skinnyrita

Just got sleeved in May 2015. Best thing I've done for my health! Weight loss is slow but going in the right direction????. It's good to see this 60s thread getting more active. I'm 61 and looking forward to getting to know you Sleevers.

Choosehope I am also using aquatics for my exercise. I googled top ten waterproof fitness trackers ( not water resistant) and got a list of several mentioned on this site. I'm considering the garmin Vivosmart because it seems to have the features I like, including swipe screen technology. It looks nice too. Let me know which one you choose????

Don't let the scale be your gauge. Trust me you are losing inches and your body is adjusting to surgery. Stay within your programs guidelines and don't get too caught up in "pounds lost" it will come off. Besides when you lose too fast, I believe your body will work twice as hard to put it back on. Focus on eating on plan, drinking water as recommended, and exercise. Wishing you success!

Wow! Stunning transformation,

Fantastic ! You look great!!

You will! Just follow your plan religiously and keep educating yourself on nutrition by reading these veteran posts! I wish you great success on your journey????

Hi Pushpin, It's refreshing to hear someone considering this surgery to improve their health. First of all, let me say I work with patients who are at various stages in their disease process, but one thing strikes me as a big lightbulb thought- we are all creating our health for the years to come, right now, minute by minute, choice by choice. You are young, and you are right to change directions right now. Prediabetes turns into type two diabetes, leading to a cascade of other health issues such as high blood pressure, risk of stroke, heart disease, orthopedic issues and a myriad of other comorbid complications For me, my big wake up call came in sept of 2012. I was overweight, in a high stress job and I began to have chest pains which forced me to the Er where my blood pressure was 223/140. Immediately the dominoes began to fall, as I was diagnosed with high blood pressure , went on medications which didn't work, more Er visits, fatigue, unable to enjoy life. I felt like a prisoner in my body and I could see myself becoming literally disabled. My cardiologist suggested I look into VSG and the rest is history. What I never expected was how much joy I feel at the little things. My whole life has changed in just the few months since surgery. My fatigue is gone. I wake up energized and ready to go. I sleep like a baby now. ( maybe because I'm exercising every day). I have dropped 3 dress sizes. I no longer fear having a heart attack because my blood pressure is normal. So congratulations on your decision to change directions and put your health on project status. Whether you do it through surgery or a brand new eating plan, I wish you good health!!????

Prayers going up right now!

I have an NSV I'm excited to share. Yesterday I went to the store to return some things and while there, I saw some jeans I liked. I had some issues with pants since I've lost everywhere except my hips and tummy. I worked up the courage to try on but had no idea what my size is now after losing close to 50 lbs. I selected a range from 16-12 and took them into the dressing room. Size 16, too big, size 14, baggy and I finally ended up in a size 12. To my amazement!! Of course I bought those puppies because they fit perfectly!! These little NSVs are my "rocket fuel" to keep on going on my weight loss program. Still have 35 pounds to lose.

Personally, I thought Quest bars were some of the worst Protein bars I've had. I ordered a sampler pack before surgery and they had a variety of flavors, but ALL of them had a moldy mildew smell to me. They were too expensive and I had to throw them out. Even tried heating them as my NUT said, but no luck. I've not had a Protein Bar since surgery but have opted instead to stay on whole , real, organic food as I want to nourish my body back to health instead of getting back into processed foods again. Almond butter on half an apple is a good, quick treat. I work in a medical clinic and there are all kinds of temptations ( cakes Cookies, Celebration potlucks!) but I bring what I'm supposed to eat or a shake and nobody's the wiser. So far, it is working!

I know it must seem counterintuitive but the less you eat, the more your body says " we're starving" and shuts off the weight loss by holding on to fat. If you eat good protein based calories ( eggs, lean meat, fish ) and good fats , it should get your fat burning furnace turned on again. Also, drink your water. If you can, adding exercise will also increase metabolism. I've had a couple of stalls since surgery, but I kept eating good wholesome protein and some fats like almond butter and after a few days I would have a big loss of 2-3,lbs. good luck and keep going!

Ok , after reading these posts, I'm going to treat myself to a 15 minute chair massage at Whole Foods today! ????

I've not had problems with my weight until after menopause. Then put on 10, 15, 25. Then the scary health problems started, the high blood pressure which wasn't coming down even on medicine. I could barely function. Now I've got my energy and my health back after VSG surgery in May 2015. Can't wait to see if my cardiologist is going to take me off meds at the next visit! There about 30 more pounds left to lose but I've really gotten my money's worth from the health benefits alone!

I would be happy to lose a cup size- lingerie in the bigger sizes mean higher prices. Plus my clothes will fit much better ????

Yes it!s true but everyone experiences different degrees of hair loss. I just started noticing mine- I'm 3 months out from surgery.

I waited til my surgeon gave me clearance to swim and started my own water aerobics program. I also have knee and joint problems. Every night I'm in the pool moving for an hour. It's a great workout and it energizes me. My body is starting to look very lean and toned. May add weights soon to increase the resistance. Just do what you can regardless of the type of exercise and soon it will become a part of your routine.

I'm using Pearl Elite. It helps rebuild your immune system after surgery and keeps you regular.

What a breath of fresh air ( literally) after reading a post repeated several times about someone's funky workout clothes! Really? This is your biggest problem ? ( guess that should go on rants and raves). Anyway nice to lighten up - thanks for the LMAO this morning.

DJmohr, Congratulations on your NSV. Honestly, I treasure these more than the number on the scales! Way to go- looking forward to hearing more of these from you and others on this journey. I am 12 weeks out from my VSG surgery and a slow loser ( but at 61 I didn't expect it to be an overnight thing anyway). Today since its in the 100 degree range in Dallas, I was scrounging through a box of old, pre-weight gain clothes for some shorts in a size 14 or 16. While looking I saw a dress I wore about 4 years ago, a size 12. Just on a lark I decided to try it on and to my amazement it fit , not even tight at all! I did a happy dance right then and there. Like you, I did this for health, but the improvement of self image is an important part of the recovery process and keeping the motivation in high gear. Although I wasn't seeing the weight loss everyone congratulated me on, today it finally registered. I'll second the Woot !

It does take planning and consideration to organize and support the Lifestyle changes that make surgery successful. I think that was hard for me to get at first. The tool of having a smaller stomach is just part of success. The other parts are behavior modification, knowing my weaknesses and staying committed to my program 7 days a week 24 /7. I don't feel I can ever go back to eating the way I was before, grazing, not exercising. Instead, I now have to consider everything in my environment( things I can control) and how it affects my weight. It takes dedication and support to make such a huge change. I appreciate the community here and draw inspiration from all of those who made the bold decision to have WLS.

I guess no one is free of responsibility of managing their weight and their trigger foods BUT there is an equal amount of responsibility that belongs on the doorstep of the food industry. Their well paid " food engineers, research and development and marketing personnel" know full well that brain chemistry is involved in the desirability of foods to humans. Did you ever hear of anyone with a broccoli addiction ?! No more likely the food of choice is a carbohydrate made in some lab and then manufactured and mass produced. Our culture ( in the US) is bombarded with suggestive ads for fast, unhealthy foods millions of times a day. Parents even think they are giving their kids a " treat" to go to MD, when they are really setting them up for a lifetime of addicting carb craving, possibly leading to major health problems like heart disease and obesity. I work with chronic disease patients regularly in my practice and not one of them wouldn't go back and make changes to avoid diabetes, limb amputation, congestive heart failure and kidney disease if they could. Food is now in the hands of Big Business and the Pharma Industry. Choose your food wisely and realize that processed foods are not your friend and neither is the food industry that produces them. Their business is making you crave their products and create "Loyal Addicts" to increase their profits.

Wow why such snarky comments! If you have a high visibility position and given that you have the budget for a stylist, great. Most of us do not have that, but I liked that the author shared some great tips on dressing while achieving weight loss ( which she probably paid dearly for). I had some nice designer pieces bought at discount but I quickly found out that they no longer fit. I pulled a few things from storage a size down, and added 2-3 new tops. I know I'll be going down several sizes so I'm not interested in paying a lot while doing that. I liked the idea of using a seamstress to take sizes down in key wardrobe pieces so they can stay with me through a couple of size changes. Anyway I'm having fun trying on sizes I couldn't wear even a month ago!

PB2 peanut butter in powder form. It is 45 calories per 2 tbls and it tastes great! I have eaten it just as regular peanut butter and also use it in smoothies.

As a clinical therapist with over 20 years of counseling experience, and a newly sleeved person, I spent over a year researching procedures before actually getting the surgery. I am finding that what are often presented as scientific facts is more like a hypotheses of how surgery works. The surgeries used are still in their infancy and much is still unknown about their processes. When I read some of the other members posts on this forum, it becomes obvious that misconceptions about weight loss surgery abound and that we must do a better job of equipping surgery candidates for the long term change necessary for successful maintenance. It takes a combination of so many things in order to achieve sustainable weight loss, no matter which method to lose weight is chosen. Personally, after having the surgery, I believe that most people are more likely to revert back to old cues in their environment, emotional triggers and biological "set points" without guidance and serious effort to change. Working on those things for myself right now. Hopefully more research will provide answers that can better predict one's genetic predisposition and make more tools available for anyone with obesity and its comorbidities. Given all the variables, it is important not to lay blame upon the persons struggling with their weight loss, until more information is available. Making a blanket statement about what causes weight regain is making assumptions which do not apply to the whole population and may not be rooted in the scientific facts. Biology is a powerful thing which wants to maintain homeostasis. Hormonal influences just may be at the heart of the matter. Best of luck to all of us in reaching and maintaining our goals.