Rainbow_Warrior

Hi I am kathy, 48 y/o, four years ago I got the lap band, lost 90 lbs, then my daughter (11 y/o) was diagnosed with cancer, I spent almost 2 years living mostly in a hospital room food was whatever I could find, no the best or healthy. Fortunately my daughter got better is cure now TG and I turn my attention to myself, I had gained 50 lbs back, cholesterol was high and walking were starting to become challenging so 10 weeks ago the lap band was removed and 13 days ago I got the VSG done, I am feeling better and better everyday and I am loosing an average of 5lbs a week. Happy about that.

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The more weight you lose the less you miss your old life. What you are missing is some of the self-soothing things we did to make ourselves feel better, and the social interaction that comes with drinking and eating pub-food. But there is a trade off. Your health and life in exchange for beer and cheese. lol! Now I smoke weed rather than drink. Now I drink Water when my friends are eating. But I'm still hilarious and don't need to be eating to have fun. It took me a while before I found my stride on that one.

Life will resume for you, we find our new Normal. And it's surprisingly easy!! I totally understand missing your old life style!! That is where we found our comfort, where we soothed ourselves with food and fed our souls with fried stuff. lol! Or I did at least. It took me a good 3 months to find my New Normal. Some emotional ups and downs. But it's all so worth it!! Well, for me it is. Wearing a size 10 jeans, getting hit on by men of all ages, sitting in any seat I want regardless of ease or access, riding roller coasters, flying without fear, walking past windows but not ashamed of who I see, Joy...so much joy!!

All those things are infinitely better and make me so much happier than me being able to eat a whole bloomin' onion in one sitting. There are trade offs. We lost our coping mechanism that was food, so our emotions and feelings are gonna be rough for a little while. Talking with a therapist is a good idea. Many of us are food addicts in one form or another, so there will be a psychological sense of loss, regret and fear for some of us. I was one. I cried for a week straight. (I'll give myself a little break here and admit that I had been deathly ill for 8 months prior to my surgery so I was drained emotionally and physically by the time I had my surgery. So my crying for a week had some additional ammo behind it besides not getting to binge on food. lol!

Anyway, Just keep at it, you are doing great! And use us as your support! It's OK to have these feelings and to struggle with what we've done. But also keep focusing on your goals. The more you workout and can move more, the greater you will feel!

Getting what you want often comes with sacrifice. Which do you want more: to be comfortable, healthy, and confident in your own skin or that slice of chocolate cake and a white Russian?
I look back on my old habits with some degree of embarrassment. Have there been moments of absolute suckage? Yes and yes! But, by and by, this surgery has been one of my more wonderful decisions. With time, you may come to feel the same way. In the meantime, it's OK to mourn the loss of those addictive goodies, but don't go back.

My surgery day too.
Cheers!

That's a great strategy. And, definitely, if someone who needs help asks about it, I'll tell them everything they need to know. I do think it's a positive step toward healing and long-term success to help others along the same journey.

Still, no one knows I had the surgery. Only about 3 people from work and my family know I had surgery for a hiatal hernia, which I did as well. I only took a week off work and today was my first day back, which has remarkably gone really well. The first person I ran into asked me if I'm slimming down. I told them yes, and it sure isn't easy! She then wanted to know all about the diet Ive been on, which i told her about the shakes and healthy meal each day that I was doing prior to surgery, and will continue with as soon as I am able. Right now people at work just see me drinking my shakes, Water and crystal light, just like prior to surgery. People are commenting that I'm really doing good, which is nice to hear! I am trying hard to make this a success!

Only told my husband and my two daughters, not my son, he's too opinionated. Didn't tell sisters, brothers, other family members or any friends. Don't want to hear their two cents worth.

I know what you mean my partner was dead against it but at the end of the day he accepted it as it is MY decision and no one else's. I have just had it done 2 days ago and have only told a few people my aunty took me to get it done as we were away a full weekend and she didn't want me to go alone even though she is not 100% comfortable she was still supportive. I haven't told my dad and don't have any intention I'm a 27 year old woman and don't need people judging my decision to change my life.

We shouldn't feel ashamed as we are taking positive steps don't feel bad about telling your family or some of your family as support is really important. I didn't realise how much pain I'd be in but would have been lost if no one knew as I have had to ask people for help.

I hope your surgery goes well and you get the support you need

Only my husband and grown children know, my mother is less than understanding, I refuse to be pitied !

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My mom, brother, and cousin knows...thats it. I don't have time for the "you know that's not healthy. Why don't you just eat right and exercise?" Sermon from 98% of my very overweight family.

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I didnt tell and it will be 7 years

My strategy too, Barbzilla.
I'm (largely) keeping it quiet and secret but, ultimately, I won't lie if someone asks directly.

I've told close family, and one of two friends that's it. I don't want people to know I'm a private person and it's my business. Xx

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My family knows, but my in-laws do not. I don't want to hear it. I only need positivity from now on.

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That's the reality I want to be at.
My late father, a well-meaning man (whom I miss very much), grew up in an orphanage when his parents gave him up because of their poverty during The Great Depression. From just under 5 years to 16 years, he was a ward of the state. food was scarce but, under no circumstances, were the several hundred child orphans allowed to not like what was served and ALL plates always had to be cleared.
That was a rule at home right through the '50s and '60s ... leaving food on one's plate or not liking/appreciating what was served was a no-no.
It's been locked in my mind for over 55 years.
I eat past my 'full' often and have done for as long as I remember. Playing three or four sports and having an active outdoor life until my late 30s meant I was just classified as overweight. But, with injuries and changing job responsibilities came obesity ... BECAUSE I COULD NOT COMMIT TO CHANGING HABITS.
By 2019, I hope to be that person who can, like you, just eat the tastiest bits of what I order and take the rest home for later (or the pets).
Thanks for your anecdote. It's thought-provoking.

So, maybe try to find something with the most bang for your buck. Protein Water, milk, Bone Broth, or drinkable/thinned yogurt can all give you calories and nutrients, including protein. Keep trying different stuff till you find something you tolerate better. It also helps me to walk right after I eat. Seems to help things move instead of feeling like a rock.

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I'm 9.5 months post op and feel more normal that ever. Now when I go out with my girlfriends I actually have leftovers to take home instead of being the only one to clear her plate and order dessert. I think it's important to remember that with time this will be your new normal. Im at a point where I can technically eat or drink anything but I've found that I don't want to do that. I have had maybe 5 drinks since I was cleared to drink at 6 months post op and I've realized I don't really care to drink anymore, it just does nothing for me but fill me up and I don't really care. I can still have a glass of wine on special occasions but I no longer have that desire to just drink until tipsy/drunk at social gatherings.
My advice, give it time, it will change your life.

Well, here in AUS, nearly every surgeon says stay off fizzy soft-drinks (sodas).
It is one of the clearest problems for people who do poorly with their gastric sleeving.
If I had my life over again, I'd never eat a factory-produced breakfast-cereal or any fizzy soda drink ... not even Coke Zero or Pepsi Max or other 'diet' varieties. These products are just %^&*ing enemies of bodies.
So, for me, my doctor's advice will be heeded ... Water, tea, unsweetened drinks for the future.

I hit a milestone today I am super excited about!
I have finally lost 300 pounds! I have been stalled the past few months and finally lost those last 6 pounds to hit this milestone! I am so thankful to be making this journey.
It still feels like a dream to me. It's crazy how I went from having to be on oxygen 24/7 and hardly being able to cross a room without getting out of breath to being able to walk for 6 miles and still be ready to go out and do other things!
I am loving life right now and wanted to share my excitement at hitting this milestone with you!
 

1 I am making a pledge to myself that I will NOT allow myself to get discouraged over how long it seems to be taking to get a surgery , I am going to keep going!
2. I am going to take a before picture and weight prior to my surgery and then not weigh myself until the same date the next month.
3. I am going to take a before picture and weight prior to my surgery, and then I will not weigh myself until my first month anniversary, second anniversary, etc.
4. I am going to Celebrate every small victory with a non food related prize, such as a new shirt, new purse, etc (any reason to buy a purse is a good reason!)
5. I am going to do everything the docs tell me to do so that I have the BEST chance at success. I have had too many failures in my life and I'm ready for a win!
6. I am going to keep journaling my emotions, challenges and victories as an outlet.

FEEL FREE TO GIVE THIS ROOKIE ANY IDEA THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED AND I'M GOING TO HANG THEM ON MY FRIDGE, MY BATHROOM WALL, MY BEDROOM, ETC. I NEED YOUR GREAT IDEAS AND ENCOURAGEMENT ON THE BEST WAY TO SUCCEED IN THIS DIFFICULT JOURNEY!!

The local indigenous people were considered vermin by the British military and the transported convicts.
Unlike the white New Zealanders, we subjugated the indigenous people and usurped their traditional lands and never made a treaty. From 1770 to 1967, we considered all Aboriginal Australians non-human. A referendum in 1967 conferred the right of indigenous to be counted in the Census(es) every five years from 1971-on.
In NZ, a Treaty in the 1920s established shared rights that the whites/British/Europeans could stay on with the blessing of the Maoris/Polynesians/NZ-indigenous.
No Thanksgiving here in Australia as the poor black/brown Australians have nothing to give thanks for. A near-genocide took place here and resistors were shot and/or hung from trees and/or drowned.
White Australians have a VERY black history here totalling 229-247 years.
Scratch most white Australians and you will find a deep vein of active or dormant racism.

Take a year off.
Tell them you have a flour allergy! <GRIN>

Best?
Best value?
I am into my fifth year of ownership of a Tribest XL which, back in late 2012, cost about $AUS156 with the 'deluxe' pack: two extra large cups, two large, two small; two blades; four screw top sealer lids, six sipper lids.
It's very powerful for its size but is 'small footprint'.
Nothing frozen or tough has stopped it so far. The instructions say that meat pieces should be small cubes or tiny strips.
Worth a look! Half to a third the price of some very expensive ones that don't do so well in consumer tests.

I was 174.6 kg on the day of my first interview with the surgeon and dietitian.
I set my goal at 74.6kg for two reasons:
(A) it's exactly 100 kilograms to lose. In Australia, we measure weight/mass in kilograms. So, all my "percentage lost" and "percentage to go" calculations will be super easy to see/calculate.
(B) 74.6kg is also over BMI 24 and below BMI 25 ... very convenient number!

Hello everyone! I wanted to share some of the data I've been gathering on my post-op experience in case others might find it helpful. I'm a nerd for facts and figures, but please bear in mind this is a sample size of 1 so don't let it significantly impact your own experience. This is just to show some helpful baselines for other women in their 20s/30s.

WEIGHT
Let me start with some numbers I found floating around on-line for "typical" weight loss at each major milestone of the post-op journey, specific to patients with a starting weight of 350-450 pounds. Before starting my surgeon-monitored program my weight was about 420, on surgery day I was 401. You'll see the milestone, then four numbers: low estimate for pounds lost, mid-estimate, and high estimate, and finally my own pounds lost marked with an asterisk.
10 days: 10 lbs / 20 lbs / 30 lbs / *21.2 lbs
6 weeks: 25 lbs / 35 lbs / 45 lbs / *39.2 lbs
3 months: 35 lbs / 45 lbs / 55 lbs / *52.6 lbs
6 months: 50 lbs / 65 lbs / 80 lbs / *Six month target will be at end of October, current weight loss is 62.4 lbs
1 year: 100 lbs / 100 lbs / 100 lbs
18 months: 120 lbs / 120 lbs / 120 lbs

MEASUREMENTS
This one is a little tougher because I'm terrible at taking measurements and find it a little annoying. My pre-surgery measurement is really basic because I just threw a measuring tape around my widest part. Subsequent measurements were done with the "Like A Glove" measurement leggings (I'll write a separate, detailed review of that in another thread). I don't have a lot of data, but here are some helpful notes: I'm 5' 10" and somewhere between a pear and full hourglass shape. I carry my weight in my hips, thighs, and upper arms.
Before Surgery
Fullest part of Hips: 61 inches, Pant size: 28 (at Old Navy)
July 2nd (approx. 9 weeks post-surgery)
High waist: 53.5 inches, High Hips: 53.8 inches, Low Waist: 55.1 inches, Low Hips: 53.3 inches, Pant Size: About 24 (at Old Navy)
September 8 (approx. 5 months post surgery)
HIgh Waist: 51.2 inches, High Hips: 53.6 inches, Low Waist: 54.3 inches, Low Hips: 52.9 inches, Pant Size: 24 (at Old Navy)
I'll do another measurement at the 6-month mark at the end of October.

I hope you will find this helpful!