MichiganChic

I was born chubby and was overweight most of my life, other than a few times as a teen ager or young adult, when I fad dieted, medical weight loss dieted, starvation dieted myself to a lower weight. The majority of my life has been spent as a morbidly obese woman, and I do have a family history of morbid obesity. I have several cousins who had WLS - successfully. I lost about 160 pounds from my highest weight, and 140 with the sleeve. To be honest, before I had the sleeve, even after I decided to do it, I was skeptical about my ability to succeed. I am a person who has accomplished a lot and can generally do anything I put my mind to, except for losing and maintaining weight loss. I figured there was something physically wrong with me because I knew what to do and how to do it, and actually did it the right things but was still fat. I now realize that was because I was too hungry to be able to get my calories low enough, for long enough to lose the needed weight. Having the sleeve truly changed my life and gave me power over my obesity. My advice is to use the honeymoon period - I didn't used to believe in that, but I do now. Learn new habits early on, and change your approach to eating, and be meticulous and as careful as you can. You'll thank yourself for it later. Make it all about you. You deserve to be thin, happy, successful at this, and the only way that happens is to make yourself a priority. Also, be patient. The weight isn't going to fly off, most likely. It's hard work, and it takes full effort all day, every day, forever. It took me 14 months to lose over 140 pounds. About 30 came off the first month, but after that, there were some months that I only lost 4 or 6 pounds. These are all important things to know, because after the first couple of years, you won't have as much restriction, hunger returns (never as bad as before surgery for me) and it takes a lot more effort. But once you know how to do it, and you are thin, it's not nearly as daunting as without a sleeve. So, to answer your question, yes, others have done this and you can, too! It's up to you how use this gift. If I can do it, anyone can, even you

I'm not looking to revise, but responding because we were sleeved around the same time. I also have very little restriction these days, though I still do have it. Some days it's better than others. I think that's normal, for the most part. I think by three years out it's pretty common to be able to eat pretty normal (not "normal" overeating, like most of used to do). Anyway, I sometimes wish I could get a "touch up" or something, because even though I am maintaining at what is a good weight for me, I'd like to lose 5-10 pounds more. Also, now my weight management is about 70% me and 30% sleeve. I could easily eat my way right back to 300 pounds if I let myself. I asked my surgeon about a re-do or if I was possibly stretched, and he said that it's common to be able to eat as much as I can now, and that sometime people develop areas of stretching or ballooning in the stomach, but there is no evidence to prove that having that causes weight gain, or that removing it causes weight loss. In other words, it's up to us. For me, the surgery isn't worth the risk. Have you reviewed your diet? How much are you eating? Are you weighing, measuring, and tracking your food? Are you increasing your activity? Are you taking anything for the reflux? (I also get it sometimes, but only if I eat too much, just like pre-op). Only you and your doc can decide if you need a second surgery, but my point is you still do have a sleeve, and probably it can still help you. Mine still helps me, but I have to do the work.

167.4

I just had that done, too. It was like little short stabbing pain, and it was a little pink the first day, but other than the actual treatment, it didn't hurt. I have to have 6 treatments, 6 weeks apart. The first time I went they used a new machine, and it hurt worse than the second time, when they used an older machine.

My doc said RNY loses about 10% more statistically, but any of us can lose more. I had the sleeve and have lost about 95% of my excess weight, which surpasses statistics for all WLS. I'm not sure what you mean about mentally intensive, but my guess is no, it's all hard work, so one isn't harder than the other. I had the sleeve because I wanted to be able to take NSAIDs, didn't want intestines to be re-routed, or risk of dumping. If I had the chance to do it over, I'd do it all again. I lost >140 pounds and kept it off over a year.

I spend less on groceries and eat better. I've learned to buy less so I throw out less. I spend way less time thinking about, collecting, preparing, and eating food. It's way better.

I think timing is everything. I do think life partners have a need to know the kind of stuff you are keeping private. He's not in that category yet, and you are not obligated to disclose. I understand the need to put your past behind you and wanting live in the present. I would, too. But I also think that if you do become more serious, these are things you should disclose. By then his opinion of you will be formed, and it's just for informational purposes. I would be pretty upset if I married someone who withheld that type of information. In the meantime, try to enjoy this time. Don't stress about it, knowing you will tell him when the time is right.

No regrets, and I'd do it again if I needed to. I hated being fat more than I knew, and it was always on my mind because it impacted so much of my life. I was always either on a diet or thinking I should be on one, and feeling guilty I wasn't. Even when I was on a diet, I couldn't get my calorie intake low enough, long enough, for it to be effective. Yet, with all that worry, mind numbing thinking, and true physical effort, I stayed fat and felt powerless against it. The sleeve changed my life. I still have to think about what I eat, but at least I'm not starved all the time and I have succeeded in losing over 140 pounds. I've kept it off more than a year, and every day, it is worth the sacrifices I've made to get here.

Glad to hear that things have turned around for you. I'm doing well. Everything is healed. I still have some mild, residual swelling in my left foot, and it's marginally better than it was. I still hate it, but I'm adjusting to having it, and honestly, it's not noticeable to others. I am still planning some lipo in my hips and right leg, though I am not sure of when it is. I was going to do it early July, but didn't nail down the date so I'm waiting to hear back from the office. I think I'm sort of teetering on putting it off a while. I have really put my body through the ringer, and that would be a third surgery in under a year. How does your belly look?

I also think it depends on the person, but most literature would support that it's mostly diet. I think for me, exercise accounts for about 5-10%. I exercised the first year, and then quit. Now I don't exercise regularly, and I'm maintaining. I was also told that people who exercise lost 10% more of excess weight, and that's about what I haven't lost. I keep thinking that the last few pounds might come off if I did. I do think that moderate exercise can help with eating, though. The OP called it an appetite suppressant, but what I find is that it decreases my stress level and therefore I'm less inclined to graze as a response to stress. Plus, the time I spend exercising keeps my mind off food and my body away from it. No matter what, it's a good idea!!

How far post op are you? I'm 2 and half years post op, and I can tell you, it is mentally draining some days. I didn't feel that way so much the first year. I couldn't imagine how anyone would ever feel that way after WLS, and was sure I had seen the light. I never expected to feel hunger, or think I'd have the desire to eat too much for any reason. I felt cured. I was naïve. Just because it is work and draining doesn't mean you need therapy, lol. While I agree there are many reasons people should seek therapy, it is not the cure for everything. It may not be an issue that requires intervention. Sometimes it's just that people are tired.

@@BethinPA well, what the word? All healed?

@@mistysj I sure hope this fixes things for you. I remember I had diarrhea for the first 5-6 weeks after surgery, and I was panicked it would be that way for the rest of my life. It felt like it lasted forever, and it wasn't pleasant. No one ever said it was a possibility, and I was shocked by it. I hope it can be over for you, too!

@@mistysj glad you are doing well. How is the reflux?

169.2

LOL,No Susan. It's @Stephh who does this now.

I totally understand about needing a mental break from the effort it takes to stay on track. I also try not make my life about food, but I find it exhausting to stick to my "new" way of living. Old habits die hard, and I'm used to eating what I want, when I want, and in any quantity I want. I can't imagine ever not fighting that battle. Having to fight my natural tendency wears me out some days, and other times, not so much. That's why they say it's hard work. Once in a while, I take a little break - for a day or two. But I still track everything I put in my mouth and stay on the scale. The break I'm giving myself is to allow a little grazing, and eat whatever I want, and just know that it's temporary. Then I don't like the way I feel physically, and am happy to go back to the restricted, careful eating plan that is now my life. I guess this my new way - always track, mostly make good choices, and allow myself some flexibility when I need it. So I understand what you mean and what you are suggesting, but it is a slippery slope. I worry about two weeks - I'd be off the rails if I did that. What about a meal or day or special event?

You didn't provide much information, but I would say take a look at your diet. Go back basics, and weigh, measure and track your intake. Evaluate your exercise program. What are your stats? Starting weight, current weight, height, etc.

I did that! Well, I didn't move, but I did change jobs about 9 months post op. I was about 50 pounds heavier than I am now, but the last 50 came off slowly and those people never knew me as morbidly obese. I do just blend in and I love it! It's just normal.

You need an application. I used Instacollage on my phone.

Just because I choose to keep my private medical information private, that does not make me a liar. It's your medical history. If you had herpes, HIV, colon cancer, or any other medical condition, would you feel obligated to disclose it?

I have a love-hate affair with my scale. I am a daily weigher. I just am, and I feel it contributes to my success. Other people can do without it, and it's a personal choice. I just wanted to say that I feel your pain, and it's normal. Soon this will be a distant memory. To this day, I will still flip off and curse at the inanimate object, lol. So, yell at the thing, move on, and keep doing what you know you need to do.

Congratulations! My advice is get the drugs, lol! My doc gave me an abdominal binder, and that was all I needed for compression. Your doc will prescribe what they want you to have. You'll likely have drains, so wearing a dress or robe is easier than trying to deal with pants. Be prepared for swelling, maybe for months! Don't worry if you gain weight at first, and look thicker. I was prepared for pain but it hurt worse than I anticipated. Maybe it was just me. I felt better once the drains were out, but I was in pain with movement for two weeks, and sore for months. Having said that, it was totally worth it! Good luck!

I used a very reputable American surgeon, and I had abdominoplasty and butt lift with auto fat flap, and brachioplasty in one surgery. They flipped me part way through. It was six hours, which was the longest time she is willing to do surgery (due to anesthesia risks). I had general anesthesia, and I'm certain I needed it. My second procedure was breast lift/augmentation and thigh lift, and it lasted 6 hours, but I had a lighter anesthesia. So, while I didn't go to Mexico, my experience does describe what I think is typical with American physicians, as a point of reference.

I hated the short/cap sleeves on t-shirts. Ugh. I hated short shorts. The bust on most shirts was too big. Always had to buy bigger to get things to fit arms. Always had to buy bigger to fit thighs. The one pair of jeans that fit well wore out quickly due to the chub rub. So glad those days are behind me. When I read all of these things it reminds me how glad I am to be in a size 8/10 from a 24W. Now my worst problem is fitting my new boobs into my size medium shirt Trust me, it gets better.