CowgirlJane

I started at 308 and I am 5'5" I lost 150# in about 14 months to get to my goal of 158 I lost more after entering maintenance and now weigh about 140#

Cathy good to hear from you. I had a very happy birthday the little relapse happened after. I have heard of those light pipes but by a different name. They do work! Kelly I wish I could run...knee issues. I don't think endless running on the treadmill works though. High intensity interval training...ie sprints...that is much more effective. I did it on a spin bike. Last night I had dinner with Tino and I ate a huge amount. What was interesting is I felt pretty done after a few bites but of course I felt obligated to eat more. I weigh 140, my lifetime low and eating thst huge meal made me feel fat too. Makes me wonder about the headtrip..

I was never a closet eater so I am coming from a different perspective. I get alot more of the "I can't believe you eat so little" and 2.5 years out from my sleeve surgery. I believe that people who make these comments to me are genuinely worried about me (or think I don't like their food...haha). I frankly tell them that I am one of those people who can't eat much and maintain a normal weight, it sucks, but my reality! Basically, I make a joke out of it. If someone pushes me, I get firm that I do what I need to do and am working with physicians and nutritionalists. What puzzles me about your statements is... who thinks you are eating too much? How do they know? I mean, what kind of expertise do they bring to this table? this weight loss journey requires a lot of mental toughness, including standing up for your own needs and wants. I think you should feel just fine eating alone, but you shouldn't feel you need to hide it. It is your body, your choice, your journey. I know that is really tough but I also think it is part of the growth needed.

She is the self centered one....just back away.

Oh, I wanted to say that life isn't really better at a size "4" over when I was an "8". Just some perspective... I have noticed that some men find the skinny me much more attractive however, I don't suddenly get asked for my phone number at the coffee shop or anything like that...haha bottom line, get healthy as everyone has been saying. Once you are in single digit sizes, I feel like the rest is in fact just vanity... which is fine... but don't get wrapped up in it too much.

Sizing has changed alot. In the 1980s I weighed mid 140s and never got smaller than size 9/10. I weigh 140 right now and wear size 4 no stretch pants. ..some brands I am in a 2 , hips are 36-37" range. I don't want to be tiny but people around me consider the current size tiny I guess. My male friend says I am skinny chick size and to not drop further and I kind of agree that this feels like a good size. I have visible bones on my back and ribs, and chest - small enough. Considering I once wore a 32w, was in 26 or 28w at time of sleeve, I never imagined becoming a size 4.

Define the word recovery. Able to resume normal activities OR your old self? I was cleared to go back to work and start exercise (beyond walking)again at 6 weeks. I was cleared for all activities at 8 weeks. In reality I didn't really feel like doing really active stuff like horse back riding, hard workouts etc until 10-12 weeks. I wore compression garments longer than required to keep swelling down. I was probably 3-4 months before I felt normal with minimal swelling. Real self is a source for rough pricing info. I was always quoted multiple procedures. Also prices vary. For me it was worth it. I am transformed.

I want to be honest with all of you. Don't look to friends or family as support through this journey. You are blessed if you get that support . Lucky if you at least don't get undermined or ignored. Probably typical that alot of people just aren't "there for you". I don't have a grudge just acceptance of my reality but I feel much more distance from my siblings as they really ignored me through some tough times. So it goes

Or maybe these bottoms: http://www.venus.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=24~4299~&ProductDisplayID=25842 Or this... comes in different colors: http://www.venus.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=24~96~3213~&ProductDisplayID=15038

I had a somewhat stressful interaction with Steven recently but he said something that really hit me. That his lack of availability aside (he tells me he talked to and saw me more than ANYONE else which shocks me) he told me that he stresses people out... and for that very reason it is better that we ended things. You know I never thought of it that way, but alot of times when I saw him he would spend 30-40 minutes dumping all the woes of the world on me in a very strong way. As I reflect, while it didn't cause my anxiety problems I can surely see that it didn't help any. So, what do you think of this swimsuit? http://www.venus.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=23~121~&ProductDisplayID=22751 The one I bought last year the cup is too small and I worry about getting in the water and exposing myself...haha. I want somewhat modest bottoms to cover my scars but i have a flat tummy and no muffin top so I can wear a 2piece. I need a top that is sold by bra size since I am a 36D even though I wear like size 4 pants I can't just buy a size "medium" suit and hope for it to stay on my ass or cover my boobs...haha. I want to look hot, I admit it, first time in my life i actually have that possibility. I browsed a little in stores but couldn't find these sorta boy short type things. Ideas anyone?

You bring a good point. Slow losses are sometimes easily explained by that little bit extra bite or taste that sneaks in. If i were in fear of not making my goal I would record everything and take that info to my NUT and ask for advice. I did that when my losses slowed way down..her answer was to eliminate protein bars and it worked!

What's funny about your guess is that friends tell me I should be in sales..haha

I understand your frustration but my surgeon offered to do a bunch of tests and things but we talked it over and i decided to try working with my PCP and counselor first (both are ARNP) who embrace alternative medicine. They run the view of holistic and are both aware of my mood issues. They have slightly different theories but the point is we are digging into it in a partnership way. I am only down to 140 so not a severe situation in terms of weight loss by any stretch.

I threw up a few times at around 3-5 months post op...Both times from eating too fast. Let's be honest I was emotionally eating and probably shoveling food. Sleeve does not like that. I luckily learned my lesson and it hasn't happened in ages. It was aversion therapy. The band I vomited ALOT but unfortunately I could never learn any lesson from it except to eat sliders... This is why I get worried when I read of sleevers talking about "sliming" or whatever as though it's normal. It is not!!!! A healthy sleeve with normal eating behavior never leads to vomiting in my opinion. I spend alot of time chatting with successful veterans and non of us vomit. I eat petite (i like to think of them as skinny chick sized) portions of all types of food even though I do eat low carb. Love my sleeve! !!

Ok ... New plan...let's all meet in London!! Haha In all seriousness I am dreaming of another big trip soon. I have Iceland in mind but maybe will wait till winter and head south to mexico or Panama or something.

Denise what's SMO? So have you and Bill had the big talk about food? I feel like he just doesn't quite get it. My close friend Mary had a big issue with her mother buying her junk food. She runs a doggie daycare and would bury junk food in the dog poo. Now THAT is aversion therapy! Tino is a HUGE eater. He is 6'2" and worked as a lineman until he did early retirement about 2 years ago. He looks fit in clothes but he is developing a gut....that heart unhealthy type fat. What I notice is he loves healthy food too...but as a bachelor is in the burger and chips habit. Luckily for me his influence is good and probably why I stopped losing weight but longer term I hope to gently influence him. I hope it doesn't become a problem but I have little appetite so I force myself to eat a respectable meal with him and the rest doesn't tempt at least for now.

You know what else it did? It made me feel more interested and attached to him. I have had so much fun with him but I admit I was starting to feel a little..."yeah he's great but I don't FEEL it toward him" I am quick to like people superficially but any kind of depth takes forever. .. not something I like about myself. So last night we cooked dinner together and just had a great time. The time flies when we are together. He also told me something important about himself which is that he has a hard time committing forever due to some history. I didn't say it but thought. ..thank goodness. .. that whole long term commitment has not worked out for me yet either.

Thank you for sharing this. IF i have nutrition problems I hope they are being caught early enoigh. I went to my PCP who ordered more detailed tests than the surgeon did. My surgeon is very much on board to support me but right now they think my issues are emotional and I guess I do too...but doesn't rule out imbalances.

The comments were great !!

Just want to share something amazing. I told Tino about what happened starting in March...weight loss, anxiety, depression, no appetite... and that starting Saturday feeling a little relapse. I told him about taking the meds. His reply? "I wish I could take what troubles you and carry it for you because I can handle it" I can't begin to describe how good that made me feel. Of course no one can carry your woes for you... but what a loving response. It gave me a little boost to not feel quite so alone. I might have found a good one in spite of myself.

Hey Chim - do you have time to get together this summer? I would love to meet for a walk or a coffee or something. I am out in woodinville and I think you are in West Seatttle. We can find something reasonably in between! I also discovered, thanks to Tino, that Dukes on Alki has an awesome happy hour menu - yummy seafood with a view!

I am lonely - I used to be part of several very active "hives" if you know what I mean. My work life was a busy hive. My kids and their friends running through the house. My extended family... All of that has changed. I have good friends but I work remotely in a much quieter job. Kids have moved on. I live in the country with my animals. I live a peaceful life that many aspire to but it is killing me....haha. When I was in a whirlwind all the time, I craved the peace and time alone and now i have too much of that. I am used to being in the middle of the action and I feel so lost at times without. A part of me thinks I will be a better person when I get used to it and another part of me thinks "nope, my nature is very social and I like being in the middle of the whirlwind" Talked to Tino - haven't seen him in a week. He said to me "it is ridiculous we haven't been able to get together, but it is real life." That is how I feel too so it felt good to talk. I am not really ready to tell him about my emotional struggles and that I am still in mourning for some things I can't even really articulate. I have told him that I am not that far out from my major life changes and still getting used to it and he seems pretty okay with that. I don't mean to be disingenious in the least, but it is hard to explain something like this... there is a whole life story behind it I think. I am sorry I haven't been responding to all your posts, I have been very self centered lately. I suck.

We tend to be biased around here. Most of us spent a lifetime of dieting, exercise and while we maybe could lose weight we couldn't maintain. For many of us, the sleeve (or other bariatric surgery) has been a lifesaver. Look at my before and afters... I am less than half the size I started.My life has fundamentally changed. Is it right for everyone - NO. Is it a viable option for morbidly obese - ABSOLUTELY. It still takes alot of work and effort, but here is how I put it. I work LESS HARD at maintaining 140 pounds now than I worked at (unsuccessfully) staying below 300#. This tool really does help.

Okay, I am doing pretty good, but have had some issues in recent months that warranted follow up. My PCP did some basic screening tests which just came back. The only thing that is "off" is hemocratic is high which is a sign my B levels might be low. I take the sublingual drops but they told me that often people post WLS just can't absorb properly so I may need to switch to injections. Good news is that no signs of problems in thyroid, other blood work etc. Next round is the results of the Micronutrient testing via Spectracell Laboratories. This takes 3 weeks to come back as it is a different kind of test. We won't make any supplement decisions until those results are in. I think most of my issues are really behavior induced. I got kinda down which triggered a loss of appetite. Not eating makes you not feel good. Not sleeping makes you feel even worse. I am still very active lifestyle, but I am no longer working out and just feel weaker and weaker. Well, maybe I feel mentally weaker since I still move hay, clean out horse stalls, ride all day long etc so it isn't like I am a weakling... I just FEEL less robust. So, it is kind of weird that everybody tells me i look so fabulous when in truth I don't feel as vigorous as I did say a year ago. I am lighter (yeah!) but not necessarily healthier. Anyway I am forcing myself to eat more consistently, and in general my appetite is better. I am managing my sleep assertively (which interferes with my social life - ha!). Once I get the nutritional analysis I will adjust supplements as needed and then I am committed to getting back to working out and getting back my old energetic self. I do want to share something I have been trying that some of you may want to consider. I did not stay on a PPI past the first few months post sleeve. When I lost my appetite, one of the theories was tummy troubles so I went back on my PPI for 14 days. I seemed to feel better, but I had never really felt acid reflux and since I don't really know the problem it is hard to say if the PPI helped. Anyway, my doc likes natural remedies and suggested DGL Ultra which is a chocolate flavored digestive relief product.... and it seems to really work! I am not saying it is right for everyone, but if you are wanting to wean off a ppi, it is something to consider. http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/enzymatic-therapy-dgl-ultra-german-chocolate-90-chewable-tablets/et-1742?psource=SHIPNOW&sourceType=sc&source=FG&adGroup=40-60&keyword=ET-1742&cm_mmc=Google+Shopping-_-Product+Listing+Ads-_-40-60-_-ET-1742&cvosrc=cse.google.et-1742&cvo_cid=38296708549&gclid=CjgKEAjw2dqcBRC2q-LXjpfxjnQSJAAeYF5LztttN98cih354QrvYFjdUE_o3S2ZPUdOj5HqZ3r3ivD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#.U5cfzCgn-Uk

Why do they need original surgeon to treat the nutritional issues? Why are they not treatable? I guess I just don't understand. I am awaiting a very detailed nutrition analysis myself.