Queen of Crop

Just bought my first pair of boots in 20 years....never needed them when I was in Hawaii....and besides; I couldn't ever get any zipped up over my calves anyway!!! I tried lots of knee high ones on and they fit fine...even OVER my pants! Most fun I've ever had shoe shopping. Opted for these ankle high boots for now; but I may go get another pair now that I'm in Amsterdam.....SO MUCH FUN SHOPPING NOW.....I remember when shoe shopping was awful because I couldn't bend over to get the damn shoes on!!!

Just got back from Frankfurt, Germany where I had my one year check up...passed with flying colors. Sadly, the doctor who did my surgery (known as the Rock Star of Gastric Surgery in Europe) was called into surgery unexpectedly so I saw someone else. Nice guy. He was very impressed with my 83 lb loss, reaching goal, and my sonogram results. I also took a copy of my recent blood work which he really appreciated having and even kept a copy! I told him I was writing a book and he invited me to a big conference on gastric surgery being held this week (unfortunately I couldn't go). But all in all, it was a great visit. I have to say, going back into the hospital was a bit surreal....those first days a year ago were pretty darn weird...but now I couldn't be happier! The greatest news is now my brother is considering doing this too...makes me really happy. So here I was a year ago, and here I am today standing in front of Krankenhaus Saschenhausen the hospital where my journey really started!

All very normal.....nothing is wrong with you. My husband and I laugh now....after any meal (of miniscule amounts) I would sag my shoulders, and look up at him and say "I have to go lay down....". That lasted a couple of months...I am so grateful I didn't have to work. Just take it easy, it will get better and like the posts above, be sure you don't get dehydrated. This is your time to take care of YOU.

To Scubadottie....congrats on your wonderful weight loss! For me, I chose my official goal weight based on the CDC BMI calculator (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines. You can find your weight range by clicking on the guidelines. They give you a rate range which puts you in a healthy BMI (25 or below). When I reached the top of my weight range (141 lbs) I declared myself reaching my goal; however I now fluctuate in the 130's and plan to stay there because I feel very comfortable at this weight. To Butterfly Secrets; glad my post helped today. If you are just starting your journey, please take a look at my weekly blog; I think it might prove inspirational. It was a blog that I read early on that really helped me do this. Please start at www.queenofcrop.com/about And keep us posted on how you're doing. QofC

I used to DREAD the holidays because I knew it would mean a weight gain....2, 4, 8 maybe 10 lbs by the time Christmas was over..... Now, a year out from the sleeve and it's easy to breeze right through the holidays...maybe gain a lb or 2, but not much....loved this cartoon I saw:

Just checking in to see how you're doing? Hope the surgery went well....and you are now on your way!!!! Queen of Crop

Just passed my one year surgiversary date (and just had my check up and passed with flying colors!). As I start year 2, I am feeling like a normal person and I don't think about me as a sleeved person so much any more. I just want to be a normal person without a weight problem but if I had told everyone, I think that people would always think of me as a person who had WLS at some point. Just my thought for the day. I guess the longer I go, the happier I am that I only shared this with a few close friends.

Might be too soon to ask...but how are all the new patients doing? I just had my one year check up in Frankfurt and those first days exactly a year ago came flooding back to me; a weird time for sure, but exciting too. Hope you are all recovering just fine and check in when you can!

HI kshepa....I was cold at first too, but then it eventually went away so hope yours will too. 83 lbs in 6 months is really a fast weight loss and my guess is that your body is just trying to adjust to all the changes. Once you level out I think you'll be just fine. Until then, wear layers....

I took one of these photos on Nov 4, last year, just after my surgery and the other one I took today, exactly one year apart, same outfit, but 63 lbs different. I have another before and after photo on my blog, along with a few thoughts on a what a difference a year makes. Check it out at www.queenofcrop.com if you have some time.

Good luck to all the newbies and to those about to be sleeved...I am one year out, blogged each Sunday about my journey and have had a fantastic ride....like many others, it was the best thing I ever did. Just had my one year check up today and passed with flying colors...I rarely see anything here that is not positive. Once in a while, but the majority of people are so happy with the sleeve.

It happened this week to me. I feel I have reached the other side of the bridge; the side where normal, healthy thin people live. I don't feel like a person who is fat inside my head, or even a person who has had surgery to lose weight. This is good and bad....it's a new normal and I have to be careful. More on this topic on my weekly blog...Week 56. I've decided to stop at Week 64....some interesting insights to think about at www.queenofcrop.com in case you haven't signed up yet. I so appreciate all the readers on my site. It's been a wonderful support for me (as has this forum) and I hope my success has inspired others to consider this path. Hope everyone is having a good week. Two photos of me on a bridge, one before, one after taken a year apart.

So sad when you can't even wear your necklaces or bracelets because of your weight....so happy to have a neck and wrists again!!!

@retakk and Eat that Frog: If you want some reassurance and inspiration, please read my blog. The three of us are so similar; about the same weight, height, BMI and age....and I had hip, knee and feet problems and I was also self-pay. I am now a year out, at goal and I logged my journey every Sunday for the past year. Retakk....until I had this surgery, I could barely lose weight on 1000 calories a day....so don't despair. I did have some plateaus; but I had lost 30 lbs before I had my first stall and then it lasted a few weeks and started coming off again. I firmly believe this tool was made for people like us. If you cannot see my signature line, then go to www.queenofcrop.com/about and start there. I think you will find a lot of information and similarities between us. Good luck and congratulations on making this positive step in your life.

HI MaryLynn: My blog is www.queenofcrop.com You might want to start with www.queenofcrop.com/about and go from there....I think you must not have your signatures turned on in your preferences otherwise you could see it in my signature. That happened to me at first too. For some reason (I have yet to understand why) the forum doesn't want you to put the link to your blog in the messages. This makes no sense to me because we are all here to support each other in what ever way we can. But I'll risk getting my hand slapped again so you have the link! Good thread here...and good luck to those who are just coming on board to the forum...

I've been writing about my journey every Sunday for the past year and have so appreciated all the support on this forum....it's truly an amazing resource and I have turned to it several times a week for the last year. I am now just starting my year 2 as MFFS (MY Formerly Fat Self) and have decided to stop writing my Sunday blog as of the end of this year; I am at my goal weight and although I may check in from time to time, I think I have written enough about how this has worked (at least for me). But it's been a wonderful success story, especially since I am almost 60 years old and did this while living and traveling in many different countries and cities. For those just starting out, especially if you are in your 50's, take a look; I hope you will find it inspirational. For those who missed this on my blog last week, well, here are two passport photos taken a year apart! It's been a great ride and hope you can join me for the last few weeks.

Shame on your co-worker....at least in a few months she will see the results in your body, self-esteem, energy and over all confidence and you will have the satisfaction of showing her that this was a choice that works for you. But I agree with Leigh; this is exactly why I chose only to tell my close friends. You don't need the approval or judgement of people who don't know you. I have never regretted keeping this to myself for the most part; and now a one year out, I don't think about me as having the surgery so much. I just think of me as a normal thin person and I want others to think of me that way too. Good luck and keep up your good work.

HI KC, welcome and congratulations for making the decision! I too thought I was a lightweight...5"3" and 204 lbs but then realized I was not a lightweight and really headed for trouble. I am one year out and now at goal weight and feel 20 lbs lighter. I have bloggeed once a week for a year so if you want to know what to expect (although everyone is different) visit my blog and you can see how it might look for you. You should start on my About Me page and then go from there....I liked the post that someone made above where she said "What to expect?" Expect to be Amazed! And again, Welcome!

Hi chitowngirl....I've been on this forum for a year now and I'm embarrassed to ask this, but I never see photos in the post....when someone atttaches photos do you go to their profile to see the photos or am I missing something? Queen of Crop

What a wonderful response cowgirljane...so articulate and empathetic and useful information. The best I have seen regarding this thread (although the head of the dead horse was a pretty good one too!) I agree; we all have meltdowns from time to time and positive feedback IS important. One of my main complaints in my marriage was that my husband rarely (if ever) complimented me before the surgery. And we talked and talked and talked about it in the last year. He has gotten much better I'm happy to say; but it would still be nice to hear it more often. Anyway, good luck to you; it's people like you (and most of the rest too) that make this forum so fascinating.

Fabulous news!!! Thanks for the update and be sure to take it easy; don't push yourself. Welcome to the club!!!

HI Hollie! Thanks for checking in; I read about the issues you were having and even though I have no idea what the pain is from, be sure to follow your doctor's orders. You went through a lot to get here; if you have to take some time off of work then do it....this is too important! When I look back and think of the times I went to work when I should have taken care of myself, I realize now it was the wrong decision. At any rate, you still have a good attitude about it all! For me, I am just getting settled into Amsterdam life (loving it). Joined a gym today so I can keep my weight in the 130's (it's all about watching one or two lbs at a time now). I'm working on a book about my journey and hoping to do some seminars here and in Germany...so stay tuned! Never a dull moment! Take good care of yourself...the next few months you are still healing.

I'm sorry you feel so frustrated. I just have to say for me, this forum has been extremely helpful as I was self-pay, had my surgery in Germany where I didn't live and traveled for the next 6 months so I didn't have a nutritionist or doctor or classes or much pre-surgery information. This forum has been there for me and helped me with so many questions and positive feedback; it's a shame you didn't get that. As for deleting the account, send a message to Alex, the owner of the forum; I'm sure he can figure it out. Congratulations on your weight loss and best of luck.

Let's see....is this a trick question??? One year a go this week I love my life, I hated my life....then I had the surgery and now I just love my life! I wrote about that AND the most amazing spa experience ever on my blog this week. Thank you to all the people on this forum who have faithfully followed my journey each Sunday for the past week. Don't you just love these mutual admiration societies??? We inspire each other! I have decided to continue my Sunday blog for a while; would love to share some really interesting stories from others; so if you have a great story to tell (and most who have this surgery do!), let me know! I'll put it in a future post. Would you do it again?

HI Buplee....thanks for checking in with us; we're all here pulling for you for a quick recovery so you can go on to your next step...remember everything you are doing you are doing to get healthier. One day at a time....so sorry you are in pain...time to find some good books or good comedies to watch! This time next year, you'll be in great shape!