Queen of Crop

It will piss you off first!!!! Boy was she right.....I was pissed, in denial and very defensive...... Now, after 7 months post-op, I now realize how much in denial I was.....and it feels great to admit that. Easier now than then....I wrote a piece about this in my weekly blog today (click on link below). I think it's something we all need to realize.....that it's hard to admit we have problems when we can't see a way out.....but once we've achieved success.....it all seems so clear.....if you know someone who is struggling with denial, or is coming up with every reason not to do this, please have them read this week's post. Thanks for all the support.

I honestly can say that I don't have the same satisfaction after a meal as I did before being sleeved (I am 7 months post-op). But it's not to say that it's bad; and I feel I can eat almost anything (pasta and rice are not on the list yet). The things that go down really well and that I feel very satisfied with are pretzel thins, oranges and popcorn. Weird combination I realize. But I just know when I eat these things (small portions of course) I feel like a perfectly normal person. I go by an acronym my husband came up with and that is OBTM......One Bite Too Many and I will feel uncomfortable.....and at this point I know where that is at each meal; thank god for the sleeve for reminding me; it was the OBTM that got me fat in the first place...... You'll figure it out, just give it time.....

Thanks for all the nice comments.....and for those who are about to jump into the pool with us......come on in, the water's fine!!! So excited for all of you.

Thanks for the wonderful response! Thanks for taking the time.....I had to laugh at your seat belt story....you and I sound a lot a like in the self-confidence area....I never lost my sense of self even though my weight ballooned....surely my pants shrunk in the wash!.....or, I hate it when they mismark clothes; no way is this an extra large!!!!.....or, damn! my scale is broken again???? I suppose my intelligent self always knew it wasn't anyone else's fault but as you said, the brain is interesting. Congratulations on your wonderful weight loss......soon you will be in onederland! I never was a size 6 in my entire life so I'm just enjoying being a size 10/12....that seems just right to me.....for now. Take care and thanks for reading my blog and for the wonderful post.

It's right below my signature at www.queenofcrop.com For some odd reason (I don't know why) but we're not supposed to put a link in the body of our posts which I find weird because aren't we all here to help each other? Thanks for looking!

After talking with several people this week (including my best friend from high school who I am hoping will have this surgery) I realized that I was really in denial over my weight problem. Why is it that we see things so clearly when we are outside the problem? Anyway, I posted some thoughts on my weekly blog; please take a look and I would be happy to hear your thoughts on the issue.

If you think you might not be convinced about if this is right for you, then please read my blog this week. I had a couple of conversations with people who were post-op (and one who is in complete denial at almost 275 lbs) and wanted to share this with the forum. You can take a look by clicking on my blog. I post every Sunday (often from different places so it's a bit of a Travel/Weight loss blog!). But this week's is an important one I think. Good luck to everyone who is pre-op and thinking about this or in the queue!

This was a great thread.....in so many ways....but, it sounds like WE'RE DONE HERE!!!!

@ PDXMan....you're not just cute....you're smart! I would like to say one thing in defense of men.....poor guys; they often do say things that come out wrong; but how many men out there have been supportive of us through this weight loss journey and loved us through all of our weight gains? Speaking for myself; I was very defensive in the beginning and very much in denial and had every excuse in the world for not losing weight (some of the valid mind you). Still, my guy stood by me and loved me at 223 lbs, and was there every moment on the way down (with some really really intense talks along the way). Does he love me more now that I am thinner? I'm not sure, but I do know this experience has brought us much closer because we are so much more open now than we ever were.....I guess I'm just saying, that we're not perfect either and that opening up to each other in a loving, non-defensive way is a good thing; men and women are wired differently, but look at the big picture.

Hit Ross, TJ MAX, H & M, Target, Walmart and consignment shops for those in between stages before you start buying nicer stuff. I had tops lasted for a long long time, it was the pants that kept getting too big; so I opted for just a few basic pairs of pants, then started wearing skirts with leggings. The interesting thing is that I buy so much less now that I am a size 10-12, than I did when I was larger. I think the reason is that my clothes look so much better on me that I'm not searching constantly for something else.....this is the fun part of the weight loss......getting dressed each day and feeling like, hey, I look OK! So have fun with it and buy the discount stuff for a while, but keep it basic. And when you grow out of it, pass it on to someone else who can use it; no more keeping multiple sizes in your closet any more!

This is a perfect opportunity for you to have a 'real' conversation with him and show him what you are made of; and that is a strong, successful, determined, sensitive, accomplished woman. Not one who goes off a cliff when a comment is made that is hurtful.....I so agree with the women above that men just do not understand delivery......this has happened so many times with my husband who is otherwise intelligent, respectful, supportive, loving, and then he comes off with a comment that only a social moron would say! When that happens, I basically am very calm, very much in control, and let him know that what he said, or how he said it was really hurtful and inappropriate and I didn't deserve it. THIS IS HOW I HANDLE IT NOW.....Having said that, the reason I am here is because he basically had a melt down and said incredibly mean and hurtful things to me about my weight and it took us months to get through THAT!!! But we started talking about the monster in the closet and now that I am 70lbs lighter and life is much better and I feel better about myself, we're able to talk about things in a much more mature way, and we've never been closer. So, consider this a gift.....it's time to start talking; about how you feel (how far you have come and all the great things about that) but also, that what he said hurt. I think it's great that you come on here to vent....but go back in the ring and stay calm and have the talk that you've been needing to have.

Fantastic update Cathy! So happy to hear all went well; and it's only going to get better. Just remember, eat very slowly.....soup is a great choice and by week 3 I was eating 2 soda crackers (some people call them saltine crackers) at each meal which were divine and really seem to help my tummy feel settled. Don't over do it and keep us posted! Also, don't forget to take a before photo....you'll love having it in a few months!

Hi Dyezee.....Just wanted to check in to see how you're doing......you're about one month out......feeling OK???

Same here......it's better now, but at first all I could do after I ate was go lay down for a few minutes....luckily I'm retired......I think once we are all healed it won't happen so often, and even now, at 6 months out it happens rarely; but it does happen. I think Caradina is right; the carbs will do it to you but also eating too fast I think.

Thanks everyone; including mamasez. Just to emphasize a little more for Piper about what mamasez on the control thing.....wow; I feel SO much more in control now than I ever did at 223 lbs......that was careening down a freeway at high speed with no seat belt.......it was scary, miserable, depressing and I couldn't figure out how to stop;.....now, life is a sweet walk (or run!) in the park......I am very much in control of my life now......

Hi Piper! Not sure why this post is underlining every letter I type, but can't seem to undo it, so let's live with it and go on to more important things.....First, I want you to know that your post could have been written by me!!! Same here, I had a low BMI, figured I should be able to do it on my own, yadayadayada.....and the fact is, for me anyway, I couldn't or I wouldn't or I didn't. At age 58, I made the decision and have never regretted one single second of it. Everyone has to do what is best for them, but if you re-read your post, you are concerned: that you will have to exercise 5 days a week (hmmm, if you want to lose it without the surgery, you will have to do the same thing; with the surgery, it's much easier because you can move a lot more.). that you will feel queasy.....yes you do at first, last a few months. Small price to pay and some people feel just fine. When you see your body changing so quickly, you don't even focus on that. that you can't eat normal portions? Well, if we were eating normal portions in the first place, we wouldn't be here.....how about eating what ever you want and not feeling guilty about it. Sure you eat much smaller portions, but I think because you are at a lower BMI, you probably won't have the head hunger that others might have because of binging or out of control emotional eating. that you can't drink wine? I have a glass or two each week with a nice dinner. It's divine. that you will become fatiqued? Having an extra 80 lbs will tire you out a lot more! Trust me. that you will become Vitamin deficient? You'll get your blood work done 2-3 times a year; at this point, mine is textbook perfect; no more high cholesterol, no more high blood pressure; those were before the surgery! that you were discouraged reading about a woman who was 5 days post op? Have you read all the thousands of posts from people who feel they have gotten a new lease on life, that they feel healthy and normal for the first time in their life? Everyone has to do what is best for them and only you can make that decision. But I had 83 lbs to lose and I am on the last 18 right now; so we are similar in that way. The thought of how I felt so deprived when I was heavy, feeling guilty about everything I ate, being the fattest person in the room, and starting to have health problems; makes me so grateful and thankful every day that there was this solution. It wasn't Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or Slim Fast or joining a gym. We have all felt like you do; we truly have. We have been where you are. It's down right depressing. The few inconveniences you go through with this surgery are nothing compared to the rewards. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that you are not alone in this; and that I personally feel you have a very exciting journey ahead. I do think it is probably the best solution for people like us, but only you can decide if this is the right time for you.

Good for you!!!! July is just around the corner.....if you have not taken a look at my blog, please do. It was because of someone else's blog that I decided to do this for myself. You might want to read www.queenofcrop.com/about first and then just go through each week when you can. Keep us posted on your progress.....it's an amazing journey! Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com

Feeling good and when I took a photo this week in the same outfit I wore at my highest weight, I looked closely and saw a 'hole' in the top of my legs......where they no longer touch!!! I never thought I would see the day.......I'm running a mile in 14 minutes; feeling good and still posting my story and photos on my Sunday blog. Like others, my BEFORE and AFTER photos are pretty drastic......I just posted the same outfit one on this week's blog. Thank you for all the support this forum has given me........so happy.

Even though you don't want to, I encourage you to put on your tightest outfit and take a full frontal photo now......I did and it was the worst-photo-ever-taken of me.....but now I'm glad I did! I found the same top I had on 70 lbs ago and put it on now and took another photo! It's really amazing to see how your body changes.....I didn't know I had a neck!!! You can see both the BEFORE (ugh) and AFTER on my weekly blog, along with my NSV for the week.......my legs don't touch at the top any more and I didn't know until I took the photo!!!! Just click on my link below to see.... This forum has been so inspirational to me and I hope it is to all of you Pre-op people too!

I HAVE A PUKA!!!! A puka means 'hole' in Hawaiian and (drum roll puleeasseee) I have a hole at the top of my legs meaning they no longer touch!!!! I posted a photo on my weekly blog (along with the worst-photo-ever-taken-of-me at my highest weight....) wearing the same outfit. Just click on the link to see...... Never thought I would see the day...... Thank you vertical sleeve peeps!!!

Wow, that must have felt good! I might be dreaming, but I think I'm getting a lot more smiles from guys than I use to.......it does feel nice.....congratulations!

many many mahalos for everyone who replied!!! (And you all got a better deal than me!!! $18,000 in Germany.....but I was in the hospital for 8 days AND I would do it again in a minute......). But for those who don't want to go to Tijuana alone; maybe I should hook you up with my friend and you can do it together....she probably won't be ready until the fall because she has to work all summer. let me know if you're interested.....it helps to have a support system. She's been reading my weekly blog and she is so stoked to do this....we went to High School together and have always fought our weight. She doesn't know about the blog yet, but will get on it when she gets back home from her time here in Hawaii. For those of you who are not yet sleeved, your time will come and it will all be worth the wait!

I was sleeved in Germany 6 months ago and I have a friend who has watched me become happier, healthier and slimmer.....she is self-pay so she will have to go it on her own......could have it done in Alaska, Mexico, or Hawaii......can she have this done for $10K or less? Also, any doctor recommendations?

Sorry to be so lame......have been on this forum for 6 months.....but what is a bougie and what does the number mean? Is that the size of your sleeve?

Aloha Lauranbob: Thanks for the reply and the compliment on my blog! That means a lot to me. I update every Sunday so stay tuned! Queen of Crop