BriarRose

Much thanks. Maintaining the weight loss right now and so pleased with myself. Some days it is still a bit of a struggle, but most days, it is just life. But alot smaller me.

I am 10 years out. I lost 145 pounds - was 54 years old at surgery. I eat. I even have a half of a cocktail every once in a while. But half of a margarita fills me up and makes me drunk now ! I eat well, healthfully. I watch carbs. I use rice or pasta as a sprinkle added to a dish, rather than as the main event. Chinese dinner out (pre Covid) I will order chicken with vegetables and sprinkle some rice on top ! If I grill a small steak - it might make three or more meals for me with salad or vegetables. I love something sweet - and will have a small serving of ice cream or a chocolate - but that is like three little squares off a cadbury bar !!! But I indulge in very small amounts. My sleeve still helps with that. No issues. Post op was hard - my body does not like surgery. I needed two nights inpatient to stabilize - but I did well afterwards. No issues no problems.

Kosher marshmallows also do not have animal products in them ......

Doing one thing at a time is what worked for me too ! First it was packing a healthy lunch for work, and healthy snacks. Then it was changing breakfast into a "MUST EAT" to set me on a protein and healthy day..... I made changes slowly. And pretty soon it becomes a routine.

Much luck with your weight loss ! And thank you !!!

Surgery and having your stomach made smaller or having intestines moved around and your innards re-arranged IS a HUGE step to take. If you are not "SOLD" - I would say the it isn't the right time or the right thing to do -if it were me. I spent over a year thinking seriously about it. I waited until the sleeve was available due to knowing that a RNY was not the right thing for me, due to some medications that I need and couldn't take with it. And with or without surgery one does have to make the right food choices. Mostly because the surgery will reinforce that - and you may become ill without making right choices, especially at first. Making the mental shift is something that a surgeon's office cannot help with. Mental Health counseling can help and you might want to seek counseling with someone who has worked with people in your situation to help clarify where you are and where you want to be. Good luck with your journey.

There are some folks who stop by here occasionally ! Congratulations on your surgery and weight loss. I am 10 years out. Started at 54 years old and 320 ( probably higher at highest ) Had surgery at about 300 lbs. I had the surgery for the same reason, but have not had knee replacement. Wish I could say it cured my knees, but it didn't - but I move so much better and have less pain. No more do I need Rx for knee pain, but do use Advil/naproxin when needed. And with surgeon knowledge of taking them. I kept the majority of wt off, but had regain over the last 6 years.... of 45 pounds.... lost my brother and then my dad, a messy divorce, and life.... but took 14 months to lose the 45 pounds - 10 years out, and although I have added back more calories and carbs to keep my weight stable - I am continuing to lose a bit of weight still. So your new tool will continue to help you on your journey for years to come. I know you will do well - eat lots of protein and keep the veggies and fruit super fresh !!! It helps !!!

You are describing anxiety and panic attacks. Which happen to many people and can be helped either with medication or with therapy and relaxation techniques. Please try a consult with a therapist or psychiatrist - I think you will find that some of your symptoms can be dealt with and you will feel much better

I am also 10 years out. I started at 54 years old - and was 320. I lost 20 or so pounds before surgery, and then lost to about 165 pounds - I never could keep my weight there, but i kept it at about 175 for a few years... then life happened ..... and I slowly gained to 220. At 220 one morning just over a year ago I decided to do something about it. I slowly started changing the way I was eating. More proteins, less carbs, more fresh fruits and vegetables, more salads and greens and healthy choices. More bringing my lunch to work, than eating fast food. And I lost 45 pounds in I think it was 14 months. I am very happy with what I have accomplished ! I am back out of plus sized clothing..... had to get new clothing during Covid ... hard to do when you have NO idea what size you could be now ..... but am happily out of 22 plus and back into a regular ladies petite 16 jean and chino at old navy ! And I could fit into the 14s but at 64 years old, I need comfort and not squeeze !! I am eating lots of healthy veggies and salads with fish or chicken or bit of steak in them. Loving avacados for the fats and eating steamed eggs and riced veggies sautéed with a bit of sesame oil ..... If I can do it, so can you!!!!

Hi ! I am ten years out ! I had regained about 45 pounds of my 145 pound weight loss .... and decided it was time to lose it again. So just over a year ago, I started with cutting down on treats to one a day.... and then going from chips with lunch or eating out during work days to bringing a salad to work.... then back to either steamed eggs for breakfast or oatmeal. And concentrating on eating protein first and foremost. And cutting out potatoes and sandwiches, and pasta and back to finding the freshest vegetables and fruits I could and making healthier meals and making sure there was leftover chicken for lunch the next day, and eating grilled fish and veggies ..... and in 13 months I lost 45 pounds. No, it doesn't come off like it did right after surgery, but I still have some restriction and I know what I need to do.... I won't ever be a skinny woman.But I am alot healthier and I am back to where I got after surgery.. I started at over 320 pounds and had surgery at 54 years old. I am now 64, and back to where I am comfortable. My new goal is to maintain the weight loss, and maybe lose another 5 pounds this next 12 months or so.... but I am very happy with myself. You can do it. One cookie not eaten at a time !!!

Get as much input from your doctors as to how your current conditions could effect a wt loss surgery. Get as much information as possible so that you know all the possibilities for the future.

I could not tolerate any of the sweetners in the clear protein drinks or dairy replacement ingredients in the shakes. I still cannot - and I could not before surgery. Try broth and water for a day or two and see if that helps - but call your surgeon and ask them for advice !

I had surgery 10 years ago. My daughter dropped me off. She was 18 years old and in college. The Doctor's office had someone there "for me" pre op, and she drove me nuts. I asked her to step outside of the room and asked the nurse to make her leave. OR I would. She wouldn't shut up. The nurses laughed and agreed. I told the surgeon that if she showed up afterwards I could not be held responsible for my actions. I slept alot after surgery and walked when I could. My 80 year old father picked me up two days later. We stayed in a local hotel since I was 2 hours from home and the surgeon wants me local for one more day. I heated up pre made clear broth in hotel microwave. Dad went out to the local coffee shop for meals. I walked around the hotel. Dad drove me home. I would have been fine if there had been Uber then !!!

I had a sleeve at 54 years old, 10 years ago. I am now 64 !! BEST THING I EVER DID !!! I did not do it for vanity or to look better or to wear a smaller size. I did it for my health and to live longer, and be able to be more active. I started my journey at 320 plus pounds. I had surgery at about 300 pounds. I now weigh 174. No, I did not get to my doctor's initial goal, but he later told me he never expected me to get there either. At my age adjusted BMI I am considered overweight. I started 10 years ago wearing size 28 plus. I now wear petite 16 or a regular 14. But I like the fit of a petite 16 better. I have saggy baggy skin, and my hair is thinner than it was, but who knows if that is my age and or the hysterectomy or the weight loss. I am happy, healthy and active. I work full time, take care of my home, raise chickens for organic eggs, I have an organic vegetable garden. I walk, I take care of my chickens, muck out the coops, and swim when the weather is nice and the pool is warm. I do more than most of my age group, and I do not regret having weight loss surgery for even a second. My best advice is to research well. I chose a sleeve because I have asthma and end up on oral steroids at least yearly. I needed to be able to take certain medications, and a bypass would not have allowed me to do that. My pulmonologist recommended that I have whatever surgery would allow me to treat my lung disease as recommended. Again, for me, I am happy !!!

I eat some carbs - but differently now. I will have a lo carb wrap with lunch a day or two a week - or some brown and wild rice or quinoa blend with veggies and protein ... if I go out for Chinese I order a chicken and veggie dish and might sprinkle rice on top like a condiment !! Pasta on occasion if there are veggies involved. I don’t let it be the center of a meal. If I were to have a burger or hot dog I might have half of half of a bun - but I couldn’t eat a whole normal restaurant hamburger anyway. I usually get it lettuce wrapped and take half home.

Losing weight when you are younger ( I had surgery at 54 years old ) your skin has more elasticity and you will get more "bounce back" - I chose and continue to chose (now at 64 years old) not to have elective surgery. But that is both an economic choice as it is not covered by insurance, and a personal choice about surgery. Yes, IF I did have it I would lose more weight ! fat pockets hiding in skin would come off, but I did this to be a healthier weight and to live longer. I have saggy baggy arms and thighs but I wear those with pride ! I wear short sleeves and even sleeveless tops, because .... I can !! I would not worry about loose skin or anything else at this point. Exercise will help, if you can do it, as will keeping well hydrated and using good moisturizing creme on your body. I assure you, you will LOVE your smaller body.

you know you are a bariatric patient when you look at a "normal" plate of food and calculate how many meals this will be for you !

I am a social worker. I can do therapy, I just don't happen to - I work in case management as a supervisor in foster care and adoptions ( just to clarify ) - So I kind of can see this from both sides. From the client side - take some time and think about what you REALLY want to work on in therapy. What do you see as possible things that you are dealing with emotionally or socially or in your own head that isn't working for you. Come up with at least 3 to 5 broad issues - and THEN try calling either your insurer or local department of mental health , or local hospital/medical center for referrals and get names of licensened social worker therapists or licensed counselors near to you. Then look them up and find out something about them. What do they specialize in ? You might want someone who is doing short term and maybe cognitive -behavioral therapy (CBT) - maybe someone who has worked with other folks with issues you are dealing with. As a therapist I really appreciate people who know why they are in my office. I don't want to spend all of my time trying to guess why they are there. "Im upset all the time." When a client comes in with ideas of where they would like to be or where they are feeling stuck with something in life, or dealing with a specific change then I have a better idea where to start and where we want to head. Hope that helps.

I am 10 years out. 325 at my heaviest I was 54 years old and 5’3”. I lost to 302 at surgery. Lost 140 pounds . Over the next 8 years I gained back 40 pounds- But just over a year ago got myself back together and at 64 years old and now 5’2” - I have lost 45 pounds in 14 months. I am happy and comfortable. Healthy - working full time - gardening and active.

I am 10 years out. Still have restriction - I don't count calories, sorry. I eat either 2 medium steamed eggs for breakfast or oatmeal (lower sugar packet) with a handful of raisins or other dried fruit or fresh fruit.( I can rarely finish that) I need a mid morning snack most days - small serving of fruit and cheese or a yogurt or something similar. I drink a few cups of coffee before and after breakfast, and snack.... strong coffee with whole milk. Lunch is usually a salad I make from home or a wrap using a lo carb wrap (60 calorie one) with chicken or tuna or chopped steak... homegrown fresh veggies (tomato, cucumber, radish, shredded carrots.. whatever) and either 1/2 sm avocado or some salad dressing in and on it. Or in cooler months a bowl of hearty soup. I may have another snack in the afternoon or not.... this ends up usually being the rest of my lunch that I didn't finish. Dinner is fish/chicken/beef or some kind of veggie dish with shredded cheese or something. After dinner I have a treat. A cookie or a single serving of ice cream or sometihing like that. I do't eat a lot at a time. And I drink water during the day. I Watch carbs and highly processed foods - and I stay away from frozen meals that have a ton of processed stuff and too much sodium. I know that didn't help much.... I can't deal with counting calories. I can never figure out how many calories are in a handful of this or a few of that....

Cute !!!!! And there will be others.....

I am so sorry this happened toy calliekaine. Take care and come here for support.

Oh NO ! on a feeding tube ? What the heck happened ? I am sending you lots of healing karma and wishes to get well, and heal quickly !!!!

I could never drink any of the protein drinks period. I tried them all pre op but knew that my gut would not be happy. I have never been able to drink /eat all the additives. Deathly ill from it all. I made very very strong chicken soup with lots of vegetables in it and strained for the first few weeks of liquids. Then added in blender to smooth cooked chicken, and veggies. Kefir was also a go to. Now you could get bone broth. I did my own as I find prepared soups to be too full of sodium for me.