Aussiegirl

tonibugg, they will come and really quite frequently, the trick is realise them and be proud of yourself for them

This journey is definitely a learning experience and I keep learning and seeing new possibilities. Having what I would say is a less than great day at work, frustration, moodiness (me and others), TOM and just feeling like things are not in the best place. So this morning, I felt the need for a pick me up...went for the chocolate (alcohol would have been preferable but it was 10am), had 2 bites and that was enough to take the edge for a bit. Not wanting to succumb to the food hunger, had a tea and went to the gym to work out some frustration...a healthier way to deal with stress. Anyway at the gym, i tried (have been slightly attempting for a while) to do a sit up. I have never done a sit up (i dont even remember doing this as a kid). And all of a sudden I COULD!!!! It felt easy and simple, like i should have been doing it for years....my body just decided that it could.....score, definitely a fist pump, blog moment )))))) For lots of people the action of doing a sit up is nothing but to me it is huge!! And it another one of my physical goals that I have achieved. FYI I am stalled right now with another 30 or so pounds to go...but when I have these kinds of wins, the weight doesnt seem as important.

I hear ya, I lived on food porn the first few weeks post op...

Welcome to VST! Like many have said, the pre-op diet was difficult for me. But in all honesty it was all the indecision and fear that lead up to the surgery that was the worst for me. On the back end, I am not even sure what I was so afraid of, but I had a lot of fear of this post-op life, couldnt imagine the change, fear of lossing my crutch (food). I wish you luck with your decision./

I have had a trainer from about 5 weeks out, once a week. But most of the workouts have been on my own or with friends. I usually do cardio and weights in the morning and then 5km run/walk in the evening.

Thanks guys Hard work definitely does pay off.....it is not always easy but it is worth the effort.

I often wondered why people become less involved in the forum a few months after surgery, I now understand. I am a few days after my 9 month anniversary (22nd Sept 2012) and pre-surgery I could not imagine how much my life would change, while staying pretty much exactly the same. I see the physical change, loosing over 130 pounds with just over 35 pounds to go, which i should be at by the 1 year mark. I am constantly (and i have started counting avg 4-5 times a day) being told how good I look. This is nice to hear and see that society sees the change. But for me the change is so much more than how I look. It is the confidence that I have in how I approach my life, the positivity I feel for my furture. I enjoying feeling great. Exercise is an initrisic part of my life. I feel weird if I dont exercise regularily, it definitely helps with my stress levels. My life just feels balanced. My eatting is balanced, I do eat Desserts (a couple of bites is enough) when I am with friends, but I manage keep a balance in eatting Protein, veggies, good carbs. Dont get me wrong isnt always easy but my body tells when the balance is off, either by feeling unwell or lacking energy. I am learning to listen to my body. I am a person that people want to know and be around, my social circle is growing. It feels nice to have company, good people are coming into my life and staying in my life. I have lost some friends from my old life and some have become better friends that I thought. I ran my first 8km the other weekend, with my good friend cheering me on and keeping me going. I did in 63 mins tho I wanted 6 mins but given the amount of people I had to navigate I am ok with 63 mins. I am working towards a 14km in August. My life is still the same, I still do the same job, live in the same house and am still single. But these are all my choices now, not something that I am feeling trapped into. Life feels good....I hope you all feel this and get to feel this. There is a rather bad pick of me from after the 8km run in what I now call my "snuggie" a sweater from pre-op which keeps me very warm but can now wrap my body in a few times

There are a number of things early on. I still get the odd lump in the throat due to reflux. Have they got you on reflux meds?

Hey weight-no-longer, good to see another aussie in here I understand the scared and excited feeling, i was there last year. I was sleeved last September and since then have lost 57kgs (even to me that sounds like alot) but still have another 17 I want to loose. I have no problem answering any questions or talking about it. I am very open about what I am doing it and why. I am still single, which I definitely think has helped me. Tho at the moment I really do feel anything but single, so many things going on, social activities etc. I go out now, I am not afraid to be seen in places, or by people. Drop me a message I am happy to answer any questions.

Good luck with your journey. You will find lots of information and support on here, even a little inspiration when you need it.

I am really looking forward to the shoot. Was talking to the photographer yesterday and she was soo and made me feel at ease, so much that I am actually looking forward to it. I will definitely share when they are taken. It really is a big thing to feel confident enough to have photos taken, congrats.

Coming up to 8 months post op and life feels better than I remember it being. This week has been a week for NSV's : * completed my first fun run, 8 kms in just on 1 hour * I fit into a size of jeans that I have not worn since I was 14 * feeling great and positive about the direction and the people in my life * am even planing a glamour shoot to show how far I have come. Even the scale is co-operating a bit.

Kudos Lissa! You are looking awesome!

I think this is pretty common. Especially early on. However certain foods may be triggering it as well. Some people (myself included) find the foods their body can tolerate change after surgery, unfortunately it is a bit of a matter of trial and error. Now I have located my triggers it is alot better, tho sometimes I will still eat someting that will cause it. If you are really worried you speak to your doctor.

Congrats, way to go. I love to hear the stories from a year out. It is great to see how everyones life has changed, and is encouraging. Being 7.5 months out it is the next big time for me, other than getting to my goal weight (which may or may not happen before the first year). Thanks for sharing

I will usually try and order an appetizer when I am out or share with friends. I have got used to leaving most the food on my plate or getting it to go. I have been pretty honest with people about my journey. My friends will share my food. I have a few friends that burn calories quickly and they will finish my meal. I remember going out to lunch with a client a few months ago and he had talked up tthis restaurant so I concious of not looking like I am not enjoying, so I told him what had done and he was like, I wasn't going to judge your eatting, just get what you want to go. It just shows most people are more interested in the company than what you are eatting

Welcome Erin Congratulations on your decision, it wont always be an easy journey but in my experience is worth it. You will find loads of information and support on this site. I am 7 months (and 120 pounds gone) and life has never felt so alive. Fatigue is definitely something of the past (well post recovery anyway, recovery fatigue is a whole other thing ). Even when I sleep only a couple of hours a night I can still get through the day and the next and the next ....yes this is something I am well aquainted with at the moment. Good luck on your journey, feel free to ask any questions.

I too was a high BMI when I started this journey last Sept, it took a good 50-60 pounds before anyone really noticeds any change, which was like 3 months. But now at 120 pounds lost everyone notices, it will happen I can barely go through a day without someone stopping me and telling me how awesome I look, (tho I still have another 45 pounds to go). Be patient it will happen. But also dont just look at your clothes or other people for NSV's/ Do you feel like you move a bit more freely, do your feet hurt less, can you breathe easier?

Definitely helpful...it is good to emphasise with clients and be aware of the various stages that they will go through. I remember I started with a trainer and 4 weeks post op, and I explained to her my doctors restrictions on exercise and run through the surgery...my trainer was amazing about it but it would have been good to have some who just knew. You are definitely a walking endorsement for your skills.

Dud2Stud, way to go. Congrats you are looking awesome. But I am loving your attitude as well!! Enjoy the much deserved attention

Couldnt agree more with Lissa! Definitely follow your doctors/nutritionists plans especially in the early recovery phase. They can probably help with some meal plans etc. Also listen to your stomach, it will definitely tell you what is likes and does not like. I used the first few months to address my unhealthy relationship with food, especially while the sleeve is still quite strict. My body now craves healthy fuel rather than just something to fill it up. But I do allow myself the odd "bad" thing without guilt if I am that way inclined.

Congrats, keep up the impressive work!!

I dont know about doing things differently, but I guess I would have spent less time worrying about what life was going to be like after surgery. The fear and uncertainty is crippling at times before surgery. After surgery you are so focussed on recovering and getting on with your new life. I am not entirelys sure of what I was scared of. Definitely try and work on your food issues and start exercising before surgery, it just make post-op easier.

Hmmmm good question. 50% - Tho going into it I did not have any regular health issues, constant sporting injuries, PCOS but was only a stones throw away from having diabetes, heart disease all those fun things. 50% - Lifestyle, Emotional, Vanity. I wanted a life that was large, full of life, love, confidence and happiness. While I was doing alot of things as a big person, it was not the kind of life I wanted. The weight literally weighed me down.