Keys Pirate

That's terrific! Been waiting to hear how it went for you and it sounds like things are perfect so far! Great job on the fluids!! Keep us posted and LOOK OUT NEW ORLEANS!!!! Woo hoo!! C

Hi Gang! First, I want to say that this board has been a GODSEND to me. I have learned so much from you guys and received so much support from here - wow - I can't even thank you all enough. But Thank You All!! :sad0: I cannot BELIEVE I'm finally here writing about my journey three months out; time went so fast but at times, it's like, it's about time!! The journey has been nothing short of incredible, mind boggling and, like Tiff said at one time, a mind twist for sure! It's all good and I wouldn't change a thing! I am so happy I did this!! I have posted some pictures in my album, I'm .5 pound short of 60 pounds today - I figure I'll hit 60 later today after I ride my bike - that's always good for a pound or so. The pics are 50 pounds down and also include the other two that had surgery the same day as me - you all are familiar with Gary_B - that's him before. I'm in the pink shirt. Samantha had rny with Aceves. My goal was 50 pounds by tax day - I beat it by three days. A few observations thus far; people didn't really start to notice my weight loss until I was well into the 40+ pounds lost. Very aggravating. Now, less than 60 lost, some are saying don't lose more. Moral to the story, keep the public tuned out!! They mean well but they really don't know what they are talking about most of the time! Eating has been wonderful; I have always had an Iron gut and that remains. Nothing has bothered me and I'm happy about that. I've only "hurt" myself twice; once when I first went onto solids and ate a hard boiled egg too fast... so that's what sliming is all about... that was horrible, and a second time when I was trying to eat on the fly and ate some wings way too fast again... Not as bad of an episode as the egg but gross nevertheless. I've never thrown anything up but came close these two times. I still have a terrible time slowing down eating - it really is hard for me, especially being around my family that inhales their food. I am trying to get better with that and hope I don't damage my sleeve in the meantime. I do know when to stop, however, and don't do anything to make pain, obviously pain is bad. I also have very bad head hunger sometimes and am thankful (mostly) that my sleeve is there to keep it in check. I was in New Orleans by myself last week on business where every other business is a fantastic restaurant - I thought I was going to go nuts. Double whammy on going out to eat alone, I won't do it because of the tiny portion business... I do find myself obsessing about food more than I like; the old fat girl is still there, no doubt. I'm hoping this gets better, I really hope it does. I am staying under 1000 cals per day, under 25 carbs per day and as much Protein as I can get in - I try for 90-100 g's. I log religiously on myfitnesspal.com. Hunger; I have had plenty but I know it's just gastric juices and not real hunger. My stomach likes to toy with me, however. I've really tried to listen to what my body is telling me and I've found that when I get these so-called hunger pangs, I've noticed that the feeling only lasts for a couple of minutes, usually. If it doesn't, it's rare and it's usually late in the day; I've had to take an extra half nexium on occasion because of this. If I don't, or if I forget to take my dose in the morning, I pay dearly. I'm hoping this gets better but at least I know it's all acid related, controllable, and I'm not truly hungry. Weight Loss; I have been thrilled with the ride so far, haven't had any real stalls but a couple of slow downs of barely 2 pounds in a week. I average about 4 pounds a week, give or take. I am following a very low carb diet while I'm in the losing phase. I know I could just take the restiction and lose slowly but that's not how I work. I am looking forward to a few more carbs once I meet goal for sure, but, I have to say, this has been the easiest "diet" ever. Even starvation didn't take 60 pounds off of me in three months. Not that I ever did starvation for three months... Anyway. I?m hoping to meet goal by my birthday; July 30. I think it?s very possible but I'm not going to obsess any more than I already am! :wink0: Drinking; I was surprised to find that I was/am more disturbed about not being able to chug liquids more than I ever thought I would be. I still can't chug like before but what I can drink is MUCH more than at the beginning. I still wish I could take more, especially when exercising but it's all good. This bothers me more than food issues. I am, however, getting in plenty of fluids; easily 100 oz per day. I keep a sport top Water bottle with me, mix single packs of Lipton or Arizona tea in them, and refill the same bottle for about a week from the tap before I toss it. Trying to do my best to be green. Tried alcohol once, two bloody marys, didn't get intoxicated, really a non-event. Avoiding alcohol now because of the calories. A glass of wine would be sooooo nice, however... coffee has been the best thing ever, I started back probably 2 or 3 weeks out; heaven. Just my one power cup in the morning. I make it extra strong with splenda and powdered creamer. Yummy!! My periods have been a little whacked since surgery... will save the details but I'm hoping they get back to normal... Any regrets? NONE! Would I recommend this for someone thinking about it? Absolutely!!! I know that I had an easier time than many and anyone thinking about this should absolutely do their research including plenty of soul searching. Thanks again to everyone for listening, you guys are the best! Carol

Just had my three month UGI today. I had to peek over the techs shoulder to see what my tumm looked like and, from what I could tell, it looked perfect, just like the UGI I had at Aceve's upon discharge; no distension or pockets or anything just an itty bitty tube of tummy! Since I still don't really have a PCP here, they will have to send the results via fax to Aceves and they'll let me know. The barium swallow was horrible, no little baby blue shots like at Aceves, probably 16 ounces and the guy wanted me to drink it all and fast. I cried uncle at about 10 ounces. Just could NOT drink anymore unless he wanted it back half digested. He was amazed at how small my stomach was and how fast it went thru my gut and into my small intestine. Just curious, anyone know how many carbs/cals are in stupid barium? I THINK it's sugar free but if not, I probably had enough carbs for the week... eek! Do it, it can't hurt. C

Thanks you guys for all your sweet comments, they sure make me feel great about everything! Wannalise, you cracked me up about my knees and ankles, you're right and I didn't even think about that! Lol!!! You are also 100% correct about having DH to exercise with, I don't know if I could be so regular without him. We really do push each other. It's so important to have someone at your side through this. I still haven't wrapped my head around 60 pounds down yet, don't worry! It's funny, when I was in New Orleans I would catch glances of myself in the mirrors in hotel and gasp! This has been nuts!! I am so proud of your journey too, you've had quite the ride and look how far you've come already!! Tiff, thanks for one more thing to look forward too regarding drinking, I am doing so much better in that regard but totally look forward to being able to drink more - soon! You're my hero, woman! There aren't too many people at your stage in the game that still hang around this board, I hope you know how much everyone here appreciates you!! You know it's funny - the comments about my "discipline" - welllll... yes and no. There is definitely discipline when the head hunger kicks in, no doubt about it. But the exercise, for the most part is easy and getting in enough Fluid and Protein is not really a challenge either. Mostly, the sleeve has given me the help I so desperately needed. Now, it's really not that difficult to not eat carbs and bad things, it's really not. And I love it! This is the most thrilling part of the journey. The couple of times I have "succumbed" - a bite did the trick, totally satisfied with just a bite of cake or a small fingerfull - a taste really, of frosting, for example. And yes, PNW218 my stomach talks to me on a regular basis, it's kinda funny. I find getting lots of protein is pretty easy too once you're on solids; a few shrimp, for example has TONS of protein, no carbs and is much more fun than a shake. Beef Jerky, oh yeah. Tuna, steak, lunch meat etc. Even in small portions. Thanks again to all of you Angels, you're a gift. C p.s. officially 60 pounds today!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!

conseccorp, the bottom line is you gotta stop it and stop it now. You can do it, you need to have a serious Come To Jesus talk with yourself and us or a support group or all of the above. You can do it buddy, the first few days of quitting sugar sucks, I imagine it would be like kicking any addictive chemical, but it's over fast and then the cravings are pretty much gone. You gotta quit or you're going to be terribly disappointed and no one wants to see that. We are here for you!!! Carol

Eat more. You're body is holding on to each and every last ounce that it can because of your low cal intake. Eventually you'll lose weight eating like this but stalls are gonna happen. That said, a major stall is not uncommon at this stage - 2-3 weeks out. You're doing GREAT on the carbs, keep that up but work in more calories - cream Soups (made w Water, watch carbs), flavored philly, melted velveeta with a little Rotel juice, ricotta flavored up, more yogurt, whatever. I definitely would NOT cut any more calories!! Counterintuitive, of course, but you need more. Add more Protein too that and the calories will give you more energy. I shoot for close to 100 g's per day. I was having shakes in the morning and night at full liquids and it seemed to work. You must get some exercise in - this will give you more energy too - I know, easy for me to say, I do understand fatigue but it really will help, get that heart rate up along with the calories. Most importantly, get your spirits up!! Yeah, stalls suck but you've already lost 34 pounds in a month!!! That's amazing!! Good luck, you're gonna be just fine. C

Hey Gar! So good to hear from you. Yes, the weight loss will keep up, how could it not?! We would LOVE to take you diving!!!! We can do the refresher too, not a problem! Sharks, hopefully we will see at least a nurse shark or two! Harmless, like big catfish! Dropped another 1.5 today putting me at 59.5 lost. Hoping to see 60 tomorrow!!!! How amazing is this whole nutty journey?!! I wish my skin would keep up, however, starting to see excess skin in strange places... eek! :svengo: Have finals this week and then hope to get some pics together. Take good care and stay in touch!!

I actually went to the GAP yesterday and bought jeans in 10's! I still can't even believe it, just three months ago I was barely in 18's and really could only shop at walmart and Lane Giant. It is so surreal... I still have about 40 pounds to go but when I was at my leanest in the past I was never below an 8. I was much more muscular but I have a hard time believing I'm only gonna drop one more size... Wowwwwweeee! Tshirts from xl to m, love it. So many more NSV's...! C

I took a sip of my husbands fountain diet coke about a week ago (used to be my favorite thing) and, happily, it was NASTY! And it burned. And the bubbles were no fun. This is the only thing that has disagreed with me since surgery and I am delighted about it. The habit truly is gone. I thought I was sipping formaldehyde, didn't taste anything like I remember. Take a taste, get it off your head, I bet you're over it too! Good luck. C

My husband (also overweight) and I motivate each other to ride our bikes like maniacs. We usually ride 20-25 miles every other day about as hard as we can. It's great fun (unless the wind is blowing - happens a lot) and it seems to be STRIPPING the weight off. I look forward to the rides and am thinking about getting some running shoes and a serious bra and tinkering with jogging for the first time in 25 years... (man I'm getting old!) Oh yeah, if there was a gym nearby, I would absolutely be doing aerobics, preferably step. I used to do step aerobics regularly awhile ago and it, too, works like magic. C

Hey Anna, Just want to say I've been watching your posts from the beginning. I am so proud of your success so far, especially considering the rocky road you went through from the start. I loved your last post, the comment about greater nourishment on less was brilliant. Keep up the good work, kiddo. You're a trooper. C

Unfricking believable. I am so p.o.d reading this. And so very saddened at the same time. Girlfriend, we come to this board for straight up advice, right? Ok, you need to seriously distance yourself from these people, asap; they are poison and truly messed up. One of the tenets of kicking any addiction is finding new company - I think this is a Classic case for this. I think you'll be wasting your breath telling these folks everything Midwest Girl and the others are suggesting (no offense guys!) just forget about these people, for you. Stay strong, stay with everyone on this board, find new friends and don't even think about cancelling your surgery, you are going to be ecstatically happy before you know it!!!! C

Hot Damn Sleeve Buddy! You look incredible!! I think we almost have Rich convinced! I'm at 58 pounds, not bad for a girl, huh?! I'll try and post a pic or two this week! Take care and hugs to your family! Carol

I had a hard time too going from sipsipsipsipsipsip all day long then transitioning to real food and "poof"! no drinking around meals to what adds up to be hours of the day... What works for me and hasn't hurt the weight loss at all is this: I don't worry about not drinking before a meal, in fact I drink right up until the food is on the table, not a lot but a few sips of Water or whatever. During the meal, I drink, like Tiff, only if my mouth gets really dry or over spiced and then only a tiny sip. I try to avoid drinking with meals. After the meal, I found by accident that it hurts like hell if I try to drink a normal drink right afterwards and for 30 minutes or so after the meal. After that time frame of 30 minutes, give or take, I'll start working sips in again if I feel the urge. Hasn't affected my hunger or weight loss "rhythm" at all. I did quit wasting $$ on beverages in restaurants because of this routine. Sometimes I'll take the water, have my sips and give the rest to my husband or it just sits. Don't beat yourself up, you'll figure it out. Good luck! C

Hey Stacy! I'm not ahead of you by very much and we are both doing really well! I'm just wondering what you feel you are doing right as I'm sure others like to hear what works and what doesn't, I know I do/did. I feel like carbs definitely are key and although it's kind of a pain keeping track of them, I can easily handle it at least till I get to goal. Pre-sleeve I could only do lo-carb for not a very long time because I would get food bored too but now, with the sleeve, I am satisfied with such a small amount that I have yet to get bored with anything, really. It's great!!

That's AWESOME Stacy! How are you doing it? What's your secret? I attribute mine to exercize and lo carbs... I see that we had our sleeves the same day and are just about on the same track, loss wise! High fives!!!!

That's really sad but you've made it abundantly clear how very strong you are through all of this. I'm truly sorry that it is mostly your family of all people that have made these comments to you - it's not so easy to just dismiss family from our lives nor their comments. I guess, somehow, we've gotta look VERY deep within and know that they truly mean no harm and are being jealous dingbats, as difficult as that may be. I feel like people like that - who may not even need to lose weight - see us attaining a goal so huge in our lives and feel like they can't compare goal-wise and therefore must lash out...? Makes no sense but I'm just trying to find some scrap of justification for this garbage. WE all know how huge your success is and, equally as important, what a true angel you are to this board and the people here. Love ya Doll, keep hangin in there.