janerose

I confess as at almost two years out I have gained 17lbs - I feel terrible about it; - I eat too much and don't exercise - there I have said it - so now hopefully I will get back on track. Thank you for listening

good afternoon, haven't been here in a long long time- I am 19 months out; this is a lifestyle; I eat what I can when I can still cannot eat a full dinner which is fine. - total loss is 84 pounds, I go up five come down five and feel great. My body has now become familiar to me; I know it well and it knows me. I feel every pound I gain and when my clothes get a little tight - I reign myself back in and take care of what needs to be done. Now in a size 16; I feel horrible if I try on that size and it is tight; I calm myself down my the knowledge that all sizes are not alike. People no longer say OMG look at you - they are now use to me being normal weight. Have I had a few hiccups along the way? of course, I spend a lot of money on clothes and drink wine (I was always a beer drinker) - I am grateful for all the support I have received from this forum and my dear friends. It certainly a different adventure - a great ride.

That is where I am right now 1.5 years out from surgery, down 90 pounds - well sometimes 90 sometimes 85. The miracle of the sleeve has done what it was supposed to do - it helped me to cut down on food intake, I choose food differently and never looked back. Well now the newness has worn off - I eat a little of this and a little of that - test the waters on what I can and can't stand. For the most part I can eat everything I want; except for meat, salad and sausage. Do not eat anywhere near the amount of food I did two years ago, nor do I eat the amount I ate a year ago - which was very little. I cheat - I don't want to but I have become bored with food again, my life is hectic so it is easier to eat out, I still never finish a full meal, always have a "to go" bag, but now it is a little eating more, a few fries off someone else plate, a lick of real ice cream. ....and drinking well at first I became one drink wonder, now I can pretty much keep up with the pack on a couple of vodkas without a problem, even tried a coors lite beer (which was not good). Drinking leads to eating and well we all know the drill. I gained four pounds over the weekend of Memorial Day, I am not happy about it - this week I have tried to cut back the amounts of food again - push myself away from the table again. I must learn to love my sleeve enough not to stretch it, I must love myself enough not to travel down the slope. I lived that life a while ago and didn't like it one bit - so I will try to go up the slope to the top where I feel my best. Thanks for hearing me out old friends......

The slippery slope That is where I am right now 1.5 years out from surgery, down 90 pounds - well sometimes 90 sometimes 85. The miracle of the sleeve has done what it was supposed to do - it helped me to cut down on food intake, I choose food differently and never looked back. Well now the newness has worn off - I eat a little of this and a little of that - test the waters on what I can and can't stand. For the most part I can eat everything I want; except for meat, salad and sausage. Do not eat anywhere near the amount of food I did two years ago, nor do I eat the amount I ate a year ago - which was very little. I cheat - I don't want to but I have become bored with food again, my life is hectic so it is easier to eat out, I still never finish a full meal, always have a "to go" bag, but now it is a little eating more, a few fries off someone else plate, a lick of real ice cream. ....and drinking well at first I became one drink wonder, now I can pretty much keep up with the pack on a couple of vodkas without a problem, even tried a coors lite beer (which was not good). Drinking leads to eating and well we all know the drill. I gained four pounds over the weekend of Memorial Day, I am not happy about it - this week I have tried to cut back the amounts of food again - push myself away from the table again. I must learn to love my sleeve enough not to stretch it, I must love myself enough not to travel down the slope. I lived that life a while ago and didn't like it one bit - so I will try to go up the slope to the top where I feel my best. Thanks for hearing me out old friends......

Yes I found out I was allergic to the tape used during surgery - it was torture for the first five day finally was put on steroids which helped. Feel so sorry for you

The weight is coming off.....that is the most important words of your story. It does come off slow and then will speed up. Stay on task and take one meal at a time - honestly it will come off. Be careful of how much you eat. Don't be negative - stay on track and if you screw up once - get back on the wagon and start again. I am a year and one month out and have not lost anything in three months - but I have not gained either. Good thoughts always

Meriden - Dr. Benbarhim did my surger on January 10, 2012 - down 88lbs feeling great

I needed to see this today - having a rough week and gained two pounds. I am quite a bit older and 15lbs from my goal - you have given me the incentive to get back on track today. Thank you

I confess I have not been as concientious about what and how much I eat since December..... I confess I have become a little cocky about my new look - I confess I am frighten to gain back the weight - today I got on the scale and gained two pounds and freaked out (in my head only). I confess my sister - who am with often has gained some weight and most likely very tired of hearing all the great remarks about my dramatic change in look. I confess I thought I had this all under control but now I think not - and I am scared.

know what you body is telling you - it will tell you what to eat and when to stop if you pay attention - this holds true from day one on !

One year - so many changes in my life - feeling physically better than ever and I am so happy I choose to have the sleeve. As I read the topics of the newbies it helps me to remember how I felt before and at the beginning of this journey - it helps to re live the times when it was tough. Now this is a way of life for me and I am grateful to all of you for the support and camaradrie I found here. Best wishes to all in whatever stage you are in; the time goes by fast and the weight keeps coming off - maybe slower but it comes off. much love

I would certainly do it again - I exhausted all other avenues in the battle of weight - It has been a year today and I have lost 90lbs with 10 more to go - I am 64 years old and feel fabulous.

1. I would have to buy all new clothes including underwear and shoes - twice. Had to get a loan to buy the winter items. 2. People would not recognize me; they sometimes think I am ill. 3. People expecially men would treat me differently - I never knew how to react to an actual flirt. 4. I now care about what I wear each day - I wonder if Lane Bryant and the Avenue miss me? 5. The small things like moving the car seat closer to the steering wheel, crossing my legs with ease, walking up and down stairs without panicing, cutting my hair very very short because I now have a jawline and cheek bones, keeping up with my friends when walking, feeling my hip bones when I lay down, and smiling all the time because I feel so good. What are your surprise issues?

The best part of being older when having the surgery is you are most likely doing it for the right reason - health. I love the vitality of the young people of this site but somewhat annoyed with the obsession of wearing sexy clothes in a size 2 - it is about a lifestyle change and concern for good health; I am thrilled to be wearing a size 12/14. Life is so much easier for me now - how about you?

Soups - apps- child's meals - lunch size menu for dinner - the first few months I ordered just a meatball or shrimp cocktail - now it is usually a meal which surfices for two or three meals. You will get accoustomed I now have a glass or wine (sometimes two) - I am fine - most of the local restaurants know me and always are agreeable to giving me lunch size portions for dinner. The first six months are confusing - remember the last thing you want to do is overeat when you are at a restaurant - it can get ugly quickly.

No problem at all with Cigna - quick turn around - all covered

one year out and I too have days of not wanting to eat - nothing appeals to me - the next day I eat normally. I am grateful for this as I don't want to gain any weight - I need to loose 20lbs more and stepping up the game right now.

Relax and look how far you have come - let you body settle - then it will once again start to loose. I have been between 175-181 for three months, but notice my clothes fitting differently. Enjoy your new body as it is now - it will go down to where it needs to be - Happy New Year

Started at 260lbs a year ago - now 173lb . Was a size 3x and size 24 pants - now regular large top and size 14 pants. 5' 3" tall Feeling great !

Please remember to loose weight you must eat - lesser calories than you are supposed to eat while keep you in a stall as you body goes into starvation mode. Please don't believe if you starve you will loose it is the farthest thing from the truth.

Loose at your own pace - it is your body and this is not a miracle solution to all the issues of food and weight loss. Don't loose your confidence and don't stress over all of this - stress is a deterent for weight loss. Good thoughts for a heathy weight loss.

So here it comes the holiday eating and drinking - What is your honest goal for this time of year? Mine is simple - Don't gain - maintain - I plan to do this by eating one cookie - not five or six - keep Protein Bars within reach - enjoy the time without stressing - I am aware of what I eat and I can maintain. and you?

I love the response to this thread I started - I have laughed so hard at the similarities we all share. I have found a few more of my own - folding my clothes is easier as they are so much smaller - My feet have changed because my pressure points are all different - I have to go see a podiatrist today to have them check it - yuk I love love love shopping for myself now. I can borrow my sister's clothes and she has some nice ones. I am a much happier person to be around. Thanks to all of you - no one understands the little victories as we do for each other !

Rootman - I too have been following you as I am now 11 months out - I feel great and would highly recommend this surgery to anyone as long as they are mentally prepared for the ride. It takes an enormous committment to get where we are now and hopefully some of the newbies on this site will understand that we were once in their situation - it takes patience and time; but it is so well worth it. Congrats and keep up the great work

I drink - not nearly as much as I did before because I can't. After searching for the right "cocktail" I discovered Vodka on the rocks with a splash of Water or club and two lemons goes down slowly but gives me a nice little buzz after one or two. I order on to my friends two or three - it works for me. I also enjoy a glass of pinot on ocasion. Again, this is a trial and error for everyone.