jojo2nick

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Well 14 months after surgery, holding at a size 8..never would've thought. I hate all of the extra skin but its better than the extra weight. Life is so different in so many ways. I've never been happier with a decision i made in my life. I've lost 156 pounds, moved out of state and literally started a new life.
It's been an adjustment in many ways and i still don't think I see myself as 'skinny' as I am...like others see me. but i definitely don't see that fat girl any longer.
while the sacrafices have been many...so many things i can't have like anything with more than 8 grams of sugar, no sausauge any more, no carbonation....intolerance to lactose ...it's still worth it for all I do have.
It's been a wild and crazy journey but one I wouldn't have missed for the world.

It hardly seems like a year ago that I would look at before and after pics of OH members and be in absolute awe.  It was incredible to see the difference in each of you and I wondered how I would feel if only I could do the same. As I attended each weekly bariatric class, I had NO IDEA how my life would ultimately change.  I kept looking at posts by members on OH and dreaming of the day I could have the same experience.
But no one prepares you for just how much your life will change. Nothing is the same anymore. I'm down 110 pounds. From a size 28 to a size 14. My world is so different now. I can shop in any store, I can wear stylish clothing, I can sit in a booth at a restaurant, I can run with my nephew, I can roller skate, I can bike ride, I can do so many things I missed out on. I can even pick and choose who I will date because I have plenty of offers.
I've changed both on the outside and the inside. My world is brighter and better for what I have done for myself.
It hasn't been an easy journey. There has been pain and struggle to get here. My entire life was consumed with how and what to eat for many months. And in some ways, still is and always will be. Changing years of poor eating habits, getting sick when you make bad choices, giving up so many foods/drinks that you enjoy....is not easy by any stretch. Reading every label when you walk into a grocery store, planning each meal as if it were your last...just not easy tasks. Learning the hard way there are certain foods your body will no longer tolerate is not pleasant.
My marriage ended, I found myself not only a totally different person, but now in a totally different world. Took a while to realize I now had more choice in who I dated and suddenly had to evaluate me, who I was now because I was not the same person I was when I was 292 pounds. Who I wanted to be with. What I was looking for now.
I had to learn to adjust to family and friends saying it was weird seeing me like this. I had to allow them time to adjust to the new me. Some relationships made it through all of this and some did not.
But in the end? For the first time in 46 years, I can look in the mirror and love myself. For who I am on the outside and who I am on the inside.  The changes in me have been incredible. The journey a tough one. But the end result was well worth it.
I've been dating someone I like very much. I landed a new job that I love. I'm happier and more pleasant to be around than ever in my life.
I could not have made a better choice than to have the sleeve!

I haven't posted in awhile. Guess the excitement of the new me has taken over my life! I feel great, I look wonderful and I couldn't be happier. My journey has been a good one. It has been trial and error with which foods I can eat and how much. I've tried all the things the doctor said not to....carbonated beverages, sugar, eating too fast.....and the result was always what the dr said it would be. But I had to learn for myself!
Down 95 pounds since my surgery, finally made it to the 100's and it's the first time in 30 years I've seen a 1 in front of my weight. Boy does it feel good. Some days are difficult, I don't want to eat...hard to get anything down. Other days I can eat more than I ever thought possible. (which still isn't much lol)  New foods are always a trial and error. So I usually try them when I am at home. Certain things I used to love (peanut butter) I have no tolerance for anymore. But such a small price to pay to be healthy and happy.
I've made quite a few adjustments in my journey. Some easier than others. But a small price to pay for all I've gained from this. From a size 28 to a 16.....nothing can take away that joy.
My marriage didn't survive through all of this. But I have to look at that as another adjustment on my journey. It's a shame, but sometimes these things happen.
At least I have a new me and a new life and I'm happier than ever with myself! Anyone considering bariatric surgery should know the end result is well worth the adjustments you have to make in life.  But you MUST make sure you are willing to do all that you have to do to make it work. You have to be in the right frame of mind. You have to be willing to make sacrafices and become disciplined. If not, this won't work for you. It really won't. But if so, it's the best gift you could give yourself.

I was standing in front of the mirror today...hair dyed a different color, down 68 pounds, face and body looking totally different and for a brief moment I wondered who that person standing there was. Even though I'm still in the beginning of my journey, I am already a new person. 
I tried on 6 pairs of jeans and all six fit...for the first time since I can remember trying on clothes is a pleasure now. I feel happier, I feel good about myself. I've learned not to accept any less than I deserve. This entire experience has changed my life so much. I can only imagine how much better it's going to get. Every time I get on the scale or put on clothes that are now way too big, I smile, my heart lifts and I know I am almost a "normal" sized person. What a wonderful feeling!

WOW!! What more can I say??? I never thought I'd go through this much change in such a short period of time. I'm down a total of 43 pounds since surgery, had to buy new clothes, look and feel like a new person...and I still have a way to go lol
Was cleared to resume a "normal" diet last Friday...and was so excited to have my first salad...was actually craving a salad for weeks! A little disappointed that my salad was small (only about a 1/4 cup) but it satisfied that need. Finding out that just because I "want" something doesn't mean my body will tolerate it! Like tonight, tried a hot dog and a few fries, and spent hours feeling horrible. Sick to my stomach, sweating, feeling horrible. So no more hot dogs or fries for me.
Amazes me how I can be full after only a couple of ounces of food. So I try to make good choices (maybe not tonight, but it was a rare occassion lol)
I encourage anyone considering the surgery to go for it. Just remember, it is not a "quick" fix. It takes a big commitment and the ability to make a lot of changes in your lifestyle. It's not easy but boy has it been worth it.
New pics coming this week!!

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost three weeks. I'm feeling great, down 27 pounds, got to go to the gym yesterday! Excited that I can start working out again! Still have weight lifting restrictions, but to get out of the house and get some exercise feels good. I already feel like a new me in many ways. I'm not as bloated, the treadmill was actually easy yesterday, I have much energy (although by the end of the night I am still very tired).
I am doing well with most foods. I'm sad because peanut butter and I aren't agreeing and that's one of my favorites. Pepper is definitely a no-no. But for the most part, I can put anything in the food processor and eat it. I have found it much easier to eat an ounce at a time and eat every few hours. Trying to eat three ounces, as the doctor recommends, just isn't working for me right now.
I can't wait until it's like 3 months out, already see the changes in my body, can't wait to see more!

Well, my first official day on soft foods. MMMM. At least I'm getting  a taste of something. I think I over did it with the walking today. I'm a little sore today around the incision areas and my lower abdomin muscles are aching. But I still feel good in so many other ways. I'll take it easy tomorrow. Looking forward to my egg beaters in the morning!  Still very happy I did this. Find the most difficult part is my mind. When I see or smell food, I "want" it. Not hungry, just want. The I remind myself I couldn't eat it anyway...and I am able to control that. But it is not easy. I love hearing people comment on my weight loss...makes me feel so positive.

Well, I made it! It was a rough beginning, but I feel great today. 3 weeks ago I weighed 272lbs. Today I'm weighing in at 246lbs. My clothes are so baggy I had to get some new ones. Down a size and loving it. Still a little soreness in one incision (the one my tummy came out through) but it's much better today and getting better each day.
I miss working out, but that will come soon enough. Got to eat mashed potatoes today...and was amazed that 2 ounces of something like mashed potatoes can fill me so full! I am missing the taste of some variety in my diet (3 weeks on liquids ...well, something with some flavor would be nice) but that's coming on Thursday...got permission from doctor today to go to pureed on Thursday. Excited about that. Also got to have cottage cheese, so that was a treat as well. 
A little difficult to accept the portions...look at an ounce of food and think how can that possibly fill me..but it does.
I'm so excited. My entire outlook on life has changed. I'm happy and smiling all of the time. People are commenting as they now notice the weight loss, and I'm feeling so good about myself for the first time in a long time! Life can only get better from here!

Well here it is day three of my liquid (pre-op) diet. This is probably the most difficult thing I've ever done. But I'm sticking to it and riding out the tough times. There are times when my stomach growls so I've been drinking lots of water and trying to stay busy. I hope I can make it thru the next week and half. I just keep looking at everyone's before and after pictures and motivate myself with what is waiting at the end of this tough journey.  I hope I can do it!!

well,  i started my journey back in December 2010. When I first walked into the surgeon's office and found out I had to attend 6 months of classes, I thought they were crazy. Why would I need 6 months of classes to get surgery I thought I was already ready for. Well, I've never received so much education about nutrition and weight loss, and after graduating from class last Tuesday, I'm so very glad this was a requirement.
I feel like I now have the tools to make my surgery a success.

My journey started with a partner and it was great.  We lived together, so we ate together, exercised together, learned together and helped each other adjust to the our newer way of eating healthy and living healthy. We went to each class together, each appointment together and even scheduled our surgeries for July 25th together. Now I find, I will be doing the resto fo this on my own. The partnership came to an end today.

My liquid diet starts on Monday and I was really looking forward to having that support. But I guess I will rely on myself for my own support and encouragement. I'm nervous as I know the next 2 weeks will be a struggle. I made my protein jello and pudding tonight. I've written out a "menu" so I'm clear on what to have and when. But I feel so lost now doing it alone.But I've come to far, and two weeks away from surgery I can't let this stop me now. I have to continue to be strong and determined.

So, I'm going into this with the same positive attitude I have had for the past 7 months and I know I will do all the right things. I'm a little nervouse about surgery. I have a great surgeon with a terrific success rate. But surgery is surgery and things can happen. I try not to think about it, but he gave me this several page statement I have to read and sign. It lists all the things that can go wrong..lol...there are plenty. But most apply to about any surgery you undertake.

Well, I'll be on here a lot as this is the only support I will have now. And it's easier to talk to people who understand what I'm going through than my family and friends who still don't think this is a good idea. Of course, they've not been fat their entire lives and don't know what it's like to yearn to be thin and healthy.

I'm on my way and am looking forward to surgery....and being thinner and healthier.  Thank you everyone on here for all of your sharing, it has helped me a lot the past few weeks. And it's such an encouragement seeing the before and after pics!
 I love it!