6 month follow up appt. and I'm so grateful for my sleeve!

Yesterday, October 25th I had my 6 month follow up appointment.

It has been 222 days since my pre op diet started and 208 days since surgery (almost 7 months).

I weighed in at 181.4

I've lost 80lbs* (pre-band weight in 2009)

Here are my sleeve stats:

Start weight 246 (March 18)
Surgery weight 236 (April 1)
Today's weight 181.4 (October 25)
total lost: 65 pounds (222 days including pre-op)

*My husband says that I've technically lost about 150 pounds because I lost and gained and lost again. What a sweetie! He always encourages me :)

My surgeon is really happy with my results, I am super happy with how far I have come. I've almost lost as much with my sleeve in a little over 6 months than I did the entire (almost 2 years) time with my band. I loved my band. I never had any problems with it, but I did lose much slower with my band. 10 lbs a month at first, but then I slowed to 5lbs a month and then a pound here and there. I think mostly because I was still always hungry and snacking a lot. My sleeve has been/felt easier because I don't constantly feel hungry, and when I do get hungry it takes about 2 bites of food to get past it. I am so glad that I made the decision to move forward with my sleeve, I hadn't saved enough to fully pay for my sleeve so I talked to my husband about getting a loan and had his support 110%. So I paid cash for half and I got my loan for half. I also got my surgeon to reduce his price for me (I have referred a couple of people to him and I think he really felt sorry for me, plus he is just a really awesome person).

I hope that if anyone is considering getting a sleeve that you really pursue it, the sleeve has been a life changer for me. After gaining my weight back I was in a deep depression. I didn't even feel like my former fat self who somehow always managed to get through the hard times- getting my sleeve surgery and losing the weight has allowed me to get back in control of my life and to be the real me again. I'm happy and confident again. I'm pursuing career and personal goals. Doing the things I've been wanting to do for a long time.

If anyone has questions about band vs. sleeve I'd be glad to chat- I don't have anything bad to say about my band really, I loved having it and how it helped me lose weight. Unfortunately, my body tried to eat my band and I had no choice in the matter. It had to go. :( Those who know me know what a hard time I had with that. It was traumatic for me to lose my band. I'm so glad that there was the opportunity for me to have a second chance with a sleeve (band was no longer an option after erosion or I probably would have replaced my band if that was an option).

I have about 5 months to loose 30 pounds to reach my first goal of 150. I actually feel like it is going to happen! I'm excited to see what I can do in the next few months! I appreciate all of the support I get from my blogger buds too, with out all of you it would be so much harder! Thank you for being there for me through all of my WLS ups and downs. :) 

Don't forget!

I am organizing a get together- a Las Vegas girls weekend, and so far I have 4 definite attendees and several others who have taken the survey I put up in my last couple of posts. Look at my last post or leave me a comment if you are interested in joining the fun! It is going to be more than fun, I am super excited!

Happy Weekend and be safe for Halloween!