tiffers

I love the Atkins foods. The protein bars are really good, too!

Honestly, I never set a number goal. I just said I'd know when I got there. At the end of April 2012 I was at around 138, and I was happy with that. My PCP switched a med. I'm on and I started losing more weight. Now I'm bouncing around 120-125. Now for the part I kind of hate to say on this board... Right after my WLS surgery I found out I had a benign tumor in my spinal cord that caused a lot of nerve damage and a congenital brain disorder. I've had 4 surgeries after my WLS. Honestly, my diet/exercise became a secondary issue ( thats the part I hate to say here.) I've spent a lot of time in hospitals hooked up to IVs and no food. That helped with the weight loss. Lol. When I'm on top of my nutrition game, I don't really drink a bunch of shakes. I do eat a lot of Protein Bars. I'm single with no children so I don't have to cook for anyone. Plus, the bars are really easy at work. I also use those Special K protein powders in my Water to boost my protein. I try really hard to eat right and move as much as possible on good days, but honestly some days I don't move much and eat like crap. I try not have many of those days, tho. And when I do, I don't feel bad about it. Had I not had the WLS, I would prob. be paralyzed right now b/c my weight would have been a factor in my other surgeries. I will say that I've lost 3/4s of my hair. 5 surgeries and not always getting in my protein will take its toll! But, I had A LOT of hair. I had brain/cranial surgery last month and the back, bottom portion of what hair I have left had to be shaved. I call it my reverse mullet. Lol. But, I'm alive, I can walk and I'm thin, so I'll take it! So, yeah, I think the combo of being sick and surgery sped up my process of losing. But, at this point, with all I have going on, maintaining is not that hard. I really want to build some muscle/strenth up b/c I'm so weak, but I'm constantly stuck in a post-op restriction phase it seems. :-/. Good grief I ramble. Sorry!

For me, surgery was kind of like restarting my computer ( or body.). I wanted to be active and do things like hike and kayak with my friends, etc. I was the queen of losing 50 to 75 lbs, stalling, and then gaining it back. Usually more. I just couldnt do it anymore. After surgery, once you've adjusted to " breaking up with food," seeing the results is a great motivator to even better. I often think of that quote, "what could you accomplish if you knew you could not fail?". Failing is hard to do for most people after WLS. My outlook on food has def. changed. I eat b/c I need to, not b/c I want to. I don't exercise like I should. I know this is wrong, but I had some major neurological issues surface after my sleeve. Non-related to the sleeve. I've had 4 surgeries since my sleeve in March 11. That's a lot of hospital time and a lot of post op recovery time. But on days when I can/feel good, I move as much as possible! I've still lost a lot of weight tho. I feel like I'm rambling now. Sorry! Lol

It's hard for everyone to adjust. A few weeks after I had surgery I had to go out to a birthday celebration dinner with my parents, my grandparents, and a couple they were friends with. My parents and grandparents knew I had surgery, but I don't think my grandparents really got it. They are super nice and keep offering people things until they accept. So I managed to make it through dinner with a bowl of Soup and not much attention. But then it was time for dessert. Good grief. Between my grandparents and their friends practically throwing their dessert in my face, I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to run to the bathroom b/c I started crying. But it passes. I promise. It's like a break up. It sucks in the beginning, but it gets better. And in the end you can show your punk ex (food) how hot you are and how much better you are with out him.

Your parents fears are not unfounded. I had my surgery in the States, but I know 2 people that went to Mexico and lived to tell about it. I also know several people that go on a mission trip to a border town 2x a year. They always come back. . May I suggest you research the area you want to go, get some crime stats, and hopefully this will put their mind at ease. At least maybe a little??

I'm a Lone Star Girl! Woot!

That's fantastic!!! It's so fun to watch the sizes get smaller and smaller as time goes on.

Are you still crushing pills? I don't crush mine anymore. I'm not really sure if that's the right thing to do or not, but I haven't had any problems from swallowing them without crushing them.

*edit. -don't know how far post op you are. Lol

I mixed some crushed up vitamins up with sugar free pudding. Don't know how you are out, post-op, though.

Just dropping in to say hi. Hi! And may we all turn heads!

I was 258 and now I'm 120. 5 ft 7. Sleeved March '11.

Hello! I know what I'm about to say is crazy, but I'm so glad you posted this. 2 months after my sleeve, I found out I had a begin tumor in my spinal cord that caused nerve damage in my body from the waist down, and a congenital brain malformation. While I don't have the same neurological issues as you, I COMPLETELY know and understand how painful it can be! I will def. be praying for you as you go on this journey. Please feel free to message me if you need someone to talk to!

You'll get there! I did, and I even enjoy the occasional Blue Bell. . It was a good feeling. I was in the ER, and I was really upset/nervous, but when the nurse told me she had to get a smaller cuff, I managed to squeak out a grin. Lol

I know we've never met, so please forgive my frankness, but this is a horrible idea. When you hit 6 months, treat yourself to new clothes! Even if I didn't have the money, I would go try on smaller sizes and it felt great! I'm not saying I've never eaten one bad thing, and I don't stray from my healthy eating at times (like yesterday when i had to have some ice cream. I live in Texas, and its summer!) but I do not recommend treating/rewarding with food. Last week I had to have a pediatric blood pressure cuff used on my arm b/c I'm "so tiny!" That was way better than pizza!!!!

When I was about 4-5 months post op, I had some pizza from Dominos. Tasted great. Then I puked it all up and my stomach hurt real bad. That was the last time I had pizza. Lol

How long ago were you sleeved?

Not only will it catch up, but one day you will find yourself at the store with your mother, screaming in the middle of the chip aisle that you, "just need a little queso for this recipe! Not a jar big enough to feed a football team!" Then you'll think, " wait, I could have easily polished this off pre-op in 2 days!" ... Or maybe thats just me...

I didn't tell that many people pre-op. I was confident in my decision and I didn't want to hear the "horror stories," etc. but I've had no issues telling people post op. Most of the time I wait until they ask how I've lost weight, etc. but sometimes I bring it up. I've lost close to 140 in a bit over a year, so it's pretty obvious, I think. Why hide it? Also, I had some other serious health issues that I discovered after my WLS ( and completely non WLS related) and people kept trying to shove food in me, thinking that would help. Lol. I know everyone is different. I really don't have much of a filter so I have no problem being honest with people. Whether its being honest about my surgery, or telling people to mind their own business if Ive been given a negative reaction about it. Which has maybe happened once.

Please don't be discouraged! You are doing fantastic! I know it's hard, but I agree weighing everyday is not a good idea. I waited a long time before I weighed post op. i tried to weigh every Friday around the same time. Also, if you have a Nintendo Wii, I recommend weighing on a Wii Fit board. It keeps track of your weight and you can see your progress charted over time. You got this!

It's an amazing feeling! Good for you!

I'm really happy for you, but slightly disappointed this thread isn't about the greatest boy band from my childhood.

Please move to Texas and cook for me! I'm willing to shop for the food and do the dishes! Lol. I'll have to add this to the list of foods I'll think about cooking one day. Ha!

I teach pre-k in Texas! I had my surgery in March '11. Everyone on my campus knows I had surgery. Actually, many on our staff have had some type of WLS. I work with an incredible and encouraging group of people. They are part of my extended family.