Queen of Crop

Wow, we are close in age and we were very close in our starting weight and height.....and we're sleeve veterans! And now we weight about the same....(OK, I'm 4 lbs heavier so you are inspiring me!!!!). Hope your BD is as wonderful as mine was!!!!

Hi everyone....I'm back....some of you might remember that I wrote a blog every Sunday that followed my weight loss journey for the first year.....like all of you, it was a huge year of transition for me. But even I couldn't imagine how vibrant and incredible and amazing my life would be 3 years later and it would never have happened without WLS. I have created a dream life that works for me (trust me, it would not work for 90% of the readers here in my opinion). But I have decided to start writing my blog again in hopes of inspiring people to have the courage to create and design their own dream life. So if you are new to the forum and want to read what it was like during the first year after surgery, or you are a veteran, and especially if you are older, 40's, 50,s, 60,s, I'm here to tell you it is not too late! Tomorrow I turn 61 and I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.....just click on the link below.....and happy reading!

To see my most recent post, go to http://www.queenofcrop.com If you would like to read my entire blog about my first year, go to the link below my signature! Happy reading!

Thanks Oregon Daisy....no one has had the staying power here like you have....maybe Miss Diva.....but yes, I do think it's important that a few of us continue on the path where it all started....for me, it keeps me honest and motivated. And I do hope your life is good....no, I hope it's fabulous! If not, perhaps I can encourage you to make some decisions to help you make it even better..... Today is my 61st BD and I am so happy.....I woke up to so many lovely comments on my blog which made me feel really encouraged. Then I went to the gym, had a few calls from friends....then my husband and I rode our bikes downtown to a gorgeous, classy lingerie shop where he bought me a very beautiful sexy new bra! Then, we went and had a coffee and a little cake; in fact the weather is so nice, we sat outside. Tonight we go out to dinner with friends...life is great.

HI ladies! OK, with your encouragement I have stayed here in the 50's even though I will be 61 tomorrow! And also with your encouragement, I have started writing my blog again.....not sure if it will make any sense to all of you who are embarking on your journey as it has nothing to do with pre-op or paper work, but my hope is that it will inspire you to know that you too can have a dream life, whatever that means to you, by this time next year! I couldn't imagine how vibrant and incredible and amazing my life would be 3 years later and it would never have happened without WLS. To read my most recent post (just posted today) just go to www.queenofcrop.com If you are interested in reading about my first year, just follow the link below. And although I don't often respond, I am reading all of your posts and I can feel your excitement!!!!!

BTW, TRAVELER 60, WE ARE VERY SIMILAR! I was 207 date of surgery, I am 5'3, I was in my 50's (will be 61 on Monday) and my weight this morning was the same as your goal weight! And I was sleeved on October 27!

I think you should just JUMP OFF THAT LEDGE! And what you will find is a new found freedom! A new life, new hope, new friends, new support......you are on the cusp of a very exciting, healthy new life. There are many many success stories here (and very few stories that were not successful, if any at all!). Not trying to toot my own horn, but I am one of the success stories and I wrote about my journey every Sunday for the first year.....please read it; I think you will find it inspirational. When I was waiting for my surgery....(I only had to wait 3 weeks from decision to surgery) I read another woman's blog and it got me so excited!!!! And that's what you need right now. I am now 3 years out and I just wrote a new blog entry (first time in 2 years). My husband is editing it now, but this is part of it: It changed my life. It changed my marriage. It changed my knees, my feet, my health. It changed the way I live. It changed the way I eat. It changed the way I dress, how I act with other people. It changed our sex life. It changed how happy I am to be alive. IT SAVED MY LIFE. Now here I am exactly 3 years from those days of transition. We are living in Amsterdam permanently now, I will be 61 years old in a few days, and I am happier than I have ever been in my entire life. Please read my blog (or any one elses and you will see that you have so much to look forward to! Start at www.queenofcrop.com/about And by tomorrow you can sign up for new posts if you like. STAY STRONG and remember this forum is all about support!

Hello ladies.....having a bit of a hard time keeping up with everyone and the pre-tests and excitement of all of the October surgeries.....I am around though....just having so much fun that I am always behind in life! But I have committed to starting my blog again and it will be in October! Perhaps in the next week....so much to talk about.... For now, I will tell you all something that you probably won't find in many places on this forum, and probably not in the 50's group....(and keep in mind on Monday, I will be 61!). But here it goes.....today I bought my very first sexy garter belt, (so cute!) stockings (49 Euro- ouch) and a pair of high heels.......why? Read my blog when I write it to find out.....just need to keep this a little more interesting and keep all of you inspired....that it is NEVER too late!!!!!

I had a BMI of 30 when I went in. The intake person said to me....why are you having this surgery? I told her I was having it to save my life....I had HBP, high cholestoral, bad hip, bad knees, bad feet and was a thin person trapped in a fat body. That was 3 years ago (this month). I was 58 years old. Want to see Before and After? Look here...and don't look back! Look at the photos of my last blog entry (I kept a blog for the first year). And I have 12 months of before and after photos....my life has never been more full or more happy. Do it! http://www.queenofcrop.com/archives/2012/12/

Hello everyone.....just wanted to pop in and say I am reading your posts....just have not had time to comment....and I am going to start up my blog again in a week or two....reading all these posts about pre-op diets, shakes, shots is so interesting for me because I know soon you will all be beyond those questions, issues, decisions, and just living a life like a thin person and not even thinking about those things. (I do realize they are important now, so forgive me if I don't seem supportive). I just never really went down that path......I was traveling within a month of my surgery and carrying a blender was not an option!). Never did a pre-op diet (48 hours was all), never had the shots, so my story was very different, but it all turned out OK. Every October I have my blood work done and I will get my results on Tuesday....so I'll report in.....until then, I am thinking of all the October surgeries and reliving what an amazing time that was for me! I am SO loving my life and so will you, and these things will be behind you in no time!

Hi everyone....wow, so many October peeps here!!!! I think it's a good omen for sure.....I can't believe I am coming up on my 3rd surgiversary.....and thank you to all of you for your sweet notes about my blog....for sure I will start writing it again, maybe do a once a month blog starting in October. You all have inspired ME! This week I joined a gym and I am loving it. (Keep in mind, I have never been athletic, never been a runner, never been good at exercise). But I have a lot of good music and podcasts on my iPhone and I am loving my time there each morning. It feels like 'me' time. I am at 65K (144 lbs) and I really want to get down to 133. I have a huge even to go to at the end of November (a masked ball in Berlin!) so I want to be able to get into something very slinky. Anyway, congratulations to all those that are on the cusp of a new life.....I just realized I'm not sure I should be in this group because I will be 61 in October.....can I stay please? You are all so nice!

Yes, I do have loose skin under my arms and a bit in my belly; not tragic but I am thinking of having a body lift done. Haven't decided yet. I did have a breast reduction done in May of 2013 and zero regrets....I am SO happy to have 22 year boobs at age 60! So I would definitely start there (IMHO!)

I was selective in the beginning, telling only a few close friends......as time went on though, I realized what a powerful solution this was, and as I lost the weight and transformed myself, I became less self-concious about it and when people ask, I simply tell them what I did. No drama....I basically said for me, it was the only solution and the best decision I ever made. If they want to know more, I tell them, if not, we move on to the next subject. The main thing is that you feel comfortable with the decision.....some people will react in a way that you don't like, some people will be supportive.....but it is much easier to tell people after they can see the results....and then most people are happy for you. If people think you have taken the easy way out -and the honest truth is, it is easier (and way more effective!) than traditional diets. Then let them think what ever they want. Who cares. This is your life....be proud that you are taking control and I think you will find, that as you lose weight, you will have more confidence in every aspect of your life......and when and if you choose to talk about it, you will feel good about that choice. You have no control how others might think.....as long as you are genuine, and kind, and understand everyone is different, and no one makes decisions on what is right or wrong for you, but YOU, you will be fine!!!!! Since I have only lived in Europe since my surgery, most of our friends don't even know I used to be so heavy, and very few people here are overweight, so it's really become a non-issue for me. But make no mistake, not a day goes by that I am not grateful for having done this.

Hi Kathy812: Good question....I'm trying to remember.....I think in the very beginning (maybe the first 6 months) when I went out to eat, I just ordered Water (in Europe you have to order it, you don't get it automatically) and I pretended to sip on it....usually my husband would just drink it. It's something I just got used to....it seems like a big deal but it really isn't. Today, 3 years later, I still don't drink much with meals.....I will have a glass of wine with dinner 5 days out of the week, but never wine and water. (I have two day of the week that are no Cookies, no wine days...Monday and Thursdays!). I still have a hard time drinking much water and really have to work at it. My biggest challenge by far. But when I went out or went over people's house in the beginning, I just told them I was really trying to cut back and it was never an issue. Keep it simple.

Lynda....thanks for the vote on my blog....I am considering it....but you are also a long term success! YOu are an inspiration to us all.

By the way, on giving up coffee...for Kathy182.....I will say this again....(not sure if this is good for people) but I was NOT an ideal patient at all.....having said that, I was lucky because I really did not have any big eating obsessions or disorders....I just gained about 3 or 4 lbs a year over the course of 30 years.....not hard to do....so retraining how I thought afterwards was pretty easy. But, I did NOT give up coffee until 48 hrs before my surgery....and I was shocked that I didn't get headaches....and I didn't want coffee until about 3 or 4 weeks after my surgery....I only drank tea....I don't know why I didn't want coffee becasue I LOVE coffee.......now of course I can't live without it again. But you will be amazed how you feel right after surgery....don't be frightened by it...embrace that time....it's a honeymoon from food....you simply won't want it! At least that was my experience.

Hi everyone! @ Grammy.....very exciting! I think Oct 27 was my date too! So maybe that's a good omen! Lainie....you asked about your blog....I don't think I can help......my blog was set up on WordPress....not here, so I'm sorry, I'm not sure how this was works...... I am being reinspired by each one of you......I admire all of you for making this decision. I really want to lose 5K (10 lbs) in the next two months as I have a big event to go to the end of Nov and I am determined to get into a slinky black dress!

Thanks Ann (I'm assuming it's Ann). I like your title.....to be honest, my story would truly be a best seller....but I would have to change the names to protect the innocent! I doubt most people could handle it if I really wrote about my life......but may consider a sanitized version....but I do appreciate the vote of confidence!

Hola ladies! I am back from Barcelona....had a GREAT time! Felt like Hawaii it was so warm......I walked over 100,000 steps this past week, and didn't lose a lb.....pretty discouraging, but to be honest, I drank Sangria, and ate Spanish pastries......so it all balances out. Thank you very much for everyone who is encouraging me to start writing my blog again.....I am tempted because I have to admit, my life is very full at the moment and we are living a dream life.....however, it wouldn't be focused so much on weight loss, my sleeve, but on what life is like after post surgery......and what I am doing now that I could not do before....I am trying to lost 5-10 more lbs, but I'm not trying THAT hard.....but if I did start writing again, it might help keep me focused so I don't gain.....let me think about it. If I did, I would start in October, which will be my 3 year anniversary of my surgery.

Hello Traveler......you are the SAME weight and SAME height I was when I was sleeved 3 years ago.....it changed my life....at first I only told a few trusted friends.....I was lucky to have a support group, but as time went on I realized I had nothing to be ashamed about....I was taking control of my own life and if someone felt I was taking the easy way out or was judgemental in anyway, then hey, that was THEIR problem. For me? I love my life now and my only regret is that I did not do it sooner. You will gain your health back, your looks, and your confidence and then you will feel better about surrounding yourself with new friends! Go get 'em!!!!

HI...quick response....I am off to Barcelona for a few days! But to answer your question about my Fitbit....I love it...put it on first thing in the morning and it keeps me on track to move! I walk an average of 11K steps a day, 10,000 is very good for a fit person...the data uploads automatically to my computer every time I go in front of it....and it compares me to other friends who have Fitbits....so it is very motivating....I have a Fitbit One....also tracks your sleep patterns (but I sleep fine so don't use it), how many calories you burn and how many miles or kilometers and stairs you have walked or climbed. I love it! Go to fitbit.com And I will say it again....I am NOT a model VS person....I don't count anything.....I eat what I want, but I eat small amounts and am very satisfied.....and I weigh myself every single day....I believe I have adopted a thin person's mentality....that is to be concious of what you eat and not go crazy, and to move and exercise.....and if you see a 1,2 or 3 lb gain, you cut back! I do have 5-7 lbs to lose so I need to be very careful right now, but I am not obsessed and I feel very encouraged that this will be my life from now on and that I will NOT regain my weight. But, 3 years out is different than one and two years out for sure. Off to sunny Barcelona (so if you don't hear from me for a week that's why).....adios!

@ Fed up with being fat.....thank you for the nice compiments on my blog....it means a lot to me. And as I have said, I was not and still am not a model patient by any means!!!! But the honest truth is, although I eat anything and everything (still can't eat rice but that's the only thing) at 3 years out, I still don't eat large portions of anything. I don't count anything....calories, carbs, sugar, nothing. But I am sensible for the most part, but I also have sweets every day....a couple of Cookies, chocolate...and desert when we have company and a glass of wine about 4 or 5 times a week. But I also move a lot....I have a Fitbit and I walk over 70K steps a week.....I do need to lose about 5 lbs to get back to my goal of 137 but over all, I feel very free. But everyone has to find what works for them....if I had been strict about what I put in my mouth, I never would have been 223 lbs in the first place. As for my blog, I stopped writing it after a year so there are no updates....however, it's possible I may start again in November to do another YEAR IN THE LIFE.....to write about what it's like at 3+ years out since there are not that many of us and people need to know what to expect that far out.....hope that helps and thanks again for reading it!

@ Traveler60 .....very excited for you....I was sleeved late Oct 2011(had just turned 57) and have never looked back. You are in for such an exciting year.... @ Lainie....my heart is breaking for you for all you have been through and go through....it seems like asking you to lose 70lbs before the surgery is asking a lot. I think if you could have the surgery you would be on your way to better health so much quicker. And thank you for those who are reading my blog....hope it helps inspire you.

I absolutely do NOT want to derail anyone here from a pre-op, I just wanted to say my pre-op was 48 hours....nothing more and I did fine.

Hi Kathy...hmmmmm, I suppose it's possible I am in the book....haven't read it. I have been on this forum for 3 years though and used to be very active....not as much any more but am thinking of starting a YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A SLEEVER....but instead of the first year, do the 3rd year since there are different challenges and there are not many of us who have been around that long.....