Roostertail2

I agree with needing a vet group. I am 2 years out and would really like to discuss what is going on NOW.

I had some major issues with the people in my life over the past few months. Everyone said I have changed. Well I dont think my personality has changed at all - I have always been outspoken and comical. What changed was I am no longer sitting around the house all day long watching TV. I am the first to say "lets do something" instead of trying to figure out ways to stay home. I enjoy myself now. Why is it that my family and friends have to make me feel guilty for finally living my life? They act like they were happier with the "old" me. Well guess what - I wasnt happy so everyone will either have to get over it and get used to the new improved me - or they have the option of not being in my life anymore! I dont really see myself differently when I look in the mirror - in fact I still have the "fat" sight issue. Even though I am down to a size 12 from a size 20 I still see myself as fat. I dont know if I will ever get over that or not but I am not beating myself up for it anymore either!

Dont panic. I am almost 2 years out and went through a couple of stalls during that time. You will hear so many different ways to kick start the weight loss back in so you may have to try a couple of different things. For me I would go several months sometimes in between losses. When this happened I either increased my calories or decreased. ( usually increase because I wasnt eating enough and my body went into starvation mode!) I am now at the point where I maintained my weight for almost a year - BUT this week have actually gained 4lbs - so now I am reducing calories. Its a constant juggling act to try to get this right! Dont get discouraged!!

Hi I am 1-1/2 years post op. I started at 285lbs - 265 when I went into surgery and I am now at 170lbs. I fluctuate between 168 and 172 for some reason. I am still not at my goal of 160lbs but really am not too upset about that because I am very comfortable with size I am. Everyone tells me I don't need to lose more but you know how that scale number can drive you mad! Some of my advice/story/issues. Water! I have never been a liquid drinker and seems that no matter what I have tried I just forget to drink. I am having a REALLY good day if I manage 2 glasses - yes I know I am WAY below the requirements! Simply forget... I was never able to tolerate shakes. I managed for a couple of weeks on one but even that soon turned to instant gag when I brought it to my mouth. I have tried so many different types - added fruits/flavoring - held my nose - said prayers - you name it I tried it.. I am constantly fearful of weight gain. Even though they tell you not to weigh everyday - I do..And I almost panic if I weigh even an ounce more than the previous day. It has taken months to get used to the couple pounds I fluctuate - but know if it goes over 172 I will hit freak out mode and probably starve myself! lol Find I am having issues with my teeth. They are more sensitive now ( I am sure Water plays a part in that as well as Calcium that I cant seem to remember to take when I should!) I have recently really buckled down on both issues so hopefully I will not have too much damage to them. Have always had great teeth so this is a major issue for me! hair loss: Have always had really thick naturally curly hair so I was prepared for some hair loss..Wasnt prepared to lose 1/2 of it! Fortunately it is starting to thicken back up it just always looks like I stuck my finger in a light socket with all the little sprigs! lol.

I didn't start losing until I was around 5 months post. Then it started falling out by handfuls! I am a little over a year and now am going through regrowth. Lucky for me I had really thick hair so no one noticed except me and my hair stylist! Just keep up on those vitamins

I am now 14 months post op and only 15 or so lbs away from MY goal weight. I am a weekend drinker who used to love DRAFT beer. After surgery I stay away from beer. Changed to rum and diet cranberry. I used to have a very high tolerance for alchohol - not anymore! Let me start by saying that each time I drink it effects me differently. Some times I feel tipsy after half a drink - but other times I am able to consume a couple before I feel that way. I will say I can not drink like I did before! I don't worry about getting addicted - never had an addiction issue - and I only drink every few weeks.

I am 14 months post op and have lost 90lbs so far. My scale has sat at the same number for over a month at times. Then suddenly another 5lbs will be gone! I am currently at 174-175lbs ( that one pound seems to come and go) and have been at this weight for almost 6 weeks. My goal when I started was 150lbs. But you know what - If I don't lose another lb I am totally fine with that! I am now in a size 12 and feel great about how I look (at least in clothes! lol). That 150lb mark may never happen for me. I know that until recently I panicked if the scale didn't move after a week or 2. And I would try to increase/decrease everything I was doing to kick start the weight loss again. Normally it worked but this go around it doesn't seem to be. Again I am ok with that. My doctor wants me to get to 150 too - but I told him the same thing - I am perfectly fine with right where I am right now! Don't concentrate on that number - concentrate on how you feel!

I know exactly what you mean. I was in a size 20 when I started this journey a year ago. I am now in a loose size 12. I have always loved to shop for clothes. Even when I was at my biggest I tried to dress fashionable - BUT I tended to buy loose shirts. It took me a lot of pep talking to get my head to understand I was not that person anymore and I needed to buy clothes that actually fit like they should! It makes a world of difference to have a tailored top on instead of a flowing one! I still hide certain parts of my body - but now every time I go into the store and I pick up something I ask myself is this something the old me would wear or is it something the new me wants to wear? If I answer as the old me I put it back on the rack. I didn't go through surgery - pain - throwing up - starvation - monthly shots - daily vitamin regime to wear the same stuff I did back then. I suggest standing in a mirror and really taking a look at yourself. Look at all the wonderful changes and embrace the new you. I find that I am still uncomfortable when people say things like "hey skinny" or how much more weight are you going to lose as though I am anorexic looking or something (which I am most certainly not!) I feel so uncomfortable sometimes - almost like I have to defend my new found body?

So I had my GBP last August so I am a little over a year out. I started at 265lbs size 20 bottoms - 22 tops. Size 40DD. My boobs and butt were the first things to go! I am now size 12 -almost can get in a size 10 but they are just a little too tight for comfort. My boobs are a sad sad mess. I am down to a 34 small C. I plan on doing whatever it takes to get these babies fixed next year! This year I had the arm fat removed - worse pain EVER! I plan on using income tax to do the boobs, belly tuck/butt lift next year!

8/5 Will be my 1 year surgiversary.I am down 100 lbs from my heaviest. I am loving life again! I went from size 20/22 to a size 12! I go on July 8th to have arm briachiaplasty surgery to finally try to have "normal" arms for first time in my life!

I'm at month 9 and still don't get all the water and protein in. Forget to eat most of the time and drinking water really is hardest thing ever! Just not a drinker. But try my best. Did finally started getting more protein when the hair loss started! Probably get 60g a day

I had GBP on 8/5/2014. Other than having to learn a few simple things like what I am u able to tolerate, that bite number 10 is too much- I feel I have done pretty well. Right after surgery I had hard time keeping anything down- thought I had a structure- but after a few more weeks of healing it has been gravy.. Only complaint I have is the hair loss.. Have always had VERY thick hair- now it's half as thick as it used to be!

Not sure what your starting weight was, but we are same height - I was 265 the day I had surgery - was at 257 a few days later. Since then I average about 10lbs a month (now weigh 207 as of this morning). Not a lot when you compare to a lot of people on here, but for me it is perfectly fine. I am not losing so fast that my body cant keep up with it. And to be honest I don't exercise other than walking at lunch time each day. I know I would drop more if I did, but I just really don't have the time much less the energy to give! lol. Stalls are something I panicked over for the first few months ( I am 6 months out) I just knew I was going to be the "one" who the surgery didn't work for! But after several days of no movement on the scale - then WHAM I would drop lbs like crazy. You will hear this over and over again - EVERYBODY is different and will lose weight at different rates. Don't panic and try not to do like I did and weigh every day! lol I couldn't stay off the scale! For the first few months your body has some adjusting and healing to do. Don't stress it! Just do the best you can with what your doc said to do and before you know it you will be buying new clothes!

So I must be honest and admit that I get very little exercise. Not making excuses but I have a 40 mile one way commute in downtown Atlanta traffic 2wice a day - I get up at 5am and don't get home until 7PM. then I have to tend to my 3 year old, my 16 and 17 year olds. Make dinner - do laundry...I finally fall into bed by 10 if I am LUCKY! I am 6 months out and have lost almost 60lbs - so I am not really disappointed with my results so far. I finally found a protein drink I can tolerate so am now getting in the necessary amount each day unlike before. I still don't get in the water I am supposed to - just don't remember to drink! But all in all I have to say I feel great about my results. Being tired has become the norm though. I am ok first thing in the morning but by 2 or 3 I am headed down hill. And it seems the minute I get in my car in the evenings to drive home that every ounce of energy I had just disappears in an instant!