 55 lbs as of this morning and I am so healthy and happy and moving and feel better in every way possible. My only regret is that I didn't do this 10 years ago!

Florida here so I get it. If you can't afford a gym membership, at least go walk in a mall where there's AC. It doesn't help anything if you get dehydrated and pass out. Good luck!

I have one! My teen daughter has been raiding my college for clothes from my "old days I'll never fit these again but I refuse to give them up" bins for a couple of years now. This weekend, she gave clothes to ME! She came home from college and gave me two pairs of jeans she doesn't like because I am down to a size 14!! And a few tops that fit me too. It's crazy. I wore trendy skinny jeans of hers (now mine) Friday and couldn't believe it was me!