Queen of Crop

I did a Thumbs Up and a Thumbs down on my different body parts on my weekly blog today......starting with my hair and working my way down......everyone is different, and I'm curious how others are doing on their various body parts. You can see my blog by clicking the link below or the blog icon under my photo......let's compare notes!

On my Sunday blog this week, I wrote about what things look like on my body at 7 months out starting with my hair down to my feet! If you're curious about what might be in store....take a look. It's not all pretty, but overall I'm really happy. But at least you'll know the real scoop and it's important you have all the info you can get. Keep in mind, this is just me; everyone is different. You can click on my link below or under my photo on the blog link. Hope everyone is having a good Memorial Day weekend....

Well it's nice to hear I wasn't the only one who thought you could lose weight on 1600 calories......just goes to show you how well marketing of these programs work....we all fell for them. On the other hand, maybe people with normal metabolisms can lose weight on that much. I just know at 1200 calories and working out hard for an hour every day is taking about 1 lb a week off of me......thanks for all the validations!

I agree with Peacequeen....the less stress the better. I went to washing my hair with a biotin product every 3 days instead of 2 and try not to mess with it too much during the day. But, like she said, it just needs to run it's course and with me, the scary part was only two weeks, although my hair is so much thinner than it used to be. But no one seems to notice but me and my hairdresser.

Thank you Queen of Crop - I feel as though I could have written (most of) that blog post. I also have a slim husband and he is a quantity eater. I am new to this forum and am hoping to join not just the forum but the group of you that have had surgery. I will be going back to read more of your blog now. Goodluck thinonmymind! This forum is really wonderful and because I didn't have a follow up doctor or nutritonist, I relied on it heavily. Good stuff here. Keep us posted and in no time you'll be thinlikeyourhusband!

Good point; this isn't necessarily the speedy way, but it works and the scale keeps moving.....in the right direction although slowly at times. Just looked at your profile pictures; what a difference....you are so beautiful! Thanks for writing and the compliments on my blog....hoping to be in the 130's before my year is up, but we'll see. My target is also 135 although officially 141 is the magic number for me not to be overweight and I'm closing in on it!

Hi Janet; well that does seem like the lowest weight loss I've heard from the surgery; can we ask your starting weight? Are you in contact with your doctor or a follow up person to see if this is normal? I am a very slow loser but I did lose 18 lbs in the first 3 weeks (I'm 58 years old and went into surgery at 203 lbs). I have lost 73 total, but it has been 1 lb a week for the last 4 months. I've outlined my ups and downs on my weekly blog (link below) that I am doing for the first year; you may want to take a look and see what to expect. But the slow weight loss this early is a little odd. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Thanks everybody!!!! Glad to know I'm not the only one......I sure always felt like it when I would defend myself and tell people that I really have been good on WW or the diet-of-the-week and haven't cheated and I don't know why I only lost a 1/2 lb in the past 3 weeks.......ugh; so happy THOSE days are over for good!!!! I'm actually pretty happy this is happening because even I was starting to question myself......Michelle, Chitowngirl and Robin: Welcome to the club!!!!! This is such an exciting time for all of you; and Robin, good for you for doing this in your 50's (I was 58 at surgery and I feel like a kid again!). And to Finding Myself: try to use that extra energy to be excited, not nervous! You are going to be so happy and healthy and feeling so great by the end of the summer......and don't worry about being hungry.....at least for me (and I think many others) the hunger goes away; it's so nice not to have food control your thoughts any more!!! You'll do just fine. Thanks again for the feedback and for reading my weekly blog.

Thanks everyone! Benjamin, I just ordered FATHEAD on my NetFlix and moved it to Position #1 so I'll get it in a day or two...thanks! Congratulations on your upcoming date.......and keep us posted. Kristin, thanks for the compliments on my blog; much appreciated! Big Craig: wow, 74 lbs in 2months???? That's what I've lost since last year! Good grief.....sounds like it's too fast, no?

I really don't get it.....I thought this was about math; calories in, calories out, calories burned......but it can't be.....people are simply wired differently. Would be interested in hearing from others on this one.......if you would be so kind to just glance at my blog (link below) for this week as I talk about what I do vs others and I just think some people can't lose fast, or much. I'll be fine (I'm within 10 lbs of goal and happy to just stay here) but it is curious......

that I could NOT.........I am 7 months post op and no way could WW, JC or Nutrisystems work for me.......I know I could never have sustained myself and be satisfied on 1200 calories a day and working out an hour a day......on my blog today I talk about what I am doing now to just lose a lb a week (at the moment I am in a stall). Please read it if you are one of those who cannot seem to lose it by dieting......just click on my link below and it will take you to this week's blog where I talk about my stall and how people are wired differently

Ok, so this is something I never thought I could do again and I am doing it! I can sit cross-legged (Indian style) for the first time in probably 25 years! Now, I'm not saying I can sit COMFORTABLY yet, but at least the legs are tucked in....... And now when I sit normally, I always cross one leg over the other; seems so perfectly natural. I was so sad not to be able to do that for so many years.....it's these little things that are so amazing. I haven't been this happy about my life in a long, long time.

No regrets...none, nada, zip........and keep in mind, the sleeve isn't 'just to lose weight." The results are a lower weight of course, and you look better of course, but you either get rid of or avoid all the associated risks that come with being obese, or yo-yo dieting. I am almost at goal and still struggling with hip and knee problems because of the damage I did when I was heavy. The problems I have now are tolerable (and I walk/run 3 miles a day) but if I could have had this done in my 40's I would have in a second. This is your health and there is nothing more important.....the fun stuff (looking good, shopping, compliments) are all just the extras you get from this (seriously) life-saving surgery. Good luck and as you can see, at least those of us who post on here are very happy!

Just a quick update.....I am now 7 months out and it has stopped....BUT, I am also faithful about taking my B12 shot once a month (I didn't do that religiously the first 4 months because I was traveling) and I take a B12 supplement every day. I think that will help. If not, just give it time, it does go away. But it does hit you like a brick!!!!

To Aggiegirl: Treat your hair gently; only wash it every few days, and try not to comb it so much. At least for me, the scary phase only lasted a couple of weeks and my hair is very fine and not thick. So you'll probably be fine.

Aloha Skinnyagain (and also to K33) First, I think this was a great post to read so thank you for posting it......it shows the support of this forum and reminded me that this isn't a free ride. I personally felt that dieting was HELL and this has, not been easy, but so much more effective that I sometimes forget that even though I eat small amounts, I still need to eat healthy. As for K33, this surgery is a very personal decision, but do keep in mind the possible downsides of the surgery to me, are far less than the risks of being and staying overweight. Congrats Skinnyagain on getting back on track and being strong.....love this forum.

Ah, of course.....just got confused.....I've traded my weight problems for brain problems!!! lol. But yes, that was a wonderful story with her friend......but I'm with you.....I have a very small circle of people who know and plan to keep it that way!

Hi Skinny again.....thanks for coming onto the VS forum and letting us know what is going on with you......it's the first step to continuing your (already successful) journey. I think I can speak for all of and tell you that 39 lbs is an amazing weight loss; (just try lifting two 20 lb weights!). And losing 39 lbs the traditional way would have been much more painful and slow (IMHO). I didn't know about the carbonated drinks so that information is very helpful for all of us! Thank you. I don't drink soda but I do drink sparkling Water which I will stop immediately. This entire thread has been humbling to read.....I am 7 months out, started at 204 at surgery and have lost 53 lbs, not that much more than you, but I feel like an entirely new person! But I am only losing 1 lb a week for the last 20 weeks and I am happy with that because I never feel like I'm dieting, I just eat very small amounts. Also when you lose slowly I think it helps my skin adjust so I don't have loose skin in places. I think the advice of writing everything down (even if it's for a month or two) will be very helpful to you. I write a blog every Sunday and it's one of the things that keep me happy with the decision; all I have to do is go back to the first weeks and see the difference between now and then; I would take now (even though I'm not at goal either) over THEN anytime! Good luck and come back when you need us.

Big topic but I can just tell you for me, I was 4 months out before I noticed the hair loss and then I was freaking out; didn't want to comb it, didn't want to wash it, started looking for wigs, and was generally pissed. I had been taking Biotin for months; then on the advice of my Naturapath Dr. I started taking Luminous and bought some shampoo with Biotin in it made for thinning hair. Not sure what did the trick, but the important thing is that the period of it being super fragile was only about 2 weeks. I am now 6 months post op and my hair is starting to return to normal. I haven't dyed it since a month before surgery and am thinking I may take the leap here soon to hide some of the gray coming in. Here I am finally looking younger because of my weight loss, I don't want gray hair getting in my way!!!!

Wow Kat! What an awesome friend!!! So that's another plus on the board of WHO SHOULD I TELL??? Seems to me that most people are divided on that front (me being on the side of not telling). But your story sure supports the side that does tell. My first dinner party was a total disaster; the hostess went to so much work and I couldn't eat anything......I still feel so bad about that. Keep posting; we're all interested and excited for you.

Hi Kat: You may want to take a look at my WEEK 4 on my blog.....even though I was with my husband when I got out of the hospital, I wasn't prepared for the sights and sounds and smell of all the food around me......it was overwhelming leaving the safe haven of the hospital to the real world. Be sure to be as prepared as you can mentally and with things you can have for the trip home. You can see WEEK 4 here: http://www.queenofcrop.com/archives/2011/11/ UK Cathy's advice was really good; see if you can find a buddy....it helps, just like this forum!

Congrats Musharooni....love those things....I just got back from my daily workout (have been consistent for 2 full months....first time in MY LIFE!!!). I ran/fast walked 3 miles in 41M 30s which makes a 13.7 minute mile! AND I ran for 1.25 miles straight! I thought I felt a little critter crawling down my back....turns out it was sweat! A new sensation for me for sure......

Aloha Kat!!! Ah, you're 51 and about to be sleeved; how I wish I could have had this done at 51!!!! The last 7 years of my life would have been SO much better; I had this done last October 3 days after my 58th.....now 7 months later, I feel like I am 41!!! Hopefully this forum will help you feel less anxious and MORE eager!!!! Take a look at my blog (link below) if you would like to see what you might be in for; I have chronicled my experience each Sunday since the end of October and each week just gets better and better. Keep us posted and congrats on your decision.....

I just got some Pure Protein shots that do come in a test tube like bottle. Why are they not good? I've been mixing them with juice and just sipping on it during the day hoping that extra 25 grams of protein will round my eating out.