Chelenka

Congratulations! You look absolutely fabulous! What a joy to see your transformation! You look so much younger but perhaps it's because you feel so much younger! Ain't it a blast shopping for cloths now?!

Yesterday did 35s plank plus 2 10s side planks (could never do them AT ALL before so 10s seemed like an eternity) and bridged for 30s. Today will be my rest day as I have an early appt. and then work.

Can I count vacuuming as exercise? ;p

Planked 35s. Gonna try some side planks tomorrow and Fiddle's exercise too.

My surgery date was 2/28 but I always think of the 4th Thursday of the month as my surgiversary. Our stats are very similar though!

Down 93.4 lbs this morning! Woot woot woot!

Down 93.4 lbs this morning! Woot woot woot!

Tiredmama: it's normal what you are feeling and thinking. Having WLS is a HUGE decision. It is a permanent change to your body. I am 9 months post-op and have lost 90lbs so far. I have been obese for my whole life and done almost every diet known to man. My decision to have WLS was not an easy one but it has been the best decision I've ever made after marrying my husband. That being said the process, especially in the beginning, is not easy and like any major surgery carries significant risks. Make sure you get as much information as you can and research you surgeon carefully. If you feel overwhelmed you may need to get some therapy and really think things thru carefully before making a decision. The surgery is an amazing weight loss tool but it doesn't cure the mental part of overeating which for me is an addiction. I wish you all the best in your journey regardless of what you decide.

Why are you having WLS if you only need to lose 50-60 lbs? Most Dr.'s require a BMI of 40 or higher, unless you are having some obesity related co-morbidies. I haven't heard of anyone having difficulty with losing too much weight. Most people struggle with regain eventually. Also haven't heard of stomach spasms from anyone. There are many possible complications with WLS so it's not something to be entered into lightly (pardon the pun).

"I believe a magic number does not exist, as there are too many variables to factor. How many calories are consumed, amount of exercise, age, genetics, etc. Anyone that believes that the surgery alone will lead them to their goal weight is mistaken. WE must change our eating habits and refrain from eating the foods that lead to our obesity." I totally agree with you on this. That's the part that is so important to realize. My surgeon told me I could expect to lose 60-70% of my excess weight from the surgery alone, which would be 70 to 80 lbs for me. The rest he said would come off if I stuck with the lifestyle changes. He emphasized how people can defeat their WLS by not sticking with their plan and returning to the habits that caused them to be so obese in the first place. It is my biggest fear that I could go off the rails and regain all the weight I've lost!

Sounds like my Mom who doesn't know how to compliment a person without adding a caveat. Over Thanksgiving after telling me I look beautiful she then she told me that now that my face is so much thinner my lines are more visible. Gee thanks, Mom.????

Ok. I'm in for the planking challenge. I'm going to start w/ 30 seconds cuz I know I can do that.

I'm late to the party as usual! Had a stomach virus for the past two days so just started back w/ exercise today. On the up side I dropped 5 lbs thanks to the virus. You know what the models say, "I'm only one stomach flu away from my goal weight!" LOL! Anyhoo, i walked 2.5 miles in 45 mins. Then met a neighbor and gabbed for about 30 mins. Does the gabbing count as exercise? My goals for this month are to increase my reps on the weight machines by adding one more set, add 5 mins to my time on the cardio machines which will take me to 45 mins., walking for 2 miles or weather/time permitting a 15-20 mile bike ride the days I'm not going to the gym. I also want to get back into a yoga class and there are at least 2 studios within 2 miles of my house. My gym has yoga on Mondays but I can't get there because of my work schedule. I'm checking out GG's planking challenge too. Happy December every one!

I had the same issue. I knew my ass was fat as hell but didn't realize how fat my face was! LOL!

Really glad the OP started this thread. So much food for thought and important reading for anyone contemplating this or any WLS. I think that when this surgery is successful and w/o complications the resulting weight loss can seem magical. But it's really just math, we eat way less than we burn. (If I could have gotten myself to do that w/o surgery I would have!) The surgery is a tool but not a cure because we can defeat the surgery with our behavior. Almost everyone experiences some regain eventually. I think it's very important to go into this or any WLS armed with as much information as possible and eyes wide open to all the risks. ANY surgery is a risk and that is the reality. Please let go of your guilt about your co-worker but not your concern and support. I hope things get easier for her ASAP!

I think the rate of weight loss slows the closer you are to your goal. At this point I feel like I have to exercise a lot to keep things going and also keep track of what I'm eating.

I understand you feeling of regret regarding your co-worker. I hope she feels better soon. This is, as Lauraven said, a MAJOR surgery and thus carries the potential for life altering and or threatening complications. I have been very open about my surgery and part of my decision to have the surgery was the hope that I might be able to lead by example for a dear friend who is morbidly obese, diabetic and has already had one heart attack at age 48. She isn't at a point in her life where she is ready to have WLS and I'm not sure she will ever want to. I am keenly aware that if she did choose to have WLS her outcome might be very different from mine. However her life is already at risk in her current state. Your friend / co-worker's experience is a cautionary tale that shows how important it is to carefully research not only the procedure but the surgeon and program. Would I recommend WLS to someone? I have spoken to a few people who have asked me about it but do so with caution. Too many people think it's an easy way out and don't make a fully informed decision.

You look great! Update your profile pic!

Try adding some fat to your diet as well. I eat avocado and use olive oil. The activia greek yogurt has too much sugar if you buy the flavored kind. I haven't seen it plain. I like Fage 2% myself.

Took another 35 min walk yesterday. I will be participating again in December. Great job every one! Tally ho!

I take a probiotic capsule every day. I think it helps. Lots of water, benefiber, a strong cup of coffee, chia seeds in your protein shake or yogurt, these have all helped. If all else fails a suppository ( sorry if that's TMI).

Congratulations Pammycakes! Hope you recover from your TT with ease! I have been so thankful for this surgery and the results, 88lbs down so far. I still have 16lbs to lose to reach my goal. I plan on rewarding myself by going shopping for some new cloths. Of course I've had to do that already. I was squeezing into size 24W and now I wear 16W in pants and 14/16 on top or an XL. It sure is a lot more fun shopping for cloths! Everything is a lot more fun!!!!

2 mile walk w/ hubby. Finished it by climbing three flights to my parents apt rather than use the elevator. (A first for us!) Funny the different choices I make now. It's not gonna cancel out the dark beer, wine, corn pudding, pumpkin and pecan pie slices (very small ones) but it's a start!

Happy Thanksgiving every one! Today is my 9 month surgiversairy and I'm so thankful for it! I'm down 88 lbs! I have been in a stall for the pst month but I'm gonna keep working at it. I find that I struggle with head hunger a lot. Stress really makes me want to eat. But also I have real hunger. I was hoping I wouldn't care about food and not really want to eat but for me that is not the way it is. Thankfully, I can't eat all that much! Blessing to you all!

Hi and welcome! I had my surgery at the new Einstein Montgomery Hospital. I had excellent care and would recommend it most highly. The surgeons are the same team that operates at Elkins Park Hosp and it is a Bariatric Center of Excellence. My surgeon was Dr. Trang. I have heard good things about Abington's program too. Maybe another forum member will chime in about that. All the best of luck to you in your process. Regardless of where you have your surgery choose your surgeon carefully. Make sure that they have had specific VSG training. There are too many general surgeons out there offering this surgery but they haven't been specifically trained for it. You want the best outcome possible.