MichiganChic

I didn't change careers, but I did get a much better job in my field. I now work in a place where I am treated with respect, and they appreciate me. At my old job, they took me for granted, and thought nothing of treating me poorly compared to peers. And I am not paranoid - others saw it, too. Of course I'll never be able to prove it was weight related, but I think it was. Interestingly, I made up my mind that I needed out of that job, and even though my resume was and is stellar, I figured it would be hard to get a potential employer to see past my weight. I also figured that even if they did, they wouldn't pay me what I was worth. So, I had the surgery, let the old employer pay for it and all my recovery time, started giving no more than 8 hours a day, and focused on me. I lost the weight and gained a lot of confidence. When a headhunter contacted me, I was in a much better physical and mental place where I felt I could go after a bigger/better/great job and negotiate a fitting salary. I've been there about 6 months now, have lost another 40 pounds since I started, and love the job! I feel like the sleeve gave me that.

Congratulations on returning to obsessing, lol. You know what they say - misery loves company Just kidding, it's not miserable, and I'd trade this life for the old one every day. My obsessing is paying off. I'm back down to around 800 calories most days, and the weight is coming off again. I have gotten most carbs out of my diet too, but only because when you eat that few calories, the only way to do it is to avoid carbs. I do feel better. I don't get that weak feeling that you describe either. I used to get that SO bad before surgery! I'm still shocked that I don't have it on 800 calories. I don't plan cheat days, but I do allow myself a little latitude on special occasions. However, for the most part, I still track even when I do that. I need to know how much damage I'm doing

My husband went through all of it with me. He went to the seminar, then was there for the surgery, and took care of me when I got home. Took me to post op appointments, and and support groups. My parents were also present for surgery, and my older teenage/young adult kids were there that evening. My daughter stayed with me through the first night, though, and I really needed her. I am very blessed to have such a great support system!

I didn't have lymphedema, but I did have swelling. I took a mild diuretic, was off of it for a while, but as soon as my calories got up around 800, the swelling returned. I went back to the diuretic, no problems. I am thinking I might be able to get off of it again as I lose more weight, and you might, too. Even if you can't, you can take diuretics.

Kathy, Happy, Happy Birthday! What a wonderful way to Celebrate yourself - to consider where you are and where you were, and how thrilled you are with your life. You are such an inspiration to all of us, showing and reminding us of what it takes to meet the level of success you have! I'm thrilled for you that you are so young, and I know it's true. Blaze that trail, girl!! Have a great day

Georgia, Good thought about the consideration around body fat versus thin and low BMI. I think it speaks to a more realistic approach to health. The BMI is probably a fair assessment in general, but doesn't tell the whole story. It was developed long before the modern technology we have available to us today. I know that much of medical science (and insurances) use the BMI, but if we are trying to get to true health, maybe other considerations are more valuable to us.

I find mine is also pretty evenly spread over fat, protein, and carbs. I avoid fat and sugar, don't eat bread, rice, pasta. So I keep thinking I need to take a closer look, too. On many days, I just feel successful keeping my calories low, regardless of what they consisted of since I'm eating pretty clean for the most part.

You both look awesome! And I am in the SAME boat with that BMI. I have about another 30 pounds or so to get to a normal BMI. I'd like to for the sake of seeing that number, but I'm not sure if it's realistic or even a good idea. I don't want to look like what I call a weight loss victim - gaunt and saggy and old. I know not everyone has to worry about this, but I think I might. I keep trying to get a few more pounds off, but it's getting harder and harder and slower and slower. Been thinking about giving this 5:2 a whirl.

I weigh once daily first thing in the morning and log it into a spreadsheet. I only actually "count" a once a week weight on Fridays. I also don't let it get to me if the daily weight isn't what I want it to be, I'm really watching more week to week and month to month. For me, it's a daily reminder of my goals and sets me up for success to reach them by keeping it first and foremost in my mind.

It's unique to each of us. For some it doesn't slow and they just coast to goal, and for others, the closer they get to goal, the more it slows. There is no one answer on this one. Depends on our bodies combined with an entire host of external factors such as calorie intake, physical activity, stress level, and probably a lot of other things that science has yet to discover. One thing for sure though, the more you follow your plan the more likely you are to succeed.

This is totally normal. You just had major surgery, and it takes a toll on your body. Another thing that can't be overlooked is the severe reduction in calories you are consuming. It's not enough to support your weight, and even though you probably don't have all the symptoms from hunger you used to have, it still impact your overall sense of energy. I can remember being exhausted from showering, to the point that I had to lay down afterward. It gradually got better over the course of a few weeks to months. The first couple of weeks were the hardest, and after that I just didn't feel very energetic. I gradually felt a little better every day, and by 2 months felt fairly good, and very good by three months. I heard and read so much about people having so much energy soon after surgery I also thought something was wrong with me, but I suspect people who feel bad just don't come here to post it. As long as you are getting in enough liquids to keep from dehydrating and meeting your calorie/protein guidelines from your doc, this is normal.

Funny (not really) but I did the same thing. I was more worried about it after I had the sleeve done than before. I worried for the first 6 weeks, then I let go of it. My doc said that first 2 weeks are the most critical, and by 6 weeks things are pretty much healed. And while you can believe what I'm saying, you can't believe everything you read on the internet

The difference of a couple of millimeters you might see from technique, or even bougie size, is pretty much not going to impact weight loss. I think there are many other factors to consider. If one physician has better weight loss outcomes and is using the same size, I think it probably has more to do with how they manage their patients in general. Consider the support groups, what type of support you get from the nurse/dietitian/physician and others in the office, and what the preparation and follow up consists of. We know that no two physicians practice the same, and while there are general rules and best practices patients should follow, each patient is unique, too. I also wonder where you got your statistics from, and how they are gathered. Having said that, if I had my choice of two top physicians, I would choose the one with the best outcomes, though I would look at post op complications first, then long term weight loss. Congrats on moving forward!

Oh, and that is me on the left

I know what you mean. It would be great if our bodies would allow us a little wiggle room, but that's not the case for me, and it sounds like it's the same for you. Just a little bit over, and the scale is going the wrong way. I also do need to obsess. I have to put a lot of energy into this to be successful. It's never going away. I think we can still feel normal, though. This is our new normal. At least now we get to BE successful, whereas before, no amount of obsessing was enough. The tool of the sleeve is something that finally tipped the scales in our favor to be able to succeed. My new normal is to be diligent with what I'm eating, try to eat cleanly as possible, indulge once in a while for a special even (but within moderation) and perhaps the biggest thing of all, don't allow that indulgence to start a chain of events that I can't recover from. I'm learning to accept this and set aside wishing for something that will never be, i.e, wishing for a body that only want enough food for health, and a brain that goes along with that idea, and weight that stays stable regardless of a few indiscretions. I have the polar opposite of all that, so I'm grateful that the obsessing and the sleeve allow me live a normal life now. It's way better than where I came from. Just know you are NOT alone

So true, Undercover. It is a mindset, and we must never let our guard down. It's a lifestyle change we have to make, and it has to be permanent. However, I'm wondering if new habits can ever really overcome a lifetime of old habits, when coupled with the abundance of food and all the other things working against someone trying to limit their intake. I do KNOW we can do this, I'm just saying for me, it will not be that I learned a new habit that takes precedence over an old one. For me, it will be hyper-vigilance to never forget where I came from, how hard I fought to get here, and how much harder I'm going to have to fight to keep it. Over the holidays I ate a few meals (not days) that were typical holiday food, in quantities higher than my typical but no where near what I used to eat or what others can eat, and I gained 6 pounds! And it wasn't water - it was fat. I've just about got it all back off, but it's taken 3 weeks. That was an eye opening, terrifying realization - one that I hope I don't forget soon!

And to us..That was normal........Isn't amazing how little our bodies really need to live on...that brings up the old saying...I eat to live not live to eat..right..... Oh yeah - it is totally amazing how little we really need. I am totally surprised, which is kind of funny, since I'm an RN, and an expert dieter. I would go to WW and follow their plan to a T for months (even forgoing cake during cake season) and not lose very much. It would be such a struggle and for what - I couldn't even make a dent in what I needed to lose. So now I know that I need no more than 900 daily calories to lose. I could have never done that with a whole stomach!

You should be proud of yourself, great job! How much did you lose?

Great question, and I'd also love to hear how much others can eat. I think I can eat too much (not that I do very often)- like easily as much as 4-6 oz dense protein, or 8 oz of other things like vegetables/salad. I also avoid bread, rice, pasta, don't drink pop, don't drink with meals, and get in about 75 gm protein a day. I think more in terms of volume, and I know I can easily hold a cup of food, maybe more depending on what it is. I wish it wasn't so, and I've been careful not to over eat, but it's just the way my sleeve is. I wish I had more restriction than I do, because I could easily eat enough to gain. Even so, I'm thrilled with my results so far, and I would do it again. Even though I can eat more than many, it's still much less than before, and pretty much like the normal population of people. The weight is not coming off like it did - no matter what I do. I agree that it's partly due to what we eat, but I think there is more to it than that. It's also got to do with age, activity level, genetics, and probably other things we don't even know about. Having said that, I think we can all get the weight off - it's just harder for some than others.

Sounds like you have a place (in her mind) and you are getting out of place. I am surprised that she would actually call you an amazon. ..that's just not very nice. I dont think most people mean ill will when they tell us to stop losing, so I just let that roll. Maybe she is just tactless?

Your description of meals before surgery sure sounds like mine. I loved to bake and did almost every day. And none of it went to waste, either. I would bake a zillion Christmas Cookies, so after Christmas was over I'd be sick of cookies. I would then begin what I called "cake season"! That's because I baked one several times a week until spring. That's just so terribly absurd. I don't miss that life at all. I almost never bake now, and I dont cook like I used to either. And when I do, everyone is now on the bariatric plan with me, lol!

Oh, I understand that glorious feeling so well! Congratulations on reaching an important milestone in your journey. Relish in your success

Wonderful success story, and you look wonderful, too. I think your attitude is what got you there so quickly - great job!

Great job, you look wonderful! Keep it up!

Congrats on that new robe. I also have my 3x robe....and a new one.....but need to get rid of that big one. Yesterday I cleaned out 3 bags of intermediate weight loss clothes. It's my third time doing it, and I really don't think about most of it. Funny though, I hung onto a few of my old huge sweat suits. I never wore them out of the house, just lounged in them. They are huge, worn, and ugly....yet I love them, lol! I have to hold the pants up or they fall off. That's just a sickness that I kept them, haha! In fact, I'm going right now to get rid of them