BriarRose

How are you doing now ? Are you feeling better about how you are doing ?

As time goes on, you will figure out what your particular body does. For me, I can eat a slice of bread as a sandwich - I like a tuna sandwich ! Do I eat two pieces of bread and tuna ? Nope. I am 12 years out of a VSG. I can happily eat about half a sandwich, so one slice of thin sliced bread and tuna works for me. I can eat baked potato or baked sweet potato, but a very small one or small portion of one. I cannot eat the same amount of white rice. It just doesn't work for me. If I eat Asian, I sprinkle rice on top of veggies or fish or chicken and veggies and eat maybe a tablespoon or two of rice. If we go out somewhere and the bread looks so sexy, I will have a bit with some butter.... as a treat. but if I have more than a couple small bites, I will not be able to eat much else. I need the protein. And veggies. So I limit my starchy carbs.

I am across the San Fernando Valley in Chatsworth

Yep. I have lots of loose skin... everywhere. And I wear it as a badge of my accomplishment of weight loss. No plastic surgery for me. I have had enough necessary surgeries. If my extra fat and skin in my stomach made movement difficult, I might have had that removed, but it doesn't, so insurance wouldn't pay for it, and I do not think I would put myself through anesthesia that is not needed. I don't worry about the extra skin, and the turkey neck thing is just there, and is part of who I am now. I recently was seeing a child in foster care ( I am a social worker ) and was doing some games with them as I was doing some play therapy. The 4 year old reached up and flapped the skin on my upper arms and was hysterical with glee. The foster mom was horrified. I laughed and redirected the child to more appropriate play. She asked why I had that, and I said because I am old. (Also true). No big deal !!!

I am 12 years out from surgery. At first, you are only drinking after surgery. Then thicker drinking, then semi solid food... then soft foods... As you hit the semi solid/ soft food phase you should try to not drink with meals. Since you will be not eating out for a while, it is actually easy. Just don't put your water on the table. You won't drink by mistake. I thought I would NEVER be able to eat and not drink. But because you start out eating about a quarter of a teaspoon of food at a time, you don't really need to drink. I find that now, after all these years, I will sip water until a few minutes (maybe 15 or so now) a meal, and then I do not drink for a good while afterwards. Mostly because I feel full longer with out the drinking afterwards. I was never a gulper, and never have liked sodas or carbonation, so that was not an issue for me, When eating out, I just move my water glass when my meal comes. If I want a sip, or need a sip; it's fine. but to get the most out our small meals in terms of vitamins and minerals and all that, it's better NOT to wash it down so quickly.

Losing a pound a week is ... a lot ! I look at it this way... how much weight were you losing before you started this journey - before dieting to shrink your liver, before you even thought about surgery ? For me the answer was that I would lose a few pounds and put it right back, and obviously, I was gaining net weight !!!! If you lose 5 pounds a month; in a year, you will have lost 60 more pounds !!! THAT is an achievement of huge note ! How many pounds does it take to lose a "dress size" ? 10 to 15 pounds. Are you ready to lose 4 to 6 sizes in a year ? THAT is another huge victory ! We start out losing a lot of weight and forget that the weight we lose after those first few months are added to the weight we have already lost. Keep at it. You are doing great. Do not think about the WHAT IF's of a different surgical procedure. Instead think about the Where would I be without surgery ? You are fine. Your surgery is fine. Keep up the GREAT WORK !

I have lost 158 pounds. I went from 320 to 161. I would like to lose to 160 then I will be half of myself. On my sleeve. It isn't a race. The weight will come off if you learn yourself and how to maintain and how to do this. You can do it. Look at what you have already done. You are doing great, and can do this !!!

I never lost feeling hungry. But very little filled me up. Like a teaspoon of minced chicken salad every two hours, once I got to semi solid . Even now, 12 years out, I can eat a very small baked chicken thigh and a couple ounces of sweet potato, and 1/3 c of applesauce for dinner and i am soo done. What I realized when I gained back some weight, was that I NEVER learned in my entire life how to maintain my weight - I was always either losing weight or gaining it. BAM ! total mind blowing experience. So I started losing the weight I had put on, and after 10 pounds gone; I purposely stopped losing weight even though I wanted to lose 30 more pounds. And I maintained that 10 pound weight loss. I ate more, I ate higher calories. I found out what I needed to eat/how much I needed to move to stay at THAT weight. MIND blown. After a couple months, I purposely. With INTENT lost another 10 pounds. Slowly. Then stopped again. 2 months at that weight. And so on. Then I got to the down 40 pounds which was my goal. I stayed with in 5 pounds of that weight for a YEAR !!! A few months back, I decided to do 5 more pounds. That was harder. But I did it. And another 5 pounds. Right now I am a pounds under that, and pretty happy. Might do another 3 pounds but very slowly and carefully because at 67 years old I haven't weighed this since the 1970's !!! And I am loving it, I eat well. I have some dietary limitations and eat low fiber and low residue as a medical necessity. Darn. But I had to figure out what would work for ME. Took me most of a lifetime. But so glad.

No, but have your doctor's office make the arrangements ! If it is medically necessary insurance should pay for it.

Sooooo..... its been another week or more.... how are you doing ? Are you feeling any better ? Are you losing inches instead of pounds ? Sometimes that happens too ! We care ! Let us know !

I thank them for noticing, and then compliment them on something - "Oh, I love your ring" - "that's a great tie ! it matches perfectly with your pin stripe"..... and then they talk about themselves. If they come back to it again, I say that I am eating less, and moving more.

Your body has had major surgery. Your body doesn't know that this was any different than being stabbed in multiple places. Our bodies are a wonderful thing. They protect us from dying from stab wounds. Your body is trying to heal itself. And it is very confused. Long before I had weight loss surgery I had an emergency abdominal surgery, and had a huge vertical surgical site from pelvic base to past my belly button. Full hysterectomy. I couldn't eat anything for a week. NOTHING BY MOUTH . I gained 10 pounds. It didn't go away for weeks and weeks. My doctors explained what I said above to me. One doc explained it as I might as well have been a soldier in Mid-evil times who survived a long sword wound. Our body does not know the difference. You need to sip constantly. Try adding a spoonful of juice to your water, or some other flavoring, try sucking ice cubes, make yourself healthy popsicles out of half juice and water, and suck on those. Don't want cold ? Try warm decaf flavored teas. I love coffee... but like tea. I drank a lot of peach herbal tea. Iced and hot. Sip all the time. Wake up at night ? Sip. Your body WILL at some point (and fairly soon, I will bet) let go of all that fluid... but you have to keep putting more liquid into you.

I was given 6 weeks off, and I took every moment of it. I worked in social welfare, getting in and out of the car, driving distances, and going in and out of people's homes. Also, I worked with young children and had to be able to carry 40 pounds. I was in my mid 50's at the time, and it did not make sense to return to work until I was certain I could do all of the mentioned. If I had a desk job or could have worked from home, I would have taken less time.

I am so glad that you are working with a therapist and have a great working relationship with them. I had a sleeve a dozen years ago in my mid 50's. I am now (well - next month !) 67 years old. I struggled with my weight my entire life. Had this been an option years before, I would have done it ! I am also a mental health professional. The problem with depression and/or anxiety is that you can be those things when you are obese, and losing weight .... well... you may weigh a lot less, but you can still be depressed/anxious. If you are using medication to help modulate your mental health symptoms, you might check how those medications work with your specific surgery. Weight loss surgery will not "make anyone happy" - but it will help you to lose weight ! Personally, I have panic attacks. They started about 20 years ago for no good reason. My weight before, during and after weight loss has had absolutely NO effect on them. Some years are better than others. If you have weight re-gain, you have to get to a emotional/mental place where you can concentrate on going back to basics of how you lost the weight in the first place after surgery. I did experience weight gain at about 6 to 7 years post sleeve. I lost my mother, brother and father in a few year's time. I did not pay attention to what I was eating. I became a caregiver and mourned those losses. I had too much on my mind to "see" myself. When I got myself back together, and could see past all those events; I made a conscious decision to re lose the 40 pounds I put on. ( I had lost 140 ) I took a couple years to lose the weight. I realized I did not know how to maintain my weight. So each time I lost 10 pounds or so I would stop losing weight and work on maintaining THAT weight for a couple months. Once I had that down, I would lose some more. I needed to be INTENTIONAL. And make the way I eat work for me. I got back to where I was, and then kept it stable for another year. A few months back I decided to lose some more. My thought was 10 more pounds. I have lost 12. I am at one of my maintenance phases right now. Try not to let your weight define who you are, who you want to be, and know that there is NO time line for being your best self ! Congratulations on saving up that money to give yourself the BEST way to lose weight, and to be successful.

For me, it was the decision due to certain medication I was taking and continue to need that was the deciding factor for a sleeve. Interesting enough, I recently have had major vitamin and mineral deficiencies and major anemia. I am past menopause, so that wasn't it. I had a hiatial hernia bleed. Was it associated with my sleeve that I have had for 12 years ? Surgeon who went in and did an endoscopy said "no". but I recalled my mom and grandmother and a maternal aunt all had the same issue. guess what ? Me too. at 66 years old. Genetics. So NOW I am on Protonix and lots of medications to heal it up. I do not want surgery if I can avoid it. My sleeve still works. Dr said I have a normal sleeve structure ! I have lost 150 something pounds. I am happy with my sleeve. If I was told I needed to have a revision.... I guess I would but all is well.

I had surgery at 55 years old. That was 12 years ago. I only told a very small handful of people. My boss at work, who had wls 2 years before I did, and was my weight loss/surgery mentor; and three other trusted people.. I lived 53 years of my life being fat, being called names, and put down for my weight. I was NOT going to share this journey with just anyone. I "hugged" it to myself. It was my gift to me. To health, to longevity and not to impress anyone or anything else. I needed a tool, a way to be successful. And my gastric sleeve was it. I have almost lost half of me. From a size 30 to a size 14 petite. And 12 years later I have more energy now at 67 then I did in my 40's and 50s. When asked how I lost so much weight, I admit to "the sin of omission". My answer is that I eat less and move more. That I eat protein and vegetables and fruit and less carbs. All true. If a very obese person asks, and at some point, I feel like I can trust them, I will share. But it is not my idiot cousin's business nor is it my nosey neighbors. I like wearing normal size clothing. I love fitting in every chair. I don't just tell people about my medical procedures - why would I start with this one ? You do not owe anyone any explanations. It is like asking someone who has blue and pink hair .... "Did you dye your hair ?" "Did you lose weight ??" "yes, thank you for noticing. I love your sweater" they forget they asked, and tell you about their sweater.

tuna salad, egg salad, chicken salad. I used part mayo / part yogurt / or mashed avocado as a binder. I made some hearty soups /soft stews in my crock pot ( chicken and carrots, green beans, some white beans, tomato paste) and put them in small containers in the freezer (like the extra small ones that you can get at the market like 6 or 8 in a package). Those I could heat and eat at work. I would pack two "lunches" as I ate such a small amount - I needed two ! Also of course, yogurt, soft cheeses, melon, applesauce.

I was sleeved a dozen years ago. I was in my mid 50's. I started at 320 pounds, lost 25 pre surgery, then lost to about 175. I stayed at about 180 for many years, but gained after some very tough emotional times over a few years to 220. But kept that 100 pounds off. About 4 years ago, I decided to try to lose 10 pounds in a year. I lost 10 in a few months, doing nothing but being intentional with what I ate; and going back to protein and veggies first. Over two years I lost 40 pounds, realizing that I needed to learn how to maintain my weight - so I would stop losing weight every so often (usually after 8 to 10 pounds down) and NOT lose more, but maintain where I was. How much was I eating, of what, when.... how much was I moving... watching myself and re learning ! I maintained my 175 pounds for another full year - about 7 months ago I decided to lose another 10 pounds. Got there and a few under. I am finally at 29 BMI ! I weigh 162. Less than I did in college in the 1970's !! Loose skin ? Yes. But at 67 next month, I do not want any elective surgeries. I wear a size 14 petite jeans. I have a ton more energy at 67 then I had at 54. I am still working and I organic garden, raise laying hens for organic eggs. I never liked carbonation, so that was never an issue. I eat a healthy diet. I grow fresh greens and veggies. I eat fresh fruits. I eat kind of low carb - if I have a sandwich with bread, for lunch I won't eat carbs for breakfast or dinner. I eat a treat every day. Even when losing weight. But now I can enjoy an oreo, or 2 little dove chocolates..... Or one skinny cow dessert. I had company for dinner this weekend. I BBQed burgers. I ate a half of a hamburger - half the bun, and some fresh fruit salad. I was almost on over fill ! I use most carbs as sprinkles. If I eat Asian, I order chicken and veggies. I sprinkle rice on top. Steak ? Sure. crumble part of a baked potato with it. I steam most veggies at home. I make fish on the grill a couple times a week and then make it into a salad the next day for lunch. I eat differently than I did before. I am healthy and happy. No regrets at all.

Hello ! You already have journeyed from the 4's to the 3's ! You have lost weight, and continue to do so. Your body will lose weight if you eat and drink what you are supposed to, and if you move your body more than you did before. Before what ? One more step than yesterday, one more stretch .... and keep going. You can and will do this. Do not let anyone shame or blame or try to tell you anything. Rely on your doctor and your nutrition specialist and the professionals who are supporting you through this. Celebrate every ounce you lose and treat yourself well.

I had my sleeve 12 years ago - I will be 67 next month - so I was 55 ! I started my pre op diet at 320 lbs. got to 175. Gained some over 8 years then took it back off and then some. Now weigh 162. From a plus size 30 to a petite size 14. Saggy ? Yes. More surgery ? Nope. Happy ? Yes ! Loving it. Wish I had done it sooner !

I had a VSG 12 years ago. I was 54 years old. I can make the math easier. I am 66 - quickly approaching 67, this spring. I was miserable, recently divorced, single parenting a teenager, working.... and my weight had hit 320. I was, at that time 5'3", and morbidly obese. I went on my own diet, and lost just over 20 pounds, went to the Doctor and requested weight loss surgery. I did their 12 week mandatory pre diet and classes. I was approved, and got my surgery. Fast Forward.... I lost weight to about 175 pounds. I went from a women plus 28 to a 14/16 petite.... depending on the clothing. I also Lost my younger brother, mother and then my father during those last 12 years. And I gained back weight. I weighed 220..... So Just before the pandemic, I decided to try to lose 10 pounds in a year. Thank goodness for my VSG. My body remembered how to do this. I lost the ten pounds in the matter of a couple months. I decided that since I had issues with regain, I would pause and maintain the weight loss for at least a month or more, before starting to lose weight again. I wanted to LEARN how to maintain the loss. Each 5 or ten pounds, I would stop losing ON PURPOSE - and maintain the weight I was at. I lost back to 173 pounds. I weighed that is graduate school. 1983. I maintained my weight for the past year between 172 to 175. A couple months ago, I decided to try to lose a bit more. The scale was reading 175 more often then I wanted. So.... I did it again. Even more slowly. Right now, I am doing my " lets maintain this for a while" thing.... and weigh 164 I think I might have weighed that in college... like maybe 1978.....before going back for the Masters Degree in 1981. My old Navy size 16 petite that I bought two years ago are too big. I just bought TARGET jeans in a size 14. Age does weird to a woman's body, as does loose skin.... But I can tell you this.... my VSG is still there. I won't ever be 'skinny' - but I am basically barely overweight (you get a few extra pounds on the SMARTBMI scale adjusted for age !) and I am more than thrilled. Do I eat perfectly ? Nope. I have a treat every darned day. A couple cookies or a small dish of ice cream.... or a bit more carbs than are necessary... But I am so flipping "normal" - I am not the heaviest human at work. Someone asked me to "slide" in to sit at a table that was close to the wall because I could "fit". I stood there staring at them..... If we have take out delivered to the office, I participate. I order something that I can eat for another two meals after having lunch. Challenges ? Plenty. Did I manage to raise a great kid, who is doing well ? Yes. Have I figured out how I need to eat to "DO ME" ? Finally. At 66 years young !!! 2004 pic.eml2022pic.eml I tried to put in pics 2004 and 2022 320 pounds and now 164 pounds

It took me a lot of years to figure out that I never knew how to do the " 5 pounds to play with " thing. I can do that now. I live in Southern California and love going to Disneyland ! All sorts of very not weight loss friendly foods - but there are healthier choices that can be made - and not just salads. There are really good soups in some locations, I am a fan of their corn chowder (vegetarian) and one of the Mexican places makes a yummy grilled half chicken plate that I share with my adult daughter ! I pick my treats and plan on having what I really want, whether it is ice cream or something else..... and if I gain a pound or so... then I know how to take it off over the next week. I weigh myself every morning... so that I can figure out what the heck I did or did not do in the couple days earlier to deserve weight gain, or loss. For me, I don't use much salt. And a meal out .... even a nice salad; can put pounds on me. Took me a long time to figure that out. A diet frozen dinner with less than 300 calories will do it too. Those are full of sodium and it does it every time. I cook with a lot of fresh home grown herbs - getting ready to plant my spring garden - will do lots of lettuces and baby carrots, radishes and beans and peas.... later in the spring will plant cucumbers and tons of heirloom tomatoes for the hot hot summer. Find the things that make you happy, that make your body strong and healthy and take good care of yourself !

I try to eat three meals a day that are healthy and keep myself to one serving of carbs a day - if I have a bagel thin for breakfast - with almond butter - that is it for the day. Or save it for half a baked potato with dinner - I eat pretty simple proteins like grilled fish or chicken with grilled vegetables and some fruit. I do tuna salad (with mashed avacado) instead of mayo - For work lunches.

2004 pic.eml 2022pic.eml

Other issues are whether or not you have plastics and remove excess skin or not, and your age and fitness level before, during and after weight loss. There are so many different aspects of who we are as humans, and one height and weight chart for all men and women may not be the most effective way to figure this out. We need to look also at our ethnic make up, our heritage, where we came from, how our bodies are different from each others.... Work with your doctor on where you are and where you would like to be in terms of your weight, and general health. Get regular blood levels drawn, making sure you know where your iron, vitamin levels are, and to make sure your internal organs are doing their jobs ! It isn't all about what size we wear or how much we have lost and weight. It is about being healthy and maintaining and improving our lifestyle.