Moa

I have shredded menisci (both knees) but I still try to exercise as much as I can without my knees locking up or overwhelming pain. I love to exercise, but at 66 yrs old I can't do it every day like when I was younger.

Cardio: I power walk (16 min/mi) for 1-1.5 hrs every other day.

Weight training, upper and lower body: 45-60 min. every other day.

I'm 17 months postop, have lost 95# but still want to lose 13# more to get to my goal.

I eat 800-1,000kcal/day (my doc said to stay within this range forever)...try to get 65-75g Protein, low carb, low fat, no carbonated drinks, no alcohol and 3-4 bottles of water/day. I can eat about 1 c. of food/meal...if I eat too much, too quickly or drink while eating, my stomach will SCREAM at me and say STOP THAT!

I exercise 2 hrs (cardio and weight training) every other day which helps with calories.

On 12/2/2019 at 8:09 AM, mousecat88 said:

I've lost some weight (I am 124) but I also just had that skin removal so I'm sure that has to do with it, too. De-swelling slowly overtime.

How difficult is this surgery and recovery? My doc doesn't think I need it, but I'm considering it. Getting rid of the excess skin on my abdomen would make me very happy, but I probably won't have it if it's a really rough.

On 11/30/2019 at 7:34 AM, FluffyChix said:

But this journey and my tool reassure me that regain will only happen with MY HELP. I have to aide and abet for it to happen (barring some medical catastrophe).

I love this!! So true...any weight gain isn't going to be an "accident"...it will only happen if I help it happen. I am in control over my future health and weight status. Thanks for that motivating thought!

7 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

I think you look fine. You don't look like you need to lose any more weight.

Thank you...I did forget to say that my doc thinks that I likely have 5-10# of excess skin (not bad enough to justify skin removal surgery as I can hide it fairly well), so that my "actual" weight may be 133-138#. But technically my BMI of 26 has me still in the Overweight category. I need to be below 24.9 to be in the Normal weight category, which starts at 136#.

On 11/27/2019 at 9:09 AM, ms.sss said:

Are you still looking to lose more weight?

Sorry it took me so long to get back...this website wouldn't accept my password and it has taken me awhile to get back in.

To answer the question, yes...I have 13# to still lose to get to my goal, but am unsure if I can get there, so I'm not sure if I'm technically in maintenance-mode or should I keep trying to lose more. I chose my goal because I weighed that weight from age 18-40! So I know that I can get there, but my body doesn't seem to be responding. I eat 800 kcal/day, no more than 1 c. food/meal, no carbonated drinks, obey all the eating rules, low carbs, low fat, at least 65gms or more of protein/day and take Multivitamins, B12 and Calcium. I exercise for at least 2 hrs every other day (1-1.5 hrs of power walking and 45-60 minutes of weight training). I wear a size 4 or 6, medium-small (at surgery I wore a size 26, 3XL).

I saw my doctor last week and discussed this issue with him. First, he said that he thinks I look great and doesn't think I need to lose more, but said that if I want to keep trying then it's ok. He said that I'm doing everything right and didn't have any suggestions to try (did warn me NOT to go below 800 kcal/day, above 1,000 kcal/day and to keep my carbs very low). Since I'm only 16 months postop, he said that I might still lose more if I keep up my current regiment. He said that most people gain back some weight by 2-3 yrs postop, but that if I continue my plan (especially the exercise) he doesn't think I will gain any back.

I am very happy at the success I've had and am trying to stay focused on enjoying life now, but still wonder if I'm in Maintenance Mode or Losing Mode. Here are 3 recent pics and one from shortly before surgery.

On 11/25/2019 at 4:26 PM, catwoman7 said:

yep - a lot of us automatically seem to gain 10-20 lbs during year 3. I'd be careful with trying to put on weight, to be honest....

Because of this tendency, my doctor told me to do these forevcer: eat a maximum of 800-1,000 kcal/day, no more than 1 c. food/meal and continue to exercise. I'm rarely hungry and 800 kcal/day satisfies me. It's hard to believe that I haven't lost more weight, but maybe it'll still happen.

I posted this question on another thread because I'm not sure if I'm in the "still losing" or "maintenance" part of my journey...not sure how to know when one is done and the other begins! So, here's my question and I would love any advice...thanks for the others who did answer on the other thread!! And, thanks in advance to anyone here!

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I'm trying to decide if I should continue trying to lose more weight or be satisfied with where I am. I will be asking my doctor in a few weeks, but curious what you folks think.

Had VSG surgery in Aug, 2018 and lost about 90# in the first 6 months; have lost another 5# during the next 10 months. Am 66 yrs old, 5' 2", BMI=26.2, currently weigh 143# but my goal has been 130# because I weighed that for 30 years before I got overweight. The "normal" BMI for me (24.9) is below 136#. I now wear a size 4-6, exercise every other day (1 hr of fast power walking & 1 hr of weight lifting) and eat about 800 kcal/day. My bad knees won't allow me to run. I have excess skin under my arms, thighs, butt and abdomen but I don't have any way to know how much it weighs...easily hidden by clothing. I'm pretty muscular but not sure how much that weighs either. It just seems crazy that I'm still in the "overweight" BMI category and I'm just not sure what more I can do to lose another 7-13#. Any thoughts from those more experienced than me?

24 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

First, you are actually more experienced than me (I was sleeved 3 months AFTER you )

With that said, I think, like alot of us, you may be focusing too much on the number on the scale? When you were 130 lbs before, were you bigger/smaller/the same size as you are now? I know that years ago, I when I weighed the amount I way now, I was actually bigger then than I am now. It may be because of the muscle vs. fat ratio...? Are you fitter now than then?

Chasing a number that worked for you before may not be as applicable now.

Thanks for your reply...I think I'll post my original question on the maintenance thread too although I'm not sure if I'm in the "still losing" or "maintenance" stage...how can you know??

When I weighed 130# for years, I was a size 2 and did a bit more intense exercise than now because I didn't have any knee issues. I ran 3-5 miles, 3 days/wk and did daily high impact aerobics (which is why I now have the knee issues!). I think I'm pretty fit for a 66 yr old but it's frustrating to still be classified as overweight. I don't think I can realistically eat much lower than 700-800 kcal/day and until I get my knees fixed I can't exercise more (too much pain). So I feel sort of stuck with not being able to get into the normal weight BMI category.

I'm trying to decide if I should continue trying to lose more weight or be satisfied with where I am. I will be asking my doctor in a few weeks, but curious what you folks think.

Had VSG surgery in Aug, 2018 and lost about 90# in the first 6 months; have lost another 5# during the next 10 months. Am 66 yrs old, 5' 2", BMI=26.2, currently weigh 143# but my goal has been 130# because I weighed that for 30 years before I got overweight. The "normal" BMI for me (24.9) is below 136#. I now wear a size 4-6, exercise every other day (1 hr of fast power walking & 1 hr of weight lifting) and eat about 800 kcal/day. My bad knees won't allow me to run. I have excess skin under my arms, thighs, butt and abdomen but I don't have any way to know how much it weighs...easily hidden by clothing. I'm pretty muscular but not sure how much that weighs either. It just seems crazy that I'm still in the "overweight" BMI category and I'm just not sure what more I can do to lose another 7-13#. Any thoughts from those more experienced than me?

Products I use and my new curly hair.

On 8/4/2019 at 4:32 PM, gabybab said:

I have very thick hair, but I think I have lost about 1/3 of my hair

I also lost about 1/3 of my hair, with 3 distinct bald Patches. It was quite troubling, but a nearly 100# weight loss (so far) is definitely worth it.

I don't think I was getting enough Protein for awhile so I increased it plus using special Shampoo and Biotin supplements. It fell out from about 4-7 months postop...started growing back at about 10-11 months. I'm at 14 months postop now and alot of new hair is coming in.

But the strangest thing...I've always had straight hair but it's grown in curly!!! Not kinky or frizzy, but beautiful curls! And I can pull it out straight too. My hairdresser cut a beautiful style and the curls help cover the small bald patches left. Anyone else have their hair grow in different? I've heard of cancer patient's hair growing in differently, but they usually lose it all.

My former "friend" used to be the thin one and I was the fat one...but she has gained alot of weight and, of course, I've lost (nearly 100#).

She got so jealous that she began tracking her weight daily and logging her food...but she still ate tons of food and never exercised. She actually gained 10# in 6 months but kept telling everyone about how much she's doing to lose whenever they would compliment me.

Maybe your mom is jealous and feels hopeless that she'll ever lose like you are. Just keep following your weight loss plan...maybe encourage her to exercise with you. My family has been totally behind me, which I'm so blessed.

On 10/6/2019 at 4:05 PM, mmihalko said:

Just turned 65. Surgery for sleeve scheduled for October 28th. So ready for this and be healthy and comfortable in life again.

Last year, at 65 yrs old, I had my life saving and life changing VSG surgery and I've never looked back!!

I've lost 95# and wear size 4-6! Being thin and strong makes life so wonderful! I do one hour of cardio and 45 minutes of weight lifting every other day. My inches are quickly getting smaller.

So fun when running into people who I haven't seen for awhile...they don't recognize me at all.

You look great!! Congrats!

I'm also a size 6 now in most clothes (was a 24-26 pre-op), but I take an 8 in pants because of the excess skin on my stomach...so frustrating!! Wish my waistline looked as good as yours...I'm doing lots of exercise so maybe there's hope that I can get rid of it eventually. 🤞

I've lost 94# so far and my shoe size has gone from a 10 to a 9.5...not a big difference, but I can feel the new looseness. Even the padding on my toes and sole are gone.

One exciting thing is that my legs, especially calves, are so thin now that for the first time in decades I can wear stylish knee-high boots!! Previously my calves were too large to zip a boot up, but now I can also zip them over a pair of pants. So happy! This surgery has made even the small things in life such a joy! 😊

5 hours ago, bookworm1983 said:

Any advice, words of encouragement, links, books or anything that you found helpful on your own journey, I welcome.

Thank you

You've done the right thing in getting on top of this right away! Don't let it go any longer. I'd suggest goi!ng to your doctor or hospital's support group meetings or just go back to the doctor and ask them for help/suggestions...don't be ashamed of gaining but get their assistance.

My motto is: "No food tastes as good as being thin feels." My diabetes is gone, sleep apnea is gone and GERD is gone! I'm able to wear cute clothes now, travel easily and I feel great! These positives are so much better than food ever tasted!! I exercise regularly and am strong and lean now. I only keep "approved" foods in the house and don't eat out much. Making this a whole new lifestyle has helped keep me from giving in to temptations.

Make it a priority to turn this around now and continue to build on the successes you've already had...you can do this!!!

On 8/2/2019 at 1:23 AM, Torriluv02 said:

Omg same. I only get 30 minute meal breaks. And if i have to buy lunch i might have less than 20 minutes to get it down.

That's how it was for me too before I retired...I worked in healthcare and got 30 min for lunch, which was really 20 after getting the food out and being ready to eat. I still lost weight anyway (80+ pounds by retirement date). I did eat slower for other meals. Just do your best and follow all the other rules.

On 7/1/2019 at 3:35 PM, Sandra Nuelken said:

Got my insurance approval and I am having my surgery July 30. The first week of the presurgery diet I'll be home alone, my husband will be at "band Camp". Then one week when he is home. I am so very excited!

How did it go? Hope you're doing well...stay on "the plan" and you'll be so excited in 6-12 months!

On 7/11/2019 at 11:34 PM, Carrunda webb said:

Ok so where you able to walk afterwards? and how long was your stay.

My doctor doesn't use a Foley catheter (in the bladder), so after surgery lasting 4 hrs (because I had so many adhesions), I had to pee very badly when I finally got to my room! The aide got me up to the bathroom even though I was still groggy and rather dizzy. Within a couple hours I was up and walking on my own; they made me get out in the halls to walk every 2 hrs and I did it. I know this helped with pain control and healing.

I've struggled with this rule too. I've always been a slow eater, but making a 1/2-1 c. of food last 30 min. is difficult for me. And the biggest issue I've had is that hot food gets cold and cold food becomes room temp...not very appetizing. I like to have one scrambled egg for Breakfast, but I don't like cold eggs. I just do my best and probably eat meals in about 20 min.

My surgeon told me to stay at 800-1,000 kcal per day...forever!

Was diabetic for about 8 years and progressively getting worse...ended up on 2 insulins and 2 oral meds and still had fasting sugars of 150-250. Once my A1C was 12!

After VSG 11 months ago, I was immediately taken off all meds except metformin. Fasting sugars were 110-120. Since losing almost 100#, I went off the metformin 6 months ago and my fastings are 95-110. Can't wait to see the next A1C!

The only dispppointment has been that the DPN (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) in my toes and right behind them has not improved...I was really hoping for some relief from the pain and burning when my sugars decreased. But I guess the damage has been done and will not get better. Anyone have DPN reverse?

Was diabetic for about 8 years and progressively getting worse...ended up on 2 insulins and 2 oral meds and still had fasting sugars of 150-250. Once my A1C was 12!

After VSG 11 months ago, I was immediately taken off all meds except metformin. Fasting sugars were 110-120. Since losing almost 100#, I went off the metformin 6 months ago and my fastings are 95-110. Can't wait to see the next A1C!

The only dispppointment has been that the DPN (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) in my toes and right behind them has not improved...I was really hoping for some relief from the pain and burning when my sugars decreased. But I guess the damage has been done and will not get better. Anyone have DPN reverse?

Was diabetic for about 8 years and progressively getting worse...ended up on 2 insulins and 2 oral meds and still had fasting sugars of 150-250. Once my A1C was 12!

After VSG 11 months ago, I was immediately taken off all meds except metformin. Fasting sugars were 110-120. Since losing almost 100#, I went off the metformin 6 months ago and my fastings are 95-110. Can't wait to see the next A1C!

The only dispppointment has been that the DPN (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) in my toes and right behind them has not improved...I was really hoping for some relief from the pain and burning when my sugars decreased. But I guess the damage has been done and will not get better. Anyone have DPN reverse?