ReneK

You are amazing! I'm sorry that you are having to go through something so hurtful but you are doing great. It sounds like you know what is important to you. Hopefully, your family will come around. If they do, great. If not, that is their loss Stay strong!

They physical part of this battle is only one small part. A good amount of it is mental. And, as hard as it is, you have to tackle and conquer that part too to be successful. Be strong. Don't beat up on yourself. But stick with it. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.....but, more importantly, it is your health and life that you're talking about. Is McDonalds really worth dying early? I'm sorry if that sounds harsh...I'm not trying to be mean, just realistic.

I was 55 when I had my RNY in January 2016. When I started the journey six months earlier, I weighed 275 -- not the highest weight in my life but pretty close. I couldn't walk around the block without my back hurting. My surgery was on a Wednesday. I was home on thursday and back working the following week. I was tired but had no real complications. I've always been healthy and have healed quickly. I have lost almost 120 pounds. And I've turned into a fitness nut. :-) The two things just kind of went together. You have to start of slowly. The place i had my surgery has a trainer, who has been great. She gave me very realistic exercises and helped me gradually work up to higher levels. Now I lift weights three to four days a week and walk about 15,000 steps a day as well as ride a mountain bike. Don't worry too much. Follow your doctors instructions. And cut yourself some slack. Don't expect to run a 5K in a month. If you can walk around the block in a month, that's awesome! I have no doubt that it is the best decision I ever made.

Good luck! You've been down quite a road already!

@heatherable you definitely have NOT waited too long. I was 55 when I had surgery. It took me 14 months to hit my goal but the last five pounds took three months... And I was really on maintenance by then. Good luck!

Well, that magic number arrived today...you know that one you set, either officially or in your head -- the infamous goal weight! My surgeon never gave me a goal weight. I set one in my head of 160 pounds (I'm a 56-year-old, 5'6" woman). In a world where 130 pounds is the perfect weight, that still "sounded" high to me. And, after a little research, I realized that I had to get down to 155 to "officially" not be overweight anymore (according to the BMI charts) I was 159.4 this morning. That stupid 155 number is still in my head. But, in all honesty, nobody --including my doctors -- think that I need to lose any more weight. I'm very active. I eat 1200 calories a day....or more on a heavy workout day. Half of me is afraid I'll never hit 155....25 percent of me is afraid I'll go below that....and 25 percent of me is convinced that I'm going to wake up tomorrow and have gained 25 pounds HW (this decade anyway) 275 SW - 253 CW - 159.4 Anyway, I'm just rambling. I'm happy with my results....i'm just a bit confused on what I do now I've been maintaining at around 162 for several months so I'll probably go back up to that and I'll be fine. (I'm feeling neurotic today!) :-)

I lost 10 pounds in two weeks....mine was only Clear liquids.

Sorry, didn't have time to search through all of the topics. But my BMI ticker shows my weight and I can't seem to change it

Thanks, @Ken S.. It seems to be working just fine now!

myfitnesspal is the best thing out there, as far as I'm concerned. I've logged for over 400 days and my surgeon says logging is one of the keys to maintaining. It takes a little time but their database is huge and you can find almost everything -- or something close enough. Also, you can cut and paste recipes that you may cook at home. I love it. The time it takes to log things also makes sure you're thinking about what you're consuming!

I logged in, clicked on my name at the top right of the page and went to my tickers. Link is: http://www.bariatricpal.com/tickers/

I have no experience with the sleeve but I know that a lot of people are successful. Frankly, either surgery requires discipline and hard work -- they are both tools to help your success. As far as dumping and malnutrition after bypass -- neither of these will be a problem if you follow the rules. I have, on very rare occasions, gotten sick after eating -- usually from eating too fast. I simply don't eat the things that I'm not supposed to! And my blood work has always been good. If you take your Vitamins, you will not suffer from malnutrition. I wish you lots of luck on your journey. It is definitely a life changing decision but, in my opinion, completely worth it!

I had a moment a little while ago. I started thinking about the beginning of my journey and talking to our new HR rep about insurance and coverage, etc. She told me that she had WLS herself. I remember thinking "I'll never look as good as she does". I honestly didn't think it could happen. I knew I'd be successful but it just doesn't mentally translate into what that really meant. My moment today was when I realized that other people are looking at me like that -- whether they know I had surgery or not. So, I decided that I needed to make a "cheerleading" post. Where ever you are in your journey, don't give up! Hang in there! Everyone has their struggles -- some more than others. But it is totally worth it! And cut yourself some slack. You don't need to be perfect. If you mess up one day, that doesn't mean your ruined. Just get back on the wagon tomorrow. Drink your water! Exercise! Listen to your doctor! ASK QUESTIONS!!! Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. You aren't going to lose all of your extra weight in a month. Or six. It will take as long as it takes. Everybody has stalls. Everybody feels bad some times. Everybody has days they just can't go to the gym. It's ok. Be patient with yourself. Love yourself. (I know, I'm goofy. But I can't help myself!)

I don't think I'd do anything differently. The thing I'm glad I did was follow my doctors orders to the letter, pre and post op.

I know I may be weird but I find the grumbling in my remnant stomach kind of comforting. Does anybody else feel this way? I wonder if everyone understands it and that it isn't hunger? I've always wondered if people who say they are starving all of the time (after bypass) aren't misreading the grumbling?

It is a forever thing, as far as I know. I'm a year out and it still applies

@ahipchick my trainer and dietician would not let me work out until i was eating 800 calories a day, which took a couple months. And I started out very slowly! Take it slow.

One year. 110 pounds. As I sit here munching my egg beaters Breakfast, the first thought that pops in my head is thank goodness I love eggs and they agreed with me after my surgery! When I started this journey, I intended to blog about it. That never really materialized. I guess I expected to need to write down everything that happened. But it turned out just to be life. And normal life. That was totally unexpected. Anyway, I know this is going to be a long post and if you indulge me by reading it, thanks. If not, I'm ok with that too. I started at 275 pounds. I couldn't walk for more than 10 minutes without my back hurting. I was on medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. I was honestly afraid that I would not live to see my grandkids. (I was 55 years old at the time of my surgery). Today, I am off of all medications. Today, I weigh 165 pounds. I want to lose another 5 to 10 pounds but my doctors are happy where I am. Everyone I know tells me that I'm thin enough. We'll see.At the beginning, I was wearing size 24/26. Today, I wear size 12. I haven't been a size 12 since I was in junior high. I know how blessed I am. I had zero complications of any kind. This honestly seems like a miracle to me. The biggest blessing has been my family. Not only did they completely support me, but my husband went high Protein, low carb and started working out with me. (He has lost 60 pounds!) My biggest NSV was in November in Las Vegas. My husband and I were walking through a shopping center on the strip. I spotted these gorgeous party dresses in a store and decided to walk in. A sales girl told me that i should try one of them on. The largest size was a large and I thought "no way this will fit me". But, I decided to try. I went into the dressing room and slipped into the dress. I was stunned that it seemed too loose. So the girl brought me a Medium. It fit beautifully. So, I bought it. (It is the sequinny dress I wore at the Christmas party in the attached photo). After my hubby and I walked out of the store, I broke down in tears. Never in my wildest dreams would I have been able to wear a size Medium designer dress. Just a couple more things. The weirdest thing for me has been that I don't recognize myself in photos. The attached photo of me looking at my phone in the snow was taken last week by a friend of mine. I didn't realize it was me when I looked at her photos! My biggest challenge -- finding jeans that fit. I've settled into skinny jeans because they are the only ones that don't sag on my butt and thighs. How are things different? Well, I can't eat much and I know better than to overeat. I get drunk easily. I love going to the gym. I ride a mountain bike. I don't worry about dying. I can walk for hours. I could run if I didn't hate running so much. For anyone who is considering this journey....it is not easy but it is completely worth it. Be patient with yourself. The only way to be successful at this is to have your mind in the right place and commit fully.

@@Djmohr You have been one of my inspirations since I've been on this forum! Continued success and happiness to you!

As many have said, staying hydrated is very important! And congratulations on your success!

I haven't posted in a really long time. I had my bypass on 1/6/16. I started at 275 (253 on day of surgery) and I'm down to 178. I took my measurements this morning and realized that I have lost 8 inches from my bust, waist and hips. I feel good and I'm only 20-ish pounds from my goal! I do constantly worry about gaining the weight back. That seems to be the most common story that you hear "so and so had that surgery and lost a bunch of weight but gained it all back." UGH. I do understand what I need to do. I have completely changed my lifestyle and the way I look at food and exercise. But this has been a life long struggle for me and I'm terrified that I'll slip into old habits. I think I'll hit my goal around the beginning of the year. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to get my head on straight about this? Thanks!

@taunia Thank you so much! That's exactly the type of thing I needed to hear. I have completely changed and don't intend to go back!

Everyone loses at a different rate. 10 pounds in two weeks is great. the smartest thing I ever read was on this forum: "Always remember this is a marathon, not a sprint!" Just eat right, take your Vitamins and drink your Water. The weight will go away!

I was 55. My highest weight was 275. I've lost 80 pounds so far.

At my 1-month follow up, i was getting in about 600 calories a day. The dietician and trainer wouldn't let me start exercise until i got it up to 800 calories a day.