JamaicanGirl2011

I love your posts and your support!!! You're doing great!!!! What an inspiration!!

I took a pic this morning to update my FB profile and realized that I was dressed almost exactly like I was 3 years ago prior to VSG. So here's my TBT photo for all those struggling or making it or need some encouragement or just sharing in the love!! We are winners if we keep trying !

Just want to chime in regarding the inspiration in this thread - we will all get there! My losses are harder to come by these days and I am very much looking forward to next week when our houseguests return home and there are no more Cookies, or hamburger Buns, or bread in my normally safe, bad-carb free home. They go down waaaay to easily after that first year - my hubby who is also sleeved has lost his mind I guess...he is at goal and can seemingly eat anything and not gain.
I also had a fright seeing my sister-in-law last week - who was the inspiration for my husband and I to have WL surgery in the first place. She had a RNY and is 3.5 years out, after a very stressful spring with her job, she had gained back 35 lbs of the 165 she had lost.
Over a weeks camping, she had a personal stash of packages of golden Oreo's, those giant containers of goldfish crackers, chips, juice, and bags of dried fruits, including coconut (when I looked at the bags nutrition content and how her dear husband, who is heavier than he has ever been could not seem to stop eating from it - not good.) I am worried that she will gain more back - she has a weakness for sweet carbs
This felt like the cautionary tale, the wake-up call - for me to be careful, and mindful, and to keep on working on things that are healthy habits. It is so freaking hard some days...

I've been lurking on this thread, but I guess I'm going to be brave and step into the fray.
I'll start by admitting I have serious eating issues. About a year before I had surgery, I felt so out of control with binge eating, and helpless to do anything about it, that I sought professional help. It was an interesting process, but one that helped me with insight (why), rather than with strategies (so, now what?).
When I decided to pursue WLS, I did so with the clear understanding that it was not going to be a fix for my eating issues, just a tool to help me manage the physical hunger. The first 6 months or so post-op felt fairly easy, and I surpassed my surgeon's goal, I became an avid runner, and completely changed both what and how I eat, with every intention of making those changes permanent. But carbs and sugar began to creep back into my diet, and it took me another 6 months to lose 14.5 of the last 15 pounds to get to my personal goal.
I suspect I could have been one of those people who struggles a bit to quit losing, if I'd stuck to eating what I'd planned, but I'm struggling again with binge eating, and as of this morning I'm about 23 pounds from my personal goal (I hate to admit it,but I've been quite a bit higher than this).
I've tried CBT, and I read everything I can get my hands on dealing with emotional eating, sugar addiction, etc. I haven't made it to an OA meeting yet, but I know where and when the nearest meeting is, and I'm seriously considering it.
Does this mean I don't "have any 'smarts' at all", since I regained quite a bit?
...Ouch....
I frequently see discussions about regain that comment "sure, if you're sucking down milkshakes and ice cream all day you can regain", and "you can eat around the sleeve if you're determined to", the implication being that those of us who don't maintain well are stupid, or stubbornly choose this path. I understand the fear of regain, and the desire to feel "safe", to think "I'm too smart to do that, so I'll be ok". But I'm a confident, well-educated woman, with a graduate degree and a good career in an intellectual field. And I'm very self-aware of my eating issues. I get on the scale every single morning, even knowing I wasn't going to be happy about the number I'd see there. Yes, I was scared about regaining. Yes, I knew I needed to address those few pounds before they became more. But I haven't got this figured out yet, and some days my old habits win. I'd venture to say that a good percentage of us have work to do on the mental/emotional side of this journey, and I feel a bit lost on that path.
Still, I have no regrets about having chose surgery. I'm out hiking every weekend I can be, up at 5am to head out in the mountains with the birds and the squirrels (I'm a grouchy hiker with hermit tendencies, so I gotta hit that trail before the chatty groups show up!) I'm much happier, and more confident in my body, even with the regain. I can't fit into all the skinny clothes in my closet, but I still believe it's possible to get there, and I'm not giving up. And, I'm pretty proud of the 80+ pounds I haven't regained, and I know without a doubt that without surgery, I'd probably weigh even more than I did pre-op.

I have lost 144 pounds in 9.5 months with no exercise! I know I should start but damn I hate it. I really am going to start using my elliptical! Really I am! It's going to happen!

It takes folks a while to get used to the new you. People, being the selfish, lazy slugs that they are, would rather do anything than adjust their thinking. So they attempt to adjust you regardless of how you feel or the improvement to your health.
Next time they offer their bologna ask them nicely, "How much over my doctor recommended weight would be good for you?"

OMG!!!! I felt this way just last week, one of my co-workers told me that I looked great with the weight I have lost so far, but that if they were me they wouldn't lose anymore. I know that the look that I gave to her was one that if looks could kill she would have fallen right there. The thing that "pi*sed*" off was the fact the person who said this is about 5'6 and she might weigh 100lbs soak & wet w/sand in her shoes. I was so aggravated because for a person who has never had a problem with their weight or has never had to shop at Ashley Stewart, Lane Bryant, or go to Wal-Mart and not buy something that has the worse patterns would not understand just how we feel. I decided right then & there that I will not allow anyone take me to that place again, I made the decision to have this surgery(as a tool) to keep me as a healthy individual and not encounter the health problems that plague my family. So keep your head up and don't let it get to you. As long as you are happy with whatever weight you want to maintain thats all that matters;)

Some people have class, some need a class:Basic Humanity 101
Don't waste your time or emotional resources on bottom feeders and concern about what they say and do.
Enjoy your life with those who have the intelligence and maturity to accept, appreciate and enjoy you.

You deserve to brag!
Brag as much as you want.
Listen, when I get to my goal weight, I will be wearing
a two piece bikini. Preferrable somewhere on the beach in Florida,
where no knows me.
'Cause Lord knows, no one will be able to stop me.
I can't wait!

You deserve to brag!
Brag as much as you want.
Listen, when I get to my goal weight, I will be wearing
a two piece bikini. Preferrable somewhere on the beach in Florida,
where no knows me.
'Cause Lord knows, no one will be able to stop me.
I can't wait!

Totally agree!! You're gorgeous, flaunt it!

Girl....you have every right to brag.....you look fantastic! Congrats!

Congratulations!

Yeah, good for you and I know exactely how you feel, I went from a 22/24 to size 5/6 and still losing. I thank my God and my Dr. for blessing me with this sleeve.

I hope I get to tell this same story some day!

I hope u dont find this question too personal but do u have any problems with skin??? I'm 3 wks post and really worried about this.

Well alright!!!! Somebody would have to slap me, cuz I wouldn't be able to stand myself, lol!!!!

Hi Jamiei,
Congratulations!
If you don't mind sharing, could you please let us know the name of the doctor and cost?
Thank you!

Cyrstal,
You look so good!
Congratulations!
Personally, I don't know if I could contain myself I shopped for a size 4!!
Exciting!!

Hi Fellow Sleevers,
I may be a little early but I wanted to start planning and saving.
How soon after the sleeve surgery did you have plastic surgery?
Also, how much weight did you lose before you completed plastic surgery?
I know this is personal, but if you don't mind sharing (I know this will help a lot of us)....
What plastics did you have completed?
What was the cost?
Thank you!!

Congratulations!
Excellent job!
Try this site, www.realself.com.
It tells you about the different plastic procedures and the average prices.

Good morning. My only word of advice is to look at your life style. Do you enjoy it? How much spare time do you really have? I personally only enjoy early am workouts. Nothing after a hard work day. If you enjoy what you're doing now and don't want to become a "slave" to exercise which eventually causes you to stop doing it, then keep doing what makes you happy and helps. In my many attempts to lose weight and keep it off, I would exercise as much as I could, I'd reach my goal and think that was enough. I learned with this surgery to do something at least 4-5n days a week, but not to become a "gym rat" and or exercise every chance I get, but enjoy and look forward to doing something that makes me happy and feel good. Consistency
is key. I wish you the best of luck.

FindingMeMe,
Thank you!
Lunges is one of my weakness! Now squats, I can do.
Maybe I can get some butt implants and be done with it??

My surgery is late October and my current pre-op is 1500-1800 cals and:
4-5 days per week --> elliptical (45 min)
3 days per week --> couch to 5K
5 days weight lifting
* chest&tri's (mon&thurs)
* back&bi's (tues&fri)
* legs (wed)
Golf on Saturdays
If I skip any day above I do 30DS that day instead.
Following this plan I have lost 25lbs and went from the biggest belt notch to the smallest since the 4th of July!