Queen of Crop

This is the BEST NSV I've ever read.....wow, from walking around the island in the kitchen to ALL DAY??? Start looking for tickets to Hawaii because I think that's the next island you'll be walking around......big day for you......and it only will get better. Sounds like your husband is a true gem too.....congratulations on a great day!!!

Hi everyone......just thought I would let you all know, that at 8 months out, my hair is starting to grow back and it feels nice and healthy and strong. I also had a few extensions put in (same length as my own hair, and only 20 of them, cut in half, so 40 strands). I know people said not to do this but they've been in for a month and because there are so few of them, I don't feel like they are doing any damage. And it keeps my hair from feeling like you can 'see through' it. So for those of you who haven't gone through it, it does seem like it hits at the 4 month mark and for me, it lasted about a month of losing a lot of hair, then stablized and now I see it growing back. For those who are following my Year of being Sleeved, I am in Week 39 of 52 and just posted my Sunday post at the link below. Have a great week everyone!

This advice is also good for clothes!!! I was amazed how fast I went through sizes so be careful when you buy things. I only shopped at Ross or Target because I didn't want to spend much money on clothes I wouldn't wear for a long time. Even still, I was THRILLED when I finally reached a size 12, only to see that I only could wear them for a few WEEKS before I was in a 10, now I am in an 8. So my three size 12 pants are practically new and I really can't wear them. So be very selective on your way down; try to buy things that have a little more staying power, or that might be a teeny tight. It really surprised me how fast my size changed.

In 38 weeks I have lost an average of 1.5 lbs a week; mostly 1 lb per week as I lost a lot in the beginning. I write my experiences down on a weekly blog each Sunday so I know exactly what I weighed and when. Although my loss has been slow, it's been steady and I have to say I have never felt like I was depriving myself or on any diet, although my tummy could only handle certain things. Today I gained 2 lbs. I was on vacation, but I don't think it was the food. I think it was the exercise. So today I wrote about my exercise over the past 8 months, as a 50 something, non-athletic woman. If you're in that category (or if you have any interest) check it out by clicking the link below my signature. Thanks for looking. I haven't been on the forum for a while since I was out having fun! Queen of Crop

Hi again Debbie....not sure if you know this, but there is a group on this forum for people going from band to sleeves. You might want to check it out too: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/13-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

Aloha Debbie.....I think this is definitely the forum for comfort, encouragement and information. I just want to say how sorry I am that this has been such a long road for you. My road has been easy and short, but because we are the same age, about the height and I also started at about 203 lbs, I at least want to say, DON'T GIVE UP!!! Once you can overcome the fact that you have to wait again, and if the doctors feel it's safe for you, then there is an entire new world out there. I didn't have the lap band (was talked out of it because of complications and am very happy for that) but I have written about my experience each Sunday for the last 8 months.....because we are similar in other ways, and because someone else's blog gave me the confidence and courage to do this, you may want to take a look at it. The link is below. Good luck, keep your chin up and keep in touch. Queen of Crop

Good advice on being out a year or two.....I think one of the other benefits of this surgery is that when you have been so successful, you learn to be more aware of a lb here a lb there.....my problem was I gained 3-5 lbs a year, hardly a blip, but I did it for 20 years! So when things do start going down easier, we need to learn to think like a thin person and cut back and exercise more and watch it all the time. I appreciate hearing that though because sometimes I think this has all been too easy. I'm just now starting to say no when I know I can eat more. @newfoundlove: not trying to tempt you, but very early on, a few weeks out, I started having one or two saltine crackers with my lunch. Not because I wanted the carbs, but it seemed to keep my stomach settled, and I have to admit , it made eating my tuna, salmon or cottage cheese much more pleasant. But I have completely stayed away from pasta, rice, and bread. Now at 8 months out, I still have saltines, pretzel thins, and even tortilla chips, but if I buy a lunch size bag of tortilla chips, it will last me 2 weeks! But I think I wanted to mention it because something in the saltine crackers keeps you from having a tummy ache. Good post everyone! So happy to see us old folks reshaping our lives!

I agree with the science behind not eating carbs, but (and I'm only speaking for myself here). I would never have waited until I reached my goal to start adding carbs in. One of the beauties for me of the sleeve, is that I feel I can eat like a normal person; meaning watching what I eat; whatever it is. Because we're limited in the amount we can eat, I of course always eat my protein first at each meal, and I have no desire for rice, pasta, even bread. But I eat crackers with my salad at lunch, I always have fruit every day, and I always have a goodie (usually a cookie) in the afternoon. I love my way of eating and I never feel I'm on a diet. My calorie level stays between 900-1300 which at this point is giving me a steady loss of 1 lb a week (but I have always always lost slowly). I am now within 8 lbs of goal weight without feeling I have ever been restricted in what I could eat. I think if you don't let yourself have something you crave (knowing it will be a small amount) in the end, could trigger more eating disorders. Just MHO. My new normal, is what I think normal people do!

Aloha compterking.....I had my surgery done at Krankenhaus Sachenhausen in Frankfurt by Dr. Rudolph Weiner and was very very happy with my stay there. I paid an equivelant of $18K USD but the Euro was worse then, so it was E13K. I had an 8 day stay and I was very well taken care of. Dr. Weiner is sort of the rock star of gastric surgery in Europe. As for the travel, it definitely made things more interesting but it all worked out. We are still traveling a bit and currently in Hawaii preparing for a move to Amsterdam in the fall. Keep your dream alive; I never thought I would travel for a year, but we did and it was amazing. The cost wasn't that much more than paying a mortgage and upkeep on a home! Thanks for reading my blog and if I can answer any other questions, let me know.

At the risk of sounding narcissistic, I would like to nominate myself. The reason is that I do try to see out those who are struggling and give them encouragement since I have been fortunate enough to have success on this journey. Also, because I am over 50 (58) and I think older people need to realize that they too can do this. Lastly, I bring a different slant to this because I was on a 13 month traveling trip when I had it done, I was self-pay and I am continuing to travel, so my story is sort of a travel-weight loss story. I write about it on Sundays on my blog www.queenofcrop.com and I have many followers from the forum. The forum for me has been a godsend; because I had no pre-op education or diets, very little post op and 95% of the things I learned came from here. It's been fun to see you grow. I love my sleeve and I love my life! Queen of Crop

That's great......and thanks for reading it; soon you'll be the one giving advice....but this forum is all about support, so come back any time!

Thanks for the compliments.....and tomorrow is your surgery!!!!! Welcome to the club and keep us posted on your progres.....exciting days are just ahead! QofC Omg just started reading your blog!!! I. Love. It .. Thank you! Soooo funny too!!! Ur awesome

Aloha XanaduMe: Not trying to blow my own horn, but please go to my blog and read it.....most of your questions will be answered there....I have been writing about my journey each Sunday for the last 33 weeks and had most of the questions and emotions you have, but many people have written me and they have gone through the same. I think it might help calm your nerves to see the progression.......just click on the link below or under my photo for BLOG. You'll be fine.......and like you said, there are very few of us who are not THRILLED that we did this. Good luck and let us know how you do.

On my Sunday blog this week, I wrote about what things look like on my body at 7 months out starting with my hair down to my feet! If you're curious about what might be in store....take a look. It's not all pretty, but overall I'm really happy. But at least you'll know the real scoop and it's important you have all the info you can get. Keep in mind, this is just me; everyone is different. You can click on my link below or under my photo on the blog link. Hope everyone is having a good Memorial Day weekend....

I did a Thumbs Up and a Thumbs down on my different body parts on my weekly blog today......starting with my hair and working my way down......everyone is different, and I'm curious how others are doing on their various body parts. You can see my blog by clicking the link below or the blog icon under my photo......let's compare notes!

Thanks everyone! And Cookie, I started at 223 lbs too! (How I wish I was 5'8" though!). And we haven't made it to Australia, but I'll let you know if we do! Right now, we're preparing for a move to Amsterdam! BTW, if any of you want to automatically get my blog each Sunday, be sure to register on the site. I am in week 32 of 52 so I only have 5 months to go on it. Thanks for all the nice comments. OH! I went shopping today and got into (OK barely, but I bought them anyway) a (drumroll please....) a SIZE 8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well it's nice to hear I wasn't the only one who thought you could lose weight on 1600 calories......just goes to show you how well marketing of these programs work....we all fell for them. On the other hand, maybe people with normal metabolisms can lose weight on that much. I just know at 1200 calories and working out hard for an hour every day is taking about 1 lb a week off of me......thanks for all the validations!

I agree with Peacequeen....the less stress the better. I went to washing my hair with a biotin product every 3 days instead of 2 and try not to mess with it too much during the day. But, like she said, it just needs to run it's course and with me, the scary part was only two weeks, although my hair is so much thinner than it used to be. But no one seems to notice but me and my hairdresser.

that I could NOT.........I am 7 months post op and no way could WW, JC or Nutrisystems work for me.......I know I could never have sustained myself and be satisfied on 1200 calories a day and working out an hour a day......on my blog today I talk about what I am doing now to just lose a lb a week (at the moment I am in a stall). Please read it if you are one of those who cannot seem to lose it by dieting......just click on my link below and it will take you to this week's blog where I talk about my stall and how people are wired differently

Thank you Queen of Crop - I feel as though I could have written (most of) that blog post. I also have a slim husband and he is a quantity eater. I am new to this forum and am hoping to join not just the forum but the group of you that have had surgery. I will be going back to read more of your blog now. Goodluck thinonmymind! This forum is really wonderful and because I didn't have a follow up doctor or nutritonist, I relied on it heavily. Good stuff here. Keep us posted and in no time you'll be thinlikeyourhusband!

Good point; this isn't necessarily the speedy way, but it works and the scale keeps moving.....in the right direction although slowly at times. Just looked at your profile pictures; what a difference....you are so beautiful! Thanks for writing and the compliments on my blog....hoping to be in the 130's before my year is up, but we'll see. My target is also 135 although officially 141 is the magic number for me not to be overweight and I'm closing in on it!

Hi Janet; well that does seem like the lowest weight loss I've heard from the surgery; can we ask your starting weight? Are you in contact with your doctor or a follow up person to see if this is normal? I am a very slow loser but I did lose 18 lbs in the first 3 weeks (I'm 58 years old and went into surgery at 203 lbs). I have lost 73 total, but it has been 1 lb a week for the last 4 months. I've outlined my ups and downs on my weekly blog (link below) that I am doing for the first year; you may want to take a look and see what to expect. But the slow weight loss this early is a little odd. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Thanks everybody!!!! Glad to know I'm not the only one......I sure always felt like it when I would defend myself and tell people that I really have been good on WW or the diet-of-the-week and haven't cheated and I don't know why I only lost a 1/2 lb in the past 3 weeks.......ugh; so happy THOSE days are over for good!!!! I'm actually pretty happy this is happening because even I was starting to question myself......Michelle, Chitowngirl and Robin: Welcome to the club!!!!! This is such an exciting time for all of you; and Robin, good for you for doing this in your 50's (I was 58 at surgery and I feel like a kid again!). And to Finding Myself: try to use that extra energy to be excited, not nervous! You are going to be so happy and healthy and feeling so great by the end of the summer......and don't worry about being hungry.....at least for me (and I think many others) the hunger goes away; it's so nice not to have food control your thoughts any more!!! You'll do just fine. Thanks again for the feedback and for reading my weekly blog.

Thanks everyone! Benjamin, I just ordered FATHEAD on my NetFlix and moved it to Position #1 so I'll get it in a day or two...thanks! Congratulations on your upcoming date.......and keep us posted. Kristin, thanks for the compliments on my blog; much appreciated! Big Craig: wow, 74 lbs in 2months???? That's what I've lost since last year! Good grief.....sounds like it's too fast, no?

I really don't get it.....I thought this was about math; calories in, calories out, calories burned......but it can't be.....people are simply wired differently. Would be interested in hearing from others on this one.......if you would be so kind to just glance at my blog (link below) for this week as I talk about what I do vs others and I just think some people can't lose fast, or much. I'll be fine (I'm within 10 lbs of goal and happy to just stay here) but it is curious......