JanetteH

Hi everyone Yes, Claire I'm a little disappointed to say that I've had "bounce back" - in total I'm back up about 11 lbs. I'm exercising less (just walking the dog about 1 mile every day) so I plan to get back to the gym - swimming and the weight circuit are good for me even if I don't lose weight :-) I have decided to live with my apron - it's not so bad and recovery from the surgery sounds difficult. Good luck to everyone with more surgery in their future. Janette

Looking good!

Hi Kim Congratulations - sounds as if you will be looking fantastic! Cant wait to see some before and after pictures :-) So glad everything went fairly well - keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. Janette

Congratulations Erin! You look fabulous - so smart to get the surgery when you're young - you have the whole of the rest of your life to enjoy being "skinny" I haven't reached my goal weight but I'm holding steady at about 20 lbs over (lost 105lbs) - not bad for a grandma.

Hi Erin So glad to hear you're feeling better - that was not a good way to get down to your goal weight I have been so fortunate in that I haven't had any problems so far - I will take your description of the symptoms very seriously just in case something like that happens to me. Thanks for posting. I can't believe the emergency room doctors let it go so long until things became life threatening. Horrible! Anyway, glad it's all in the past - enjoy your cruise - you deserve it so much. Janette

WOW! You guys are making great progress! So happy to hear that Claire and Deanna have their tummy tucks all set up. Good luck! Hope there are as few problems as possible. I have not investigated this surgery yet - I'm still losing very slowly (down 104 lbs now/size 18) Enjoying buying clothes in "regular" XL sizes. My "apron" can be disguised in the right clothing - may try spanks or compression shorts.

Congratulations, Dreamingbig - you look fantastic. Do you have a "before" picture? I can't even imagine you as a "fat lady" - you look so beautiful. Claire - off on another adventure! You sure don't let your mobility issues get in your way! As you know, we were in Baltimore visiting our older son and new grandson and in 10 days we're off to San Diego for a week to visit our younger son. Not quite as exciting as Italy but I'll enjoy myself - might even get to meet KimR. I think many of us are/have been suffering from the "plateau blues". I finally got the scale to move and hit my goal of losing 100 lbs by increasing my exercise over the last month - that seems to be the secret for me - and I feel better too - all those endorphins running around my system. We finally have some warmer weather here in upstate New York so its a joy to go outdoors without a coat I agree with Claire about the healthier Snacks - in addition to fruit, I keep yoghurts on hand as well as hummus with veggies. My secret treat is a digestive biscuit with my tea (for Americans this is also plain like tea biscuits - similar to Graham crackers) so nothing fancy unless I go crazy and buy chocolate digestives Good luck everyone - and keep on posting - I miss you!

Deanna, Good idea - I might buy some compression shorts Lynn, I was stuck for several months around Thanksgiving and Christmas - eating the wrong things and suffering the consequences. I decided I had to do something about it so I went back to the gym and started tracking my food on MyFitnessPal again. I swim twice a week, take a Zumba class, lift weights and have increased the distance I walk my dog to about an hour (2.5-3 miles). It's working - I'm down another 6 pounds now - and have finally hit my "mini-goal" of losing 100 pounds I'm not too rigid in watching what I eat, but the small stomach is still working for quantity control - I get full after 1.5-2 cups of food - and the exercise is making me more toned and stronger. Do you have access to a gym, exercise videos or even a Wii? Good luck!

Hi Kim, Claire & Deanna Great to hear from everyone - so glad everyone is doing well. Like you, my weight loss slowed and stopped for around three months - and I actually gained 3 lbs in Dec and Jan But I'm on a new routine of increased exercise and I'm losing again slowly (about ½ lb per week). I walk 3-4 miles, or swim for 1 hour, or take a Zumba class and lift weights almost every day. My energy level is certainly improving and my blood work is all excellent so my PCP/GP is delighted with me. Beginning to think my long-term goal of losing another 25 lbs is a long shot but I can live with that. Just need to reach my mini-goal of losing 100 lbs (2 lbs to go!) Haven't decided about skin removal - my "apron" slaps against my thighs when I'm walking - very annoying. I'm tempted to have it removed but it's more serious surgery and I'm feeling cowardly. My big news is that I became a grandma 2 weeks ago and we're spending 5 days over Easter with them - so excited. Then later in the month I'm heading to San Diego for a week to visit my other son (my birthday present). Hope to meet up with Kim while I'm there Take care everyone. Janette

Nothing is inappropriate here - I was just teasing you for thinking a negative thought on a very positive post I guess we all wish we could be where we are without surgery - but the truth is we failed before - I for one am so glad I had the surgery - pain or not! (and let me tell you, I did not feel that way for the first 3 weeks! I wished I'd never heard of bariatric surgery). Almost a year out, almost 100 pounds lighter and I'm really really happy and would recommend it to anyone who struggled like I did.

Deanna, so sorry you had a "brown out" - I've never heard of that but it doesn't sound like fun. Feel better and drink your water Claire, how are you feeling? I'm really concerned that you're either doing too much and getting run down or that there's something more serious with your hormones /electrolytes /iron /other blood work. I asked around and didn't find anyone else feeling that poorly after a year. Hope Hawaii really helped (silly me, how could Hawaii not help). Make sure Allan spoils you (even more than usual) and let us know what the doc says. As far as the food is concerned - my advice is order what you want - even if it's a main course and way too much food. You're worth it! You can always adopt the American "doggy-bag" trick. I order whatever I want and then just take the rest home (one of us has it for a lunch the next day).

Hey Layknee - just think about where you're posting this comment We're all so positive and talking about our NSV's; how wonderful we feel about ourselves after surgery etc. Why would you not want that for your friend too?

Hi everyone! Haven't posted in a while with all the holiday chaos etc. Just got back from Texas - working with refugees from Central America - what an eye-opener for this northern, upstate NY girl!! Also got to spend the week with my younger son who now lives in San Diego - he was so impressed with my weight loss and made his mum feel proud. Kim - congrats on reaching Onederland - isn't it great? I got there around Thanksgiving. Erin- you look fabulous - "skinny" even You're bound to make your goal! Deanna - glad the scale started moving again. I've been stuck several times so I know how discouraging it can be. I'm back in my eating "routine" of 3 small meals and 3 "snacks" a day - that routine helps me a lot - prevents mindless eating. Claire - have a fabulous time in Hawaii and congrats on the 5 lbs/month - that's fantastic - I've slowed down to about 3 lbs/month but as long as the numbers aren't going up, I'm content. Bless this little stomach - despite all the turkey, pies and cookies, I actually lost a pound over Christmas & New Year. My slim husband gained 7 lbs and is now on a "diet". I got a "Fitbit" for Christmas so gotta get it set up and synced with MyFitnessPal. Good luck to everyone for a successful and losing 2015!

Hi Lynn, I have the same problem. I even wish sometimes that I had more restrictions/problems to stop me from eating those treats One thing I have done is to make sure I'm still having three good healthy meals a day - menu planned, food in the house, sit down and eat etc. If I'm full, I snack less. Otherwise, my goal is to maintain my weight over the holidays and get totally back on plan in January. I also make sure I savor and really enjoy the treats I have, not just absent-mindedly swallow them. But having so many goodies lying around everyone's house is hard. Do your best and have a wonderful holiday.