Mrswrath

Maybe we could start with a closed or secret Facebook page of mass- sleeved or lap and or what ever bariatric people? ( I say closed or secret) because even though I am just over 1 year out. I am not out. Only my husband kids and I friend that also had surgery know! Would love to meet up and maybe even find a group to do monthly activities like hike or what ever with.
Ok just my 2 cents even though I posted before lol

I have a few friends that have had there's done at lowell General. I here its great!

I am a " closet sleeve" only my husband 2 daughters and 2 friends that both had surgery at the same time know. Lowell general, has monthly support meetings , but truthfully I do not get much out of them. I am on 2 closed ( one is secret) face book pages. I find both very helpful.
I am 1 year 1 month out.

Sleeved August 3 2015
Just got back from my 1 year ( more like 13 months????)
My numbers are
Shoulder 42 down 4.5
Chest 36 down 11
Waist 27 down 18
Hip 42 down 15.5
Thigh 22 down 6
Bicep 11 down 4
Means 60 inches lost
Weight 182.6( was 319)

Sleeved August 3 2015
Just got back from my 1 year ( more like 13 months????)
My numbers are
Shoulder 42 down 4.5
Chest 36 down 11
Waist 27 down 18
Hip 42 down 15.5
Thigh 22 down 6
Bicep 11 down 4
Means 60 inches lost
Weight 182.6( was 319)

I use to crop my photos so much, I had created a virtual illusion of who I wanted others to see. But who was I really fooling? You guessed it, ME!!
I am thankful for my new lease on life and al the possibilities of what I can now do, where I can go and so much more. A week from today, I will have a Tummy Tuck and a brachioplasty. I am so excited.
   

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This is going to be long so if you don’t care about the story part, skip to the bottom for the numbers.
I never thought I would be here, post-op from WLS surgery, especially a surgery that removed most of my stomach but here I am, and I am thrilled to be here.
I grew up in a healthy, athletic family, really athletic, at the Professional level. We had healthy food and some not so healthy comfort food, but always real food in the house. I was always athletic, but slightly overweight growing up. Then in college, I started to yo-yo. My weight would change between 20 and 40 pounds. Then I had a baby, BOOM. I gained 70 pounds with the pregnancy and never lost it. I started working with Tech Startups in the dot com era and we had all the perks. Free food, free alcohol, all day every day. I moved up the ladder and with all the five star hotels came high calorie free meals. Extensive business travel meant eating out 5-6 days a week 3 times a day. On the days at home the eating out continued because I was so exhausted from the work week.
I was healthy with low to normal blood pressure and not diabetic most of this time. I was a healthy fat person for a long time until I wasn’t. I was active. I exercised, I could walk circles around even my thin friends in a mall. Then 10 years ago, diabetes. It was easily managed with pills and diet, so it didn’t create drastic changes. I never took it very seriously because I was never really extreme in my high sugars. Then about 4 years ago it seemed like things took a turn, I could never lose more than 20 or 30 pounds. My ability to exercise and be active seemed to diminish. Carrying all that weight was finally catching up to me and my body was breaking down and suffering. Then last year, high blood pressure came. After taking high blood pressure meds for 2 weeks that made me sleepy and made it almost impossible to run my business. I decided to have WLS.
I had researched and looked at WLS for years. I read WLS forums and talked to people, but always talked myself out of it. I finally decided that even if I died on the table that was better than dying slowly. So I knew I was ready. I went through the process very quickly. Almost not trusting myself to drag it out and I felt a real necessity to get the weight off quickly. I went from my first visit with the surgeon to surgery in 8 weeks. BCBSIL was wonderful and the whole process was fast and easy for insurance approval.
Another deciding factor that WLS would work for me, was because the post-op diet was something I was already familiar with. Low carbing? Sign me up. I had been an avid low carber off and on with varying levels of success for years. I realize now that the reason I was never successful was I gave up in stalls, but with the sleeve there is no giving up during a stall. I have always enjoyed low carbing because for me it makes my mind sharper, it is like doing coke or Adderall (no, I have never done either but I have been told the experience in great detail multiple times from multiple people). I have never viewed it as a punishment but a perk.
My issue prior to surgery has always been Portion Control. I skipped meals, focused on work and then would be ravenously hungry, and consume a whole days plus worth of calories all at once, or maybe in 2 meals. Even low carbing and eating healthy I would eat huge amounts. A 12 to 16 ounce ribeye is 900-1300 calories.
I was lucky to have an uneventful, rapid and easy recovery. I had very little pain, went back to work as soon as I came home (I work for myself), and stopped taking the pain meds within 36 hours of surgery. I met my Protein goals after the 2nd day. I eat all of the foods I enjoy, just in small quantities. I was lucky in the sense I never ate or liked a lot of the things that people have issues with giving up post-op. So I don’t have issues with avoiding them. I gave up sugar years ago to try and control my diabetes. I gave up alcohol for the same reason. I was already years out from either of these things when I had surgery so I didn’t have to give them up post-op.
Okay that is by backstory and how I got to the point surgery and why I felt it would work for me. This is where I am now.
Numbers
The weight I have on here is the weight when I first went to the Dr. It is not my actual highest weight.
HW 377
SW 358
CW 231
Total weight lost 146, 134 since first surgeon visit, and 127 since surgery.
Inches lost
Measurements in Inches
Bust (fullest part of bust):
20
Pecs (just above the bust line):
15
Ribs (top of rib cage just below the bust) :
21
Waist:
25.5
Abdomen:
22
Hips:
17
Right Upper Thigh:
8.5
Right Lower Thigh:
9.5
Left Upper Thigh:
8
Left Lower Thigh:
10.5
Right Calf:
2
Left Calf:
2.25
Right Upper Arm:
6
Left Upper Arm:
5.5
Total 172.75
I wore a tight size US Womens size 28 plus and a comfortable size US Womens size 30 plus. Now I wear a Misses 14/16 I am almost to a 12.
I have boundless energy to match my personality. I am so active in my everyday life in big and small ways. I don’t hurt all over anymore at the end of the day like I did before. I thought that was natural, because I had been so heavy for so long, I didn’t think there was a different way to feel, I thought that was norm. Now I know the difference. I feel like I have taken 20 years off my age.
So that is my story, if you read it all, thanks. I hope it can help someone. Obviously I am still not done. I need to lose at least another 50 pounds and once I get there I am going to evaluate and see if I want to lose another 20 or 30. I never thought that would be an option, to get my weight that low, but I think now it is a possibility.

I have never posted pictures on here because I never wanted to put out what I used to look like as I am no longer that person. I am a new person but have come to terms that I wouldn't be who I am today if I hadn't lived life as a larger person. I also know that when I started out looking at other people's pictures were such at motivation for me so I am hoping these will help someone in return. The picture of me at my largest was after I had my son. I had lost a significant amount of weight before my day of surgery which is the pic of me looking grumpy and in pain.      
Sent from my SM-S902L using the BariatricPal App

STUPID QUESTION - if you join a "CLOSED" Facebook group - does it show up on your facebook page that you are a member?

I am down 123.4 lb- but the past 2 months it's, loose 2 lbs gain 3 the next day until the end of the week- then I'll be down the 2 lbs.
I also notice my reflux is worse.
And since my surgery, I have had kidney issues.
And what is with people asking how much you have lost , what your goal wait is, then they tell you " you should stop at where you are now" if you lose more you will look to skinny!,? What, I have 47lbs to go [emoji15][emoji16]
Not that I would change anything, just odd!
Looking forward to my 1 year and fingers crossed being at 175

Aug 3 sleeved. Down 92.8lbs pre and post op. Would love to hit 100lbs by next Tuesday apt with my surgeon .
Also losing hair and I think my mind , in a constant state of fog!
Favorite new treats- sugar free mint life Savor

I have done C25k several times throughout my life. It is crazy how it actually WORKS. You go from only being able to run a minute at a time to being able to run 30+ minutes straight! Some tips from someone who's been through it a few times:
Do not hesitate to repeat workouts or entire weeks if you aren't ready to move on. 9 weeks is the MINIMUM. But, don't get stuck in one spot for too long for fear of pushing yourself either. The jump up from Week 3 to Week 4 is pretty brutal. You go from running a total of 9 minutes in Week 3 to 16 minutes in Week 4. You might have to modify the first Week 4 workout a little. I always stretch weeks 5 and 6 out to multiple weeks, because there is a different workout each day and the final workout both of those weeks is a long run with no walking. Here's the way I do it:
- Repeat Week 5 Day 1 three times
- Repeat Week 5 Day 2 three times
- Do Week 5 Day 3 (20 minute run) once
- Repeat Week 6 Day 1 three times
- Repeat Week 6 Day 2 three times
- Do Week 6 Day 3 (22 minute run) once From the end of Week 6 on, it's just adding more time to your one long run, so you can really just ramp that up at your own pace instead of sticking to the schedule. Hope all of that helps! Good luck! It really is a great program and works amazingly well. You won't believe how quickly you progress.

....but doesn't have the nerve to post on their own behalf. Just want to thank everyone who posts. I love reading all the topics and learning about wls and feeling like I have (albeit imaginary) weight loss friends!!! Maybe one day I will get the nerve to actually post something relevant. Or to comment on someone's post! There are a few of you I really connect to. Thank you for your authenticity.
I don't have much of a support system as far as my weight loss goes. I'm a pretty private person who happens to have a high profile job in a gossipy industry. So I tend to keep quiet about the ongoings of my personal life. That's where lurking these forums comes in. And I totally feel a lot better about all of the worries and concerns I have on a daily basis. I come home and look up whatever is bothering me and almost always there is a wonderful post, quelling my fears with the suggestions and knowledge of others who are far ahead of me in their weight loss journey.
Thanks everyone! You are all awesome❤️

I am 3 months post-op and am tired of focusing on how much I have not lost. I’ve been eating 80-100 g of Protein, drinking at least 70 ounces Water, staying under 1000 calories and am active. I started at very high weight and expected to lose more than 45 lbs my first 3 months, but I am tired of focusing on what I have not lost instead of what I have gained. I am so grateful for my sleeve and my chance to live a healthier life. This is my ode to losing weight more slowly than expected and the benefits:
More time to develop healthy eating habits before maintenance Skin has more time to catch up (more time to lotion!) Shifting focus to NSVs like sitting in booths and chairs with arms Less chance of gallstones Opportunity to practice loving kindness towards myself and being grateful for any positive change Chance to manage expectations – if it wasn’t for WLS, I’d be thrilled with my loss, so why not be thrilled now? Practice focusing on my own wins and not comparing self to others Not having to explain to others since loss isn’t dramatic (yet) Chance to trust the process and not focus on the end (self-care, water/protein/low-carb/active) Redefine success as how I feel, not numbers on scale Understanding this is not a diet, this is my lifestyle now, so what is the rush? Have you had a benefit to a stall or slower than expected losing?

I'm no expert here - only six months out. However, I want to reiterate that you need to follow YOUR nut/surgeon guidelines.
There are many on here that have no problems with straws, soda, coffee, alcohol, etc.and often share this information. Please keep in mind that it doesn't mean you should do the same.
Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of struggles following "the plan". The plan is in place to ensure your success in this journey.
Just my two cents. Best wishes to everyone!

I haven't received my surgery date yet. BUT, let me just say this to you. You were very misinformed. Technically, you could eat what you want. But, that's just a very DUMB way of looking at it. I hate to say this but this doctor should be FIRED. He appears to be one of those doctors who are just in it for the money. Please go around and read things on this board.

We all have a problem with food. That is the reason we are having this surgery done. The reason we became obese is because we all have problems with Portion Control and diet and nutrition as a whole. NO doctor in there right mind would tell a bariatric patient to eat whatever they want after the surgery. Read some of the blogs on here about how people get sick after eating too early or how eating certain things (mainly bad food) will have them feeling quite miserable.

The program I am in requires us to focus on diet and exercising. That should be your main focus. I started my change back on 7/28 and to date I've lost 30 pounds. I did this because I began learning how important eating the RIGHT foods will mean to my body pre and post op. If you're struggling with your food choices you should see a NUT ASAP so you can get on track. I wouldn't listen to another word this doctor is saying because he's TOTALLY in it for the money. I'm sorry you were sold cheap goods. This is a major surgery that will take a lot of work on your part. Remember the surgery is just a TOOL. In order to lose as much weight as possible and to keep it up you can't have the same mentality that got you here in the first place. Get your mental right and work a plan and stick to it. I know it's hard. But you can def do it!

I just had my 2 moth post op visit- and I mentioned I am at a 21/2 week stall. They said it is normal, after your body looses so much in a short timeframe. A stall can last up to 4 weeks, before they get worried.
They also said if you are working out everyday to not worry about counting calories, asong as you are flowing the dr food plan.
Here is Hoping the scale moves soon!!!

I was sleeved 8/3- had a very rough first week in the hospital. Down 51.5 lbs ( this includes 15lbs I lost in the 2 months before surgery).
I am on stage 3, and can not even imagine how I am suppose to fit a fruit or veggie in- it is hard enough eating 2-2.5 oz of Protein.
I get up at 4 am to go to the gym for an 11/2 hr before work 3-4 days a week and do 90 mins of Water aerobics 2 a week- Sunday I try and get a walk in.
I am tracking all my food and water and range between 551- and 610 calories a day- some days I need to remind myself to eat lunch.< /p>

August 2015 sleevers is how it is listed and says it is a closed group with 129 members.
I like closed or private ( really like private - since no one knows I did this lol)!

I am 8 weeks out I workout at the gym for 11/2 hrs( treadmill and weights) 5 mornings a week before work. And Tuesday and Thursday 90 min Water aerobics- sat a 46 min water aerobics class .
And then starting mid October I will adds one hour boot camp mon and wed nights .
Sunday I some times will take a 11/2 walk or use it As a rest day. Depends on how I feel.

I am 8 weeks out I workout at the gym for 11/2 hrs( treadmill and weights) 5 mornings a week before work. And Tuesday and Thursday 90 min Water aerobics- sat a 46 min water aerobics class .
And then starting mid October I will adds one hour boot camp mon and wed nights .
Sunday I some times will take a 11/2 walk or use it As a rest day. Depends on how I feel.

I have brought Jerky, Quest bars, cut up veggies-- but now our local theatre checks your purse for "contraband!" Last time I made my 13 yo son hide it in his cargo pockets! He was freaked out till I explained it wasn't ILLEGAL technically and the worst that could happen is they'd make us throw it out.
We made it past the checkpoint and he said "omg what a rush!" I think I've created a monster ????

I generally cut up pieces of beef Jerky when I think I might need a snack at an event but really, to put it in perspective, why can't one spend two hours without eating?
I look back at my fat days and shake my head at my "need" for a large bucket of popcorn, a gigantic soda and candy for such a short period of time.

I've never been a runner. Never! At week two I started doing three 5k walks a week. By week four I was running/walking on the tread mill. Now at week 13, I am running three times a week with no walking. Each time I get on I try to shave off a few seconds. I've never been so happy or proud about myself. I actually look forward to running because I'm friggin doing it! I do some core work with planks and a few weight machines. My legs are slim and shapely all due to the running. It's amazing how these changes are encouraging me to hit the gym!