Queen of Crop

Interesting post! I was never a big shopper either but if it zipped up, I bought it as I was convinced I would never find anything else that fit! Now, shopping is so much fun because so much looks good on me for once in my life! I'm still wearing a lot of tops that I had before (they just look so much better now) but I am down to just a few pants. I'm shopping at H&M (cheap, basic stuff), Target and Ross. My problem is not buying too much because I am still 25 lbs from goal. I think once you start wearing things that fit and that are cute, you'll start feeling better about shopping. I think the online idea is great, try them on at home.....Zappos.com is fantastic for this as you don't have to pay to return anything. Have fun with it! I have two photos on my blog where I'm wearing the same clothes but one is pre-surgery and one post-surgery. What a difference; but I'm happy to be able to wear them still. www.queenofcrop.com

Good for you! And on the slow losing / quick gainiing....we can ALL relate to that one! Keep us posted! www.queenofcrop.com

Good morning (evening!) Cathy! Just to let you know, I was traveling this past year and ended up having my surgery in Frankfurt (I live in Hawaii). I was also self-pay. I know everyone is different and you have to make your own decisions; but if you read most of the post-op posts here, you will see there are few if any regrets. I had just turned 58 when I had mine done last October. For me, I knew I could NEVER lose the weight on diet alone without feeling deprived and miserable all the time. That has since been completely validated now that I have had the surgery, lost 61 lbs and at 1000 calories a day, I am losing about 1 lb a week at this point. (Which I am quite happy with because I never feel deprived, and eat and feel so much healthier!). You may not eat 'normally' again, but what is your 'normal?' For me, I am eating things I would never have eaten when I was dieting, I even bought a bag of Doritos one day! It's all a trade off....feeling better, looking better, reducing your risks of obesity related factors, and not wanting to overeat. I hope your surgery goes as well as mine did in Frankfurt; they treated me very well and I felt very cared for. Keep us posted! BTW, I do a weekly blog called www.queenofcrop.com which shows the ups and downs (mostly ups!) of my journey. I post each Sunday; it might help reassure you. www.queenofcrop.com

Good news! At least for me, I not only don't have cravings, I'm rarely hungry at all! Because they remove the hormone that controls hunger (grehlin - not sure of the spellilng) this makes life with a sleeve much easier. Some people still have a lot head hunger (because of satisfying their emotions through food), but the physical hunger, at least for me, is hardly there. I don't feel like I am dieting at all; I feel like I am just eating small portions and feeling just fine about that. (My husband calls me a cheap date! :wub: ) It may change since I am only 4 months out, but for now, it's made this ride much smoother! And the honest truth is that i have a goodie every afternoon, but unlike before, a small cookie is all I want and all I need. www.queenofcrop.com

Just one more thought that might be helpful. At 4 months post op I am eating about 1000 calories a day plus exercising and right now I am losing about 1 lb per week. The thing is, 1000 calories with this tool is very fulfilling and I never feel deprived. The traditional diets say you will lose about 2 lbs a week on 1500 calories (which I always felt were restrictive and always felt hungry). I know every one is different but if it takes less than a 1000 calories a day to lose one lb a week, it would have never happened with the sleeve, for me anyway. I started out at 223 lbs and am now 161 lbs and have never felt better. www.queenofcrop.com

Thanks! If you send me your email address or sign up on the blog, I will send a reminder to you each Sunday after I post; or just check back each week. I look forward to following your journey too! So sorry you have to jump through so many hoops to get to this done.....but soon it will be all behind you. www.queenofcrop.com

Congratulations to both you and your daughter! Sorry to be so stupid (I've been reading here since Sept and am 4 months post op) but I don't know what N/V is?www.queenofcrop.com

For those of you in your 50's who want to know what it's like right before, during and after surgery, please read my blog.....www.queenofcrop.com I detailed it all there one week at a time (so go to the beginning as I post each Sunday). It talks about nausea and the slimes (if you don't know what they are, it explains it). But basically, I had NO nausea, just the slimes which are nothing to get upset about. But hopefully you can be encouraged by another 50 something (I just turned 58 a few days prior to surgery). You've heard it before, but it's THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE FOR MYSELF AND I AM CONVINCED, I WOULD NEVER HAVE LOST IT ANY OTHER WAY. My blog is at www.queenofcrop.com (BTW, the only reason I list this so often here is because I made my decision to do this based on another woman's blog that I was reading and I am thankful to her every day.)

@Dyezee: So sorry you are feeling like you needed to cancel; it's understandable to have fear, but as many have said, this is something you are doing so you become healthier....the alternative is to stay heavy and risk so much more with the risk factors associated with obesity. Everyone has to go their own path, but when I read the stories just on this forum, they are generally positive in every regard; people are happy to have control over their lives again and feel like they have been given a second chance. If your surgeon has a good record, then I would suggest finding options to help you with the fear; just as someone would who had a fear of flying, or fear of the dentist, etc. Good luck to you and keep us posted! www.queenofcrop.com

Fantastic! Look for it next Sunday.......thanks for the quick response and positive feedback! www.queenofcrop.com

So I'm 58, 4 months post op and many people are telling me that I look younger and better than I did 20 years ago! I think (but I'm not sure) that's a compliment! I having good luck with no wrinkles and very little hair loss of which I am SO thankful for!!! I have lost 61 lbs and I have about 25 to go; thing is, I feel good at this weight and I'm concerned that as I lose more I will have wrinkles. So who knows? I do a weekly (every Sunday) blog about my experiences as a 50 something....with lots of photos; especially because I have been traveling for a year! But all in all, NO COMPLAINTS. My blog is at www.queenofcrop.com

Well said Sharon!!! You nailed the relationship question. People who are wondering should keep this handy. Sharon, I do a weekly blog every Sunday; may I post your bullet points and give you credit? I think they are really important and should be shared. If not, I understand, it's just that I think you really covered some very key points. My blog is www.queenofcrop.com Thanks again for being so articulate!

YEAH!!! It's a very freeing feeling isn't it!!! And it only gets better; I am 4 months post op and I don't feel like I am ever on a diet. I eat whatever I want (keeping in mind that protein is always important!) but so little satisfies me that I never feel deprived. Life is good. I do a weekly (Sunday) blog if you want to see how life might progress in the next few months....you can see it at: www.queenofcrop.com

If you have a good relationship to start out with, I think you will be in for a wonderful surprise!!! My marriage was good before the surgery but what I didn't realize is that my weight gain bothered my husband so much. Once we started talking about it, we decided on the surgery together and we have gotten SO much closer! It opened so many doors about our relationship, being more honest with each other and making a commitment to help each other become better people. He has never had a weight problem but he has been very understanding, patient, supportive and loving throughout the process. We had a good sex life before, but now it's amazing! Yes, your sex drive will come back! And you will find yourself laughing and talking and enjoying life so much more because you feel better about yourself. I am 4 months post op and I have been doing a weekly (every Sunday) blog about my journey. Happy to have you follow along. I was encouraged by someone else's blog and it was a true inspiration to me. www.queenofcrop.com When I look at my 'before' photos now, I'm embarrassed that I waited so long......so come on in....the Water is fine! www.queenofcrop.com

Thanks! I'll continue for a full year; I post each Sunday. If you want me to send you a reminder (which I do for many) just leave your email on the blog or send it to me here. Thanks again for the nice compliments. www.queenofcrop.com

OOPS!!!!!!!!!!!1 The cioppino is wonderful, but I meant to say it had 17 grams of Protein in a 1/2 of a serving, NOT FAT!!!!! Geezlouise.....sorry!!!! Link to the recipe is on my blog at www.queenofcrop.com I think I should have put the wine IN the recipe instead of drank it!!!! www.queenofcrop.com

I made this last night and about to heat up the leftovers as we watch the Academy Awards......it's really really good! The link to the recipe is on my blog (which I post each Sunday). It also has a photo of it (and my new strapless dress for a wedding!). My blog is www.queenofcrop.com Have a great week everyone!

Whoaaaaa!!! Yikes! Yes....I meant 17 grams of protein!!! What an idiot I am! So sorry!!!!!! www.queenofcrop.com

WOW. Thanks for the quick and nice response!

Just posted a wonderful recipe on my weekly blog at www.queenofcrop.com I tried it last night and tonight we will have the leftovers and watch the Academy Awards. It was so easy and truly delicious plus all the Protein. Give it try! www.queenofcrop.com