Queen of Crop

Just a quick note that I had a breast reduction done in 2014 (surgery was 2011). My breasts were very uneven but I did not want implants. The surgeon basically told me “I had enough material to work with!” It was the best decision ever. I love my breasts; I am a 36 B and they feel and look very natural, even and I still have sensation in my nipples. So before you go an implant route, consider what they can do with what you have. And no, I was self pay for everything.

Hello again everyone...especially to those of us who go WAY back. Wondering how common it is to slide back into old habits after so many years of doing so well. Sometimes I wish I could go back in and have another tuck at my tummy...I fear I am addicted to sugar again and cannot seem to stop. I am up 15lbs and I keep thinking it cannot go higher. But I have gone back to the gym and am happy about that. Anyway, am thinking of following up with my book, Queen of Crop with Queen of Crop; 10 years after!!! Anyone want to contribute???? I think us veterans out there have stories to tell!

Hello all...I recognize a few names here. I used to be a regular 5-7 years ago. But now I am back and saw the Veterans title BACK FOR SUPPORT and I need it for sure! I see these posts are over a year old so not sure where this will go. But I have gained 15 lbs, and I swear I feel like I'm as fat as I was when I was 80 lbs overweight. I know I shouldn't but I just do. And this is all my doing; no excuses. I am eating too much, drinking too much wine and not exercising. Tomorrow I go back to the gym, but I have to get this carb and sugar thing under control. Not only am I gaining but I don't feel good. Someone mentioned getting re-sleeved...is that even something you can do? I'm very tempted. I can't seem to do anything on my own. I hate writing this because I always felt like such a cheerleader and I was always told how much I inspired others,,,well, I need some inspiration now! Any advice????

I have not tried it, but there is one near me and I am interested as well for my hips. Have gained 4 kilo back and am not happy!!!

My breast reduction was the BEST think I ever did! One surgeon wanted to give me implants, but the other one had a great line...."you have enough material to work with!" I have beautiful B cup breasts and I love them. Easy recovery. They removed 150 grams from one, and 9 from the other to get them to match! So happy with them 3 years out. Not so happy with my tummy tuck...huge scar and it has never felt right, plus I couldn't exercise for 3 months and I gained some weight back. Queen of Crop

I have a friend who was told that it takes 9 months for the lap band to start working. In the mean time she has had 5 fills. Can anyone tell me if this is normal? I had the sleeve (I was advised against the lapband and have been successful with the sleeve for 6 years) but she was told by her doctor that it takes 9 months to start working. She is very discouraged; she has only lost 7 kilo ( 16 lbs). Any advice I can give her? I will also ask her to sign up for this as well. Queen of Crop

I was out of the hospital in one day; and was up and about the next day. Just about 6 weeks of just not lifting anything heavy or doing heavy workouts. Easy!

My breast reduction was the best decision EVER!!! I am so much more comfortable with them, and as my dr. told me: pick a size, any size, you have enough material to work with!!! Only you can answer the question for yourself, but personally I think you would look more stunning with smaller breasts and people would notice your whole body at first glance and not just your breasts which look very large with your small waist. Also, my recovery time was so easy! Just my opinion. Good luck!

Hello all...Queen of Crop here. Used to be on this forum all the time (so hello to the veterans on here). Was sleeved in 2011, reached goal exactly one year later. All was fine but have gained 10 lbs in 2 years and need to stop the bleeding before it's too late! I would love to go to a week long BACK ON TRACK RETREAT. Does anyone know of one? I live in Europe and would prefer to go here, but am open. Are there any European sleevers willing to create one with me? I have a feeling there are a lot of us out there who are gaining...and I am NOT GOING BACK THERE! WHO IS WITH ME???? Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com

Very nice of your to respond and thanks for the support. The honest truth is I don't feel good at this weight and I know I am slipping back into bad habits, so I don't want 10 to turn into 15 to turn into 20, because as we all know, it can happen!

Thanks! NJGAL and CowGirlJane....happy to see you two are still here! NJGAL, did you really JUST have your surgery? Haven't you been on here for a very long time???

Wow! Thank you so much for all of this great information! I will take a look and get back to you. I so appreciate your wonderful, thoughtful and personal response.

Clementine Sky's suggestions are good ones. I would also recommend the 5:2 plan. Just Google it and you will see. In a nutshell it's eating 500 calories or less 2 days a week. Not terribly hard because it's only 2 days and not consecutive. I am 6 years out and have gained 10 lbs. I reached my goal weight after one year. I would love to go to a BACK ON TRACK retreat if anyone knows of something like that. I live in Europe but would be willing to travel. Good luck to us! Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com

Wow, our first correspondence was in 2012! Congratulations on your sleeve; hope you are doing well. The first few months is so weird, so just roll with it if you can. It gets better every day! Hard to believe I am now 6 years out! Keep me posted and thanks for buying my book. I do think it's inspirational and if you can follow along each week you might find some similarities. Although honestly, I think I was a poster child for what not to do since I was traveling and had zero follow up. Your new you has started!!!! Queen of Crop

Good foryou Treat-Mema! I am 6 years out and had the surgery a week after my 59th BD. Never regretted a moment.

Yes, we traveled for 14 months....had my surgery in the middle of it all! A weird time for sure...never even had a blender to use after my surgery but I made it work some how. It was a very exciting time. I moved from Hawaii to Amsterdam almost 5 years ago...and we love it here!!! But as I said, I am really struggling to keep the weight off now...as you know, at this stage you can eat and drink anything and some of those old habits are creeping in. Does anyone know of a Veteran sleeve retreat to get those of us back on track? I am thinking of putting one together myself, but would rather just pay the money and have someone else organize it! Still, I am so happy to have done this!!! Any other veterans still around???? www.queenofcrop.com

HI proudgrammy! I remember you! We were so similar! I turned 58 a few days before my surgery, am 63 now. Weighed 223 lbs, lost 90 lbs (but I have gained back 7 in the past year...but am working on it). But I agree....YOU ARE NEVER TOO LATE TO GET HEALTHY AND LEAD THE LIFE YOU WERE MEANT TO LIVE!!!!! Author of Queen of Crop

HI Jintycb!!! Better late than never! You sent this to me months and months ago...to be honest, I stopped going onto BP because I couldn't type anything...it kept stalling on me...so I just changed browsers and now it's working. But thank you so much for touching base and your lovely compliments...I remember when you were first starting and that we started at the same exact weight! Are you still at 137# Wish I was! I was just interviewed on the radio podcast wieghtlosssurgery.com with Reeger Cortell. She asked me to be on the show because of the book and because I was a veteran. (6 years this October). And there aren't that many of us really. I am still struggling with these 10 lbs...I sure wish I knew of a Sleeve Retreat I could go to to get back on track. Am almost tempted to start one myself, but I doubt people would come to Europe. Your'e the closest I know. Thoughts?

Hi Julie....better late than never! You sent this to me months and months ago...to be honest, I stopped going onto BP because I couldn't type anything...it kept stalling on me...so I just changed browsers and now it's working. But thank you so much for touching base! I was just interviewed on the radio podcast wieghtlosssurgery.com with Reeger Cortell. She asked me to be on the show because of the book and because I was a veteran. (6 years this October). And there aren't that many of us really. I am still struggling with these 10 lbs...I sure wish I knew of a Sleeve Retreat I could go to to get back on track. Am almost tempted to start one myself, but I doubt people would come to Europe. Thoughts?

Today is your day LadyWiggin! You are about to embark on a very new exciting journey. So many success stories here...while you are recuperating you might want to listen to the weightlosssurgery.com podcast put on by Reeger Cortell. Lots of wonderful information there that is both inspiring and educational, and perfect for those days after surgery. By this time next month you will be feeling SO great!!!! I am almost 6 years out, am 63 years old and feel GREAT!!! Zoe Belle, Author of Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com

Hi Terry...I hate to sound negative and it's very possible that this was just my own experience, but not only did I not lose any weight, or go down in a pant size, but I have actually gained 8 lbs since my surgery 18 months ago. The gain isn't because of the surgery but that's when it started for me . I was unable to exercise for 3 months and it just started creeping in. I didn't have a lot of skin to remove but enough to warrant the surgery. But I think unless you have alot of excess skin, you won't see dramatic weight loss or size in clothes. But again, that's my story. I wish you all the best and hope it goes very well for you. Queen of Crop www.queenofcrop.com

Hi Sassy Sleeve...Waler is right, it will come off but everyone is different. I did notice that you were 5'3" , you didn't say how old you were. But to let you know, I am 5'3" and I had my surgery 5 years ago at age 58. I kept a blog which I turned into a book called Queen of Crop. The book has an entry every week for one year; with my progress; weight loss, stalls, what I ate, how it all went. I reached my goal weight after exactly one year and kept it all off until this past year when I have gained 8 lbs. But I got lazy and I am now working on getting it back off again. So, please read my book (on Amazon in paperback or Kindle). I'm not trying to shamelessly self-promote, believe me, I don't get that much from a sale . I just believe it will not only put your fears to rest, but it will be a good guide for you and it will be inspirational because it truly is a life-changing decision you have made. Being nervous is normal, but you can also be excited at the new life you are creating for yourself! Keep us posted and good luck!

Wow, Missy, you sure don't look 55!!! Anyway, I was sleeved at 58, am now 63....best thing I ever did! Congratulations! Excited for you. Interestingly, I was 223 lbs, but 205 at surgery, just like you! My goal weight was 138 which I reached in exactly one year (I wrote a book about called Queen of Crop, where I wrote every Sunday for a year (while traveling!). Might help you see what you might be in store for....a great adventure for sure! I was at my goal weight for 4 years....this past year I have gained 10 lbs and am working to get that off.....good luck!

Good morning from Amsterdam! Good thread...I did have saggy boobs and stomach and did have plastics; a breas lift and TT. Now I am 5 years outs. Before I had them I was a bit self-concious in intimate situations (got involved in Tantra so was around lots of naked people but fascinating people who are more interested in sensuality, not just sex). But no one treated me unkind at all. In the end, I did it for ME. My breasts are fabulous and I cannot even imagine having my old saggy things there (for me first!!!). My tummy tuck is OK, but I have a HUGE Frankenstien scar which is very noticeable. I paid for both myself, and you just have to decide to do what works for you. If you are a happy, healthy person, then just be honest upfront when you think things might get intimate. Depending on how the other person reacts, you can figure out something about their inner self. Good luck to all of you !

Welcom Kathy51!!! (and all the newbies!)/ Wow, 51 is YOUNG!!! I had my surgery at 58 (that was 5 years ago) and it completely gave me a new, healthy, vibrant life! Trust me, 50's is not old and after the surgery you will feel like you are in your 30's Good luck and congratulations on quitting smoking...well done! Just look at my photos on the back of my book....taken one year apart...exactly! Queen of crop