Attention Veteran Sleevers!

[gastricsleever 259]

I'd love to hear some updates of how people who were 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. years out on their surgery. How are you doing and how has it been in the maintenance phase? Do u find it challenging at all? Have you gained any weight back? Do you find it harder to eat small portions still? I'm a pre-op and would love some feedback!

[NtvTxn 1,262]

I'd love to hear some updates of how people who were 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. years out on their surgery. How are you doing and how has it been in the maintenance phase? Do u find it challenging at all? Have you gained any weight back? Do you find it harder to eat small portions still? I'm a pre-op and would love some feedback!

Hey there! I am 3.5 years out and believe it or not, I do not find it challenging, at least not yet. I still try and under eat my sleeve, meaning, I know how much it can hold and I TRY and eat a little less. If I ever feel full, it's too late, I'm miserable. I have not gained any weight back, my doctor's goal was 150, I wanted to be at 145 so I could have that 5 lb "pad". I feel good and find it easy to bounce DAILY between 142 and 145.5.

I am still doing what I started doing in the beginning....I weigh every morning, it's a control issue, I'm sure. I am finally in control, food is not. I weigh and/or measure my food when I'm at home. I log it all on my fitness pal and last but not least, I attend support group meetings. All of this is my new life, as natural to me as breathing. I know there is no end date, this is forever and I had to incorporate things into my life that I could/would do forever.

As far as eating smaller portions, I cannot eat more than a cup of food at one sitting, actually, I cannot eat a full cup, probably 2/3 - 3/4 cup, depending on what I'm eating. At 3.5 years out, I can eat a LOT more than I could in the beginning, so making choices and keeping track of my calories is imperative, I cannot become complacent.

Good luck to you, you won't believe what your life is like on your one year anniversary!!!

Edited December 13, 2013 by NtvTxn

[Georgia 2,908]

I, too, am 3 1/2 years out. Lost 100 pounds in first 8 mos. and didn't develop a really good maintenance plan so over the next year and half gained about 27 pounds eating too many sliders and not being consistent.

I finally, through 5:2 lifestyle, found a permanent maintenance plan that works for me and dropped the weight and an additional 9 lbs so far. One-2 lbs to go to final bounce ill be happy with. Feel great and sleeve is still very restrictive IF used correctly and your follow your program.

Just go into it with the mindset that this is a Tool and not a magic bullet. It is work and will take determination. I have never been more pleased than when I get dressed in the morning and it's a size 4/6 and not 20/22! PLUS, no meds, no cpap, BMI of 22!

[Queen of Crop 1,103]

Hi there.....2 years out, was at goal (135#) for the last 2 years up until last month when I went back to the US for a holiday....bigger portions, on vacation, I gained about 6 lbs! I have lost a couple but really want to get back to 135# My own fault, I am starting to snack again, particularly when I am fixing dinner, but at meals, I never overeat. I know I can handle a few lbs as long as I don't let it get out of control. It's the holidays so it's a bit harder right now, but being thin has been such a life changer for me that I can't imagine I would let myself gain much more. The sleeve is a great tool, (not just a tool, but a constant positive reminder).

Georgia, would love to know where to find more info on the 5:2

Good luck Covatila84......you are in for a very exciting ride!!!

[Georgia 2,908]

Hi there.....2 years out, was at goal (135#) for the last 2 years up until last month when I went back to the US for a holiday....bigger portions, on vacation, I gained about 6 lbs! I have lost a couple but really want to get back to 135# My own fault, I am starting to snack again, particularly when I am fixing dinner, but at meals, I never overeat. I know I can handle a few lbs as long as I don't let it get out of control. It's the holidays so it's a bit harder right now, but being thin has been such a life changer for me that I can't imagine I would let myself gain much more. The sleeve is a great tool, (not just a tool, but a constant positive reminder). Georgia, would love to know where to find more info on the 5:2 Good luck Covatila84......you are in for a very exciting ride!!!

Search for "The 5:2 Diet" thread. It has some links and info. Also, here is link to original website and the man who came up with.

http://thefastdiet.co.uk

Go to that thread on BP and we can "hook up" with advice, etc! I KNOW what it's like to regain.

[gastricsleever 259]

Thanks for all your responses. I realize most of the vets 3 yrs + probably don't follow the app anymore. I just started thinkin and getting nervous about a few years out and If it will be harder then in maintenance than it will be during the first year of losing.

[Georgia 2,908]

Thanks for all your responses. I realize most of the vets 3 yrs + probably don't follow the app anymore. I just started thinkin and getting nervous about a few years out and If it will be harder then in maintenance than it will be during the first year of losing.

Yes, it is definitely harder the farther out you are unless you figure out a good maintenance plan and stick to it because it does become easier to eat more foods and lots of "sliders." If you stick to basics, track your food/calories and exercise you will be fine. My sleeve is still really tight if I eat correctly!!

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

most of the vets 3 yrs + probably don't follow the app anymore..

seems like there are more vets hanging around on the boards these days

looking to help others, but also their/my needs are helped too

vets et al stil need support, with issues such as maintaining

other things too, supporting and answering OP questions

many/most people join boards like this for help to their questions/support pre-op and then after surgery

this lasts for about 12-18 months frequently

busy with enjoying doing things they might not have done before WLS

enjoying their new lifestyle

thats great - even though we miss many of them

i continue to enjoy being here

I am also busy enjoying my new wonderful life, but.........

being on the boards helps/"reminds" me/others too - about things i/we must do to continue to be successful

VETS know what to do, but it does get hard some/many times to always follow all the rules

VETSI(me) do "slip" up sometimes, graze, eat too much - so its good for me to stay here

i also enjoy answering questions to newbies especially - since i asked those questions 2 years earlier

kindof like "paying it forward?"

i'm so happy with my life - but as i said - for me coming to see all you other sleevers reminds me to keep on my toes

how could i forget??

keep absorbing/using all the good info you will continue to get

try and start losing weight now, even before pre-op diet

the more you lose now, the less you have to lose post op (obviously )

DOS

12/15/11

235 lbs

12/14/13

130 lbs

GOAL

still 5'3

good luck

kathy

Edited December 14, 2013 by proudgrammy

[cherice95403 13]

I am 3+ years out a doing great. Eastting small portions is not hard because I am not hungry, although I still have to watch what I eat because I can accidentally eat too much and get over full if I am not paying attention. It's not a plesant feeling and I try to avoid it. I can basically eat everything in moderation. After surgery I got down to 125, which is really too thin for me. Even though I got a lot of negative feedback about being "too thin," I didn't worry about it because most people gain a little back and sure enough, I seem to have settled at 135 over the last year, which works well for my frame. I have no issues maintaining my weight without exercise (I've had some unrelated injuries this year making exercise difficult). I don't regret surgery for a moment.

Cherice