Queen of Crop

Thanks everyone for the wonderful responses.......a reminder that I am still healing and still losing and not done yet! Probably never will be and that's OK. I must say all of the people who responded are looking mighty fine these days!!!!! WAHOOO!!!!!

Not that this is a deal breaker; I can live without rice or Pasta, but they are two of only foods I miss. I am 6 months out, and tried a few bites of rice the other day, and my stomach was so upset the rest of the day. Just wondering if these are out of my life forever?? Hope everyone had a good Easter weekend; I posted my Sunday update yesterday; hard to believe I am at Week 26 of 52 already! All is good, but the rice......

Mahalo for all the nice posts! At Cattracks......have a great time on Maui....and at the rate you are going; you're bound to be at goal by then.....so go snorkel and have a ball! My favorite restaurant there is Sansei....give it try. And if you need some advice on where to stay, let me know! Aloha!

Just click on my link: queenofcrop.com You might want to start with ABOUT ME then go back to October and read each week so you have it chronilogically. If you want an automatic update, just click register and you will get an email each week I post a new post. Thanks for looking!

Since it is now night time in the Czech Republic; you are now officially sleeved!!!! Welcome to the club and just know the next few weeks will be a bit of a blur and you will feel really weird; then you will feel lighter; then you will feel confused, and it will all be baby steps at first, then you will be soaring with the rest of us!!!!!

Congratulations on starting the process!!!! We are very similar....I just turned 58 a few days before my surgery last October with a BMI of 46.5, 223 lbs and 5'3" I might humbly suggest you look at my weekly blog (I am on Week 26) so you can have an idea of the exciting ride you are about to embark on! Start with the ABOUT ME page and then when you have a chance, go to October and then you can see the progress.....I suspect you will have very similar results....and welcome!!!!

I can't even remember ever having my photo taken in a bathing suit....but we just went to Kapoho with our hanai daughter and I said "Why not?" Not a bikini like she has, but still....... I've posted it and some other photos and interesting info on my Sunday blog..... Hope everyone out there is having a great weekend!

Just not sure if I should be proud of myself for losing so much, or horrified that I had gained so much.....my brain doesn't know which way to go......I posted my before and after stats (weight, body fat and inches lost) on my weekly blog and it is interesting to figure out how to feel......interested in knowing how others feel. I also have some nice photos of Kapoho on the Big Island; a snorkelers paradise....

Good morning Dyezee..... So happy to hear you are feeling a little better.....as you're finding out, every day, you will learn a little more about how this new lifestyle works.....and at least for me (and I think many others out there) the rewards FAR outweigh the inconveniences and the first few months of getting your 'sea legs' when you find out what works and what doesn't. At 5 months I feel completely normal, but still learning every day. The sipping will last for another month or so and then one day, you'll just drink normally again..... Please keep us updated and be sure to check back here for any questions.....this forum is a wealth of information and everyone is here to help! I'll be updating my blog a little later today too..... Appreciate you writing back......was happy to hear from you.

HUGE CONGRATS!!!! I SO get this.......for everyone out there.....be wise when buying clothes; you don't realize how fast you change sizes......I have bought some things that I have only worn once and then *poof!* too big! And it's so nice to know you won't be gaining it back so no reason to keep them "just in case." Well done Lissa!

At 5 months post - op it's clear to me that I simply cannot get all the Protein in that I need. I've seen some protein tablets advertised but I haven't heard any one talk about them here. Has anyone had their NUT recommend them, or taken them, or is there some reason we shouldn't? Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi again....I realized I never answered your question about my travels.....no, my job doesn't provide for that; I am lucky that my husband and I retired last year so we took a year off to travel and figure out where we wanted to live.....that choice is Amsterdam! So we are now back in Hawaii packing up for the big move! My story is on my ABOUT page on my blog if you're interested. Sorry I didn't see your PS until just now.

Running a mile is HUGE!!! I'm trying to work up to 5 minutes on the treadmill and can't quite seem to get there yet.....I can only imagine the huge smile on your face when you hit that.....reminds me that we are all so much more eager to be healthy once we have lost some weight; unlike before when (at least for me) I felt it was hopeless when I starved myself, tried to exercise and lost a quarter of pound a week! Keep up the good work!

Just joined this group......actually I was sleeved Oct 25, 2011 but I didn't see an Oct group....so here I am! I was sleeved in Frankfurt Germany and am 58 years old. I have written a blog every Sunday to outline my journey (sort of a travel / weight loss blog!). Since we were all sleeved about the same time, I would love to see if your experience has been similar to mine. If you have a chance, take a look. Hope you are all doing as well as I am! Down 66 lbs and less than 20 lbs to goal! Love my sleeve!

Do the math; your body cannot hold on to the weight for long.....you are taking in far less calories than you were pre-surgery, but your body has gone through a lot and there is retention, swelling, and your insides are screaming....WTH????? But it WILL come off and STAY off. Be patient, and in the meantime, 6 lbs in 12 days is fantastic. I'll bet your next post will be an exciting one.....and BTW, at 5 months post op I am 20 lbs from goal and losing 1 lb a week and am THRILLED with that rate of loss. It could be 1/2 a lb a week at this point and I would be happy.....it took me 57 years to get to the point where I was 223 lbs, and now I can live a normal, wonderful, healthy life without feeling deprived, but yet the weight comes off. By the time I reach goal, at this rate, it will have been a year since I was sleeved; and wow, what a GREAT year!!!! Stay positive and you'll continue on a fabulous new adventure......just think, if you hadn't had surgery you might have GAINED another 6 lbs!!!

An amazing feeling, isn't it???? And there is more to come!!!! Everyday, life is just full of new surprises around every corner......congratulations and welcome to the Onderland Party!!!!

Hi Dyezee......so sorry you're having a rough start out of the gate. This part is no fun for anyone and when I look back on my first 4-8 weeks it seems like a weird blur of a time. I felt weak and old and frail and fragile and all I wanted to do was sleep. But it is true, that for the most part, each day gets better and easier.... As for the weight; it's a simple math problem with a simple solution. The weight will start to come off and like nothing you have ever experienced. You are body is going through a post op trauma but it will correct itself and if you follow the instructions of your doctor; you will start to see results and you will be posting good progress just like the rest of us! Just hang in there and keep us up to date on how you're doing. Good for you for going through this! We're proud of you and here to support you. Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER; UPDATED EVERY SUNDAY

Good morning! Thanks for the responses....regarding the hair regrowth: I think it's different for everyone. They say between 4-6 months is when you will start seeing the hair loss and sure enough, right at 4 months 2 weeks is when it started happening for me. Luckily so far it's just thinning; no clumps or bald spots (but stay tuned). Keep watching my blog (or register for automatic updates if you haven't already) and I'll keep you updated on if I am at the bottom now and seeing new growth or if I continue to lose. According to what I have read; you will lose for a couple of months then around month 7 it will start to come back. Biotin is one of the supplements recommended (and it's a teeny pill so very easy to take after surgery; in fact mine is one you put under your tongue so it dissolves). But you should start taking that soon. Good luck to both of you and thanks for reading my blog! Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER; UPDATED EACH SUNDAY

Good morning! Regarding the Biotin: maybe it has helped keep my hair from falling out more; it's hard to say. I didn't have a problem with my hair until the last couple of weeks so maybe it kept it from starting earlier. I'm hoping it won't get worse now that I'm off the Ursodial (which said one of the side effects is hair loss). I'm still taking it and will continue for a long time, along with the Luminous that my ND is getting for me. Regarding the Glucosimine: I just started taking it this past month. You're right, the pills are huge and I could never have gotten them down the first 2-3 months. I think you will have to crush them or cut them (which never seemed to work for me). I do really feel it has helped my joints. Thank you both for the nice compliments and for reading my weekly blog! Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER; UPDATED EACH SUNDAY

I am 5 months out (exactly today!) and am happier, healthier, look better, and off all medications. But I am losing my hair (and you most likely will too so you need to know this). I have posted this and other info on my weekly update, take a look if you want to know what to expect (or at least I have updated my journey....everyone is different....my is a kind of travel/weight loss blog! Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER; UPDATED EVERY SUNDAY

66 lbs lighter, no more prescription medications, healthier, happier, clothes fit! But I am dealing with hair loss...... Have posted these things and more on my Sunday update. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!' Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER; UPDATED EVERY SUNDAY

but exactly 5 months ago today I left 85% of my stomach in Frankfurt, Germany. Now here I am in Hilo, Hawaii, half way around the world and I don't want it back!!! For the most part, at 5 months post-op, I feel great! Just posted my Sunday update to give you an idea of what things look like (for me anyway) at 5 months post op. A few 'hair challenges; but other than that, all is good. Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER; UPDATED EVERY SUNDAY

@ Kwikwits.....great upbeat post!!!! Loved reading it. We are similar....I am 58, down 65 lbs from since Oct 25. I am so grateful every day for this chance at a normal life with food at almost 60. Like you, I know it has added not just years to my life, but quality years.....am about to move to Amstserdam; city of bikes and stairs....so good thing I'm in shape now for that! But I will be in Hawaii until late summer, and happy to be wearing sleeveless tops and shorts again! I know your post is an inspiration to many.... Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER; UPDATED EVERY SUNDAY

I am 5 months post op and my hair has been OK up until the last week or so; and now it's so thin I am really scared to comb or wash it. I know there must be lots of people out there who have been through this and have advice....please let me know! I have been taking Biotin every day for 4 months, but is there anything, something, that I can do to stop this before it gets worse? Also, I am 58 so I'm nervous about whether it will grow back. Love the forum; it's been a life saver for me. Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER; UPDATED EVERY SUNDAY

Welcome!!!!! I am almost 5 months post-op and the time has just flown by.....so much fun to get up each morning now.....it's a wonderful adventure and every day I am thankful I bought this ticket to a new life! Hope the VS is what they suggest for you; I'm convinced it's the best tool out there. You may want to follow my blog to see what to expect. Good luck and keep us posted! Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER, UPDATED EACH SUNDAY