MarciaN

167.8

Everyone's experiences are different. Any WLS is not a magic fix. We all need to eat healthy and exercise--just for our health. I never got the "gift" of not feeling hungry like some had. The gift I did get was actually knowing when I am full---not sure I ever really knew this before. That being said- I could pack in a lot of calories if I am not following my Protein first then veggies...

I joined Weight Watchers about 5 weeks ago- I was so used to the accountability with going for my supervised NUT visits and the first few months after surgery that I started to just "stay the same weight" once my program told me I did not have to come back for 6 months! I feel fantastic and probably could happily live at my current weight---but--- it is not the weight my doctor wanted me to get to and I realized that I need to have someone to whom I am accountable. We need to use every tool in our arsenal to lose and keep the weight off. This can be something different for each person.

BrandNew- Welcome back! WE are all in this together. Surgery is not an end-all in itself. But having everyone here to cheer each other on and to encourage each other to be what we were meant to be is what will get us there! Be proud that you are back.

That is wonderful! A whole new chapter in your life is opening up!

I actually joined Weight Watchers so I could have someone weigh me in every week! I seemed to do just fine when I was going in regularly to see my NUT but once they switched me to only going in every 6 months I started to struggle. When I finally do get to my goal weight I will be able to still go to Weight Watchers every week for weigh in and not have to pay anymore. Even if I did have to pay each week I think it would be worth it for me just to keep my weight in check.

168.7

171.7

I think I may be the minority here--- but this is my story.

I tried EVERYTHING for years with no success. Finally when I thought I was actually going to die, I decided to get surgery. I truly thought this was my last hope. The moment I went into the orientation I decided to start eating like I had already had the surgery. Rather than the 6 months that my insurance required, I actually ended up going almost 9 months before being sleeved. By that time I had lost 68 pounds on my own. After being sleeved 10 months ago I have lost an additional 50 pounds with about 33 left to go.

I was 58 years old at surgery. It went extremely well and I recovered quickly. I never had the side effect of not being hungry. I did realize that a lot of my "hunger" was head-hunger-- just me thinking I needed to have something in my mouth when I really didn't need it.

I almost immediately could eat lots of food. I didn't just have the ability to eat a tablespoon or so... I learned that I needed to not drink too close to meals and really savor my food. I was actually losing more before the surgery.

That being said. I am SO happy I did this. I don't think I ever would have gotten on the "straight and narrow" if I did not have to have the supervised NUT visits every month- and also the requirement that I needed not to have a gain during this time. This gave me 9 months of getting good habits. I realized that nothing is a quick (or permanent) fix. I had to change. After reading about other folks who lot weight and then put some/all of it back on- I realize that I must always be diligent and take nothing for granted.

I have been on this journey for 18 months and am down 118 pounds! I am thrilled. I feel wonderful (in fact yesterday I walked 15,000 steps---before I could not even walk around the block without being in intense pain.)

I never had the "honeymoon" period that folks talk about-- but I have developed new habit. I also don't take anything for granted. Is it hard-- Sometime it really is! But I think the "hard" days come less frequently with each passing day. Being able to "participate in the world" is so much better than that piece of cake. I still love food but don't revolve my entire life around it. Good luck with you journey. We are all rooting for you.

Went on a two week Alaskan vacation-- Gained! 173.2 Back home and back to being good

HW 286. March 1, 2015

SW. 218. Nov 23, 2015

CW. 168. Aug 18, 2016

Goal. 135

In losing mode. 10 pounds sound like a perfect goal

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I am in. Going on vacation starting on Thursday so will need to post my weight tomorrow. My first day back will be on the 29th so this will spur me on to stay vigilant while on vacation! Thanks

Yes. I have Highmark. After completing their 6 required nutrition visits, Psych eval, completing my center's requirement and losing weight while doing it, I was approved. It took about 3 weeks to learn the results after my doctor submitted everything.

Good Luck!

I did not use one. I was 58 when I had the procedure and seemed to heal very fast. Of course, everyone needs to do what is best for them. What did your doctor suggest?

Hopefully most doctor's offices have extensive plans to get you prepared. I know that I had to have nutritional counseling for a minimum of 6 months along with classes on exercise etc. That being said, I read lots of books, watched youtube videos and started exercising before surgery so I would be the healthiest I could be going in. Best advise I to listen to your healthcare team and actually DO what they tell you to do. Is it easy-- sometimes....and sometimes not! Set yourself up for success. For each person that is different-- I needed to make sure that I only have healthy choices of food in my house (that way if I do go "off the deep end" I have to literally go out to get something. Support is probably the most important thing you can get. Being on sites like this one where everyone truly understands what you are going through are invaluable. The other important thing is to forgive- You might need to forgive a parent...or a spouse...for past hurts. But the most important person to forgive is yourself. None of us are perfect--not previously...and we won't be in the future. If you make a mistake (and you will) just shake it off, learn from it and get right back to working the plan. We are not in a race here--we are on a journey. You can go it! And rely on everyone here to help.

I was fearful of this also. I am probably more uncomfortable with the skin than my now fiancé is. I did not know him before surgery so he has only seen the "new me" skin and all. If you are with the right person they will be making love to you (rather than just having sex) so it won't matter.

I didn't have knee problems but I did have hip problems. It was extremely painful to even walk from my house to my car. I have lost almost 120 pounds now and am a walking guru. Does my hip still hurt-- yes-- but I am doing exercises and stretches. There is still pain but compared to what I used to have it is tolerable. If you have injured yourself, weight loss is not the magic cure- but it sure helps take the stress off of the injured joint. Good luck in your journey.

I was 58 when I had my surgery last November. I had absolutely no problems and still don't. But- I did go on a preop diet for 9 months and had already lost 65 pounds by the time of surgery. I also had started exercising so I think my body was in a good place to heal and get on with life! I feel better now at this age than I did in the last 20 years. Good luck!

I am in the same boat. My body really seems to like 168 and hasn't moved in a LONG time. I am walking 45 minutes a day and also go to a personal trainer. Not sure how long it will take me to get to goal....

I had an irregular EKG too. This ended up delaying my surgery by 3 months. I had to go in for all these tests and eventually had to have a PET Scan with stress test. I was really scared that I had ruined my heart with all the excess weight. They kept asking me when I had my heart attach. I told them that I don't remember having anything like that. Then they told me that sometimes women can have silent heart attacks. Well--- the wait was terrible! After the scan I was told that while my heartbeat is not "typical" it is normal for me. My heart worked just fine under stress. Now I just need to be sure if I have an EKG again that I get the technician my "normal" test so they can compare the two. Our bodies are all unique. Hopefully you will get the same news I got. If not, you at least will know where you are and be able to do what is needed to be the most healthy that you can be. Good luck!

I have the Aria scale by Fitbit. Since I use my fitbit to track my food and activities this scale is wonderful. It automatically syncs to my fitbit app. I have historical data on my entire weight loss journey. (Including fat% and BMI) It has really helped me because I can see what I lose each week or month etc. I just love it.

I am 5'2" and was 286 when I started this journey (March 2015) Lost 68 pounds before surgery on pre-op diet. Surgery on Nov 24, 2015. Just had my 6 month post surgery check up and I am down 118 pounds. Feel so wonderful! Only 33 left until I am at goal. Am so glad I went on this journey. Good luck to you and know that there is HOPE!

That is fantastic. We definitely all need each other! Glad the scale is moving again.

I've lost 118# (still have about 33 to go) have had 4 children. My body is NOT perfect. I am now with a wonderful man. I did tell him that I was planning on getting plastic once I was at goal. He said "oh that's fine- but don't do it for me." What a great guy! They are out there- don't settle.

You have to change your mindset that you are doing this for the number on the scale to go down. Eventually we will be on maintenance where we don't want the scale number to move. We need to concentrate on fueling our bodies with the best things we can and being strong and healthy. Eventually, if we do this, we will be at that all "powerful" number. I've never been a huge loser. (I lost 10 pounds the first 2 weeks after surgery and stayed at that weight for another 6 weeks.) What I am is consistent. This has really helped me to concentrate on what is important. We are not in this for the short term- we are in this forever. Will it really matter if it takes 16 months to get to goal rather than 12? After we have maintained for a few years- I doubt it will matter. What will matter is that we learn how to change our lifestyle and our relationship with food. I thoroughly love eating! But I now know it is not my comforter or companion. If I don't deal with issues I'll eventually go back to my old "companion" and then I will have BIGGER issues (bigger me.) We can all do this! Each person's journey is unique. Be proud that you didn't give in. Eventually you will reap the reward. Good Luck!