Shells_Almost_There

One I haven't seen mentioned yet that I watch is State of Affairs (I thought it wouldn't be good and now I really like it) - if you like How to Get Away with Murder, you will probably like State of Affairs. An older series that I just finally watched and really enjoyed was True Detective on HBO - it's been finished for a while, but supposedly they are gearing up for Season 2. Matthew McConaughey is amazing, and the storyline is eerie. Otherwise, I echo SOA (RIP!), Breaking Bad, Downton, and My 600-lb LIfe-Where Are They Now. I record a lot on my DVR and then just try to watch when I can. Fun thread

It's smart to question such a huge decision, and a lot goes into deciding. Previous comments have mentioned much of what I would say, including that I waited an entire year to give myself that "last chance" to lose weight on my own. I think I ended up gaining weight in that 12 months - almost back to my highest weight ever! Looking back, I think that the gain was actually self-sabotage to finally give myself permission to have surgery...but at the time the struggle to try to win that battle was real and disheartening. Many say to remember this surgery is a "tool" and that is correct, but also experiences post-op vary so much that we can defy the stereotypes in many ways. I was telling someone the other day that the true weight loss result from my sleeve surgery was losing exactly 40 pounds. That's it. I lost 20 during pre-op. Then I lost that very crucial 40 pounds in the first 4 months post op. After that, my "honeymoon" was over and every single change with my body since that time has been from my own effort and decision making. Yes, I have the benefits of less hunger (only a slight change, as my hunger came back at 6 months), and that helps. But I have the enormous benefit that those 60 total pounds from pre/post op made me brave enough to have another knee surgery that I had been putting off for at least 7 years, and light enough that I could get back to the gym without injury and total embarrassment about how I look. But surgery overall? A 40 pound loss. Sounds strange, right? But it was a 40 pound loss that completely changed my life! I guess what I'm trying to say is that your experience will have all sorts of commonalities with the people on this site, but you will also have your very personal challenges and victories that are all for you. I believe that it's the day-to-day challenges after the weight stops falling off that really makes or breaks this experience. And without surgery, I know for 100% certain that I would have re-gained ALL my weight and then some by now - so there you go. I've lost 108 pounds from my highest recorded weight, finally hit 90 pounds lost since pre-op (yay!) and have about 50 to go for my first big goal. The surgical results for me personally are not what I would call "typical," but dang was it ever worth the ride!!!! And it still is -- I have this sleeve surgery to thank for everything that has happened since, and would do it over again with the same (sometimes frustrating) results in a heartbeat. I hope this makes sense, it's the first time I've written this down in any sort of comprehensive way

This has been an interesting thread to read, because I have always hated running. I always loved sports, but never could run worth a darn. I don't currently aspire to run, you know, EVER, but I really want to do one of those obstacle courses with the mud and stuff. I doubt that qualifies as "running" really, but someday I will do one of those - what's that one where you jump over fire? Not. That. One. LOL In order to get my 5k on, I do random walking events, and I even bought the event shirts last year because they finally fit me! I recently did a Turkey Trot in the pouring rain on Thanksgiving and it was fun despite the sogginess. I've set a goal for the new year to do at least 4 events in 2015 (only managed 2 in 2014), even if I'm only walking.

I've never been a fan of yoga so I haven't given it much of a shot in the past. On the spur of the moment the other day I bought a yoga workout DVD - I'm hoping to get into it. Although I've lost weight and have gained strength from my regular workouts, I still don't feel like I have a lot of core strength. I'm hoping this will help!

I have come to really love my gym. It's one of those 24-hour keycard places - so I just go in at 4:30 a.m. when there are few people around (and those who are there are just as crazy as me!) and just do my thing. I'm almost always the largest person there, so it took a while to get over the chip on my shoulder about the wiggle-n-jiggle, but I think no one really cares about that but me. I bought a couple of training sessions to keep my workouts fresh (and to keep them challenging!) - totally worth the money. I am a slow loser, but I am completely inspired by the way my body composition has been changing since I got serious about my workouts in August. I can't keep up with the clothing costs at this point, so I look a little "baggy" a lot of the time. Not a bad problem to have! Other things that have really helped me: I got a Fitbit for Christmas a year ago, and it has helped me with tracking exercise and inspiring me to hit at least 10,000 steps per day. I'm still enjoying it, but I'm tempted to get a newer device (thinking Vivofit) for this year. I have also invested in nicer gym clothes, a new iPod and some wireless over-the-ear headphones. Essentially for the past year, for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions, I've asked for gift cards so that I could purchase fitness equipment and even a 1-year gym membership. It has been a really good year, and I'm looking forward to even better in 2015!

Wow, congrats! Awesome results and also very inspiring. I have a large overhang tummy already, and I'm still 50 to 70 pounds from my personal goal weight. I too plan to head to Mexico - thanks for sharing this!

I used Milk of Magnesia, but it took many doses to get things moving. It was horrible. Even now, 15 months later, I am prone to constipation. So annoying!

You're getting some great advice here, all different outlooks and ideas. My tactic was to only tell a few people (in confidence) about my surgery, and that was my choice. Now, 15 months later, a very small number of people are even aware. If some of them "suspect" or want to gossip about me, that's their issue. I'm too busy trying to get healthy to worry about them. You're under no obligation to tell anyone, including your supervisor, as people have mentioned above. But, since the weight loss will be noticeable, the backstory is important. I made a huge deal for 6 to 8 weeks before surgery about my new diet/lifestyle and working with a nutritionist. It all worked out fine. And who knows, you may end up telling people by choice later on. Some will tell you not to lie, some will help you lie (if even just by omission), but this journey is yours - so you'll end up doing what's best for you! By the way, my surgeon's office automatically writes patients out for 4 weeks after any WL surgery, so I had to plan as if I would be out a month. I ended up taking 2 weeks (had a lot of pain initially) then worked from home for a week. When I returned to work after those 3 weeks, I was 22 pounds lighter. It wasn't super noticeable, but some did ask and I just said that my new diet seemed to be paying off finally. Good luck!

LOVE your comeback!

I feel your pain, and here's my sob story: My hair finally stopped falling out at about 12 months, but all is not well. At about 10 months out, it was still falling out and then it started breaking! These high Protein diets can do something to the hair, especially if you use the wrong shampoo/conditioner. So, not only is my hair super thin now, it has broken so much that it looks like I've cut 6 to 8 inches off. I've switched products, so I'm hoping it will recover. But, you know what? I say to myself, "I'd rather be getting healthy and weigh a lot less with stupid looking hair than weigh 350 pounds with awesome hair!" Hair grows back... LOL

I notice it as well, and feel a bit guilty because I would probably still be eating like that if I could. What I also notice is really heavy people - I used to notice them before and wonder if their weight and physical issues were my future. Now I notice them with a lot of sympathy (which also makes me feel a little guilty!) and wish I could lead them toward this journey. It is so strange how our lives change...

Lil Miss Diva just converted not long ago - I recommend contacting her!

LOVE IT!

GG, so happy to see your update and the amazing pictures of you and your hubby. I really appreciate the insights of your journey because it's such a great reality check of what life is like after 6 months to a year. Surgery only takes us so far, then it's up to us again!

WOW - very inspirational and amazing. What a transformation!

For me, it's too easy to NOT do anything if I stay home. I will sit on the couch and think about exercising but never actually do it. I started using my treadmill to hang dry my clothes instead of using it to work out. So, a monetary commitment was what I needed to stay motivated at first. Now, I have habits and it's great. To meet my hectic schedule, I get up at 4:00 a.m. and arrive at the gym by 4:30. Weekdays this is the only schedule that works so that I get to my office on time. It was painful at first, but the 4:30 a.m. group at the gym are a bunch of great people (who sadly only see me when I look like crap LOL) - and they help motivate me everyday. This is a personal, decision, of course, and I truly think that you can make it work at home - I just learned that I can't. Plus the gym has neat machines and personal trainers to help out when I need it. Good luck with your decision!

Possibly your best post EVER. Kudos to you and all that you were able to recognize in your life that you wanted/needed to change - especially those things that you had no idea needed to be changed. I too just passed my one year. It has been a struggle, and the struggle continues. That is frustrating and inspiring at the same time (sounds weird, but hopefully someone here understands!) - In another year from now, I truly want my life to have changed even more...and I've been so grateful to the awesome people on this site who have been the voice of reason, the severe butt kickers, and those patient folks who really want to help others. Keep on keepin' on, friends!

I'm a year out and am still experiencing dry, chapped lips from the dehydration. I always carry Carmex or Burt's Bees because of the chapped lips - and whenever I put some on, it reminds me to keep drinking my water!

I love my Fitbit - my 10,000 step goal is a great way to compete with myself all day (longer route to the bathroom, walks during breaks, etc). Don't trust the calories burned thing, especially if you haven't had your RMR testing done -- My Fitbit calculates way more (like 300-500/day) calories burned than my RMR tests showed, so I try to ignore it now - I just stick to my eating plan instead. One tip I will share is that if you work out with it on, like on a recumbent bike or elliptical, you have to specifically move your hands/wrists for it to pick up the effort. Nothing ticks me off more than doing 15 minutes on an elliptical and sweat like a pig, then have no "active minutes" counted! I do the recumbent elliptical daily at my gym, and I sort of snap my wrists in the handles to be sure I'm getting credit - I'm sure it looks dumb, but if I'm working out, I want the credit! LOL Otherwise, have fun with it, it's an awesome little tool.

Following up on my earlier comment, I wanted to share what happened yesterday afternoon at work - a perfect example of feeling like a complete idiot - yet the person's intentions were undoubtedly good! I happened to be wearing this pair of black jeans that seem to make my weight loss more accentuated. I walked into the deli downstairs and a gal I've known casually for a few years stares at me for a couple of heartbeats then yells really loudly "Oh my god you look amazing!" Thank god there were only about 6 people in the deli because I was so embarrassed. The other 3 women at the gal's table all turned to stare and look me up and down. I didn't know any of them, so I bet they were wondering "what the hell is she talking about?" I mean I am still a very large person - they don't know the change I have gone through, even if I'm still so big. It was one of those moments where I wanted to just have the floor open up and swallow me. Instead I just smiled and said "thanks I've been working out a lot." Sheesh.

You are undoubtedly more confident and that is probably showing in ways that you don't realize. I have funny little things that are showing up that I've had to have pointed out to me because I hadn't noticed. For example, I walk really fast now. Once I had my knee surgery (5 months after my sleeve), 7 years of knee pain has disappeared. I'm unstoppable! I even hiked 5 miles this weekend. Not something I would have done pre-sleeve, due to my weight and my bad knee. I will say though, I work with someone who I've had to ask to stop greeting me by saying "Good morning, Skinny!" She did it again last week and it really ticked me off. I weigh 260 pounds, and am in no way "skinny." Plus it makes me really uncomfortable. I mean, I walk into my surgeon's office and I'm sure the people in the waiting room assume I'm pre-op because I'm so big. It's just that my weight loss is super noticeable to those I've known for a while, and she can't seem to help herself. She thinks it's a compliment. I've explained to her that it makes me feel uncomfortable, but she just seems to have verbal diarrhea and says it anyway. I should probably clarify that almost no one at work knows about my surgery, so my change is probably a mystery to them (and I really hope to keep it that way!) Anyway, I just go with it and try to control what I can, but I realize I can't control everything. Just another part of this crazy journey!

My list post-op was a daily multi-Vitamin (I like Centrum flavor bursts), a weekly (prescribed) Vitamin D, and 2 sublingual B-12s per day. Oh and I added Fiber gummies. Later, Calcium citrate was added to my daily list, but I'm still trying to find a version that doesn't have a side effect for me. Yuck. What does your doc recommend?

My arms are a tragedy right now and I've had some issues, but I still would not go back. Despite my frustrations (which make me crave carbs/sugar, of course) I feel so much better! My surgery was 100% worth it, and dang it, this journey isn't over yet. Just don't ever ask me to wear short sleeves! LOL

@@jarodnaaron are you on your way to surgery today? If yes, good luck! @@Unhappysleever It all depends on the density of the food - but I can probably eat 6 to 8 oz of dense Protein at once. I've noticed that the drier it is, the less I can eat. So really soft meat goes down super easy, but dry chicken breast is hard to eat - and is kind of disgusting. Knowing that, I try to eat soft fish instead of a prime cut of steak - just to keep my calories and fat down. Also, I can eat way too many carbs at once and I am still working to discipline myself against slider foods, which taste awesome but don't fill me up (and they totally cause cravings). It's such a balancing act. I had always heard "this is a tool, not a cure" and other things like that. I guess you could say that I am experiencing the reality of that truth,

I wouldn't go as far to say "anything I want," but I can eat many many things at once. Georgia above mentions "lots of restriction." I don't have that any longer (and I wish I did!) -- I used to be able to be completely full after a few bites and not be hungry for hours. Now I can eat quite a bit, and only sometimes feel sick or like I'm going to throw up (by the way, I've never puked or had the slimes since surgery). My hunger has returned. It's so much different than month 1 or 2. Anyway, as I said above, I still would have surgery, I still would spend the money, etc - I just am not having a very restricted experience and therefore can eat a lot of calories in a sitting and in a day if I'm not super careful. I try very hard to stick with my doctor's guidelines, but it is too easy to slip. I exercise a lot now and I'm happy to have lost the weight that I did in the first 4 months post op (and I had knee surgery a few months back once I felt ready for a 2nd operation) - so I feel more like the old me, but I still want to lose at least 60 if not 80 pounds. Now, it's all up to me - not the sleeve - to get that done. I hope this helps!