Weyrwoman

BillieLou, that's great. Sounds like your head is in the right place. I'm still struggling but not giving up yet. Hang in there!

Hi. I'm Sharon and I'm 49 years old. I had the sleeve in 2011. I lost 100 lbs. over the next 11 months or so. Then it stopped. This past year I have held steady mostly but crept up about 8 lbs. give or take. I know I didn't do it right. The first year was wonderful. I could eat just a little bit and have that full feeling and still lose weight. But now I can eat a lot more before I feel full and it's causing me not to lose weight. I also eat carbs again. And I don't exercise enough. LOL. So yes, I've done everything wrong. But I'm still glad I had the sleeve. It's made it possible to wear clothes that are not made by a tent-maker and I can move around without as many aches and pains. Still have a lot of back pain but that's arthritis that weight loss has not helped. I never got my BMI under 30. I have considered doing the DS but I know that if I keep eating carbs it probably won't help much in the long run. Just thought I would come here and see if I could get motivated to do the whole diet and exercise thing again. And maybe recapture some of the excitement of those first months when I was losing and feeling so great! Just take my advice anyone who is new: Do NOT eat until you feel full and keep exercising and don't go back to the carbs. It is a good thing to have a VSG but it is still diet and exercise that you have to do.

Hi BillieLou. I am in the same boat as you pretty much. I had VSG in June 2011 and lost 100+ lbs.the 1st year. I started at 292 and got down to 187 at my lightest. Then I stopped losing and gained back to 195 where I am now. I am holding steady but I know if I keep doing what I'm doing (eating too much and not exercising enough) that I will gain some more. I battle with depression and stress and I self-medicate by eating carbs. I did so well at first but once I gave in "just one time" that's all it took. Now I crave carbs as much as I ever did. I would do a ticker but I can't figure out how. LOL! But I want to get down to 150. I remember being there as a young adult and I felt great and people told me I looked thin. So that's my goal I would like to be at. I will be here with you and we can help each other. I like your attitude.

Wow, thank you guys!. I wasn't expecting to get such postive responses. It's very motivational. AtlantaRed: I would advise you to keep that attitude - that foods are drugs. I played fast and loose with those danger foods and now the monkey is back. I went for a year with no white bread, candy or soft drinks. Then i thought well I'll see if a little bit won't hurt and it will taste so good since I haven't had it for so long. But a little bit turned into more and now I can eat a whole Reeses with no problem and eat a cheeseburger with the bun and all. Something I couldn't do at first. Wish I had never started it back. I do not regret the sleeve. I still think it's the best I could have done for me. I now feel like I have the ability to control my weight - I just have to actually exert some effort. But yes, you guys have inspired me. I will drink a Protein shake today and go for a walk.

Has the DS topic been added yet? I can't find a forum for people with VSG that go on to have the DS.