Afrodite82

Hmm. Well, with all due respect, none of us are here on this site because we aren't (or weren't) "big girls". Was it indelicate of him to use the term to describe you? Sure. But is it truthful?
People typically use the first or most distinguishing physical characteristic to describe a person to someone else, ie. I'm often "the black chick" or "the black Rebecca"; other people are "the blonde guy", "that nerdy girl", "the bald guy". Is any of that PC? Nope, but, it happens. The thing I note here is that they both agreed that you are attractive. Even more so now that you are slimming down. Further, like you pointed out yourself, he pursued you. Something to ponder. Now, however, I fully agree with the person who posted above that he ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer if he sent you a video wherein he was insulting you (inadvertently or not). So if you aren't feeling him anyway, then just take it in stride and keep in mind that Marilyn Monroe quote "if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best!" Take care.

I am 11 1/2 months post vsg and 6 weeks pregnant!

Hmm. Well, with all due respect, none of us are here on this site because we aren't (or weren't) "big girls". Was it indelicate of him to use the term to describe you? Sure. But is it truthful?
People typically use the first or most distinguishing physical characteristic to describe a person to someone else, ie. I'm often "the black chick" or "the black Rebecca"; other people are "the blonde guy", "that nerdy girl", "the bald guy". Is any of that PC? Nope, but, it happens. The thing I note here is that they both agreed that you are attractive. Even more so now that you are slimming down. Further, like you pointed out yourself, he pursued you. Something to ponder. Now, however, I fully agree with the person who posted above that he ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer if he sent you a video wherein he was insulting you (inadvertently or not). So if you aren't feeling him anyway, then just take it in stride and keep in mind that Marilyn Monroe quote "if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best!" Take care.

Hmm. Well, with all due respect, none of us are here on this site because we aren't (or weren't) "big girls". Was it indelicate of him to use the term to describe you? Sure. But is it truthful?
People typically use the first or most distinguishing physical characteristic to describe a person to someone else, ie. I'm often "the black chick" or "the black Rebecca"; other people are "the blonde guy", "that nerdy girl", "the bald guy". Is any of that PC? Nope, but, it happens. The thing I note here is that they both agreed that you are attractive. Even more so now that you are slimming down. Further, like you pointed out yourself, he pursued you. Something to ponder. Now, however, I fully agree with the person who posted above that he ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer if he sent you a video wherein he was insulting you (inadvertently or not). So if you aren't feeling him anyway, then just take it in stride and keep in mind that Marilyn Monroe quote "if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best!" Take care.

....must....get....life. Must....stop....obsessing about upcoming surgery! *labored breathing, struggling to let go of mouse*

Hmm. Well, with all due respect, none of us are here on this site because we aren't (or weren't) "big girls". Was it indelicate of him to use the term to describe you? Sure. But is it truthful?
People typically use the first or most distinguishing physical characteristic to describe a person to someone else, ie. I'm often "the black chick" or "the black Rebecca"; other people are "the blonde guy", "that nerdy girl", "the bald guy". Is any of that PC? Nope, but, it happens. The thing I note here is that they both agreed that you are attractive. Even more so now that you are slimming down. Further, like you pointed out yourself, he pursued you. Something to ponder. Now, however, I fully agree with the person who posted above that he ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer if he sent you a video wherein he was insulting you (inadvertently or not). So if you aren't feeling him anyway, then just take it in stride and keep in mind that Marilyn Monroe quote "if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best!" Take care.

Hmm. Well, with all due respect, none of us are here on this site because we aren't (or weren't) "big girls". Was it indelicate of him to use the term to describe you? Sure. But is it truthful?
People typically use the first or most distinguishing physical characteristic to describe a person to someone else, ie. I'm often "the black chick" or "the black Rebecca"; other people are "the blonde guy", "that nerdy girl", "the bald guy". Is any of that PC? Nope, but, it happens. The thing I note here is that they both agreed that you are attractive. Even more so now that you are slimming down. Further, like you pointed out yourself, he pursued you. Something to ponder. Now, however, I fully agree with the person who posted above that he ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer if he sent you a video wherein he was insulting you (inadvertently or not). So if you aren't feeling him anyway, then just take it in stride and keep in mind that Marilyn Monroe quote "if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best!" Take care.

Hmm. Well, with all due respect, none of us are here on this site because we aren't (or weren't) "big girls". Was it indelicate of him to use the term to describe you? Sure. But is it truthful?
People typically use the first or most distinguishing physical characteristic to describe a person to someone else, ie. I'm often "the black chick" or "the black Rebecca"; other people are "the blonde guy", "that nerdy girl", "the bald guy". Is any of that PC? Nope, but, it happens. The thing I note here is that they both agreed that you are attractive. Even more so now that you are slimming down. Further, like you pointed out yourself, he pursued you. Something to ponder. Now, however, I fully agree with the person who posted above that he ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer if he sent you a video wherein he was insulting you (inadvertently or not). So if you aren't feeling him anyway, then just take it in stride and keep in mind that Marilyn Monroe quote "if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best!" Take care.

Okay, every day of my pregnancy I was deep down scared about the weight. It never goes away, but it wouldn't go away even without a pregnancy! It's a fear all of us deal with because we're worried we'll fail again, only this time, with 15% of a stomach.
I'm three years out.
I reached goal in 17 months. I maintained for several months and got pregnant ten days before my 2 year anniversary. I gained 32 pounds while pregnant; 3 pounds on the dang hormone shots I had to take to get pregnant. (We did FET, frozen embryo transfer with frozen embies left over from our IVF in 2007.) How you gain is up to your body. I gained much less than I gained with my previous pregnancies prior to sleeve (97 pounds for a single, 80+ for twins) but I think that we gain a "normal" amount of weight in most cases so expecting anywhere from 25-45 is probably reasonable. It could also be more. Some women just gain more while pregnant! The only folks I've seen gain almost nothing were still in their early months post sleeve when they got pregnant.
My daughter will be 5 months old in a week. I lost the huge bulk of my baby weight before a month postpartum. As before, when closing in on goal initially, my last fifteen pounds have been slow coming off. That's perfectly normal and not something I attribute to pregnancy at all, though I admit that the lifestyle we have post baby makes it challenging to lose weight (namely, wacky hormones and sleep deprivation, which slow our loss further) but I say IT IS POSSIBLE.
Losing weight, while doubly frustrating because I feel I'm losing pounds I've already lost, is just as "easy" as it was for me before my baby. I make good choices, I watch my intake, I try to stay active and I lose (albeit slowly!) and most importantly, I still have just as much restriction as before. I can eat one single hard boiled egg or a few ounces of dense Protein in a sitting. My sleeve is no larger than it was in 2011 and so the only way to not lose weight would be to not try and to fail to be diligent about my habits.
So I'm a success story. I have 7-8 pounds left and while I might wish they'd fall off tomorrow, I know that if I'm patient and keep plugging away they'll come off eventually. I've been back in my pre-pregnancy clothes for months, though, regardless of those few pounds.
~Cheri

33 weeks in today and I lost 13lbs in the beginning due to Hyperemesis (severe morning sickness). I have gained back 8 of those lbs. so still 5lbs down. I'm definitely ALL belly. ETA: I'm 4'11- the shirt is a size small, skirt is an XS.

A note from an "old timer" who rarely posts here anymore. I miss the old days before points where old timers could state truth as truth, if you didn't like it, you had to only present facts against facts. Don't miss the posters who would advertise for thier surgeon with thin lies. Argh, the misinformation became too much for me.
Sleeved is Sept 2010. Read Oregon Daisy - a shout out to her, Coops, Miss Diva & Tiffykins posts like a bible. Would read them once, twice, a million times until I could almost quote them. I can't begin to express as nicely as Happy Camper how much wonderful direction these vets have had in my life. Hopefully I have in return encouraged a few newbies too - mostly I PM'd.
Still have several of Tiffykins posts saved in PDF which are reread when I wonder why extra lbs are on my mid section. We are friends on Facebook. Diva had a bad experience and moved on. Like most of us, life continues and the sleeve is no longer new friend but an old friend who we know without much conversation needed.
Any success I have achieved is due to VST veterans. Hugs to all my new and old vet friends.
I love my sleeve and have no regrets - iegal

My surgery was Dec 2011 and Tiffikins in particular was someone who really helped me get prepared to take this on! I think she moved on once she started having babies ... i like to think she is living a nice normal life. To some extent, I tried to pick up the band to sleeve revision torch she carried. She really shed light on the whole topic for me... that it was worth trying AGAIN after my epic fail with the band.

I'm three years out next month, can't believe how time flies! The VST forum has always been my favorite... :-)
Also love QoC's blog! Tiffykins is on FB and is doing great -- she had two kids back to back and now is all wee again and back in her little clothes. She's good!

Just reading and reflecting on how things have gone over the 2 plus years since having my surgery and the people who really influenced, encouraged and offered their story when I was seeking information about the sleeve surgery. I posted, tell me "the good, the bad and the ugly", I read and read. I prayed, I got to really understand that things can go wrong and do with people and this surgery. I never thought it would happen to me, because I follow the directions to the letter, and now maybe that was a fault. I ended up with an abscess that was caused by my JP Drain being left in for 10 days. Now, my doctor gives antibiotics before surgery and only leaves the drain in for a day (last time I saw him). So, folks even though I am posting in the Vets forum, for now I know others are reading this section.
Just curious if we have heard from Irene...LittleMissDiva (aka Diva, and will always be the Diva to me), Tiffikins (first one to help me), Libby aka, Me...Me...Me, (who bravely shared her leak story) or Lissa (aka Melissa, who was featured in the spot light), I know Cheri has been on the boards (hope you and your family are doing well), what about Sleeve of Steel; I know Kim is now a host Feed Your Eye (so cool), PDXman (also featured and always brilliant), Coops (showing dedication can get you there and I have seen her around recently ), umm BlackBerry (remember she had a body building picture)' remember when it was just Avitars on the site, no pictures...(digressed sorry), Sleeve For Me (new name, but always, i mean always recognizing others), Peg in the Woods (made a list of those with complications so you could read about it) and others during the 2011/2012 early time frame? I hope these folks know they forged the way and helped many of us, and even the NEW vets. Folks just know, all your contributions are/were appreciated. For me, I have been on and off this forum. I find when I am active, listening/reading and in some cases helping others, I feel successful, I tend to do better for myself and I sometimes feel I have contributed in a small way.
Make way for the new wave of big contributors, Laura Van (hostess with the mostess), Susan (you have been such a solid staple for the board, certainly a real person), ButtertheBean (host with clear and direct suggestions and advice, you pull no punches)...and more. Seems we have more hosts than before and thank you for your time. I know I have missed many and as soon as I post this, I will think of more, but for now, I am just "remembering", if you have or were offering advice.... Just know you are appreciated!
Thanks for reading this from a professional woman, mom and wife; who, thanks to her sleeve and incredible stories, direction, advice and input from folks like you all on this forum, has changed her outlook in life and the way She can now see herself growing old with her husband and enjoying life.
Make the most of everyday, eat healthy, exercise and make sure the people in your life know how much they mean to you.
Take care.
I will always be ONE HAPPY CAMPER :-)

Thanks for a lovely, well-thought out, grateful and articulate post. Although I am not a real old-timer, I owe a lot to this forum and to many of the people you mentioned. I joined in September of 2011 and because of the success stories and inspiration as well as information, I paid the money and less than a month later I had the surgery! I have had no problems and am now over 2 years out. I kept a weekly blog for the first year of my sleeve and I had quite a following so I think I may have helped some of the new ones coming in. I just got back on the boards about a month ago because after being at goal weight for over a year, I stopped paying attention and have gained 6 lbs. I just started the 5:2 this week; something I wouldn't have even known about had it not been for the people on this board who give so much of themselves to help others.....it's nice to know there are always people here who care....feels like a safety net. l
Happy new year to all the veterans and to those who are just beginning this fascinating life-changing journey!

Also just nine months out, but I don't expect further significant changes to lifestyle.
I do still eat out, but of course I can't eat the entire meal like before. I always ask for a take home box first thing. I don't eat out as often as before simply because we both have adopted healthier eating patterns (he is not sleeved and doesn't need to be), and it doesn't take me very long to eat my small quantities, so it just doesn't seem worth the trouble, time and expense anymore!
Sometimes hubby and I eat the same thing for dinner, but more often than not, I do my thing, he does his. This has not adversely affected our relationship. Thank goodness he is self-sufficient in the kitchen!
When we have family dinners, I eat what they eat, just not as much. I still put on big family dinners and don't make anything special just for me. I just eat what I can and no one makes a fuss about it. My sons are great guys, and so are their wives. Grandchildren haven't even noticed my drastic change in size, as it doesn't seem to register with kids. They look into my eyes, not at my butt.
Certainly, I can do everything physically that I could do before, and waaaaay more! It was a struggle to walk to the office from my car! It was a struggle to clean house. Heck, it was a struggle to turn over in bed. All that has changed. I will admit that I have lost a good deal of muscle mass and with it some strength. I laugh it off, but I struggle sometimes to open a jug of milk or laundry detergent! It would help if I would exercise!
Emotionally and mentally I am clear and focused and happy as I can be. Like the previous poster, I was already in a good place, with a happy marriage, well-adjusted adult children responsible for themselves and their families, good job, satisfying creative hobbies. I was just fat and with that all the shame, embarrassment and disabilities that go along.
Now I am even happier and will knock others out of the way to get in front of a camera!
Truthfully, this has been a very easy journey for me. The hardest part was making the decision to proceed. Once decided, I admit I was fearful, but went forward. No regrets. I've lost weight steadily, never weighed the same for longer than three days. I can eat almost anything I want, just less of it. I look great with my clothes on, not so great with them off, but I'm old, who cares. I feel marvelous. I love all my new clothes, they fit and flatter and reveal more about who I am, rather than being used to hide who I am.
The second hardest part was learning to live with all the supplements in addition to my regular meds. Now that is just a part of my daily routine and I don't give it a second thought anymore. Most folks do get off most of their meds, but I have not. I have highly resistant hypertension, but at least now my meds keep it under better control, whereas before they did not. I do not expect to ever get off my bp meds or my arthritis meds, but I have seen improvement in both afflictions.
Life is just too dang good.

Okay, I'll give up carbs...
Now, lets bring on the Colombian marching powder!
Devils Dandruff?
No?
Oh, okay, I'll retreat into my gut-wrenching longing for warm crusty bread, smothered in full-fat, slightly salt-crystalled butter... but I shall refrain...
and have a yoghurt
Great article, Arts. Seriously.
Carbs, are most definitely, my achilles heel..... <sobs>

I tell you Momo,
If I have a cookie, I am in PAIN with longing for more Cookies or bread or carbs for 3 or 4 days... Man, it is NOT worth it (to me)

“You simply do not see specific, trans-regional trends in human subsistence in the archaeological record. People can live off everything from whale blubber to seeds and grasses. You want to know what the ideal human diet consists of? Everything. Humans can and will eat everything, and we are remarkably successful not in spite of this fact, but because of it. Our adaptability is the hallmark of the human species. We’re not called omnivores for nothing.”
“Nearly every food item you currently eat today has been modified from its ancestral form, typically in a drastic way, ” he began. “The notion that we have not yet adapted to eat wheat, yet we have had sufficient time to adapt to kale or lentils is ridiculous. In fact, for most practitioners of the Paleo Diet, who are typically westerners, the majority of the food they consume has been available to their gene pool for less than five centuries. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, potatoes, avocados, pecans, cashews, and blueberries are all New World crops, and have only been on the dinner table of African and Eurasian populations for probably 10 generations of their evolutionary history. Europeans have been eating grain for the last 10,000 years; we’ve been eating sweet potatoes for less than 500. Yet the human body has seemingly adapted perfectly well to yams, let alone pineapple and sunflower seeds.”
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://mumanu.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/archaeologists-officially-declare-collective-sigh-over-paleo-diet/'>http://mumanu.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/archaeologists-officially-declare-collective-sigh-over-paleo-diet/</a>

8 Habits of Successful Losers

...details here from a giant study of successful weight loss and maintenance:

Breakfast

3. They Control Portions

4. They Make Healthy food Choices

5. They Keep Track

6. They Find Food-Free Ways to Deal With Stress

7. They Surround Themselves With Support

8. They Believe They Can Do



Anything you don't follow on this list?, have anything to add? If you research, there are other things on the list not posted here...

My figure is pear-shaped, meaning I carry my weight mostly in my hips, butt, thighs, and legs. I've been voraciously looking through photos on this site trying to find women who were shaped like me so that I can have a better idea of what I might be in for, but most of what I find is apple-shaped women with larger tummies and thin legs. To those of you out there who are (or were) pear shaped, do you find that you lose weight from those areas first? Do you still, essentially retain that general curviness or does it all go away ? And I'm smaller chested (a C), does that mean I'll end up an A cup? I know it's all very general, and what happens for one person may or may not happen for me, but I'm really curious as to what others experiences are in this arena.

Loving life!
Surgery date June 7, 2012
SW 230
CW 128

7 months post op from size 16 to size 8

Hit goal today. Thought I'd update my pics. Sleeved just under 8 months ago. 5'4 with HW of 230+, 18-20 jeans and xl tops to 8-10 jeans and medium tops.

Hello everyone. I'm 5 months Sleeves right now. I'm down from from 270 to 189 and I feel great.