Queen of Crop

I've been on this forum for almost a year and there are still things I don't know......what you can you add: NSV - Non Scale Victory SMO - Super Morbidly Obese....(just learned this one) Slider food - means it goes down easily and has little nutrional value, I think WLS - Weight Loss Surgery PPI - not sure what this stands for, but I know I took one (Nexium) for the first four months NUT - short for Nutrionist I know there are a ton more; many I don't know.....let's get them all down in one place!

I don't have a nutritionist like many of you; had my surgery done in Frankfurt Germany and I now live in Hawaii. (self-pay). I eat a lot of popcorn because it goes down easily.....have any of you NUTS said no to this?

I'm officially 9 months post op; down 78 lbs, 4 lbs from the top of my goal. Today, on my Sunday blog I show photos of what a meal looked like one month after surgery and now what it looks like 9 months after surgery. They both contain saltine crackers.....one of the things my tummy loves. I also have a link to a the Centers of Disease Control site that allows you to calculate your BMI and weight range easily....just click on the link below. Have a great week everyone!

I knew things were bad; my hip hurt, my knees hurt, my feet hurt, and we were in Amsterdam with nothing but tall, gorgeous, thin women.....I was 223. Then one morning I woke up and my husband of 20 years was having a melt down of sorts (this was very rare; we never fought).....when I asked him what was wrong; he launched into a long speech about how much my weight gain had bothered him over the years but he kept thinking I would figure it out; but I kept getting fatter. We spent the rest of the day getting the monster out of the closet; talking, crying, yelling, lots of stuff came out. I knew I couldn't do it on my own and within a month I had the surgery. It was the best of times and the worst of times......but now, 9 months out and a few lbs from my goal weight, I can say it was the best decision of my life and I've had the best year of my life.

I don't think so; you're doing all the right things. Don't be nervous; from everything I have read (and believe me I totally freaked out when it started happening and read everything I could!) this is just a natural TEMPORARY process. It won't last long and when it does start happening, just be very gentle with your hair; don't brush or wash it as much. It will pass and before you know it, you'll be on the other side of it. It's not a fun part of this but it really is a small price to pay for what you get; and your body knows what it's doing! BTW, congratulations on your fabulous weight loss! Keep up the good work.

The good news is that you are right on target! I was told at 4-5 months my hair would start falling out and I swear it was 5 months to the day! (I am writing a blog for one year about my experience and this topic was at Week 24!). For about 2 weeks I washed my hair only every 4 days and barely brushed it; I pulled it back in a loose ponytail and stuck a hair piece on the back. I had started taking hair supplements at 2 months out and continue to take them now. The bad hair loss lasted 4-6 weeks and like the people above say, you notice it more than any one else. Everyone advised not to get extensions, but my hair is fine anyway, so I ended up getting only 20 extensions (cut in half so I have 40 of them). This is a very low amount but it was enough to make me feel like my hair wasn't see through. I am now 9 months post op and my hair is coming back just fine and yours will too. All part of the process so your body is doing what it's supposed to do. It really won't last forever. For those of you who are pre-op and reading this and color your hair, my recommendation is to color your hair a month before surgery and get as close to your natural color as possible; because you really don't want to color your hair for at least 6 months post op. This is the time to baby your hair as much as you can and I do thing the supplements help. You'll be fine in a few weeks. Honest.

Insert sad face here..... Think deflated balloons.....and one is bigger than the other....I'm down from a D to a barely C but they are flabby and really unattractive. My biggest disappointment. Plus, I hate to even bring this up, but I don't seem to have the same sensation in them any more. I'm 58 so I don't think a boob job is in my future because they look fine in a bra (and I love how tops fit me better now). But between my scars on my tummy and my boobs pointing south, it isn't a pretty picture.....thankfully I look better in lingerie now!

Aloha Mary from Australia / Texas! Welcome to this great resource....isn't wonderful that we can all connect from around the world? I am also 5'3 and started at 223 lbs last October. I am now 7 lbs from my goal weight having lost almost 80 lbs (and the last 10 are taking forever to come off!). I had my surgery done in Germany and a month later started traveling for 4 months all through Europe, back across the US and we are now in Hawaii until the end of Sept. And will then go back to Amsterdam. I have to laugh when people ask me if I'm worried I will gain it back....I was one of those who chose not to tell people about the surgery. I just smile and say, I really don't think I will..... Good luck and welcome to the forum!

Ah, today is both of your days!!! You probably won't see this for a few days but congratulations! You two are in for a very exciting year! Thinsoon; I had just turned 58 when I had mine done last October....but now I feel like I am in my 30's. You will too! Let us know how you both are doing.

I'm 9 months out, but am a very similar weight and height as several of you....I was 223 at my highest, but went into surgery at 204......I am 58 years old, and at Week 39 (I am doing a blog for one year and am at Week 39 of 52) I am within 7 lbs of my goal weight. So if you want to follow along and see what you might expect in the coming months, take a look. I post every Sunday. And good luck everyone....it's a great ride!!!!!!!!!

I'm 58, several years past menopause and have always been a slow loser before, during and after menopause. But at least with the sleeve, I am losing and am now within 7 lbs of my goal weight, (having lost 77 lbs). NEVER in my life could I have lost it without the sleeve, I'm convinced. So I don't think menopause has as much to do with it as your overall make up. I'm just eternally grateful that this was available and like katie713, I feel healthier now than I did in my 30's. I do have to say though, this last 10 lbs is taking it's sweet time coming off! But at this point, I fee good and I'm not in any big hurry.

This is the BEST NSV I've ever read.....wow, from walking around the island in the kitchen to ALL DAY??? Start looking for tickets to Hawaii because I think that's the next island you'll be walking around......big day for you......and it only will get better. Sounds like your husband is a true gem too.....congratulations on a great day!!!

Hi everyone......just thought I would let you all know, that at 8 months out, my hair is starting to grow back and it feels nice and healthy and strong. I also had a few extensions put in (same length as my own hair, and only 20 of them, cut in half, so 40 strands). I know people said not to do this but they've been in for a month and because there are so few of them, I don't feel like they are doing any damage. And it keeps my hair from feeling like you can 'see through' it. So for those of you who haven't gone through it, it does seem like it hits at the 4 month mark and for me, it lasted about a month of losing a lot of hair, then stablized and now I see it growing back. For those who are following my Year of being Sleeved, I am in Week 39 of 52 and just posted my Sunday post at the link below. Have a great week everyone!

This advice is also good for clothes!!! I was amazed how fast I went through sizes so be careful when you buy things. I only shopped at Ross or Target because I didn't want to spend much money on clothes I wouldn't wear for a long time. Even still, I was THRILLED when I finally reached a size 12, only to see that I only could wear them for a few WEEKS before I was in a 10, now I am in an 8. So my three size 12 pants are practically new and I really can't wear them. So be very selective on your way down; try to buy things that have a little more staying power, or that might be a teeny tight. It really surprised me how fast my size changed.

In 38 weeks I have lost an average of 1.5 lbs a week; mostly 1 lb per week as I lost a lot in the beginning. I write my experiences down on a weekly blog each Sunday so I know exactly what I weighed and when. Although my loss has been slow, it's been steady and I have to say I have never felt like I was depriving myself or on any diet, although my tummy could only handle certain things. Today I gained 2 lbs. I was on vacation, but I don't think it was the food. I think it was the exercise. So today I wrote about my exercise over the past 8 months, as a 50 something, non-athletic woman. If you're in that category (or if you have any interest) check it out by clicking the link below my signature. Thanks for looking. I haven't been on the forum for a while since I was out having fun! Queen of Crop

Hi again Debbie....not sure if you know this, but there is a group on this forum for people going from band to sleeves. You might want to check it out too: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/13-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

Aloha Debbie.....I think this is definitely the forum for comfort, encouragement and information. I just want to say how sorry I am that this has been such a long road for you. My road has been easy and short, but because we are the same age, about the height and I also started at about 203 lbs, I at least want to say, DON'T GIVE UP!!! Once you can overcome the fact that you have to wait again, and if the doctors feel it's safe for you, then there is an entire new world out there. I didn't have the lap band (was talked out of it because of complications and am very happy for that) but I have written about my experience each Sunday for the last 8 months.....because we are similar in other ways, and because someone else's blog gave me the confidence and courage to do this, you may want to take a look at it. The link is below. Good luck, keep your chin up and keep in touch. Queen of Crop

Good advice on being out a year or two.....I think one of the other benefits of this surgery is that when you have been so successful, you learn to be more aware of a lb here a lb there.....my problem was I gained 3-5 lbs a year, hardly a blip, but I did it for 20 years! So when things do start going down easier, we need to learn to think like a thin person and cut back and exercise more and watch it all the time. I appreciate hearing that though because sometimes I think this has all been too easy. I'm just now starting to say no when I know I can eat more. @newfoundlove: not trying to tempt you, but very early on, a few weeks out, I started having one or two saltine crackers with my lunch. Not because I wanted the carbs, but it seemed to keep my stomach settled, and I have to admit , it made eating my tuna, salmon or cottage cheese much more pleasant. But I have completely stayed away from pasta, rice, and bread. Now at 8 months out, I still have saltines, pretzel thins, and even tortilla chips, but if I buy a lunch size bag of tortilla chips, it will last me 2 weeks! But I think I wanted to mention it because something in the saltine crackers keeps you from having a tummy ache. Good post everyone! So happy to see us old folks reshaping our lives!

I agree with the science behind not eating carbs, but (and I'm only speaking for myself here). I would never have waited until I reached my goal to start adding carbs in. One of the beauties for me of the sleeve, is that I feel I can eat like a normal person; meaning watching what I eat; whatever it is. Because we're limited in the amount we can eat, I of course always eat my protein first at each meal, and I have no desire for rice, pasta, even bread. But I eat crackers with my salad at lunch, I always have fruit every day, and I always have a goodie (usually a cookie) in the afternoon. I love my way of eating and I never feel I'm on a diet. My calorie level stays between 900-1300 which at this point is giving me a steady loss of 1 lb a week (but I have always always lost slowly). I am now within 8 lbs of goal weight without feeling I have ever been restricted in what I could eat. I think if you don't let yourself have something you crave (knowing it will be a small amount) in the end, could trigger more eating disorders. Just MHO. My new normal, is what I think normal people do!

Aloha compterking.....I had my surgery done at Krankenhaus Sachenhausen in Frankfurt by Dr. Rudolph Weiner and was very very happy with my stay there. I paid an equivelant of $18K USD but the Euro was worse then, so it was E13K. I had an 8 day stay and I was very well taken care of. Dr. Weiner is sort of the rock star of gastric surgery in Europe. As for the travel, it definitely made things more interesting but it all worked out. We are still traveling a bit and currently in Hawaii preparing for a move to Amsterdam in the fall. Keep your dream alive; I never thought I would travel for a year, but we did and it was amazing. The cost wasn't that much more than paying a mortgage and upkeep on a home! Thanks for reading my blog and if I can answer any other questions, let me know.

At the risk of sounding narcissistic, I would like to nominate myself. The reason is that I do try to see out those who are struggling and give them encouragement since I have been fortunate enough to have success on this journey. Also, because I am over 50 (58) and I think older people need to realize that they too can do this. Lastly, I bring a different slant to this because I was on a 13 month traveling trip when I had it done, I was self-pay and I am continuing to travel, so my story is sort of a travel-weight loss story. I write about it on Sundays on my blog www.queenofcrop.com and I have many followers from the forum. The forum for me has been a godsend; because I had no pre-op education or diets, very little post op and 95% of the things I learned came from here. It's been fun to see you grow. I love my sleeve and I love my life! Queen of Crop

That's great......and thanks for reading it; soon you'll be the one giving advice....but this forum is all about support, so come back any time!

Thanks for the compliments.....and tomorrow is your surgery!!!!! Welcome to the club and keep us posted on your progres.....exciting days are just ahead! QofC Omg just started reading your blog!!! I. Love. It .. Thank you! Soooo funny too!!! Ur awesome

Aloha XanaduMe: Not trying to blow my own horn, but please go to my blog and read it.....most of your questions will be answered there....I have been writing about my journey each Sunday for the last 33 weeks and had most of the questions and emotions you have, but many people have written me and they have gone through the same. I think it might help calm your nerves to see the progression.......just click on the link below or under my photo for BLOG. You'll be fine.......and like you said, there are very few of us who are not THRILLED that we did this. Good luck and let us know how you do.

Thanks everyone! And Cookie, I started at 223 lbs too! (How I wish I was 5'8" though!). And we haven't made it to Australia, but I'll let you know if we do! Right now, we're preparing for a move to Amsterdam! BTW, if any of you want to automatically get my blog each Sunday, be sure to register on the site. I am in week 32 of 52 so I only have 5 months to go on it. Thanks for all the nice comments. OH! I went shopping today and got into (OK barely, but I bought them anyway) a (drumroll please....) a SIZE 8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!