BriarRose

The first three weeks - I won't be coy here.... were really really hard. Having bones sawed off, and replaced and drilled into place is really painful; at any weight. However, once I got to being able to move around more - once the 34 staples were removed after just over 2 weeks; I was able to start moving around more. I totally gave up on the narcotics by the end of week two. I couldn't hold them down well, and the only thing I could eat was.... basically toast with a bit of jam. I finally at about the middle of week three could start walking a bit outside instead of around my dining room table - and progressed from taking 300 steps a day to over 1000 in that third week. At week 6 I am now able to walk for about 10 minutes with a cane, twice a day, and am able to take care of myself, the house, a flock of chickens (less any heavy lifting), the dog, parrot and reptiles.
I weigh basically almost half of what I did at my heaviest. With this surgery,.... right before it, I was very limited in my ability to walk. I had gained 8 pounds from my lowest. After surgery at week 2 I was up another few pounds - Surgeon told me this is normal from how much IV fluids I was getting to keep me going. I am frankly eating A LOT of healthy foods right now. On dr's and nutritionist suggestion to build back muscle, nerve and bone loss. I am told that in another couple weeks I will start to lose the weight again. I am not worried, and I can hang with the process. I am walking about 4,000 to 5000 steps a day - over what I should be for my age and where I am post op.

I recently had a hiatial hernia tear. I had GERD before and after VSG. I am 12 years out. ( I am 66 years old, and my mother and grandmother had this issue also...) I had no idea, but wasn't feeling well. I work full time, and and fairly active - I garden, have chickens for fresh eggs, used to haul around 40 pounds of grain.... but couldn't the past few months. Go into my doctor, they did blood labs and sent me to the hospital. I needed 2 blood transfusions, and 4 days in the hospital to locate the bleeding... had endoscope and colonoscopy .... NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VSG. But i had also been taking meds for arthritis. So I had some gastric bleeding and the tear in the hiatus. After that I had Iron infusion in the hospital and one each week for the next 6 weeks. I have been told not to take my oral iron, and next week I will be 3 weeks without iron infusions, so I go and get labs then. Will see if I can go without it or not. Meanwhile, I eat a ton of cooked (fresh spinach ) a week; and try to eat beef 3 time a week, to help it out. Will see how it goes.
I go to an outpatient infusion clinic. The nurses are incredible and never miss my vein. and I am not an easy "stick". I get the 20 minute infusion and wait a half hour afterwards with a slow flush drip. Then I can go about my day.

The first three weeks - I won't be coy here.... were really really hard. Having bones sawed off, and replaced and drilled into place is really painful; at any weight. However, once I got to being able to move around more - once the 34 staples were removed after just over 2 weeks; I was able to start moving around more. I totally gave up on the narcotics by the end of week two. I couldn't hold them down well, and the only thing I could eat was.... basically toast with a bit of jam. I finally at about the middle of week three could start walking a bit outside instead of around my dining room table - and progressed from taking 300 steps a day to over 1000 in that third week. At week 6 I am now able to walk for about 10 minutes with a cane, twice a day, and am able to take care of myself, the house, a flock of chickens (less any heavy lifting), the dog, parrot and reptiles.
I weigh basically almost half of what I did at my heaviest. With this surgery,.... right before it, I was very limited in my ability to walk. I had gained 8 pounds from my lowest. After surgery at week 2 I was up another few pounds - Surgeon told me this is normal from how much IV fluids I was getting to keep me going. I am frankly eating A LOT of healthy foods right now. On dr's and nutritionist suggestion to build back muscle, nerve and bone loss. I am told that in another couple weeks I will start to lose the weight again. I am not worried, and I can hang with the process. I am walking about 4,000 to 5000 steps a day - over what I should be for my age and where I am post op.

A dozen years since my sleeve. Maintaining my weight... I am now 67 years old. I have been bone on bone on both knees for years. I finally had the first knee replacement. Let me tell you.... this is no joke. I am very stoic and don't get crazy about anything. The level of pain in the first few weeks was epic. However the thing that has me totally entranced is that I am now in Physical Therapy doing my rehabilitation. And getting stronger for the second knee replacement that I will get in late Spring... After 4 grueling sessions; I am walking, moving well, and have almost 100% function in my surgical knee.
I can't get over the comments from the PT and surgeon - About how my "normal" weight allowed me to do so well. My weight is still high. I know that. But I am comfortable where I am, and this is where I have been for a few years, and is my lowest adult weight ever. HECK. NORMAL WEIGHT ? No one is commenting on me being super obese, or needing to lose weight. Instead the focus is on strength and eating well, and getting stronger .
What a huge difference.

A dozen years since my sleeve. Maintaining my weight... I am now 67 years old. I have been bone on bone on both knees for years. I finally had the first knee replacement. Let me tell you.... this is no joke. I am very stoic and don't get crazy about anything. The level of pain in the first few weeks was epic. However the thing that has me totally entranced is that I am now in Physical Therapy doing my rehabilitation. And getting stronger for the second knee replacement that I will get in late Spring... After 4 grueling sessions; I am walking, moving well, and have almost 100% function in my surgical knee.
I can't get over the comments from the PT and surgeon - About how my "normal" weight allowed me to do so well. My weight is still high. I know that. But I am comfortable where I am, and this is where I have been for a few years, and is my lowest adult weight ever. HECK. NORMAL WEIGHT ? No one is commenting on me being super obese, or needing to lose weight. Instead the focus is on strength and eating well, and getting stronger .
What a huge difference.

A dozen years since my sleeve. Maintaining my weight... I am now 67 years old. I have been bone on bone on both knees for years. I finally had the first knee replacement. Let me tell you.... this is no joke. I am very stoic and don't get crazy about anything. The level of pain in the first few weeks was epic. However the thing that has me totally entranced is that I am now in Physical Therapy doing my rehabilitation. And getting stronger for the second knee replacement that I will get in late Spring... After 4 grueling sessions; I am walking, moving well, and have almost 100% function in my surgical knee.
I can't get over the comments from the PT and surgeon - About how my "normal" weight allowed me to do so well. My weight is still high. I know that. But I am comfortable where I am, and this is where I have been for a few years, and is my lowest adult weight ever. HECK. NORMAL WEIGHT ? No one is commenting on me being super obese, or needing to lose weight. Instead the focus is on strength and eating well, and getting stronger .
What a huge difference.

I eat rice "backwards" ... Most dishes have the rice as the base of the dish. I put the vegetables, and Protein at the bottom or as the majority of my meal, and then sprinkle the rice on top .... I can add as much or as little as I desire, but this way, I see the rice .... and I have some, just not as the majority of my plate/meal. I do this in many different cuisines !

A dozen years since my sleeve. Maintaining my weight... I am now 67 years old. I have been bone on bone on both knees for years. I finally had the first knee replacement. Let me tell you.... this is no joke. I am very stoic and don't get crazy about anything. The level of pain in the first few weeks was epic. However the thing that has me totally entranced is that I am now in Physical Therapy doing my rehabilitation. And getting stronger for the second knee replacement that I will get in late Spring... After 4 grueling sessions; I am walking, moving well, and have almost 100% function in my surgical knee.
I can't get over the comments from the PT and surgeon - About how my "normal" weight allowed me to do so well. My weight is still high. I know that. But I am comfortable where I am, and this is where I have been for a few years, and is my lowest adult weight ever. HECK. NORMAL WEIGHT ? No one is commenting on me being super obese, or needing to lose weight. Instead the focus is on strength and eating well, and getting stronger .
What a huge difference.

I am heading into my 13th year after VSG. I come back here from time to time, when I need to touch base with folks who "get" it. I only shared my WLS with a very very few people; and people who have met me in the last several years of course do not know.... and I do not talk diet with anyone really. I talk about being healthy, eating intuitively and things like that. I being my lunch to work and if my staff want to order in lunch - I let them pick and then I find something that I am okay with. burgers ? Fine. I don't get fries. I cut the burger in half, eat a few bites of the burger and then take it a part with a fork and leave the rest of the bread. And I have half a burger for dinner.
Coming back here from time to time allows me to re-center myself. And when it is time to lose a couple pounds or if I have lost some more, I come here and update my ticker, and this is a safe place to come back to. I too let about 40 pounds creep back on and a few years ago came back and documented my slow but sure weight loss of... now 50 plus pounds. I started 14 years ago at 320, got down to 175. went back up to 220. Now at 165. I purposely took my time to lose the weight. My goal was to lose 10 pounds a year. I lost 45 in two years, and then took another break for a couple years... have lost 10 pounds in the last 6 or 7 months. I am beyond pleased. I will be 67 in a couple months.
You can do this ! And don't beat yourself up over it. Be gentle with yourself.

Maintaining my weight between 160 and 164. Happily so. Will be getting my knee replacements this coming winter !! Newest odd thing that happened ? My weight has been stable for many months - and I am thrilled at being comfortable in my skin ( in all of it's lovely looseness ) - I noted my bras not fitting well. Decided to go in and have a proper fitting. I have been wearing a 40 D - was measured at between a 36 and 38 DD - Huh ? Really ? Tried on said correct sizes depending on brand. And They fit beautifully. Even at 67 years old our bodies change is such strange and unexpected ways, even years after losing the weight !

Maintaining my weight between 160 and 164. Happily so. Will be getting my knee replacements this coming winter !! Newest odd thing that happened ? My weight has been stable for many months - and I am thrilled at being comfortable in my skin ( in all of it's lovely looseness ) - I noted my bras not fitting well. Decided to go in and have a proper fitting. I have been wearing a 40 D - was measured at between a 36 and 38 DD - Huh ? Really ? Tried on said correct sizes depending on brand. And They fit beautifully. Even at 67 years old our bodies change is such strange and unexpected ways, even years after losing the weight !

Maintaining my weight between 160 and 164. Happily so. Will be getting my knee replacements this coming winter !! Newest odd thing that happened ? My weight has been stable for many months - and I am thrilled at being comfortable in my skin ( in all of it's lovely looseness ) - I noted my bras not fitting well. Decided to go in and have a proper fitting. I have been wearing a 40 D - was measured at between a 36 and 38 DD - Huh ? Really ? Tried on said correct sizes depending on brand. And They fit beautifully. Even at 67 years old our bodies change is such strange and unexpected ways, even years after losing the weight !

Maintaining my weight between 160 and 164. Happily so. Will be getting my knee replacements this coming winter !! Newest odd thing that happened ? My weight has been stable for many months - and I am thrilled at being comfortable in my skin ( in all of it's lovely looseness ) - I noted my bras not fitting well. Decided to go in and have a proper fitting. I have been wearing a 40 D - was measured at between a 36 and 38 DD - Huh ? Really ? Tried on said correct sizes depending on brand. And They fit beautifully. Even at 67 years old our bodies change is such strange and unexpected ways, even years after losing the weight !

Maintaining my weight between 160 and 164. Happily so. Will be getting my knee replacements this coming winter !! Newest odd thing that happened ? My weight has been stable for many months - and I am thrilled at being comfortable in my skin ( in all of it's lovely looseness ) - I noted my bras not fitting well. Decided to go in and have a proper fitting. I have been wearing a 40 D - was measured at between a 36 and 38 DD - Huh ? Really ? Tried on said correct sizes depending on brand. And They fit beautifully. Even at 67 years old our bodies change is such strange and unexpected ways, even years after losing the weight !

Soo. I started my weight loss journey over 10 years ago. I am 5'2" I had surgery and was, if I remember correctly about 320 pounds. (and I had lost weight before surgery..) I was 54 years old. I lost over 100 pounds. I got down to 180 pounds. I could never get lower than that. But my doctors were pleased and so was I. Over 10 years I managed to gain weight and this past July, got mad at myself when I realized I weighed 220 !!!! I told myself that I needed to reverse the trend, and get back to a healthier weight. My initial goal was to lose 10 pounds in a year. Well, I lost 10 pounds in 4 months and then lost another 12 in the last 4 months, and for the first time in about 6 years am just under that 200 pound weight at 198. ( I will claim those last 2 pounds ! )
I refuse to do any drastic dieting, just "going back to my sleeve eating." More Protein, less carbs, more vegetables. occasional treats. Cut out the popcorn and chips which are my slider foods.... and although I really cannot exercise with my other physical issues, I am moving more and feeling better. I would be happy to be in the mid 190's for this coming July - but focusing more on making sure I don't backslide again....
I am posting because .... well, how do you explain to anyone that you have already lost over 140 pounds and gained back 40, and now have lost 20... 10 years later and it's all connected ? And at my age, no one really notices.... although I did go buy new jeans/slacks for work because darn it, I didn't keep the smaller clothing !!!
Anyone else as far out as I am ? Having issues ? Getting back on track this late in the game ?

I hate to say this, but 1800 calories a day is too much unless you are doing really strenuous exercising. I can maintain my 150 plus pound weight loss at about 1000 to 1200 calories a day, and I currently weight about 160, I am 67 years old and have had no skin removal. My doctors feel that if I did, I would be around 145 to 150. But I need new knees and there is no way I am going to have more elective surgery. But If I eat 1800 calories a day, I gain weight. Fast. Like in a couple days.
And yes, there IS more restriction in eating chicken, and fish and other meats. I eat more cheese and dairy than I probably should. But it works for me. I also eat eggs. I make sure at least 2 meals a day have a simple Protein like eggs, or chicken or fish, and the occasional beef meal. I happen not to eat shellfish or pork. If I have oatmeal for Breakfast, I make sure to have a yogurt for a midmorning snack. I eat few processed carbs and keep my Pasta, rice or bread to very very low amounts. Protein, vegetables, fresh fruits. This morning I am having my coffee then, fresh watermelon and scrambled eggs with some shredded cheese.
Get back to basics and re check with your doctor or nutritionist about calories. Frankly I rarely if ever count calories; but I know what I am eating and what I can eat to maintain my weight loss.
Best of luck and healthy eating to you !

Went to Orthopedic surgery consult to start on knee replacements. (I am 67 and bone on bone - both knees...) Had my sleeve a dozen years. Doctor is going through issues ... my asthma, chronic lung issues.... he asks if I have any questions.. I ask about my weight. He looks at me like I have said "my third knee" and says "Your weight is fine for your age...why are you asking?" oops. Old Habits....

Went to Orthopedic surgery consult to start on knee replacements. (I am 67 and bone on bone - both knees...) Had my sleeve a dozen years. Doctor is going through issues ... my asthma, chronic lung issues.... he asks if I have any questions.. I ask about my weight. He looks at me like I have said "my third knee" and says "Your weight is fine for your age...why are you asking?" oops. Old Habits....

Went to Orthopedic surgery consult to start on knee replacements. (I am 67 and bone on bone - both knees...) Had my sleeve a dozen years. Doctor is going through issues ... my asthma, chronic lung issues.... he asks if I have any questions.. I ask about my weight. He looks at me like I have said "my third knee" and says "Your weight is fine for your age...why are you asking?" oops. Old Habits....

Went to Orthopedic surgery consult to start on knee replacements. (I am 67 and bone on bone - both knees...) Had my sleeve a dozen years. Doctor is going through issues ... my asthma, chronic lung issues.... he asks if I have any questions.. I ask about my weight. He looks at me like I have said "my third knee" and says "Your weight is fine for your age...why are you asking?" oops. Old Habits....

Went to Orthopedic surgery consult to start on knee replacements. (I am 67 and bone on bone - both knees...) Had my sleeve a dozen years. Doctor is going through issues ... my asthma, chronic lung issues.... he asks if I have any questions.. I ask about my weight. He looks at me like I have said "my third knee" and says "Your weight is fine for your age...why are you asking?" oops. Old Habits....

The first time I did this; I had NO idea what to do or what to look at or what size I was. I almost walked out feeling too overwhelmed at the choices and having ZERO idea what all the descriptions of jeans were and what size I might wear. I finally asked a sales person. I explained how much weight I had lost and that I was literally LOST in the store. I was in my late 50's and had NO IDEA what to look at. She was so kind and eyed me up and gave me one size 18 jean and a few 16s and told me to try on the 18 first. It was big. I cried. BEST DAY EVER ! I had also worn a 26/28 jean... MORE SUCESS TO FOLLOW !! Best of Everything to you !

Not worrying about chairs ! Not being the fattest human in the room . Not feeling like people are watching what I put on my plate at a gathering. Being able to sit in the back seat of a car and not worrying about the seatbelt not fitting !!!
All absolutely true !!!

The first time I did this; I had NO idea what to do or what to look at or what size I was. I almost walked out feeling too overwhelmed at the choices and having ZERO idea what all the descriptions of jeans were and what size I might wear. I finally asked a sales person. I explained how much weight I had lost and that I was literally LOST in the store. I was in my late 50's and had NO IDEA what to look at. She was so kind and eyed me up and gave me one size 18 jean and a few 16s and told me to try on the 18 first. It was big. I cried. BEST DAY EVER ! I had also worn a 26/28 jean... MORE SUCESS TO FOLLOW !! Best of Everything to you !

These are wonderful wonderful happenings all around !!!