sdocforce

Just wondering from veterans and newbies alike thoughts on plastics. How much extra weight do you think the skin would be, let's say you lost ~100lbs, if you had some nips and tucks? 1lb, 5lbs, 10lbs any guesses? Does anyone have credible knowledge of significant inches/wt lost after plastic revisions such as lower body lift, upper arm lifts??? Did you wait until you made it to goal weight? or did you just nip and tuck after you stopped losing?? And PS...why can't I post a topic in the Veteran's Forum specifically? I'm > 1 yr out now and it says I can't start or respond to topics there...any clues???? thanks everyone Stacie

So here is my question...How do you have room for 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup Fiber one and scoop of Protein powder. I cannot eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal at one time comfortablly. I am a bit aprehensive because the more carbs I eat, usually the more I crave the crappy ones...you know chips, fries, potatoes, breads Pasta etc...my killers! Love this info though as I'm trying to psych myself into training for 1/2 marathon and perhaps even beyond. thanks.

You know what they say about opinions and "exit doors"...right? Everybody's got one! Well so do I and my opinion is this...It worked for me, I have no regrets and I'm not really interested in anyone elses opinion! I know what I have invested and continue to invest in myself everyday. That ONE day was 1 year ago TODAY and I'm happier, healthier and on track for a longer better life because of it. Hooray for what ever works for you...I hope your choices will bring you as much happiness and success as mine have. Have a wonderful day.

So I'm approaching "home plate" at a snail's pace. About 20 lbs from goal with about 1 month to go to my 1 year surgiversary. I jog every other day. I can run 5 miles at once, a goal for me. I'm wearing a size 12, that is big (NEVER BEFORE). I cannot believe the life I have now. I knew it would happen this way. My weight loss would slow down as I got closer to goal. I'm not really disappointed or unhappy or discouraged. Here's the proposition...Do I use a tactic, like pre-op diet, 5:2 plan, or some other measure to get there? Or do I accept this journey for what it is and get there when I get there? I have been approaching this metamorphasis as realistically as possible. I have tried to move along with no major goals, or strategy, but rather to behave as I know I would maintain. I eat what I want and can tolerate (much less and less often). Most of the time it is smart and healthy. Sometimes not so much. I run every other day, because that is what I have time for. I have a 2 and 3 year old, 3 dogs, 5 cats, one husband and work full-time as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I have watched my weight melt away quickly at first like melting butter in the microwave. The last few months its been more like ..."huh? look at that, I lost another pound". I feel like my soul wants to let go of this obsession to be somewhere else, not "like this is not good enough until I get there mode". That mode is so exhausting. But then there is the self-critical, obsessive compulsive part that would just love to get it done, get to where I am going by the one year mark. Is it a failure to not reach your goal within a year?? It seems most do. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm trying that hard. But I really have been trying to be realistic. I'm not going to be a Tri-athelete...so I'm not going to train that way, because I won't be able to maintain it. I'm not going to eat salad and yogurt everyday ONLY! So I'm not going to try, because then I can beat myself up with failure because I won't be able to maintain weight lost that way. Well now that you have read this neurotic circular thought you can give me your two cents. What do you think? And thank you for your advice and thoughts in advance. I have never been disappointed by my responses from the group here. I find you all seem to be sincerely here for support. Have a great Labor Day every one!!!

Well it only took until July...but...I am now finally able to run the 3.2 miles of the 5K I tried to complete twice earlier this Spring. Turns out I was psyching myself out. I learned by accident that if I slow down when it gets tough instead of panicking I can keep going longer. I know you are all thinking "duh who doesn't know that". Well Me...never having been a runner I didn't realize what I was doing to myself. I believe I had just convinced myself I was never going to be a runner and would never be able to run more than 2 or 2.5 miles. But I'm happy to say that I CAN...and WILL keep doing it now. The last time I went out I actually went for 4.1 miles. I know this is not a big deal for "runners", but for myself it might as well be a MARATHON! I am so happy that I did this for myself. I am still figuring out what works best, but I do know that it is a good feeling that I can lace up and go running whenever I want and DO IT! Take care all. Thanks for listening! And thanks for all the good information here. It has been such a wonderful resource for me this last (almost year...YIKES). And for the first time in my life I am within 20 lbs of my goal weight. I have never ever worn a size 12...these are all firsts for me and it is a wonderful time.

Alright Already. I'm getting to the end of my patience. I looked at my tracker and I've been hovering now in the mid to low 180s for over a month now. Seems the scale reads 183-185.5 day after day after day. I know I'm shrinking cause my clothes are still getting roomier and I'm jog/running every other day (to protect my joints) to get ready for my 5 K this Saturday. I practiced over the weekend. I thought I would die, but I did run/jog the whole distance. So I admit I'm not eating as clean as I should, but I know that I am not eating too many calories, because I can hardly eat more than 1/2 cup of food at a time. I am 3 days from the 8 month mark with a loss of 71 ish pounds. I can't afford to do anything drastic with only 2 days before the race, but does anyone have any suggestions to help me jump start things or is this it? Do you think that this is where I will land? I guess it will be ok, but I was hoping to get to 160. I'm 5'4", 43 and started this journey at 256 lbs (but my highest weight was 276 lbs). Thanks for listening to my rant.

You really have done a wonderful job and changing your life. Congratulations on your past, present and ongoing success. If you don't mind would you tell me how tall you are? I'm stalled out at 185 which is about 75 lbs gone. I feel great, can run a 5 K, play with my kids, cross my legs, do a push up or two, say no to rice and bread...its like heaven. But I was hoping to get to 160...it may have been lofty, cause I don't want to kill myself to get there or stay there. I'm happy here at good old average 12/14 American Chubby. But I'll keep keepin' on and see where I get by September...that will be a year for me 9/24/14. Good Job and Good luck to all!

Whooo Hooo...GOOD JOB to all who are chalking up success stories. Just adding a toot here myself. This morning I jogged my whole route. I have been training every other day for another up coming 5 K at the end of May. I figured it out and it was about 2.3 miles. That might as well be a marathon for me! Whooopie! Feels good! Congrats to everyone who is working hard and a pat on the back for all those who are struggling...hang in there. thanks, stacie

This is a related comment. I'm wondering if you, like myself, feel like an imposter all the time?? I just journal'd this thought this morning. I feel sort of ... lost. I'm wearing size 14 and Med to large tops. (I'm bottom heavy-thighs or I could easily wear smaller pants) I saved my wedding dress and one pair of jeans for Before and after pics (and sentiment of course). I have no earthly conscious recollection of being any smaller in my whole adult life or being closer to an ideal/goal body weight. Highest = 256 (not counting pregnancy), Current =185, Goal=160. My point is that I'm getting anxious. I'm not sure who I am if I'm not the "fat one" anymore. Its like that is who I am and now that I'm average and could (maybe) even get smaller, I'm rather freaking out. I don't know if it is that I never thought I was so big and now that I am truly wearing sizes I never have and I have to face the fact that I was where I was or what? I went back to the pics I took the morning of surgery which is actually about 10 lbs less than highest. It was shocking! I don't believe I ever saw that in the mirror before. Not really saw it, I mean. I don't know if I have the courage to put it here as reference. I really was shocked at the transformation and yet it still feels unreal. Not like I'm not here, but that I was never there. Whew can you tell my head is really messed up. I'm confusing myself now. Anyway...I guess I'm in the middle of an identity crisis, not certain where I've been or where I'm heading. Maybe most crucial piece is...not sure I deserve to go there! Being the "big fat LOSER" has been my handle a LONG time. Yuk...thanks for listening to this babble. Glad I got it out! Any insight would be helpful...fragile feelings so please save overt criticism!

So I was sleeved 9/24/13. I've lost 66.7 pounds and am on the slow downhill slide toward home. I feel fantastic. However I did admit to y'all not too long ago that I really had done no work yet. I wasn't exercising and letting the sleeve do all the work, which was wonderful. But now I am happy to report with a little kick in my smaller derierre, I have started to walk/jog again. I am celebrating my birthday this month and registered for a Lucky Leprechaun 5 K. I thought it would help motivate me to get it in gear, knowing that I had to perform soon. Well over the weekend I set out to see if I had enough stamina to walk jog my "country block" (just a smidge over 5 miles). And I'm happy to report I am still alive. I stopped a couple times to stretch a little, but managed to pretty consistently walk/jog the whole thing otherwise. Sorry I'm tooting my own horn, but it was a big step for me to finally take some control. I am starting to feel a bit stronger and excited again about being healthy not just smaller/thinner. Thanks for listening. I hope you are all taking better care of yourselves than I was. I feel much better now. Have a great day! And thank you to all who are sharing, it helps to have a source of support in this. If you don't live this way and have this history it is impossible to understand. Stacie

5 K done! Ocean Isle NC...was a cool morning, probably better that way. Whew! I couldn't quite jog the whole way, but I know I did my best that day and feel great about it. Probably jogged 3/4 or more of the way. Its been a long time since I could run/jog at all. Now it is so cute to hear my two year old say..."Mommy is runnin'???" when I get my work out clothes on. I'm starting to get quite saggy, but stronger, happier, healthier so I guess that is a small price to pay for the years I'll get to spend with my family and friends. Most importantly I'll be all those things while I'm doing it. Oh and just for good measure I signed up for another 5 K ...Maybe I'll be able to jog the whole way. And if not...I'll keep trying! Thanks for your support and health and happiness to all of you to on your journeys. Stacie

This is a valuable conversation. I have to admit that I haven't had to deal with it much. That is not to say that I haven't been slipping back into old habits on occasion. Because that would be a lie and I participate here to be honest and hold myself accountable. I find though, that when I try to medicate what ever needs to be comforted that it is not working, because I cannot over-eat...and that was the key to the old me. I could and would eat enormous amounts of food, binging to make myself feel good only to hate myself later. Now I cannot do that...and that sometimes kills me! My medication is gone. So now I guess distraction is the key. I often deny and find something else to keep me busy until the longing subsides. It is not the best plan, and I admit I need to find healthier ways, perhaps exercise, phone call or maybe just come here and blog away! Thank you everyone for sharing and making me own up to it.

Inspirational...seriously. I'm about 6 mos and just crossed the 70 lb mark. I don't think I have any conscious memory of being 24 pounds from a weight goal in my entire adult life. It really is quite surreal for me. I am challenged by exercise, I have always loved it, but I have other priorities now, like my babies (2 y/o and 1 y/o). I am relatively active and I did complete a 5 k almost jogging the entire thing in March 2014. But your pics really are an eye opener, I wanted to congratulate you on such a profound transformation, you must feel amazing. I'm gonna keep working on the exercise, I want to be a good example for my babies too. Another 5 K is coming up in May...maybe I will be able to run the whole thing this time. Thanks for your info and the sharing of what you do.

For those that are a little further out...just wondering...I don't suppose the reflux gets better over time?? I was religiously taking pepcid twice daily, but then at about 4.5-5 months out that wasn't cutting it. I had to add Omeprazole too. I knew that the Sleeve would likely result in reflux, but I'm a little concerned that it takes two classes of medication to keep it under control at 5 mos, where do I go from here? thanks for your input...

Ok PlanetHeather, so how do you make cauliflower crust pizza????

So glad you found out at the office. I'm actually a provider myself and found out the hard way I did not need my BP meds. I was so embarrassed I actually passed out in the bathroom at work. I felt like a genius! So dah! no need for Lisinopril any more! Geesh..."we" make the worst patients.

Oh yeah. Rice...a show stopper for me. I can have a couple of kernels peppered in a juicy mix of veggies and meat, but a spoonful of Rice...will get stuck and cause a very uncomfortable uproar. Soft squishy bread or Desserts same thing. It is a blessing quite frankly. I used to be able to eat my weight (formerly 60 lbs more than today) in bread, Pasta, rice, chips, popcorn...all the things I love and often crave. NOW...nothin' doin! I cannot tolerate it in any real quantity. Now I realize that the carb high is/was what I was/am addicted to. So now that I cannot gorge myself to the point of the high, I tend to avoid it or at least limit my exposure. Its weird, like now that I can't eat as much of it, it doesn't have the same appeal to eat just a bite or two, therefore I don't usually bother. I am so grateful for my tool...it has been the most effective thing I have ever done for my weight loss goals and attempts to be healthier. Good luck finding your limits and I hope you learn faster than I do. stacie

Okay this is my confession. I have let my sleeve do all the work. I have yet to start exercising. I went for a bike ride yesterday with my family and realized that although I'm now more than 50 lbs down I am in no better shape. So somebody tell me to get off my keester and get busy. Be gentle...I'm thinner all over...even my feelings are leaner. Thanks for listening to my whining.

Ummm...I'm thinking the Rocky theme or Eye of the Tiger. Those always make me feel like pumping Iron or at least getting up off the couch! Oooo but I like Wild Women Do...(and they don't regret it) too!

OMG You got me...I'm so glad I already had used the restroom. Playing this potential scene out in my head between myself and my husband literally made me almost pee myself. Thank you for the giggles today.

AMEN! and from now on...I'm going to reframe my own thoughts and behaviors. As before I read your post, I think I wasn't giving myself or any of us enough credit. I was still swirling in low self esteem, self doubt and feelings of failure that seem to plague the overweight and obese. Thank you for the new perspective. I feel like I just watched GI Jane, which always makes me feel like pumping iron, kicking ass and taking names. I'm not going to apologize or belittle my accomplishments anymore. You are right...I am doing this myself too...I am changing my behaviors and choices and patterns. The VSG is why, but it doesn't change the fact that it is happening, because I chose this tool to make it happen. Thank you for being courageous enough to point this out and give me a healthier perspective.

Just have to say...great work! Lookin' good!