mae7365

I STILL perk up when I hear a weight loss commercial or hear of a new weight loss pill or tool the FDA has approved. After 25 years of being on a diet, it's a hard habit to break

This is a fun topic, kind of to piggy-back off the "you know you lost weight when..." thread I came across the other day.
As we are losing weight, are there things you do that are remnants of when you were at your largest weight?
For example:
I still default to the handicap stall in the restroom I try to park with more space between me and the car next to the driver-side/or in an end spot to make sure the space isn't too small (because I had moments where I couldn't get into my car when someone parked too close to me) I see my smaller clothing and still wonder how that is going to fit me, and am surprised when it does. I am struggling to get used to more fitted clothing, because I don't want to go to work looking sloppy. Pulling my seat belt out to its further extension to buckle it, then having to tighten it up a lot because I don't need that much belt.

You might be surprised how much less pain you have in your joints as you loose weight. Just be patient and keep on your weight loss journey. Loosing weight will definitely help with health issues.

You might be surprised how much less pain you have in your joints as you loose weight. Just be patient and keep on your weight loss journey. Loosing weight will definitely help with health issues.

Same with me. I'm 10 weeks post op. My arms look great from the top, but lots of hangings get skin. I've been trying to lift 5 lb weights in order to firm them, but I'm not sure if that will work. I'm also interested in what others have done to help firms the upper arms.

I just had my sleeve surgery last week with a BMI of 36.1. My insurance approved the surgery due to my sleep apnea. Ever doctor I needed to see (Family Practice, Pulmonology, Sleep Medicine) jokingly told me I was the skinniest patient having this surgery. I'm 57 and choose to be proactive before I ended up like my mother who has COPD, is an insulin dependent diabetic, has heart disease and morbid obesity. I've chosen to only tell a very few people outside my immediate family. I didn't want to have to explain my choice to people who think I'm "skinny". Just keep focused on your journey and ignore the people who don't truly appreciate the health issues associated with even mild morbid obesity.

Thank you for making me think about this. I've not read all the replies but I will.

So, here's my thought on the OP. Even if I gain every pound back. Even if, in ten year's time I am twice as big as when I started, I have had the best freaking year of my life. SKINNY. I've done mud runs with my kids. I've earned my black belt. I've bought clothes and shoes and HIGH boots. I've Zumba'd without flopping, I've done 5ks without dying, I've shopped recklessly.

I've danced, I've flirted, I've been flirted with. I've been called a MILF, a hottie, I've gotten whistles and cat calls. I feel GREAT about me for the first time in a long time.
Even if it all goes away, i will relish the times I've had and the times I will continue to have while I am thin.

HI Bobby....you've lost 64 lbs and you wonder if it's worth it? Don't get me wrong, I know our brains work against us sometimes, but wow, 64 lbs in 5 months. That's fabulous! Look at all the strain you have taken off your back and knees and feet...you must be walking better, breathing better. Reaching goal is nice and good and all that, but you are getting your health back! That cannot ever be understated. And yes, maintenance is a bit of a challenge, but a lot easier than if we had lost (as if we could!) the weight in a traditional way. This forum keeps us all honest, so keep coming back and you will be inspired. And love yourself for how far you have come.

Hi Naomi. My sleeve surgery was November 12th. Hope you are doing well.

Have you tried using the My Fitness Pal app? It is a super cool way to "manage" your Protein. There is a "nutrition" tab after you enter your meals that shows you how much fat grams, Protein grams, sodium, etc.....so it makes it super easy to plan out your day to make sure you get in your protein. It has a bar code scan feature as well, and captures the nutrient list in your tracker. VERY COOL. (disclaimer...I am not associated in any way with my fitness pal. But I like the features!)

Retail Goodwill stores. I've started buying my blue jeans there ($5.99 in Florida). I've gone down two sizes in 10 weeks and refuse to buy new clothes until I stabilize. I've also pulled out my sewing machine and figured out how to take in my dress slacks etc.
I did have to buy new bras and underwear. Amazing how 39 lbs can change your sizes. But its all good. Try the Goodwill or consignment stores.
Good luck on your weight loss journey.

Retail Goodwill stores. I've started buying my blue jeans there ($5.99 in Florida). I've gone down two sizes in 10 weeks and refuse to buy new clothes until I stabilize. I've also pulled out my sewing machine and figured out how to take in my dress slacks etc.
I did have to buy new bras and underwear. Amazing how 39 lbs can change your sizes. But its all good. Try the Goodwill or consignment stores.
Good luck on your weight loss journey.

Call your doctor! I had that happen two weeks post op and ended up being re admitted for two days of IV fluids, potassium and Vitamins. Don't wait too long.

Call your doctor! I had that happen two weeks post op and ended up being re admitted for two days of IV fluids, potassium and Vitamins. Don't wait too long.

Veterans forum would be a great place for you, but you need 100 posts to post there.
Welcome some new peeps, congrats on successes etc and before you know it you will have 100 posts.
I strongly recommend low carbohydrate diet to help manage hunger. It's tough, but for many of us the surgery alone isn't enough....you must be quite diligent.
I started at 308, got as low as 140, currently maintaining around my goal weight of 158. My sleeve was 3 Years ago.

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.

When I was about 2-3 weeks out, I wouldn't say regretted it (that's not in my nature) but I really did wonder if I made a mistake sometimes. I was worn out and just felt lack-luster for about 6-7 weeks. I remember a time when eating was such a chore, it wasn't worth the effort. The longer time went on, the better it got. Now at 2 years out, I have no regrets at all. It a lot to adjust to, and we all have to figure out how to do that in order to succeed.
You should do a search on this topic. It comes up more often than you'd think, and people get pretty passionate about it for some reason. There are a few people who never make peace with it, but I think most do. I hope you can! For me, the outcome was well worth the difficult early days....and even the difficult days you have when you are further out and can eat more than you want to be able to.

I'm 57 and lived my pre-op life feeling constantly hot. My sleeve surgery was Nov. 12, 2014 and now I spend all my days trying to stay warm. And......I live in Florida. I now wear socks, Under Armour and never sit down without a fleece blanket around me. I've looked on the internet and the best answer is the loss of the fat layer directly below the skin surface that used to act as insulation. I'm down 39 lbs since surgery and I know it's all in my feet and that fat layer!

I'm almost 2 weeks post-op and I'm actually afraid I'm losing too much weight. 20 lbs since day of surgery 11/12/14. But I've also been sick with a terrible cold/flu and getting OTC medicines down my very sore throat has been a struggle. I see my surgeon on Tuesday and I plan to ask him what he wants my weight loss goal to be. I used the top of the recommended for my height. I'm confident I will loss the weight, I just want to remain healthy in the process.

I just had my sleeve surgery last week with a BMI of 36.1. My insurance approved the surgery due to my sleep apnea. Ever doctor I needed to see (Family Practice, Pulmonology, Sleep Medicine) jokingly told me I was the skinniest patient having this surgery. I'm 57 and choose to be proactive before I ended up like my mother who has COPD, is an insulin dependent diabetic, has heart disease and morbid obesity. I've chosen to only tell a very few people outside my immediate family. I didn't want to have to explain my choice to people who think I'm "skinny". Just keep focused on your journey and ignore the people who don't truly appreciate the health issues associated with even mild morbid obesity.

Tomorrow is my big day! We spent the day traveling from Texas to Tijuana so I am POOPED. And can I tell you all that I've never been so excited to see a bowl of chicken broth in all my life, once we settled in to the hotel! Our layover was too short to be able to grab anything between flights. ???? being hungry makes for a grumpy girl!
Anyway... As I sit here, I'm overcome with thoughts and emotions. I KNOW I'm doing the right thing, but whew, this is a LOT of life changes. Sadly all centered around food. I never realized how much of my life was centered around food till the past couple of weeks, with my pre-op diet. Almost every 'outing' or get together, is all centered around food somehow it seems.
Guess my friends will have to start meeting me at the gym!
Anyway... Congrats to all you who have gone before me! I wish you all much success in your healing process!
See you all on the losers bench! ????