Queen of Crop

@ DebbieDeb....wow, eating 1000 calories a day and working out 5-6 days a week....and you're stuck on a plateau.....that's discouraging....I've been at 145 for 7 weeks and I think I'm getting 1500-1700 calories in and I should be at 1200-1400.....I've been grazing too much so I really need to concentrate as I feel I'm slipping into some bad habits and denial. So this week I am really going to work on tracking my food intake. I'm 5 lbs from goal but 10 lbs from where I want to be; surely I can do this. And you can too.....maybe increase your water intake? I'm also going to increase my workout by 15 minutes and see if that helps. Let's check in again next Monday.

Welcome to the world of happy sleevers! You are in for the time of your life! We're here for you and we have all had questions, big and small. We are excited for you. Just think how you will feel by Christmas! Congratulations on this exciting adventure!

I think the entire jackets would have to be remade; I have altered many many things, but these just aren't possible, the cost of tailoring them would over $100 each I think. But I might ask. Thanks.

I know this is silly, but I am having a hard time giving away my two gorgeous Jones of New York jackets.....one a size 16 and one a 14. But they are way too big on me now and look silly. I have no one to give them to here because no one would wear them in Hawaii. I'd like to sell them because they cost me about $500 for both of them but maybe I'm being unrealistic. I feel for those who had super expensive really nice things; I didn't have that many living here in Hawaii. But these are from my working days. Any ideas are welcome. I don't think I can have them tailored which is too bad because we're moving to Amsterdam and I would wear them there.....oh well, just had to get this off my chest. It's stupid to be so sad about this.

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I can't alter them, and no consignment shop would take them here (it's Hawaii.....no one wears stuff like this). But I think mailing them to one of the women's organizations would be a great idea. Appreciate the support and good ideas.......I feel better already. Wonderful support here.

Hi Traceann: I don't see your private message, if you want to send me an email you can send it to queen@queenofcrop.com QofC eenof

I suggest we end this topic right now. The thread has developed into a discussion (in an accusatory way) of personal beliefs and values that have nothing to do with supporting people with their weight loss challenges. If you agree with me, then let's make this the end of the thread, wish skym34 well with her challenges and take Rootman's good advice and not use this forum for dirty laundry.

I find the question a curious one; not because any of us know what the right answer is for you and your husband; only you know. But are you just now becoming more aware, or more outspoken because you've had the surgery and you've lost weight and are becoming more confident and more empowered?

Yes....walk! It's really really important; even small steps up and down the hall, but you must get up and walk. This is a really important step in your recovery. The weight gain is normal; in a week or two you will start losing regularly. If things don't improve in a few days call your doctor.

Thanks New Hope! Great suggestions; I'll try some pool aerobics and the bike in the gym tomorrow. Congrats on your success as well.....2 months and your 25% to your goal! Appreciate the support and kind words.

Thanks for the post and the good advice Mememee......I feel I am starting down the same road as SparklingSarah.....I am in my home stretch with less than 10 lbs to lose but I am not eating well at all. I am doing a good job exercising and even though I'm not eating a lot of calories still (about 1200 a day) they aren't good calories....I'll take your advice and try for a few good days.....it just feels weird to see me going for junk again after all this....I am 9 months post op.

I seem stuck at 145 lbs; can't seem to get below this for some reason. I feel good where I'm at right now but I sure would like to get to my goal weight of 138 just so I'm not in the official category of being overweight for once in my life. I so get such inspiration from this forum so will try to read as much as I can here in the next few weeks to get me to that last push. Thanks everyone!

OK, So this is too funny not to share. I went to the theater and saw an old client that I hadn't seen in a couple of years. This was the exchange: ME: Hi Cosette. it's Zoe. COSETTE: (Blank Stare back at me) ME: Zoe, Zoe Walsh.... COSETTE: (Blank Stare back at me) ME: (very slowly) Zoe Walsh from the vacation rental company... COSETTE: (Continuing to Stare back at me while cocking her head to the side) ME: (wondering if she's OK) you remember, we worked with your two beautiful properties.... COSETTE: (looking at me suspiciously) You're not Zoe....I know Zoe, you don't look anything like her. ME: (laughing) Well, I have lost a little weight.....then I managed to convince her it really was me! That was a first, actually I'm not sure it was a compliment (when things like that happen it's a reminder of how bad off I was before!) but it was pretty funny when it happened, she really didn't recognize me at all!

Put succinctly: It isn't easy, but it's effective and life-changing and the benefits FAR outweigh the inconveniences! I am 150% convinced that we are all wired differently and traditional diets are not the way for many of us to get where we need to be in our lives. Brian; my sincere condolences on the loss of your wife; and sending you a big congratulations for moving forward in such a positive way. You are a true role-model for those kids. Well done!

I've been on this forum for almost a year and there are still things I don't know......what you can you add: NSV - Non Scale Victory SMO - Super Morbidly Obese....(just learned this one) Slider food - means it goes down easily and has little nutrional value, I think WLS - Weight Loss Surgery PPI - not sure what this stands for, but I know I took one (Nexium) for the first four months NUT - short for Nutrionist I know there are a ton more; many I don't know.....let's get them all down in one place!

I'm officially 9 months post op; down 78 lbs, 4 lbs from the top of my goal. Today, on my Sunday blog I show photos of what a meal looked like one month after surgery and now what it looks like 9 months after surgery. They both contain saltine crackers.....one of the things my tummy loves. I also have a link to a the Centers of Disease Control site that allows you to calculate your BMI and weight range easily....just click on the link below. Have a great week everyone!

I don't have a nutritionist like many of you; had my surgery done in Frankfurt Germany and I now live in Hawaii. (self-pay). I eat a lot of popcorn because it goes down easily.....have any of you NUTS said no to this?

I knew things were bad; my hip hurt, my knees hurt, my feet hurt, and we were in Amsterdam with nothing but tall, gorgeous, thin women.....I was 223. Then one morning I woke up and my husband of 20 years was having a melt down of sorts (this was very rare; we never fought).....when I asked him what was wrong; he launched into a long speech about how much my weight gain had bothered him over the years but he kept thinking I would figure it out; but I kept getting fatter. We spent the rest of the day getting the monster out of the closet; talking, crying, yelling, lots of stuff came out. I knew I couldn't do it on my own and within a month I had the surgery. It was the best of times and the worst of times......but now, 9 months out and a few lbs from my goal weight, I can say it was the best decision of my life and I've had the best year of my life.

I don't think so; you're doing all the right things. Don't be nervous; from everything I have read (and believe me I totally freaked out when it started happening and read everything I could!) this is just a natural TEMPORARY process. It won't last long and when it does start happening, just be very gentle with your hair; don't brush or wash it as much. It will pass and before you know it, you'll be on the other side of it. It's not a fun part of this but it really is a small price to pay for what you get; and your body knows what it's doing! BTW, congratulations on your fabulous weight loss! Keep up the good work.

The good news is that you are right on target! I was told at 4-5 months my hair would start falling out and I swear it was 5 months to the day! (I am writing a blog for one year about my experience and this topic was at Week 24!). For about 2 weeks I washed my hair only every 4 days and barely brushed it; I pulled it back in a loose ponytail and stuck a hair piece on the back. I had started taking hair supplements at 2 months out and continue to take them now. The bad hair loss lasted 4-6 weeks and like the people above say, you notice it more than any one else. Everyone advised not to get extensions, but my hair is fine anyway, so I ended up getting only 20 extensions (cut in half so I have 40 of them). This is a very low amount but it was enough to make me feel like my hair wasn't see through. I am now 9 months post op and my hair is coming back just fine and yours will too. All part of the process so your body is doing what it's supposed to do. It really won't last forever. For those of you who are pre-op and reading this and color your hair, my recommendation is to color your hair a month before surgery and get as close to your natural color as possible; because you really don't want to color your hair for at least 6 months post op. This is the time to baby your hair as much as you can and I do thing the supplements help. You'll be fine in a few weeks. Honest.

Insert sad face here..... Think deflated balloons.....and one is bigger than the other....I'm down from a D to a barely C but they are flabby and really unattractive. My biggest disappointment. Plus, I hate to even bring this up, but I don't seem to have the same sensation in them any more. I'm 58 so I don't think a boob job is in my future because they look fine in a bra (and I love how tops fit me better now). But between my scars on my tummy and my boobs pointing south, it isn't a pretty picture.....thankfully I look better in lingerie now!

Aloha Mary from Australia / Texas! Welcome to this great resource....isn't wonderful that we can all connect from around the world? I am also 5'3 and started at 223 lbs last October. I am now 7 lbs from my goal weight having lost almost 80 lbs (and the last 10 are taking forever to come off!). I had my surgery done in Germany and a month later started traveling for 4 months all through Europe, back across the US and we are now in Hawaii until the end of Sept. And will then go back to Amsterdam. I have to laugh when people ask me if I'm worried I will gain it back....I was one of those who chose not to tell people about the surgery. I just smile and say, I really don't think I will..... Good luck and welcome to the forum!

Ah, today is both of your days!!! You probably won't see this for a few days but congratulations! You two are in for a very exciting year! Thinsoon; I had just turned 58 when I had mine done last October....but now I feel like I am in my 30's. You will too! Let us know how you both are doing.

I'm 9 months out, but am a very similar weight and height as several of you....I was 223 at my highest, but went into surgery at 204......I am 58 years old, and at Week 39 (I am doing a blog for one year and am at Week 39 of 52) I am within 7 lbs of my goal weight. So if you want to follow along and see what you might expect in the coming months, take a look. I post every Sunday. And good luck everyone....it's a great ride!!!!!!!!!

I'm 58, several years past menopause and have always been a slow loser before, during and after menopause. But at least with the sleeve, I am losing and am now within 7 lbs of my goal weight, (having lost 77 lbs). NEVER in my life could I have lost it without the sleeve, I'm convinced. So I don't think menopause has as much to do with it as your overall make up. I'm just eternally grateful that this was available and like katie713, I feel healthier now than I did in my 30's. I do have to say though, this last 10 lbs is taking it's sweet time coming off! But at this point, I fee good and I'm not in any big hurry.