18 Months And Counting...photo Update

[M2G 1,836]

So I had my 18 month post-op checkup this week (it's a smidge late due to scheduling conflicts, and now I"m actually closer to 19 months post-op, but hey better late than never) and was very happy with everything. From my stellar labs, to being -100lbs lighter, there is nothing bad I can say about the sleeve. It has given me hope in the never-ending weight battle. Never before would I have stayed the course through so many stalls (and for me personally there have been plenty!) I'm starting to see my body change even though the pounds are NOT melting away the way they did when I was a few months post-op.

Just thought I would share some photos since that was my biggest inspiration when I was researching the sleeve. The photos just don't lie, they tell the story.

[shrinkinmama 14]

wow you look amazing! great inspiration for me. I am only 4 weeks out and have been at a stall for 2 weeks already. I didnt think that it would happen this fast. I assumed that a stall would happen a few months out or something. I am just feeling frustrated and this was always my biggest fear. I am the type of person that needs to follow and strict schedule with eating and I know that is not the way to go. I am eating 4 to 6 times a day and gettin my Protein and water...I dont know what im doing wrong. Advice?

[M2G 1,836]

Shrinkinmamma, I'm going to guess that you aren't doing anything wrong! I say this from experience. At my 4 months post-op I lost exactly -2lbs. Yep. 2. And nope I wasn't eating crap, sliders, grazing or eating too many carbs, etc. I did everything totally BY the BOOK and still had slow results. Just keep doing what you know is right and eventually your weight will drop. Just know that this is for life and that it will take time. We are in this for life and we didn't gain the weight overnight so we aren't going to lose it overnight. HANG IN THERE!!!

[rdoactv 218]

M2G you look beautiful! Congrats. Its hard to be patient but you obviously won that battle. Way to go.

[Almostthere34 128]

M2G, you looked beautiful before and you look beautiful now. Great results thanks for giving us newbies hope.

[coops 1,790]

M2G...

I've said it before and I'll say it again... you are and you look amazing! Such a wonderful person who deserves every single inch of success... these picture are fantastic!

You've been such a good friend to me and I am so proud of you and the way you've changed your life... you look so much younger and happier!

WE WILL get rid of the last pesky pounds... don't forget, we are in this togther!

Congratulations, not only for being such a massive inspiration to me and other, but also to achieving a healthy, happy and positive YOU!

Hugs from across the pond my sleeve sista! x

[M2G 1,836]

M2G...

I've said it before and I'll say it again... you are and you look amazing! Such a wonderful person who deserves every single inch of success... these picture are fantastic!

You've been such a good friend to me and I am so proud of you and the way you've changed your life... you look so much younger and happier!

WE WILL get rid of the last pesky pounds... don't forget, we are in this togther!

Congratulations, not only for being such a massive inspiration to me and other, but also to achieving a healthy, happy and positive YOU!

Hugs from across the pond my sleeve sista! x

Thanks Coops! Ifeel *exactly* the same way about you. You inspire me and keep me strong when doubt creeps in. Thanks for always being there for me! So glad we are in this together!!! HUGS!

[shrinkinmama 14]

Shrinkinmamma, I'm going to guess that you aren't doing anything wrong! I say this from experience. At my 4 months post-op I lost exactly -2lbs. Yep. 2. And nope I wasn't eating crap, sliders, grazing or eating too many carbs, etc. I did everything totally BY the BOOK and still had slow results. Just keep doing what you know is right and eventually your weight will drop. Just know that this is for life and that it will take time. We are in this for life and we didn't gain the weight overnight so we aren't going to lose it overnight. HANG IN THERE!!!

Thanks for all the wonderful words...they inspire me. I do have a question...I amn struggling with what to eat at this point. I need to eat Snacks etc and I feel like everything is cheese or meat...is there other ideas that you have of what i can eat?

[sasicas 194]

YAY! What a great update! You look wonderful

[weho 103]

Wow, what a transformation! You have done great and look awesome!

[GivingItMyAll 168]

Amazing! Simply amazing! Congrats on your success.

[chitowngirl 885]

You look Awsome!!! Congrats and continued success.

[M2G 1,836]

Thanks for all the wonderful words...they inspire me. I do have a question...I amn struggling with what to eat at this point. I need to eat Snacks etc and I feel like everything is cheese or meat...is there other ideas that you have of what i can eat?

Shrinkinmama...well you are only 4 weeks post-op so that does limit what you can eat right now. Have you tried yogurt? I always have a greek yogurt daily. I sprinkle in a bit of Splenda and a bit of sugar-free powdered Jello pudding mix (it's in the light blue box at the grocery store and you can get yummy flavors like cheesecake, and white chocolate...I mix it into PLAIN 0% fat greek yogurt, YUM!) Other things that your surgeon may allow at this point is cottage cheese and ricotta cheese. Cottage cheese is awesome with a bit of seasoning, and ricotta is great with a bit of splenda and cinnamon sprinkled in. I also eat a babybel light cheese (it's a tiny round cheese wrapped in a bit of red colored wax) and it's only 50 calories for the whole thing. Another soft food that is totally delish.

At 6 weeks my surgeon cleared us for all types of food. YOUR surgeon's guidelines may be different, but ONCE you are clear you can add protien bars in, mixed nuts (go EASY on the nuts, as they pack a LOT of calories in a really tiny serving) beef Jerky, hard boiled eggs, and of course the standby that I have for lunch is lunch meat wrapped with a bit of cheese or rolled up with cream cheese to make it stay rolled up. Basically a sandwich without the bread.< /p>

I hope that helps you out. Just know that the restriction on food is TEMPORARY and in a few months you won't remember what it was like to be deprived of anything. So hang in there!!!

ANd thanks everyone for the nice replies...you all are so awesome!

[sleeve 4 me 910]

FREAKIN AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[M2G 1,836]

FREAKIN AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks S...that means a LOT to me! You have been here through my whole entire journey and I love you for it! :-)