CTRose1160

So you have nearly lost 11 pounds in a month....chillax some.... This process will not happen overnight. Keep in mind, you are also still healing. Stick to the diet plan, continue to weigh yourself and try to remain positive....its soooo early on to have regrets. The weight gain did not happen overnight, so don't expect the weight loss to happen overnight. Patience! (Yes I got frustrated too...but its all in the process) wish u all the best, just don't give up!

Opps I meant "Grammy" sorry my bad!

Proud granny you are truly living up to your name! Living proud! Gotta love it!

Before surgery and during the time I made the decision to even have surgery, my mom, dad and brother were the only ones who knew. I did not even tell my grandparents. I decided not to tell anyone at work, as I felt it was a very private decision that had no need to be mentioned at more work place. Also I work in a very male dominated field, so it was just unnecessary. Well after my surgery, as the weight came off and I became more comfortable with myself, I then began telling people. I do not mind telling people now, but I am careful to advise others to make sure they weigh out all of their options before deciding on having surgery. That they should not just jump on this as the only solution. Anyways, long story short...its a very personal thing, and only you can make the decision on who you tell and who you do not tell, At the very least, make sure you surround yourself with supportive people, because you will need them during this new journey you are about to take.

Texas and Andrew - both major accomplishments! Love to hear about them! Yes, I felt the same way....to be able to run again, swim (and feel good about myself in a bathing suit - this i will admit is still a struggle), to be able to go out and do the things I just simply watched others do or heard about....nothing short of amazing! Living life the way I always perceived it to be lived!

First, wow you are so very brave to post and I admire your strength and confidence to do so. It seems like you already know what you want for yourself and I can assure you once you are approved for surgery and are able to go forward, you will leap to levels of confidence you never knew existed! Truly wish you the very, very best. Love to see more about your journey and successes. My heart goes out to you as I have a daughter who is 15, turning 16 in October. I can only imagine the stresses in school now, especially with the internet, facebook, instagram, Twitter and the like....so I am sure kids can be brutal...mean and hateful. Keep your chin up, try to stay positive. This site is full of people who have a wealth of knowledge and support.

Yes it is wonderful to go out and be a part of life versus watching life just pass by! Enjoy your new self and your new admirers! Fun fun fun!

Ok so your dates have lasted over 5-6 hours long...and you have a third date on saturday? It sounds to me you are doing fine and really don't need "flirting tips" as you sound more insecure with how to proceed with this person and your new found self..... I just say, try to relax, continue to be yourself, be honest and have fun! I think we, as women, tend to put to much pressure on ourselves to find mr right...especially in this group because all of us have been overweight and just settled in a relationship You will be great! In fact, I bet you will be amazing! Never sell yourself short! Never compromise.....! Just be you!

Deeda - Wow half marathon in Hawaii! And cycling! How amazing! Awesome and inspiring!

Jack - thx for the comments. Would love to hear about how u progress as well. Finding this site has been a huge help, but finding others who are past the 5yr mark has been a bit of a challenge....

I had my surgery in May (10 years ago) and went on a cruise in November (the same year as my surgery) it was fine for me. I felt great, had lots of energy and managed to lose another 4 pounds while on the cruise....(the things you remember)!

I am not sure, I think it may depend on how much weight you loose, how quickly you loose it and how long you were over weight. From my experience, yes I was overweight before surgery, however; I did not have sagging extra skin when I reached my lowest weight. (My highest weight was just over 220 and lowest stable,weight was 132-140). I attribute not having any extra skin with the fact that I was a very active athletic teenager and young adult....and began to workout very soon after the surgery. So I believe it may differ upon the subject.

It may be a combination of how you now look, being thinner and a "perceived" look that you are now taller, or maybe you are now standing with your head up. I know when I was heavier, I did not walk around with my head held high..I tended to slouch..look down and not make eye contact with people...

Started at 220....average weight for a number of years was between 135-145. Am currently at 170....give or take.

Wow! You have truly touched my heart! Thank you so much for your message it meant more to me then you will know. I will of course keep everyone posted. I feel this site alone was one big step in a more positive direction. As I mentioned before, I have gained weight back, but fortunately it was only 40 pounds. Yes it is 40 pounds too many, but it is doable to lose this weight. I appreciate all the positive encouragement that I have received from this thread, it was a bit unexpected...but soooo appreciated! Love this site!

Thanks for your response and information. If you continue as you are, you should have continued success. I ended up slipping up somewhere. Fortunately, I did not regain all of my weight back, however gaining 40 pounds is 40 pounds too many. So, I am back at it and working these pounds off. I know that this time it is going to take much more work...much like trying to improve your grades when you r in school...it takes more time to pull up your GPA then just simply maintaining it. So if work is what it will take, I am on board! Thx again..

Bottom line....weight loss surgery is a life long commitment. You only get out of it, what you put into it. Stay vigilant everyday! Your current success is only achieved by your continued, daily efforts......I just want each of you to stay healthy and happy! ......

Well for my experience, and keep in mind I am not a doctor or a nutritionist, I eventually just "allowed" myself to eat pretty much whatever I wanted. This did not happen over night, as I struggled with being able to keep food down in the beginning especially this first two years. What I know now, is that my new stomach obviously healed and was not bothered by certain carbs. So, it naturally began to tolerate food I missed.....ones I probably should have just said simply no to. What I wanted to let everyone know...and hopefully help in some way, is that we must always be careful with our food intake. You may be having some great successes now, but be aware that your body will adjust to where it feels you need to be...and probably at a very normal weight at the end of the process. It is up to you to be diligent everyday, for the rest of your life to continue with this new found self. As for carbs, I just recommend you only eat healthy carbs in restricted quantities. Be very aware of how much you eat and keep tabs on your weight regularly. I am not seeking to scare anyone....so I hope no one finds this thread offensive. Wls is a great tool...but just like any tool, it will need to be adjusted over time and require regular maintenance. I think for myself I just became soooo comfortable with my new look that I figured I no longer needed to do the things that got me there. The reason I started the thread was because I was noticing some newer surgery people making comments about not logging their food (which is a personal choice, I highly recommend everyone continues), I have read about great success (however this was very early on in the weight loss process). I just am seeking to remind everyone, and just advise anyone who wants to know what my struggles have been...ones in which you may encounter if you are not careful. Again, I am not attempting to be offensive...just putting out my experiences. All questions are welcomed.....

I will try to answer all of your questions the best I can. I had my surgery - the RNY in May of 2004. At the time of my surgery I was just over 220 pounds. My lowest weight after surgery was 124, but truth be told, this only lasted like part of the day. My weight slowly settled at 135 and remained that way until around 2008. At this time, I began noticing a slight weight gain, in fact I remember gaining g to 138 and family members mentioning that it looked like I was gaining. I will say for the first two years or so after surgery I was very strict and cognizant of what I ate, how much I ate, was completely obsessed with the scale, and was working out at the gym like a crack head. My motivation was just very strong...this tended to dwindle as years progressed. I have noticed that I just got complacent...lazy with it all...probably because the success initially was so amazing. I never thought I would encounter issues. It was not until I noticed I was able to eat different foods, and start to tolerate some carbs that problems began...this should been an obvious red flag...but it wasn't. (So foolish on my part) I cant say I got worried, probably because in my head my initial goal was just to be between 140-150 as I thought this was a great weight. As time went on, I believe it was at a doctors appointment my weight was 141, some concern but not great concern. It wasn't until a year later in 2009 that I went to 150 and then immediately got my butt in gear and started running. Wouldn't you know it, I lost weight and was right back down to 140 in roughly a months time. I believe since 2009 a lot of my accomplishments I began to take for granted. I got married after surgery, which initially prior to surgery I never thought I would meet a man who would love me enough. I moved up in rank, completed some tactical schools that most thought I would not be able to do...and some other personal goals were achieved along the way. Ok so how did I get to where I am now...I simply just gave up. So I am going back to the very very basics...protein, Protein shakes...and working out...I am making sure I remain accountable and am tracking my efforts and I am avoiding nearly all carbs, no snacking and no sugar.....This site has been a great tool for me as well.

I am 10 years out from surgery. So many highs and lows, but was curious as to how others were doing with their continued weight loss or maintenance of this weight loss long after, what I call it the honeymoon phase. Would love to hear from those of you over the 5 year mark....what are your challenges? What differences have you been coping with as opposed to when you started. I have gained some weight back, actually a lot of weight back and I am coping with getting back on track. So far so good. I am just merely taking it one moment at a time and going back to the basics. Would love to hear from everyone else....

Look forward to hearing about you getting back on that horse! It will happen....and it will be great!

Keep up the work! 20 min is awesome! And treadmill running is tough!

I have done my share of tears too....I think for many of us we can relate to this....glad you are doing so well!

Love love love what you have accomplished! Wow! I am in so much awe in what you have been through and where you are now...and of course where u will be going! Simply amazing!

Oh I meant to add something else, when I lost the weight during the process, I,treated myself better. For many years before the surgery I nearly wore the same outfit all the time.....I also had a whole wardrobe of nearly all black clothing. Mind you, as I transformed myself, I,began to take more pride in my appearance. I think overall, that was one of the biggest lessons and/or learning curves to consider too. When I went out (after surgery) I was a bit more particular with my clothing...I dressed nicer...took pride in my makeup, hair etc. I noticed I looked up more....I believe it was this part of me that allowed for increased attention too. I was finally enjoying life, while learning (and still learning) how to enjoy my new image. Looking at myself in the mirror is still not always easy, as I feel I am pretty critical of myself, but I am trying to be more accepting and more forgiving......