4shooters

Thank you everyone for all the input and suggestions. I do think it's probably more of a *me* thing than what a guy would think.
@@theantichick that's true about lingerie, that's a good suggestion. I will look into some.
@ Thank you for the compliments, that was sweet of you.
@@larry971 Thank you, I am trying to find someone who will love me for me. It's hard to get over my own insecurities though.
@@MindyMe congratulations on your soon to be nuptials. I understand part of your anxiety.
@@Dub hahaha! That sounds so romantic.
@@The New Kel I am trying to take it slow with the guys I meet up with. I'm not looking to rush into anything sexual but it's a big concern for me so I wanted to hear other's opinions
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am not really one for extramarital sex, but that is just me. I do not judge you. This may sound simplistic, but turn out the lights. I write that as one who has been married for 33 years. It is all about the experience, and not about the looks. A pretty woman is not always the best lover. If you are good at it, they will be too.
Consider this. I do not say you are ugly. I am just giving you this for perspective.

Hi Friends,
I’ve taken a bit of time to write my story as it comes from my heart and I hope that it’s helpful. Let me say – I’m here if you have questions or if there’s anything I can do to help.
LIFE BEFORE: My quality of life wasn't very good, although my health #'s weren't incredibly high, I just didn’t feel healthy. My blood pressure was borderline high but otherwise pretty much normal. Personally, I just didn't feel good in my skin. Clothes didn't fit right or they just felt like potato sacks. I was a size 24 at my highest, 260 lbs and I’m 5’6”. My biggest worry day to day was – am I going to break a chair. It was dreadful. I hated airline travel, movie theaters, going to amusement parks (size of the rides).
I think the part that hurt the most was feeling like a “ghost” in society. People really didn't make eye contact or engage in conversation with me. Maybe that was my own perception but it was pretty consistent. Let’s be honest now: my go-to relief when feeling stressed was fast food. If I forgot to eat a meal, I'd just run and get fast food. The problem was the quantity and frequency I'd eat burgers, burritos, fries and so much diet soda. So much soda that even my little daughter would comment about it. She was 4.5 at the time! I recall a day where I had fast food for: Breakfast, lunch, a snack and then dinner. These were burgers and fries. It was just so tasty, fast and easy but I knew it was unhealthy. I just couldn’t find a stop!
I met my surgeon and instantly felt connected to him. I could be honest with him and he wouldn't judge or make me feel bad. I ran my "numbers" prior to meeting him -- I think this helped me justify wanting to do the sleeve and I’m a very analytical person. My numbers were -- how many diets I've tried and failed, how many years I've been dieting, max weight lost and then regained..... this all added up to spending 13+ years of my life on a diet! So eye opening. This wasn't a great quality of life! My surgeon showed me all of the options and spent probably 45 mins. during initial consult.
I read books about being sleeved, combed this forum to learn everything. When I was ready, I took home my information and reviewed it with my husband. For me, it was essential to have him on board and to be a key support. Everything aligned and I was approved by my insurance in about 10 working days. There really was no contest with a BMI of 41. I decided that getting the VSG was right for me. I was ready to make this life-long commitment. I had the mind-set that this was not a quick fix or a fad. My doctor recommended I lose as much weight as I could but required no specific pre-surgery diet, except no food 8 hours prior to surgery. I had no food funeral as I didn’t want to glorify food any more than I already had. I was also researching and really putting my heart into finding another stress outlet rather than food.
SURGERY: I was sleeved on Sept. 15, 2014 with a high weight of 260, BMI 41. On surgery day I remember feeling extremely nervous, scared and at the same time ready to open a new chapter of my life. Anyhow, the surgery went well and I remember having loads of pain meds if I needed them, using a button I would press and pain med would go into my IV. I had a bit of abdominal pain but otherwise surgery went well and my hiatal hernia was repaired.
POST-SURGERY: My weight loss was slow and I had several plateaus. I just let it flow and I chose not to obsess over the scale. It would come off at the pace my body was ready to let the pounds go. This is a lifelong commitment and I had/have the mindset that I would not freak out if I only lost .5 pounds a week or nothing at all. Just to be patient! I did have several chronic illnesses develop but I can't honestly say they were due to the VSG…. However, dramatic weight loss is a stressor on the body and stressors will make the body do weird things. Keep that in mind.
I had two instances where I threw up and I can say this was a complete learning experience! My food cravings slowly went from cheese burgers to things like fresh organic carrots… very weird, right?! I cut out the fast food for a year. I am at the point where I can only eat about 1/4 of a burger and then just toss the rest. It was definitely tough!! Learning how much my sleeve could hold, learning how to eat out and not feel uncomfortable, buying new clothes, seeing myself becoming "visible" to society again. Struggling with seeing myself as a different kind of beautiful..... getting the VSG is a lifelong commitment, you have to be ready for a complete rework. There will be loose skin but gosh, it's just skin. My biggest pain in the butt areas -- my chin and my belly loose skin. Ah, well.
FOOD NOW: I now spend a lot of time preparing fresh meals, going to specialty shops.... I have the mentality that if I'm going to eat 3 ounces, it better taste really darn good! I also just breathe a lot, consciously slow down when eating and just chew the heck out of my food bites. Ironically, I’m now reading a lot about food preparation and have taken an interest in cooking classes. Fast foods taste very salty tome. I probably should be drinking more Water. I do rely on Protein Shakes when I need food quickly – like for breakfast. I plan to take fruit with me or granola bars if I’m going to be out running errands and may get hungry. I eat more like 6 small meals a day. I eat out at restaurants but typically take ½ of my meal in a to-go box. My go to explanation: “I have a small stomach” or “I will enjoy the rest tomorrow!” --- be ready for this… there are food police that worry about you. They mean well (ex: friends).
LIFE TODAY: My family has been incredibly supportive, non-judgemental and very kind. It is absolutely crucial to your success that you have a "team" to be your cheerleaders. For me, there were points when I doubted my decision (I’m being honest with you) and just generally struggled. As I write, I’m feeling pretty darn good – except for chronic illnesses that make things very painful. Food isn't a really big deal in my life now. It's just food now - rather than my stress reliever. However, when I’m hit with bad news, I find myself thinking “gosh, maybe I should get some fries”. I don’t act on my thoughts.
I chose not to tell most people as I didn’t want them making a judgement call on my decision to do VSG. I “blame” my weight loss on my chronic illnesses and people will leave that alone. VSG is such a personal decision – it’s your body.
After 18 months - I have lost 85 pounds and I’m a size 12. I have 15 more pounds to go. I have not been able to really resume an active, exercise program as I'm fighting 3 chronic illnesses (Lupus, RA and Fibromylgia). I have had to absolutely reduce the stress in my life and stop working at my lifelong career due to my illnesses. My blood pressure is now well below normal and I feel really good about how things progressed. I feel physically beautiful and I'm okay if I don't lose the last 15 pounds. I would like to start running when I feel better and also resuming scuba diving! :-)
I am all over the place writing to you and it's 1 AM --- anyhow, I'm proud of everyone on this site. VSG is tough, it's a complete lifestyle changer and we are very lucky to have each other. I am here for you and happy to answer any questions. Please know that at ANY weight, you are important and you are beautiful. VSG is a tool and you can do it! Please really do your homework, find a support network and breathe…. It just takes time. This is a life long journey and will take months, maybe years.
I found a before picture but my now picture only shows my face. I can't find a full body right now. Will attach more to my profile when I find them :-)
Namaste and God bless each of you. Hugs. -- Alexsis

OOOHHH! I just came up with a really great response. This would of course be because I love the shock factor and making sure no one wants to ask me anything ever again...but when someone asks you HOW you lost weight, tell them they discovered a massive tapeworm in your intestines. No matter what you eat you keep dropping weight. The doctors wanted to remove it but you're so happy you've lost weight you decided to keep it and give it a name. Then tell them the worm's name.

Taken on October 12, 2015.......the morning before my surgery. Umbilical hernia felt like it was about to freaking explode. Surgeon repaired it during f the sleeve surgery. So grateful for that. 6xl t-shirt and 4xl pants in the pic.

Taken this morning. 2xlt jacket that I've had for ages....just couldn't wear it. It was my "goal jacket" to fit into for Winter of 2017.......had no idea I'd be able to wear it now. More gratitude.

EDIT: I'd put the wrong date in the above pic. It is corrected now....as in 10/19/16.

Congratulations!! You look amazing.

Diet = unrestricted.
Down 22 pounds in 4 weeks.
Currently I am at 39% of my goal weight. My NUT checked the calculations twice and said this is amazing. She said you are in like the top 5% of weight loss patients, you are where you should be between months 3 and 4, not at 2. She went over my diet, and was very happy, we talked about what I eat, when and how, but when we got to exercise she realized why I am loosing so much weight. I am training for an Event called the Tough Ruck http://www.toughruck.org/ I have 9 hours to walk 26.2 miles, so I am really pushing it. I am up to 7.57 miles in the am as a single activity and I walk everywhere, so I do 10-12 miles a day. She was flabbergasted. Supportive, but amazed. She said she's never seen such motivation in someone, and just knows I will do well. I explained, what I refuse to eat. Sugar, corn, flour, rice, Pasta, anything processed or fructose.
If she was amazed before, her jaw hit the ground. I was like, why are you so surprised, this was a lifestyle change, these foods are hollow calories and should be avoided.
We then talked carbs, I told her my net carbs per day is probably around 60. But I am trying to get lower. I did low carb for about a year and felt amazing. I'd like to get back to that. She said, you know in a year, or so, you can probably have a 1/2 a cupcake or a small piece of cake and tolerate it. I said why? Why open that door? One bite, is all it takes. One cupcake leads to two. Then to three, then I am fat again. I said do you always tell you clients to eat cupcakes after a year? And she was like no no, but your completely abstaining from these foods you can treat yourself. I said I just did, I bought pants 3 sizes smaller and they are now loose. Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.
She called me an inspiration, shook my hand and watched me walk down the stairs.
All in all I walked away feeling pretty good.

My bikini is in the wash or I'd put it on and post also lol. Looking good, keep it up

Loved the video. Congratulations!!!!! You look great.

Also from MO. 2 months post-op. Had surgery in St. Louis with Dr. Scott. Had an easy recovery and doing well post-op. Down 56 lbs from HW; 43 lbs from pre-op visit; 37 lbs from surgery. Wishing you the best!!!!

I team rope, steer wrestle and trip steers. I have struggled with my weight on and off all my life. I would get over 300lbs then go on a diet, start exercising loose a little weight and before I knew it I would get complacent, stop exercising, start eating poorly and was back over 300. its been an yo-yo effect for the last 15+ years. As you can imagine, trying to compete at a professional level when you are overweight is extremely difficult. I made the decision to get the surgery in may of this year and had it done in July. Since then I have not regretted it for even one minute. My doctors told me not to rope for 6 weeks. I gave it one week and started roping again with no issues what so ever..... Since then I have lost 74 lbs and can tell a huge difference in my ability to perform inside and outside the arena. My balance and core strength and energy level are the most noticeable changes. I finally feel like I am able to compete at a top level again and I cant wait until I have lost an other 70 lbs to see even more change. I'm sure my horses appreciate the fact they don't have to carry an extra 70+ lbs of me around as well.

Lately I'm just resuming handgun target shooting.
I want to do more trap shooting and sporting clays.
3-Gun competitions look like they would be fun.
My local range had an IDPA style handgun comp every month.
My birthday gift to myself was a sweet 1911 that I'd love to use in the local stuff.
Glock offers the GSSF events. Obviously, you have to run Glocks in their events, but I'm fairly well covered with those.
I'm really looking forward to getting back into a steady diet of trigger time.

@Dub. Woohoo on the shooting sports. What sports???

Grilling was a hobby for the past few years.
Seldom do it these days.
The gym will be a new hobby very soon.
I'm getting back into shooting sports now.
Hey a fellow shooter! Anything particular you are in to? I shoot high power rifle, IDPA, and shotgun (trap, 5 stand, s k e e t, sporting clays). I'm also an instructor. Keeps me busy! lol

Grilling was a hobby for the past few years.
Seldom do it these days.
The gym will be a new hobby very soon.
I'm getting back into shooting sports now.

From the STL area.

From the STL area.

June 30 in Missouri--Dr. Hawver
HW-252
Current 242
Goal145-150 range.

June 30 in Missouri--Dr. Hawver
HW-252
Current 242
Goal145-150 range.

June 2 in Missouri.