scootergirl

I had my sleeve surgery in August 2013. It was the best thing I have have ever done for myself. The knee surgery I thought I would need....I did not. The fatigue and inability to move....gone. My poor blood sugar, blood fats, lymphadema, etc....all better. I can buy clothes off the rack. This has been a dream for me. Alas, I have had a rough stretch. A significant family crisis has taken me away from my “year of me”. I stopped tracking my protein. I let my weekly exercise quota slip away. I no longer commit to my good, post-surgery habits. I have slipped into naughty “slider food” habits (chips, crackers, wine.....too little protein, too many carbs, basically not following any of the recommendations of my program). None of these choices is ok. None of these is recommended....by anyone. I post this only as a cautionary tale. I have regained 30 pounds (1/3 of my total weight loss) since my minimum. I am, again, in the “morbidly obese” category (not even a little bit ok with me). I struggle to climb stairs. My knees are hurting again. I will learn how bad my metabolic numbers are soon (when I see my doc for my annual physical). This was not why I underwent major surgery and worked so hard for several years at my good health and weight loss. i tell all you all this to warn you to stay vigilant. Take your surgery seriously. Keep up with your good, new, healthy habits. Don’t let life’s events derail your hard work. Surgery was a life changer for me and I have not been able to make a lasting success of it. I am still better off than I was pre-surgery but not where I should/could be. My surgeon is frustrated with my weight slide. I am mad at how my life circumstances have derailed this “miracle” in my life. My weight is up. My health is down. Not good. i plan to return to good habits....eventually (once my life settles down). I hope it helps me. Time will tell. I choose to believe that my bad habits will be reversible. Fingers crossed I am correct. Stay strong, sleevers. Don’t follow in my footsteps.

Goodness. You are looking great. Do you feel as transformed as your silhouette? Way to go!!! Keep up the good work

Thank you for posting this. I think you address an important but sensitive issue. I would not have expected myself to be plagued by "cross-addiction" issues. I did not think I was "addicted" to food. Ha! I was very under-aware of the degree to which food soothed my stress of life. Now that I don't have food for comfort or calming, I face my stress alone. I have allowed myself to relax and socialize with friends by enjoying a drink in the evenings (I could not eat the foods they ate so I joined them with liquid). I can see that it would be easy for alcohol replace my old reliance on foods. Thank you for reminding me of this.

Doh! I meant to say that the comments above were regarding "Evolving"'s photos

OMG! You look so beautiful. We started at ~ the same weight. You are about 40 pounds ahead of me and a thousand miles ahead of me in self confidence. You radiate happiness in your photos. I want to catch up to you. Thanks for posting. Keep up the awesome and inspiring work.

Roserie - will you be my sleeve buddy? You and I are very similar in our stats....similar starting weight, similar surgery date, similar amount of weight lost. I don't have any photos to share but you have my thoughts and blessings on your continued success.

I agree with the praises for MyFitnessPal. I found it hard to track my protein before I stRted using it. I also find it keeps me closer to my desired daily calories because I can see the impact of each food choice I make. Over time I have let go more of the higher calerie/lower protein foods that I used to love.

Y'all, thanks for posting the photos. You guys look great. I am truly inspired. I plan to post my own photos once my weight loss is more noticeable. Even though I am down 55 pounds, few folks have said anything about my appearance. It makes me think that I must not look very different yet. I feel really different though.....so much better. My knees don't hurt anymore. My feet are no longer swollen, I can bend over and tie my shoes without passing out from loss of blood to my head!. Small victories to some but they mean the world to me.