Hello OH Family!

A lot of you know, I had a nice little (little?  yeah right) regain this year.  2013 has been both a stressful yet rewarding year for me.  2012 was REALLY tough, struggling with some personal issues & so forth.  I don't wanna bore you all with that crap.  I regained almost 20 pounds at one point because I stopped tracking & logging my food & let's be real ... I started to eat all the same **** I ate back when I weighed over 275 pounds.  I told myself when I got surgery that I was changing my eating habits for good.  Yeah well, for some of us, easier said than done, right?  BUT even though I have strayed & left my little sleeve defenseless, my little sleeve is like Fido ... that loyal little pup who keeps coming back to you to love on you no matter what you throw his way.  He's always there for me when I need to get back on track.   

I love my sleeve ... this is a lifelong journey that I signed up for & I sure has hell haven't giving up the fight & I never will. I fall & get back up ... get back up ... get back up ... get back up ... (anyone else hear the world's smallest violin playing???  LOL)

Anyhow, I am learning to love myself every damn day, even more than the day before.  I love me ... & I want to take care of ME.  Even with these few extra pounds of regain (hey, I lost 1/2 but am struggling to get the rest off), I refuse to beat myself up.  Why?  Because I have beat myself up all my life.  I grew up with the worst self image & I neglected me.  Time for me to acknowledge than I am worth the hard work it takes to be the best woman, mom, wife (future one maybe?), person I can be.

Now ... for some pics!!!  But first, I just want to thank all of you for all you support.  I really could not have done this without you. 

OK ... I never wanted to post these pics because they are scary to me but I need to man up & own it.

These 2 pics were taken the day before my VSG

Don't hate on twilight, K?  But you can agree with me that I look pretty damn miserable!!!

Thought you saw the worst???  Check this one out.  Just say NO to Sweet & Sour Chicken!!!

 

Before: Chubby but a decent pic.  At least I'm smiling w/ my hair combed & make-up on!!!

OK ... now for my current pics.  I hope to be closer to my goal in a couple months but this is hard!!!  Wah!!!

I will try since my 2 year is coming up in 2 months!!!

This is me at work on the elevator 3-4 weeks ago ...

See?  I'm sporting some hip action ... don't be jealous!!!!  lol

 

This is me 3 days ago on Father's Day.  I was on my way to visit my sweet Grandpa!!!

 

A few extra pounds might not harm anyone BUT it's a recipe for disaster if we don't do something about it. We owe it to ourselves first & foremost to stay healthy but if you have kids like I do (& adorable ones I might add) then we owe it to our babies to see them grow up & live a long healthy life. 

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL SO OWN YOUR OWN BEAUTIFUL WORLD!

Thank you all once again for your continued support. 

As Parisgirl once told me on MFP ...

I PUFFY HEART YOU!!!!

You look great, congrats on all your success!!!

Welcome!

It's really your decision but I also didn't want malabsorption issues.  And to think RNY's only malabsorb food for a couple year but have a lifetime of malapsorption of vitamins.  I also know plenty of RNY's who have gained a lot of weight back so it's really what we make of our own WL journeys. Both surgeries are just a tool ... it's what we contribute that makes it a complete success.

Best of luck to you in whatever you decide.  You will see several successful VSGers on this board who would highly recommend the VSG & I am one of them.  I feel like a normal person with no complications from surgery.  I love it!

Deena,

I have a feeling you have more self control than I do, from reading your recent posts from resisting brownies & cupcakes.  I, on the other hand ... have an extremely hard time saying no & look where it got me.  I am still struggling with a regain but I do feel like I still have my head in the game.

I'd say plan for it... and I mean either plan to eat or or plan to not eat it.  Maybe don't order your own, just take a bite or two from your hubby.  I appreciate those VSGers who are hardcore but everyone is different.  I don't think 1 or 2 bites will fuller trigger the carb monster but eating an entire almond croissant will.  For me, indulging earlier out got me into trouble but if you want to feel like a normal person who can take 1 bite & literally savor that very moment then do what you feel you gotta do.  I know some peeps say you don't need to enjoy the sweets on a vacation ... that your vacation doesn't need to revolve around food but 1 bite won't make you gain anything.  Just proceed with caution if you do.  You might be able to take that bite & then tell yourself that was it, that's all you need and still see your gorgeous reflection in the mirror, be happy & continue with reaching your ultimate goal. 

Just think about it and plan ahead regardless of your choice.  Love ya, you sexy thing you!!!

Today is dedicated to all dads. It's your day, enjoy it with your loved ones!!!
My dad is on a much deserved vacation with my mom so after I finish babysitting My Godson Liam this morning, I will be spending the rest of the day with my sweet Grandpa.

Hope everyone is having a GREAT Saturday. I am babysitting my Godson Liam today. He's such a cutie patootie! I haven't planned my meals yet today & that makes it hard to know what to eat. Luckily I can just help myself to whatever is in the fridge.
B: iced coffee
S: 1/2 quest bar & another iced coffee
L: turkey chili w/a little shredded cheddar
S: 1/2 quest bar
D: pollo loco thigh & loco side salad
Water & Vits on track
NEXT!!!

Love this, LOL!!!

I recently discovered Mozzarella Tempura at Kabuki restaurant.  Which is worse, the cheese or the potato? 

Gawd, that **** is da bomb!!!  Dipped in soy sauce & wasabi ... forget about it!!!  

Dang gurl, looking amazing!!!!!!!  Major progress so far, keep up the great work my friend!!!

Great to know Linda.  Thanks for keeping us posted.  Have a great weekend!!!

After we opt to surgically alter our bodies and  go to that extreme, we want to take care of ourselves the best way we can and to make the most of this journey.  Tracking your food by calories, protein & carbs is the best way for us to know we are doing the best we can.  I credit that to my success.  I did stop tracking once I hit my first goal & I had a regain so I think tracking helps most people.  When I go back to tracking my food daily, it certainly helps keep me on the right path for continued success.  :)

Damn this is awesome, thanks for sharing!!!

Damn, rock on gurl!!!!  You look amazing!!!!  From what I can see you have gone thru a major transformation.  Looking great, thanks for sharing!!!