IcanMakeit

It's coming up on one year since my VSG. I have lost a total of 132 lbs (including pre-op loss) and am at the lowest weight I have been in my adult life. My diabetes is totally in remission and my high blood pressure is under better control, though not gone. But the real pleasure of this weight loss is that I can now get up after being seated for a while, and just walk without feeling horrible pains in my hips and back. I realized the other day when I popped up out of my chair at work and ran up the stairs, that this surgery has really changed my life for the better. Not only is my health much better, I'm also having so much fun shopping in regular stores and wearing fashionable clothes and shoes. So I'm calling on all May 2014 sleevers who are still around. How are you all doing one year out?

@@peggums, Oh how I wish I had heeded that advice while I was losing. I now have a bunch of really cute, almost new clothes in sizes ranging from medium to large. I'm still wearing things that look sloppy because they are cute and in great condition and my mother's voice is in mind telling me not to be so wasteful just because of vanity.

When you do switch, make sure your new doctor gets your complete medical records from your old doctor, including the surgical notes.

@@peggums, thanks for sharing your success story. It is so helpful for new post-ops and people who are considering WLS to hear about the real successes of real people. I am also coming up on my one year anniversary in the next couple of weeks and am also very grateful for having been given the opportunity to have WLS and get my life back. What a difference a year and a half of careful eating can make!

@@jennn0218, your surgery date is my one year surgiversary. I don't know which procedure you are having, but I hope that you will be as pleased a year from now as I am today. This is a very friendly site. Just ask and you will get many helpful responses.

I just happened upon this thread and I'm glad I did. My goals and motivations are similar to others'. At first, I was all about giving myself the best odds to live long enough to see my grandchildren grow up and to stop feeling like crap all the time. Once my diabetes went into remission and my myriad aches and pains were gone, I started focusing on keeping my new-found good health. I was so miserable at 244 lbs. I could barely get through a day without severe physical pain and also frequently felt disrespected and overlooked socially. I may seem too rigid to others, but I have "been there, done that" and regained every pound when I stopped focusing on eating healthily. That doesn't mean I intend to never eat recreationally. I have several special treats planned for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. in the next few weeks. It just means that on a day to day basis, I have to remind myself to eat like a healthy person, not like an obese person. As far as my current weight, at 113, I'm already lower than I ever believed possible and don't need to lose anymore. I just don't want to gain five, then ten, then...

@@coleenrenee, I'm sorry you're feeling blue, but know that lots of people have those same thoughts/feelings early in the post-op period. In a couple of weeks, you will begin to notice that you're feeling better and better. In a few months, when you see that you have lost a significant amount of weight, you will be so glad you decided to take the risk of WLS and do the work required. Read widely on this site and you will see that experience repeated over and over. Good luck.

I found out there's a DSW only 1/2 hour away from my house. Uh oh. Went and bought some sandals. In yellow. With a pretty high heel. I could not stand to wear heels for more than a few seconds 130 lbs ago. Somebody hold me back. This old lady is getting a bit too wild.

@@bayougirlmrsc, those red shoes are calling my name. But I know I could not wear them for long. They are so high.

@@bayougirlmrsc, Cute! Is wearing high heels new for you, too? By your photo, you're pretty young so maybe you've been able to wear heels even before weight loss. I am going to need a minder to keep me from going crazy with shoes. I'll be heading into Imelda Marcos territory if I'm not watched!

@@kimpossible67, Losing a parent is one of the hardest things to go through. But I hope your wonderful memories bring you comfort.

@@Band07 I hope your recovery is smooth and trouble free. Your decision to go with the MGB seemed to come really quickly. Was that because your surgeon recommended it? It makes seems to make sense to me that trying to do a repair of your VSG would have been less optimal.

When your shadow looks like it belongs to some skinny woman.

It's in the General Gastric Sleeve Surgery Discussion section. It came right up when I searched for it. Perhaps your search had a typo.

Here's a picture. I didn't wear them today because I also bought a pretty pink top that I just had to wear to work.

My husband and I will be going to Reno next month for a long weekend. It's his choice since it's his birthday. Since I don't really like to gamble, I used to enjoy the buffets and the bars in Reno and call it a fun weekend. Now that I don't drink much (since my WLS 11 months ago I've only had one glass of champagne for New Year's), and I eat so carefully, what shall I do there for fun? We will definitely take a drive into the mountains for a hike. But that only takes care of one day. Any suggestions?

I'm at 112 this morning. I just need to stick the landing.

Welcome @hellohealthy. This forum is great for learning about what to expect and how to handle challenges that come up during the weight loss journey, but it's also one of the friendliest and most supportive boards. Enjoy!

Thanks @@Miss Mac. I love Lake Tahoe as well and go there a couple of times a year, but Reno has always been about food and drinking for me. They used to have really good buffets at very good prices, and they would give out free drinks to people who play Keno or slots, no matter how little money you were actually spending (and I made it a rule not to waste more than $10.00 on gambling for the whole weekend). Now that those bargains are gone (and I really can't take advantage of them anymore anyway, it's time for me to get out of the casinos and into more interesting activities. I like your suggestions. I'm going to go online and see if I can find the sites you mention.

I went for a longish bike ride today and learned two things. 1. Bike riding on a beautiful day in a beautiful town is fun and I need to keep doing it, and 2. It's way easier to ride when you weigh a lot less. Even though I'm totally out of shape and haven't been riding regularly since last fall, I was able to go up hills that used to make me get off and walk.

Yup. My tummy moves and gurgles, too. I'm so used to it now, I ignore it.

Each of us can only tell you how our surgeries worked for us, not how well it would work for you. My advice is to talk to and read lots of posts from people who had different surgeries, paying close attention to the ones who are similar to you. You will get a pretty good idea of what is common for all the different surgeries and then you can make an informed choice.

I told my entire family, my best friends and my best work friend. I don't believe it is necessary to discuss personal health matters with acquaintances. When a person who is overweight and seems to need help asks me about my weight loss, I should probably open up, but so far I haven't because I live in a very small gossipy town. (My family and friends don't live in my town.)

@@Debbieduck4 you forgot to mention the other blessing, I get an extra day off from work. A day strolling around with my husband is by definition better than a day at work.

@@borg/assimilated, I am going to practice my sashay before I wear them. Thanks for the tip.