SouthernLynn

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Well, it has been two years for me.  Wow what a change in my life.  I love buying clothes and even new shoes (lost 1 size).  I am wearing a size 4-6 pants and small shirt - petite size.  I still can't eat a lot at one time but that is fine.  When we eat out I just ask for a "to go" box and then have lunch/supper for several nights!  or I will share my husband's meal (money saver!).

Would I do it again?.....YES...YES...YES.  Have I had challenges? YES...YES...YES

So if you are considering the surgery know that you will lose weight if you follow your doctor's directions/instructions.  You will feel great.....you will need to exercise to tighten up the skin and to help in the weight loss so don't think that the surgery will be a do all surgery.....YOU HAVE TO WORK YOUR NEW TOOL TO MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU. 

You will have to adjust to your new tool.  Sometimes you will wonder if you did the right thing BUT only for a minute or two!!!  I have had no problems, but there were people on the board that posted about their problems and some were not good!!!  But you must remember when you are told to stay on liquids for two weeks....STAY ON LIQUIDS FOR TWO WEEKS!!!!!  Again....follow your doctor's instructions.  I know that you may think you can eat something 3-4 days early, but be smart and don't do it. 

My life has changed 100% since my surgery and I am so thankful I had it.....I will always be working my tool because YOU can gain weight even after you have had it so don't let anyone tell you you will not......YOU CAN PUT THE WEIGHT BACK ON IF YOU DON'T ADAPT TO YOUR NEW WAY OF EATING. 

Good luck....it is worth it.

I am one year out.  I have lost 65 pounds and 90 inches total.  I went from 186 pounds to 121 pounds and have maintained this weight since January, 2009...so I actually made goal in 6 months and have maintained for 6 months and going!!!  I also lost 1 shoe size.  I went from size 18 pants, x-large shirt-misses to size 2-4 petite pants and small to x-small petite shirts.  I feel like a new person!  I like me so much more than I have in YEARS.  Would I do it again????  In a heart beat!!!!  Has it been easy?  Well at times yes and other times kinda yes.  It has not been hard at all....I didn't have any problems at all from day one.  I did get the foamies once and that was all it took and recognize the sign of "full". 

There are some things that I can't eat....steak, but I can eat hamburger meat, beef roast and beef any other way most of the time.  Beef is really a hit and miss for me, so I eat it less often than anything else.  I get really sick on steak so I don't eat it and that is ok.  I can eat a loaded baked potato (about 1/4 of it at a setting) and that is really good.  I can eat shrimp, oysters, cat fish, chicken, tuna, pork and turkey.  I have started eating turkey burgers and my husband has the regular burgers.  I have no problems with eggs or cheese.  I eat flat bread instead of regular whole wheat bread....I can eat 1/2 of a rolled flat bread.  I can eat salad.  i have learned to eat protein 1st no matter what.  I can eat apples, grapes, watermelon...really every fruit I have tried is ok.

I still drink protein drinks for the extra protein.  I eat protein bars for my "sweet" times...I have found several that are really good...I cut them up, put in a baggie and eat when I need something sweet or just a "bite" of something.  I drink AchieOne and Smoothie King Gladiator (strawberry/blackberry) and Starbucks latte...skinny caramel latte with 1 scoop of protein = 15 grams protein!  So.....I can have the good stuff and keep my weight where it should be.

Now.....do I indulge in the "bad" foods...chips, cookies, cakes, etc?  Yes, I have eaten these and at one time was eating too much of it.  Did I gain weight....no....BUT....I did start putting on inches.  So....I had to "re-adjust" my thinking.  Word to the wise.....DO NOT START EATING THESE "BAD" THINGS AGAIN BECAUSE YOU WILL BE RIGHT BACK IN THE BAD HABIT AS YOU WERE BEFORE.  These things go down easy...much easier than the healthy stuff.  I couldn't eat them at 1st but eventually I could....so don't start. 

I miss eating dressing and deserts at holidays.  I really do.  I get to eat some...until I am full....but I sit and look at it wishing I could eat more.  I am hoping this year at the holidays I will be satisfied with just the "full" feeling.  But, I guess I get the feeling that I had before....it taste so good that I just want to eat and eat, which is why I was in the shape I was.

I can wear heals again!!!  That excites me.  I feel sexy in them and I seem to carry myself better!

My husband gets kinda mad at me when he wants to get a subway or hamburger.....at 1st I would tell him I didn't want that but now I just say ok and I (understand I) made the adjustment at the table....I remove the bread and eat the chicken or beef and everything is OK.  He made the statement one day when I said "oh, I can't eat all that bread" he said "Is it ALWAYS going to be like this?"  So, I made the adjustment so he would not feel deprived.  Some husbands/mates may not think twice about making "adjustments" and some may, so be prepared...but remember....this new you and what you can/can't eat now is for your health so you can be here for a long, long time....so you do what is best for you and hopefully those around you will be happy for you!

Anyway....I love and I mean LOVE to go shopping now!!!  I like knowing that I can pick up clothes that are "cute", "stylish" and pretty!

Anyway....I have posted one year pictures so feel free to go and look...here is one I had taken on my anniversary date!

Well, what can I say.....it has been 11 months and my life has changed so much!  People actually compliment me!!!  I feel great and have energy to spare!

Has it been easy?  Yes and no.  When I am hungry and there is something I really like that I am eating I have to stop myself from eating too much of it....I use to stuff myself but now I can't and I really know better than to try.

There have been a few ups and downs.  The other day my DH and I were out and about and he wanted to eat at Subway.  I said sure, I could eat the inside of a subway.  He wanted to half one and said "IS IT ALWAYS GONNA BE LIKE THIS?  YOU NOT BEING ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND EAT A HALF OF A SANDWICH"....I told him that it wasn't that I COULDN'T"T eat it but that I didn't want to eat it....the bread would fill me up too fast but that I was ok with just eating the meat/veggies.  So, yes, some in your family may have problems with  a few changes, but you know what....it is worth it!

Ok...I posted new pictures and will post my one year anniversary next month!!!

I am 7 months out and just want you all to know that this is THE best thing I could have EVER done for ME.  I am enjoying life so much it is unreal.  I feel so good about myself.  I have lost 63-65 pounds (goes up and down each couple of days) and 90.25 inches (unreal but yes it is true) so EVERYONE be sure to measure yourself from your neck to your ankles...it is so worth it when you hit a stall cause the inches usually still drop.

I am wearing a size 4-6 petite pants and petite small/medium shirts.  I am wearing a large juniors size in shirts.  I like to get the juniors in some stuff cause they just fit better....although the petite size is perfect for my heights.

I have tried to post pictures for each month so feel free to look.

I can eat most anything.  Still can't eat steak....don't know if it is because I don't chew it well enough (I try) of just what.  I also have a time staying away from my husband's sweets!  That is something that I am going to have to realllllly work on.

So anyone thinking about doing this....all I can say is GO FOR IT.  You will not regret it at all.

Well, according to my doctor's 1st goal and mine too but I changed it.  I am at 128 and I have decided to go to 120-123 and the doctor is ok with it....but he said not anything lower than 120.  Am I excited!!!!!  You bet I am...best thing I ever did for me.

Here is my weight loss:

July 22 - date of surgery - weight: 185 pounds
End of August:  - 26 pounds total - 35.5 inches (26 pds for the month)
End of September:  35 pounds total - 43.75 inches (9 pds for the month)
End of October:  42 pounds total - 52.25 inches (7 pds fpr the month)
End of November:  49.2 pounds total - 57.5 inches (7.2 pds for the month)
End of December: 53.8 pounds total - 60.25 inches (4.6 pds for the month)


You can see that the pounds slowed down drastically in December and I lost 2 pounds during Christmas....so, yes, make the most of your early months. 

Remember to measure yourself because when you hit a stall, losing the inches is what will get you through...it did me...even when I didn't lose the weight I lost the inches and didn't get depressed over it.

Well, Christmas just passed.....I am down 53 pounds and 58 inches!  I was the smallest sister at Christmas this year!  The 1st time in my life!  WOW....what a great feeling.

I cooked the whole Christmas lunch - peas, butter beans, deviled eggs, english peas, corn, rolls, cornbread dressing w/gravy, ham and turkey and fresh strawberry shortcake.  I had a little bit of everything....kinda half at one setting and then about an hour later I would eat something new....I had about a "large" teaspoon of everything...but I HAD some of everything!  I actually lost 1 pound during the week.  I did "graze" more than I should but tried really hard to stay away from the "sweets".

Would I have the surgery again.....You DA*N RIGHT I WOULD!  Worth every penny I paid.  I am wearing a size 6, sometimes a 4 in jeans and medium, sometimes small, petite shirts (and pants).  My DH actually is glad I had the surgery too....he wasn't at first but he is now.

So.....if anyone is thinking about doing this....do it.  It is the best thing I ever did for ME!

Well, it has been 3 months and I must say there are NO REGRETS of any kind!  I am so glad I have done this. 

Now understand that you still have to "watch what you eat" but it is so easy to do it.  It is not a diet fix but a new way of eating.  I am adjusting very well to it!

I have lost 40 pounds and 50 inches and my clothes are baggy but that is ok.  I'll fix them when I lose about 20 - 25 more pounds. 

I so look forward to the holidays this year because for the VERY first time ever I will be the smallest of my 3 sisters.....you have no idea how that is going to make me feel!  No more hearing about what I should/should not wear or how to wear it or this or that makes me look big.  I also don't have to have one of them look and say "you are going to eat that or more food".  Nope, I won't be depressed after I leave and that is such a great feeling!

I feel so good....I actually like me again.  That is the best accomplishment of all!

I am 3 weeks out and kinda getting the hang of things.  I have lost 18 pounds and I can tell several inches. 

My surgery went great.  No problems at all.  The doctor (Thomas Borland) did a great job.  I was not sick and didn't have any gas problems.

I am learning what and how much to eat!  I am very happy I had this done and I know when I am 4 or 6 months out I am actually gonna like myself again!

I have changed doctors.  I will have surgery on Tuesday, July 22.  Doctor is Thomas Borland in New Iberia.  His cost is much less and I really like what he has to say and feel very comfortable with him.

So....that is where I am....anyone used Dr. Borland or heard anything about him?

I went and met with Dr. Hargroder and his office staff and have set a surgery date of July 3 in Layfette because of the Bliss insurance.  I have an appointment on June 26th with Dr. Klienpeter (Hausmann's office) to discuss the information/procedure with him.  If Klienpeter's office had the Bliss insurance I would probably go with them.  I am also considering Dr. Borlan in New Iberia because of his cost but worry about no insurance.  I will not be going through my insurance cause they don't pay for the sleeve or lap band.