catnapper

seeing how much healthier u are obviously makes it difficult to understand how anyone wouldn't want to share in this major triumph of successful weight loss. You look absolutely amazing! Another tool for weight loss besides your lovely pics would be talking to others who are still a long way from reaching wt loss goal....what hv u to say about any tips u found along the way that worked for u,any daily routines,exercise regimen,etc?? Thanks

Love it Bill....u sound like a great guy who got off the path of fear & the unknown onto the road of joy & anticipation! Please write regularly to keep us all updated,ok? The good,bad & the handsome, hehe.

Maybe it's decreased estrogen & more of a hormone thing? I had heard of this before but just got a reminder from other poster on diff thread that fat cells store the estrogen & as you lose weight,decreased fat along with decreased estrogen which amounts to mood swings,depression,hot flashes, increased perspiration,insomnia. Also,if u can spend time outside,bundle up real good with extra clothing if cold temps, but get out & soak up some sunshine & we all know how good exercise makes us feel. Going out & taking a nice walk can be invigorating! Helps mentally & physically. Get you a Victoria Secret catalog & start mentally shopping for all the gorgeous stuff you can eventually wear. Most of all, find ways to help others,not a better feeling in the world,takes your mind off your " issues" & puts your attention on others...more happiness in giving than receiving.

Good morning. I'm definitely interested & wondering where u are located. Thanks

Thanks for the tip as I too have been struggling with the liquid issue. :-)

There are medical horror stories with just about every procedure out there.It is a sad fact.That is why I would not ever want to sway anyone in which direction they should take; which type WLS,surgery State side or abroad,dietary choices,etc. Unless someone asks a question in general or My experiences,I don't mind sharing my particular choices & the outcome but wouldn't want to be responsible for some one else's misery. I hope everyone has 100% good results without any complications but believe that is going to happen is not being realistic...we don't live in a perfect world,so why expect perfection in all cases? It is very,very sad for this person in the link. She had free choice,just like each one of us. Weigh out the pros & cons,then proceed in the direction that you feel is right for you. I went to Costa Rica & got the gastric sleeve without any complications,None. Same with plastic surgery procedures but that is no guarantee that the next person won't. Years ago,I had a bladder sling & a friend of mine wanted my opinion of the doctor & her skills. I bragged about how wonderful bedside manners were,skills top notch & 'yes,oh yes! Go to her.You won't be disappointed'. She did have unwanted results & to this day,won't speak to me. Lesson learned.

Obviously u are in a lot of pain but please, don't take anyone's advice on an Internet site for weight loss & expect to find answers from complete strangers. Marriage is much too sacred to turn over to ppl that don't know Anything about what all is @ stake with you & ur husband. Do u have family,friends or minister,counselor (even if he refuses to go) that can give u emotional support & help u through this crisis? I hope you find the right answers that will work best for everyone concerned.

Three years is a very long time, a reflection of how determined u r to get healthier. CONGRATS!

You look good!.....in both pics but we know how we luv skinnier in here! Nice work. Do u exercise daily & if so, what kind?...gym,walking?

Seriously...you don't even look like the same person! Maybe the younger sister of the lady in black. Would you mind sharing how you handled your sleeve adjustment phase? Thanks!

Wonderful! VERY happy for you. Thank you for sharing.

The thing about starting out with liquids in amounts your surgeon recommends is so your incision line can heal. It's not only for weight loss.You have to treat it gently so there won't be any leaks or bleeding. Overeating or putting solids in there too soon could lead to a whole lot of pain & misery. The sensation you are feeling will eventually pass. What helped me more than anything was heated,clear chicken broth,the homemade kind. Wonderful that you are already back to work. Good way to help be distracted & maybe not focus completely on food.

All your goals for the future sound very reachable.You do have a lot to look forward to. My goal, because of being so vain, is getting a tummy tuck & then going on a wild clothes shopping trip. Nice,positive question. Thanks

delta_girl....I don't mean to sound unthankful because getting responses mean so much.... Your references to not concerned with size of fundus but was of impact on grhelin, & that you eat out constantly & fan of beer & wine, surgeons reply to do. nothing when hungry....no doubt,good advice & points made.

The main reason Gastric Sleeve was so exciting after talking to surgeon was how he would be severing away the part of my stomach where ghrelin is produced...the stuff that stimulates hunger. That was pretty much not true or my ghrelin hid away during surgery. I woke up hungry,came home hungry & have stayed hungry before & after Oct.2012....I'm hungry March,2014. It hasn't stopped. I dream about hunger. While eating,I'm planning my next meal.Also,during my meal I'm obsessing about whether the food is going to make me fatter. I hate food & yet I LOVE it....yes,I love food more than I hate it.

Congratulations! Lots of hard work no doubt. Can't listen to other ppl always. Folks would tell me I didn't Really need to have WLS!? You look nice in pics. Your doctor will let you know if your weight is not at a healthy amount. Right?

*Large glasses of tea* @ meal times was what I meant to say. Yes, PdxMan. I can give up sodas because I've done it before. When I started drinking them again,it was uncomfortable (too bubbly) & I drank only diet, but then a doctor on tv said that diet only make you hungier so two weeks ago,started drinking regular Pepsi.

Thank you proudgrammy. Between the slowly graduating to solids to small portions is when the boat started crashing into the rocks @ times. For real, There is no way Eating the same portion sizes I once did before surgery is even physically possible @ one setting. drinking before, during & after meals...guilty. Our family have Always enjoyed large glasses with meals except for coffee in the AM. not exercising...guilty. Introvert & lazy. eating simple carbs...guilty. eating @ night,after dinner...guilty. Bored :-/ Excuses...guilty. not drinking Water...guilty. Can't stand water :-(

Thank you MicheleH. An endoscopy wouldn't hurt. I'm gonna ask my MD on next visit (April,2014) what he thinks about it. Very Glad to see your success!

You are so right PdxMan. We each have to do the work. Apparently I haven't. Not consistently anyway. I let myself get discouraged & except for a few half hearted efforts, EAT. Eat & drink (guzzle) @ meal times.Portion sizes are smaller for the most part,although finishing off a hamburger,chips & a whole can of Pepsi has occurred as of late. I am depressed & discouraged. In the beginning I did follow protocol.Later along with falling down,getting back up,falling down,back up,etc.I lost my way. Laziness? Gluttony? Fear? PTD? Loneliness? No Motivation? Self-Hate? What ever the reason,I'm not losing.

YES, my weight has stayed @ that amount. Well,with the exception of my losing down to 217 pounds in Dec.2013 cause I had a breast reduction in C.R. I went to my reg.MD here in the states last week & weighed 218 pounds. I have no idea about my bougie.

I am willing to eat healthy.In fact,those foods are much more satisfying with taste test. Your suggestion to consult a nutritionist is prolly the most appropriate. My surgery was done in Costa Rica & except for the one hour spent with dietician pre-op,Ive been on my own.

Eat healthy foods,stay away from starches & drink lots of Water.1.2.3. Seriously,this has to be my approach to success. Keep it Simple. If I were wealthy & could afford a chef,a chef who had Full Charge of all my dietary choices, their prep & serving times, it would leave time to live the other parts of my life without the focus of food constantly.

After browsing around in here a bit, I've noticed how ppl hv shared their very private stories, emotional struggles,fear of upcoming surgeries,slow progress with weight loss,ect & reaching out for advice or help in one way or another & 'no comments'. Plenty of ppl "stopping by" but none taking time to say anything. What's up with that? If I want to share my story why bother when I can sit & talk to my walls here @ home. Alex,the founder of this place is the only one to has made an effort to communicate in a generic sort of way.He has a site to maintain & hopefully see grow in leaps & bounds so of course one would expect that from him. Are there cliques here? I know I am being negative & rude but hoping to smoke somebody out to explain so I can know how it works in here.

You sound so happy & with good reason! What a wonderful gift you have given yourself & your husband.Making yourself stronger to be there for him,his care giver is a real act of love. Kudos to you Miz Z1. Of course you are an inspiration to all of us,especially those struggling to succeed. Sounds like Your formula for success has been lots of exercise & portion control? Well,it has been a pleasure reading your post. I am 64yo,sometimes the thought of not being able to lose because I'm too old runs through my head but your story says,YES,it is possible with the right game plan. Thank you for sharing.