breezy

It's been 1yr 8 mos since I was sleeved and I thought it was time I let everyone know how my life has changed since having the sleeve done. I'm at a comfortable weight, I fluctuate between 146 & 148 pounds. I wear a size 8 to 10 (from a 3X). I have loose skin everywhere, but it has tightened up somewhat. The major things that have changed for me.. 1) Self-confidence. My weight is not the 1st thing people see when they look at me now. I am no longer embarrassed by how I look. 2) Strength. I have always been a little bit of a tomboy and I have been doing a lot of physical work and playing that I was NOT able to do in the years before the surgery. My arms are truly buff! I love to make a muscle! I feel like I'm in my 40's again! 3) sleep Apnea. Gone. No more machine. I sleep like a baby! 4) Clothes shopping. I can go in any store and find something in my size. Small thing but SO NICE!!! Now it is a treat to get new clothes! I can where my younger sisters clothes now. She was always the skinny one. Now she's worried I'll have a smaller butt than hers!!! 5) Sex. Positions I was not able to do before. Need I say more? 6) Knee pain. Much better now. Probably 90% improvement. I can run down stairs now. Downside? 1) I still have to take my antacid every day. But that may be exacerbated because I drink too much coffee. 2) I miss the way I used to be able to drink Water. I could down 8 ounces in a few gulps. I still can't try to make food or water go down quickly. 3) I still can't drink much carbonated stuff. I miss Pepsi a little, but I can still sip at it. 4) I can't think of any more downside things. That says a lot. You haven't heard much from me because I'm just busy living my life! All of the post-surgery discomforts and liquid diets are behind me. I still have NSV's all of the time. I am absolutely delighted with my life since the sleeve. The picture is from the summer. My hubby and I spent a lot of time working outside and on hot days, I would just wear a sports bra. Lookin' good!

sleeve 4 me: I'm glad I was able to help. That's kind of why I decided to take the time to check in with everyone. I remember when I first had my operation and how this forum helped me understand what was happening to me. Tiffykins was my inspiration then. Hugs back. I want to share one more picture because I think you can really see how much weight I've lost in my face. I look younger and act younger!

sleeve 4 me: I'm glad I was able to help. That's kind of why I decided to take the time to check in with everyone. I remember when I first had my operation and how this forum helped me understand what was happening to me. Tiffykins was my inspiration then. Hugs back. I want to share one more picture because I think you can really see how much weight I've lost in my face. I look younger and act younger!

mnbsleeve: I'm glad the way I'm feeling came through. I want to inspire those who are on this journey because it has been so great for me. I got the arms through working outside. Shovel, pick axe, rake, lawn mower, lifting, pushing, carrying. I have lots of exercise equipment inside, but it's hard for me to use them. I get bored easily with them. But working outside, now that's for me!'' KristeyK: I can't believe you recognized the pond liner! I didn't even mention that because I thought no one would be interested. Hubby and I have built a 22' x 35' pond. 24" deep with a 7' wide area that is 36" deep. Here is a picture.

My advice is to get 20 minutes of aerobic exercise (minimum) at least every other day. What I found was that it seemed to help with the stalls AND helped my mental outlook. That being said, vent away! Sometimes a good gripe session is great therapy! But at the end of the day, remember to tell yourself wonderful things about what your future will be when your weight is no longer holding you back!

I'm going camping tomorrow so I'll give my results today. I had wanted to lose 8 lbs and I lost 5. I'm satisfied with that for now. I know I'm gaining muscle mass -- my upper body is in the best shape that I can remember. A lot of that is just due to good old fashioned yard work! The sleeve helped me to get to the healthiest place I've been to in 30 years. I'm very happy with my results.

I have been single for a good portion of my life. If you need a special buddy to help you, just private write me. I'd be glad to support you.

I love the way you express yourself! So honest! I have felt the way you described about "why couldn't I do this with will power and dieting?" I was fine with your anger tirade -- good to get it out! I do hope things go better for you. When the problems have been resolved, you are still going to have LOTS of opportunities to practice will power! Little to no carbs, lots of fluids, making sure you put quality food in your mouth, exercising. The sleeve does not do it all for us. I know I am still learning how to take care of my body, which is something I didn't do before. Hang in there! I'm glad you found this forum. It helps to be able to communicate with others who have made this choice for ourselves.

I thank my lucky stars that I was one of the ones that had no problems with my surgery. There was a nice lady who had her surgery at the same time and we kept in touch afterwards. Her experience has been much worse. No leak, that she's told me about, but a lot of pain and worrisome problems. It is true that some of us will experience problems. That is why the procedure should not be taken lightly. Thank you for posting so that readers will have a full picture when they are making their decision. I hope your fiance feels better soon.

I'm glad you are sharing this part of your journey! Your frankness is appreciated! Hurts, huh? From the pictures I've seen, it sure looks painful! What were you given for pain meds? What is the recovery period like? I'd like to hear more about what exactly you had done if you feel like typing. I'm sure the results are going to be fantastic and you will feel better in your skin! I hope you have b4 and after pics! That would be cool!

Boy, did I guess wrong there! LOL!!!!

I'm not sure what my goal should be, given my age. My friends are telling me that I do not need to lose anymore weight, but I feel like I do. I'm just not sure how much. I'm going to aim for 7 lbs and see how that feels. Since I'm close to my desired weight, that 7 lbs might be hard to lose by July 4th. I don't know. But here goes.... Breezy...240...153...145...8 lbs

I _so_ understand what you are saying about the two toddlers! Hasn't it been amazing to have so much more energy & strength? Confidence, too. I love not having to feel self-conscious about my weight. Thanks for the reminder of the basics. I'm ready to lose a few more pounds and that's exactly what I need to do. [quote name='valleygirl806' timestamp='1303854009' post='142738'] Hey to all April 2010 Sleevers!!!!! Its been a year and my has the time passed....I am in onederland, yaaay!!! and couldn't be happier.....my life has brand new meaning and I've never felt better.....I have a daughter leaving for college in a month and two toddlers to keep up with so the weight loss was something that was so necessary for me at this point in my life.....A year later and 100+ pounds lost I am happy to report to you all that all is certainly well with me.....When I've stalled, I go back to the basics which for me is no carbs for a few days and back to my normal eating habits and it has always worked.....I am so happy I could burst!!!! All the best to you guys and I wish you continued success and for those who are having a hard time hang in there because it shall pass. blessings to you all,

TT must be cosmetic surgery for titties? At 56 yrs old, I have to accept a lot of things....but I sure hate seeing the girls staring at the ground. Keep me posted if you ever do that. I want to know more 1st hand experiences from people who have had plastic surgery. I don't know if I will ever be able to afford it -- but I know it'll be on my wish list for awhile!

I read over the article and he seems to be saying that 1) muscle is lost with rapid weight loss. 2) The loose skin still has deposits of fat underneath it. 3) Skin will adjust when the fat is gone. I think all 3 of these points are true to some extent. That is why I have decided to wait one year now that I am near my desired weight to see if the skin tightens up. However, I wouldn't buy anything from the guy. I think he goes to far in his claims.

The exercising sure does kick the weight loss into gear, doesn't it? I found it would help me break a stall. My list of deadly carbs (the ones I have trouble leaving alone): sugar in my morning coffee, bite-size butterfinger bars, popcorn and Tillamook Strawberry Shortcake ice cream! When I'm actively trying to lost weight, the only one I keep is the morning coffee. Good to hear from you, Kymmi!

I know that a small percentage of sleevers suffer like you did from complications. I'm so sorry it was such a rough journey for you. I thank my lucky stars that I had virtually no problems. I, too, am glad that you feel it was worth it.

Hi Lucy! I'm walking the dogs more than ever now. I have been coming home at night, letting the dogs out, running with them a little (trotting would be a better word for me), then after they get some energy burned off, working on my trail system throughout the woods here on our property. (I tried running full-out in a race with a Llahsa at work, but the Llahsa beat me. I can still outrun my 4yr old granddaughter, but the 6yr old beats my old butt!) I have lost 87 lbs in a year. I've gone from a size 3X to a 10. I've been coasting at 153 lbs for a couple of months now, because friends started telling me they thought I had lost enough weight. But even with the loose skin and my age, I think I can lose a little more. I have been bummed that the loose skin prevents me from wearing shorts and tank tops in public, but I need to be patient and give my body a year to see how much will tighten up. I feel, and friends have told me, that I look younger -- like I lost 10 years.

I'm glad you posted the pictures. I've basically got the same problem. A nurse friend who also got the vertical sleeve in April, 2010 keeps saying we've got to wait one year after we've got to our goal weight to let the skin have a chance to recover all it's going to do on its own. But what pisses me off is that I don't want to wear sleeveless tops because I keep catching people's eyes going to my wrinkly skin! Summer is coming and I'm going to be swathed in clothes, not because I'm hiding fat, but because I'm self-conscious about the saggy stuff! Maybe I better consider spending the money on a shrink! Now that's funny! Annyyywwwaaayyy, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences here. It's something I've wanted to talk about, but my friends and family just can't relate. I need my sleeve sisters to talk to....

Perhaps I should start a new topic for this, but I have approached Dr. Aceves in Mexicali for a recommendation to a plastic surgeon. He gave me a name of the only doctor he recommends & I've made first contact with the plastic surgery doctor a couple of days ago. He wants me to send nude picture (with my face blacked out) so he can see the areas that I'm concerned about. I laughed & said I'd never done anything like that before and my husband would have to be in the shots (then I pictured my hubby making a threatening gesture to the camera like 'this is MY wife dammit!'). I guess I'll go ahead and do it. Take the pictures I mean. Then he is going to tell me exactly what my choices would be and how much it would cost. I've got to admit that I don't know where I'd get the money. There are many more important things on our list that I need to find the money for -- like a blood panel to see how my nutritional levels are doing; getting a cavity taken care of; a falling down, rotting, back porch.... But I figure I'm just getting informed about my choices and the costs. Maybe down the road.....

I think I can identify with how disappointed you must feel. Doesn't it make you mad that companies can claim success and suck you in? And it's not concerning something insignificant! This is money you spent hoping to feel a little better inside your skin (I think that's a pun intended), and then they end up taking what little money you had! I'm mad FOR you!

I'm still here! I would love an opportunity to share and hear from other April sleevers. I just caught your post before work, Bookleen, so I'm heading out the door, but I'll check back in later. Breezy

I have been having trouble with a cluster of symptoms lately: dizziness, light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting (sometimes). I've read up on the internet and saw that low blood pressure could cause them, so I took my blood pressure the last time it happened. Yep, it was low. I've never had this before the surgery, but it has happened 4 times since. I need to go to my doctor, I know, but I have no health insurance now. I'll bite the bullet and go anyway. From what I've read, my chief suspects are: dehydration (I still am challenged to drink much Water at a time), or possibly my prozac needs to be adjusted (it could cause low blood pressure). Anyone else with this problem?

149!!!!! That's so great! I hit 158 recently and I was thrilled to be in the 150's! You must love the 140's! I did my measurements and I went from 50-45-50 to 40-34-42! I would love it if we April sleevers would keep in touch more, but most of us have wandered off....living life. I'm pleased with my progress overall, but I have a couple of downfalls: bite-size butterfingers and popcorn! One for sweet cravings and one for salty cravings! I am still trying to exercise more, and not doing too badly at it. I got a Nookbook for Christmas and found I can do my eliptical while reading. That's great for me because I get bored easily. We have 5 acres and my hubby and I carved a system of trails this winter. I take my 6 dogs walking as often as I can. I've even tried running part of the way! One of the best things I do for myself is to keep a nice salad ready in the fridge at all times. I cube up chicken on it for my protein. I do better on the days that I go to work because I have a good pattern of eating and drinking that I've developed. My days off are another matter. Have you had any health concerns, Lucy?

Non-Scale Victory, I think. Like taking up one seat on an airplane instead of two!