aroundhky

Today is my 3 year sleeve anniversary. I feel somewhat obligated to share an update, for those curious about the sleeve's effectiveness a little more down the road. I was what most would call a "slow loser" during the initial post-sleeve weight loss stage, mostly due to being somewhat of a low BMI'er to begin with as I was around a 38 or so BMI before the sleeve. My restriction was very noticeable the first several months and then I was able to slowly eat more and more as the months have gone by and then it has mostly plateaued the past year and a half to 2 years. At the 3 year mark, I am able to eat a good bit more than I could the first few months post-op, but still significantly less than pre-sleeve. I feel I can easily add on another 20-30 pounds if I don't watch what I eat. Though I give the sleeve a lot of credit for the weight/fat loss I've had (especially initially), I think the fact that I've been able to keep it in check now is mostly due to a combination of restriction, and also just being better informed and eating to support my goals and less for pleasure....eating smart and exericise. I'm still very happy that I've had this done and would do it all over again as it has been a true blessing. Is it an easy fix or easy way out? No. Is it a great tool for eating better? Absolutely. Will it help me keep the weight off for good if I still want to eat whatever I want? Not a chance. This is just my experience as I realize others at the same time frame post op may have differing experiences, and those further out than myself can probably be a much better gauge as to the long term effectiveness of the sleeve. But I still like to come on here and give any feedback that I have and coming back here helps to keep me motivated due to receiving positive feedback, reading other's trials/errors and seeing their benefits as well. I guess that's all for now and I will try to check back in at 4 or 5 years, or if something else comes up. Wish everyone the best!

Thanks and I did eventually achieve my goal weight almost a year and a half post-op. It was never a huge goal of mine to begin with since the term "weight" is very general. I've always been into lifting weights and very much wanted to keep my strength and muscle. But I wanted to lose as much fat as I could and wanted to be healthy. My body fat got down to around 13/14% at one point and has now settled in around 15/16%. So I'm good with that and I am also off my meds, which was my main goal. I'm now a bit above my goal weight, but as you can see from my original goals, I'm not too terribly worried about that if the others (body fat and health/meds) are still in check. I know my Dr would have rather me lost more weight since it's good for their results and numbers, but I didn't do it for them.

Also poohbear, if you don't already, try to have some definate goals as to what you want to get from lifting. Lift to improve athletic performance, lift to just move heavy weights (numbers), lift for physique, or a combination of the two? From your original post, it sounds like physique and asthetic purposes may be your goals. High volume (many sets/many reps, lower weight) may help you.

Forsythia was all over it! Great post! Don't worry about some tool in the weightroom or someone supposedly judging you. I would be willing to bet that MOST don't really care why you're in there and will not judge you. I don't mean that in a mean way, but if they're in there for the right reason and like me, they are in there to lift and are focused on that and too busy to judge. As for me, if I see someone that's new or has the deer in the headlights look, I'm more than willing to offer a helping hand or give advice that may be able to help. My thought is......"that person in there trying to better him/herself, which is better than not lifting/exercising or being active, so good for them". "Poohbear", don't worry about what people think or don't think of you, especially people you don't even know or care about. It's your life, your body, do what you want. I can't speak for all gyms, but if yours is like mine, people are supportive and just impressed that one is taking upon themselves to lift and be fit. Find a trainer to help you learn or find a weightlifting buddy with experience or do some research to learn or just watch people that look like they know what they're doing. You got this! Feel free to ask me or anyone here if you have questions lifting, we're more than willing to help. It's never too late to start. Wish you the best!

I started lifting around 3-4 weeks post op, but very lightly. I slowly increased the weight and intensity a little each week afr that.

Asheville is a really cool town! Lots of things to do, pretty area, artsy (if you're into that) and there's always the Biltmore. I live a little over an hour from there and get there as often as I can. Hope your trip went well!

Well said B52.....reading that makes me want to workout right this minute!

Rome wasn't built in a day. Be patient, but persevere, stay motivated and eat to support those efforts and you'll get to where you want to be.

Yeah, that does sound weird and uncommon, a little scary

Seems like there is a regional or state thread somewhere on this site that may be seen by more people in your area. I'm not sure, but seems like I ran across it somewhere on here. Wish you the best with your exercise!

No issues here other than the first couple of months after surgery. Give your body time to heal and adjust and you should be even better with exercising, stamina, intensity, etc. It's always good to have a bottle of Water handy or water fountain nearby if you can.

Cococat......cold Water and message received. I appreciate the concern and I know this world is full of crooks and shysters and I try to reasonably block them out without being paranoid or constantly watching behind my back....all while trying not to give up my liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For me, it's good to be careful...... within reason. All I can say is if they try to use my image or likeness for their gain.....I want a monthly royalty check from their portion of their proceeds. If they do something worse, I posess a particular set of skills that I have acquired over a lifetime of training, skills that make me a nightmare for people like them. I will look for them, I will find them....and I will end them.

"mi75".......what exactly are your goals in regards to resistance training? For athletics/sport to improve explosive/ballistic power? For physique/appearance/posture? For overall strength numbers as in poundage like powerlifting? To improve performance in the bedroom? A combination of more than one of those? The more info you give as to what exactly you're wanting to accomplish from lifting, the better direction we may be able to point you. Sounds perhaps like you may be leaning a little more towards physique or esthetics? There's no wrong answer, any of those are good reasons, just wanting to better advise you.

Cool, and I hope the progress continues! What is dry brushing? Is that what's on youtube?

If it's due to mostly loose skin, there's not a lot that can be done short of surgery. Time helps, along with doing some arm work, especially for triceps such a dips, diamond pushups and close grip bench press. Filling it in with muscle will make it somewhat tighter, but there's only so much muscle one can build there.

mi75....congrats on your plan and level of commitment. A lot of people (including myself when they try to tell people it's judgment free), will put down Planet Fitness. But the truth is, you get access to equipment at a minimal cost and exposed to exercise and how to do some basic moves/lifts and cardio. For the money...... for a beginner or novice, my opinion, there's absolutely nothing wrong with PF and it has it's place and is better than sitting on the couch. Maybe try not to get sucked into too many pizza nights or convinced that you don't have to work hard to get results, and just use the equipment that YOU want to use and for the purpose YOU want. Is it for me, heck no, they'd kick me out for setting off the "lunk alarm" too much. As for memberships, I've heard that it can be difficult or a little work to cancel, but I've heard others say that they have no problem. It may depend on which staff member you get. Wish you the best in your journey!

You can absolutely do resistance training without going to a gym and with a few simple implements like a pull up bar, resistance bands and a kettle bell or two, you can get strong and build lots of muscle without setting foot in a weight room. My gym is close to my work which is almost an hour from my house, so on weekends at home I'll often do wall squats, push ups, pull ups, planks , etc and still get a heckuva workout.

Ran across the article recently and it made me rethink it all a little, so I'm not real sure what to think or if it's legit or not. It's under "Women's Health" but I think the science behind it applies to men as well. Seems that regardless of how, when or why we get the soreness, it's still a good thing and lets us know we hit our targeted muscles during our exercise, or maybe in some cases, unintended muscles as well. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/delayed-onset-muscle-soreness