Queen of Crop

Check out my last blog ( I blogged every Sunday for a year) but on one of my last issues, I put in a Before and After photo for each month. You can see it here: http://www.queenofcrop.com/archives/2012/12/ Love to see these too!

Hi everyone....I used to come on to this forum every day the first year; for support and I also thought I could encourage others especially older people (I was 58 when I was sleeved). I wrote a weekly blog called Queenofcrop.com for my first year. I just started getting updates again (maybe with the change to bariatricpal?). I had forgotten what interesting people hang out here! My second year was full of adventure....I moved from Hawaii to Amsterdam, bought a house and got involved in fixing it up, met new friends and had a ton of company over the summer. My entire second year I simply felt like a normal thin person....all of our new friends in Amsterdam never knew me as heavy and as most people know, most Europeans don't have a weight problem, so the subject never came up. I honestly don't follow the rules all that well; but I eat healthy, always have a cookie in the afternoon with a cup of coffee, usually a glass of wine at night with dinner and I move a lot (we don't own or need a car here). So I walk or bike everywhere. I never look at labels in the store (most items here don't have the nutrional information on them anyway, and if they did, I still can't understand enough Dutch to read them. It's been the most freeing time in my life....I have been at goal for a year, I don't stress about food, I don't count calories, and I eat like a thin person. I feel very lucky. But I must not forget the road I have come down and be reminded that I still need to understand how I got so heavy in the first place. I think little things can start creeping back in.....especially now with the holidays here. Last year I still had much restriction; now, not as much. I have heard from a number of people recently who followed my blog and some new ones who just found my blog (thank you!), and I will post a 2 year update soon.

Yes, I think I am very fortunate to be living in Europe....I went back to the US for a month and gained 3 lbs....a lot for me! The portions are huge and it just seems there is food everywhere.....I am happy not to have a car or costco here....I can only bring home what I can carry!!!! And we bike and walk everywhere....I think that has helped me a lot.

Hi Lisa! Thanks for remembering me....you look amazing and healthy but I am so sorry to hear of your continuing health issues. I'm sure that must be so frustrating for you, because even though we all want to look good, feeling good is the true goal and best outcome. You have come so far, I have a feeling you will figure this out. Stay strong and thanks again for the nice note. Queen of Crop

Has anyone had either of these plastics done? Any advice and should I have them done together or separately? Healing time? Pain? I had a breast lift last March and it was a piece of cake.

This has happened to me as well, twice....once was right after being sleeved and they had to give me antibiotics, and one a year later. This might be TMI, but I know how I got mine so I will share.....it seems that every grown woman should know this, but I didn't know it until I was in my late 20's. I got them because I didn't wipe myself properly (from front to back). The first one was in the hospital and I had to drink the stuff that makes you clean yourself out, so it was a little messy and most likely some of the feces got into my UI tract. The second one was after I had had some diareahea so again, you have to be very careful. They are so so painful. Anyway, ladies, always wipe from front to back only and if you are having a loose bowel, you must be extra careful.

Thank you Fluffnomore!!!! WElcome to the forum; you will learn lots of things here and get lots of support......looks like you are well on your way!

You one year summarizes what has happened to so many of us....I just passed my two year anniversary and I still can't believe I am living the life I was meant to live.....I just wish I could have done it sooner.....but I just turned 60 and last year was the BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE!!!! For all the reasons you said and more....and the support from this forum has been great. I am so happy I documented my first year....every Sunday, faithfully....sometimes I wonder how I did it because I was traveling the entire year.....but life just kept getting better and better. Congratulations and I have a feeling this year will be even more awesome for you!!!!

Thank you for the compliment MichiganChic, but wow....you have lost 131 lbs!!!! I would say you are the star here......how exciting for you! It feels good to be back on the forum.......I do feel like a thin person, but there is a lot of good information here for everyone at every level.

Hi Dorrie! I remember you, because we were sleeved in the same month and we started at the same weight! Hope your journey has been as much fun as mine....looks like we have lost the same amount of weight too! Interesting coincindence....and I have not moved FROM Amsterdam, I moved TO Amsterdam from Hawaii! Loving it here! Merry Christmas to you and yours.

I always have Protein at every meal, but I never did get the required amount in (my apologies to the purists here and I'm not saying I am a good role model AT ALL in this regard). But I don't think about it much. Amsterdam is a huge metropolitan city so we can get anything and it's a European city with lots of street markets and shops at every corner, so I shop fresh every day or two. (No costco sized anything here). We just eat reasonably (including bread at times) but mostly fish, meat, vegetables, eggs, cheese and always always Cookies in the afternoon. I weigh myself every day to keep in check but other than that, I don't think about it much. As I said, I feel like a thin person and often forget that I had a sleeve operation. It's very freeing. I will say though that I was never a huge eater to begin with....I did graze a lot and I ate a lot of sugary things, but I was never a fast food or binge eater. Good luck, it looks like you are almost where you need to be!

OK, I'm in....will start the 5:2 diet today......I need to lose 6#. I have broke my rule of not getting over 140 lbs......I am two years out and have been at goal for one year until the last couple of weeks. (My goal is 138) I weigh 144 as of today and as we all know, a couple of lbs here, a couple of lbs there and it starts to add up. I will NOT go back to that again.....with the holidays coming up, this will be a challenge. And I have to admit, it has been pretty easy up until now. I have not had to be that disciplined. But I hurt my back so I am not exercising and starting to nibble as I make meals.....my two problem areas..... Glad to be back here; I always felt I was trying to inspire others with my weight loss, but the truth is, this forum really helped me stay on track. I'll report in on my progress. Thanks for all the support!

You're the best! Will read it now.....did you see how my signature has someone else's photo? Trying to get that fixed....guess I should come on here more often! QofC

Ok, i guess I should have gone on the new site some time ago...the photo at the bottom of my signature is not me!!!

I have not been on the forum for some time....and I need to come back! Just passed my 2 year anniversary and like just about everyone I am very happy; this is the best decision I ever made. But I have gained 5 lbs over the last 2 months...(I was on vacation much of it). And losing it is proving very hard. I was at my goal weight for a year......can someone tell me what the 5:2 is? Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com

Two years ago today, my husband of 20 years had a melt down and told me for the first time how much he hated my body and that our sex life was terrible because I was fat. This was the first time he had ever said anything and I was pissed, shocked, hurt and confused. I thought about walking out because it was such a bombshell, but over the next two weeks we got everything out in the open (including me telling him things that I had held back). We cried, we fought, we talked, we made some decisions. Although he could have handled it much differently, I couldn't deny that he was right....not to mention my health was going downhill. A month later, I had WLS, that was October 2011. A year later, I had lost 80 lbs and reached my goal weight. That was September 2012. I wrote a blog every Sunday for the first year. If you haven't read it and you want some inspiration, please go to www.queenofcrop.com I want to inspire those who aren't sure if they should do this, or might be struggling after the surgery. My life today is an extraordinary, amazing life. My health issues are gone, my husband and I have never been closer, our sex life is more than amazing, I feel younger and happier than I have in my entire life. I turn 60 in a few weeks. I feel 35. I think I look pretty good for 60. I'm happy. I am grateful.

Anyone out there that has done an arm lift and upper leg lift? Should I do them together because of the anesthesia? I had a breast lift, probably should have had it all done while I was out! Queen of Crop

Please read the last post on my blog www.queenofcrop.com I told my breast reduction lift story there.....could not be more pleased....but do know that you will have vertical scars for a while. I had mine done last May and the scars are still pretty noticable. Good luck!

I also lost 80 lbs and have been at my goal weight for one year. I had a breast lift, and reduction in one breast in May and am very happy with the results. The surgery and recovery were not painful and it was very simple all the way around. The only thing is, is that I have two very noticable vertical scars from the nipple down; with time they will fade but they will never go away. Still, I am very happy to have it done as my breast were mismatched and very very flabby. I say go for it.....Good luck!

Hi everyone! Used to post here a lot when I was in my first year and doing my Sunday blog....all is well, I have been at goal for one year, very happy. Here's my question: I get a B12 shot every month...should I still be taking a B12 supplement? What size? I have been taking 1000mcg in addition to my shot; but now I'm thinking that seems like too much. Can't find the answer in my paperwork. Also, I have always taken Biotin since a couple of months after surgery....is 500 mcg what most people take? My blood work is good (except the B12 has always been off the charts because I stupidly have gotten my blood work done right after my shot). My weight is a healthy 136, I can eat anything except for rice, and I love my new life! I did have a breast lift done last May and am SO happy to have done that....with the 87 lb loss they were looking pretty droopy and sad..... I haven't done many posts on my blog, but I did post one a couple months ago about my breast reduction/lift if anyone is interested. I'll do a another post at my two year anniversary. At this point, who ever is reading this is probably all new people on here....I used to post all the time! For all those who have signed up in the last year.....congratulations; you are in for a great ride.....I wrote about my first year every Sunday at the blog below if you want to be inspired.....

I just found this on the web which was helpful: ( I found it in a very comprehensive pdf: http://www.muhealth.org/documents/bariatric/bariatric%20booklet%20vsg.pdf ) Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 deficiencies are common with surgical procedures in which the larger portion of the stomach (fundus) is removed. The smaller gastric pouch does not produce intrinsic factor or hydroch loric acid necessary for vitamin B12 absorption. Deficits in vitamin B12, if left untreated, can cause a number of health problems such as, loss of mental alertness, neuropathies, nausea, muscle weakness, digestive upset, depression, irritability, memory impairment, poor concentration and water retention. The normal level for vitamin B 12 is 180 to 914 pg/mL; although, symptoms can start to occur if levels fall below 400 pg/mL. The physicians at Missouri Bariatric Services recommend vitamin B 12 levels be g reater than 400 pg/mL. Sleeve gastrectomy patients need 350 to 500 micrograms of vitamin B 12 daily to prevent deficiency. Only 1% of vitamin B12 taken orally is absorbed. Vitamin B 12 is best absorbed when taken sublingually (dissolved completely under the tongue) or as an injection. If taken as an injection, vitamin B 12 should be given in a dose of 1,000 micrograms once a month.

I'm thinking of starting with the filler around the mouth; but I did have a breast reduction and lift in May. It was easy, affordable and I couldn't be more thrilled! When I lost weight for some reason I had one breast that became significantly smaller than the other (not to mention very flabby). They removed 150 grams of tissue from one, 9 from the other!!! And then did the lift. It's all about moderation and not getting too crazy....but I may have my upper arms done next....

How long is your pre-op diet? That could make a difference.....just recognize that the next few months will be weird for sure....but the time will go by fast and soon you will be so excited to see all the new changes. Try making things ahead of time and freezing them for them so you don't have to do any (or much) prep. I am now two years out, can eat almost anything and have been at goal for 1 year. So you will soon be here as well.....it's so worth the little things that you have to get through! Read my blog if you want some inspiration! Good luck and you will do just fine...

Thanks everyone! As for the Biotin....I guess I was just thinking it would help my hair stay in! But maybe that's silly to still be taking it. I will email my surgeon's office and ask them, and I will also ask my Dr. to do a new blood test for me (before i get my shot!). And also thanks for all the compliments.....I miss being on here....I forgot just how positive and wonderful a community this was....ROCK ON!!!