CowgirlJane

Bobby I agree 1000%. I failed miserably with the band and have done well with the sleeve. Many factors but one of them is my headspace... I was over 300 and getting under 200 was success!!! Now I am at a normal weight, size 4...but if I regain to a size 10 does that make me a fail? NO FREAKING WAY!

At the time of my surgery I was living with my partner and two grown sons and my oldest sons girlfriend. They were supportive but of course still wanted to eat! One of the things we did is put "temptations" in a cabinet that I never opened. Out of sight out of mind helped because it was driving me crazy seeing and smelling crackers, chips and junk food all the time. Also, I gave over cooking duties. When we went out to eat, they were great about sharing meals or otherwise making it so I could be successful there. I would try to appeal to him for some support but I kinda agree with lipstick lady too. I mean, we had the surgery,not them. We are the ones with the issue and at some point you have to really develop a certain mental toughness about your own priorities. I had the advantage that I was so "over food" by then - it was like the bad boyfriend that needed to be kicked to the curb if you know what I mean. I was really really really motivated. I kinda liked her suggestion about cooking too... haha... mushies - yuck!

I think you got some great answers. I tried and tried and tried to lose and keep ANY weight off for years. I considered it wonderful if I could be under 250# - at 5'5" not exactly svelte. I was hungry 24/7 - I had a drive to eat that was at times overwhelming. I would try different programs and have temporary success and then regain. I reached a point where I wasn't even having temporary success anymore - yikes! So, for me the point of the sleeve was to give me a forced restriction of food, and a true hunger reduction to give me a chance to get off the eating/obesity hamster wheel. A chance to learn new behaviors. A chance to understand the physical drives and how to control them. Oh, and portion control. What I started to realize is how carb sensitive I am. That processed foods have something in them that just isn't good for me, makes me want to consume compulsively. I realized that something about being obese itself actually triggers hunger - like a chemical imbalance or something. My hunger did start to return about 8 months out and I worried... My NUT pointed out I was eating Protein bars like candy. Two things there 1. too many carbs and 2. Behavior. Knowledge is power and you can be sure my favorite Protein Bars no longer live in my house. Same with Peanut Butter and other trigger type foods. This didn't happen overnight, but I eat small portions, I keep trigger foods out of the house and I have good strategies for situations. I am 2.5 year out, I have lost about 160 pounds (currently weigh 140). My hunger is under very good control. I work at it, but not nearly as hard as I previously worked to stay under 300#. I treat my obesity like a disease in remission... my condition is still there, but I am currently managing it's primary symptom - excess weight, very well. I must remain focused or it could very easily creep back... although frankly right now, it is not a problem at all.

Okay, as a former 300 pounder, weighing at 200 or so, I think you are closer to the "norm" at the gym then you think. You will NOT be the biggest woman there (I often was). Be sure to choose an environment that feels safe and supportive to you. when I first started working out I started with Water aerobics at the YMCA, easy on the joints and very very supportive of the less fit. I progressed and moved into other things later. Good luck and do NOT let your fear of judgement slow you down. This is your health at stake and you have just as much right to be there as ANYONE else! Most will admire you (if they even care - people are much more self centered then we imagine..haha)

PARTIAL regain is the norm, statistically. 100% regain CAN happen but doesn't need to!

Don't let averages, statistics or naysayers limit your goals. On the other hand, be kind to yourself and celebrate your successes, even if you don't get to some charts ideal weight.... be focused on success without the self loathing that sometimes comes with that. I never ever thought a person like me who started at a BMI over 50, could have a BMI under 25 and turn into a hot chick at age 50! If you look at my profile and see my before picture, I think you can get a sense that I really could not visualize myself ever being physically attractive. The possibilities are endless and you truly are the master of your own weight destiny - just keep working that sleeve.

I started at 308 and I am 5'5" I lost 150# in about 14 months to get to my goal of 158 I lost more after entering maintenance and now weigh about 140#

Cathy good to hear from you. I had a very happy birthday the little relapse happened after. I have heard of those light pipes but by a different name. They do work! Kelly I wish I could run...knee issues. I don't think endless running on the treadmill works though. High intensity interval training...ie sprints...that is much more effective. I did it on a spin bike. Last night I had dinner with Tino and I ate a huge amount. What was interesting is I felt pretty done after a few bites but of course I felt obligated to eat more. I weigh 140, my lifetime low and eating thst huge meal made me feel fat too. Makes me wonder about the headtrip..

I was never a closet eater so I am coming from a different perspective. I get alot more of the "I can't believe you eat so little" and 2.5 years out from my sleeve surgery. I believe that people who make these comments to me are genuinely worried about me (or think I don't like their food...haha). I frankly tell them that I am one of those people who can't eat much and maintain a normal weight, it sucks, but my reality! Basically, I make a joke out of it. If someone pushes me, I get firm that I do what I need to do and am working with physicians and nutritionalists. What puzzles me about your statements is... who thinks you are eating too much? How do they know? I mean, what kind of expertise do they bring to this table? this weight loss journey requires a lot of mental toughness, including standing up for your own needs and wants. I think you should feel just fine eating alone, but you shouldn't feel you need to hide it. It is your body, your choice, your journey. I know that is really tough but I also think it is part of the growth needed.

She is the self centered one....just back away.

Oh, I wanted to say that life isn't really better at a size "4" over when I was an "8". Just some perspective... I have noticed that some men find the skinny me much more attractive however, I don't suddenly get asked for my phone number at the coffee shop or anything like that...haha bottom line, get healthy as everyone has been saying. Once you are in single digit sizes, I feel like the rest is in fact just vanity... which is fine... but don't get wrapped up in it too much.

Sizing has changed alot. In the 1980s I weighed mid 140s and never got smaller than size 9/10. I weigh 140 right now and wear size 4 no stretch pants. ..some brands I am in a 2 , hips are 36-37" range. I don't want to be tiny but people around me consider the current size tiny I guess. My male friend says I am skinny chick size and to not drop further and I kind of agree that this feels like a good size. I have visible bones on my back and ribs, and chest - small enough. Considering I once wore a 32w, was in 26 or 28w at time of sleeve, I never imagined becoming a size 4.

Define the word recovery. Able to resume normal activities OR your old self? I was cleared to go back to work and start exercise (beyond walking)again at 6 weeks. I was cleared for all activities at 8 weeks. In reality I didn't really feel like doing really active stuff like horse back riding, hard workouts etc until 10-12 weeks. I wore compression garments longer than required to keep swelling down. I was probably 3-4 months before I felt normal with minimal swelling. Real self is a source for rough pricing info. I was always quoted multiple procedures. Also prices vary. For me it was worth it. I am transformed.

I want to be honest with all of you. Don't look to friends or family as support through this journey. You are blessed if you get that support . Lucky if you at least don't get undermined or ignored. Probably typical that alot of people just aren't "there for you". I don't have a grudge just acceptance of my reality but I feel much more distance from my siblings as they really ignored me through some tough times. So it goes

Or maybe these bottoms: http://www.venus.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=24~4299~&ProductDisplayID=25842 Or this... comes in different colors: http://www.venus.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=24~96~3213~&ProductDisplayID=15038

I had a somewhat stressful interaction with Steven recently but he said something that really hit me. That his lack of availability aside (he tells me he talked to and saw me more than ANYONE else which shocks me) he told me that he stresses people out... and for that very reason it is better that we ended things. You know I never thought of it that way, but alot of times when I saw him he would spend 30-40 minutes dumping all the woes of the world on me in a very strong way. As I reflect, while it didn't cause my anxiety problems I can surely see that it didn't help any. So, what do you think of this swimsuit? http://www.venus.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=23~121~&ProductDisplayID=22751 The one I bought last year the cup is too small and I worry about getting in the water and exposing myself...haha. I want somewhat modest bottoms to cover my scars but i have a flat tummy and no muffin top so I can wear a 2piece. I need a top that is sold by bra size since I am a 36D even though I wear like size 4 pants I can't just buy a size "medium" suit and hope for it to stay on my ass or cover my boobs...haha. I want to look hot, I admit it, first time in my life i actually have that possibility. I browsed a little in stores but couldn't find these sorta boy short type things. Ideas anyone?

You bring a good point. Slow losses are sometimes easily explained by that little bit extra bite or taste that sneaks in. If i were in fear of not making my goal I would record everything and take that info to my NUT and ask for advice. I did that when my losses slowed way down..her answer was to eliminate protein bars and it worked!

What's funny about your guess is that friends tell me I should be in sales..haha

I understand your frustration but my surgeon offered to do a bunch of tests and things but we talked it over and i decided to try working with my PCP and counselor first (both are ARNP) who embrace alternative medicine. They run the view of holistic and are both aware of my mood issues. They have slightly different theories but the point is we are digging into it in a partnership way. I am only down to 140 so not a severe situation in terms of weight loss by any stretch.

I threw up a few times at around 3-5 months post op...Both times from eating too fast. Let's be honest I was emotionally eating and probably shoveling food. Sleeve does not like that. I luckily learned my lesson and it hasn't happened in ages. It was aversion therapy. The band I vomited ALOT but unfortunately I could never learn any lesson from it except to eat sliders... This is why I get worried when I read of sleevers talking about "sliming" or whatever as though it's normal. It is not!!!! A healthy sleeve with normal eating behavior never leads to vomiting in my opinion. I spend alot of time chatting with successful veterans and non of us vomit. I eat petite (i like to think of them as skinny chick sized) portions of all types of food even though I do eat low carb. Love my sleeve! !!

Ok ... New plan...let's all meet in London!! Haha In all seriousness I am dreaming of another big trip soon. I have Iceland in mind but maybe will wait till winter and head south to mexico or Panama or something.

Denise what's SMO? So have you and Bill had the big talk about food? I feel like he just doesn't quite get it. My close friend Mary had a big issue with her mother buying her junk food. She runs a doggie daycare and would bury junk food in the dog poo. Now THAT is aversion therapy! Tino is a HUGE eater. He is 6'2" and worked as a lineman until he did early retirement about 2 years ago. He looks fit in clothes but he is developing a gut....that heart unhealthy type fat. What I notice is he loves healthy food too...but as a bachelor is in the burger and chips habit. Luckily for me his influence is good and probably why I stopped losing weight but longer term I hope to gently influence him. I hope it doesn't become a problem but I have little appetite so I force myself to eat a respectable meal with him and the rest doesn't tempt at least for now.

You know what else it did? It made me feel more interested and attached to him. I have had so much fun with him but I admit I was starting to feel a little..."yeah he's great but I don't FEEL it toward him" I am quick to like people superficially but any kind of depth takes forever. .. not something I like about myself. So last night we cooked dinner together and just had a great time. The time flies when we are together. He also told me something important about himself which is that he has a hard time committing forever due to some history. I didn't say it but thought. ..thank goodness. .. that whole long term commitment has not worked out for me yet either.

Thank you for sharing this. IF i have nutrition problems I hope they are being caught early enoigh. I went to my PCP who ordered more detailed tests than the surgeon did. My surgeon is very much on board to support me but right now they think my issues are emotional and I guess I do too...but doesn't rule out imbalances.

The comments were great !!