rdt210

Hi all, I had my sleeve surgery back in March, 2013. I got to goal within a year (lost almost 100 pounds) and maintained my goal weight within =/- 3 pounds for nearly a year and half (163 pounds, I'm 5'8"). During all of that time, I had worked with a personal trainer, got divorced, started dating and met a great new guy... we've been together about a year and half now. I'm 47 and wanted to start regulating my periods, so I went on Loestrin (low dose BC pill). Well, I've gained 25 pounds over the course of a year and my appetite has been out of control. Granted, I've gone back to some bad habits, but I do a 30-minute boot camp class 4-5 times per week. I figured some regain was bound to happen, but this has gotten me freaked out. My BF has had a vasectomy, so I don't need the pill for birth control and am seriously considering stopping it to see what happens. I have way too many cute summer clothes that I need to have fit again! Anyone else have this happen? I'd love to hear some insight from other ladies. Thanks! :-)

At 5'8", my initial goal was a size 12. I started at a size 22. I have been at my goal weight for over a year and a size 10/M. Totally happy where I'm at and love my wardrobe!!

HI ladies! I'm 5'8" and my surgery was March, 2013 - so 16 months out. I've been maintaining at 163 for well over a month. My original goal was 175 and a size 12. I'm now in a size 10 (a couple 8's) or medium. I may try to get to 155, but I'm really happy where I'm at now - I look really healthy and strong. I have very visible collar bones, breast bones and hip bones - but I'm still definitely pear shaped (small waist and bust, big hips). So when I say to my friends I'd like to lose another 10 pounds, they ask "where??!!" I've been working with a personal trainer 2x/week since September and it is making a huge difference in the shape of my body, and why I think the scale is not moving. I'm 45 and have some loose skin on my arms and thighs - none on my stomach or face/neck. I moisturize daily and really like the Aveno skin tightening cream, and am really hoping that in time it will tighten back up a little. By far, this surgery was the best decision I ever made!!

I'm 11 months out and starting drinking wine at about 3 months out, and drink it regularly now, though nowhere near as much I used to. I find that if I want a glass I have to have it before I eat, because I literally can't drink anything for about an hour after I eat - it just won't fit!!. If I'm somewhere that only has crappy wine I'll have a vodka drink usually with orange juice and/or cranberry. This past week I was on vacation and had my very first vodka/tonic since way before surgery. Guess what? I'm still alive and the soda didn't kill me. Having said that, I still have not had just a soda in the past year, nor do I intend to start drinking it again. I don't miss it at all.

3/25 HW 257 SW 246 CW 178 5' 8" Goal is 165

I just finished up 20 sessions with a trainer (2× week for 10 weeks). Best thing I could have done. I was down about 50 lbs when I started with him...prior to that I was doing group classes or elliptical. The difference in my strength is remarkable; I am doing things I never in a million years thought I could; I just kind of overall feel pretty bad-ass. :-) oh, and I lost about 3% body fat during that time. I'm moving soon, but will either buy more sessions or start doing cross-fit. Have fun with it and push yourself...it's so worth it.

Best thing I ever did. Day of surgery I was 247 and am 191 now. Size 20/22 to 14. I can eat pretty much whatever I want, just not a lot. I exercise 5-6 days a week, a mix of cardio and strength training. I rewarded myself with 20 personal training sessions when I got under 200. Knees don't hurt any more and I love how strong I feel. You still need to make good food choices though...bad stuff slides right down. For the first time in many years I actually feel normal about food, and don't obsess about it. I don't track what I eat, just concentrate on making good choices at each meal. I indulge every now and then....I think depriving yourself sets you up for failure (at least it does for me). Best of luck to you!!!

I'm in Elk Grove. Surgery was 3/25/13 with Dr. Patching at Sutter.

I'm 5'8" and my goal is 165-175. I'm at 190 right now and in a size 14 pants (I'm pear shaped). I'm pretty happy with the way I look now, but would love to see if I can get down to a size 10.

Ht. 5'8" HW: 258 SW: 247 (3/25/13) CW: 191 GW: 165 (would love to be there by my birthday in Feb) 44 yo F I track monthly weight loss and measurements. I have lost 10" off both my waist and hips. Size 22 to 14, pear shape.

I'm 5'8" and my heaviest ever was 275. I am now 195. My original goal was 175, but then I thought it should be 165 to be in the "normal" bmi range (even though I think bmi is a very flawed health indicator).. I am pear shaped and at this weight you can see my collarbones and breast bone. Of course I totally zoom in on my hips and thighs. I am in a large top and 16 pants, 14 in some styles. I am now working with a personal trainer and my goal is to get my body fat % down to about 27. I think I will be done when I get to a size 10-12, regardless of what the scale says.

I agree that the machines overestimate, but not nearly as much as My Fitness Pal does!

My husband: "it looks like someone took a pin and popped your butt.".

I just hit Onederland this morning! Surgery weight 247.6, today 199.4. I revised my goal to 165 and I start working with a personal trainer tomorrow.

I feel like you do. I'm 5 months out and watch what I eat but don't track anything. I did this to stop being obsessed with diets, feeling "good" or "bad" because of what I ate, etc. I eat pretty much what I want, just in much smaller quantities. My biggest change has been my recommitment to exercise...I work out nearly every day for 45-60 minutes, cardio and strength. I feel great and love my lifestyle.

It really depends on how much elasticity you have in your skin.

I was sleeved 3/25/13. I do a 45 min step class twice a week, 50 minute circuit class 3 times a week (alternates weights and cardio in 90 second intervals), and 40 minutes on the elliptical at home on the remaining days or if I can't make it to the gym. I am meeting with a personal trainer on Tues and will likely sign up for sessions twice a week - it's time to really focus on muscle mass now.

I'm so thankful that me gym isn't like that. Or maybe it is with the after work crowd...I work from home so I go in the morning with all the older people. :-) However, I do have a comment for the girl who wears her weightlifting gloves through our entire STEP class: you look like a total idiot.

I don't watch carbs at all. I don't think a no-carb is healthy or sustainable. Having said that, I don't eat giant bowls of pasta or loaves of bread. I focus on protein at all meals, but I will have a sandwich and remove the top slice of bread. I was sleeved on 3/25 and still haven't had pasta....just have not wanted it. I'm down 45 pounds and don't track anything. I don't eat any "diet" food or protein bars. I drink a Premier Protein shake after I work out, which is usually 5 times/week. Everyone just needs to find what works for them and stick with it.

I have to jump into this conversation! I am a pear sister as well. I go crazy when I read posts where women are the same weight as me and say they are in a size 12. I think, "how can that even be possible???". I the past I wouldn't see a size 12 until I was close to 150. Anyway, like you I lose from the top down and completely lose my boobs. They've never been big to begin with - even at my heaviest (275 about 3 years ago), I was wearing a 42 B bra (now I'm in a 36 B. I was sleeved on 3/25, and this is what my progress looks like (I exercise almost every day: elliptical, interval training, step class, and track my measurements once a month). I'm 5'8", 44 years old. 1/1/13 weight: 258 - 1X top, size 22 pants 3/25/13 surgery weight: 246 - 1X top, size 20/22 pants 7/29/13 weight: 206: L/XL top, size 16W pants Waist: 3/1/13: 42", 8/1/13: 34" Hips: 3/1/13: 56", 8/1/13: 48" Thigh: 3/1/13: 32", 8/1/13: 28" Chest (band): 3/1/13: 38.5", 8/1/13: 35" Chest (fullest): 3/1/13: 43.5", 8/1/13: 38.5" So, hips and thighs are still pretty big, but my husband told me it looked like someone took a pin and popped my butt. It's not a pancake butt by any means, but not the shelf that it used to be either. :-) I'm loving the fact that I no longer live in fear of fitting in a chair.

I had a really bad sweet tooth prior to surgery - I guess I would say it was a sugar addiction (couldn't get enough, the more I ate it, the more I craved it. Even would get sugar "hangovers".) I had quit sugar cold-turkey in the past and went through what felt like detox around the 4th day (headaches, etc.), but after that I felt a lot better. After surgery I didn't have much sugar at all, given the liquid diet we are on - so I think that, coupled with the painkillers, got me through the "detox" period. Now, I really don't think much about it at all (I was sleeved on 3/25). I can honestly say when I see sweets and desserts, I can take it or leave it (before I would have been obsessing about it) and be satisfied with one bite. I just hope that lasts! Good luck to you. :-)

Sorry they're not working out for you - that's a bummer. I haven't had that experience with them, but I have noticed after a few wears and washes they already seem like they're stretching out and I need to go to a smaller size. Or I just need to bit the bullet and buy better quality ones!

I got mine done at 3 months post op and my order was identical to MrsRrn. Got the results back and everything was in normal range except B6 which was high. Will find out what that means at my appt in 2 weeks. I think my doc will order them again at 6 months.

My doctor doesn't discuss goal weights. For me, I prefer to look at body fat % and clothing size. I would love to see a body fat % of 25 and get to a size 10 or 12 (I'm 5'8" and very pear-shaped). Unfortunately measuring body fat % is a tricky business and results vary greatly. My gym has a device that you grip and it gives you a result (works just like the scales) so I am relying on that, and get tested once a month. There are others (like what the military uses) that go by measurements (neck, wrist, waist, etc)...I get a much lower result when I do that. If I use body mass and 25% body fat, I should end up weighing around 160ish.

I use sugar free...I think that sugar is worse than fat. Actually, I think sugar is the devil. :-)