Search the Community

I went to Orlando this week on a business trip and while I was on my trip I hit my 3 month surgiversary. I actually lost 1 lb. this week, which is awesome, considering I was eating out every meal (but on the other hand, I was doing a lot of walking around in the evenings, which I think helped offset the extra calories). I was really, really happy to be walking around with other people who are not obese and able to keep up with them pretty well -- something I could never do pre-surgery! As of today I am 188.8 lbs. I had set an ambitious Easter goal to be at 180 by Easter and I am sure I won't make it ... I am thinking I will be lucky to be below 185 by that date. But heck, that is still great! DH just went out for breakfast ... he is going to our local, amazing donut shop called Legendary Donuts (and they are incredibly great donuts). I passed on the trip (yay for me, little NSV right there!) -- I am having crackers with sunflower seed butter instead (not exactly the best breakfast, but way way better than a donut!). Fortunately, the idea of a donut is not nearly as tempting to me now as it used to be. My appetite for sweets still is nowhere near what it used to be prior to surgery. I do enjoy a bite or two of dessert on a periodic basis, but usually 2 bites is totally fine and I don't want or need any more. I saw a friend yesterday whom I hadn't seen since before surgery. The first thing she said to me was, "You've lost weight, haven't you? I can really notice! You look great!" That made me feel really great. I told her I had been sleeved and she surprised me and said her mom had the same procedure, and she was very supportive. I have been very open about telling people about getting sleeved and so far I have not had one negative comment. I know my friends and family were truly concerned about my weight before surgery, and they are really happy that I am losing weight. I figured if I ever get a snide comment about having surgery, I'll know that person really doesn't have my best interests at heart and I should be wary of them going forward. Other than that, there's not much to tell this week. Oh, one last thing ... I did splurge and spend $60 at Sephora yesterday and bought replacement Bare Escentuals makeup kit (the last time I bought some was at least 2 years ago and I was thinking it needed to be replaced). I do wear makeup now most days, and I have to admit it does make me feel like I look better. I don't mess with eye shadow but do use foundation, blush, and lipstick, and if I'm feeling very into it I'll put on eyeliner and a little mascara. I've been shopping a few times and am already coveting some of the really pretty spring dresses that are for sale. I think I may end up being a real girly-girl once I get into regular sizes again!

This has been a great week. Monday I did my weekly weight in and discovered I'd lost another 6lbs which put me at 150 lbs lost! I'm not sure why 150 was so much more rewarding than 144, but t sure felt great. I'm now 55% of the way to my goal. Also on Monday I put on a new pair of dress pants, black ones. Well when I went to my closet to get a black belt it occured to me that the only black belt I had was from "before". Not having much of a choice I punched a new hole in the belt, about 6 inches down from the last available hole and put it on. I can only assume the extra did not look too bad wrapped half way around my left side.

I am proud and excited to say that as July 18th I have officially joined the 2 century club! I am now down 204lbs since the start of this journey. I still can not believe it's gone as well as it has. I thank God for the success he has allowed me to see with this process. For the first time in at least 23 years I am under 300lbs. This takes me back to my early days in high school. I have never been at my current weight as an adult. I still keep expecting to wake up from this dream and find myself still carrying around nearly 500lbs of mass. This week has been full of NSV as well. My family and I went camping this weekend. One of the first things that hit me as I was setting up the camper was how much easier it was to do. No more struggling over the little things that most people do without even thinking about. For the first time in such a long time I was one of those people that was just doing things and not feeling physically exhausted or prohibited while doing them. I went canoeing! Yep, my wife, our daughter and I took out a canoe for a 3 hour trip down a local river. It was so much fun and an activity that I would have never attempted while carrying around my previous weight. I am finding myself being interested in sports and activities I previously would have never considered, biking, kayaking and scuba diving are now all on my want to do list. Thank you for reading and for the support and encouragement along the way.

When I first started this journey back in August 2013, I weighed 301 pounds and according to my BMI of 50.1, I was "super obese." Now, 61 pounds later, I have a BMI of 39.9 and am *just* "obese." I also got a call from my PCP - she said my bloodwork confirmed that I no longer have to continue my diabetes or hypertension medication and that my bloodwork looks fabulous. The only thing I need to do is get my good cholesterol up and I can do that with exercise - which has been happening 4-6 days a week since surgery so I think I'm on the right track. Still have a ways to go but it's nice to see the results in so many various "weighs." From giving away clothing, putting on dresses that didn't fit for a good long while and now seeing things like my BMI and being off some medication. I'm sure that I'll hit a stall soon, or there will be bumps in the road but I'm trying not to focus on the negative and really just focus on the good news. And be happy. It's a novel experience, really. Hope everyone is having a good Thursday! Holiday weekend is almost here!!!

@@Griggs2alr - the small goals are the BIGGEST ones sometimes. Keep trying on clothes you haven't worn for NSVs. Don't forget to measure yourself NOW for the stalls that will mess with your head. Inches "lost" are SO much fun to lose

Today is one of those days where I feel like I'm going backward. Though I've made amazing progress in the past three months, the past week is what is getting me down. It's the yo-yo plateau. You know, the same two pounds...back and forth, back and forth. Ugh! I am trying to step up my exercise and mix it up a bit. Watching my calorie intake. Trying to keep my water intake up as well. Those two pounds just won't leave forever! I know I should focus on NSVs like all the positive comments I'm getting from people; the fact that I have very few items in my closet that fit; the fact that I just got a pair of pants that are THREE sizes smaller than what I had when I started this journey. Isn't it amazing how two freakin' little pounds can trip you up in such a way. Okay....gonna try to be more positive tomorrow.

Thank you! I know I love NSVs, they just brighten my life...! I will definitely get some great deals for my new clothing sizes

Today I measured myself for the first time since surgery. It has been 4 weeks and I have lost 30 pounds, but the measurements shocked me!!! I had lost 4 inches in my waist, 3 inches from my chest, an inch from each ankle, 2 inches from each thigh, and 2 inches from each knee. I was worried I wasn't losing fast enough but then I see 17 inches gone from my body and I know that I am going the right way. Today I went to the gym and kind of over did it, but feel the urge to push myself. I know I am still healing and was reminded of this today, especially when I was trying to do triceps exercises laying down on a bench and felt the incision and stomach muscle pull. Ouchh!!! Just gotta go slow. I am so excited to feel great again and have energy. I am happy to hear so many people that I can relate to on this site. I wish everyone the best on their surgeries. This surgery is definitely worth it!!!

Congrats! if there is 1 peice of advice I can offer (taking with a grain of salt of course) don't get yourself worked up or obsess on fixating on a specific weight you want to be at this time. From personal experience- Your surgeon knows what's best for you and your body type- You cannot go by the charts in doctor's offices.. Take 1 day at a time and take into consideration all of the inches, healthier choices you are making, smaller clothes, NSV's (non scale victories) etc. I did not set out with a certain poundage in mind- NEVER owned a scale until after my procedure and am very happy with my results. I have surpassed my surgeon's goal for 1st year out and am continuing to loose and feel so much better about it, my other goals and where I want to be in a year, 2, 3 etc... Good luck! you wont regret it!!

Very happy for you, that was one of my goals too! I went this past summer and loved every minute! I wasn't tired & could have stayed longer. My husband agreed we'd go every year, I love flowers. The nsv's are countless.

While I have been happy with the weight loss progress that I have made since surgery in November, today was the first day that I felt genuinely excited. For years, I have wanted to take my wife to the Dallas Arboretum, which is a pretty spectacular 66-acre place near where we live. A trip there involves a good amount of walking. Since, before surgery, I would get out of breath just walking from the parking lot to my office or my back would be agonizing just waiting in line briefly for something, a day at the Arboretum was previously impossible. When I had my surgery in November, I swore that I would make enough progress to be able to do a trip to the Arboretum before the new year. That was today. All in all, we had a great time and I walked over 4.5 miles with no back pain and no breathlessness. I actually felt like a normal person! My knees hurt now, but I will take that.

I don't believe you were ever a "2". Everyone has an opinion and a (bleep)hole, sometimes the opinions come out of the latter one. There are a lot of emotions during weight loss, some are hormonal, some are due to years of being in lament over one's obesity and lower self-esteem, among other emotional issues. Maybe you can seek some counseling to deal with these emotions? Perhaps you can turn those tears into tears of joy on how you overcame obesity, your improved health and all of the NSVs you are experiencing. I am a married heterosexual, so I am not hitting on you, but you do look good and earned it through your hard work to lose your excess body weight.

Today I had to have an MRI of my shoulder. It was so nice to hop on the table and slide into the machine without worrying that I would get stuck. Something that would definitely have been a concern 126 lbs ago!

There's that moment during weightloss when I notice- like really notice- that my waist is curved way in on the sides. There's my waist! No denying it. I noticed it a couple weeks ago but just catching a quick glance in the mirror in a rush to get ready to go. When I looked, really looked, well datum! My waist looks pretty good on me. It curves way in. I'm curvy- but not in a fat-way. My waist is quite a bit higher than I thought it was. My belly button is lower than I thought it was, too, no wonder after 2 C-sections and a couple rounds of weightloss. That's probably why I thought my waist was lower; because they tell you to measure your waist around your belly button, or just near it. Also, I'm petit, so maybe I thought my waist was lower to the ground, like me. ha Who knew? Now I know where my waist is- after all these years lol

Been banded over 4 years, lost all my weight a while back...so I don't get NSV';s that often anymore.... But Saturday Night was a big one! First, I graduated HS in 1970....I weighed 165, played football, ran track, etc. There is a class mate, who has become a very popular comedian, tours all over the world, TV, Movies...etc. (I'm not going to mention his name) Well the word went out through face book, that he would be the headline act at "Catch a Rising Star" here in New Jersey....and people from the Class of 70 were being contacted to attend...sort of a mini reunion....which a good number of us did. To get to the point, people I have not seen in over 40 years were there....of course everyone was thrilled to see each other. Lots of Love going around!.....and everyone could not get over how I have not changed one bit...I am still the same weight, and I am still in tip-top shape as I was in High School! People said I have obviously done pretty good for myself. The joke was, where everyone is getting older...I am gong in the opposite direction! IF THEY ONLY KNEW!!!! It's been over 40 years and they do not know I was once morbidly obese, was once a diabetic, have cardiac issues, along with a long list of other things. And as a last resort, I had to undergo Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery...and only then did I turn my life around....but they don't know, and that's just fine with me....just let it ride. I was walking on air all night, and it was not just the alcohol we were consuming! (of course we partied!) Stuff like his makes it all worth it....best decision I ever made!

BariatricPal Newsletter #outlook a {padding:0;} body{width:100% !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust:100%; -ms-text-size-adjust:100%; margin:0; padding:0;} .ExternalClass {width:100%;} .ExternalClass, .ExternalClass p, .ExternalClass span, .ExternalClass font, .ExternalClass td, .ExternalClass div {line-height: 100%;} #backgroundTable {margin:0; padding:0; width:100% !important; line-height: 100% !important;} img {outline:none; text-decoration:none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;} a img {border:none;} .image_fix {display:block;} p {margin: 1em 0;} h1 { color: white !important; } h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {color: #333333 !important;} h1 a:active, h2 a:active, h3 a:active, h4 a:active, h5 a:active, h6 a:active { color: red !important; } h1 a:visited, h2 a:visited, h3 a:visited, h4 a:visited, h5 a:visited, h6 a:visited { color: purple !important; } table td {border-collapse: collapse;} table { border-collapse:collapse; mso-table-lspace:0pt; mso-table-rspace:0pt; } a {color: #4a8aca;} /* Unhides cells that we set to hide in the HTML in case the client doesn't support style properly */ *[class~=hidePhone] { display : block !important; width : auto !important; max-height: inherit !important; overflow : visible !important; float : none !important; } *[class~=hidePhone][width="30"] { width: 30px !important; } *[class~=hidePhone][width="40"] { width: 40px !important; } td[class~=hidePhone] { display: table-cell !important; } @media only screen and (max-device-width: 480px) { a[href^="tel"], a[href^="sms"] { text-decoration: none; color: blue; pointer-events: none; cursor: default; } .mobile_link a[href^="tel"], .mobile_link a[href^="sms"] { text-decoration: default; color: orange !important; pointer-events: auto; cursor: default; } #userPhoto, .hidePhone, *[class~=hidePhone], td[class~=hidePhone] { display: none !important; } .responsive_table > tr > td, .responsive_table > tbody > tr > td, .responsive_table > tr, .responsive_table > tbody > tr { display: block; text-align: left; } html[dir="rtl"] .responsive_table > tr > td, html[dir="rtl"] .responsive_table > tbody > tr > td, html[dir="rtl"] .responsive_table > tr, html[dir="rtl"] .responsive_table > tbody > tr { text-align: right; } .responsive_row { margin-bottom: 10px; } .responsive_fullwidth { width: 100% !important; } } @media only screen and (min-device-width: 768px) and (max-device-width: 1024px) { a[href^="tel"], a[href^="sms"] { text-decoration: none; color: blue; pointer-events: none; cursor: default; } .mobile_link a[href^="tel"], .mobile_link a[href^="sms"] { text-decoration: default; color: orange !important; pointer-events: auto; cursor: default; } Store Forums Magazine Activity Hey BariatricPal Members! Time flies, and the summer certainly seemed to slip away for us at BariatricPal! Still, our busyness has been fun and productive, and we hope you feel the same way about your summer. Here is a newsletter that we hope will keep you centered and move you forward as we head into fall. You’ll find: • Weight Loss Surgery Journey Help Anytime, Anywhere • Fall Flavors, WLS Style • Looking Backwards and Forwards During Your WLS Journey Use this newsletter to get a handle on your weight loss surgery goals and strategies, and then launch into action! Get your meals prepped, lace up your walking shoes, and logon to the BariatricPal Forums on your computer or using the Android or iPhone app! Can’t wait to see you there! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Weight Loss Surgery Journey Help Anytime, Anywhere Going through bariatric surgery, losing weight, and keeping it off is already a tall order; why would you even think about trying to go it alone? Rather than trying to go through the journey alone, you are probably better off figuring out what help you may need, and where you will find it. That way, the challenges you are sure to come across will be nothing more than little blips that you can overcome more quickly than if you were trying to face them on your own. Your Healthcare Team Obvious though it may seem, sometimes it is easy to forget, that your healthcare team is there…for your health. Your surgeon, primary care doctor, and specialists that you may have, such as an endocrinologist or cardiologist, can answer your health questions, and put you in touch with bariatric specialists, such as nutritionists and psychologists, when you need them. The People Around You People may be more willing and able to help than you realize. Look to family, friends, and even coworkers for help in your WLS journey success. They can help you in a variety of ways, both direct and indirect for your surgery and weight loss. • Your parents and neighbors can take care of the kids or drive them to their activities, especially right after surgery when you need to rest and/or cannot drive. • Coworkers who are trying to lose weight or who work hard to lead healthy lifestyles can be supportive as you work to eat healthy, and could walk with you at lunch. • Friends could agree to socialize while shopping, hiking, or crafting – not eating. BariatricPal Really! Talk about 24/7 support, and BariatricPal should come to mind. The forums are where to go for support from BariatricPal members. You can browse or come to ask specific questions. Find helpful WLS success tips in our WLS Magazine when you read articles on nutrition, exercise, head games, and more written by experts including nutritionists, psychologists, surgeons, and successful WLS patients. Get trusted reviews on surgeons in your area in our Surgeon Directory, and check out The BariatricPal Store for protein bars and shakes, bariatric supplements, great-tasting entrees and snacks, and more products that can make your journey easier. Fall Flavors, WLS Style The bounty of fall is in, with apples, pumpkin, and mushrooms making their presence known. With these and other nutritious choices in season, why did diet disasters such as apple pie, pumpkin pancakes, and mushroom dip become the culinary face of fall? Classic fall foods can put a damper on weight loss, but fall fare does not need to throw you off your diet, though. Here are a few ideas that can get you your fall fix while letting you hit your fall goals. Apples Crisp fall apples are so innocent, until they turn into apple pie a la mode, apple cobbler, and apple butter. You are far better off pairing these fiber-packed fruits with Peanut Butter Powder, which adds some low-fat, reduced-calorie protein. Or, try great-tasting apple-flavored protein punches, without extra sugar in apples or baked goods, in the form of Protein Fruit Drinks, Apple Pie Protein Bars, and Cinnamon Apple Protein Oatmeal. Check out our Apple-Flavored Collection! Cinnamon Nothing screams “autumn!” like cinnamon and spice, but the food industry takes the flavors to dangerous places. Cinnamon turns from a blood sugar-lowering agent into a sweetened flavor that brings too many calories and too much sugar and fat: think cinnamon latte, cinnamon French toast, and cinnamon buns, for example. Get your fix instead from our Cinnamon-Flavored Protein Foods, such as Cinnamon Swirl Protein One Meal Replacement, Cinnamon Vanilla and Cinnamon Crunch Protein Cereal, and Cinnamon Crunch and Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin Protein Bars. They are low in carbs, and high in protein and flavor. Pumpkin, Chili, and More A piece of pumpkin bread or pumpkin muffin has about twice the sugars you need in a day, and hardly any pumpkin. A bowl of beefy chili can have your daily dose of saturated fat and sodium. Those creamed mushrooms may smell appetizing, but what if their rich sauce sends you to the bathroom with dumping syndrome? Don’t do it! You are better off going with Pumpkin Protein Muffins with 20 grams of protein, low-carb, protein-rich instant entrees such as Vegetable or Turkey Chili, and Creamy Mushroom Protein Soup or Meal Replacement. You will get the fall flavor, without the hit to your waistline. Check The BariatricPal Store for more fall flavors you love, with nutritionals you love, too. We have treats for every phase of the WLS diet, including liquid, pureeds, soft, and solid foods. Looking Backwards and Forwards During Your WLS Journey Bariatric surgery is a process, not an endpoint. Getting bariatric surgery, losing weight, and keeping it off are a lifelong journey. They require commitment and effort, and you might be best able to keep it up if you balance looking back with looking ahead. Backwards: Staying True to Yourself and Celebrating Achievements Your past may be behind you, but it shaped you and still affects you today. Remember who you were and the frustrated or other negative feelings you may have had before surgery or before you started considering surgery, and you may help yourself stay motivated to keep moving forward. You can also honor your past by marking milestones, such as weight loss markers, fitting into smaller clothes or other NSVs, and your surgiversaries. Forwards: Setting New Goals There is always something to achieve, and setting new goals will help you move forward. There are weight loss milestones on the way to goal weight and goal weight. Along the way and beyond, you can always set goals to improve fitness, try new activities, and keep growing as the result of your commitment to yourself and your health. As always, we support whatever commitment you make to yourself and your health, and we are thrilled to be a part of your journey whenever you allow us to be. Good luck this fall in your quest for health, and thanks for being a BariatricPal member! Stop paying for nutritional supplements! Check your insurance eligibility now! If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please click *|unsubscribe|* or to unsubscribe from ALL BariatricPal E-Mail Click Here.

The bathtub NSV was an awesome accomplishment..I have love bubble baths - so the only negative is it takes more bubbles...but I have more to play in, too!

Wow there's water evenly around me in the bath tub 0.o not the large amount of water in front and small cup full behind me. No there's water in front and behind me and it's the same amount lmao. To make things even better on my wak this morning I did this odd slow running like thing think it was kind like jogging rotflmao. It was an awkward looking jogging but it was still jogging

That is similar to what I started doing around 2 months post-op. Idk that it helped with loose skin, but it definitely seemed to help with weight loss. Also, I look toned and fit. I actually had a stranger on a plane the other day say I was “ripped” and asked if I do cross fit. The stranger also happened to be a very attractive man in my age group. Lol! Best NSV yet! 😊

@@Inner Surfer Girl congrats, that is a huge NSV, sounds like a lot of fun. I hope you have a lot more things on your "to do"list as there is no stopping you!

So last night I'm partying at a club in Rome and a lot of guys start dancing with me one after the other. I was really flattered by the attention for sure but the REAL victory is that I danced the entire night from techno to hip hop and everything in between. I was not even tired...next level [emoji356]

So I am at a plateau, now adding in more exercise (joined the YMCA yesterday and burned 699 calories yesterday alone!!) and trying to eat less at each meal and stay below 1200 calories....the scale isn't moving much these days, but I have new reasons to celebrate..... Last week I had to go get new bras....the old ones were super loose in the cups....so loose that I had to cut off the excess material!!! But today was the REAL NSV!!!!! I measured myself...something I haven't done since surgery day... I lost 3 inches in the waist 3 inches in the bust 4 inches in the hips nothing in thigh....might have to re-measure that one! 1 inch in the upper arm!! Went from a size 42DD bra to a 40C...first time in over 10 years and 3 kids that I've been a C!! I've gotten rid of my size 20-22 clothes, now working on getting through the 18's.... went to a wedding last night and wore a size 16 dress without busting out of it!!!! It fit great and felt even better!!! I even danced in HEELS!!! I'm not a dancer by an means, but danced longer than I ever would have even thought of pre-banding!! Woot woot!! If I can figure out how to add pics before and now I will do so.

I forgot to post this the other day.. Went shopping with my younger step sister and was trying on clothing... The jeans that I had just bought there a month ago were a bit loose, so I scooped up the same ones in a lower size ...yep. Size 8. Hello. SINGLE DIGIT JEANS!!!!!!!!!! Already wearing smalls in most dresses and tops, but THIS was a big one!!! Could likely go to 6 when these last pounds come off around my waist... 4's after a tummy tuck....Hot damn! NSV on steroids. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

it can be very hard to believe that this time will be different but it will be different. The sleeve is an amazing tool to reset your life and reclaim your health and mobility. You have so many small and large victories ahead of you. i encourage you to look for the NSV -non scale victories - topic located here and read thru it and see all the great things you can look forward to post op is very much a mental game so keep the reasons you did this in mind and look forward to the good things ahead. good luck

Hi! I'm new to this site and I am still pre surgery. My RNY is scheduled for 9/22. I was a chubby little girl who was constantly told she was fat. As life moved through the years no matter what I tried the weight came back plus. At one point I weighed 299 and I started a plan I was very successful and lost 99 pounds. I just never could break that 100 pound mark. Now three years latter and fast approaching 59 years of age with many health issues have decided to embark on yes a life changing adventure to let out the thin person who has always been trapped inside. I think everyone has times where they become apprehensive about the decision to undertake this process. I agree with the others the core person you are doesn't change. I am talking about your morals, values, way of seeing right and wrong that person will always be there. However, your about to undertake an adventure you've never had. Your going to experience a whole new world of NSV's (non scale victories) i.e. being able to walk into any store and buy whatever you like, being able to tie your shoes without putting your leg up on the couch or bed, no seat belt extenders just to name a few. Embrace the adventure and enjoy the ride. This is how I have come to see all of what is involved. I belong to another Gastric Bypass forum on a site called Daily Strength, if you have the time to visit that site look for a post that is titled what newbie's need to know. I really got quite a bite from that posting. It's long but so worth the read! Good Luck on your journey!