Feb. 2011 - Sleeve Sister and Brother Check in

I am so glad I stumbled upon this forum, you ladies are gonna make me have to step my game up. I have been done 6 weeks and I have lost 32 lbs. I am so pleased with my sleeve I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Thanks for the good wishes!  I love my local goodwill because it is located in the "NICE" part of town so the clothes are really expensive types.....LOL so I have not only gotten a new wardrobe but it is in the latest fashions too!  It does feel good to be able to walk again.......the complications were nasty but I am whole and healthy now and doing just fine!  Good luck to you and keep on losing!

You are all doing so great!
I'm doing ok but it's been challenging this month

First the positives:
- I'm down between 97 & 100 Lbs since I started my pre-op diet (more on this later)
- I can walk, run, climb stairs, carry the baby, carry groceries, etc much better than before (I was walking with a cane!)
- I no longer sleep with the apnea CPAP!
- I'm nearly free of all my medications!
- My BP & bloodwork is excellent!
- I have lots of energy and I'm restless to go and do things now
- I'm feeling much better about myself
- I'm getting more flirts and friendly attention from people I meet
- My libido has come back (it was sort of on vacation for a while)
- I donate my "big clothes" to Goodwill about every 5 weeks while I'm shrinking
- For the 1st time in my life there's a limit to how much damage I can do when I eat too much
- I'm enjoying my foods more so than I did when I ate large volumes
- My monthly food bill is dirt cheap!

The negatives:
- My sleeve seems to be relaxing and I don't have the same restriction I had during the 1st two months
- My weight moves up and down 3-6 lbs in response to sodium in the foods I eat very easily
- I can't seem to lose weight unless I stick to a diet of just shakes and one small protein meal per day. If I eat primarily regular food I don't lose an ounce and I actually start gaining water weight.
- My family is not really supportive of my WLS. They seem to be divided between those that think of it as "cheating" instead of doing it the "right way", or they resent my weight loss and would rather I never talk about it. Somehow they think I'm bragging if I share my recent success!
- If it weren't for this forum I would feel very much alone in this journey

So in summary, I've lost significant weight, I'm struggling to get below 300, I have no support system outside of this forum, AZ has a population of nearly 2 million people but there's only a handful of WLS meetings and they only meet once per month. On the upside, I'm not giving up! But I need something to change soon so I don't get stuck in a rut of self pity! I bought some used hockey skates off eBay and I plan to start ice skating again (been about 20 years). I also want to join a gym and start working out again (another 20 years ago thing).
Keep up the great work everyone, and thank you for being there for me!... Craig

Hey Craig,
First, rock on with those scale and non-scale victories.  They all sound like wonderful changes to your quality of life.  You are really doing well.

As for the negatives...I'm really sorry that you don't have more of a support system.  It has to be rough to not be able to shout to the rooftops how much better you are feeling.  I am glad that you found OH and are getting your support from here. 

Have you talked to your NUT about your weight?  You may be eating something that is holding you up or you may need to just switch things up to shock your system.  Hopefully, you get on that losing train again! I think increasing exercise will definitely help...as we are able to eat more I think we have to put a little more work into getting our weight off.

Take care Craig!!  If you need someone to talk to we're here!!

Kudos to all of you!!!  I too am 3mos out!!! 

I have lost 48.5 and starting to really get the hang of this.  I was having a really hard time getting protein in but have added a few tricks like a hardboiled egg in the mornings which I hated post-op but tried again this morning & wasn't so bad.  I also started buying the Advantage protein bars for morning breakfast/snacks.  Cheese sticks, greek yogurt, Wendy's chili and beans are my lifesavers!

I have my 3mos followup this Thursday and I pray all is well with my blood work.

I was going to the gym and/or walking in the evenings but decided to go back to ZUMBA and really have enjoyed going!!! 

My goal is to lose 50lbs by the end of the month and then work out getting into ONDERLAND!!! (which I haven't seen in prolly almost 15-20yrs).

I guess you aren't a protein shake lover.  I still do the shake every afternoon.  I actually found this hot cocoa at mybariatricpantry.com.  It's 15 grams of protein...I make it with milk and that's an extra 8 grams of protein.  23 grams of protein and it tastes just like cocoa...it's not high in sugar or carbs either. 

I eat cheese sticks, greek yogurt and Wendy's chili all the time too...lol  I LOVE zumba...the new gym I'm going to has it 2 times a week.  You should definitely be able to hit 50 by the end of the month.  I'll be cheering for you when you do!!

LOL...how did you guess I'm not a protein shake lover!!! 

I have to admit about a month after surgery I just couldn't drink another shake!!!!!!  However, I'm still open-minded and plan to try different ones again.  I did buy some milk (Mootopia 12g of protein) so I will force myself to make some shakes soon!! 

Thanks soooo much for your encouragement!!!

Hey Sleeve Sisters and Brothers!

I was 3 months out on Monday.  I am currently down 56 lbs.  I will admit I am a little disappointed because I have been in a little of a stall the last 2 weeks(I actually hit 56 lbs. about 2 weeks ago).  I think it is a combination of TOM and I haven't been doing a very good job of planning my meals so I tend to fall in the habit of grazing.  This tends to happen in the late evenings and on the weekends.  During the work week I am fine other than I tend to eat the same things over and over so I get easily bored.  I really struggle on the weekends to get my protein and fluids in.  Okay enough of the negative.......on the positive side the only medicines I currently take are my PPI, my depression meds and an iron supplement(I just found out last week I am iron deficient).  No more Blood Pressure meds, fluid pills, Insulin Resistance meds, cholesterol meds!!!!  I have gone from a very tight 26/28 to a loose 22 and sometimes a 20 depending on the brand.  I had a lot of capris that I have collected over the last couple of years(most with tags still on them because they never really fit) in these sizes so I have just bought a few smaller tops and just call me the Capri Queen!  I am hoping to start going back to the local Y this week and really step up my physical exercise to kick things into gear.  I'm really feeling great and hope everyone else is too!

Hey Seeless....

Thanks for doing this.  I was actually thinking about how I hadn't seen a Feb 2011 Sleever checkin,  last night when I was lying in bed....  Dreams do come true!

The good is really good.  Listed them out before... No meds, all good and healthy, exercise like crazy, loads of energy, can tie my shoes like a thin person, lost 5 sizes in clothes, 50 pounds ...

The bad...  Nothing really to speak of.  Sometimes I want to eat more of something healthy and it ticks me off (last time it was Asian Coleslaw) and I still have body confidence issues (always have and likely always will).

NSV(s) ***  Was totally checked out by a guy in the grocery store.  Had on some skinny jeans, sandels, a super cute layered ruffle top, hair was curly, no make up (makes me look younger - go figure) and this guy a few years older than me did a double take, then the body scan.  I was simultaneously flattered and creeped out.  **** Also finally shopping completely in the Missy dept now, that is pretty cool. ****Not too much in the exercise category scares me any more... I feel pretty fit and strong (still look flabby).

Personal victories - have always hated the GYNO and Mammy appts - let mine slip for a few years.  Finally have the confidence to have them done - appts are next week.

Have my 3 mos surgeon check up on Tues.

I am not sure why this doesn't sound more up beat - Life is really quite wonderful these days!!!

Hugs,

Lala

I heard you talking to me last night Lala...lol  Just a hint, I selfishly always do it on my surgery day of the 17th...lol   I'm with you on the bad...sometimes that tilapia is tasting really good and I have to stop myself because I'm filling up.  But it's doing what it is supposed to do, which is why I had the surgery. 

I am sooo hating my thighs right now...but that is nothing new for me really.  I've always hated my thighs.  Getting checked out is soooo much fun.  I love that I can go into a store and feel "normal".  I don't feel like the fat girl in the store, or the fat girl in line, or the fat girl pushing the basket.  I don't stand out as the "fat girl".  That's a great feeling. 

Congrats on your NSV's honey!!  Hope everything goes well with you appointments!!

Melissa