OKCPirate

It is nice that the remote stays where I put it, I can crank up my tunes, leave socks and underwear on the floor. But throw caution to the wind and try some new food. My GF can't stand curry, so when she's out of town, out comes the spice rack. Live large. Think of it as food PORN.

I'm not sure but I agree. Assholes come in all shapes and sizes!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Two years and a couple of months post surgery and I am in that "new normal" area. For the last 18 months, I have been buying size Large shirts, 36" waist pants. My weight has been consistent. I pushed myself early to do a 5K and climb a mountain. But 2016 was busy. I met a spectacular woman over a year ago and was more interested in building the relationship than trying some new physical challenge.
Last October she did a six-week 20-pound weight loss challenge (which she really didn't need to do, but she felt like she needed to reset her system). I didn't have time then to join her, but she did well, she lost 18.2 #'s, and her abs are killer - she is 54 and can rock a bikini, I find that impressive. After the program, she had an accident and needed knee surgery just before Christmas. Because she was in such good shape, her recovery is going better than expected. That was a wake-up call to me that I can do better than just being average.
So I decided to jump start this year by doing the same program she did. Four weeks ago I already started doing the C25K program again to get ready for another race in April. So things are getting moving again. But today as I was cleaning up old files and I found a picture from 10 years ago, and my first thought was "who's that?"
I didn't recognize myself.
We joke in the beginning of our weight loss journey that we often have a moment where we don't recognize ourself in the mirror, well one cool thing to look forward to is getting to the place where you don't see yourself as the fat guy anymore. And even when you don't, it's also fun to push yourself a little further and strive for an even better normal.

Oh well, I'm not going to because I like how the treat me. I'm not into disclosing my surgery. Actually let me take that back, I think they do know I had the sleeve. Now I can't remember if I told them the last time or not.
My point is, and has been, that my metabolism is normal, and has been all along after surgery, because I don't eat like a typical weight loss surgery patient. I increased my calories, I eat a high fat diet. I also look easily 10 years younger than my age, when a lot of people age horribly after losing a lot of weight.
I knew all that research about WLS changing peoples numbers which is why I had my numbers tested to begin with. People who have WLS for the most have diminished metabolisms. Having surgery gives people a chance to reset it, but instead of doing that, they stay on starvation calories forever and ruin their reset.
We have had several conversations on this forum since the Biggest Loser "study" (I say "study" because the number of people involved is so small it isn't really a study imo).
While WLS initially helps people with resetting their set point and helping them with weight loss. Most patients don't eat a normal-ish diet and tank their metabolism, so they have to eat near immediate post-op calories for the rest of their life. Which is part of why so many people regain as soon as they start introducing more foods and eating normally. Not to mention all the people that stick to 60g or Protein and lose a lot of lean muscle mass which helps keep your calories higher.
I have watched that weight of a nation series so many times. That is part of what made me decide on surgery. I realized finally it wasn't a matter of will power, it was basically impossible for someone my weight to lose weight on their own.

Now this is some good news...WLS effects continue five years
https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2016/04/04/final-stampede-results-glycemic-benefits-bariatric-surgery-persist-time/

Through a weird series of events I was given a pleasant surprise midway through my pre-op plan.
I found that I could self fund through the local center of excellence for less than what I'd have paid using my insurance. It may have been a bit more than Mexico.....but I was able to sleep in my own bed the night after surgery and all my follow up appointments have been a 5 minute drive. I can reach out to them with ease if ever the need should arise.
Ask around about self funding options. You may be amazed at the rates.
By doing so, I actually saved money and all the red tape was dropped. I was literally sleeved 3 weeks later.

@@fatgirlfreed It depends on who you are. If you can do your own research, and have a strong support network, it works very well. I am really glad I had mine done in Mexico. I thought the facilities were great. Huge room, very few surface areas for dust/germs to gather on. Rooms/halls mopped 3 times a day. No wonder the rate of infection was so low.
But I had a good NUT here, I knew what I was getting into, did emotional work ahead of time and kept up with my therapist during the journey. So know yourself. And there are great sites to evaluate surgeons and facilities.

I know Alex and B-52 and others have had success with lap-bands, but I also keep hearing about people who have had them and the initial restriction helped them lose weight, they eventually gained it back. And that makes sense to me as more and more evidence comes out showing sleeves and gastric-bypass are much more than restrictions. At some point, they might figure out that it is hormonal surgery. There are diabetics who are off their meds more quickly than people who were losing the equivalent amount of weight.
Well, how long this hormonal effect last? The Cleveland Clinic Study is showing it works for at least five years...https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404152903.htm
I am going to make a hypothesis based on this study: just because your honeymoon period (the first 6-8 months post surgery) is over, you can still get the benefits of WLS a couple of years out. I keep wondering if the reason I was losing so quick up front is because I was really mindful for the first few months. And yes I was really excited too. But like many, I slacked off. The very real restrictions in my stomach/sleeve have made it easier to maintain, but I can restart my weight loss.
I posted about how my view of how I see my body has changed over the last 18 months (http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/386931-who-dat/), and I'm about ready to start a rather intense six-week program this week designed to jump start weight loss. It should be interesting because the diet looks like what I was eating on week five following my surgery, only this time with more intense exercise. In short, I'm really excited, but also I'm looking at this as a follow-up experiment. I feel like I did when my post-surgery restrictions ended and the weight loss journey really began.
I've sort of beat myself up mentally for not being as diligent as I could have been, but I've been putting some of the techniques from this article into practice: http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/03/well/mind/the-year-of-conquering-negative-thinking.html?ribbon-ad-idx=5&rref=health&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Health&pgtype=article. I embraced what I did and didn't do. I believe it is possible to have multiple second chances.
If I'm right, my sleeve is still a great tool, even 2.2 years out. I'd love to hear from others who lost their focus but came back years later to finish what they started when they had their surgery.

I didn't go to Mexico, but I self-payed. I was lucky to find a surgeon who has a reasonable self-pay fee. I paid partially with my medical flex account, my own money and a loan from my bank. If I had to travel after having this surgery, I think I'd cry. But that's just me, some people have been fine traveling back from Mexico.

So, I changed insurances to one that covers VSG. As per usual, there are 983 hoops to jump through as well as all the co-pays, deductible, and co-insurance payment for the surgery. I'd probably end up paying the same amount after all that. Honestly, after reading so much here, I'd almost just rather forget the insurance crap & head to Mexico!! Has anyone done this? Thoughts?
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

We call this the 'fine china' in our house...reserved for highfalutin' guests that we get from time to time

Hi guys,
I'm following your conversation. I understand what you are saying about reduced metabolic rates. But I'm not sure what specifics to put into action. Looking back, what would you recommend for caloric intake during honeymoon to avoid problems later?

This is why I keep advising people to progress their calories, but it seems like so many people are terrified to do so.
They don't realize what it means to be stuck on those low low calories for the rest of their life. It makes maintenance so much harder. It is like dooming yourself to regaining.

EVERY TIME I cut back on my exercise, even a little, I gain. I agree with you. I think our metabolisms get into a "groove", and any little change will cause gains.
So see? Maintenance is simple, really. Just keep doing what we've been doing to keep the weight off.
Too bad life gets in the way of that sometimes

Now this is some good news...WLS effects continue five years
https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2016/04/04/final-stampede-results-glycemic-benefits-bariatric-surgery-persist-time/

I know Alex and B-52 and others have had success with lap-bands, but I also keep hearing about people who have had them and the initial restriction helped them lose weight, they eventually gained it back. And that makes sense to me as more and more evidence comes out showing sleeves and gastric-bypass are much more than restrictions. At some point, they might figure out that it is hormonal surgery. There are diabetics who are off their meds more quickly than people who were losing the equivalent amount of weight.
Well, how long this hormonal effect last? The Cleveland Clinic Study is showing it works for at least five years...https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404152903.htm
I am going to make a hypothesis based on this study: just because your honeymoon period (the first 6-8 months post surgery) is over, you can still get the benefits of WLS a couple of years out. I keep wondering if the reason I was losing so quick up front is because I was really mindful for the first few months. And yes I was really excited too. But like many, I slacked off. The very real restrictions in my stomach/sleeve have made it easier to maintain, but I can restart my weight loss.
I posted about how my view of how I see my body has changed over the last 18 months (http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/386931-who-dat/), and I'm about ready to start a rather intense six-week program this week designed to jump start weight loss. It should be interesting because the diet looks like what I was eating on week five following my surgery, only this time with more intense exercise. In short, I'm really excited, but also I'm looking at this as a follow-up experiment. I feel like I did when my post-surgery restrictions ended and the weight loss journey really began.
I've sort of beat myself up mentally for not being as diligent as I could have been, but I've been putting some of the techniques from this article into practice: http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/03/well/mind/the-year-of-conquering-negative-thinking.html?ribbon-ad-idx=5&rref=health&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Health&pgtype=article. I embraced what I did and didn't do. I believe it is possible to have multiple second chances.
If I'm right, my sleeve is still a great tool, even 2.2 years out. I'd love to hear from others who lost their focus but came back years later to finish what they started when they had their surgery.

It is nice that the remote stays where I put it, I can crank up my tunes, leave socks and underwear on the floor. But throw caution to the wind and try some new food. My GF can't stand curry, so when she's out of town, out comes the spice rack. Live large. Think of it as food PORN.

I know Alex and B-52 and others have had success with lap-bands, but I also keep hearing about people who have had them and the initial restriction helped them lose weight, they eventually gained it back. And that makes sense to me as more and more evidence comes out showing sleeves and gastric-bypass are much more than restrictions. At some point, they might figure out that it is hormonal surgery. There are diabetics who are off their meds more quickly than people who were losing the equivalent amount of weight.
Well, how long this hormonal effect last? The Cleveland Clinic Study is showing it works for at least five years...https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404152903.htm
I am going to make a hypothesis based on this study: just because your honeymoon period (the first 6-8 months post surgery) is over, you can still get the benefits of WLS a couple of years out. I keep wondering if the reason I was losing so quick up front is because I was really mindful for the first few months. And yes I was really excited too. But like many, I slacked off. The very real restrictions in my stomach/sleeve have made it easier to maintain, but I can restart my weight loss.
I posted about how my view of how I see my body has changed over the last 18 months (http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/386931-who-dat/), and I'm about ready to start a rather intense six-week program this week designed to jump start weight loss. It should be interesting because the diet looks like what I was eating on week five following my surgery, only this time with more intense exercise. In short, I'm really excited, but also I'm looking at this as a follow-up experiment. I feel like I did when my post-surgery restrictions ended and the weight loss journey really began.
I've sort of beat myself up mentally for not being as diligent as I could have been, but I've been putting some of the techniques from this article into practice: http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/03/well/mind/the-year-of-conquering-negative-thinking.html?ribbon-ad-idx=5&rref=health&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Health&pgtype=article. I embraced what I did and didn't do. I believe it is possible to have multiple second chances.
If I'm right, my sleeve is still a great tool, even 2.2 years out. I'd love to hear from others who lost their focus but came back years later to finish what they started when they had their surgery.

It is nice that the remote stays where I put it, I can crank up my tunes, leave socks and underwear on the floor. But throw caution to the wind and try some new food. My GF can't stand curry, so when she's out of town, out comes the spice rack. Live large. Think of it as food PORN.

Now this is some good news...WLS effects continue five years
https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2016/04/04/final-stampede-results-glycemic-benefits-bariatric-surgery-persist-time/

Two years and a couple of months post surgery and I am in that "new normal" area. For the last 18 months, I have been buying size Large shirts, 36" waist pants. My weight has been consistent. I pushed myself early to do a 5K and climb a mountain. But 2016 was busy. I met a spectacular woman over a year ago and was more interested in building the relationship than trying some new physical challenge.
Last October she did a six-week 20-pound weight loss challenge (which she really didn't need to do, but she felt like she needed to reset her system). I didn't have time then to join her, but she did well, she lost 18.2 #'s, and her abs are killer - she is 54 and can rock a bikini, I find that impressive. After the program, she had an accident and needed knee surgery just before Christmas. Because she was in such good shape, her recovery is going better than expected. That was a wake-up call to me that I can do better than just being average.
So I decided to jump start this year by doing the same program she did. Four weeks ago I already started doing the C25K program again to get ready for another race in April. So things are getting moving again. But today as I was cleaning up old files and I found a picture from 10 years ago, and my first thought was "who's that?"
I didn't recognize myself.
We joke in the beginning of our weight loss journey that we often have a moment where we don't recognize ourself in the mirror, well one cool thing to look forward to is getting to the place where you don't see yourself as the fat guy anymore. And even when you don't, it's also fun to push yourself a little further and strive for an even better normal.

I think your ability to lose weight a couple years out from WLS is completely dependent upon what you did to your metabolism immediately post-op. Some people have *clearly* wrecked their metabolism by restricting calories WAY too much. I have seen people on these forums who claim to gain weight if they eat any more than 850 or 1000 calories a day a couple years post-op. I would accuse them of inaccurately tracking their calories, but there have been too many of them to ignore.
Meanwhile, if you lost more slowly, ate enough to keep your metabolism up, and did some exercise to help keep your metabolism working, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to lose weight a couple years out, because your metabolism should still be intact. You should still be able to lose weight through a simple caloric deficit created by restricting calories and increasing activity.
For example, I am maintaining now. I am a pretty serious runner, but haven't run for the past two months, because I have had literally NO time as I have moved into and am renovating my new home. Back when I was running regularly, I had to eat 2200 to 2400 calories a day in order to NOT lose weight. Now that I haven't been running regularly, I have gained a few pounds, which is to be expected, since I haven't really cut back on my eating. I fully anticipate that I will be able to lose those pounds when I begin training for my next half marathon later this month.

The lapband is not the best one they say its much riskier than the other two and if something gose wrong with it they have to go back in and fix and do more stuff with it
Sent from my 5054N using the BariatricPal App

It is nice that the remote stays where I put it, I can crank up my tunes, leave socks and underwear on the floor. But throw caution to the wind and try some new food. My GF can't stand curry, so when she's out of town, out comes the spice rack. Live large. Think of it as food PORN.