PatsyKinOH

Educate yourself, either by self study or in a weight-loss group through either a medical center or your local YMCA if the have a group. Another excellent resource is the American Diabetes Association; they have educational info about everything from prevention to treatment of diabetes. The nutritionist can only do so much in the short amount of time in the span of an appointment. So, educating yourself is key. I highly recommend you walk the walk now, put the education into practice before surgery so it won't be such a shocker post op. I've heard too many stories of people eating as they normally did preop and then after surgery have family purchase fast food to put through the blender and DRINK their McDonald's fix! Yuck! Logging. Logging your food is instrumental in keeping it true! If it goes through the lips it goes on the list! Measure/weigh your every morsel. And, last but not least, make changes over time! It is impossible to implement everything all at once. That sets people up for failure. I had 10 months to adjust before surgery and in that time I was able to lose 118 lbs. My surgery was this past March and overall I have lost 222 lbs. Considering I started this journey at just shy of 470 lbs, that's a lot of work! Now, I do some type of cardio everyday, work with weights three days a week for upper, mid, and lower body, plus I have energy to do things I haven't done in YEARS!

My starting weight was 468 and I'm 5'6". At that time I wore a 5 or 6X, depending on the cut and manufacturer. And tunics were a godsend! I hated wearing regular length tops because the didn't hide my pannus, which I've always been ashamed of. I am now down to 245 lbs and fit into a size 22. My bra size went from 48J to 38DDD. I've already bought jeans in smaller sizes from the Salvation Army in anticipation of the cooler months of NE Ohio. I am seriously looking forward to playing with my grandchildren in the snow!

I eat small amounts of carbs once or twice per week in the form of whole wheat pasta (1/4 cup) and FlatOut wraps. They have one with added protein. I use 1/2 of one with my tuna salad (yum!) I do have fruit everyday and occasionally I'll steal a small bite of potato from my husband's dinner plate. So far I've had no problems doing this. I've also noticed that when I'm in a stall if I add just a small serving of a carb per day breaks me through it. It's amazing how just a small change in diet can get things going again!

I usually eat from 600 to 700 Cals per day. Protein is 80 and above. I drink on average 120 oz of fluids per day. My food choices may seem bland to many but a wee bit of spices takes care of that! I eat a well rounded assortment of foods, including fruit. All foods are weighed. Plus, I exercise a total of 750+ minutes per week at the gym. I am very determined to take back my life! Before surgery was able to lose 120 lbs with mainly food choices and reduction in portion sizes so postop crumb-sized portions weren't such a major mind blowing event. Since surgery in March 2017 I have lost 101 lbs. I never thought I would get to this point so fast!

I consign mine so I can buy more clothes as I shrink. I've gone from a 34/36 to a 22/24 in the past 10 months so it's getting real! Thank God for Salvation Army! I look for the most gently worn stuff so I CAN consign them. For me it's win-win.

I was blessed to have a hospital sponsored weight loss group that I attended for 10 months prior to surgery. Originally I was not going to get surgery so I attended this group and learned so much! Each week, with a 12-week rotation based on a manual, they presented everything from food groups and nutrition to the behaviors that got used in trouble. They educate about how to be your "own best friend". The manual was created and written by a multidisciplinary team at the medical facility's weight loss and bariatric program. With that being said, I am a big proponent of education, not just on food and dietary requirements, but the physical, psychology and emotional tried related to obesity. I know, I'm long winded (I'm that way IRL as well!) It's just I'm very passionate about my journey and hope that by sharing my experience will help others in their journey, whether at the starting gate or somewhere in between.

My weight loss doc advised me on my first visit to him to "eat like when you were a child". If course, this works best for those of us who grew up pre 1980, but it is actually pretty simple really. Purchase from the outside perimeter of the grocery store, with the exception of processed items in the dairy/deli and frozen sections (corn dogs, hot dogs, balogna, battered fish products... The list goes on!) Only go into the aisles of the store for olive oil, spices, tuna, quinoa, whole grain rice, and beans. Avoid fried foods at all costs. Bake, broil, grill, boil, or steam. Try to avoid frozen meals due mainly to the excessive sodium and carbs most products contain. However, if you absolutely must purchase these items for use as lunch while at work try to limit to twice per week. Fresh is best, frozen is fine, but watch for added sodium in canned vegetables but they are fine. Fresh or flash frozen fruits are best, fruit packed in natural juice is okay when rinsed, but avoid fruit packed in syrup; too much added sugar. I've adopted these recommendations over the past 14 months (preop and have continued postop). I am 200 pounds lighter for it. I still have 100 pounds to go, but I am confident that I will get to my goal and I should do well in the long term following these rules to live by. And, yes, I do miss fast food, but I don't miss the expense, both financially and health-wise!

I didn't have as much cut off (only 14") when I started my journey preop, but it was still to my shoulders. Now it's short and sassy! It even looks good after a workout.

That is my goal! I can't wait to learn and go kayaking around the waterways of Cleveland's Emerald Necklace!

I know I'm my little corner of the world just about everyone I meet knows my story. And, they know I work out like a fiend three times a week in the gym plus other things the days I'm not in the gym. I think one can say I'm telling it on the mountain! LOL

I went the total opposite and just about everyone I know has been informed of my surgery, especially in case of an emergency and I am with them when they have to call for assistance. I also wear a medical alert bracelet that clearly states that I have had the sleeve surgery. For the most part people have been kind about my situation. Behind closed doors, who knows? But, I'm not going to get all bent out of shape about it. Even my favorite waitress at the local diner we frequent knows about my surgery and knows exactly what I order (one egg scrambled, an order of turkey bacon, and a fruit bowl, which is shared with my husband). It is such a personal decision and you will do what is right for you. As far as the questions about your weight loss all need to tell them that you are doing it under the watchful eye of your doctor and that you are losing weight to be healthy. They don't need to know how you are doing it, just that you are and if they can't be happy for you than phooey on them! Sent from my SM-T550 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm looking for a support group in the southwest suburbs area of the Cleveland area. I would like to meet people who encourage and support each other in a positive and upbeat fashion and are welcoming to new/prospective members. Thanks!

I live in Salvation Army and Goodwill finds! And, after they get too large I take them to a nearby consignment store for larger people and make money for more clothes. I'm very picky about clothes so I have stuff to sell.

Kayaking for me as well! The area I live in has a LOT of prime waterways to explore! I'd also like to get back in the saddle of a horse again. The last time I ponied up was 1981. Too long! And hiking! Although, first I need to see if I can rig a Rollator to do some SERIOUS off-roading!

I had to do six months of medically supervised weight management before being seen by a surgeon. And then, only then, was I able to get an appointment with the surgeon. It had nothing to do with insurance protocols, it was what the weight loss program at the medical center requires. I live in the Cleveland, Ohio area. There are three major medical centers here and each one seems to have a different set of protocols. In the long run in my mind it came to follow-up care. I chose the one with not only the strictest preop but the best overall preop and postop support system. I couldn't ask for better!

I was cleared for walking on solid ground right off the mark and to advance as tolerated. At six weeks I was cleared to go back to the gym but to "start at square one." (To say the least, my poor husband lived through six weeks of bloody hell with me not going to gym!) However, I have not been able to work on my abs directly yet as the doctor repaired an umbilical hernia while he had me on the table. Surgery was March 20th 2017. My follow-up is July 5th. I'm trying to live one day at a time but it's so hard when my abdomen looks and feels like a remake of the Pillsbury dough boy!

I, personally, don't have this issue but I do have several people in my bari family who do. Do you have access to a local face-to-face support group? They may have a mentoring program as well. This life change is NOT easy, even for those who have a very supportive inner circle (family, friends). I had a rough time postop due to the magnitude of issues due to having not only the sleeve but having a partial liver resection and two hernias repaired! If it wasn't for my weight loss support group and the two nurses who facilitate the group I would have done much worse and definitely wouldn't be where I'm at today! In addition to journaling, which is something I do everyday along with keeping a food log (accountably), I walk everyday and on MWF I work out with weights in the gym and spend a half an hour on the recumbent bike. It's a great way for me to have time for self-care and solitude. Find what works for you, but also look to see if you have a support group in your area. If your boyfriend has issue with this (judging by his attitude about your having had surgery) then maybe it is time to also reevaluate your relationship with him. I don't mean to sound like a buzz kill here, I just want you to have a successful journey to becoming healthy and staying healthy.

Parma here! (Just SW of Cleveland)