mkgivens

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Sorry, it took me so long to post, but this weight loss has been a world wind, life changing event in ways that I never imagined, both good and bad. Just to catch up, i reached goal in August about 5 months and 1 week post-op! I have had absolutely no complications and do not regret anything about my surgery... I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!! I am 5'4", 139 lbs & I wear a size 2-4 jeans & XS, S tops!!! I still can't believe this!(From a size 18 to a size 2!!!)  I continued to lose past my goal but actually decided to regain a few pounds because I started to look very, very thin and emaciated especially in my face. Since I've decided to have plastics anyway (TT, breastlift) I decided losing those few extra pounds were not worth it at the expense of my face!!! I don't want to look like I've aged 20 extra years! So I went as low as 134 and have now intentionally regained and am maintaining at 138-139 lbs. Trying to consume enough calories to maintain is a little harder than I thought. I've had to reintroduce more carbs without freaking out. That hasn't been to hard to do, because I have eaten carbs all along. I decided when I had this surgery that I wasn't doing it to be on a permanent diet or to eliminate any particular food totally from my life. I chose this surgery so I wouldn't have to do that. I have eaten what I wanted, when I wanted it (just can't eat the whole thing anymore!) and that has worked great for me. I don't count calories or carbs or even water and I do eat real sugar!(but don't crave it like I used to!) I do ocassionally take count of my protein to make sure I stay on track, but I consume most of my protein from food because I never was able to tolerate the shakes/supplements very well. I stay on the low end of the protein scale, I just don't feel it is necessary to consume more protein than I did when I had a whole stomach and weighed almost twice as much and it was just way to stressful (and nauseating) trying to make myself consume all that protein! My calorie consumption when losing was mostly on the high normal end (700-1000 cal/day).  I did not really do a lot of structured exercise, though I can be pretty physical in some of my day to day activities. I've started to work out a little more lately. All of my labs are excellent, no deficiencies of any kind. I do however take a chewable multivitamin and B-12, 2500mcg, though not every single day.  My hair started shedding around the 3rd month. I bumped my biotin from 5000mcg to 10000mcg and have not had any more major shedding problems. In short, I have not been a poster child for compliance, but I feel I have used common sense and the results have been good for me. Everyone has to get to know themselves and do what is right for them. Sorry I haven't posted my goal pictures yet. I got a new camera and am having trouble getting them off and uploaded, but I'm going to work on that today. Will also try to post the pics below goal so you can see the difference even a few pounds can make when you get too low. That was something I really wasn't prepared for and I really couldn't see it! If it weren't for the pics I wouldn't have known how bad I was starting to look. I suggest everyone take really good pics of themselves as they approach goal so you don't over do it. You just can't see what the camera (and others) can see. I still even feel fat  most of the time and I wear a size 2/4 pants (XS,S tops)!!! It's just unbelievable how much we can't see no matter what side of the weight problem we're on! On a different subject, on to the bad that I mentioned before. I am having a lot of marital problems that I simply was not prepared for. My husband has reacted to my weight loss in ways that I would never have imagined. I not sure our marriage will survive this, but I still have no regrets about doing what was best for me. I'll post more on this subject later. Right now I just want to be happy with this unbelievable gift God has given me, this chance to really live my life.

I know you've heard it before, but I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!! In this short period of time, i already know that this has been the absolute best decision i ever made for myself! I feel wonderful. The pounds and the inches are just melting away. At the same time my energy and self confidence are through the roof. I don't have one single regret, i only wish i had known about the sleeve sooner! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed already. Other people started noticing the physical changes before i did. My sleeve is amazing. I'm at the point in my diet now where i can have what i want. It is so incredible to enjoy the things i like and be totally satisfied with a small portion. I have never experienced that in my life. It is so freeing. I even cook more now because i am not afraid of food, i'm not scared i will eat everything in sight. I've noticed that i have a greater desire for healthier foods than i did before surgery, but if there is something i want, i don't deny myself, and i'm totally satisfied just by tasting it! All of my bad carb cravings are gone. I don't even miss my sodas that i thought i couldn't live without. I'm one of the sleevers who does still have an appetite, and i'm glad of that, because i do still get to enjoy food, just in a much healthier way. I've been in many social eating situations since having my sleeve and didn't feel tempted in the least to try to eat more than my tiny tummy could hold. I feel like i have the best of both worlds; my sleeve and i are a perfect fit!

March 22, 2009

I can't believe that i am now 4 days post-op! I had my surgery in Piedras Negras, Mexico with Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. I can not say enough about this man and his competance and professionalism. I will do a separate surgeon's testimonial to give all the details. I had no complications. The first 24 hours i had a lot of pressure and discomfort in my chest from gas which almost drove me crazy, but other than that, i have absolutely no complaints. 2 days after surgery, i felt better than i have felt in years!!! The 3rd post-op day i thought i must have lost my mind, i felt so absolutely amazing! My family went with me, as it was my 12 yo daughter's spring break. We spent the entire day walking around the San Antonio Zoo, The Riverwalk and several area museums and attractions. I never ran out of energy!! Just the day prior to surgery we had gone to Sea World and i almost died from exhaustion and my back was killing me! I mean i felt unreal. I was not in pain, not even my lower back, which i have chronic problems with. I haven't weighed myself yet, but i think i may have lost just enough weight (5 or 10 lbs) so far to relieve some of the pressure that was causing me excruciating lower back pain. I feel fabulous. If i had known i would feel this good, i wouldn't have hesitated for a moment when making my decision to have this surgery. I am so encouraged by the future, because if i feel this good now, i know only better things are to come. My diet so far is still clear liquids. I will not advance to full liquids and mushies until 2nd week.