Reputation from nina0891

nina0891 reacted to BajanSleeve in An honest update. Weight Gain April 25, 2019

Perhaps this post will help someone who is seeking to do VSG or some form of WLS because I will be honest with you about my journey. It has been 8 months since I had VSG surgery and I have lost only 44 lbs. Up to a month ago I had lost 55 lbs but I have since gained 10 lbs. There are a couple reasons for my weight loss failure and I am just putting them down in writing not so much so that folks can be critical, but more for the folks out there considering this surgery or might just have had it.
I have not been committed to the process of changing bad habits or incorporating exercise into my lifestyle. I must have thought that having VSG was going to magically take away my appetite and food cravings for bad food. Guess what? I was starving the day after surgery! My appetite really never left. So if I did not CHOOSE what to eat and what not to eat, you could pack in tons of calories even in small portions. To cut to the chase, VSG does not work if you are not disciplined with your food choices. That shouldn't be a huge revelation but I actually had a mindset that my stomach would be gone and I would not even want to eat anymore so all the weight would just melt away. It does not happen that way!
I did not follow the instructions and guidelines post surgery about not eating and drinking at the same time. I had been told not to do it, I read that it would stretch your stomach pouch, but I still went ahead and did it. Guess what? My stomach has stretched and I can basically eat a small 'normal' size meal at only 7 months out when it should not be like that this early. Again, not being committed to the process
I am a type II diabetic. The catch 22 is that taking insulin makes you GAIN weight. That is just the nature of insulin and the more insulin you have to take, the more you gain weight. The first 4 months after surgery I was taking hardly any insulin at all but as my stomach expanded and I was able to eat more I had to increase insulin intake. So as a diabetic I'm really supposed to be exercising to compensate for that but cant seem to get this life style discipline into my life. I have a tread mill in the spare room - what is wrong with me!!!!
I am hoping that I can gather the motivation, the inspiration that inner push that I need to develop discipline in my life. i'm almost 50 years old and its really hard changing the way you have lived for so long but there are no short cuts, not even VSG 'saved' me. Sometimes I think the biggest problem and hinderance is just me because discipline does not depend on emotions - discipline is 'just do it' no matter if you 'feel' it or not...………..I NEED this, I need to get this translated from my head knowledge into practical living...….I'm rambling now
I'm hoping my update in the next 3 months will be a very different one in a more successful direction

nina0891 reacted to xbadwlfbb in OCTOBER SLEEVERS CHECK IN HERE April 25, 2019

I know my one year update is a little late, but still wanted to chime in and say how great everyone is doing!
The last few pounds are so hard to lose, I still have 10 lbs to go to meet my goal weight, but I will get there. I really wanted to reach that goal by my wedding date, but I didn’t get there. It’s hard not to get discouraged or become unmotivated, but when I think about where I was a year ago, I’ve come a long way and I have to push through. I know I can do it. Positive mindset is key!
Here are progress pictures. Hopefully soon I can add when I meet my goal weight (fingers crossed)!

nina0891 reacted to ms.sss in (ms.sss) 6 Month Post-op Update April 25, 2019

$20 for tape? No thanks, I've got duct tape in my kitchen drawer. McGyver approved. 😆

nina0891 reacted to ms.sss in (ms.sss) 6 Month Post-op Update April 25, 2019

I had gastric sleeve surgery on October 24, 2018.
So that makes today my 6 month post op anniversary.
It's been a crazy experience so far, this weight loss surgery thing. I am still amazed sometimes at how much my life has changed for the better.
I started off at 235 lbs on Oct 10, 2018 (start of my 2wk pre-op liquid diet) and am now 138.1 lbs, which means I lost 96.9 lbs (or 41% of my TOTAL body weight) since October 10th. Crazy.
Went from a BMI of 43.2 (morbidly obese) to 25.4 (almost a normal 25!)
Chest-Waist-Hips measurements (in inches) went from 48 - 431/2 - 491/2 to 35 - 29 - 361/2
Off all prescription meds, no longer pre-diabetic nor do I have a fatty liver anymore. And Mr. is so very happy that I stopped snoring (like a freight train, apparently) the day after surgery.
I feel stronger, more confident, more energized and more.....AWESOME.
Of course there are some downsides:
Alot of my hair has fallen out (but I *think* it has stopped and new teeny hairs seem to be spouting...but this may just be wishful thinking lol) My arms are pretty saggy. Though I am already shopping around for surgeons to get this fixed, hopefully by the fall. I am trying to wean myself off of my PPI and it is proving to be an unpleasant task. I've only been at it for a week and a bit, so I'm still holding out hope that it will turn around soon. I have a love-hate relationship with my toilet as far as pooping goes. But for the record, I would still do this all again in a heartbeat.
I am more than pleased with my progress so far and credit it with the following:
** Disclaimer: the following works for ME, and may not jive with others' way of doing things...**
Tracking and recording EVERYTHING I eat and drink Weighing myself every morning (and track fat, lean body mass percentages) Take my body measurements once a week Try to get 70g of Protein a day (don't always make this) Drink at least 2.5 litres of Water a day Keep net carbs to less than 20g per day Go to bed on an empty stomach Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep at night (don't always make this either) Exercise of some form or another for at least 1 hour every day ...and when I can, get said exercise in before I have my first meal of the day. I had already surpassed my doc's projected goal for me back in January, and I am about 18 lbs from my own personal goal and am pretty excited about it , though I may be more excited about getting rid of these bat wings.