IcanMakeit

Although I started this process to improve my health and longevity, I am really enjoying my new thinness. I have never been this thin before, not even in high school or college. This is a novelty that I admit to getting a real kick out of. But, even though I think I am still fine, I'm aware that my BMI is approaching the "underweight" level. Although I love fitting into size 4's, improving my health is still my goal. Being underweight at my age is not advantageous. What I really want is to maintain at my current weight, or maybe a pound or two higher. I really don't want to get on the regain express. My sister listened to all of the critics who said she was too thin after her RNY, and ended up gaining 30 unwanted pounds on top of the few that she intended. Now she struggles to lose and then regains again, never reaching the healthy BMI level again. Her weight is less than it was pre-surgery, but she is overweight again and her previous health problems are returning. This is what I want to avoid. I have already added calories and fruit carbs into my diet. But I feel it is important to continue to implement the way of eating that I used to lose weight, with modifications to stop the weight loss. It's not that I cannot ever enjoy ice cream for dessert. It's that I have to remain judicious in my indulgences. No matter how thin I am now, if I go back to my old habits, I will definitely go back to my old weight and comorbidities. So I'm not listening to people to who tell me to gain weight. They won't have to deal with the repercussions if I gain back too much. Losing more than 130 pounds was not easy, even with the VSG. I'm in no hurry to gain weight and have to try to do it again.

I'm so envious. You look great. You are very fortunate to have great insurance. My loose skin is much worse than yours was, but my insurance turned me down for just the panni. It's crazy how our health decisions are so controlled by insurance company caprice.

I am happy to hear that so far chemotherapy is tolerable and that Dave is doing well. But it really steams me that you have to waste your energy battling with your insurance company at this time. Those people have no shame. I also want to say that your wisdom and positivity is inspirational. I don't think many people could handle what you are going through with such grace.

I've lost another pound over the past few weeks. I increased my calories by about 150 and loosened the reins on my carbs, but I also started walking daily at around the same time. I guess that canceled out my extra calories. I don't want to lose anymore, but I don't want to start gaining, either. I know that for me, gaining weight would be automatic, if I go back to my old ways. But on the other hand, it's not good to be underweight when you're over 60. I need to get to the right balance. It's a learning process.

@@gowalking, we have similar stats and I have the same, exact worries that you expressed. I plan to continue to check in here every day. I believe it helps me to stay focused on my health when otherwise life and other concerns would crowd out my efforts to stay slim, and after a few months, I could find myself slipping back into old habits.

I am late finding this great post. Congratulations on your wonderful accomplishment. You have, with the help of your lapband, turned your health around. Your story was one that I found most inspirational when I was new to BP. Have a fabulous trip. I have been to London several times, but I would love to go back now that I am so much more fit. I would love, love, love a bike tour of Hyde Park.

My VSG was in May 2014 and I have lost all of my excess weight. The VSG worked for me because I followed my surgeon's program as closely as I could. From my observations, that is the most important factor determining success or failure. The people who seriously follow the guidelines almost always lose most of their excess weight. It is a wonderful tool. The VSG gives you some months (it varies) when you are more in control of your food intake because your hunger is greatly diminished, but it doesn't make your food choices for you. Most VSG patients can eat most things (although in smaller quantities) once their stomachs have healed. You are wise to question yourself and learn about the successes and failures of others before committing yourself to surgery. When your surgery date finally comes, you will feel informed and confident. Good luck.

Now I wish I had waited a bit for a few more responses, but I ordered the Fitbit Charge HR. I wanted to receive it in time for my anniversary tomorrow so I jumped on the first few recommendations. I'm excited about getting a new toy!

I only weighed myself once a week during the weight loss phase. Weight fluctuates so much from day to day that you will drive yourself nuts if you weigh daily while trying to lose weight. But now that I'm in maintenance, I do weigh every day. I want to be able to spot and deal with any problems as early as possible. I make sure I weigh in, wearing nothing, first thing in the morning before my first glass of water every time.

I have decided to get an activity tracker, but which one? My most consistent exercise actvities are walking and bike riding. I would like to track distance and speed. I'm also interested in user friendliness and easy integration with MyFitnessPal. So with those preferences, what do you all recommend? I was also thinking that maybe I should get one with a screen. I'm not good with cryptic symbols and indicator lights. Does anyone have any recommendations.

I'm glad your outcome was so positive, and it's great that you really appreciate what you have accomplished. Brava! I am looking forward to having abdominoplasty next year. Your post makes me regret even more that I had to put mine off for so long.

You are so fortunate to have such wise and loving daughters. I would have felt mortified to have been the target of their intervention, but you are smart enough to listen to what they are saying rather than react to them having the audacity to tell you about yourself. Great post. I'm going to try to learn from your experience so I don't have my family members telling me about myself!

I've been doing very well in maintenance so far. My weight has only gone up or down a pound and a half for the last few weeks. I'm hoping you guys can help me stay on track. Today's weight 111 Goal weight 111 Thanks again, stephh.

The timing of my first drink was about the same -- 7 months post-op. I had 3 oz of champagne for the New Year and I was fine. I felt it a little bit more than I would have pre-surgery, but I didn't get drunk or feel sick. I hope you enjoy your birthday drink as much as I liked my New Year champagne.

It sounds like a wonderful trip. I wish I could go back to all the places I have been now that I am thin. I would enjoy the trips so much more now that I can walk without pain and climb stairs without losing my breath.

@@Swampdoggie Ha! I am going to try to work this into a conversation today.

I am sorry Dave's course of treatment is so arduous but I'm so glad that you have found a great medical team that is fighting for him as hard as they can. Stay hopeful and prayerful. We're all pulling for you both.

I never eat ketchup, but I started eating mustard and pickles pretty much as soon as I was allowed "all foods as tolerated." For me, the mustard and pickles make low fat burgers edible.

Your doctor's information about WLS outcomes does not reflect the statistics, but it is true that some WLS patients stop losing weight long before they reach their goal weight. Sometimes this is because they are unable to follow the post-bariatric diet and do not continue to exercise. Even though capacity is much diminished after surgery, it is possible to consume too many calories by snacking and grazing and/or choosing calorie dense foods. And some have health issues that slow weight loss. I don't know if your diagnosis precludes WLS, but if it doesn't, you should do a little more reading and soul searching before writing off the possibility. Since you believe you can stick to a diet, you might be a good candidate for WLS. Most people find it much easier to lose a significant amount of weight with the surgery than without it. It is also the case that WLS patients are more likely to maintain a large percentage of their weight loss than dieters who did not have the surgery.

@@VSGAnn2014, come sit by me.

I also carried a lot of my excess weight in my abdomen and after weight loss, that is the only area where excess fat remains (along with a lot of loose skin). I had been scheduled for plastic surgery this month but I put it off due to work and finances. Now I am learning to wear shapewear whenever needed and I'm not finding it too uncomfortable. More than that, I have also learned to accept my pouf. It is the natural consequence of substantial weight loss. No body is perfect, why should I expect mine to be? I plan to go forward with the plastic surgery when my work/financial situation improves, but in the meantime, I'm becoming more satisfied with my current shape.

I'm holding at 111.2 lbs. Since I've been advised not to lose anymore, this is a good thing. Thank you Stephh for organizing this challenge.

Although I am in maintenance, I would like to participate in the next challenge. Reading about all the struggles and successes of others really helps me stay on track. Please add my name. My goal weight will be my current weight, 111.

Although I agree with what I believe to be the point of this article (that in order to achieve long term success, we have to make permanent changes to our way of eating), I was also put off by some of its assertions. I do not agree that the first 100 lbs lost is all due to surgery. So many people never reach that milestone because they were unable to follow the program set out for them. Losing that much weight takes sacrifice and focus. I don't like hearing anyone diminish this accomplishment. The other assertion that I don't really agree with is that it's wrong to enjoy substitutes for white carbs. There are many healthy ways to enjoy your Pasta sauce, not just shirataki noodles, and to me, no reason not to try them. Unfortunately for me (since I really enjoy carbs), I do agree that I need to severely limit white carbs forever if I want long term success, but I know that not everyone agrees with that.

Thrift stores and consignment shops are fabulous places to get fun clothes that you can't find elsewhere. Some of my new favorite items have come from them. I am a natural pack rat and hoarder, but I am forcing myself to get rid of my large-sized clothes. Even my favorites. I want the consequence of regain to be having to go out and shop for larger sizes, not just reaching deeper into my closet. It's too easy for me to tell myself that regain is not that bad if I'm not seriously inconvenienced.