SeaGirl

I'm 51. Starting weight was 230, surg wt was 221 on 8/6/2013. Was down to 148 by March. I walk, work out more occasionally than consistently. BMI from 38-39 to 23 in 6-7 mos. Love my sleeve!

I was sleeved on 8/6/13 and have been sober 26 years. I'd love to chat about this.

I set my own goal. I wanted to be a size 10. Well that was about 25 to 30 lbs ago. I think cloths are larger then they were 25 years ago. I'm 5'5" and now weigh 143. I'm in a size 6 pant unless they are too big. Yesterday I bought a size zero. That's how clothing makers vary. I'm thrilled, I love my new body, saggy and all! Just do what you are comfortable with.

I was discouraged from telling anyone about my surgery beforehand. At first, I told 2 or 3 people and got some pretty mixed reviews, so at the suggestion of my surgeons coordinator, I stopped telling anyone. I have a huge supportive family and another huge group of friends that have known and loved me for many years. For that I am super grateful. Of my family, I told one sister, and of the friends, I told 3 or 4. My husband was freaked out, but became more and more supportive in the months leading up to the surgery. After surgery, as the weight started to come off, and people noticed, I started telling people, not only that I had had a surgical weight loss procedure, but that I had gone to Mexico to have the surgery done. I also told people I went alone. I only told people what they asked, so not everyone got all of the story. They all talk amongst themselves, so I figured they would all put it all together, or not. Anyway, I've been very open about the surgery. Fast forward to now...nearly 10 months later, and I've been feeling a little guilty for not telling all of my loved ones before I headed over the border for a huge life-changing surgery. I have been thinking about how I would feel if my Mom or Dad, one of my kids, or a sister did the same thing. I also have heard the opinions of others, that "she wasn't really that big" or "she really didn't need to do that". I've let it mess with my mind a little. This weekend it's all come full circle...My husband is laid up after having a knee replacement and we have numerous flower beds and a veggie garden. I've never been much for taking care of them in the past, because it seems like just looking at a rake would make my back go out and make me fully crooked for the better part of the following week. I couldn't get down on all fours and work, then get back up very easily, and I would just get too tired. This weekend I dug grass and weeds, as well as fully dug, tilled and replanted 2 perennial beds. Hubbie was there to help a little, but for the most part it just drove him nuts to not be able to do much. Anyway, I have spent hours this spring in the gardens and finally, all I have left to do this Memorial Day is mow the lawn. My feet don't hurt, my back doesn't hurt, I can get down on the ground and back up without a second thought, over and over again. I can run and grab something that my husband hints at, because a hint is a sure sign that he's going to go get the tool on his own, and he just shouldn't do that yet. Then I can cook all the meals, clean up, do laundry and all the rest, all in the same day....WOW!! It took me the better part of 5 years to put on the extra 85-90 lbs. I kept it on for 20+ years. Yes I looked ok, my health hadn't completely deteriorated, but was moving that direction. I look around and I see that having 30 -50 extra pounds is pretty normal for women my age. Still, the negative self-talk and the fear of diabetes, a heart attack or stroke were ruling my life and making me sick mentally and emotionally. Never in those 25+ years could I have known how much of an energy suck the extra weight had become. How while I tried to be normal, riding 50+ mile bike rides, hiking, skiing, playing softball on rec teams, I was working many times harder than the more normal weight men and women around me. Now I'm glad I took the advise of my coordinator and only told those closest to me. If any of the others had talked me out of doing it, I would have never known. I would be sitting on my porch, looking at my overgrown gardens, watching TV and wishing I had moved forward with the surgery. Make sure the surgery is the right thing for you, and go for it, don't look back. You deserve to feel great, to look great, and to give your family your very best, which I now know was impossible before the surgery.

There isn't anything I can say that others haven't posted in response to you. I just want to tell you that I'm on your team, and there are many of us here who truly care about you. Keep reading, keep posting. I had my very best friend (weekly coffee, holidays, weddings, vacations together, etc, etc) break my heart 2 days before my surgery by bailing on me after she insisted I didn't go to Mexico alone for my surgery. I had rearranged the surgery to fit her schedule, purchased her airline ticket and the whole shebang. I was hurt and pissed and truly non-plussed by her behavior. I went anyway, and I chose to forgive her, for this is my deal, my fight, my choice, my solution. By owning it, I get to claim the rewards, and I get to accept her, where-ever she is in the process. Our friendship is not the same. I miss her sometimes, and I miss having a devoted female friend. Not sure if it ever will be the same in the future. That's life. I always believe that God, or whatever that spirit thing is called, puts people in our lives as we need them, and them us. When it no longer serves both parties, new friends and connections come to fill new times, circumstances and needs. Sounds like you are moving on...Best Wishes and stick close to us...

Best wishes for a speedy recovery! You will do great. Let us all know how you are progressing and be sure to reach out if you need support.

Bravo to you! I've read many of your posts over the last year and I am so thrilled to see your beautiful face! I just posted a similar thread because I feel this moment is very cathartic in my life, the moment of realizing that everything that I was so happy about and so good at when I was 230 lbs, is now happy on steroids after WLS. I appreciate your post, your pics and all of your success from the standpoint of sisterhood. That, my friend, is truly priceless! Rock on!

Congratulations on your weight loss. I am down 8 lbs below goal and am eating most everything and trying not to loose a lot more.. I also have to work on my impulse eating. It seems I eat ok in the morning and by mid afternoon I coulld eat my arm off. So afternoon and evening, like before surgery, are my slippery times. So far, this isn't effecting my weight loss, but I weigh myself daily to be sure I continue to not regain any weight.

Thanks Grammy! I'm down about 85 lbs now and need to update my profile and pics. Today is 9 mos out. 99% of my days I feel energetic, and just plain great! Today I needed a nap, are too much sugar, and am not super happy. Maybe PMS? Time for bed, tomorrow is a new day.

I'm 9 months out today! HUGE difference for me as well. I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!

My friend has more to loose, she's on the schedule for 6/3. She's on a Milk Diet. I didn't have to do it, but it's working great or her.

RJ. You bring so much to all of us. Your progress is amazing! I'm thrilled for you!

I'm 50 and had VSG on 8/6/13. Since then I've lost 87 lbs and am 7 lbs below goal. 9 months today, and 14 inches off my waist! You can do it. Follow the plan. I can definitely eat more today. And I have to really watch what I eat. And I have to make a practice to drink Water even this far out. LOVE my sleeve!

The fun is just beginning. I can't believe how I've shrunk. I dreamed of getting to a size 10 and was so thrilled to shop at Banana Republic and Loft. The the clothes I got started getting too big. Now I'm a size 6 and I never ever dreamed I would be so slim. I know my wedding dress (from 1996) is too large. I haven't tried it on. All of my other old clothes were donated in the fall and winter to Colorado Flood victims. Enjoy your journey!

Not that anyone missed me, but I'm back. I took a break because I got busy with Candy Crush, Facebook, work, and actually got a little selfish. I felt confident and the desperate need for reassurance, info, and experience went away. A few months later, I want to connect with you all again. I also want to offer hope, and a little experience where I can. I spent hours every day on this site a year ago while getting ready for my sleeve. I might not be here today if I hadn't had all of your collective comments and hopes and pictured to prod me along. Forgive my absence. I plan to check in for a short time most days of the week moving forward.

Ok so I went and worked out with a group. The trainer had us do sets of sit-ups alternating with box jumps. I did so many sit ups I bruised my tailbone and excoriated the skin around that area. It hurt for a few weeks and took awhile to heal. Sit ups have to be do neon a bosu or ball now. I can feel the boney prominences of my sacrum for the first time ever. When I was this weight in my early 20s, I had more padding there. This is new. I have bike capris that are padded and cover up with a Sweet Spot Skirt (Google that). It works for casual days running errands in my car. I really want to ride my bike, and hope that my seat position will not cause my tailbone to hurt. I think it's gonna be ok. Glad to hear I'm not alone in this, but sorry the rest of you have this pain too.

Hey Girl, glad you are here and sharing your thoughts. I felt sheepish eating so little at first, and at first it was VERY little. Now that's normal for me. I am thrilled to be so satisfied with so little. For me the emotional toll of being heavy and wanting a diet that would work, and to feel successful with weight loss felt unobtainable. The resulting successes and relative ease has been nothing short of amazing for me. They told me that if I fixed the spiritual and the emotional, the physical would follow. Well, in my case, I'm much more loving to myself and more compassionate and caring to others as a result of the weight loss. It will get more real for you, and you will start to feel more normal with it all. Hang in there. Spend some time being good to yourself. Keep talking cuz you're one of us now, and there are a lot of bus who care.

Awesome! Amazing!

GG. It's good to see you. I was just a few days behind you at the same surgeon and my wt loss has slowed. Anyway, our numbers are nearly identical. It's great to see your pictures, to see how we were, and how beautiful your figure is today. Keep on doing what your doing and feel great about your progress. How's the hubs? Thanks for posting.

I don't know how far out you are. I had the same thing when I started traveling for work about 5 weeks after surgery. Please know the best is yet to come. The reward is feeling so good about how you feel and look. Most people are more concerned with themselves then you. I know it's sad to be different, but you will be very different very fast and I find most people are very compassionate about my eating when they realize the lengths I've gone to to cure obesity.

I'm 50 and lost 20 first month. In 6 mos down 75 lbs. that's ok with me!

I did. This is a crazy issue. After surgery it was so much easier. I had a plan to follow and was so "done" being crazy with food that it was easy to stay on my surgeon's prescribed plan. Now I'm almost 8 months out and battling the cravings. I'm certainly not hungry like before and I have great restriction. I'm so much better than before surgery. You can do this. Just know that it may get a whole lot better after the surgery is done.

nice!!!

Hi Peg, I was a depressive sort for years. I feel so much better now that I have my sleeve. I did a lot of self deprecation because I couldn't stick to a diet or find any happiness in life feeling like a failure. With the sleeve, at least initially, my appetite changed and food stopped being a battle for me. The weight came off quickly and easily and I my energy was really high. It seems like for the first time in the last 25 years, I feel like I'm really AOK! i'm still getting used to my eyes, that now seem to be much bigger than my stomach and because I have such a history of a bad relationship with food, I am learning to be patient as I make choices and be good to myself as I walk forward in this deal. I hope this surgery makes you happy and doesn't put you in the dumps. Its been an amazing shot in the arm for me and I love my new sleeved life.

just saw this and I hope you are ok. I can't imagine your grief as I haven't had that experience. Hugs and prayers coming your way. I'm glad you reached out and if I can offer any support, please feel free to contact me.