Paloma68

I've read that weight relapse can happen between years 2 and 3. I am coming up on my second anniversary.
We'd all love to be 5 # less than we are, and that is true for me as well. One year ago I was careful. to lose weight before my one year weigh- in and so I got down to 148. Since then, I bounce between 152 and 154. The only way I know that is because I weight myself every day. Now, OA used to discourage weighing in more than once a month (or, was it once a week?) But, I got fat from going unconscious about my weight.
Truthfully, I do feel a bit of fear / terror that I will step on the scale and be 155. Wow, that does look crazy once I put it into writing! But, that is my drop dead highest weight, Spirit willing.
When I eat several days of carbs, I can guarantee a 1-2 # weight gain. I used to track calories (like around 1200 a day kept me stable). But, I'm going to add tracking my volume of the food I eat as well.
The absolute hardest thing for me is not drinking at meals. I certainly don't gulp, or drink a cup of Water, but I usually take meds with meals so add another 1/3 of liquid to my meal. I don't get to support group much due to schedule conflicts, but am active on my Discussion Group. I am writing just to check in and keep myself accountable.
BTW: I am 64 and take meds for hypothyroid and depression. I walk to the grocery store 2 - 3x a week as my exercise, and walk with friends when I can. Start weight 243, SW 214, CW; 154.3
Love to you all, TJ

Hi I was sleeved July 14th, 2014 and have lost 90 pounds.
If there is a birthday and I get a piece of cake. I may nibble on
sweets for a couple of days and my weight will go up a pound. If I keep at it,
And it goes up another pound I generally panic and start eliminating the foods I
am unconsciously snacking on. It goes back down and I try and learn from it.
We are not perfect. Most of us still wish we could eat an occasional muffin or cupcake,
But we work it out.

I said it before and I'll say it again. I have lost weight many, many times in my life. Losing weight is easy. KEEPING it off is what I struggled with. Now at almost 50 lbs down post surgery, I know I have more than a fighting chance of not gaining this weight back in a matter if months if I follow the rules of the sleeve. I didn't have this surgery just to lose weight ( that's just icing on the cake) but to be in control of what and how much I put into my mouth for the rest of my life to maintain a healthy weight. Fear and doubt are normal before surgery. The only regret I have now 5 months post surgery is that I didn't do this sooner. But it is a very personal choice, and if you feel you aren't ready, so be it. But having family members make the choice for you may cause you more regret in the future. Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

Big day, first day below 200! 15 more pounds and I'll be down to the weight I was when I got married 12 years ago. It's just incredible that it keeps happening.
I was out having some lunch ramen with my husband today (and was, like always, full way before he was finished, which I think is probably the worst side effect, having to wait around while he eats!) and besides learning that ramen noodles are the absolute devil, which is sad, I mentioned that it's been long enough since the surgery that I've pretty much forgotten what it's like to be a person who could eat a "normal" portion of anything. Now I just see the food people get and I'm like "that is an improbably gigantic amount of food for a person to eat" all the time. It's weird how you get adjusted to the new state of being.
I don't spend a lot of time thinking too hard about my diet. I stay away from sweets for the most part, and try to focus on the first things I eat being Proteins, followed by veggies, and carbs last unless I'm really having a craving, but then I know I'll feel bad afterwards. It's weird, I feel like my body is much more in tune now with eating healthy over eating bad. I feel better when I eat healthily, and I can confidently say pre-surgery my body felt the opposite. I guess all those reward signals from my brain were drowning out my body saying "this is going to make you feel bad later."
Not so anymore, and it's like, killed my food lust so it's a lot easier to be clear-headed and think logically about eating being a process of fueling my body, not something I do because I love it. I still do love tastes of delicious things, but I'm happy with tastes now. People I tell about the surgery (my mom, for example) just can't understand the idea of how it works.
But it's miraculous. This is by far the smartest thing I have ever done for myself ever. I just regret waiting so long.

I got one for Christmas! Best gift ever. Didn't know how awesome they were. Mine even vibrates w calls and can see who's calling by looking at Fitbit. Love the counter and the sleep assessment most.

I'm almost 20 weeks post-op. On December 10 (3 weeks ago), my surgeon's office told me to start ratcheting my calories up from 800 cals/day to 1,000 cals/day--because they want my metabolic rate to keep increasing. Fine with me!
But that calorie increase and Christmas coincided with my first stall. However, I was OK with that, given the reason for the calorie increase.
I've been successful in getting my calories up to 1,000 most days (it was actually a little harder than I'd imagined it would be). And this morning the scales finally dropped 2 pounds.
So onward and downward.

I'm also 5"2' and at my highest was 191. I've been stuck at 149 for a month. Your story has inspired me! I know it can be done! My goal of 125 is reasonable. Time to get with it! Thanks for the kick in the pants!

Hi all, I contemplated writing my success story because it seems once you pass over to skinny world who needs the website.
However, I wouldn't be a success if I didn't see others stories that paved a way for me, so it's time to give back to help encourage and motivate others as the gastric sleeve has done for me! I'm 5 ft 2, started out 197lbs and I have weighed 121 lbs since 7 months out and yes today I still weigh 121lbs. I've surpassed every goal that was set and even ran in my first 10K before Thanksgiving.
2014 was a year of changes and it gave me confidence that I never had.
I was a heavy depressed size 16 knocking on the doors of size 18 and now I'm a size 2/4. I used to play see saw with my weight, such as even years skinny me and odd years heavy me. Not anymore, I'm dedicated more than ever to keep the weight off and to continue to run 3-4 times a week, plus Zumba and spin cycling.
In 2015, I vow to run a half marathon and push through the odd years. It was tough in the beginninh, but each day it gets easier and easier. I have no regrets and I would do it again in a heartbear! Thank you all and continue to work hard. Remember the sleeve is a tool, don't let it work you, bust your ass to work it!!! And yes my husband got the sleeve as well. He went from 272lbs to 182lbs. Whoop whoop!!!!

Yay!!! Made it to ONEDERLAND! 199 today! down 65 pounds! UNBELIEVABLE! And this with all the Christmas candy, Cookies and goodies still stareing at me! Honestly I don't even want them... they don't even appeal to me.. but then not much does. Almost 5 months and my sleeve is still very restrictive, thank goodness...

Reading your story makes me so glad I didn't tell anyone. Good luck and stay positive!

im doing great. 6 months down 45 pounds to 145. Really slow loss past two months but I feel and look great.

I'm similar to you. 5'2" and starting at 185. Sleeved 8/4/14. My entire 3rd month was a stall. No weight loss. It kicked up again when I began exercising. I do Firm tapes which have cardia and weight training and Brazil Butt Lift tapes which are cardio and toning. I'm a pear shape. Has really helped w/ loss. But Low BMI'ers like us will lose more slowly. Keep at it! I've still got 24 pounds to go, but I've accepted it'll be slow and steady.

I'm similar to you. 5'2" and starting at 185. Sleeved 8/4/14. My entire 3rd month was a stall. No weight loss. It kicked up again when I began exercising. I do Firm tapes which have cardia and weight training and Brazil Butt Lift tapes which are cardio and toning. I'm a pear shape. Has really helped w/ loss. But Low BMI'ers like us will lose more slowly. Keep at it! I've still got 24 pounds to go, but I've accepted it'll be slow and steady.

I have had that intense craving about 3x since surgery and gave in. Bought a soda fountain diet coke. Couldn't take more than 3-5 sips. Stomach rejected it big time. It's been over a month now since last time I had diet coke, and I don't think I'll crave it ever again...

The answer is in your diary entry.."I've been dieting since I was 12"...This will be a permanent fix.. and also a permanent tool...I am 5'1, my HW was 199, SW was 193, and CW is 176...I was sleeved 10/22/14. I never had any second thoughts.

The answer is in your diary entry.."I've been dieting since I was 12"...This will be a permanent fix.. and also a permanent tool...I am 5'1, my HW was 199, SW was 193, and CW is 176...I was sleeved 10/22/14. I never had any second thoughts.

You sound just like me! 192 pre-op diet 186 morning of surgery and sleep apnea. I am 1 month 5 days out and couldn't be happier! Don't get me wrong the first two weeks were tough but I would do it all over again!! I am as of this morning 164.6 I had a 12 day stall that everyone experiences and totally panicked. Once I got through that I have consistently loose .5 lb everyday or sometimes 1 lb a day. I am walking 3.5 miles (takes 1 hour) 5 days a week. Eating 2-3 oz at a time mainly Protein then waiting 30-45 minutes to drink. I use my timer on my phone for every meal to make sure I am eating slow (30 minutes) You will do great it just takes some planning for meals and I never leave the house without a Quest bar or turkey Jerky just incase I get stuck somewhere without a good choice.

I was 2 weeks total am 12 days out and feel fantastic. Every pound that goes I will never see again.
Lots of energy and promise for a healthy happy active future.
Good luck

@@PALOMA, looks like you are doing really well. I'm mentally preparing for a slow loss.
In 2012 I lost 32lbs in five months (on Rx phentermine), but it came right back. I'm thinking I'll lose at a similar pace after surgery. But with that said, I was thrilled to get 32 lbs gone! I am very excited about cleaning out my closet and eliminating some fat clothes... maybe eliminate the first round of fat clothes by March?!
I'm self pay too. All together $14,500. At first I was thinking, "no way I am paying that much." But after conversing with hubby and knowing we have paid $10k+ for vacations and furniture, why not for myself and my health? Thankfully, we have the ca$h and he is completely onboard and supportive. I can't believe I will be doing this in 23 days. I am excited and nervous.

Reading your story makes me so glad I didn't tell anyone. Good luck and stay positive!

Reading your story makes me so glad I didn't tell anyone. Good luck and stay positive!

Reading your story makes me so glad I didn't tell anyone. Good luck and stay positive!

I weighed in yesterday morning at one pound from my surgeon's goal. Reaching goal has been my raison d'être for the past year. Now that I'm nearly there, I am reflecting on the lessons learned and planning for the next year's phase.
I know that my initial goal weight was an arbitrary number and fully intend to continue in weight loss mode until my middle section has a lot less fat. But even if I can't lose anymore, I am so happy with my results so far. My diabetes is completely resolved (unfortunately not before I developed glaucoma, as I had confirmed yesterday morning). My blood pressure has been mostly stable. And wonder of wonders, I rediscovered how much I love walking, hiking and bike riding outdoors. Before weight loss, I found it difficult to walk a block.
I have so enjoyed coming to BariatricPal each day since I discovered it pre-surgery. I have learned so much about what works for most people and what doesn't work for almost anybody. This is a good thing because otherwise I might continue to believe that my old way of doing things was mostly ok. Well guess what? The old way had me weighing in the mid 200's. So the chief thing that I have learned in the past year is that I need to pay attention to the experience of others and apply that knowledge to the maintenance phase. This is a big lesson for me, because I tend to be stubborn.

A word on the straw thing - in my pre-surgery class I asked about this specifically, because I have sensitive teeth and need to use a straw to avoid pain from cold drinks. I was told that if I needed to use the straw, it was okay, just make sure that the straw is completely submerged in the liquid. The noise when you try to drink through a straw in a mostly-empty cup is you sucking in air, so that's a no-no. I've been using straws in accordance with these instructions since like two weeks after surgery and been fine.
Hope this is helpful.

I started with BMI of 33. The day of surgery my BMI was 31. I am 4 wks post op today and I only lost 7.8 lbs since surgery. I am a very slow loser, but I am following my diet plan. BMI is now 30.
I was very discourage especially when reading how much others have lost, but I keep encouraging myself to follow he plan and it will work. Today I finally dropped another pound. I hope I am on a roll now. If I wasn't on this journey I know I would be at least 10-15 lbs heavier with the holidays etc. 7.8 lbs lost is better then gaining????. Thanks for everyone's support reading others struggles helps put this journey in perspective.