MimiM

My nutritionist said no soda period. The carbonation stretches your stomach back out.

Nice work Kim
My sister had surgery before me and she decided not to exercise at the beginning (easy decision) while the weight loss was easy. She then chose to start exercising when the weight loss slowed some. Her reasoning was that if she was gung ho with exercise from the start then when the weight loss slowed she would have to increase the exercise to a level that was not sustainable. So, when I had surgery I did the same thing. I just had the simple walking to and from work for 10 minutes each way and added one treadmill 30 minute walk a week for the first 5 months (remembering that's a lot of exercise anyway when you're that heavy). I felt the slow down 5 months so I started going to the gym twice a week doing cardio and weights (again, alot of exercise LOL). Then, at 9 months I slowed down again some, put up with it for a few weeks then said yes, 5:2 diet. So I have been on 5:2 since and weight is dropping nicely still. I am at month 11 since surgery now and am down 71.6 kilos / 157 pounds.

Hi Everyone,
I am celebrating year 5 of having a very successful weight loss surgery! I was 63 when I had sleeve surgery done, so it is never too late to have weight loss surgery!!!!
This was very best choice I have ever made in my life. I had my Weight Loss Surgery in Oct 2008. After a lot of investigating and considering all the doctors and places I could have my surgery. I made the choice to have Dr. Aceves in Mexicalli Mexico do my surgery. I was a self-pay, and believe me I really checked out every option there was. I was an older person and I really took my time to figure out what was best for me. I talked to a lot of different people who had already had weight loss surgery about who their doctors were.
It wasn’t something I rushed into. It took me about 6 months before I knew for sure that I was going to the right place for me. I also made the choice to have VGS aka the sleeve. I lost of total of 105 pounds and it took me 14 months to do this. Was it easy, yes and no? The 1st month was the hardest month I had to do. After that it just kept getting better and easier each month. It is NOT a magical cure. It is my tool to allow me to use to reach my goal. The big question you are thinking is have I maintained my weight loss goal? The answer is YES, I fluctuate between 5 to 7 pounds sometimes. I still eat healthy, make sure I get enough Protein and stay away from too many carbs. It accurately is a lifestyle change NOT a diet. It is easy for me to live like this and eat like this for the rest of my life. I have some really delicious meals and I never feel deprived at all. Do I eat deserts, yes and it is made healthy and is extremely good. Do I eat deserts every day; the answer is no. I love all the lifestyle changes I have made in my life and it will always work for me.
I was the person who hated to exercise. Now I do something every day. Last Sept, I thought I would just see if I could walk 7 days a week for a month and I did just that. Well that became a good habit and I walked EVERY DAY for one YEAR without missing a day. Yes, I walked outside when it was raining or not nice weather—I am always coming back home, so I will get dry if I get wet while walking. I walked between 3 ½ miles to 4 miles a day. Five years ago, I could have never walked that much. Find some type of exercise that you like and it will be easier to do. Start out slow and then add to it. You don’t have to do it 7 days a week, but do something at least 3 or 5 times a week.
I want you to know that you too can become successful at weight loss. I am 68 now and life is so different for me. If you are thinking about having weight loss surgery, I am living proof that it does work and you can do it too.
Suzanne Beaty
Sleeved Oct 21, 2008

Have made it to onederland! I am soooo happy! Can't remember the last time I weighed under 200!

As this day as gone along, I am actually getting more comfortable! I have not had to resort to any pain medication today at all! That amazes me! Water is also now going down easy, as opposed to the razor blade feelings. I've actually consumed more water today than any other day so far, and I am relieved, because I thought if I didn't get my act together, I would wind up back in the hospital with dehydration! I was able to have a 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt today, and I am looking forward to my next meal. It did fill me up and I was satisfied for about an hour and a half, when I began to feel hungry again. But, that is when I began drinking water, and discovered it didn't hurt to drink it anymore, and have been adding that, and the hunger feelings have subsided! As to Protein drinks, I have been not doing so well with those. I have them on hand, but I had so many in my pre-op liquid diet, I can't seem to look at them anymore. I plan to have one today at some point, because I know how seriously important they are for my healing and health, even if I feel like gagging on them. I have my doc appointment on Wednesday and I'm excited to see her and let her know these weird things and find out from her how far from "normal" I am or if I am right on target. My wounds are now itching, so that must mean healing is going on there as well! I'm already down 8 pounds, so that is also exciting!!! My clothes, which were already getting too big due to the pre-op diet and then the liquid phase before surgery, but now they are seriously getting ridiculous! When your undies start to want to fall off, you know exciting things are going on! LOL!

Hi I will think off you to day and belief you will do great can't wait to hear from you again:)

It is hard not to overanalyze and worry that "this won't work either". However, I'm sure if you think about it logically, common sense will prevail and you will realize that there is no way you will gain weight eating 800 calories a day. That's what I tell myself when it happens to me Like this morning, when I gained 2 pounds after a week of 800 calories a day, and one day of 1700 calories (had 2 parties yesterday). There is no way an extra 900 calories resulted in a 2 pound gain - that would have required 7000 extra calories, and it would have take a few days to show up. It's Water. I am starting realize that one day of "overeating" won't ruin anything. It's life, and it's what I do for the long haul that makes the difference. I think you'll find that too! You'll do great.

Hi Mimi,
I would like that as well, hopefully I can help you.

Good luck! Can't wait to hear about your experience....

I used to make this every weekend for the week for us. It's old-fashioned oatmeal (not quick cooking, not steel-cut, but in between for level of processing), with greek yogurt and fruit. High in Protein, complex carbs and no cook. Woo hoo!
Basic recipe at our house for each serving was is 1/2 c oatmeal, 1/2 c greek yogurt, 1/2 c of soy/almond/regular Milk, honey or stevia to taste, 1/4 c either blueberries, or raspberries. Don't use bananas which brown. Multiply times days you want to have this.
Mix together in a bowl, put into 2 c mason jars so it can expand. The oats soak up all the yogurt and liquid. Leave in refrigerator at least overnight. Does well up to 5 days for sure. Enjoy!
My 13-year old was in charge of making it, so talk about easy.
This link shows you other ways to make it for flavors:
http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal

I am so much more active, people think I look way younger, I get alot more attention/social interaction, I feel better, my sleep apnea is gone, my blood pressure is normal, I take NO prescriptions, I can wear fashionable clothes, I can wear high heels, my bra straps are skinny like normal girls (not the big fat plus size girl bra straps!), I fit comfortably in airplane seats, I no longer feel like my gut enters the room before I do, I am a much better horseback rider, I have an amazing amount of energy, I smile a lot more, I just plain feel like a normal person now.
That is for starters anyway....
If you click my profile you can see "before and afters"

I lost more weight after the 6 month mark than I did before it. My diet consisted of 700 calories or less, 20 grams of carbs or less and 6 days a week of exercise including weight training. My average loss was 2 lbs a week and I made it to my goal by Month 10. Day of surgery on June 4th I was at 229 - today I weigh 125.

Stop it! You are not going to barf! This is a wonderful journey you are about to take and it is so worth it....
Take some deep breaths, hold your breath for a few seconds and then exhale! You will be fine. The needle is just a prick, the doctor is there for your best interest, he is your friend, and the hospital is a clean environment to launch you on your journey. You will be in the hospital for a very short period of time. In fact you are so lucky, you will have a pump that gives you morphine when you need it. Morphine helped me sleep pretty much the whole entire time I was there. I was very comfortable. In fact, I pushed that button every time I woke up......

I think your post should encourage a lot of people. Thanks!

Hello, sleevers! I am so happy I found this place and looking forward to sharing our journeys. I've been overweight for 30 years (since age 8), but never considered WLS. I've gone on every diet, tried every weight loss med, been a vegetarian, a raw foodist, and an exercise nut. I never lost more than 15 pounds. I am capable, however, of gaining 30 pounds in a month. I do not have PCOS, thyroid issues, or even insulin resistance - my body just doesn't want to let go of weight.
Most recently, I spent four months in residential treatment for binge eating disorder, where I was treated like an anorexic. They took away all my exercise (had JUST gotten into a regular cardio/resistance routine), told me it was ok to eat Cookies, candy bars, and ice cream every day (so I did - all three - every day), and drilled into me that there was no reason to be afraid of food (I never had been, other than the fear of not having enough). I gained 20 pounds in treatment and was told I hadn't gained at all (we were not allowed to weigh ourselves or know our weekly weights). The experience was great for my head, as I learned many valuable tools for dealing with my emotions, analyzing my thoughts and behaviors, and communicating with others, but bad for my body. I've gained 15 more pounds since leaving treatment in November. I still overeat - I just don't feel guilty about it anymore.
I've never felt like a fat person and I know I'm not meant to be this heavy. Now I'm starting to have knee and back pain on a daily basis and I have bruises all over my body from bumping into things (I'm that unaware of my recently increased size). I resisted the idea of surgery because it was unnatural, like many people who've never struggled with weight, I thought I just wasn't trying hard enough. Then I realized it was no different from having LASIK or dental work; I am grateful for every day I wake up and don't have to put on glasses or deal with contacts to see, and I'm glad I have straight teeth, not the crooked, overcrowded mess that would have resulted if I'd never had those teeth pulled. Now I see WLS for what it is - a viable shot at freedom.
Thanks for reading.