HorsecollarMinnie

I have been very open and honest with anyone who has asked how I've lost "all that weight"; I can't lie and I have no filter. The only thing that has bugged me was mentioned a few posts back. "I bet your husband is so happy." He is, but he's happy that his wife is happier and healthier. Otherwise, my friends, family and random acquaintances have been supportive to my face. If they talk behind my back, I don't let that stuff bother me anymore

I think I'll even include a photo of me the day I started my two week pre op diet and one of me 1 week post op.

Not much of a difference but I can sure see it!

Can of worms: meet a can opener.
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Feeling good with 70 lbs lost today. Wanted to show a picture and brag a little 38 more til goal, 24 until ONEderland!

Get a new doctor. It isn't like there is a shortage of GPs.

I do however agree about getting your food under control. You can easily eat around your sleeve if you don't have your mental food issues worked out. If you read here enough you will find lots of people that are doing great at just that.

Most programs and insurance force people into diets anyway.


When I told my PCP, I wanted WLS. He told me there was a waiting list for it? I was like what?
His nurse acted like it was a huge deal to find a referral for me and told me there was a waiting list. I never did get a referral from them. I got a suggestion from a friend of a friend and went to a seminar with the program I selected on my own. I did all the leg work myself and he signed what I asked him to sign. He was supportive but clueless about the process.

I have a new doctor now.

Just wanted to chime in that I got a two-fer when I went to my doctor light headed this week
He stopped one of my blood pressure meds... hence the lightheadedness. Then he went on to remove Diabetes from my chart! I nearly cried.

As some of you know, one of my favorite rewards is getting a massage. I had one this week and was thinking about what progress I have made since surgery.
When I started getting massages I wasn't even sure if I could get on the massage table and needed help getting on the table and off. Now, I can get on and off the table all by myself as well as turn over on the table by myself, too!

I've had a few good ones - a couple I may have posted previously, so forgive me for any repeats:
My contractor - I have been using this guy for home updates for years, but haven't seen him for quite some time. He did not recognize me when I first came into the room, then when it hit him he yelled out my name, his eyes became very misty, and a gave me a huge bear hug. Keep in mind this is a strappin' manly man type of dude. He was clearly overwhelmed.
My mom - I hadn't seen her in a few months, and met her at a function. I was parking the car, so she was standing with my wife. She asks where I am, my wife points and says "right there" she asks again, my wife points again. She finally recognizes me, and also wells up with emotion (my mother is very unemotional)
Cleaning lady at work - speaks only Spanish. I see her when I travel about every six weeks. She flips out when she sees me, starts rattling of spanish, moves her hands up and down her sides and exclaims "MUCHO MUCHO MUCHO"
Former co-worker - I met her for lunch and she hadn't seen me in a long time. Is in utter shock when she sees me and says "I heard I needed to be prepared, that you lost a lot of weight, but hold cow, you look like a different person". Then I start talking to her, but can tell she isn't hearing a word I was saying - she interrupts me and says "I'm sorry, but I just need to stare at you for a few minutes, it's CRAZY"
These are some of the most fun ones, but it happens on an almost daily basis. Seeing the lack of recognition, then the utter shock on peoples faces is pretty entertaining and validating. I keep thinking I must have run into everyone I know by know, but it seems at least weekly I run into new people. Even the people I see everyday comment often. Almost daily I hear "You are getting SO skinny", "You are shrinking before our eyes", "You look so amazing". Pretty cool change from being obese my whole life. I'll take it.
Or as my daughter says "UGH, you are so bony and uncomfortable to cuddle with now!". But I'll take my bones poking my daughter while I hug her for the next 40 years over being soft and dead in less than 10!

My best-
My sister. She and I are very close, and she loves about 60 min away. Usually, we see each other once a week, just went up North in July to our summer place together, and most importantly, I spent the first 5 days post op at her house. (She's an awesome care-giver!)
Getting my oldest off to college, the other two settled in to HS and all kinds of stuff- I haven't physically seen her in 6 weeks. That's so unusual for us!
Friday night I popped over by her unexpectedly, and walked into her kitchen. Her hubby was there and I thought his jaw was going to fall off his face. "Holy Sh!t" he kept repeating -and gave me a huge hug. I was laughing at him as I proceeded out back to see my sister, just figuring she'd say hello and give me crap for not coming out sooner. Nope- same response from her as her hubby! THAT one really got me because she is not overly demonstrative nor does she ever go on and on about things.
Having those who know me best- and have been through the journey with me since the day I first considered it, react that way FAR outweighs any comments from random friends or neighbors.
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I started a new position right after my WLS. When you work with people everyday they notice- but they see the gradual loss. My boss (who I couldn't stand- feelings were mutual) went to work at another location. She is an athlete, and weighs 100#'s soaking wet. I saw her recently and she paused, staring at me confused and said "are you losing weight." I responded "yeah, I'm working at it" but I was totally thinking "that's right wench- you aren't the only skinny b!tch"

Hi there! Sleeved on 9/7. I feel a bit better each day. Lots of pain the first few days, but have been off the pain meds for the last three days. Experiencing some lightheaded-ness, I'm getting at least 50-60oz of Fluid so my team doesn't think it's dehydration. It's annoying. I have three weeks of liquid and I'm pretty darn sick of shakes.
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Since this is my own thread- I'm going to hijack it for a moment.
Was just in Victoria's Secret
Need new bras and panties
Now I can fit their bras
And I was about to dump a couple hundred bucks, easily
Did I get any help? Nope. Needed a size change, was told to push the button. No one came. Pushed again. Nothing. And nothing 10 min I stood in the dressing room. I proceeded to change, take the three styles I was trying on to the cashier, and politely told her I would go to a store where the clerks were attentive to customers. A group of the associates were just standing up there chatting.
Sale lost.
Buh bye now.
Back to beating ourselves up nutritionally....
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last night I was in my Wednesday night class, fall semester just beginning and I did something I've never been able to do in all the years I've been attending there.
there I was muddling my way through class - Bible on my lap, phone - pen, paper. juggling it all like always and all the sudden a wee lighbulb went off. WAIT A MINUTE, I am down 75 pounds since last year..... I wonder.......
I used the flip up lap desk. with a lot of room to spare! WHAT?
being more normal sized makes EVERYTHING so much easier.

Nsv for me was going back to my hometown yesterday I'm only 12 days out but down about 50-60 from my all time high. Everywhere I went people told me how good I looked and how proud of me they were. It felt awesome and was motivating!
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As for a lil' background info, my heart suckeths. Had first heart attack at 37 (stents), artery RCA collapsed 2 of the stents (more stents), Internal Cardiac Device implanted (ICD pacemaker/defibulator), forced to retire (was a Deputy Sheriff), second heart attack at 39 (more stents), umpteen caths (and a few more stents). Been on the list for a transplant for some time. Decided on the Gastric Sleeve after my Heart Failure Specialist said that loosing weight would help me move up on the list, in addition to numerous other benefits. Had the procedure on 05/26/16, in total down 82lbs. so far.
Have been using my nitro quite a bit more the past few months, seems to go in cycles. My doc advised that I had not had a cath since 2014, and felt it best that they go in a check. All my previous stent placements had been in the RCA (which is pretty much a solid line of stents by this time). They found 2 additional blockages in different areas this time (2 more stents).
Now for the NSV part... I have several tats. Two different nurses commented on the tats and said that they thought they recognized them (the John Lennon one in particular). When I told them that I was a frequent flier at OSU, both asked if I had lost quite a bit of weight. Same thing happened in the Cath Lab prior to surgery with two different surgeons.
This in addition to the fact that the nurse whom gave me the obligatory belly button to knee shave being cute, definitely brightened my stay. Back home today and watching OSU and BG.

Day 4 and already had to tighten my belt up a notch.

Thank you......and yes...feeling much better. Pain was a powerful motivator for me to have wls......and is a sweet blessing to have diminished a great deal.
That is supercool !!!!
Oh.....and I can flip a jig into an opening in the brush pile.......or skip a topwater plug under a boat dock and make it walk the dog back to the boat.................but I'm lacking any surfcasting skills and won't even try to upstage a maestro. I'd look foolish doing so. Better I know my role and take the lessons as they are offered.
Amen to that !!!!
Lookatdat sexy grandma right there !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Being an active grandfather is one my biggest goals in life. Getting this weight off......and keeping it off....is crucial to achieve this goal.
Thank you. That is very sweet and I am glad to be on this side of the Loser's Bench and holding down a spot for the remainder of my days. Got a ways to go.....but not as far as I've come. It's been an surreal experience at times. Being around motivation like you've demonstrated.....is what keeps my fire lit. I thrive off the motivation that others put on display.....it makes me want to push myself and get moving. You have been a source of such motivation, drive and determination. Well done, young lady......well done.

So, here I am, just a few days shy of 9 months post-op. Some of my favorite NSVs have been a surprise to me. Here are my favorites:
1. Having to buy new shoes. Who knew your feet would shrink.
2. Running a 12 minute mile. I hate running, but I had to try...just because I could now run.
3. Not having to expend mental energy every time I go to sit, stand, bend over, or any other physical activity I used to have to think about before doing it.
4. Being told by my Primary Care doctor that she didn't need to see me every 4 months any more, but just twice a year as I am now considered to be a healthy person with no issues.
5. Having a group of Firemen flirt with me in the grocery store. I looked behind me, because I was certain they were talking to someone over my shoulder. =) Seriously, at 50 this is quite the NSV.
6. sleeping through the night and waking up with energy.
Loving my sleeve and so glad I had the surgery.

I hate roller coasters, I get very sick, but I just rode the Manta at SeaWorld yesterday because it was my sons birthday weekend and he wanted to ride. Guess what? I kinda rode it because I COULD!!! I fit damnit and I was gonna ride, even if I puked afterwards!!! NSV
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I take a truck load of medication and I dream of the day that is no longer my life. Everything hinges on health for me. Looking good is just the cherry on top.
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3 weeks of liquid and start introducing soft foods. 14 days left of the liquid, not that I'm counting....
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@@goodgirl1966 Please be careful. Going ahead with real food before allowed can cause significant complications including food getting stuck in your staple line. This could cause life threatening complications. It's not really worth it.

I am not in my 30s but I would hesitate to get a goal outfit, mostly because I have NO IDEA what my shape and size will be when I get to goal. I am more inclined to save my money and get something really fabulous that fits me perfectly when I get there.

We definitely should start a group. Maybe on Facebook? We can make it private so only we can access it. Would anyone be interested? I might make a thread to see how people feel.
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I was sleeved on 9/7. Not been easy.
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