Aussiegirl

Hi All,
I have been AWOL for a bit, have been incredibly busy with work (avg a 13 hour day) and getting ready for my next and final surgery on the 23rd of August. I wanted to share some before shots. I will be having an extended Tummy Tuck and extended arm lift. Below are some very honest photos of my body as it is, even with my 80 yo look alike arms out




My struggle since being in what I guess is maintenance is that even tho I wear a 12/14 I still see a larger person in the mirror, I can usually dress to hide the lumps and bumps from the world but I am still aware that they are there.
I am glad to see you are all recovering well and doing so well on your journeys, everyone is looking freaking amazing.

Hi All,
I have been AWOL for a bit, have been incredibly busy with work (avg a 13 hour day) and getting ready for my next and final surgery on the 23rd of August. I wanted to share some before shots. I will be having an extended Tummy Tuck and extended arm lift. Below are some very honest photos of my body as it is, even with my 80 yo look alike arms out




My struggle since being in what I guess is maintenance is that even tho I wear a 12/14 I still see a larger person in the mirror, I can usually dress to hide the lumps and bumps from the world but I am still aware that they are there.
I am glad to see you are all recovering well and doing so well on your journeys, everyone is looking freaking amazing.

Hi All,
I have been AWOL for a bit, have been incredibly busy with work (avg a 13 hour day) and getting ready for my next and final surgery on the 23rd of August. I wanted to share some before shots. I will be having an extended Tummy Tuck and extended arm lift. Below are some very honest photos of my body as it is, even with my 80 yo look alike arms out




My struggle since being in what I guess is maintenance is that even tho I wear a 12/14 I still see a larger person in the mirror, I can usually dress to hide the lumps and bumps from the world but I am still aware that they are there.
I am glad to see you are all recovering well and doing so well on your journeys, everyone is looking freaking amazing.

Hi All,
I have been AWOL for a bit, have been incredibly busy with work (avg a 13 hour day) and getting ready for my next and final surgery on the 23rd of August. I wanted to share some before shots. I will be having an extended Tummy Tuck and extended arm lift. Below are some very honest photos of my body as it is, even with my 80 yo look alike arms out




My struggle since being in what I guess is maintenance is that even tho I wear a 12/14 I still see a larger person in the mirror, I can usually dress to hide the lumps and bumps from the world but I am still aware that they are there.
I am glad to see you are all recovering well and doing so well on your journeys, everyone is looking freaking amazing.

Not sure if this is the right place for this... didn't really want to post in the 'success' thread cos I am saving my goal post for their!
Anyhoo... yep! It's just over three years since I had my sleeve and it really has been a roller coaster ride.
Just a little pre sleeve background; fat kid - mother was and still is to a degree a 'feeder'! Nothing sinister in it, she just loves to see people enjoy food and goodies! As a teenager. although looking back I wasn't really that big, I had a really twisted sense of self image and thought I was disgusting. At 16 I started dieting and basically cut back drastically on calories with little affect! Just made me tired. Still unhappy with my body I joined different slimming clubs and over the next 10 years spent a lot of money with no results. In this time however, I was fit. I used to do a lot of sport; swimming, aerobics, steps, gym, a little running, squash, tennis... the list goes on and I loved it. Looking back I was not big and I was not fat... I was just young and very naive; wanting to look like my skinny friends who were 5-6 inches taller than me and completely different body shape!
At 28 I was preggas with my first - my beautiful daughter (we share the same birthday!) who is now 15. Gained a lot of weight and didn't lose any of it. 2 years later preggas again with my beautiful son who is now 13; same story, gained and never lost. So there I was 30 and morbidly obese I can't even describe how unhappy I was and how much I hated myself. I tried all the slimming clubs again, and had no success which really did get me to a real low place. Throughout this time, I focused on being mam. It seemed the only way to get through the feeling of self loathing was to focus on these two precious people and it worked to a degree. However, the down side was that I lost all sense of me.
Fast forward to 2009, I started researching WLS because I knew it was the only way that I would get healthy and fit again. I knew I had to pay for it because to get it on the NHS (here in the UK) it was virtually impossible at the time. Once my job became permanent, I knew I could get a loan and get the surgery. I attended a few WLS seminars and learnt about the sleeve (I originally wanted the band) and knew it was the one for me. I wanted something permanent, like I was giving myself a new commitment.
Weighing 238lbs I was admitted, signed all the papers and was prepped for the surgery the following morning, that was Friday 2nd July 2010. I wasn't nervous, I wasn't scared. I just wanted to start my new life and get 'me' back. The op went well and I stayed in for 5 days - the surgeon wanted clear drains. I am glad I did too, because the first 48 hours were long and a little painful.
The first 6mths I had a steady weight loss, with many stalls. But I was making good progress and generally pleased. I started exercising and feeling good about myself; I was getting stronger and started to like what I saw. My weight loss slowed down considerable and I went down the route of comparing myself to other sleevers in the same time frame - mistake! (Newbie alert - do not do this - it is a pointless exercise as we are all very different and our body reacts differently!) I found my self in a really dark place that was similar to the one I used to go to when I was a young girl. I did continue to lose weight, albeit slowly until Oct 2011! The it all stopped and I have been bouncing around the same weight since then.
I set myself loads of mini goals and targets and never made any of them! That was a kick in the d**k too! I had this image that on my 40th birthday I would be this beautiful slim woman, wearing a killer black dress and knock out heels - nah! I was still obese! And I was gutted.
I would read posts on here that said ' I farted and lost 100lbs' (ok, slight exaggeration, but you get my drift) and think to myself, I wish I could fart that hard! But I couldn't, so I didn't and I just kept plodding along.
My problem was that I had entered early menopause - confirmed when I was 39 and I had started taking HRT. That did one on my system and completely halted my weight loss. I stopped and started different types and didn't get on with any of them. Currently I am not on any medication and I am pretty much 'playing it by ear'!
After the 8mth mark I really upped my exercise and I started going to my son's boxing gym... my goodness me! What a fantastic work out and I really did reap the rewards; not through the scales but physically and mentally. I loved it. I went religiously for a long time - until I had a back injury that stopped me in my tracks. I went to physio and slowly it got better. However, I never really went back to exercising at the same capacity because I was scared that my back would go again. I didn't want to relive that kind of pain and I couldn't afford time off work. I took to walking and some light jogging instead.
Fast forward to today... I still haven't got to my surgeon's goal; I am just 9lbs away and I am I am 24 lbs away from my personal goal (BMI of 24 - not sure that will ever happen). However, I have not experienced a regain and I've maintained this weight since Oct 2011 (with a 2-4 lb 'bounce) - in that time I have dropped two dress sizes - funny how the body works eh? I honeslty believe that I have not regained because I never met goal and this has kept me on my toes and I remain accountable. I never take my sleeve for granted and I am very aware of what, when and why I eat. That doesn't mean I don't eat junk! I do, but rarely. Nothing is 'off limits' to me, I just make choices. The only thing I can't really tolerate is fizzy pop - I can physically drink it, but I hate the gassy feeling and the bloated feeling it gives me, so I stay away.
I am now 3 mths post TT and with the apron gone and some minor muscle repair and I am starting to feel good about myself and this body that holds me. I have started going to Curves and am I feeling the benefit - this is my way back to the boxing gym. My aim is to, with my TT surgeon's permission, get there by Sept/Oct this year. I am also following the 5:2 diet and it seems to be working as I have broken my 'set point' of 164 lbs and am currently sat at 163! Ok, it is only a pound, but after so long of not seeing any movement I feel like a new woman...lol! I am hopefully that I can at least get to my surgeon's goal and possibly even break through that?
Sorry this is so long, I just wanted to put the whole picture out there - although, I am sure I have missed a lot!
I suppose the main thing I wanted to get across is that it doesn't really matter what the scale reads! Even today I am medically obese - and although I hate that label it doesn't drive me mad anymore. I am fit and healthy and that is way more important. I have turned my life around and added 20 years to it; 20 quality years at that. I have started to accept 'me' and for the first time in a long time I quite like Coops; she's alright!
I will continue my Quest to get to goal... I refuse to give up on myself and I now realise that I am worth the effort! As cliched as it sounds but it really is a journey. And one that will never really end...
I will find some before and after pics and update them later!

Hi guys- end of week 2 of my challenge.
Exercise wise I shook things up - added different exercises to my old routine so although I am not working out longer it seems harder so I am hoping to see it on the scales. Or off the scales rather...
I realised that I am quite excited by the prospect of losing these last 15kg. It's a lot but a reasonable amount to go rather than the 100 kg I had to lose which felt impossible.
It's my birthday today and I suppose it's been a time of reflection for me. It's been a huge year and I have really got a lot to be thankful for. Things are so different now and I can't wait for the coming year. It's odd though - I am almost more excited about my sleeve-versary next month than my actual birthday lol.
Hope you're all well and your own personal challenges are on track!!
Little motivation for exercise on the cold Monday morning: nobody ever compliments you for sleeping in (I saw this on Facebook and quite liked it
Cheers Liss

So proud of myself today. Took my son to a soccer carnival, everyone was eating toasted sangas, hot chips, burgers etc but I sat there munching on my celery and carrot sticks. At the end of the day we went to Maccas - my willpower held strong and I got nothing. I munched on an opti bar on the drive home. I know it may not seem like much but I felt like -I got this!

This pic was takin in Feb 2013 in WA


And this pic I took yesterday 3rd august

I am 16/17 months out and am the same.
Regular periods every 24 days lasting about 3 days (some months really heavy sometimes really weak). I still have facial hair but it is less and takes longer to come back.
Have lost over 170 pounds and feel a whole lot better about everything.

I am on holidays! Flying to Sydney for a few days then to Kyneton in the Macedon Ranges, then Melbourne. Away for 10 days all up and really looking forward to the break. I will need to be vigilant about milky coffees and treats when out and about and will continue tracking with my diary app. Can't wait to see my niece who turned 12 months old recently and has just started to walk.

Had my 12 month follow up appt with surgeon today. He is very happy with my progress and I am only 4kg off the goal he set for me. I have a long standing and ongoing issue with low Iron levels but in the last year I have also become anaemic, although he doesn't think it is related to the sleeve. He is referring me back to my gastroenterologist to have a capsule biopsy done of my small bowel to check I don't have a form of lymphoma related to my Coeliac Disease. Small chance, but it's best to rule it out. Apart from that I feel great!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend.

So here I am another step closer to a healthier me... Start opti today. It may sound silly to some but I'm kinda excited. I kept thinking last week I would want to rush out and eat everything in sight as my 'last meal' but I was kinda boring and had fish and veges. Now I will be counting down the next four weeks to my surgery date... Happy days

Also a single sleever. 6 months post op and starting to think it is time to not be single.
I do go back and forth between wanting to share the awesomeness I am now or waiting to my complete awesomeness when I get close to goal.
But if someone comes along I am sure I wont complain.

I love this forum..
The emotional side of the transformation is the hardest.
I saw a girl I have been working with for 10 years for the first time in a year (she has been on maternity leave) and she was actually in tears seeing me. She has seen the pictures on Facebook and the like but hadnt actually seen me.
I dont think I ever really had any concept of how big I was, until I see pictures. Same as now I dont see how small I have become.
My journey has been well document, one of my friends even made a video/documentary of the changes. Everyone seems to find me inspirational. I struggle to feel that about myself. I felt like it was a necessity for my life, I wanted to be happier.
While I struggle to understand the skinny me, the fat me hoped that being skinny would solve all my problems. I struggle with that, as it doesnt. I am the same person just in a more socially acceptable body. I used my weight to hide who I was, it was my excuse cause I was scared to let people see the real me.
Now I dont have that shield around me and it is hard to letpeople see me, the real me.
I thought it would be easier to attract the opposite sex, seriously I thought I would be in a relationship by now, but nope, it is probably easier to have a random hook up but to find someone real just aint that easy apparently no matter what size you are...Letting someone love me is the last step in my journey...

Thanks for all your kind words yesterday. Dr ended up giving me a day pass so I was allowed out of the hospital for a few hours which was wonderful. Everything is going well and surgery is booked in for 6.30 am tomorrow! Fingers crossed everything goes well this time.

I think this is totally normal to feel like this. Not only did you have the complication but you're also probably disappointed that you haven't had the sleeve as planned. These things add up and can leave you feeling pretty anxious.
I agree that distraction can be helpful and also just weighing up the pros and cons. The anxiety is just one of the cons and when you see it written down it can help put it into perspective.
There should be a hospital social worker too- ask for a chat to talk it out with them- again anxiety is at it's worst when you're feels g alone and vulnerable. Keep talking about it and problem solving the concerns you're raising- as much as you can.
Once you make this choice to proceed, you can then use some basic strategies like identifying if it is a real problem in the now or a projected problem/ future problem. Ask yourself "is there anything I can do about this right now?" If so, make a plan and then DO it. If not, then try to sit back from the problem and acknowledge that it hasn't happened so I can leave that alone.
Doesn't always work but if you keep at it I guarantee you will feel better!!
All the best! Thinking of you and hope the week goes fast and you'll be sleeved before you know it
Cheers Liss

Misty, Agile development sounds fun:) Being a BA myself, we are having a great "uh-hum" time transitioning to Agile requirement documentation and development. Enjoy your reading, what are you reading?
I tend to agree, Sue, you are onto something with the 3 week stall. I can barely think of anyone who hasnt had the 3 week stall
Carmella, stay strong it will pass soon, and you will be back on a loosing streak.
Lessismore...good luck, think I am a bit late but hope the surgery went well.
Lissa, day 1 and I am failing...last minute travel put a spanner in my works, seeing as I am on a 7 am flight and wont be on a flight home til 7pm, wont get the work out in today and am eatting on the run...eeeek

Misty, Agile development sounds fun:) Being a BA myself, we are having a great "uh-hum" time transitioning to Agile requirement documentation and development. Enjoy your reading, what are you reading?
I tend to agree, Sue, you are onto something with the 3 week stall. I can barely think of anyone who hasnt had the 3 week stall
Carmella, stay strong it will pass soon, and you will be back on a loosing streak.
Lessismore...good luck, think I am a bit late but hope the surgery went well.
Lissa, day 1 and I am failing...last minute travel put a spanner in my works, seeing as I am on a 7 am flight and wont be on a flight home til 7pm, wont get the work out in today and am eatting on the run...eeeek

Misty, Agile development sounds fun:) Being a BA myself, we are having a great "uh-hum" time transitioning to Agile requirement documentation and development. Enjoy your reading, what are you reading?
I tend to agree, Sue, you are onto something with the 3 week stall. I can barely think of anyone who hasnt had the 3 week stall
Carmella, stay strong it will pass soon, and you will be back on a loosing streak.
Lessismore...good luck, think I am a bit late but hope the surgery went well.
Lissa, day 1 and I am failing...last minute travel put a spanner in my works, seeing as I am on a 7 am flight and wont be on a flight home til 7pm, wont get the work out in today and am eatting on the run...eeeek

I have been thinking about this '3 week stall' - I think it is tied in with the bodies ability to only go with out food for 3 weeks! Maybe it is the bodies last ditch effort to hold on to that last bit of weight before you truly go into starvation mode - lets face it, the amount of calories we are consuming around this time truly is at starvation levels! Just one of my thoughts but hey, I am no doctor!

I know the feeling Lissa. I bought 4 new skivvies today in SMALL! Never thought I'd see the day. Thrilled.

I will join you in the challenge. My goals are:
Achieve 500 calories x 2 days per week and 800 calories on the other 5 days
Exercise at least 3 times every week
Drink at least 1.5lt of Water every day
Track my eating every day
Reach my doctors goal weight of 70kg (currently I am 75)

I couldn't begin to start a list, because I don't know where it would end!
I like feeling fitter, stronger and faster.
I like having almost complete control over what I choose to eat. I think before surgery unless I was on a 'diet' I had no real control and thoughts of eating were all consuming at times.
I like the pride my family and kids have in my achievement.
I'm currently wearing 32 inch pants and medium shirts (and undies!). For a 6ft bloke I like the fact that I'm ahead of the pack. Having said that, I like the fact that generally I'm not comparing myself to others and am just enjoying being me.
I liked reading everyone else's 'likes'
Hope you're all well,
Deano

Yes Liss and aussiegirl, I will join you.
I commit to: continue the zero alcohol intake that I have been on for the last month;not 'sneak' in the easy foods like chocolate and ice cream while on puree (haven't succumbed yet but have been tempted-curse you Cadbury and Sara Lee- lol!); meet my daily 60g Protein intake; drink more fluids following the rules; not weigh myself daily and freak myself out; and start to stretch my arthritic joints regularly.
Don't want to put a weight loss goal if that is ok as I am going to be a slow loser.