MrsVanderbilt

Hi all,
Sleeved in Australia on May 14, I am down approximately 50 lbs at the moment.
Often hungry but can't eat much, taking a bit longer than I thought to get used to the sleeve, but I will get there I guess!

May 14th here.....hit onederland this morning. 199 yeeeesssss!

Loving the new me

I chose not to live my live out loud. I don't discuss my finances, and I don't ask people about theirs. I don't discuss how much my house or car cost and I would never ask another person the same. My mother told me if some one was ill, when they return to work never ask what was the illness. Just say I'm glad you're feeling better. On my job I'm amazed on a daily basis at some of the personal discussions I hear.
As for me...it's not a secret, it simply no one's business. Really, why does it have to be announced?

The hog.

   


The package.

I'm not "hiding" anything.
No, I'm not embarrassed.
No, it's not a "secret".
I *DID* do this on my own. Yes, I had surgery, but no one weighed and measured my food, tracked my intake, ran my miles, danced my Zumba, lifted my weights, swam my miles, or did any of the other work I had to do to lose 110+ pounds last year. My surgery was a tool, a really super awesome tool that I will be forever grateful for, but I lost the weight, no one did it for me.
Why have I not made my surgery public knowledge? Because it's none of anyone's business. I have so many more things about me that are *MUCH* more interesting than my surgery. I am a successful business owner with 300+ women on my team, I am a mom of two gifted teens who I am very proud of, I am a volunteer for a women's shelter, I am a martial arts training instructor, I have a pet hedgehog who is as cranky as they come, I can move both of my eyes independently of the other, I can sing songs in sign language, I hate getting dirty but I have a new love for doing mud runs, I am white Water certified in kayaking, I can do the splits in all three directions, I've been married to the same man for 20 years and haven't attempted murder yet, I have a wicked sense of humor and can insult you five ways to Sunday and you'll thank me for it without even realizing it.
I have no desire to explain (to people who really aren't truly interested) what a sleeve is, how it works, why they really don't know someone whose mother's best friend's cousin's neighbor's brother's wife's dentist died from this surgery/gained back all their weight/was malnourished/has seizures/never lost a pound/etc, nor do I care to explain my portion size, justify why I eat what I eat, answer the question "are you allowed to eat that" every time I put something in my mouth...
I don't talk about my pooping habits with the general public or my menstrual cycle, my gall bladder attack, why I used to pee when I sneezed, my IUD, my sore boobs during PMS, etc. I don't talk about the size of my hubby's package, how often we do the do, where we conceived our children, what we fight about when we fight, how much money I make, how much money he makes, my IQ, what brand of handbag I carry most often, or how much I spend on shoes annually, either.
Any other questions?

In my case, my husband made the decision he did not want me discussing his (which means "our") surgery because we were both sleeved. He is like this about his finances and everything else. I respect his wishes and I realize now, 8 months later, that I like my privacy about the surgery. For instance, we go to a neighborhood club for dining and dancing, and our neighbors gush on and on, telling everyone about our weight loss. I am soooooo tired of this. Imagine if they knew we had surgery.

At first I didn't want to tell people specifically at work because I didn't want them to react negatively for me taking off the time away from work for what they would see as "elective" or "cosmetic" even. Since then, I have not told a lot of people about my surgery, but others I have. It is kind of a case-by-case basis. I have told the majority of my close friends and family, but not my co-workers and acquaintances. I view it as any other medical procedure, because it is just that, a medical procedure. I don't feel the need to make a blanket announcement about it. I just kind of view it as personal....if I choose to share it then, fine.
But in reality, while the surgery is an amazing tool, it is not what makes me choose the right kinds of food to put in my mouth, and it does not make me get out of bed every morning to run at 5:30, or it doesn't make me go to cross training while my family is still in bed sleeping on a weekend. When people want to know how I've lost weight, yes, surgery is a huge part of it, but in reality, it's so much more than that. So I can answer them honestly without disclosing my medical history should I choose to take that approach by telling them that I am eating a high Protein low carb diet, completely changed my lifestyle, and started regularly exercising.

Everyone's circumstances are different. For me, I'm just altogether a private person. I work with all women, and some are very catty, I don't want to be center of any gossip/ negativity. My work also deals with not only fellow employees, but many clients, and I don't feel like discussing my surgery with every person that sits at my desk. I've told my close friends and family, and if it feels right, I will open up and tell others , and I have ...for me it's really at work where I do not wish to tell people my business. We are all different, and all entitled to tell or not to tell. I don't think anyone has the same reasons as anyone else. It's hard to generalize as to why we tell or don't tell.

I'm so sorry. My mom did the exact same thing to me. I specifically told her not to tell ANYONE about my surgery, and she told everyone. I felt so betrayed as well. I let her know that it hurt me that she betrayed my confidence and that my fat is my own business. I will never tell her a secret again. Lesson learned.

I didn't tell anyone except my husband and my mother about my surgery. They knew about how important it was for me to keep this to myself.
I found out yesterday after church that my mother had told her entire "small group" which is about 50 people. I had someone walk up to me after church asking how I am doing after the surgery and how much weight I had lost. I was dumbfounded.
I asked her if she told and she said just her small group because she wanted me covered in prayer. I get that, I truly do, but she didn't have to tell them what kind of surgery it was. I am so hurt. It's an awful feeling to know your own mother has betrayed your trust. And if all those people know, everyone might as well know. She took that choice to tell away from me. It was the one thing I thought I had control over. I am so hurt.
I don't know what the point of this post is. I guess I just have to get it out. I'm having a really hard time right now.

Everyone has to come to the realization that we are who we are at some point. If you cannot find happiness within yourself at this point you will never be happy... If you can't Celebrate where your body is now..Healthier and in great shape and you feel great...what was the point of all the work you have done to get where you are today...
It is the common thinking that it is never enough until we look more like models that have no shape at all. No breasts, and bones sticking out everywhere. Is that what you want for yourself. To no longer look like a woman.
To say ' is this the best it is gonna get' implies that you are not happy with you, and who you have become. 75 lbs gone and muscled now.....
Take 75 lbs of butter and place them on the table next to you and look at what you have done. Where you are.Take a look at the before and after pictures and Celebrate the wonderful success of your journey..
Your body may decide to lose more but live as much as you can where you are now and let your body do the deciding.
Just stay on the program and do not Detour and you will reach the right place for you...Whether it is this year or next year...This is not a race, it is a journey!

you are such an inspiration. thanks for posting!

You look so young and thin. Inspiring!

I am 1 wk postop. ..I only did a 2 day preop 3 shake only diet. I lost 11 pds in 4 days...had surgery. ..gained 8 in hospital. .lost those 8 in a few short days plus more..totalling 25 pds in a wk an half! I just out of curiosity put a pair of capries on I bought during spring I couldn't even get them on up past thighs but liked them an bought just in case I'd lose some on my own..(yea right I was delusional believe me) ...THEY ARE ON AN ZIPPED! !! Some one pinch me to see if I'm awake or dreaming!! This is actually working!! I see all others success story's I just new I'd be the one it wouldn't wrk on..its working! ! I just had to post I'm soo excited! Still have along way but I'm on the right track.. woo hoo!! I'm in tears...I'm 50 an I'm feeling my life has truly just turned into Awsome: )

I had surgery in Arizona at Tempe Saint lukes hospital. Before surgery the day of I was 516 which was done on April 20, 2014 I took a pic 4 years later and I was 170 As of today July 9th I am now 180 the 10 pound gain is all muscle..

Protein Peanut Butter Balls
1/2 cup reduced fat Peanut Butter (i used Peter Pan)
1/2 cup Syntrax Matrix Peanut Butter Cookie Protein Powder
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup oat bran
Mix your dry ingredients first, then everything else. Makes 8.
158 calories
7.4 grams of Protein
Delicious and husband approved!

This is my first time posting, however I have been following since right before my surgery. I had a NSV that brought me to tears this 4th of July weekend and thought I would share. To some it may sound silly. I have 3 children 14, 4 and 2. I have been over weight all my life. When my 14 yr old was younger I was never able to take her on rides at carnvials or things like that as I was to big. In fact one time I tried but, had to get off because the lap thing wouldn't go down. Thankfully, she was to young to understand or remember. I of course was embarrassed beyond belief and remember it well.
This weekend we took our kids to the 4th of July carnival and I was able to take my youngest on rides. I was able to sitwith them on the ride and I was able to get in a Trauma one helicopter without being told I was too big.
I still have a ways to go but finally feel like a good mom to all my kids. Thanks for letting me share!

230 June 6, 2012 and today July 6th, 2014 after plastics. Loving my world:)

I thought WLS was for only the super morbidly obese. I didn't know that you didn't have to be over 500 lbs to get WLS. When a family member suggested it I was really offended at first, but after some research I realized that it might be the right thing for me. Now I'm 30+ lbs lighter and off one of my blood pressure medications. Although I'm only 6 weeks out, I wish I would've gotten the sleeve sooner.

i didn't officially get denied, but i did gain weight to meet the BMI requirement. I was just a few pounds away like you. What was amazing was that it was really hard to gain those 10 pounds. It took me at least a month!

I cannot stand my Victoria secret vanilla lotion....I really feel like I can smell a fly fart....my senses are hypersensitive...nothing tastes the way it used to...the surgery changes everything....I'm always nibbling...always hungry...hate it

Yesterday, I celebrated an amazing NSV that I know a lot of you had already experienced. The last time I had been on a plane was in February and I can never forget that trip. The seats on both flights were small and I was absolutely MISERABLE and was left with hematomas and bruises on both hips that took weeks to heal. Since then I have been dreading getting on a plane again and mind you my job requires I travel so the leave of absence was a huge blessing and I was also blessed to work from home for the last 3 years. Well yesterday was AMAZING, not only did I fit into my seat and the belt had some space after I buckled it BUT I was also able to cross my legs. No bruises nor hematomas to report! I love this weight loss journey! Good luck to ALL and happy 4th! Let's all eat sensibly :-)

For the first time in my adult life I rode every ride and never put on a cover up (which I would have NEVER taken off even to swim) at the WATERPARK. And did I mention I PROUDLY rocked a bikini!!!!??? YES, I did.
Surgery date: 12/2012
Start weight: 246
Current: 109

I was sleeved May 13th. 7 weeks out down 35lbs. I stalled for a week also but losing pretty fast within the past week.