Shells_Almost_There

I just started watching again, and it is definitely a reminder of what not to do, and how easy it can be to overeat and eat the wrong things. What I'm not enjoying is how they've changed to show to cut off the story line with the patient's results. Obviously this is because they want us to watch the "follow up" show, but I'd rather hear about successes before the end of the episode!

I feel like I am a true "slow loser" and it has been tough. I'm 3.5 years out (as of yesterday!) and still dinging away at the daily grind. I started out with a lot of weight to lose, and never lost more than 5 pounds in a single week after the 3rd month or so. Even today my current weight after losing 100 pounds is more than some people's pre-op starting weight - crazy! But my journey is my own and I'm not giving up just because it's been rough. I wanted to get healthier and I know I already am, even if I'm still struggling to my personal goal. Back in the early days when I was more active on this web site, people would post about losing 8 to 10 pounds a week, every week - I could only dream of such a thing. Now that I'm this far out, it frequently feels like I never had surgery at all - it's a distant memory to me now - and each day I just work on sticking with my eating plan, staying within my calorie limit per my metabolic testing, and getting at least 2 shakes down per day to keep my protein numbers where they need to be. I'm just another person trying to get healthy and all I can do is keep on with my plan.

It seems like people try to unequivocally quantify "not telling people about surgery" as "lying," and at least for me, it's just not that clean cut. Much like many people don't talk openly about personal bedroom activities or their finances, no one needs to know about my diet and weight loss plans. Not telling someone about a private matter is not lying. Not a single person has ever asked me "Did you have weight loss surgery?" in the past 3.5 years. I had knee surgery about 6 months after my sleeve and I maybe told 5 people about that until it was done and people saw me on crutches. I'm just super private about things that aren't anybody else's business. But that's just me -- everyone is on their own journeys around here and more power to us all. Also, here's something interesting - No one ever noticed that I didn't eat much food because I didn't make my diet a secret, but they sure did notice the whole "not drinking while eating" thing - because that's just not the norm in our society. That was rough at first - especially social things like Happy Hour or parties like the annual Super Bowl event that I go to.

Totally agree with the above, Please! I have worked with a number of people who not only told everyone at work, but announced it on Facebook -- and I think it has gone well for them! It's such a personal thing. I don't mind chiming in here to share my perspective, but everyone should do what's best for them, their personalities, their relationships, etc. It's such a personal journey...

The decision was mine for certain. He gave me advice and left it up to me. He had previously had a bypass, so he knew personally about the topic as well.

I kept my surgery a secret on the strong advice of the psychologist who I was required to see as part of my surgery approval. He mentioned that people can be really negative about WL surgery and how people post-op, those who know will start to police what you put in your mouth. Super annoying. I'm now 3 years out and only a total of 10 people know who aren't medical professionals. I'm a really private person anyway, so this worked with my personality. One other thing that helped me keep this as a "secret" is that I had previous weight loss successes that were in the 50-60 pound range, then a regain over a year or two (which is what led me to surgery) -- people close to me knew that I had lost larger amounts of weight previously so they didn't think anything of it when I started losing again. So for me, this was a smart move and I am happy that I made that decision and stuck to it -- secrecy gets awkward sometimes, but my privacy was completely worth it! Best of luck to you - you're in the very best part of the journey right now!

I've just passed my 3 year surgiversary, and I wish (WISH WISH WISH) that I had the same experience as Lipstick Lady! (who is one of my favorites of this site, btw) I'm guessing that I could eat a giant plate of food, if I wanted -- I don't seem to have any restriction at this point (not that I'm going to push it and find out exactly - I just can eat a lot of steak or whatever when I'm not being thoughtful about what's going in my mouth, etc - whereas at the start, I was done after 1/4 cup, then 1/2 cup, then a cup, then...and that's when I had to put the brakes on myself and make a conscious decision to retake control). In thinking about it, the actual way I first noticed it was when I worked out, I realized I could gulp Water - which was absolutely not possible early on. I would feel like puking after 3 small sips for at least the first year, and I had a lot of burping and hiccups for about 18 months (I'm kind of happy that part has stopped! LOL) My surgery was outwardly complication free, but I barely felt restriction after just 5 months of eating my same post-op food plan items. It was disappointing, sure, but I've still lost a significant amount of weight, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I may not be where I thought I would be after this number of years, but I'm SO much better than I was. I'm healthier, I work out, and I sure enjoy life a lot more than before surgery. Plus, I have to own my successes and failures - in the same way I did prior to surgery when I lost the same 60+ pounds 3 different times - regaining it after a year or so each time -- right? As everyone tends to remind -- surgery is just a tool. So very true! This is all to say that everyone has their experiences and interpretations of it (as noted by LL in large green font above ) and my sleeve experience was quite different. Almost 37 months later, I'm still pushing ahead in a "slow but steady" way, but it has some very serious ups and downs - the way life can be. My best advice is to make the most of the 6 month honeymoon period (or in my case, barely 5 months), as it will set you up for future success.

I hope all went very well! I'm also thinking about a revision, but there's so much to consider - and my original surgeon doesn't perform revisions, so in addition to the surgery considerations, I'd need to find a new surgeon. Keep us posted on your new journey - best wishes!

@@LipstickLady thanks for the encouragement! In the few weeks since I wrote my original post, I have taken an inventory of what's working and what has gone off track. I made an appointment with my surgeon for my final post-op follow up (which I should have done back in September but I cancelled because I felt like such a failure). I'm ready to move forward, no matter what that might end up looking like. Also, this morning I watched like 10 exercise infomercials, and it took me back to when I weighed 357 freakin' pounds (my HW ever recorded) -- regardless of what I think I haven't accomplished in 2 years since surgery, I have made pretty big strides towards my goal no matter what.

Thanks, @@CowgirlJane, for chiming in. You have been one of my inspirations on this site, and I really appreciate your perspective. I agree with your thought that those with a higher amount of weight to lose have a somewhat different challenge (and would add that for a "mid-life" female, it might be even more of a challenge!). For example,when I step into my surgeon's offices and sit in the waiting room, other clients probably assume that I am pre-op. I will admit right here and now that I've been letting that issue bother me for a while now -- it makes me mad, frustrated, and depressed. I try to not let that pity party last too long, but it is definitely part of what helps me to even consider seeking out a 2nd surgery -- at least I'd be "starting" from a more common point instead of 100 pounds heavier like the first time. I also appreciate your perspective on education about a re-sleeve process - success rate, etc. It took me years to overcome my fear of doctors, needles, blood, anesthesia, and pain to mentally prepare myself for bariatric surgery -- and then a few months post-op, I had a relatively simple knee surgery that I'd needed for 7 years and was even more scared because my sleeve surgery had gone "too" easily. LOL - So to do it all again? Yikes! I'm going to need anti-anxiety meds and a lot of tequila...and a really soft teddy bear.

@@winklie, interesting info! I bet surgeons are wary, because there have been those changes of outlook with the band (unfortunately to the negative) - although my surgeon still does the band according to their website. Where I live, very few surgeons were Centers of Excellence for the sleeve, so the list of surgeons covered by my insurance for the sleeve procedure was limited back in 2013. Since then, I think a nearby bariatric center has added the sleeve procedure, so it may have caught on a bit more. Back then, I knew that I didn't want the band, and I was really scared of the bypass. I had never even heard of the sleeve until a friend told me about it - so I ended up finding a surgeon and running with it. I think I would still recommend the sleeve to a friend considering surgery, but I would definitely tell them to join this site and read, read, read as part of their decision making process!

The re-sleeve idea is one of many things I'm exploring because of where I find myself with my previous procedure and how far I still have to go. The intention of my original post was to receive support, because that's what this community is about, and also to see if maybe there was someone here who had done a re-sleeve. There doesn't seem to be, though, which is why I plan to work closely with a surgical team to learn about options and risks, plus focus on my day-to-day routine to get the extra pounds off slowly -- just as I tried to do for many years before I ever considered a body-modifying procedure in the first place.

Thanks for the reply - I absolutely agree about the endoscopy. I have wanted to do one since about 9 months out due to some weird pain/cramping in my large incision area but I had insurance problems at that point and finally gave up on the idea. In 2016, I think it's where I will start. Thanks!

Excellent question, as I hadn't heard of it either until a friend mentioned it -- Here's one resource on the topic: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CEkQFjAEahUKEwja2NOhiobJAhVQ32MKHTlyA6o&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tijuanabariatrics.com%2Fblog%2F2014%2F06%2F20%2Fsleeve-gastrectomy-revision-surgery-why-145250&usg=AFQjCNHPrKz4tFDkt1fBWrquG0sR6j_Rmg

Thanks, everyone, for responding and sharing your thoughts. I updated my post a bit, since I had edited out all the exercising, etc, that's happened in the past 15 or so months after I had an important knee surgery - that was HUGE for me and some awesome physical changes that were related solely to working out, not losing pounds on a scale. I don't want to minimize how important that has been. I'm not in a stall, but anyone above who has posted about my needing to question my food choices, etc is exactly right. Thank you! i know there are a number of things that only I can do to change this circumstance. Shell

I can't decide if I'm embarrassed to write this post or not...So, I'm just going to go for it. I hit my 2-year mark without fanfare a few weeks back. I reminded no one, and didn't bother taking a picture. I'm completely bummed out and am grasping for...food (was going to say straws, but I might as well be honest). I've struggled - starting with a pretty darn high weight in the first place, having a stupid short honeymoon period, and ending up in November 2015 with so much extra stress in my life that I sometimes wonder how this all happened (this is the "woe is me" part, sorry)...so here I am today, weighing about 15 pounds more than my lowest weight at left (that I hit in May 2015) that I don't seem to be able to shake back off of me, and looking for support. I'm writing this post because first, I would like to hear from anyone who has actually been re-sleeved. FYI that I am not interested in converting to the bypass, because for probably the rest of my life, I must be able to take NSAIDs for arthritis (and after a bypass, medicating for that becomes tricky and appears to only involve cortisone shots. Yuck, ouch, and no). Second, I'm writing this as a reality check to myself -- I've written/deleted/rewritten/re-deleted this post a couple of times this morning because as I've typed, I've realized a few very important things I've changed in the past 5-7 months that I need to grab back onto - things that are now contributing to my weight gain and pushing my thoughts toward that 2nd surgery. With as much weight as I still have to lose (50 to 90 lbs), I had already been considering a 2nd surgery, because I felt like I would need one more big push toward goal (at more than 50 pounds away after 2 years). I checked into getting a bypass as a method towards that final push, but that's when I learned about the arthritis meds problem. My recent struggles are just causing the underlying reason for that surgery to change a bit-from a "push" to a "need" (at least in my head ). Hopefully that sentence makes sense. I'm looking for someone who can maybe shed light on what it's like to be re-sleeved (as a "re-do" rather than for actual medical complications, since I have read about those issues on this site), if there's anyone out there who has experienced it. I will be seeking a different surgeon to perform it, and if I end up going this route, I am hoping to do it in May or June 2016. I have faith that some will remind me of the 5-day pouch test, getting in my daily Protein and Water, and other great advice toward getting back on track (that's my plan for the coming week - doing menu planning after posting this). I appreciate this community for its experience and advice! Thanks! ETA 1: Thanks for the comments! But somehow I've possibly given the impression that I have just 15 pounds to lose. Ah, if only that were true!!! Clarification, my "first" goal weight is 199, and I'm currently 50+ away from that. My true goal is 180, and my reach goal is 160-165. The 15 lb reference is that I'm up 15 from my lowest "current weight" (listed at left in my profile info). In other words, I have more weight still left to lose than some people have when they walk in the door for their first WLS consultation. I've had a number of weight fluctuations in the past 6 or so months, but this is the first time I can't seem to adjust my diet and have that weight go away. ETA 2: I've had a Fit Bit almost 2 years, and have worked out for the past 15 or so months (per my doc's plan, which is very conservative and geared around losing fat not muscle) until recently 5 to 7 days per week. Where I'm off is on my food intake and choices, which is good to be aware of because I can effect change. The heart of my post is that yes, I can make better food choices and update my workouts (they are boring to me now so I'm less motivated) and could probably get back on track for another bit of weight loss. What I'm considering is whether to do a "drastic" step to get re-sleeved to assist with the large portion of weight still left to lose. And no, this is not a stall - I've stalled any number of times in the past year and a half - this is different. This is more of a meta moment of realization...and I appreciate everyone who is taking the time to read and respond!

You look great, and I agree with your points! These days, as people go on and on about my weight loss (which isn't even enough to get me out of "obese,") I love pointing out that when one gains weight, what do we hear? *crickets*....but hey, lose weight and the entire world comments, and loudly. I find it super annoying, but I think they mean well - but mostly I wish they'd stop commenting altogether. You just do you, and keep up the great work - their issues are their own!

Looks like fun - I'm going to try this for something new and different!

Asics are great - and definitely go to the brand store itself, or a running shoe store to get fitted, as others have suggested. Spend the money - your feet are worth it!

One I haven't seen mentioned yet that I watch is State of Affairs (I thought it wouldn't be good and now I really like it) - if you like How to Get Away with Murder, you will probably like State of Affairs. An older series that I just finally watched and really enjoyed was True Detective on HBO - it's been finished for a while, but supposedly they are gearing up for Season 2. Matthew McConaughey is amazing, and the storyline is eerie. Otherwise, I echo SOA (RIP!), Breaking Bad, Downton, and My 600-lb LIfe-Where Are They Now. I record a lot on my DVR and then just try to watch when I can. Fun thread

It's smart to question such a huge decision, and a lot goes into deciding. Previous comments have mentioned much of what I would say, including that I waited an entire year to give myself that "last chance" to lose weight on my own. I think I ended up gaining weight in that 12 months - almost back to my highest weight ever! Looking back, I think that the gain was actually self-sabotage to finally give myself permission to have surgery...but at the time the struggle to try to win that battle was real and disheartening. Many say to remember this surgery is a "tool" and that is correct, but also experiences post-op vary so much that we can defy the stereotypes in many ways. I was telling someone the other day that the true weight loss result from my sleeve surgery was losing exactly 40 pounds. That's it. I lost 20 during pre-op. Then I lost that very crucial 40 pounds in the first 4 months post op. After that, my "honeymoon" was over and every single change with my body since that time has been from my own effort and decision making. Yes, I have the benefits of less hunger (only a slight change, as my hunger came back at 6 months), and that helps. But I have the enormous benefit that those 60 total pounds from pre/post op made me brave enough to have another knee surgery that I had been putting off for at least 7 years, and light enough that I could get back to the gym without injury and total embarrassment about how I look. But surgery overall? A 40 pound loss. Sounds strange, right? But it was a 40 pound loss that completely changed my life! I guess what I'm trying to say is that your experience will have all sorts of commonalities with the people on this site, but you will also have your very personal challenges and victories that are all for you. I believe that it's the day-to-day challenges after the weight stops falling off that really makes or breaks this experience. And without surgery, I know for 100% certain that I would have re-gained ALL my weight and then some by now - so there you go. I've lost 108 pounds from my highest recorded weight, finally hit 90 pounds lost since pre-op (yay!) and have about 50 to go for my first big goal. The surgical results for me personally are not what I would call "typical," but dang was it ever worth the ride!!!! And it still is -- I have this sleeve surgery to thank for everything that has happened since, and would do it over again with the same (sometimes frustrating) results in a heartbeat. I hope this makes sense, it's the first time I've written this down in any sort of comprehensive way

This has been an interesting thread to read, because I have always hated running. I always loved sports, but never could run worth a darn. I don't currently aspire to run, you know, EVER, but I really want to do one of those obstacle courses with the mud and stuff. I doubt that qualifies as "running" really, but someday I will do one of those - what's that one where you jump over fire? Not. That. One. LOL In order to get my 5k on, I do random walking events, and I even bought the event shirts last year because they finally fit me! I recently did a Turkey Trot in the pouring rain on Thanksgiving and it was fun despite the sogginess. I've set a goal for the new year to do at least 4 events in 2015 (only managed 2 in 2014), even if I'm only walking.

I've never been a fan of yoga so I haven't given it much of a shot in the past. On the spur of the moment the other day I bought a yoga workout DVD - I'm hoping to get into it. Although I've lost weight and have gained strength from my regular workouts, I still don't feel like I have a lot of core strength. I'm hoping this will help!

I have come to really love my gym. It's one of those 24-hour keycard places - so I just go in at 4:30 a.m. when there are few people around (and those who are there are just as crazy as me!) and just do my thing. I'm almost always the largest person there, so it took a while to get over the chip on my shoulder about the wiggle-n-jiggle, but I think no one really cares about that but me. I bought a couple of training sessions to keep my workouts fresh (and to keep them challenging!) - totally worth the money. I am a slow loser, but I am completely inspired by the way my body composition has been changing since I got serious about my workouts in August. I can't keep up with the clothing costs at this point, so I look a little "baggy" a lot of the time. Not a bad problem to have! Other things that have really helped me: I got a Fitbit for Christmas a year ago, and it has helped me with tracking exercise and inspiring me to hit at least 10,000 steps per day. I'm still enjoying it, but I'm tempted to get a newer device (thinking Vivofit) for this year. I have also invested in nicer gym clothes, a new iPod and some wireless over-the-ear headphones. Essentially for the past year, for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions, I've asked for gift cards so that I could purchase fitness equipment and even a 1-year gym membership. It has been a really good year, and I'm looking forward to even better in 2015!

Wow, congrats! Awesome results and also very inspiring. I have a large overhang tummy already, and I'm still 50 to 70 pounds from my personal goal weight. I too plan to head to Mexico - thanks for sharing this!