Cindi_Augustine

Hi - it's helpful to read your message - simply because I haven't had the surgery yet - still looking for a surgeon - and knowing that you must stick to a plan after is important - and is a good thing. You had told me about the surgeons in Richmond (I'm orig from Vanc) and I did contact them but have to be resident of BC and 2 year wait. I finally saw my doc last week and she referred me locally - but referral was declined due to the fact the surgeon doesn't do sleeve - just band. Not interested in that. So until I hear back from my doctor about other possibilities I may have to go to Montreal after all. She didn't like the idea as no after-care and I agree. There are topics online about all the people going out of province or country for this surgery and then coming back home and having to fall on the system without having a local surgeon to help if there are issues. Quite confused now - I don't want to wait 2-3 (and that's the lowest wait, Alberta has longest waits in Canada I believe) so want to do self-pay. I don't think the Richmond clinic does self-pay. How are you doing with the surgery now? Do you feel back to normal? Has it been difficult?Normal is a relative word, but I am happy with my new normal. Family and friends have also adapted well, and there are no issues about how much I eat. They accept the small amounts on my plate. My health is great, I'm sorry the waits though, because I agree that not having aftercare is rough. Sent from my SM-T280 using the BariatricPal App

I'm post-op from the Richmond Bariatric program, and had my sleeve done several years ago. I lost most of my excess weight the first year, and the next 2 - 3 years were relatively easy to stay on-track. Last fall, I began to get cocky and started letting the bad habits return. Slowly at first - a bit of bread here, some chocolate there, and sure, why not some chips while watching TV? I felt a bit invincible, as I was pretty sure I was staying under 1,500 calories everyday. Maintenance numbers, right? Nope. Luckily, I've never stopped weighing myself a few times a week and slowly found the scale moving up. It was only 8 lbs, but I'm 4'10! 8 lbs is closer to 14 on my frame. I laughed it off and began lowering my cals to 1,200. I figured the lbs would just melt back off. Again, nope. Over the last 6 months I've driven myself crazy trying to get back to my low weight. I lost 5 lbs eventually, but have discovered that 1,000 - 1,200 seems to be my maintenance. It leaves no room for error if I want to eat enough to feel healthy but not gain. My point is that getting cocky and thinking I'd permanently won the battle was a learning lesson. I won't do it again. I thought I didn't need post weight loss support. I was wrong. I'm considering getting involved in a local support group but not sure that any exists anymore. I'm a life coach, however, and would be happy to start one. Just wanted to share and jump back in here. This forum has always been amazing.

Thanks, I will check out that forum. Sugar cleansing has helped for sure.

I do the protein smoothie popsicles. Vanilla protein mixed with almond milk and blended with fruit. It's not ice-cream but it IS refreshing, filling, and helps me win the TV night snack battle.

I think considering couples therapy is a smart idea. Relationship issues are like icebergs, 90% below the surface. Many spouses worry that a slimmer, sexier mate might leave them because they have more options. Some people feel guilty or embarrassed when they stay overweight but their mate gets slim. Significant weight loss IS life-changing and it's not unusual for family members to worry that things will change, or they will get left behind. Of course, I don't know you or your hubby but this is food for thought.

Wow, I played D+D back in the 70's and 80's! Sooooo much fun, and yes, we pigged out on snacks then, too. LOL Good for you for being prepared!

Iced Protein coffee is my daily morning treat! Sent from my SM-T280 using the BariatricPal App

I found cutting back on salt and increasing fluids helped me drop a few lbs. Its very easy for us gals to retain Water. Now I'm doing a sugar cleanse and that's helped me drop 2 lbs in 4 days. I'd obviously started to get sloppy with my diet plan. Sent from my SM-T280 using the BariatricPal App

Clothes shopping! I'm no longer bulging at the seams but my closet is! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The program is in Richmond - I'm a Vancouverite, too! - and the surgery is done in Richmond General. The doctors are Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Sampath. http://www.rmbsurgery.com/our-team/ Great surgeons! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

There IS a pilot program in Vancouver, BC, where the government is paying for WLS in order to gauge the possibility of making it available as a health prevention surgery. I did not pay a cent. There are nutritionist visits and A physical therapist as part of the program. Great program, I met many other people having the surgery through. Are you in BC by any stroke of luck? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've taken breaks in logging and found I can easily gain a few lbs if I rely on guessing. People are far more likely to underestimate their calorie intake if they don't measure and log. It can be annoying, even with the great apps, but it's necessary for short and long term success.

I would say that the only real side effect I have from the surgery (after the initial healing) is a bit of GERD occasionally, and sometimes forgetting to eat. Is GERD fun? Nope! But it's way easier to cope with than sleep apnea, chronic back pain, Morton's Neuroma, aching knees...not to mention high blood pressure, and a restricted lifestyle. I've had days when coping with the sleeve was annoying. Not being able to pig out at Christmas on my mom's amazing turkey dinner, for example. But when I weigh the pros and cons there is no contest. Yes, doing thorough research is great, but in reality you can't believe everything you read. I think this forum is pretty fair and balanced, and definitely listen to your surgeon.

Your life WILL change. Some changes will be more difficult to adapt to, but in general there are far more positives than negatives.

I never thought of having it tested. Great idea! I'll look into that! I try to keep my cals protein-high and my sugar and carbs low but I know I can do better. Thanks for the reminder on that. You're right, it's not just cals but what type of cals that count.

I've recently heard that those of us who've had weight loss surgery are likely to have much slower metabolism than other people our age. I'm beginning to wonder if this is the case. I am finding that 1,200 cals is more a maintenance number for me, and not a weight loss one, as is generally quoted for women. I've only gained back a few lbs, and thought it would easy to lose but it's hanging on tight. ::sigh:: I've been told eating less than 1,000 is not healthy, and as I have epilepsy (recently acquired!) I've been told to make sure I get enough cals in a day. It's a tough call! Exercise is tough as my meds cause vertigo if I push myself with cardio or strength training. Any thoughts, or links to helpful info? I'm darned if I've going to gain back any weight and I really want to lose about 10 more, even though I'm 4 years post-op.

It's really weird but in general I feel so darned good in my sexier, more fashionable wardrobe, that I don't mind that I'm not 'smooth'. I know my upper arms are deflated and wrinkly but I wear sleeveless stuff all the time, and love my sculptured shoulder blades. I do sometimes lament the new jowls and turkey neck but I focus now on having a great haircut and fashionable glasses. The moon face is GONE and I can live with the replacement! LOL

Congrats, I remember breaking down into tears when I got my date...and I was always the stoic type. LOL Life post-op can be tough for the first while, but it passes, and become the 'new normal'. I love my life now, and like you, I've been given an opportunity to extend it into old age! Take each day as it comes, and keep coming here...it helps!

Like you I've battled weight all my life. Like you I was 54 when I had my surgery. I do have one regret: Why the hell couldn't I have had this surgery 30 years ago?? I thought I was "healthy". I thought I ate "reasonably well". I didn't have diabetes so I was fine carrying around an extra 100 lbs, right? Big is beautiful, I told myself. Turns out I was having small undetectable strokes, and was aggravating a congenital heart condition that I may have to have open heart surgery to repair, now. I was a ticking time bomb. I don't think this was a choice, so much as a chance to extend my life. Eating out is definitely on longer the pleasure it was, but I don't even miss it because I have so many other joys now. Long walks with my husband or my camera. Buying sexy clothes. Having tons of energy at work, and after-work. Surgery is scary. It's common that fear causes us to look for reasons to run. Just read this forum. We all had doubts. But I challenge you to find a post where someone says they wish they'd never had surgery. I'm willing to bet the only regrets are not doing it earlier, or having had to go somewhere dubious to have it done. A new amazing life awaits. Be brave.

I think it's just natural that we get cocky occasionally, and think: Oh, I can handle this, just this once. For awhile rice and pasta starting sneaking back into my diet but after dealing with the after-effects a few times, I slapped myself on the forehead, called myself an idiot, and started saying no again. I'm sure I'll screw up again, sometime, only human, but it's no fun, for sure!!