SleevedLessDeeVSG

I'm 13 months, almost, out. I'm down 102 pounds. I don't want my old life back. That was the life where I had to be sitting and could only walk short distances because of the knee pain. Where I couldn't help my daughter do college tours (or now move into her college) because I was tired and winded.
The old me couldn't go ziplining in Jamaica, and horseback riding and tubing. The old me couldn't fit into size 8 pants. The old me couldn't be a competitive fencer in my age group.
What the new me can do is all that and enjoy dinner and a drink, provided I've made an allocation in my calories for that alcohol, and enjoy the company of people. Went to a big picnic/party for my husband's running club last weekend - was able to eat a few things, have a glass of wine or two and enjoy the conversation.
Give yourself some time - you are mourning the loss of a person you were and a time in your life to which you will never go back. You're doing great. Keep up with your plan and another six months from now, you'll look at that pre-op photo you did and go - crap - did I really look like that and feel that awful all the time. You've got this.

Well.....Happy New Year? I can't believe I haven't posted since December! This is the first time I've posted here in 2017! I guess as time goes on, you just kind of adjust to the new "normal" and it because less "new" if that makes sense. That's probably why you don't see as many people 3+ years post op on the online forums. You just kind of settle into the new routine and you don't have to work at it as much to maintain.
Here are some recent pics. One is just me and the other two are with my daughter (I'm the one on the right in both). I also have lots of pictures before/after surgery and Tummy Tuck in my blog (themeiamnow.blogspot.com).
So...where am I now? I am 3 years and 7 months post op. I have lost and maintained the loss of 128 pounds. I am up about 15 pounds from my lowest post op weight. The story on that.....I became extremely anemic and wasn't able to really exercise or watch what I ate. I was just in survival mode. So, I gained about 20 pounds back. After getting well, I lost about 5-9 of that regain (depending on the day and time of the month) and I realized something. I definitely could get back to my lowest post op weight. But it would be through the religious carb and Protein counting that I did right after surgery. For me, with my eating disordered brain, that is a dangerous way to live. It's way to easy to let that take control and become too obsessive if you have a history of anorexia in your past.
So, through much therapy and taking control of my life situations I've realized something very important to my journey. I am enough just the way I am. I do not always have to struggle with my body and obsess over my weight. I eat mindfully and I generally watch my carb and protein intake, but I do not obsess over them. I've decided that I will stay right where I am. I have no desire to kill myself to maintain 120 pounds, when I can easily and comfortably maintain 135-140 without killing myself, eating somewhat "normally" and feeling good in my skin. So, I would say I've been in that range steadily for the past year and half with very little effort.
To anyone starting out on the journey, I would say that the biggest contributor to my success (and I can say with confidence now that it IS a success) was dealing with the emotional eating and dealing with the underlying reasons that I was binge eating. Once I took care of that, I had no more reason to abuse my body with food.
It was NOT easy. I had to be committed to make the difficult decisions to end the relationships that needed to end, to draw the boundaries that needed to be drawn, and to face some demons that were easier to just ignore. But I can honestly say, I'm entering a time in my life where I feel happier, freer, and healthier physically and emotionally than ever before!

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!
just a little message to throw out there because im excited!!! as of this morning I am down 216 pounds
from 465 to 249 in almost a year AMAZES ME! I hit a stall for a month and stayed at 277... I really thought my weight loss ended lol
but I changed things around and I started to lose again! the stall sucked!! it made me feel awful for some reason..then my co workers reminded me how far I've come already. this surgery wasn't an easy way out, it still takes a lot of work mentally and physically to get to where we want to be! so for those of u who are at a stall just remember its temporary and don't beat yourself up. I've got 50 more pounds to lose to reach my goal of being under 200lbs. (I never ever thought I could say that) and 69 pounds to get to my drs goal of 180.
im almost there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone my revision to RNY April 11th. Starting ore op liquid diet on Tuesday. Congrats to everyone on joining the losers bench really soon. What shakes did you guys purchase for liquid diet?

I see my surgeon Wednesday and finish my last workshop after that. I find out Friday what time the surgery is on Monday. I turn 50 on Thursday so the surgery is my gift to myself.

I am also the first surgery of the day at my hospital. They are going to call this Friday to let me know the exact time.
My first day of pre-op shakes went well. I looked forward to chewing my Bariatric Fusion Vitamins at Breakfast and in the evening.

My hubby had to travel this week, so I do not have to make meals twice a day! My daughter picked out healthy meals for this week for herself. Our fridge is full of sf Jello, applesauce, chocolate shakes, and pudding. I'm so ready to do this!!

I can't wait to talk to you all from the other side! We are so close now [emoji1360]

Jennifer you will do fine!!! You have to be positive about this especially for your kids. I feel all those emotions also except dying, I always look at things like this. If I were to live my life scared of dying than my life is already over. We are never promised tomorrow only the present so live it to it's fullest!! This is actually extending that life!!
I also have to be there for 6 AM, first surgery of the day.

I had my two week appt today and I'm down 19 pounds! My dr wasn't concerned

zippyskippy -- thank you SO much! This was exactly the information I needed, since I've never heard of BMR! I will definitely keep doing what I'm doing!
Rozay_Baby -- congrats girl!!! I had similar stats
OutsideMatchInside -- That is peace of mind for me. You're so right, my body knows exactly what it is doing. Thanks!!!

Dr Matthew Weiner talks about how some people are super responders to surgery, you sound like one.
Around 4 months I felt I was dropping too fast, like I really just could not keep up with it so I increased my Protein and calories. I still kept losing pretty fast but I felt a lot better.
You can't really lose too fast. Your body is in control kind of not you. When your body tires of losing it will slow down or stop.
As long as you feel good, keep going.

Fantastic progress so far! I would not be overly concerned about rapid weight loss. There are a number of factors at play which may not be immediately evident that I can share from personal experience.
First if you are keeping a fairly strict diet (sounds like you are) you are most likely not maintaining a lot of Water weight because your sodium levels will be quite low.
Next is to understand your basal metabolic rate (BMR). There are a number of good calculators online that will allow you to see exactly how many calories you would need to consume to maintain your current weight. Estimates are that to lose a single pound weekly you would need to be at a 2500 calorie weekly deficit of that BMR number. That may sound like a lot but if you are anything like me there are plenty of days when I struggled to even hit 1000 calories (especially in the first few months).
BMR is constantly shifting based on current weight. Eventually as you lose your BMR reduces likewise. I have seen that some people are concerned about "wasting away" but in reality the body is constantly seeking balance. As your calorie consumption and BMR get closer together your weight loss will slow considerably. This is perfectly natural and nothing to be concerned about.
As for loose skin based on everything I have read it seems the individuals who have the biggest issue with a lot of excess skin is directly associated with the amount of time they were overweight and their skin stretched. Basically if you did not carry a lot of excess weight for an extended period of time you will not have as much excess skin.
I hope some of this is helpful and keep up the great work!

I had my month post op appointment last Wednesday but technically it had been 5 weeks and 2 days. In those 37 days I lost 55lbs which my nut and dr said was fantastic, although they wanted me to increase my caloric intake to 1200-1400 a day. Im a big guy at 6'3" and my starting weight was 347. It's hard to believe I'm already down under 290. I had some of the same concerns as you but I feel so good I'm trying not to worry. I easily get my Protein in every day, the 64 oz of Water is harder to pull off haha. I was just cleared to start lifting so I'm really looking forward to getting back in the weight room. Hopefully this isn't something to concern ourselves with. Keep up the good work!

Hi guys!
I had gastric sleeve surgery on December 29, 2016, so almost 3 months ago! So far, best decision I have ever made (and I don't think anything could change my opinion!!).
Everything has been great. I'm sticking to my SUR's and NUT's instructions of soft foods and 60-80 grams of Protein with 64 oz of hydrating fluids per day. I have adjusted well to the smaller portions. I was worried about this, because I tended to overeat and snack late at night. I'm still working on eating earlier and trying not to graze at night when I am home. I also exercise 5-6 days a week for at least an hour, which is mainly cardio and some strength training. I feel amazing; I already had lots of energy before the surgery, so I was very surprised to find out that I would have even MORE energy each day (early riser and night owl all in one).
So my only dilemma, which is truly a double entendre, is that I feel as though I have lost weight way too fast. I started at 304 lbs and in less than three months, I am already down 68 lbs, now at 236 lbs. 68!!! Which is so awesome, but very scary. I had hoped I would lose weight at a "normal" pace, and I could work on toning up all while hoping to avoid a skin removal surgery, if it is necessary. I've only had one stall, in the very beginning, that lasted for about two weeks. Ever since then, constant weight loss. I have another post-op appointment next month, so I'll be asking my doctors about this.
Has anyone been through a situation similar to mine, or does anyone have any advice? Thanks so much!!

You are an INSPIRATION!!! I am only a week post op, but please know you are motivating me!!!

Wow...what a journey! I remember the dreaded 6 months pre-op and now I am 6 months post-op!
Started at 260 and am now 175. Down 85lbs. About another 30 or so to go! So weird to be only 30lbs away from the end goal. Never in my life....

chicken Caesar is good but the chewing is essential. I think it will be long term with the chewing unless we are really stretching out that hole between the stomach and intestine. I get what you means that its weird and sometimes gross, but with the salad i dont feel like it is gross.
I tried a piece of Breakfast sausage this morning and could barely take it after a few bites. Never again. My favorites still remain -- retried Beans and lean beef chili with pinto beans and Greek yogurt. I'm okay with this after trying new things and not enjoying them at all.


Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

hi all, I am moving onto soft foods and then regular foods. I had a bit of pain for about 5 minutes today after eating something too fast. Now I am really anxious about anything more than puree and hurting my pouch.
Did anyone have anxiety about moving to the next step in your diet?
surgery date 1/17/17