a little update with photos on my progress post surgery

[robinh]

Congratulations on your wonderful progress! My niece had that surgery and it's a tough one.

[pomtzu]

Lookin' good, girl!!! Keep up the good work - it is so worth it in the end.

My son had lap-band surgery in Sept 2011 and lost 100 lbs in under 12 months. He looks great, feels great, and has kept the weight off too. His weight is right where it should be, and he looks like he did in high school - and he's 44 yrs old!

[Pinot's Mom]

You look great! So glad your health has improved with the loss! Congratulations!

[Taz_Zoee]

That is awesome!! Great job! I know how hard losing weight is. But it's so rewarding to see the results. And it is discouraging when you stop losing as fast as you were. But I weigh myself each week and as long as I didn't gain weight I count that as success!

[Freedom]

Well done! Has the diabetes gone completely, as well? Sounds like you are doing well, keeping on track.

Psst! It is ok to smile for the camera!

[phesina]

Well done, Michelle! Excellent!

[Karen]

Yes, don;t give up hope, the last bit of weight will come off, it is just slower than you have become accustomed to!

[carole]

WOW you look fantastic,awesome, you must be feeling heathier and fitter now.

[caseysmom]

Not to steal your thread but i had my first weight loss surgery class. My insurance (kaiser) covers gastric bypass, sleeve, and lap band. Sounds like they do more gastric bypass than any of the others. Only problem is when healthcare laws change on January 1, 2014 they are not sure if it will still be covered. I am doing things as fast as I can to get it done this year.

My blood pressure is high so have to go on meds for that we are starting with water pills. My cholesteral and glucose were all good thanks god. Once I do my mammogram tomorrow my doc will schedule me with the surgeon. I am also paying to get a resting metabolic rate test which will basically tell you how many calories your body burns a day.

I am starting to drink lots of water and eat better and I already feel better. The worse part will be cutting out coffee at first. I had to go in for blood with no coffee felt like a walking zombie.

[kittycats_delight]

When I did my blood work and stress test pre-surgery I also had to go caffeine free. Can I suggest if at all possible steering away from the sleeve. The sleeve starts to fail around year five and you will end up having to get another surgery (usually gastric bypass). If you decide the more invasive route go gastric bypass if you can. The sleeve has the most stitches off all these surgery and the highest rate of sepsis occurring. It is the one that has the most likelihood of a stitch letting go within the first 48-72 hours which is the most crucial time as the stomach needs upto 72 hours to seal itself off again where it was cut. And besides that it kinda defeats the purpose in my opinion to get the sleeve if 5 years later you have to go get the bypass done anyway. I figure if you have to get it done anyway why do surgeries when you can do one. Keep us uptodate on your progress and let us know your decisions. :-)

[Catty1]

Michelle, you do look great! I am glad you are making lifestyle changes as well.

I am a member of a compulsive overeaters page on FB (private group) and I read stories about several people there - and friends and relatives of theirs - who have surgery (usually the band) and manage to gain weight back since they don't change their eating. One person was reported to have said "I have to eat soft food" and had an ice cream sundae!

I am down 45 lbs now...I might lose a few more, but that's up to my body. Three meals a day, one snack, no junk, and healthy balanced food choices. I also have been walking with a group for over a year, 3 times a week, one hour each walk. Sometimes we go a little over that, but that's a bonus!

caseysmom, best of luck!

[kittycats_delight]

Candace, I am proud of you! losing that much weight is a big accomplishment!!! The Lap-band is super restrictive and the fail rate is HUGE!!! The will power and conviction of someone who can do well with it is out of this world. I never could have done it. I for sure would have ended up a statistic in the failed category. My friend from the US who just had the sleeve done a bit more than a month ago is just now going on her semi solid diet. She is was on a soft food diet for a month and she too did the ice cream thing. She has always been a 'bad food' eater. She ended up having to reschedule her surgery twice because she had gained back some of the weight she had to lose to have the surgery. I actually found it pretty easy to change my diet. I don't really ever crave sweets or things like that. When I get cravings it is for things like fried chicken LOL and I can have that all day long. The fact that I don't absorb the fat and cholesterol is an awesome bonus!!!

Keep up the good work hun. You too are doing great!!!

((((HUGS))))

Michelle