shazz73

Still working but I see a difference

This is only 2 months in.

I have done my Surgery back on 24th February 2019, my maximum weight was 160.3 KGs (352 lbs), since then I have lost around 46 KGs (100 lbs) and now weigh 114 KGs (252 lbs)
This was by far the best decision i have done in my life.
Below are my before and (so far) after photos

Face to face. Day before op versus Monday.

Told nobody. My doctor knows... and my surgeon... no regrets.

Told nobody. My doctor knows... and my surgeon... no regrets.

This exactly. No regrets!

I had no medical conditions whatsoever. I had the VSG to improve my immediate quality of life & to prevent future health issues. I only regret I didn’t do it sooner. Even without medical issues, I feel so much better now, both physically and mentally.

Also, most of the time diet and exercise don’t permanently keep the weight off. I wanted the best chance for long term success.

Finally, wouldn’t getting rid of the CPAP machine be enough of a reason? It seems like they would interfere with sleep quality and just beca general hassle

What a difference a year makes! The same dinner, 2018 compared to 2019

Phenomenal !!! Congratulations ??????

Almost 15 months out and officially one pound to goal! Maybe I’ll make a new “stretch goal” and try another 5-10 lbs...

Had VSG and am 10 months out now...have lost 85# with 15 more to get to goal. Life has totally changed for the better.

Sometimes I feel like its good to look at these because its so easy to get caught up in the "I'm still losing I gotta keep pushing" mindset.

I was thinking about what @GreenTealael posted in another thread about how we aren't the same people as before we lost weight because I'm having an unusual morning.
Before surgery, I had severe chronic back pain and often spent one or both weekend days resting in bed watching TV or on FB because I was tired, my back hurt, and the drugs I was taking for my back made me tired. I'm off the pills now, and my back pain is quite mild.
Today I got up, had breakfast, and then my husband went back to bed. I cleaned out our disgusting screened-in porch, removing piles of leaves and dirt. Then I took all my makeup and other bathroom items off the crusty mirrored shelves, Windexed the shelves, and managed to throw some stuff out. Then I went on my treadmill for 20 minutes. I justed changed the sheets and started laundry, and I'm heading out to wash my car in the driveway instead of a carwash. In short, who am I?
This surgery and corresponding lifestyle have made my life so much better, and I'm so grateful I had it!

There are of course 2 sides to this.
I am sure that if you had put in all this effort and lost all this weight and people didn’t comment or tell you how great you look you would be more teed off. I know it frustrates me when no one says anything.
Also whilst some people are attracted to obese people the majority of people aren’t. So whilst who you are hasn’t changed the way you look is probably a lot more pleasing now. Ask yourself if you thought you looked great when you were carrying all that excess weight, I know personally I think I look awful .

I bought and ordered quite a variety, and ended up chucking a lot of it. Premier Protein was my go to post surgery as well... Costco has it by the case... it’s more expensive at London drugs but they carry it in packs if 4 so you could try it before investing in a full case... they also have chocolate...

I also found protein water at London Drugs. Turns out I really didn’t like the aftertaste so I’d suggest buying one and trying it before you stock up.

Told nobody. My doctor knows... and my surgeon... no regrets.

Hello Teri,

I think we mostly hear from people who are “miserable” because they require support and they come to this forum and are able to get it - which is great!

That said there are those of us (lots of us I’m guessing) who have been fortunate to have near smooth sailing on this journey. I am just over 6 months post op. My recovery was smooth, I was back at work 4 days after surgery. I progressed through the stages as planned, am steadily losing weight and am closing in on a healthy BMI. I told nobody and somehow have managed to keep it that way (and yes, I do go out in public haha).

To top it off, my mental health, confidence and energy are strong. I am already noticing a career impact (shame on society that this is even a thing), and I am able to say “yes” to fun things with my kids without worrying whether I’ll have the stamina to do it.

My only small grumbles so far... my scars aren’t fading the way I had hoped (keloid maybe?), and I have been discarding clothing at an alarming rate ($$). Last night we ordered Thai food... normally I’d have a large plate loaded with all my favs. This time, a few bites and I was done... but my brain wanted more :(

Also, yes, you’ll want to get water in and make protein a priority, but one of the best things about this surgery for me, was NOT continuing to obsess over my meals and the scale. I eat well and don’t beat myself up for an occasional small treat. I go weeks where I forget to jump on the scale. It is a part of my life, not my entire life.

I in no way want to downplay the struggles and difficulty that some have had in this journey. I know how fortunate I am to have had it go so well!! Best of luck on your journey Teri... I’ll wish smooth sailing for you too!

4month post-op sleeve surgery 12/4/18 and I have had zero problems. Woke up fine, minimal pain with anesthesia, only took pain meds for the first 24hrs just in case. I was sore for the first week and slept in the recliner but not in pain. I'm down 40 lbs since surgery. I followed all of the rules the first 5 weeks - drank plenty of fluids and rested more than I ever have. I am now able to eat anything I want just in smaller quantities. I do not count carbs or calories, I just make better choices and stop eating the moment I feel any kind of fullness. I paid out of pocket for my surgery and feel like I'm trying to make long term adjustments for a lifestyle, not just the honeymoon phase of surgery. I use vitamin patches so I dont have to swallow pills and my 3 month bloodwork was great.

I’m 47..had my WLS 5 months ago. Best decision of my life. Finally free from 30 years of dieting. Feeling wonderful.

Vegetarian here, 6.5 months post vsg. :) Vegetarian for 23 years so it just feels normal to me at this point. I try and focus on protein by including dairy, beans, lentils, nuts, tofu etc. If I feel I’m missing the mark on protein on a given day I might add in a premier protein but it’s rare these days. Veggies also have protein... not so hard to do :)

Hello Teri,

I think we mostly hear from people who are “miserable” because they require support and they come to this forum and are able to get it - which is great!

That said there are those of us (lots of us I’m guessing) who have been fortunate to have near smooth sailing on this journey. I am just over 6 months post op. My recovery was smooth, I was back at work 4 days after surgery. I progressed through the stages as planned, am steadily losing weight and am closing in on a healthy BMI. I told nobody and somehow have managed to keep it that way (and yes, I do go out in public haha).

To top it off, my mental health, confidence and energy are strong. I am already noticing a career impact (shame on society that this is even a thing), and I am able to say “yes” to fun things with my kids without worrying whether I’ll have the stamina to do it.

My only small grumbles so far... my scars aren’t fading the way I had hoped (keloid maybe?), and I have been discarding clothing at an alarming rate ($$). Last night we ordered Thai food... normally I’d have a large plate loaded with all my favs. This time, a few bites and I was done... but my brain wanted more :(

Also, yes, you’ll want to get water in and make protein a priority, but one of the best things about this surgery for me, was NOT continuing to obsess over my meals and the scale. I eat well and don’t beat myself up for an occasional small treat. I go weeks where I forget to jump on the scale. It is a part of my life, not my entire life.

I in no way want to downplay the struggles and difficulty that some have had in this journey. I know how fortunate I am to have had it go so well!! Best of luck on your journey Teri... I’ll wish smooth sailing for you too!

Vegetarian here, 6.5 months post vsg. :) Vegetarian for 23 years so it just feels normal to me at this point. I try and focus on protein by including dairy, beans, lentils, nuts, tofu etc. If I feel I’m missing the mark on protein on a given day I might add in a premier protein but it’s rare these days. Veggies also have protein... not so hard to do :)

Today's my 1-year surgiversary! Almost 120 pounds gone and a normal BMI - Woohoo!

Hi everyone!
I technically hit 6 months 2 days ago, but whatever Wednesdays suck so boo. Anyways, I am 6 months into my new life, and good lord is it a new life. I am a new person for sure. One year ago to the day I had been sobbing in my room because my size 24s would barely button. I know without a doubt that I was over 300lbs, but the sight of a scale had anxiety clogging my throat. I decided that day something would change. I went out and dropped 2k on an elliptical and resolved to "fix this ridiculousness immediately."
Fast forward to February of 2018, and I was frustrated as all hell. Killing myself on the elliptical every freaking day and I was sitting at 292 and not moving. It wasn't enough. It was never enough, because this wasn't the first time I had gotten fed up and resolved to change. I went online and booked myself an appointment for March 15 for a WLS consultation. I think the stress and anxiety over that appointment helped me drop a few lbs, but I weighed in at just under 288 for my very first weigh in, and the first day of my new life. I reworked everything about my diet, cut out the crap and worked studiously with the nutritionist. I was scheduled for surgery on May 14th, weighing in at 260lbs.
Fast forward six months later, and I am sitting here at 184 (Darn you sweet potato wedges and the 2lb gain this morning because of you! But you were so worth it). I am OVER 100lbs down from where I began 2018. I am 76lbs down from my surgery weight. But numbers are really not my major accomplishments. Or at least, not those numbers.
What are my important numbers?
2.5: The number of miles I can run without stopping to walk. I will be running my second 5k Thanksgiving Morning.
12: The size freaking pants I am wearing! I am NOT plus size anymore. This is huge for me. I've been in plus size clothes for the majority of my children's (8 and 5) lives and now I am not. I am below average size for the american woman.
7: The number of sizes I have dropped. I don't know why, but I feel like that's a big deal. I dropped SEVEN sizes in less than a YEAR. Total Mind F**k.
3: The number of days per week I take my kids on a hike/walk in the neighborhood. Given this is weather permitting, but I am always out with my kids now, doing the things I couldn't before. Whether it's riding on the bike trail, doing laps around the pond, or mini-hikes through the state forest, or even exploring the small woods behind our house- We are doing it. Every weekend and many times during the week if we can.
1 Million: The percentage displaying how much better I feel about myself, and about my health.
and lastly,
0: The number of regrets I have for deciding to have this surgery.
So that aside, whats my day to day like? Well here it is! (Work week, weekends are less regimented but usually are where I focus my heavier workouts)
4:30am: I wake up and drink a cup of coffee (8oz) mixed with half a bottle of caramel or chocolate Premier Protein RTD drink. This is the start to my day, every day. I then go for my run or do my weight lifting/exercise regimen. During the week it's usually only a two mile run. I also go to OTF once a week, but that's usually on weekends. Wednesday is my OFF day because F**K Wednesdays.
6am: I make a shake and drink it during my 1.5 - 2 hour commute. Yes 6 months out I still drink a shake. I do this because I make my own shakes and they are super good and I ALWAYS feel way more energetic when I have them. I have a huge selection of shakes I make, but they typically will consist of greek yogurt or cottage cheese, almond milk, protein powder, and either sweet or more savory items. I pack as much nutritional punch as I can into that shake. I even have holiday ones (My peppermint mocha shake is delicious!)
10am: I will usually have a small snack. Honestly it really varies. Sometimes it will be a fruit, but it's usually something more cheese based. I love cheese. So a babybell cheese, string cheese, or even my newest obsession Sargento breaks.
12pm: Lunch always varies, but I am usually good for about 2.5oz of food. I know it sounds super small, and at times I can eat more but I usually try not to since I don't need it. I tend to eat smaller frequent meals. Again this varies, but one thing I eat a lot is turkey salad. Roast turkey with greek yogurt and a FEW dried cranberries, salt, pepper and paprika and I am good to go.
2pm: Coffee #2! Actually I drink so much coffee, but luckily it's almost all decaf. This coffee is a staple because well I have routine issues and just need it. It makes me happy. If I am having a rough day energy wise I'll add some PP in like my first coffee, but I seldom need the added protein. In fact I take in too much protein honestly. I'm working on it with my nutritionist.
3pm: This is usually my sweet snack. I make my own seven layer bars that I will sometimes eat, but if not it will be some sort of sweet. I will often eat some sort of fruit, yogurt, or whatever floats my boat. If I eat chocolate, I eat dark. It's my preference anyways.
6pm: Dinner time! This is my last meal of the day. I almost never eat anything after this since I go to bed around 9am because I am secretly an old person LOL. Dinners as you can imagine vary a ton as well, but I eat predominately white meat. Not that red meat is bad, but my husband had a heart attack back in April so we limit the amount of red meat in the house. Despite changing taste buds I hate fish just as much post surgery as I did before it. I was bummed by this but whatever. We eat lots of turkey and chicken. Because my diet is pretty healthy, I do tend to be a bit more lax about dinner but that is just me. I will still opt for a healthier option a majority, but I still make a mean homemade chicken pot pie so I splurge every now and then
Overall my calories range from 1100-1400 depending on how heavy my workouts are, and the time of the month because YES that makes a difference. I get in about 85-100g of protein (too much I know, I'm sort of working on it sort of. I made routines post surgery when you had to focus focus focus on building protein and I sort of overdid it. I mean I STILL drink protein waters because I'm weird. I drink about 100oz of water/fluid (This includes the DECAF coffees, I don't count caffeinated coffee in my fluid intake and will drink a bit more water if I have caffeine). Honestly any less than that and I really really feel awful. Keeping hydrated literally means the difference between going for that run, or lying in the fetal position on my bed with a migraine. I don't respond well to my migraine meds post surgery. If I only got in say 70oz of water a day for 3 days straight, I'd be bedraggled with dark circles, and fighting a headache. My body likes water. A lot.
I take my vitamins mostly daily. The BIG vitamins I do... it's the calcium ones I don't always take. I don't know why, but they always make me feel super super thirsty after taking them. My one a day does too, but not nearly as bad and they are more important. I LOVE my b12 I feel like it makes a huge difference so I always take that one. I'd say I take the calcium one 5 out of 7 days. I would say I'm working on that too... but I'm really not. NOT because I don't think it's important, but because I am a stubborn idiot and my teeth are probably paying for it :(. Maybe that will be my resolution for 2019...
So that's me in a nutshell I think? Hair loss sucks but I have alopecia so that's not new. Saggy skin is definitely a thing. Mine isn't TOO bad, but it's definitely there. I mean I've had two kids and been fat so I wasn't expecting any less. My ass ran away though. That's kind of sad. I've tweaked my workouts a bit in hopes of coaxing it back but who knows if that will work LOL.
Oh and lastly I wanted to talk stalls. Holy lord do I stall. My body is kind of ridiculous. Each month I kid you not I will not move at all, then bam I'll lose a ton of weight. My body likes to stall...gain... then wooooosh drop 5lbs overnight. So don't let stalls discourage you. It's a thing. They happen. And if your eating right and exercising the weight will continue to drop until you reach your happy place. Don't get discouraged. I personally treat each stall like a good friend. Because that stall always means my clothes are going to get a bit looser So I welcome good old Mr. Stall ❤️
P.S. Running makes your legs look fabulous. My thunder thighs no longer go BOOM. In fact they look kind of... sexy... in my running pants
P.S.S. My feet AND head shrunk too! Went down a full size in shoes (may go down to a 9.5 too since my 10s feel a bit slippery) and all my pre-surgery wigs are sooooooo big. Who knew I had so much fat on my head...
Okay Piccy time (I know 90% of newbies will skip straight to that because that's totally what I did LOL)
June-September 2017: I was probably about 295-305 in these pictures (Kind of hurts to look at them now to be honest.)

October 2018: I was at a conference and getting ready to run down to the gym. (The bulge in the sweater is a water bottle, I know it looks super weird haha! I was about 190lbs.

And lastly, this is me TODAY at 184!

So the summary of this post... Life is effing amazing, and you can achieve WONDERFUL results if you are committed. I attribute my success to the dedication to BE a better, healthier version of myself and also a STRONGER version of myself. I can lift weights at the gym with the fit folks and NOT look out of place Such a good feeling. I even get a little smug when I notice my lifting form is better than the pretty boy who likes to offer me "advice"