Queen of Crop

I've been writing about my journey every Sunday for the past year and have so appreciated all the support on this forum....it's truly an amazing resource and I have turned to it several times a week for the last year. I am now just starting my year 2 as MFFS (MY Formerly Fat Self) and have decided to stop writing my Sunday blog as of the end of this year; I am at my goal weight and although I may check in from time to time, I think I have written enough about how this has worked (at least for me). But it's been a wonderful success story, especially since I am almost 60 years old and did this while living and traveling in many different countries and cities. For those just starting out, especially if you are in your 50's, take a look; I hope you will find it inspirational. For those who missed this on my blog last week, well, here are two passport photos taken a year apart! It's been a great ride and hope you can join me for the last few weeks.

I took one of these photos on Nov 4, last year, just after my surgery and the other one I took today, exactly one year apart, same outfit, but 63 lbs different. I have another before and after photo on my blog, along with a few thoughts on a what a difference a year makes. Check it out at www.queenofcrop.com if you have some time.

Shame on your co-worker....at least in a few months she will see the results in your body, self-esteem, energy and over all confidence and you will have the satisfaction of showing her that this was a choice that works for you. But I agree with Leigh; this is exactly why I chose only to tell my close friends. You don't need the approval or judgement of people who don't know you. I have never regretted keeping this to myself for the most part; and now a one year out, I don't think about me as having the surgery so much. I just think of me as a normal thin person and I want others to think of me that way too. Good luck and keep up your good work.

HI KC, welcome and congratulations for making the decision! I too thought I was a lightweight...5"3" and 204 lbs but then realized I was not a lightweight and really headed for trouble. I am one year out and now at goal weight and feel 20 lbs lighter. I have bloggeed once a week for a year so if you want to know what to expect (although everyone is different) visit my blog and you can see how it might look for you. You should start on my About Me page and then go from there....I liked the post that someone made above where she said "What to expect?" Expect to be Amazed! And again, Welcome!

Hi chitowngirl....I've been on this forum for a year now and I'm embarrassed to ask this, but I never see photos in the post....when someone atttaches photos do you go to their profile to see the photos or am I missing something? Queen of Crop

What a wonderful response cowgirljane...so articulate and empathetic and useful information. The best I have seen regarding this thread (although the head of the dead horse was a pretty good one too!) I agree; we all have meltdowns from time to time and positive feedback IS important. One of my main complaints in my marriage was that my husband rarely (if ever) complimented me before the surgery. And we talked and talked and talked about it in the last year. He has gotten much better I'm happy to say; but it would still be nice to hear it more often. Anyway, good luck to you; it's people like you (and most of the rest too) that make this forum so fascinating.

Fabulous news!!! Thanks for the update and be sure to take it easy; don't push yourself. Welcome to the club!!!

HI Hollie! Thanks for checking in; I read about the issues you were having and even though I have no idea what the pain is from, be sure to follow your doctor's orders. You went through a lot to get here; if you have to take some time off of work then do it....this is too important! When I look back and think of the times I went to work when I should have taken care of myself, I realize now it was the wrong decision. At any rate, you still have a good attitude about it all! For me, I am just getting settled into Amsterdam life (loving it). Joined a gym today so I can keep my weight in the 130's (it's all about watching one or two lbs at a time now). I'm working on a book about my journey and hoping to do some seminars here and in Germany...so stay tuned! Never a dull moment! Take good care of yourself...the next few months you are still healing.

I'm sorry you feel so frustrated. I just have to say for me, this forum has been extremely helpful as I was self-pay, had my surgery in Germany where I didn't live and traveled for the next 6 months so I didn't have a nutritionist or doctor or classes or much pre-surgery information. This forum has been there for me and helped me with so many questions and positive feedback; it's a shame you didn't get that. As for deleting the account, send a message to Alex, the owner of the forum; I'm sure he can figure it out. Congratulations on your weight loss and best of luck.

HI Buplee....thanks for checking in with us; we're all here pulling for you for a quick recovery so you can go on to your next step...remember everything you are doing you are doing to get healthier. One day at a time....so sorry you are in pain...time to find some good books or good comedies to watch! This time next year, you'll be in great shape!

I'm great! Had my 50th BD yesterday and had a fabulous hammam massage....I wrote all about it on my blog today...check it out and so glad you're doing so great! www.queenofcrop.com

But I made the decision and this week is exactly a year since my surgery. Read my post this week at www.queenofcrop.com and maybe that might convince YOU to sign on the dotted line and get on with a healthier, happier new life! Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com www.queenofcrop.com/about

Let's see....is this a trick question??? One year a go this week I love my life, I hated my life....then I had the surgery and now I just love my life! I wrote about that AND the most amazing spa experience ever on my blog this week. Thank you to all the people on this forum who have faithfully followed my journey each Sunday for the past week. Don't you just love these mutual admiration societies??? We inspire each other! I have decided to continue my Sunday blog for a while; would love to share some really interesting stories from others; so if you have a great story to tell (and most who have this surgery do!), let me know! I'll put it in a future post. Would you do it again?

HOPE ALL GOES WELL DEB!!! AND I'M WITH YOU; THIS FORUM HAS BEEN GREAT. WE'RE THINKING OF YOU....HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

Hi Holly.....feeling better today??? QofC

Hi ladies!!! What you are going through is perfectly normal....I was sleeved exactly a year ago and the first 4-5 months the weight came off at a steady rate...I was INVINCIBLE!!! Then just when I thought I had a good system down of eating more or less the right things (I've never been really good at getting my Protein or Water in and I have a cookie every day, cream in my coffee and a glass of wine a few times a week), but I was consistently exercising and then it all stopped. I think I lost 2-4 lbs in 2 months....but I was so happy to have lost 50+ lbs I was in a good space, didn't indulge any more than the stuff above, kept exercising and enjoying it more, and then I started losing again. I reached my goal weight a couple of weeks ago and am now 139 lbs, 2 lbs below goal weight. So don't freak out, enjoy the ride and remember how far you have come. If you start to gain a lb or 2, you need to really think about how to counter act that one; do the usual things, up the protein, cut the carbs and exercise more...time goes by so fast and if you just hang in there, before you know it you will be the weight you were meant to be! BTW, just in THIS THREAD ALONE, between the 6 of us WE HAVE LOST OVER 400 LBS!!!!!!!!

Thanks!! We do have an American store here....just down the street from us; I bought Sunmaid raisins and Grape Nuts just yesterday, so will go get the hot sauce there...I've never heard of Franks so it will be new to me! Thanks Di! BTW, check out that soup blog....good stuff there. http://www.soup-a-woman.blogspot.com

Finding ANY hot sauce here will be a miracle! I'll put it on my wish list and hope I will find something that might work as an alternative until I get some sent over!

I know...especially when we were in Italy (the land of the 7 course meal...). I would eat just a small portion of one course and be done and they would say "You no-a like-a?? I-a fix-a you-a somethin' else....." with a very hurt look on their face...then when we didn't order more wine, or after dinner coffee or desert they would look at us like we were from another planet.....*sigh*. So in Amsterdam, we tend to go to Chinese, or Thai or Indonesian, where you don't have to order individual plates. Switzerland is a whole other story as you know! I hate going out to eat there....

Wow to Soup-a-woman!!!! Thank you for reading my blog, but mostly thank you for YOUR Soup blog!!!! I love soup!!! And here I am in Amsterdam (via Hawaii) where it's cold and now I can have soup all winter.....I can't wait to try out your recipes, starting with Buffalo chicken Chowder....just hope I can find some of the ingredients here... Great site.....I will go back often. YUM!!! And congratulations on reaching your goal weight yesterday; 158 lbs, that is just incredible. Q of C

Hi Deb! Hope you had a wonderful BD....only a few more days until you are sleeved. Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and know it will all go really well....be sure to keep us all posted. Queen of Crop

Thanks everyone for the good wishes! And for those pre-surgery....good for you for coming on to this and learning as much as you can! Jillb...today is YOUR surgery!!!! So excited for you; just remember the next few weeks is going to be a very weird time...but it gets better and better every day! Let us know how you are doing..... We're just getting settled into cold, windy, rainy Amsterdam....(people think we were crazy to come here from Hawaii!! and maybe they were right!). But I hit 139 lbs today; haven't seen the 130's since high school! So I have nothing to complain about!

Calling all sleevers or potential sleevers who were sleeved or who live in Europe. I just started a group called European Sleevers. Please join in and let's talk about kilos and metric measure and any special challenges or opportunities that we have here verses the US. (We don't have to worry about costco sized packages here!). But I also think there are fewer people with weight problems here too. And, then there's the little privately owned restaurants that look at you funny if you want to split a dish and look hurt when you eat so little! Please join in if you have a European connection. Tell us where you were sleeved and where you live and little about your story. I just relocated to Amsterdam from Hawaii so I am currently in the immigration process. Happy to be here! Please do a search on the European Sleevers and join in!

Hi Elizabeth and welcome to the forum! October 25 is the exact date I had my surgery last year so I think that's a great sign for you! Keep coming to the forum for lots of good information and if you have any questions...thank you so much for reading my blog. I think we should have a European group....I'm not sure how many of us there are. Good luck and keep us posted on when you get a date.

Same thing happens to me at night with my jammies....gotta go buy some new ones...! BTW, kylfalcon....you look fantastic! Isn't being 59 and feeling 45 the greatest??? AND OTR Sleever, congrats on getting below your son's weight...I felt the same way when I finally weighed less than my husband! Today, I hit a milestone of 139 lbs....first time since high school that I have seen that number! Life is good. It's cold outside, but I'll bundle up anyway and go out for my walk!