ausmith

Hi Lindsey,
So I've read everything on this thread. I am the big sister to my sister who had gastric bypass 8 years ago. I am 10 day post op on the sleeve. I will spare you my story (our story) as it isn't particularly relevant...but I do want to share something that is related.
I envisioned while reading all these posts the pain and anguish my sister would have felt if something similar had happened to me. I have always had somewhat strained relations with my sister. She is just much more emotional than I am and seems so overly sensitive that I struggle with how to handle her emotions. Sometimes it does keep me away from her...not because I don't love her, but because I just don't know how to make her feel loved.
Your thread has inspired me to try a lot harder. I will be making plans to spend a weekend with her later this year and have suggested we train separately, but do a half marathon together (just walk it with the goal of finishing something together). She is super excited I reached out to her. I am even thinking I may have to go get a tattoo with her that weekend, it would mean a lot to her and for that reason, a lot to me.
I know there is absolutely nothing anyone can say to console you on your loss, but maybe just knowing because you shared your story, because you and your sister shared this amazing love, through it, someone else's life has been enriched.
Thank you for allowing us to share in your loss and your journey. Many blessings to your beautiful family and when I walk with my sister, know I will think of your sister throughout that weekend and be inspired to be a better sister because of her and you.
Much love and peace to you~ Tami

Sweet Sophia, I have lost 103 lbs since being sleeved in June, but 135lbs since last January. I'm attaching a before and after pic.

Yeah he is lucky. WE WILL GET THERE, just might take a little longer. I'm so glad the phsycologist prepared us both for the fact he would lose faster than I would. Keep at it !

I know where your coming from. My husband and I were both sleeved on 22/10/13 he has lost almost 85lb and I have lost 55lb. We eat exactly the same food, drink etc the only difference is that he has had to go out for meals with work so some of his choices haven't been as great, yet he is motoring along like a steam train while I am slowly but surely losing. I try to not compare myself to him and be happy and proud of where I'm at but it is hard when I think of all those times I have said no to something. Keep at it you have done an amazing job

For those coming out in Sydney tonight, I am early as I got out of work early and have a table on the roof, near the end of the rooftop. Look for me I have a black top on and ponytail tonight

I saw my Surgeon last Friday and I am now at the lightest weight that I have been since the late '90's. I have lost 34 kg in 8 months, very happy WLS patient here. I also went clothes shopping today in Target and for the first time in what seems like forever, I had to shop in the 'Normal' section and I have bought Size 16 and 18 tops...I spent a load of money that I shouldn't have spent, but hey, I might not be here tomorrow although I'd better be, because now I have so many new clothes to wear I won't need to wash anything for a month.
Everyone is doing so well, keep up the good work.
Have a great day !!!!!!
Lots of Love
Michele

So I can identify with you both, Lissa and Sue. On the one hand I was always the class clown because even though I was fat, at least I could make people laugh and that must mean they liked me, right? I have always had a "smart mouth" and I think it was my way of getting the edge and of keeping people at arm's length. I think I never trusted people's motivation for being my friend because I didn't feel worthy of their friendship. After all, I couldn't even keep my promises to myself to lose weight, and I hated how I looked. Surely I wasn't worth much?
At the same time I was really afraid of people not liking me. Because of that, I would always back down in am argument and always be the first one to apologize. I would get really derailed by negative feedback, for days or weeks. This kind of behavior was really obvious with my husband. I think in some way I felt like since I wasn't attractive (in my mind), that it was only a matter of time til he got tired of me. That's so weird because we have been married for 12 years and I was large the whole time. But it was more about my self esteem than reality.
Now, I think I have moderated both ends of the spectrum. I'm less of a smart aleck and less silly. I'm more confident and self-assured. I'm more likely to stand my ground but be less shrill doing it. I take criticism more thoughtfully. I feel like there is more room in my head because the body-hate was taking up so much of it. And the food thoughts too.
In arguments with my husband I am more likely to speak my mind I don't walk on eggshells. I'm more of an equal partner. Ironically I think our relationship is better and so much more "real". I feel more secure. It is weird but I also feel more like if something did ever happen and we went our separate ways (not that it is on the cards), that of course my world wouldn't end. I think it is a lot healthier.
I've also been able to take more risks at work and put my hand up for things I would not have dreamed of. It's the self confidence yes, but I also think thinner people are seen as more confident and competent. Even thigh of course it's not really true.
Sue, I love your new photo. You look so awesome and so glamorous!
My big news is that I am wearing those weird-fitting size 12 jeans that I bought on sale months ago. There is some muffin top but it's not obvious if I wear the right top. And the legs are a tad bit loose. I think if I went jeans shopping I would fit into some 10s but this is gratifying because I could not even close them 3 weeks ago. My weight loss has really slowed but I'm still changing shape.
I'm short so size 12 is still bigger than I want to be. I have changed my ticker to my surgeon's goal for me since it's so close, but I don't think I will be ready to stop there. I would like to get to at least size 8 and 25% body fat. I've added Zumba once a week and BodyPump (a weight training class) once a week, and running twice a week for 50 minutes and elliptical once a week for 50 minutes. I actually enjoy the exercise. Especially Zumba which I do with a friend and then we have dinner after

Very funny my husband volunteered me to go first as we were sleeved about 3 hrs apart.

I always want to be as supportive as I can, but guys, you can't spot lose fat. There is no such thing as "abdominal" fat or "butt" fat. Fat is fat. Many may have lost weight on the HCG diet in the past, but how many kept it off? In addition, you are playing with hormones that are already messed up from surgery. Stick with the plan you were given, even if it means living with a stall for a while and your weight will eventually come off. Most of us have tried all these crazy diets I the past, dozens of them - if they worked, you wouldn't have needed the surgery. Please try to stop the diet mentality. This is a life change, not a quick fix.

Hi everyone. I thought I'd update. Monday coming will be 8 months to the day since I was sleeved. I'm currently down 45kgs! So I'm now sitting at 97.6kgs. I'm only just starting to see it in the mirror which is great. I had to go shopping for more clothes again and am fitting and looking good in size 14!!!!!! I've never been a size 14 that I can even remember lol. So I'll up load a pic in my new size 14 dress

Down about 50! Ignore the weird face, need to work on selfie technique!

Another 3 monther checking in. I put these in a before and after so sorry if you saw them already Sleeved on Oct 7th

I am just over 8 months post-op VSG. I have lost a little more than 70 pounds, and gotten my BMI from super morbidly obese (43) to overweight (28 and change). I've gone from a size 22W to a size 12. I love how I look, how I feel, how much more physically active I can be. But that's really not the best part!
My GP ordered a full panel of blood tests for me recently. He also ordered a Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT), the test that is used to diagnose diabetes and gestational diabetes. As background, I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2007. Since my surgery, I have not had a single high reading. The GTT results I just got back today show NO SIGN OF DIABETES! I can metabolize 75 grams of glucose in a single (disgusting) drink just the same as a non-diabetic person can! VSG has cured my diabetes!
Not only that, but my cholesterol numbers are perfect. My blood pressure is perfect. All of my Vitamin and mineral levels are perfect. My hormone levels are perfect.
VSG has turned my health around. My doctor said that he cannot remember his last patient who turned their health around the way I have in the last 8 months.
Even if I never got to goal (which I will), I am so happy! I am just thinking about all the damage that is NOT being done to my tissues by diabetes. I won't have neuropathy, kidney problems, blindness, amputation. Because of VSG!
SO HAPPY!

OMG!! I'm now in the double digits!!! This is the first time since at least 1997 when I was grade 12! Sorry I just had to share with people who would understand why I'm so happy

Hi guys. I asked my husband to write something for my blog. Like a "WLS from a spouse's point of view" sort of thing. I will preface this by saying, my husband is my rock and I love him to pieces (sure, some days I want to push him off a cliff, but...).
This is what he sent me - I wanted to share with this audience because we all have loved ones that drive us crazy at times. I think sometimes we open up in a different way when we put pen to paper as opposed to speaking to one another. What would your spouse or significant other write if you asked them to? I was surprised by what I read here...
The wife recently asked me to write a little something for her blog. Not much on writing more than witty quips in response to my friends Facebook posts, my first response was a “oh sure” and then to politely ignore the request. It’s a tactic that works I’d say 75% of the time. I was hoping that she would be so excited (or distraught) about weight loss/lack of weight loss/not pooping/pooping/someone else pooping or not pooping, she’d forget that she asked. So a week passed and then I get a, “So I’d really like you to write a post for my blog. You know, from the spouses point of view.” I thought I was home free with her focus on the stall. Guess not.

My wife's weight has never really been an issue for me. We met over the phone and had a 3000-mile long distance relationship before the Internet and unlimited phone service. We worked in the same industry and developed a relationship over months of hours-long, bank-account-crushing phone calls. We have always said that if we had come across each other in a bar or other typical meeting place, we wouldn’t have been each other’s type, physically. Since we fell in love before we ever met, we got what we got. Which by the way, I was pretty happy with upon our first meeting. So when she informed me of her thoughts on surgery I tried hard to keep the slack jawed WTF look off my face as much as I could. I initially thought, “Your going to cut out most of your stomach just to lose a few pounds. What?” What I didn’t realize is that it wasn’t a few pounds. Much like your surprise when someone comments on how much your child has grown because they only see him once a year, I hadn’t noticed she had gained a hundred pounds since we first met. She had always just been my wife, my best friend, the person I would spend a long wonderful life with. My attachment to her has always been so much more than physical, and when I look at her I still see that 25-year-old girl I fell in love with. So when she told me how much she weighed I thought, “Holy shit, when did that happen.”

My blessing of the surgery wasn’t without hesitation. I know what obesity does to a body over time and have witnessed it first hand in my father and mother-in-law. The breaking down of joints, the insulin injections, heart issues and on and on…I know, preaching to the choir. But what if something happens during surgery and I lose the love of my life? What if our boy loses his mother? The mere thoughts made my heart hurt. How would I ever cope if something tragic actually happened? But you can’t live life on the basis that something bad MIGHT happen. Its what kept my mother from fully experiencing life and I always hated that. I wanted to have the healthiest wife possible as we get older. I wanted her to be comfortable in her skin. I wanted her to wear clothes she likes, not just the ones that hide the most. I wanted her to not feel awkward around others. I’ve never really struggled with weight. Sure I could lose more than a few pounds, but it falls off with little effort. I don’t fully understand the angst that the weight causes my wife but I know she isn’t as happy as she could be because of it. Life isn’t a dress rehearsal. You gotta make the most of it. So I agreed, reluctantly.

After coming to grips with the minimal risk involved and nervously waiting for good news from the operating room, it’s been a pretty easy journey for me. I’ve had to do very little except listen. Listen about the surgery, shakes, stalls, pooping, not pooping and then pooping again. My wife is hard-core about obtaining information off the internet. So much so, she once gave her GP a tutorial on thyroid testing and the latest acceptable ranges for each test, which came as news to her doctor. Still not sure why we had to pay for that office visit. So nothing came as a surprise. It made my life easier knowing that if anything came up post op that might freak me out, she had the stats on how many patients experienced the same thing, why it happened, how long it will likely last, and what the next day, week, month has in store. Easy for me, but I know it hasn’t been easy for her and that each day brings a new challenge. I am so grateful for what she is willing to put herself through for a healthier future with our son and me. Recently she’s been in the dreaded stall, but it’s subsided, and she has a little pep in her step. I love the gleam in her eye when the scale tells her what she wants to hear. I love how she gleefully shows off how crappy her clothes fit. Mostly I love that each day she seems to feel more comfortable in her skin and happier with herself. What more can you really ask for?

I had a nice Christmas lunch with family and found it really easy to eat "within my means". I didn't drink, playing the "I'm sick" card. Our neighbors are coming over for a drink in a bit and I will have one then and some eggnog tonight. But I will stay close to my calorie goal and i haven't felt deprived and haven't stuffed myself either.
Santa brought me a Fitbit Flex and a Fitbit Aria wireless scale! I had the Fitbit One that clips on but this one is a Bracelet. I love it! And the scale syncs with MyFitnessPal automatically and checks my body fat % too. I also got a Fossil bag and a new board game, and Secret Santa gave me a mushroom growing kit!

Have fun in the UK and iI hope you find something you can eating whilst you are there. I know it is more difficult when you are traveling and out of your controlled space. Perhaps go to a supermarket and pick up some sleeve friendly Snacks you can carry with you. Things like fruit & nuts, hummus, yoghurt, cheese and cracker snack packs may help. Hope your husband feels better soon and you enjoy a lovely Christmas Day together.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!! Thank you everyone for all your support and advice over the last year. All the best to you and your loved ones during the feastive season. May all your dreams (including weight-loss dreams) come true! Sue

Hi Misty why not take the black dress with you to India. Try it on a couple of days before you come home. If it's to big visit a tailor in India ( one of your contacts there will know of a great tailor) then have the tailor make some alterations for you. They will prob be able to do it overnight and will cost practically nothing. I take material with me or cloth's that don't fit whenever I go to Bali, Malaysia or Bangkok and have things made or altered. India is very much the same.

Here we go. In the second photo I am holding the fabric behind me. In the last photo you can see how much extra fabric there is. Also my boobs filled that dress last year and this year it is just sad.

For 8 years I have dreaded my company's black tie holiday party. It's a fashion company so - everyone is a stick. The first two photos are of holiday party past. The last is this years dress. -73. Happy happy that dress is a medium!

So this happened...

I have noticed something interesting. I dislike compliments about my weight, especially out of the blue and in real life. I think I liked them at first (the first 10-15 kg) because they validated that I really was changing. Now, 30 kg and over 6 months out, they are just unpleasant.
First it means that I was fat before and they noticed.
Second it means they are looking at me and noticing me for something besides my brain.
Third it means they are judging me and probably comparing me to themselves.
Fourth it means I am suddenly the focus of attention when something else should be (like the party, if it is at a party like last night).
Fifth, nobody is ever discreet. They practically shout it at the top of their lungs and then everyone nearby feels obligated to chime in.
I'm a manager with a successful team and a successful career. I have a lot to be proud of. At work I want to be known and admired for work. I don't want to be pigeon-holed into the "woman crowd" that worries about weight, makeup, and clothes all the time.
Also the number of people who have INSISTED quite loudly and persistently that I tell them exactly how I lost weight. Don't get me wrong, I have actually been quite open with my friends and especially obese people who ask. But some random male coworker from a different part of the company doesn't get to invade my business that way.
I know this is some mind of first-world problem and that in a year I might feel differently. But right now I just hope it starts slowing down and getting less obvious so I don't have to be on high alert for the Gushing Praise Posse, especially at work!
Am I the only one? I feel ungrateful even typing this.
Oh and don't even get me started on "How much more?" And "But you're done now, right?"

Off to Work party #1. I really don't have anything that fits me great but it is better to swim than look like a beached whale like I did last year!
Congrats Susan!

Well we've moved to the Gold Coast today and friends have offered us their house right on Mermaid Beach for the first few weeks. Sitting here watching the waves roll in and contemplating this new adventure in life. I seriously doubt i would be doing this now if I had not lost the weight. I feel good and confident and excited. Hope everyone else is having a great weekend.