Suzannesh

You are so correct. I have learned to ask myself. Do I want to eat or do I really NEED to eat???? It is the old thing of "head hunger." Most of the time it was that I wanted to eat something. So I would wait a little while and find out that I didn't eat it. I also try to have healthy Snacks around so if I am in the mode of "grazing" it is healthy things that I am eating. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, It truly is a lifestyle change. I NEVER consider myself on a diet. I had the sleeve 3 years ago and for the very first time in my life I have maintained my weight loss. You will find it a lot easier to deal with all of this after you have had the surgery. Stop over thinking everything--you remind me of myself. I went back and forth with these very same kind of thought. You are just going to have to trust a complete stranger on this. Take care and if you have any questions ask away. Suzanne

Hi Everyone, Well, today is my 3 year anniversary :D . Yes, 3 years ago today I had sleeve surgery with Dr. Aceves. I want to also share why I have been a little quiet on this board and have not been post much this last month. I have been gone for the last month. Bob and I and spent the last month in Europe. I was pretty busy. Bob and I saw 10 different countries while we were gone. I did have a computer with me and tried to stay caught up. We were on a tour to start with for 18 days and we saw 8 different countries. Then we went on a cruise and we saw 2 more countries. This was a test for me too. There were all kinds of food every place we went. So many of the restaurants serve 4 and 5 course meals for lunch and dinner. I knew that I could NEVER eat all that food. So, I took a few bits of each course and left food on my plate that I did NOT eat. I must admit I ate a lot of deserts and had some wonderful candy while I was on vacation. I thought this was a lifelong dream to have a vacation like this and I was going to make the most of it. Believe me I did. I said to myself, I know how to get the weight off that I will gain when I get home. Well, we arrived home yesterday and I bravely got on the scales this morning to see what my damage was. I got very excited when I looked down and saw that I had LOST 3 pounds while I was gone. We did a LOT of walking, so that is what saved me. The reason I am telling you this is that I want you to know that life really can be quite normal after losing 105 pounds. I have kept it off. I eat healthy, and I continue to exercise. I am 66 years old and I am living proof that you too can become successful. My life has never been better. I am healthy and that is what I am most thankful for. If you are sitting out there reading this and wondering “should I do this—have WLS or should I try another diet on my own?” My answer to you is that you will NEVER have one regret if you go ahead and have WLS. Please go for it, and Dr. Aceves is the very best surgeon that you could ever find to do your surgery. Dr. Aceves gave me the tool to lose the weight and it took me doing my part we are a very successful team together. It takes effort and work on your part after Dr. Aceves gives you your tool. Suzanne Beaty Oregon Sleeved 10/21/2008 Lost 105 pounds

Thanks so much. I will always be out here posting things and answering questions. I had some great people who helped me so much when I first started this process. I promised to pay it foward and I plan on doing just that. Thanks for your kind words. Hugs, Suzanne

Thanks so much one day you can write something just like I did. I know that you will be successful too. It just will all come together. If you have any questions or just want to talk, I am always out here. Hugs, Suzanne

Thanks for the sweet words. I guess I never think of myself as an inspiration. I am just a regular person, just like all of you. I have had me struggles with weight loss for many years. And this has been my GREAT success. I know in my mind that I will always be able to do this and I NEVER feel deprived. I learned that just tasting something is all I really need sometimes. I do NOT have to eat the entire thing. It is like my head is finally working with my stomach. I want ALL of you to know that you too can have this kind of success. Keep doing what you are doing. I am always out here if you have any questions or just want to talk. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Thanks I will never disapear from these boards. It is my way of giving back. I had some amazing mentors when I was about to do this. I had a million questions and they were always right there for me with an answer. I enjoy being able to tell my story and to help people get past their fears. Thanks for you nice words, they mean so much to me. Hugs, Suzanne[/font]

Hi Everyone, Awhhhhh! thanks for all your kind, and wonderful words. I just want people to see and know that they too can become successful. I spent too many years failing at trying to lose the weight and never could keep it off if I lost it. This was my answer. My healthy has improved 100%, my energy level is extremely high. I love life and so many good and wonderful things have happened to me in my life. It just keeps getting better. NEVER give up on your dreams OK!!! Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, thanks this truly has been a life changing event for me. All my dreams and wishes have come true.

Hi, I will also add that Dr. Aceves is by far the best doctor you can ever find to do your WLS. He cares far beyond any other doctor I have ever been to how you are doing, spends all the time you need answering your questions--this is rare anymore.. He and his staff are the VERY BEST group of professionals that you could ever have do your WLS. You will be given the best possible care you could have. I want you to know that I had this WLS almost 3 years ago and I have maintained my 105 pound weight loss. It does require work and effort on your part. The 1st month after surgery will be the hardest that you will ever have to do. We are always here to help and support you in your questions and help that you might need. Please listen to all these people, I think you will see that most of us know for a fact that Dr. Aceves is the BEST choice. You will be in a very clean and wonderful hospital. You will receive the best care you could ever ask for. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, I also love hearing all these success stories or people who are starting out. I am one of the success stories. I am 66 had my WLS when I was 63 in Mexicali with Dr. Aceves. I have lost 105 pounds :kiss2: and have maintained my weight loss. I am always here to help support or answer questions for any of you. I want others to know that this possible with work on your part and making good food choices. I never think about being on a diet because I have made lifestyle changes when it comes to food and what I eat. You also have to be willing to do some kind of exercise. For me walking was what works. I didn't pay for a gym membership or buy lots of equipment. I walk in my neighborhood whne the weather is good and in the winter time, I walk inside a Mall.:clap: :clap: Congratulations to all of you for thinking about doing this, or if you have already done this. You just keep doing what you are doing. Hugs, Suzanne :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

Hi everyone, I am always happy to pass on good "food finds." After 3 years of doing this I have found my share of "bad foods" too. So I expect all of you to pass on the "good food finds" that you find along your way. We are all in this together so enjoy the bread. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi Everyone, I am always trying to find some kind of bread that is healthy and that I can eat. I have found some and look it has Protein in it--amazing. Check out the Web Site. I found it in a local store and it was in a cold case with the Health Foods. It really is good and to find a bread that has protein in it was amazing. http://julianbakery.com/ Hugs, Suzanne Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 slice Servings Per Loaf Approx. 14 Amount Per Serving Calories 119 Calories from Fat 9 % Daily Value Total Fat1g 2% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 140mg 2% Total Carbohydrate 13g 7% Dietary Fiber 12g 14% Net Carbs 1g 0% Sugars 0g Protein 12g Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0% Iron 7% Calcium 4% Thiamin 8% **Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie a day diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Wow that is good news for you. I always love it when people can find it close to where they live. I have to tell you this is really good bread and to have all the Protein and low carbs makes it out of this world. I had pretty much given up on most any kind of bread. I hope you like it. I will have to try the sourdough next. Hugs, Suzanne Keep me posted and let me know if you like it. Mine cost about $6.99 a loft and it was well wroth the cost of the bread to find something I liked and have it be healthy.

Hi, I always try to pass on the GOOD foods that I have found. I have found my share of the ones I didn't like. It took me awhile to track down the Protein drinks that I love and right now I have 3 of them that I drink. For Breakfast I always just have a Protein Drink, now I can have a piece of yummy toast with it too. When you get closer to WLS let me know if you have any questions. I am always glad to help. And since I had this done 3 years ago, I have a lot of answers to questions that you might have. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, just go to their home page, there is a place you can put your zip code in and it will tell you where stores are that are close to you that you can buy it. I purchased the Cinnamon Raisin and it is really good. It has 14 grams of Protein per slice and 2 net carbs per slice. It does cost $6.99 a loaf. But, it is worth the price to be able to have some bread and get all these benefits such as low carb, and protein. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, I purchased the Cinnamon Raisin and I love it. It has 14 grams of Protein per slice. and 2 net carbs per slice. My cost of $6.99. It is worth it because it taste good and I deserve to have it. When it comes to certain food and they keep me healthy I will pay a higher price for them, because I never want to be fat again!!!! I got this one because it had high protein per slice. I comes frozen and they says to keep it in the refrigerator. It has NO preservative in it. It is really good and something that I was excited when I found it in a local store. Give it a try, Suzanne

Hi Everyone, Things aren't always as they appear. Sometimes what seems to be the end is really just a new beginning. Like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. I remember a time when it felt like nothing could go right. The whole world appeared to be teamed up against me. But I kept on moving forward, even when I couldn't tell exactly where I was going. I found in life it's not about attaining a goal. What's most important is who we become during our pursuit. If every day is starting to feel like a struggle and your desires appear to be getting further and further away- Stop. Take a minute to breath and read through these Encouragement Quotes and These of some things I have put together to encourage you when you are having a hard time, or your weight loss has slowed down or it has stalled, or someone is “bullying” you, or they are giving you a hard time about having weight loss surgery. Or you are just having a BAD DAY. We all have had some of these things happens to us during the process of weight loss or the planning of having WLS. I hope they are a little helpful. 1. Learn from others who have been down that road and popped out on the other side- successful, empowered, and matured as human beings.—Unknown Author 2. When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hand on—Franklin D. Roosevelt. 3. When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile—Author Unknown 4. The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning—Ivy Baker Priest. 5. It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves—Edmund Hillary. This happens to be one of my favorite quotes and it has gotten me through a lot of tough times in my life. 6. If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick up one of those pieces up and begin again.—Flavia Weedn 7. Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. –M. Kathleen Casey 8. It is not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line.—Ashleigh Brilliant 9. Rock bottom is good solid ground, and a dead end street is just a place to turn around—J.R. Cobb Some things I want you to consider—just some thoughts of my own. Success is not a race, be patient. Success leads to success. Success is always a work in progress. Success doesn't come to you--you go to it. Success is a journey, not a destination. Focus on the process. Some people dream about success... while others wake up and work hard at it. Success is achieved and maintained by those who try-and keep trying. When you get to a plateau, think of it as a landing on the stairway to your goal. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Thanks for taking the time to read them. Suzanne

This is really great news. Things are just going to keep getting better each day. Remember that there is a lot of support here on the board if you have any questions or fears. We are always here for you. Remember that the 1st month after WLS is the hardest month you will do, but it is only 30 days, not the rest of your life. You can do it. Hugs, Suzanne

I loved all the things you said. You are right on. You now control the food, and the food NO longer controls you. You are NOT on a diet, just a lifestyle change, that you can live by for the rest of your life. Hugs, Suzanne