Mrs.ChangingTX

Good morning everyone, I'm going to stock up on my fluids (protein shakes/soups/broths) so I can start my 5 day pouch test next week

My sister/best friend died 4 months before my wls. I almost died a year and a few months after my surgery. The only reason I've got in this is far is constantly remembering the reason I did this to my body. I want to live a healthy, happy and long life. Take care of yourself Ella37 you are the only one who can. Good or bad there will always be a reason to eat.

My sister/best friend died 4 months before my wls. I almost died a year and a few months after my surgery. The only reason I've got in this is far is constantly remembering the reason I did this to my body. I want to live a healthy, happy and long life. Take care of yourself Ella37 you are the only one who can. Good or bad there will always be a reason to eat.

Hey, Ella37 - it's going to be okay. My mom was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer last July. It hit me pretty hard, but i chose to get the surgery BECAUSE of it. I want to improve my lifestyle not onlu for me, but for her, so that I can have the strength and energy it takes to care for her. And believe me, you WILL need the energy. I haven't even had my surgery date given to me yet, but i knownit will absolutely help me to have the energy to help her out when she most needs it. Remember, you want to be healthy.... you want to be here to help her, and you can't do it if you're sick..... wishing you all the best of luck. So very sorry to hear about your mom. You guys can get through this!!
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How do you feel? I am not the perfect sleeved person. I will not judge you. At 8 days why pass out bread during dinner? Remember why you selected to have WLS? Brush off start over!
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It's been one year today since I had my sleeve done. My life has changed in every aspect.
My start weight was 333.1lbs
My weight this morning was 137.8lbs
That's a total loss of 195.3lbs!!
I've also lost a total of 95 inches...I'm a size 6 now...used to be a size 30.
I have accomplished this by being very focused and strict with my eating and exercise.
I eat very low carb, and always get in my Protein, Vitamins and Water every day.
For all of you just starting out, just know that anything is possible, and if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything!! 
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Wow - you have some really beautiful photos, and your story is an inspiration to all who are nervous about getting this done. We all only have one life to live - as many people have said throughout the years, it's not the things that you did do that you'll regret, it's the things you didn't do. I'm having my surgery done two weeks from tomorrow, and while I wished I had done it earlier, I'm going to live my life to the fullest from this point onwards.

The statistics were against me. I went to the hospital completely unsure if I would have the courage to go through with my surgery, and terrified I would die. No one... I promise you, NO ONE, ever wanted to have bariatric surgery less than I. I was an emotional food addict whose life had shrunk so much that food was my entire social life. I weighed 367.8 pounds, had out of control diabetes, and could no longer walk across my own kitchen on most days. I needed both knees replaced and my doctor refused to do it until I lost a lot of weight.
The night before my surgery I was alone in the house and I sobbed a funeral dirge for my best friend, food. I was certain I would lose my mind without it.
My friends, are you hesitating?? Struggling? Regretting?? If you can stay with me, read on.
I will tell you that after the first month there hasn't been one day in five years that I haven't thought, "I never could have done this before."
My journey has been difficult, and you will have your struggles, too. The first year, I cared for and buried my beloved sister--my "person" in this world--who died in my arms. The second year, I had my right knee replaced. The third year, my left knee. My weight loss stalled, but I never gave up. The fourth year, my father died and right afterwards, my husband almost died and needed months of nursing.
I didn't tell you all that to whine. I told you in order to try to put some context to my life, because in spite of all that sorrow and pain, I am filled with joy. I have taken back my life, and you can, too.
When I came out of my surgery, I vowed that having taken the drastic step of altering my body, I was going to be all in. I have honored that vow.
I had to learn to walk again. Now I am a landscape, wedding and portrait photographer.
I had to accept that I couldn't go on vacation and eat like the old me without gaining back weight it took me months to lose. Now I usually drop a couple of pounds on vacation, and I have one thing every day that I really want. To eat, that is!! I get to have experiences instead of food now!
I had to accept that carbs are not part of my daily eating. But I have learned to actually prefer zucchini spaghetti!!
Most importantly, I learned that no one will ever abuse me again. And that includes me.
I learned that emotional eating may feel like self care, but it is self destruction, and self destruction and self preservation can never exist side by side.
Last year, I photographed the cliffs of Maine, the mountains of West Virginia (going by rope down to the waterfalls), beaches in the Carolinas, and so many other things. (Check out my stuff at mlwolfephotos.com if you are inclined!).
I could babble on and on...
Today, I am at my lowest weight in 34 years. I have not met my weight loss goal. I'm still just over 200 pounds--a weight many people begin this journey at!! It may take me a year, but I'll get there.
On January 1st I turned 60, and I cried. A lot. I didn't cry because I was 60. I cried because I wasted so many years... My 30s... My 40s...half my 50s. I cannot get them back. But I have what's left, and I will cherish each breath.
So, I lost much of my stomach. I lost 153 pounds. I gained the world.
I wish that for each and every one of you! May you work to make all your dreams come true!
Attaching a few pics, not just of what I look(ed) like, but of who I am!!!

Great job! You are also more than what any scale reads. Eat to live and find what makes you happy. There is something in this world to do each day. I am happy for you.
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I was at the gym today to spend some time in the pool and then the whirlpool. It was a quiet as I have ever seen it there, most likely because everyone is at home preparing for a weekend of debauchery. But they (the people at the gym) are preparing for an onslaught come Monday. That is when all the New Year's Resolution people will start showing up in droves.
I was talking to my acquaintance the trainer. I asked him how long it would take for most of them to fall by the wayside and give up. He gave it two months, maximum. I laughed at the expected lack of committment, and then commented that maybe I shouldn't, seeing as how I had only been there a month myself. I figure I will give it at least another two months before I start strutting around like I own the place.
I also ran into my next door neighbor there, who is a professional masseuse. She was standing at the check in counter and did not see me coming. I walked up and stood next to her for a moment, and then called her name. She turned like I had stuck her with a cattle prod. OMG!!! What are YOU doing here!?!?! It was almost like, "When did they start letting fat people in?" I knew better, as I have known her for 17 years. So I said, "Well I was going to ask YOU the same thing!" I already had a pretty good idea, since she was dressed in her massage clothes.
She confirmed my suspicions, and asked me if I wanted to schedule a massage. Now, she has given me massages before, so I am a little scared. She is... enthusiastic. One time I had a knot in my back, so she was working on it. She was pressing and pressing, and started to say, "I feel something! I feel something!" I was thinking, "Yeah, it's my STERNUM!" But she got the knot out.
I asked her how much they charged, so she handed me a sheet of paper with all the options listed out. When I saw the prices, I ALMOST asked if that included the happy ending. I knew that would do nothing but get me all sorts of trouble, so I just bit my tongue. I told her I would think about it. In the meantime, I will have to start saving money. And therein lies the rub.

Easy fix... Just date me, a fellow low bmi sleever ????
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The date was sooo boring. Didn't need to divulge the info. kind of happy it turned out this way!
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Starting over for me is hard. I was sleeved in late 2014 (age 44). I have lost 67 pounds as of 1/17/2017 that have stayed off. I need to lose 57 more pounds to be at my goal weight. I had a lot of things going on. I left me behind.
I want to be healthy. For me that equals, working out, planning and recording meals and with no more excuses. This is hard. I am going to get it done. My last start over. I will get my goal as my health is vital. I am open to any suggestions positive . This is truly humbling.

That's great news! Hopefully it was the "reset" you needed and you can stick to the plan moving forward.

Wow what a transformation, you look so much younger too!

Hey everyone,
There's an article on MSN today about 2017 Winners: Half their size....It's basically before and after photos with a quick summary of how these people literally lost half their size in weight. and Idk why but while I was reading through it, I started getting really pissed off. They pretty much listed every popular 'diet' they mention this one did weight watchers and walked or that one did Jenny Craig and 30 min cardio oh she tried Atkins.< /p>
NEWSFLASH!!! That's not typically the norm. These diets don't help people stay in shape and once in a very blue moon do these diet help people lose 100+ lbs. I've done weight watchers before and yes I've lost weight on it, I actually lost a lot of weight....but guess what...here I am now, overweight again!!
Idk why I was so pissed by the article, maybe it's because anyone that reads it would assume that that's the "winner's" way to lose the weight? Why wasn't there a person that did the bypass or sleeve or band a part of the 2017 winners?
I'm on day 7 of my liquid pre-op diet and it's not easy! It's required more self control than any other diet I've every done and once I'm done with these 14 days, guess what, I have another 14 days...yipeee....then I go back 35 years and eat baby food for a few weeks....oh such fun, does it sound easy to anyone yet? NOOOOOO! And maybe one day, in a time far far away from today, I'll be able to chew some solid food...or even have a piece of meat and dare I say, even a nut?
MSN....you suck!
Rant over, thanks for letting me lose it for a sec there.

Like many of you, I struggled with weight regain. This past summer I went to do my post surgical follow up with my bariatrician (medical doctor in the same practice as my surgeon) who helped me come up with a better diet that helped with the increased hunger and regain. Despite the extra efforts with added dieting (and more exercise) I still couldn't get below 175. In the end, the bariatrician thought it may be some added insulin resistance I might have from my PCOS. He placed me on Victoza and my obstetrician placed me on metformin (though I'm not diabetic) to see if they would help kick start my weight loss again. To my surprise the combination of the two have helped me shed additional weight and have also helped me continue to lose. I'm down to 159 lbs -- and thankfully, still losing with the aid of the medications, continued good eating, and regular exercise.
Everyone's health situation is different, and I am by no means advocating drugs for weight loss, but I do think that follow up with a bariatrician has been a huge benefit for me personally. I think I probably would've continued to struggle had the doctor not tried to work the problem from a different angle with me. Anyway, don't lose faith after a little regain! Your goals are still possible! Having a good bariatrician helps!

@@Buffer, I have no words of wisdom, just know you're not alone in this struggle. Since my last post, I've gained a few more pounds, up 11# and two dress sizes.
I have been working out 3 days a week. Trying to increase it to 4 or 5 days but it's very hard. I 've been experiencing pain in one if my feet, so it's difficult to workout more then 3 days. However, I'm working w/a podiatrist to get it resolved.
All we can do is keep trying. Never give up.

Melissa,
I am in the same situtation. I had my surgery October 8, 2014 and I am really struggling. I never reached my goal weight although I was close. I was content for a year at the same exact weight then out of no where I have gained 15 pounds. I don't think I am doing anything different.
I got to travel this winter and was miserable because I couldn't enjoy the food as if it were pre-surgery. I was so disappointed to be able to have this opportunity and I can still only have a taste of things. The thought that I have to stay on a low calorie life to maintain is beyond me. Why? Why would not Portion Control be enough.
Now that I have done my whining, I have started the pre-surgery diet for two weeks. shakes, applesauce and Soup. If that doesn't get rid of the 15 pounds I don't know what else to do. I was walking 3 miles a day but the weather has prevented that in the last couple of months. Maybe that is all it is.
I will fight on, because I made this choice and it will not be for nothing.

Hello All,
I had a realization the other day, I am in denial about my size.
I do not see myself the same way the world sees me.
I saw a picture of myself and it was shocking, I am huge.
In my head I don't look that bad.
I have always been a big guy.
In college I was big and muscular and that is how I still see myself.
However, now I am big and soft and obese but I don't see myself that way.
I have to get honest with myself.
I am 420 pounds, I am wearing a 6XLT shirt, waist size 54 pants.
I am 200 pounds heavier than I was at 21 years old.
I have my appointment with the weight loss surgeon in less than a week.
I have received some encouraging responses on this forum, so I thank all of you for that.

Starting over for me is hard. I was sleeved in late 2014 (age 44). I have lost 67 pounds as of 1/17/2017 that have stayed off. I need to lose 57 more pounds to be at my goal weight. I had a lot of things going on. I left me behind.
I want to be healthy. For me that equals, working out, planning and recording meals and with no more excuses. This is hard. I am going to get it done. My last start over. I will get my goal as my health is vital. I am open to any suggestions positive . This is truly humbling.

My surgeon never told me to take Vitamins. I did read about them in the information that came from my dietitian pre-op. I moved out of state 1 1/2 years later. Although, his office never called after my first post-op appointment. My surgery went great. I had to take it from that point. Maybe because it was just before the holidays.
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I need to just put myself first. I often forget about what I need. I am better at taking care of others. I am just happy to have this tool and it still works! Sent from my KFFOWI using the BariatricPal App

I suck at taking my Vitamins. My D is low. I need to get my prescription this weekend. Today, I am having carb withdrawal from this 5 Day Pouch Test. Lol But, I am not at all hungry. I even passed on my favorite cake at a work party. They do not know I am sleeved. They know that working out is part of my lifestyle.
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Sure, I think it is a great idea for you to join us. We can support each other. I think we should all make a commitment to check in at least once a weekl? I truly believe the support will help us reach our goals.
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