tamg26k

I am, in no way a heavy drinker, but I like to go out from time to time and have a few cocktails. I had a trip planned about 1 month after surgery and I asked my Dr. about drinking alcohol. My Dr. said just not to go overboard and see how you feel. I went to NYC and had a few cocktails. I do know that one drink over several hours was plenty. Since then I have a drink every now and then when I'm out and about - vodka and Water in a tall glass that I mix with a Water Enhancer - no carbs and about 80 calories for 1 1/2 oz (not too bad!) I agree, some alcohol is completely off the table for me now.
We don't want to replace one addiction (food) with another (alcohol). This is why consuming alcohol is not recommended during the first year. If you think this will become a problem then definitely don't drink.

I am, in no way a heavy drinker, but I like to go out from time to time and have a few cocktails. I had a trip planned about 1 month after surgery and I asked my Dr. about drinking alcohol. My Dr. said just not to go overboard and see how you feel. I went to NYC and had a few cocktails. I do know that one drink over several hours was plenty. Since then I have a drink every now and then when I'm out and about - vodka and Water in a tall glass that I mix with a Water Enhancer - no carbs and about 80 calories for 1 1/2 oz (not too bad!) I agree, some alcohol is completely off the table for me now.
We don't want to replace one addiction (food) with another (alcohol). This is why consuming alcohol is not recommended during the first year. If you think this will become a problem then definitely don't drink.

Just a quick question about "excess weight" - did everyone determine their excess weight on the BMI chart? Just curious.
@Lauriep I believe the sky is the limit with weight loss. For me, this is a 100% lifestyle change. The surgery was just apart of this process.
surgery healthy diet exercise I started at a very heavy weight (351 lbs.) and have lost about 100 so far. I feel great now! The difference in how I look and feel is amazing. I can't imagine how I will feel when I'm at 60%, 70%, 80% or even 90% (my goal!)
I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything. I've gained never having headaches anymore, no more body aches in the morning, no more snoring, and a perfect BP.
Something happens when you start losing weight, for me, I just want to eat healthier and healthier.
@@bella86 awesome! Truly inspiring!! Thank you for sharing.

St. Louis, MO

I was self pay. Had surgery here in US. I think I paid around 25000 when it was all said and done. Luckily, I had a family member give me a small portion of it. I then used a credit card that had zero interest for 15 months and am paying it off monthly. Even though it was very expensive, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
6 months after surgery down 120 lbs!

Here are a few progress pics at 8 months post -op. I can't be any happier with the results so far. Having this surgery has changed my life. I am so grateful for the all of the support I get here and elsewhere. Reading everyone's successes has been a true inspiration.
I now love exercising, who would of thought!!!!

This morning I filled about 3 large trash bags with clothing (about 60 pieces) and donated them to Goodwill. Nothing fit anymore! It felt really good to make the donation!

Not so much of a NSV for today, but one in general - I no longer get headaches. I used to get them pretty frequently but I can honestly say that I haven't had a headache of any sort for over 4 months! Maybe it is giving up caffeine or eating better, I don't know which, I just know I am headache free!

@@Ginger Snaps
Thank you! I used to go the gym all of the time when I was In my 30's. Now in my 40's, I need to dust off these old bones and get back to it! Slow and easy to start!
Side note to everyone - all of the posts here and across the forums are really helpful to all of us. Thanks to everyone, hopefully we inspire each other to keep moving forward!!!

NSV for this week is that I joined a gym! First training session is this afternoon!
Wish me luck!!!

Speaking of boots. I also bought my first pair of Uggs last week. Even though they are the short boots I didn't think I would be able to wear those prior to surgery. Baby steps!!

NSV for this week is that I joined a gym! First training session is this afternoon!
Wish me luck!!!

For me, I recently took a trip and was able to fly without a seat belt extender. In fact, I really had to tighten up the seat belt. This is really big for me because I love to travel but I always had anxiety about flying.
Now I have 3 more trips planned over the next 6 months. My treat to myself for my weight loss. The money I am saving by rarely eating out has made this possible!
I guess that is 2 NSVs!

I am, in no way a heavy drinker, but I like to go out from time to time and have a few cocktails. I had a trip planned about 1 month after surgery and I asked my Dr. about drinking alcohol. My Dr. said just not to go overboard and see how you feel. I went to NYC and had a few cocktails. I do know that one drink over several hours was plenty. Since then I have a drink every now and then when I'm out and about - vodka and Water in a tall glass that I mix with a Water Enhancer - no carbs and about 80 calories for 1 1/2 oz (not too bad!) I agree, some alcohol is completely off the table for me now.
We don't want to replace one addiction (food) with another (alcohol). This is why consuming alcohol is not recommended during the first year. If you think this will become a problem then definitely don't drink.

Mine took about 1 1/2 hours. I also had a hernia repair.

I was self pay. Had surgery here in US. I think I paid around 25000 when it was all said and done. Luckily, I had a family member give me a small portion of it. I then used a credit card that had zero interest for 15 months and am paying it off monthly. Even though it was very expensive, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
6 months after surgery down 120 lbs!

@@MisforMimi
Thanks!
I had a significant weight loss about 16 years ago only to gain it all back and then some.
Now, I hit the gym about 5-6 days a week. I see a trainer (for the next few months) 2 times a week and we focus on weight lifting. Heavy weights low reps some days then a bit lower weights higher reps some days. We focus on bench press, squats, dead lifts, and overhead press. We also mix in about 20 minutes of high intensity interval training each session. I supplement this with cardio each day and try to get in 2 long cardio sessions per week. My cardio workouts consist of the treadmill ( brisk walking and incline walking) and the rowing machine. I can say for sure the weight lifting has really help me shed the inches. I get so much satisfaction out of setting a person record on my lifts!! It's my new obsession!!

@@Jennifer2322
Thank you my fellow Missourian!! Thanks for the friend add. If I can help in anyway, please let me know.
To answer your questions, I have been overweight my entire life. I was up and down with weight loss and had a significant weight loss about 15 years ago only to gain it all back and then some the second I quit exercising (I broke my foot) and not sticking to a food plan.
I've done really well with recovering from the surgery. I remember my Doctor stressing with during the free meeting that the best thing to do was walk...and I did...literally right after surgery. I remember getting up every 2 hours (around the clock while in the hospital and walking the halls. I think helped make my recovery really easy. I never took a pain pill. The first few months was a bit of a struggle with eating too fast or taking too big of a bite of food. You do learn...quickly.
I stuck to the plan, and then some. I keep my diet really low carb. I log my food intake without fail every day (MFP). I get at least 10-12, 8 oz. servings of Water a day. I am diligent about taking my Vitamins. I also have upped my Protein to no less than 110-120 grams per day now that I workout about 6 days a week. I have cut out all bad carbs - no sugar, rice, flour, bread, Pasta, potatoes, milk (I drink unsweetened almond milk daily), and very little fruit at this point. I keep the vegetables to greens - edamame, asparagus, green Beans, broccoli, cucumbers, celery, kale, spinach, etc. I have not cheated at all, and I don't miss any of bad carbs. I've enjoyed cooking for myself and finding interesting recipes (Pinterest).
My best advise is to throw away your scale. I only weigh myself once a month when I have my trainer take my measurements. This has kept me from going insane during this process. Who needs the added stress!
Please feel free to reach out if I you have any questions.
Theresa

Here are a few progress pics at 8 months post -op. I can't be any happier with the results so far. Having this surgery has changed my life. I am so grateful for the all of the support I get here and elsewhere. Reading everyone's successes has been a true inspiration.
I now love exercising, who would of thought!!!!

Here are a few progress pics at 8 months post -op. I can't be any happier with the results so far. Having this surgery has changed my life. I am so grateful for the all of the support I get here and elsewhere. Reading everyone's successes has been a true inspiration.
I now love exercising, who would of thought!!!!

Just a quick question about "excess weight" - did everyone determine their excess weight on the BMI chart? Just curious.
@Lauriep I believe the sky is the limit with weight loss. For me, this is a 100% lifestyle change. The surgery was just apart of this process.
surgery healthy diet exercise I started at a very heavy weight (351 lbs.) and have lost about 100 so far. I feel great now! The difference in how I look and feel is amazing. I can't imagine how I will feel when I'm at 60%, 70%, 80% or even 90% (my goal!)
I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything. I've gained never having headaches anymore, no more body aches in the morning, no more snoring, and a perfect BP.
Something happens when you start losing weight, for me, I just want to eat healthier and healthier.
@@bella86 awesome! Truly inspiring!! Thank you for sharing.

Here are a few progress pics at 8 months post -op. I can't be any happier with the results so far. Having this surgery has changed my life. I am so grateful for the all of the support I get here and elsewhere. Reading everyone's successes has been a true inspiration.
I now love exercising, who would of thought!!!!

Here are a few progress pics at 8 months post -op. I can't be any happier with the results so far. Having this surgery has changed my life. I am so grateful for the all of the support I get here and elsewhere. Reading everyone's successes has been a true inspiration.
I now love exercising, who would of thought!!!!

Here is the most updated "before" and "during" picture I have.
7 months post RNY down 133 lbs.

@@Jennifer2322
Thank you my fellow Missourian!! Thanks for the friend add. If I can help in anyway, please let me know.
To answer your questions, I have been overweight my entire life. I was up and down with weight loss and had a significant weight loss about 15 years ago only to gain it all back and then some the second I quit exercising (I broke my foot) and not sticking to a food plan.
I've done really well with recovering from the surgery. I remember my Doctor stressing with during the free meeting that the best thing to do was walk...and I did...literally right after surgery. I remember getting up every 2 hours (around the clock while in the hospital and walking the halls. I think helped make my recovery really easy. I never took a pain pill. The first few months was a bit of a struggle with eating too fast or taking too big of a bite of food. You do learn...quickly.
I stuck to the plan, and then some. I keep my diet really low carb. I log my food intake without fail every day (MFP). I get at least 10-12, 8 oz. servings of Water a day. I am diligent about taking my Vitamins. I also have upped my Protein to no less than 110-120 grams per day now that I workout about 6 days a week. I have cut out all bad carbs - no sugar, rice, flour, bread, Pasta, potatoes, milk (I drink unsweetened almond milk daily), and very little fruit at this point. I keep the vegetables to greens - edamame, asparagus, green Beans, broccoli, cucumbers, celery, kale, spinach, etc. I have not cheated at all, and I don't miss any of bad carbs. I've enjoyed cooking for myself and finding interesting recipes (Pinterest).
My best advise is to throw away your scale. I only weigh myself once a month when I have my trainer take my measurements. This has kept me from going insane during this process. Who needs the added stress!
Please feel free to reach out if I you have any questions.
Theresa