kidrn72

Today is my one year surgiversary! I always enjoy reading updates from people who are farther down the road than I am' date=' so I decided to post an update for anyone who’s interested in how life is a year out and wonders what they can look forward to. Here are some thoughts…

Mental state: I think that, over the course of the year, my mind changed as much as my body. I’m pleased to say I feel “normal” now and think in a way that matches a closer-to-normal-size body. Even though I still have 27 pounds to go to be out of the “obese” category, I have become much more at peace mentally these days. My thoughts don’t dwell on food. There is no sense of struggle/fight with myself/sense of defeat going on in my head these days. I feel free to eat what I like but choose to stick to what I know is going to keep my healthy and help me get to my goal. My outlook on life is SO much more positive. The biggest change mentally is that I feel more in control of my life than I have in a very long time. This weight loss journey, the decision to undergo the surgery, and the commitment I’ve made to being successful has empowered me. I see many positive changes in other places in my life because of these mental changes.

Physical state: My weight loss is as follows:

Pre-op - 31

Month 1 - 19

Month 2 - 13

Month 3 - 10

Month 4 - 5

Month 5 - 7

Month 6 - 9

Month 7 - 6

Month 8 - 7

Month 9 - 7

Month 10 - 0

Month 11 - 8

Month 12 - 4

TOTAL – 126

In the four months prior to surgery, I lost 31 pounds, joined a gym, and started working out regularly. I was back at the gym as soon as possible after healing and have been very good about going 4-5 times a week. The weight loss was much faster at the start but has been fairly steady. Things have slowed way down lately, but I know I’ll keep going till I hit my goal (about 45-50 more pounds). The changes in my body are exciting and rewarding. I feel strong, coordinated and capable. I can run, jump, climb, pull, push (you name it!) without that awful shortness of breath. I have muscles and I can feel some of my bones! I have a jaw line, collarbones, elbows, knees! I can cross my legs! Cardio workouts were very effectively for the first 8-9 months but then I stalled in a major way. I met with a sports nutritionist who suggested I up weight training to have a higher muscle mass and introduce more carbs into my diet. This has seemed to work after my frustrating month 10 stall. Unfortunately, I have a lot of loose skin that is floppy and droopy, but at least I feel firm and strong underneath the loose skin. When I’m at my goal and stabilized, I’m going to pursue work on my tummy to get rid of the worst of it. I wish I could afford to do my arms, breasts, and neck…but I’ll just have to live with it (better to look a little droopy and deflated than swollen and ready to pop!). A year ago I was wearing 28 bottoms and 4x/5x tops. Now I'm wearing 18 bottoms and L/XL tops.

Food: I stick to what works for me and have a fairly small repertoire of what I eat. My staples are eggs, Protein bars, tuna, lean meats, fish, low fat cheeses, yogurt, Beans, Peanut Butter, nuts. I love a skinny latte as a treat and do eat carbs in moderation (carby veggies, a piece of bread now and then, maybe some mashed potatoes). I’m good about drinking Water (at least 48 oz. a day, usually more). Things I absolutely stay away from are anything carbonated (those bubbles feel awful!), rice and Pasta, anything fried (acidy and refluxy), anything too fatty. I know now what is going to work and what is going to make me feel bad. I LOVE the restriction I still feel (though I can eat much more now than I could at first) and am confident that I will keep the weight off because of my secret weapon (no room to overeat!). I indulge in a treat when I want (a bite of sweets, skinny cow ice cream products) but keep it small and remember that I need to commit to burning off any extra calories I choose to enjoy. I have found that changing my diet affects my weight loss. Upping carbs/calories and then cutting way back to only Protein and lower calories seems to jolt my body into weight loss if I’ve stalled. supplements I take every day: multi Vitamin, B complex, D, Iron, Biotin, and Calcium. I never was able to stomach protein shakes (blah!) and managed to do OK without them.

ADVICE TO NEWBIES:

Be ready! This surgery takes mental strength and preparation. These changes are big and permanent. Know that you are committed to this journey before you even begin and know what you’re getting into; it helps smooth out the kinks along the way if you are mentally prepared.

Take advantage of the first 3-6 months! The weight loss seems magical at first, but slows down over time. Loose as much as you can while the losing is relatively easy. Realize that stalls are normal and your body resets/adjusts along the way.

Integrate physical activity into your weight loss from the very start. The positive way I feel about my body now is not just about weight loss but about the strength and toning I’ve accomplished.

Mix things up. Experiment with what you eat and how it affects your weight loss. Change your work out and keep your body guessing and responding to what you ask it to do.

Enjoy those wonderful moments when you feel proud and happy about yourself (compliments from friends and family, finding out that yet another pair of pants are too big, being able to fit in the booth/fasten the airplane seatbelt...). Use those wow moments to get you through the harder times when you feel yourself struggling.

Use your support system. Read message boards, attend support group meetings, write in a journal, find a weight loss friend.

I am so grateful for my wonderful surgeon (Dr. Neff in South Jersey) and his staff and for all the support I’ve received from my family and friends. I am excited and positive about the future! I've attached a "before" photo and a recent one of me in the same pair of pants. [/quote']

Thanks for sharing your success!! Congrats! You look fabulous:) I am only 1 week post op do reading your story was inspirational.

I'm check-in!! Lil nervous. >_<

Congrats!! Good luck:)

Today is my big day! On my way to the hospital and surgery is scheduled for 10!!

Good luck today:) congrats!!!

That my husband and my daughter. This year for Christmas and last year . And the other photo is of my sister and my self. This year and last year . So before and afters:-)

Wow!!! You fabulous!!! Congrats!!!

Here are before and after pics of me and Deb. She had RNY surgery in Nov. of 2011. I was sleeved Jan. 2012. We have both passed our goal weights.

Before:

After:

WOW!!! You both look awesome!!! Congrats!!

The leak test was the worst part for me. I was so nauseous' date=' and choking down that contrast study felt like torture.[/quote']

Congrats!! Glad things are going well! My surgeon does a leak test before closing up after the procedure do have not had to go though that.

Hi guys im tire but doing much better started liquids and so far so good. The leak test was not my favorite the liquid they gave me was horrible but got through it. Sleepy but the Hospital bed is not made for this Queen jijiji hope you guys are well

So glad things went well:) it gets better every day:)

Hey everyone' date=' I am so much better this afternoon. I made it through the leak test this morning. I had a headache and was giving liquid loratab, I took a nap the the headache is gone! I got to shower today and have been walking. Seem to be tolorating cool not cold liquids, and some tipid not really warm broth. Dr. said surgery went smooth and the nurse says I'm a rockstar, that I am doing great![/quote']

I'm glad your doing better:) congrats!! Just know that each day gets better and better:)

Sleeved on 1/16 and already down ~10 lbs. Like everyone else I am ready to eat something besides Protein Drinks and broth but I am a little afraid of how food will feel sitting in my new stomach- I hope I still enjoy eating. Also' date=' has anybody had intense hunger pains? I get so hungry and my hunger pains can get painful[/quote']

Yes I was sleeved on 1/23 and get hunger pains like crazy! I am getting 43g of Protein, all my liquids and my aloted soft foods ( 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt and 2 Tablespoons of strained cream soup). But I will still feel hungry. Hoping that goes away soon.

Well the 3 things that I have changed in my life style is.... No fast food. Wendy's and ect.. More movement walk' date=' dancing PLAYING.. I hate the word exercise...lol and NO late night snacking. Once you have this down it works. I also try not to eat after 6pm.. The hardest part was reprogramming my BRAIN. And from time to time I do have slip ups. Hope this helps :-)[/quote']

Thanks for sharing:) You have so much to be proud of because surgery is just a tool and we still have to do the hard work! This is not an easy journey!

In the hospital 1st day was horrible but feeling better today

Congrats!! It gets better every day I promise:)

I was sleeved on 1/23 I am down 5lbs since (I think I've still got some co2 and swelling) but total of 18 since pre op diet ... It brought tears of JOY to my eyes!

Congrats!! It's a new life style:) I too was sleeved on the 1/23. I have lost 7 lbs since surgery. I am still swollen and bloated, was told by the nurse that was to be expected.

I'm here in preop getting a little nervous now.

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Good luck today;)

Hey everybody on Fed 20th/2013 my 1 year Anniversary is coming. My starting weight was 255' date=' surgery weight was 235 and my weight now is 130 :-) I'm so freaking proud of myself. My total weight loss is 125 pounds in total. Wohooooo . I just LOVE my SLEEVE!!!!![/quote']

Congrats!! That is so awesome and you should be proud!! I hope to have that kind of success in the future:)

So 7 am tomorrow is the time I have to show up. Im sooooooo nervous but ready for my new chapter.

Good luck today:) let us know how u are doing when you can.

Meal. Mine is 160 calories for 12 oz. 15 G Protein and 21 g carbs....all complex low GI carbs.

What do you put in your green soothe? Sounds yummy:)

Had my sleeve done 1/23 and doing well so far:) I have been able to tolerate my soft foods well! Only problem has been Constipation but I gave been adding Benefiber to all my liquids. Thursday I get to advance to a few more soft foods like deli turkey or chicken, low day of course- looking forward to chewing:)

Best wishes today to those having surgery!!

At the hospital' date=' scare but ready for my sleeve. Check in is at 7 am and I think Im down for 9 am. Good luck to the sleevers for today!!![/quote']

Best wishes today! Let us know how your doing after:)

I'm on my way to the hospital!!! Check in 6:30am and surgery scheduled for 8am. See you all on the other side!

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Good luck today!! Let us know how your doing:)

January 28 is my date.

Congrats on your surgery date

I had my sleeve done on the 23rd as well, pain gets better every day:) but I find its hard to eat my soft foods, Protein Shakes are had to get down. I too feel s fullness on my left side below my heart when I eat or drink. Learning what all the sensations are us a trick, lol.

I have a question' date=' how many incisions do you all have? I have 5[/quote']

I have 6 sites total.

How many days after surgery are you allowed mushy foods? When do you switch to solids. Just got a call from my doc they suggested the sleeve was already scheduled for lapband but after researching th sleeve seems to be less maintence. Have been on my liquid diet since jan 22 so am wondering everyones post op info thanks in advance

My instructions are a bit different. I get to start soft foods 3-6 days post op. if I tolerate with out nausea then day seven I can add a few more soft foods in.

I'm in Missouri, pediatric ER nurse. I had my sleeve 1/23 so I'm 3 days post op. I was planning on taking 2 wks but with the weight restrictions I will have to take 3-4 wks. Thankfully I have the time built up to take paid LOA. I don't want to go back unless I'm 100% ready:)