Aussiegirl

Love it and so true!!! I had my follow up with my surgeon yesterday and said something similar, while I still weigh myself everyday, the value I am getting from my life now is how I feel and how I look, the number is still a part of my journey, but the smallest part now.

I saw a thread of all the things that we think we won't miss pre-surgery or early on the surgery. Thought I would put together a list of things that I dont miss and which keep me motivated to keep working harder. 1. Not being able to cross my legs comfortably 2. Waking up in the night with my arms numb 3. Legs rubbing together 4. Going into a store and not being able to find anything to buy 5. Not being able to run, jump, skip and feel fit enough to keep up with others around me 6. Feeling lost in my own body and life 7. Sucking my body into airline seats, and asking for the extension belt 8. Having no one want to sit near me on public transport (ok I do kinda miss that one, as I would much rather no one sits next to me, but you get the point) 9. Not being able to keep up with my 3 yo nephew

I paid about $2000 for the analysiologist (so can't spell). Looks like I am headed back to hospital on Thursday for a bit of exploratory gastrectomy to look if there is any reason for my ongoing reflux, not normal this far out.

Coming just past the 10 month mark and 150 pounds gone, only about another 10-12 to go to my goal (surgeon never made a goal for me). Life is better, easier, shopping is way more fun. Still have alot of work I want to do to my body around toning up and getting rid of the extra rolls, but will see where my body lands on weight and then assess the excess skin situation. Exercise is part of my daily routine and something I enjoy and helps reduce the stress in my life...life really is a whole new adventure Also I am no longer Obese, i am purely overweight and I am ok with that.

Glad to hear you are all going so well. Kelloff, I had fatigue up until about the 3rd week, it does get better as you eat better/more consistant food. Sorry I havent heard of spariluan Protein... My sweet tooth also went for a while, up until really a couple of weeks ago. Now I have a bit of a sweet tooth recurrence, but endulging it too much makes me ill...hopefully my body will learn soon enough.

One more thing they dont tell you.....being skinny, you freeze!!!! This winter I am feeling the cold more than I ever remember....its always cold..bring on summer

Sleeved 22nd Sept 2011 and so far 150 pounds goooooone!

Keep it up Kelli! This is actually the hardest part at the moment (in my experience).

Hi Lila, I generally work out once a day, most days a week, but atleast 5 days a week. I always wanted to start my new life the way I wanted to continue in eatting and exercise, and that these are natural parts of my life now. Exercise does get easier, alot easier the more your loose. I have probably decreased the number of hours I do a week (given I was initially doing 2 sessions) but the intensity is greater now and I still burn the same amount. Dont get me wrong there are days when I am like nope no exercise but they are fewer and further apart, I have also got a good group of people around me who I do sessions with. Fitness buddies help sooo much. Thank you

Oh I remember the food thoughts early on....I totally watched so much food porn it was rediculous, every cooking show I could get my hands on, magazines, you name it... Good luck with the continued recovery Michelle!

Kelloff, I do have a fair amount of excess skin now. It is not pretty but I will see how it all firms up once I get to goal. I am also lax to have it taken away, as I may want to have kids sometime in the future and that would cause more stretching etc. But will see how all that pans out. I have done exercise pretty much from the start, first 5 weeks was lite exercise, walking etc. At 6 weeks my doctor said go for my life, do what ever I wanted. I have had a trainer once a week since 5 weeks, initially working on fitness and weight loss, now more balance and toning. Initially I was doing 2 sessions atleast 5 days a week, tho some of these would be a walk/run home from work (which was 5kms). Now I work out almost every day, sometimes I will do 2 sessions if I work out with someone, but I work alot harder nowadays. I am fit, fitter than most people skinnier than me that I know. I am starting to run, distances, did an 8km a couple of weeks ago and will do the city2surf this week (no I cant run 14kms yet, or ever possibly)....so yes lots of exercise. Below are some before and after pics of me to give you some context. I still carry alot around the middle (feel a bit like the michelin man still) but my legs are freaking awesome (lol if I do say so myself) Kelliv, thanks Your neice is so cute....Neices and nephews are the best things ever

Welcome Susie. It is pretty normal to have fears going into this procedure, it is permanant and does take alot of committment, you have to be ready for the change to make the most of it. Pre-surgery I had alot of fears and aprehension, prepared my self for the worst etc. Mostly I was worried about who I would be after surgery, especially I have only ever known myself as this morbidly obese person. Now, life seems so normal to me, I am the same me, but better, definitely skinnier ( i worked hard to to loose the 68kgs so far), more confident and just happier. But who I am is still the same. In regards to telling people, it really is your choice who you tell and who you dont. I only told my immediate family, closest friends and my boss before I had surgery. Luckily they were all more than supportive, but aprehensive at the same time. Post surgery I am happy to talk about it and will tell anyone the truth if they ask how I have done it. So far no one has said to my face I cheated (also never heard it said behind my back either). It helps to have people who are supportive of you, especially early on. Good luck on your journey! We are all here to help.

Tablets were hard initially. I had chewable Vitamins and also the nexium which i cut in half and was the hardest. Thankfully I did not need any pain killers for pain while I was recovering. Random fact, since surgery I have barely taken pain killers for anything. Pre-surgery I had constant headaches, joint pain, sporting injuries, basically alot of generalised pain. Since surgery almost nothing, I think I have taken pain medication 3 times in 10 months, and one of those times was due to too much alcohol.

Sorry havent been back for a while. Catching up on this thread...has gone crazy! Love not being the only Aussie on here At 10 months I still struggle eatting out, finding something that I like and is small enough. I often feed my friends and have a couple that I share meals with. Most restaurants dont seem to care if you eat all the food or not I have noticed. During mushy/soft food phase I loved egg salad (boiled egg and mayo) and smoked salmon mixed with a bit of soften cream cheese were my favourites. Good luck to all those upcoming surgery-ers!!

Apparently it is common to suffer from some depression after surgery. Most people will also have the thoughts of what the heck have I done. Thankfully I didnt so I am not sure what I can say to help, other than speak to your doctor, they may be able to help with it. I did suffer from alot of fatigue early on, and allowed myself the time to sleep if that is what I needed. Also getting active helped me alot with feeling better and recovery, just walking early on.

Thank fully I did not have to endure the swallow test. My doctor did have me on nil by mouth for 48 hours tho. Then onto Clear liquids, still in the hospital. I chose the sleeve for a number of reason (even tho the band was the first thing i considered), mainly as I didnt want the constant filling/refilling of the band, having an object in me, and the failure rate of the band and the ability to eat meat. The sleeve really is a set and forget, i can eat anything my body can tolerate.

Thank you all for your kind words. It hasnt always been an easy journey but it is a rewarding one... I wish you all the success on your respective journies.

Really you do need to focus on that, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I remember the ketosis taste in my mouth like was yesterday and it really was like 10 and 1/2 months ago. But believe me there is light at the end of the tunnell and all most good things dont come without some hard work..thats how you enjoy them more. I would occasionally have steamed green veggies while I was on opti fast which was a nice change. I had one cheat when I was out and had fresh seafood (prawns, smoked salmon), which made me so ill after the detoxing my body was done...

The Opti-fast phase was the worst experience of all. Once you get through that (assuming no complications) so much easier. I only ate the bars and the desserts as I do not like the shakes, actually they make me gag. Once you get onto clear liquids and mushies etc, you can atleast have flavour in your food. Good luck with that..I dont have much advise other than it is just a phase to get through, and you will and from there it gets easier.

You are not alone, atleast from my part. I now only really loose weight around my time of month, pretty much only loose then nowadays, but loose 4 kgs/8 pounds over a few days.

Another Aussie here. Sleeved 10 months ago by Dr Joseph in the Mater hospital Sydney. I cant say enough good things about how the surgery has gone for me. Most the surgery was covered under my health fund, including private hospital but still out of pocket around $5k. I have lost 66kgs in the last 10 months and am happier and healthier than I could have imagined! Happy to answer any questions anyone has. Good luck to you all on your journey.

Way to go PDXMan!! You look so much younger. I completely agree with not avoiding carbs, they give me energy and it is a tactic I have undertaken since early on, good carbs - means more energy... Thanks for being an inspiration, i love the 1 yr stories, especially as I close in on it.

Thanks Lissa!!