24601

My husband couldn't find me in a group of people because he said he didn't recognize me (ok, he eventually found me, but it took him a while!).

@@MCSleeve81 - I do taekwondo, running, and a few high intensity classes at the gym (like Insanity). I was very active before surgery too. I was really worried about having the energy and stamina post-surgery. You know what? I am performing better and my stamina has increased. Turns out losing a ton of weight just makes working out so much easier. :-) I can say I am in the best shape of my life, and I don't just mean being thin. I rock my workouts now! I never could run a mile under 10.5 mins before. Now I am at 9.5 min miles. Loving it. @@CrissyCakes - I had no comorbidities. Just sick and tired of not being able to keep the weight off.

You look great! Progress pics are the best! Keep up the great work!

It can be hard to see old photos. I hated having my picture taken and rarely did. I can only find one full body shot of me in the last 3 years. Makes it hard to post many "before" photos. However, when I do see photos of me from when I was bigger (usually just my head or a kid in front of me to shield me), I don't mind seeing them anymore. I just made a family photo book and didn't mind putting some not so flattering photos in my in there, because like it or not, that was me at that time. And I am owning it. It was a hard time where I struggled a lot, and now I don't. It just reminds me how far I have come!

@@Mane2016 - I am so glad my story could be helpful. I could write a book about the positive changes the surgery has made in my life. Of course there are risks, of course there are crappy parts (mostly in the very beginning), but keep your eye on the prize! Better health, feeling wonderful, greater confidence, and looking even more amazing! Good luck on you VSG journey!

@@shelbys mom, my BMI was 29 when I got sleeved. Had to go to Mexico. Insurance wouldn't cover it. Not even all the surgeons in Mexico will do it with BMI under 30.

Not sure if I can help much, but I was sleeved in Mexico because my BMI was 29 and I nobody around here would do it for me. I met goal (50 lbs lost) in 4 months. No regrets.

If you were sleeved in Mexico, what did you do about finding a nutritionist or dietitian? Did you get one before or after surgery? One locally? Is there an online website that has nutritionists that specialize in bariatric nutrition? I am 5 months out and have just been doing what my surgeon told me to. I have had great success, but there are a few things I need to talk to a professional about. Thanks.

My surgeon was Dr. Ramos Kelly. If there is a nutritionist, he never informed me of one. I will email him and ask. If not, maybe I will just find a place around where I live. I just really really want someone who knows the situation of bariatric patients!

I agree with the others that it is just legal speed. I lost 30 lbs in 3 months off of it. However, I hardly slept, had zero appetite (that part was good), stopped drinking Diet Coke (I lost all desire for it and the added caffeine would have been over the top), had to run at least 3 miles a day to channel the extra energy, and it made my anxiety go through the roof. Once I got off it, I regained every last pound eventually. Very short term solution that isn't worth the side effects IMO.

I did it! I hit my goal today! I started with a goal to lose 50 lbs (I started off low BMI). I never expected it to come off this quickly, but it did, and I won't complain! My goal was somewhat arbitrary, so I don't know where my weight will really level out, but I am now going to try and transition into maintenance mode. My life has only changed for the better since surgery. I have been very active even since before surgery, but now I can move so much faster, and I don't get nearly as winded. My anxiety (which was originally mostly caused by my extreme misery from being overweight) is completely gone. My marriage has vastly improved. I make an effort to look nice, which also has an effect on my mood. My relationship with food, while is still not perfect, is leaps and bounds better than it was before, and it continues to improve. A lady told me yesterday that I remind her of her good friend who is also blonde, tall and SKINNY! What?! It is surreal to hear someone call me skinny! In short, my physical, mental, and emotional well being have sky rocketed. VSG has been a godsend.

From my own experience, yes, people do pay more attention to and are generally more friendly to me since I have become thin. It's not something I even thought about watching for, but it became pretty obvious. That being said (not speaking of straight meanness or blatant discrimination), I don't fault people for it. I honestly don't think people are consciously doing it. Doesn't make it right, but for me I do take their intention into account. It has made me more aware of how I treat people of every size, sex, and color. For all I know, I have done the same thing. Not sure. Now if people were straight snubbing you and being rude, that is different. But there is a shift in strangers' attitudes as the weight drops, and I just try to roll with it and not get caught up in feeling angry about it.

@@jenmv So I am now in maintenance mode. I eat about 1000-1300 calories a day (closer to 1000 most days). I have really started to get it up to 1400 and want to be consistent with it. I workout 4-5 days a week doing pretty strenuous workouts, so I feel like I need to be upping my calories a bit. I still eat a lot of string cheese, light Greek yogurt, and beef Jerky. I eat a lot of veggies. I don't go overboard on carbs, but I don't watch them as closely as I did when I was trying to lose. I got my surgery done in Tijuana by Dr. Kelly. The surgery went well, but I felt like his bedside manner lacked as well as his follow up. Lastly, yes, right at 3 months my hair loss began. It sucks. I already have fine hair, but now that it's thinning, ugh. I wear a lot of pony tails.

So wonderful! Great job! WLS is such a blessing!

I constantly have to judge whom I tell. If people are asking just out of idle curiosity, then I just tell them a half truth, that I did it by eating less (more Protein, less carbs) and working out more. If someone I know is asking because they struggle with their weight and could benefit from the whole truth, then I tell them about the surgery. For me, it is pretty easy to distinguish the two.

The sleeve changed my life!

I stared walking for exercise 3 or 4 days post op. I started walking just a half mile, but was able to increase that fairly quickly. Just listen to your body and go with it!

The New Rules of Lifting books (you can find on Amazon) are all really good. The authors just came out with a new one late last year that might be a good start. These guys know their stuff! http://www.amazon.com/Strong-Workout-Programs-Metabolism-Strength/dp/1583335757/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1460412074&sr=1-6&keywords=the+new+rules+of+lifting+books

From my biggest weight to hitting goal weight!

Anyone else tired of people discussing your weight loss IRL? Like it is all anyone wants to talk about? It was fun at first, but now, I find myself avoiding certain social situations, because it will come up over and over. I never talk about the surgery, btw. Just want to commiserate with others. :-)

This^^!! This is exactly what I mean. People aren't judgmental or rude to me. I am not ashamed or shy or a hermit or any of that stuff. I just don't want to focus on my weight anymore.

Cardio is always good, but if you really want to tone, then you need to weight train. And don't worry about the myth that you will get bulky. That is actually very, very difficult to do. There are good books out there, or if you can, getting a trainer is a good way to go if you can afford it. Hit the gym, or get resistance bands, or do workouts using your own body weight. There is lots of info on the Internet! Great job on your weight loss success!

Good for you! I started low bmi as well. I had run out of motivation to diet anymore. Every single time I gained it back. I knew over time I was only going to get heavier, so I went through with the surgery with a BMI of 29. Best decision EVER! Lower BMI patients typically have less complications, which was huge for me. The weight flew off and I hit my goal right at my 4 month post op mark (a couple of weeks ago). It's still coming off, too. Not sure where my weight will level off, but I feel amazing! I can't say enough good things about just nipping it in the bud, when possible, and not wait until you are older, heavier, and have possibly more comorbidities.

My bmi was low to start. Long story short: With VSG, I lost 50 lbs (my goal) in 4 months. I am so much happier on a million levels not having to stress about my weight and to not constantly be fighting my urge to eat. I was so sick of dieting. It never worked long term. My marriage is better. I am in the best shape of my life (I work out like a maniac now, because it is so much easier!). I had never worn anything smaller than a size 10 (I was a size 14-16 before surgery). Today I thought I tried on a size 6 jeans and realized they were a size 4! They fit! I could write a book about how my life has only changed for the better. For me, I was only getting bigger, and I nipped that in the bud. Good luck with your decision!

It is most likely head hunger. If you feel it is true hunger, eat something low calorie, nutrient dense. When I have days when I feel hunger more than usual, I fill up on veggies. Lots of steamed squash or zucchini with low cal butter spray.