CrazyJaney

I've loosened up on carbs, just a smidge, and I've seen an increase in energy, improvement in my desire to exercise, and consistent drop in weight. I'm not sure what's done it. I'm now eating 900-100 with at least 60 of Protein. Some days I'm under 50 carbs and other days I'm closer to 70. I feel better and have so much more energy. Then again, it might be the exercise that's driving it. I try to stay under 50 carbs at least 4 days a week. I've lost 75 and have 85 to go so I'm no expert. It's nice to know some can live in maintenance with some carbs. But I agree, most women of a certain age or body type, can't metabolize normal carb intake. Things like pizza are a slippery slope for me and would induce cravings.

Getting my very nice TREK bike down from the attic (hasn't been ridden in MANY years) and taking it to the bike shop for new tires. Have ridden with my son in the neighborhood which was so much fun. Now I am ready to use it for exercise. Very exciting! Still scared I will fall but it felt wonderful to ride a bike again.

I've still got a long way to go but have already knocked a few things off my list. Kayaking is awesome! So much fun!

Only regret is that I waited so long. Life is so good!

You must work in private sector. I work for the state government and let me tell you if someone made a shrinking ass comment to me or anyone else in my office kidding or not, they would have been written up immediately for A) sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Let me tell you, start throwing around catch phrases like that and the comments will seize immediately. Your size and clothing are irrelevant to the integrity of your work. Maybe they are just impressed, but anything that makes you uncomfortable should not be tolerated in the work place.

The majority of the time, the comments are genuine. But there comes a time where people need to move on from their "astonishment". I've lost 71 and you can tell a great deal. I hear the "astonished" comments nearly every day. I give brief thanks and then move onto some other subject quickly. It's nice for a brief second and then I just want near strangers (work acquaintances) to stop examining me. Just today, a female doctor exclaimed loudly in a hall full of coworkers how "you look like half the person you were!" which then drew in others to comment and before you knew it, 5 sets of eyes are examining me. It was ridiculous. The elevator came and I went the opposite way. Everyone was pleasant and nice but it's just unnerving. I still have 80+ to lose so I can legitimately say "I've got a long way to go". I deal with HR stuff so I am familiar with hostile work environments. It's just hard to decide where the line is. When is enough enough? I suppose any unsolicited comments could be considered unwanted. Some days I tolerate it better than others.

I am totally on same page as you! I too felt sad (unreal I know) that I could no longer eat what I wanted-almost 3 weeks out now and I don't feel the same loss as I felt the first week. I never expected to feel a loss so it made me very quiet and withdrawn. I don't have a sweet tooth, I have a savory one-miss salty foods but not like I did. I just have to focus on my goal, improving my health and stamina. I haven't done more than walk yet in my exercise routine but I haven't had the energy-will do more starting monday

The sense of "loss" diminishes for me each month. It's replaced with a sense of "I get completely satisfied quickly". I miss trigger foods every now and then, but the sense of loss is gone. 3 months out, I feel like I have power and freedom from hunger. Might not be this way for everyone I realize. But I'm thankful.

Inspiration for newbies... Highest weight :315.6 Surgery weight: 297.5 Current Weight: 187.0!!!! 14 months out (4/18/13)

Our starting stats are nearly identical. I'm just 3 months out. I've lost 71 (28 of that preop) and a little overwhelmed with how far I have to go (although pleased with my progress). THANK YOU for sharing! I have to remember it's a marathon, not a sprint. Any advice on how you kept it coming off once it slowed down (assuming it slowed)? Did you have to decrease calories, do 5:2, increase exercise?

I had pretty severe fatigue - I mean it's sort of SHOCKING how badly fatigued you are at first. But at 3 months, I'm not exactly full of energy all the time, but in general, I'm much more energetic than I was 70 pounds ago. I just visited family in MI that live on a lake. I rode bikes and kayaked several times. My sister was amazed at how much more active I was on this visit. I still feel the low carbs at times but the oppressive fatigue will go away eventually. At least for me it has.

Since Feb I have been having all of the testing and Dr visits. Found out I have sleep Apnea (that was a shock). The end of Pre op is hours away. I will be on the Post side tomorrow. It is amazing how long it seems when you are in the beginning of the process. Then before you can turn around Surgery is scheduled and time is flying. I have had several people ask me over and over again if I was sure I wanted to go thru with this drastic surgery. I explain my reasons then they say they will support me in all of my decisions. I guess they just wanted to make sure I really wanted to do this. My brothers are having are hard time with it,. I think the main thing they are just worried about surgery. (We lost Mom and Dad within a year and a half from each other. This was just a few years ago.) I know they love me and are just worried. I have only been on liquids for 2 days I am not sure I could have done the 3 or 4 weeks of prep op that some of you do. They are putting in a Pick line in around 9 and surgery will be an hour or 2 later. I am so glad I found this site. I feel like I have heard of all kinds of problems to look for,. Gas, Nausea, Constipation and other things. I really do not think there will be any surprises after surgery. I am excited, nervous, scared (I am starting a whole new life with my sleeve) All will be great. I will send an update from the other side (lol) Good Luck everyone. Keep up the great work. TNpeach

Hey there TN! I'm 3 months post. Also in TN. Has my surgery at Vandy. The first week is rough but it's all doable and it gets better everyday. Follow the sleeve mantra: sip, sip and sip along with walk and walk and walk. I still get very constipated and take something EVERYDAY (fiber gummies and stool softness). I still struggle with getting all my Fluid. I advise tracking everyday, even in the early days because it's a good habit to develop. You energy levels might be really low but they bounce back. I've lost 71 pounds (28 was preop). Absolutely no regrets. Good luck to you!

Sending you prayers of strength and comfort. Im so very sorry.

This is one of my most favorite threads. My surgery was March 13 and it seems like eons ago. I've lost about 70 pounds (including preop), life is so good. The first month is hard but it gets so much better! Good luck to all those starting out.

Awesome NSV tonight.... Went to a Detroit Tigers game. I was walking ahead of our pack, or with the pack, and did not struggle in the least to keep up. Zipped up and down the stairs. Walked up steps in parking deck without feeling like I couldn't breathe. Wearing jeans that are now too big that I hadn't worn since 2008 - friends noticing how loose they were. And of course, sitting in stadium seat comfortably. Awesome night!

Ooooo, I'm searching for the twinkle tweezers now. The Biotin is making my facial hair (even the fine hair) grow like crazy!

hair sheds when dry and there is a handful when wet. Ugh. I just had a big loss but pretty sure I'm now in a stall. No scale so my daily weighing habit is on hold (I'm on vacation). Loving all the NSV's though.

68 down and 90 to go. Love the dress but can barely see the progress. Sigh. So much better than I was but so freaking far to go.

You're gonna do great! It's risky and scary but worth it! Hang in there.

You're gonna do great! It's risky and scary but worth it! Hang in there.

Big huge congratulations sent to you! What a testimony!

I find I'm touching my hair all the time now since I'm starting to shed. I'm not pulling hair but it's like I'm obsessed with assessing the Hair loss. I have a ton of hair, but it's shedding big time.

Try Fiber gummies if you haven't already. I take 2 gummies, plus 2 stool softness every night. I usually go every 4 days or so. I gave up on the Miralax. All it did was bloat me up worse. Not sure they will help you but the gummies sure taste better than Miralax.

I told my husband today that I'm pretty sure I could land at O'Hare with my bat wings. I'm trying not to fixate on the secondary losses because it is what it is. But, it's a tad depressing at times.

I admit I struggle with the need to de-stigmatize this. And by not being totally open, maybe I'm preventing this from happening on a larger scale. I have told ALL my close circle of friends, and my immediate family. I just don't want it to be the topic of every conversation at work - and trust me, it would be. To de-stigmatize it requires the masses to "come out". The problem is the distraction to my everyday life, my mindset, my own peace of mind, depends on keeping centered and balanced. Constantly receiving feedback from others messes with that. I'm just not comfortable with my weight being a MAJOR topic of conversation - that freaks me out. Being under a microscope for losing weight, while not as bad as being under the microscope for gain g weight, is just unpleasant. There are tons of these threads on here about this. I often comment because I see the pros and cons and it's such an issue for some of us who feel passionately either way. I was very protective of this decision because I didn't want others feedback. Once it was done and I'm fully invested in this way of life, I'm less worried that people will know. I care less what they think after losing 68 pounds. Maybe a year from now I'll sing it from the mountain tops, or announce it over the PA at work. Doubtful. But, you never know. In my humble and useless opinion, do whatever YOU need to do to get through this. Do what feels genuine to your personality, your life. There is no right answer.

Buying a dress online that was smaller than last summer AND having to return it for a smaller size because it was too big when it arrived. And ordering a lab cost in a much smaller size than last year and being able to button it all the way up! Clothing changes seem to be the biggest NSV at the moment.

Im totally going to tell people the secret to my weight loss success. I will have three rotating stories. 1. Meth 2. Lipo 3. Too broke to buy food.< /p>

Best. Responses. EVER. Lololololololol

Some of us aren't interested in being the poster child for WLS in our communities, workplaces, among our friends, etc. It becomes the first thing one thinks of when that person's name is mentioned. I don't get why that is so hard to understand. Kudos on being an open book. Some of us like our privacy. People are different.

Exactly!

I agree with PDX. The incessant questions and comments and the Eagle Eye focus on weight/diet alone prevented me from telling "everyone". Those who needed to know, those who I needed to be cheerleaders, all know. I work in a hospital and it he stereotypes of gossiping nurses is sadly true (not all but enough). I had seen it before in a coworker who had it done. She went on and on about it. They, in turn, went on and on about it. Please, see me for more than my weight, big or less big (I'm a long way to small). I've lost 68 and it's becoming the topic of conversation at times. I do look different. I'm thankful for the heartfelt comments. I'm not comfortable with acquaintances who push for details. I do tell what I do: low cal, low carb, high Protein, track calories, swim/exercise. None of that is a lie and this doesn't work if I change those so..... I am well aware I won't "fool" everyone. It's not my intention to "fool" or "lie". But if I didn't tell you, it's probably because you didn't really need to know.