AB2B

Hey gang,
I am about 2 1/2 months post op and wanted to chime in about the road so far. I went from 226 to 191, stalled at 5 weeks and the scale didn't budge for 3. Didn't panic, but decided to focus on lifting weights instead of cardio as I noticed I was really soft/flabby and losing a lot of muscle. I have a free workout joint at my work and now take a 45 min lunch break to lift weights, alternating upper and lower body. The gym is cold and I don't get sweaty so I can jump right back in to work with just a minor touch up.
I have read that one of the best perks about WLS is that when we work out, we will quickly begin to see a noticeable difference. I've gone from a size 20-ish down to a 14. The smallest I have ever been is a 12, so I am pretty dang chuffed about the progress. in the 6 weeks of weight lifting, I have lost 6 lbs, but, wow, what a difference in my size and how my clothes look/fit. Even better, I have more energy, sleep less and even took up playing the guitar again. I feel like a new person. It's amazing how much time I have now to do other stuff.
Weights seem to have been the post op magic bullet. After getting burned out on gyms and the hours I had spent spinning my wheels, it amazes me that 45 mins 4-5 days is all I need. Who knew?
(If you are going to start a program, get with someone about proper lifting techniques as form is crucial. And clearance from your docs. So worth it!)

Today I officially hit my 1/2 way to goal weight-loss. 53lbs down 53lbs to go....that will put me in the high end of the healthy BMI range. It isn't about the scale number and it isn't about a pant size (although those are bonuses on my journey to a healthy BMI).
Just thought I would share my excitement.

@@theantichick Just want to say that I think you're a great source of info AND a great person as well

"You're". Wow first of all this person was asking for help not looking to be berated. I joined to get advice and pointers but seeing posts responses like this and one above make me rethink that. " do you ignore them because you're special?? " Hope you never answer any of my questions. RUDE and NASTY Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using the BariatricPal App

I hope to have VSG soon. One last appointment for insurance. I think if people ask me when I am going to stop losing weight I'll tell them I'm trying to get to my birth weight. Hahaha

The new average size for an American woman is size 16. When you see people smaller than that people say they need a hamburger. Meanwhile they can still be obese.
Craziness
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I've told this story before, but relevant.
My hubby had RNY 10 years ago. He started at 300 and had gotten down to a healthy 175 pounds, but all he ever heard was "You're too skinny!" And "You need to stop losing weight!"
When he was lamenting to his surgeon about the comments, his surgeon simply said "There are so many overweight and obese people these days, they don't even know what a normal weight looks like anymore".

I think it is really great how everyone tracks their success, and it is definitely an important part of the process. But, don't get caught up with the Day-in and Day-out weighing and measuring. Once you get to the "Slow Down" period, you will have days that will show you up a pound or two, and then 3 days later, you will be down 5-6 from the original time you looked.
A big part of my success is that i don't have a goal weight anymore. I just want to be healthy! I don't plan on changing anything when i get to a certain weight, so why have a goal that my body may not achieve? I love seeing the scale be lower, but i really like seeing pictures of me change from month to month.
The most important thing is to make sure that you are burning more than you are putting in, if you stick to that, you will continue to lose.... its just a simple math equation. My goal is to change my lifestyle to include more activities allowing me to have a higher Caloric allowance as time goes on.
Do you have an activity that you can do that is fun and burns calories? If you are like me, the fact that i can now walk without sweating is pretty awesome! I start thinking, what else can i do? Be Peter Parker the first day he realizes he has special powers... Push yourself to find your inner athlete, no matter what it is! Go Dance, Go Run, Go be the person that you are going to be... It will happen fast, and you will not notice the lose as much as others... But it will be your victory all the same!
I got on the scale today, and i am up 2 lbs, now at 221... Just gives me a reason to push myself to go for a nice brisk walk tonight

Super inspiring! My surgery is scheduled for November 18, and I am counting down the days. I have also wondered about how to deal with what I call "trigger" foods - bread, Pasta, rice, sugar - and like your idea of not introducing them back into your diet post-surgery. Thank you for the inspiring and informative post!!

Sure @@proudgrammy!
So, i was 381 lbs on December 23rd 2015, heaviest was 391 but i go with the 381 because it was recorded at my docs... lol
i am 6ft tall and my shirt size was a 24 collar, 34/35 sleeve. I wore 3 and 4 XL t-shirts
My waste was 54 inches.
Surgery was on Feb 23rd. 2016 i weighed 375 the day of the surgery.
You just inspired me to add to my weight loss video, so i have updated this till today https://www.dropbox.com/s/s4lrhbdzzjy2puc/Bob%20at%20219.mp4?dl=0
I am now a 38 waist and that is a little big on me. An XL T-Shirt, and a 16 collar, dress shirt.
I am enjoying life again!!! I hope you are too

Thanks so much for the love:) We are in this together, as no one really understands the things we have gone through unless you have walked a few miles in our very large and stretched out shoes.lol. I am o thrilled with my new life, and wish the same for all of you. Let me know if you want any recipes, or ideas on exercise, or really anything at all also, please share high Protein, no carb recipes that "feel good". I am always looking for a new food to add to the list...
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I have not taken the time to share my story, as a matter of fact I have still not changed my Facebook pictures, or the ones of me at work. food. I believe I had an actual addiction to food, the same as an addict, I didn't see it as an issue... But now I realize that I had a problem.
I eat to live now, instead of living to eat. The surgery helped by taking away the cravings, but I worry that if I reintroduce things like breads, fried foods, and other crap, I will develop the addiction again, just as if an alcoholic was to just have " 1 drink". It is a disease, with horrible side effects including low self confidence, depression, and humiliation.
I have made it my mission to find healthy foods, and replace all of my old favs, with healthy... And what I call, feel good foods. An FG food is one that I can eat comfortably, and they just basically feel good. for me, my list of items that I probably have a little of everyday would include... Chobani Flips. (190-210 cal, 12 gram protein)... These are my go to, if I haven't eaten in a while and am hungry, I can put this down a bit faster, and the size is pretty perfect for a meal. Love them all! Pickles- (0-5 cals) I love the spicy pickles, but I can eat them all. Pickles have become a regular snack in my life. Spears, slices, whatever, they all rock! Soup, soup, and more soup!!! My souls have been a huge part of my success. I make a huge crock of soup and it lasts me weeks. You can freeze some, but always have some in the fridge ready to microwave. I make a few varieties, but the basis is always the same. chicken broth base, cut with Water. Chicken or Cod fish, yep... I said fish! My family hates the smell of my "fish soup" but I loved it! However if you are not a big fish can just go with chicken. Vegetables- carrots, onions, mushrooms, kale, spinach, and even Brussels sprouts... Whatever you like and then I would spice it up with Cayenne and red pepper flakes, I even used Sriracha at times. This soup has been a staple for me since the 3rd month post, and I still make a lot here and there now. It was just great for me to grab a coffee cup, fill it, microwave it, and enjoy it.
I pushed myself to walk, and then I started "1 TED" lol. That means 1 thing every day. If it was parking in the back of the parking lot when at a store, or walking down the street and back when going to pick up the mail, I would just push to do 1 thing, which then would keep except use in the front of my mind.
Get an Apple Watch or Fitbit, make goals and hit them! What I learned is that we are capable of so much! When you are used to walking around with an additional 100 plus, your body has been working out for a long time. Now when the weight is gone, you still have that strong frame. Put it to work! I made some new friends that are athletic, I try and play Pickleball ( the game kicks ass, combo of tennis, volleyball, & ping pong) instead of cardio... I want to transition to a healthy lifestyle, not a 30 minute gym session that I won't be looking forward to.
Think of your weight loss as a super power, but only if you stick to the guidelines. This works for me, and I believe it to be a super power... Let me explain.
Since the weight loss, the world has been easier for me. I can go to an amusement park and get on the rides. I can fly on a plane and not need an extension. I can walk into a crowded bar and not start sweating my ass off! I can buy clothes at a normal store, and with actual brand names on them. I can tie my damn shoes, and without holding my breathe! I can sit in any chair, and not just the ones without sides... I can even sit in the plastic ones.
Woman treat me so differently! I am no longer just the funny guy... Even though I haven't changed! Life has just become much easier, much better, and much healthier, and I never want to go back, so I will continue to treat it as an addiction and will not look to be able to re introduce "everything" back into my eating habits, but instead I will work to find better foods. The nice thing about eating less, is that you can afford to buy smaller portions allowing for better quality foods. Take advantage of that! I always have almonds in the house, and I love veggie chips, especially the jalepeno, but now I grab a handful and walk away... If I want another handful, I will go get it at 30 cals, per handful, but I am going to force myself to get up and walk to the kitchen to get a handful
I feel so lucky to have had this surgery, and if I can help you in anyway let me know! I hope you have found this helpful, I know that writing it has helped me... So thanks!
 


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Hi all, my name is Yana! I am 26 years old, 271lbs, 5'3", and I live in Richmond, VA. I am very glad I found this place to connect with other people who are or have been in the same boat as me! I have started the process to get sleeved! per my insurance requirements I have a 6 month waiting period. I have already seen my nutritionist, done psychology evaluation, and will do my first PCP visit in mid January, oh and a sleep apnea as well.
I have always been fat! all my life! but right now I feel like I am in my highest and need to do something about it. I was 200lbs when I met my husband, and almost 4 years later and one baby, I am 271lbs! not good at all! I tried weight loss pills, NutriSystem, Herbalife, all kind of diets and nothing was permanent. I have been considering weight loss surgery for the last couple of years. I started a new job recently, and I had to get my health screenings done, and I had to do it twice, my shocking moments was when I saw the results and my glucose level were very high and my blood pressure was high as well. I was like, I have a 20 months old son! and a husband with PTSD from war, I need to do something to be able to keep this family together!, and that's when after a talk with a really good friend of mine, she told me that she had the lapband and recommended me about the procedures and well! here I am, starting my journey! and very excited about it.
Sorry for the long post and my writing, English is my second language =)
Thanks for reading, all your posts have been very inspiring and encouraging.
Yana.

Good luck! I had mine yesterday, and it was all a lot easier and smoother than I thought it would be. I spent the night at the hospital, and I was discharged about 9:30 this morning.

September Sleevers! As I write this I am waiting in patient registration to go up to get my sleeve. My anxiety has been numbed by a xanex I took this morning but the nerves are still there.
Last night I took a walk though the market picking up the little odds and ends I will need over the next few weeks and as I passed by the cookie aisle, soda, chips, and the bakery I felt nothing. Not sadness, not happiness, not loss but nothing. It has no control over me anymore. The wine section was different .
Than I went to marshalls to pick up some socks and slippers (I never wear socks) for the hospital and I felt something different. I felt happiness that in a few short months I can walk into any store and wear anything I want. I'll probably end up looking like a teenager again because all of my skinny clothes are
Board shorts, surfing t shirts, and vans.
Point is. I am going to have a world to gain with very little to lose. Catch you all in a few hours on the flip side.
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That's awesome. Having the support of family is crucial to your success. You'll be amazed at what you look like in a few months!!

Good luck! This has fully changed my husband's life and health. Also I had the sleeve with him. Three years out and loving it!

To continue..the nurse came in. My Water sipping is no problem. No gagging or pain associated with it as I had expected from the classes. I think overall I'm doing quite well which is a blessing for a 70 year old man. I don't know how much time I have I have left on this earth, is up to the good lord, but whatever it is I hope is much lighter and easier to just get around in my daily activities. Even walking around the grocery store is a struggle . Maybe not when I get the pounds off. Feel free to ask questions if your surgery date is coming up. Finally, Heather you need to report in. How did your day go yesterday. I'm worried about you and don't even know you. Y'all have a great day!
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Best of luck. Can't wait to read about your success.
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Well I finally talked to the lady that gave me the quote originally. She said that I have a zero balance. I am going to go to the hospital and get that in writing. I was freaking out

well I am 7 months out and down almost 50 pounds. went faster some months and other months lost nothing. but guess what? 50 pounds off feels GREAT, and I am still loosing, so I will get there.
I just want to encourage you to control the things you can control, like becoming more healthy and active, keeping calories where they want them and fluid/protein goals. You will get there and astound yourself with your progress! these are the things that matter to your long term success anyway.

Mine was an inspirtation. A friend of mine (and past diet buddy) ran the NY Marathon. She had been around the same weight as I was and had bypass surgery about four years ago. I had always marveled at her weight loss, and even met with her several times to discuss the surgery. I kept thinking I would try to do it on my own, rather than undergo something so drastic. Well now, here I was at my highest weight ever, feeling tired, disgusting and miserable, and there she was running a MARATHON!! That was when I decided I had put my life on hold long enough and immediately started steps to get the surgery. It took me nine months from that decision to the actual proceedure, but now I am finally on my way to being a happy healthy person like she is. I do not really see the NY marathon in my future (I hate to run and always have, even when I was thin) but who knows. Either way, I know now that the future now looks bright for me and I will have my own "marathon" moments as a new, healthier, lighter me!

My 14 year old son has been running cross country for the last 2 years. There are 1000 other reasons I wanted this surgery, but, the thought of me being able to go running with my son, still is something that drives me to push harder.

Hurting a lot and listening to my knees sounding like rice krispies every time I sat down.
That and going to the drive in movies and feeling the camping chair slowly bend closer to the ground until it wouldn't close up any more.
We wanted to go to Six Flags before school starts but I got so depressed thinking about walking, riding and just sitting while everyone had fun, we decided to cancel. And that depressed me even more. We cancelled a mini vacation because of my weight.
Been toying with the idea of WLS, but I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired, you know?

Best of Luck! I am so excited for you and the others. I can't wait to post my big day!
Happy Healing all!