2+ Years Out

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Haven't been here in a while! I still keep getting PMs through my email, so I figured I'd drop by. Been pretty busy with school/work lately (I'm a few months away from finishing medical school). I remember how few people still stick around the boards once they've maintained their weightloss for a few months, and how much the newbies love to see people who are a few years out.

For those who are not familiar with me, I joined these boards in June 2010 and had my VSG with Dr. Aceves on Aug 9, 2010 at 208 lbs. I reached my original goal weight of 150 lbs within 5 months; my lowest weight to date has been 135. I'm maintaining around 140 now (I'm 5'5" and have a large frame). I had a fairly simple and stress-free recovery and consistent weightloss with no major stalls. My weight has bounced up on a few occasions since my surgery, but I always catch myself after I notice a few extra pounds and change up my eating.

I went through a phase where I ate anything I wanted and maintained my weight, but back in the spring I became interested in the paleo/primal diet - which is actually fairly similar to our post-WLS diets in that it's relatively low-carb. However, you are not allowed ANY grains and NO processed foods at all. The diehards will also avoid soy, peanuts, and dairy. I personally still eat dairy, but I choose full-fat versions. I eat as much meat/fish/chicken/game as I want, all fruits and vegetables, nuts, full-fat dairy, and occasional low-sugar treats such as dark chocolate (80-85% usually), etc. I've completely lost all interest in grains and a lot of treats taste very sweet to me now. pizza, etc just tastes like I'm chewing flour; I found some artisan ice cream that's quite low in sugar, but even that's a little too sweet, so I think I'll be getting my own ice cream maker soon and make low-sugar ice cream. I eat about 2500 calories a day on average. I eat about 7-8 times a day. I can eat enough that no one notices I eat small portions.

Today, I ate:

Meal 1: 4 strips thick bacon

Meal 2: about 1/2 pint strawberries with double cream

Meal 3: lamb chop, 2 small cucumbers

Meal 4: kohlrabi and apple slaw with homemade dressing

Meal 5: 3 strips thick bacon, several squares dark chocolate

Meal 6: handful of almonds, cheese curds

Meal 7: roasted figs with goat cheese wrapped in prosciutto

I took 2 months off from the gym recently because of work, but I still biked about an hour 3-4 times a week and tried to run about 30 mins 2x a week. I'm coming back to the gym this coming week. I do Crossfit, so I have a very varied routine with lots of bodyweight exercises like pull-ups and burpees, explosive cardio such as sprints, and heavy weightlifting.

I'm attaching pix of me from the day before surgery and some pix from this summer (I haven't really changed much since).   

[greenrn 17]

Thank you sharing. Your pics reflect the importance of exercise.

[abetterme4.2 268]

Thanks for sharing your success. You're right, it's nice to see when someone comes back on here and shows us newbies how someone has maintained and see their journey.

You look great. Thanks for taking time to share.

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Thanks. I forgot to add that I had an opportunity to spend a little bit of time at a bariatric clinic this spring, and spent about 2 weeks on a bariatric surgery rotation. The physician I worked with was very impressed with me both from a professional standpoint and from the point of my experience with WLS, so much that she said she hopes to hire me once I'm done residency. I'm doing a rotation with her 1 week from now! So I think I might be taking that route with my future career - I have some research ideas, as well, so hopefully one of these days you'll be posting a research article I wrote, haha. Things are coming full circle!

[Sannah 258]

Good Evening,

First off congratulations are in order for finishing med school!! How fantastic!!!

Secondly, congrats on your tremendous success with your body. You have clearly demonstrated that the sleeve is a tool!!! Looks like you have put in a lot of hard work!!! Reading your message was inspirational and surely had an impact on me.

What a great time in your life!!!

I am going to be sleeved Nov 13! Two classes away from my bachelors in Speech & Hearing Science. Studying for the GRE to get into a doctoral program in Audiology. Your truly an inspiration to me!!!

Thank you kindly for posting your story!

Best,

Sannah

[sleeve 4 me 910]

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! I forgot that we were sleeved the same month and year

! I can't believe it! It went by soooo quickly!!!! Anyhoo, I'm soooo happy for you! and so glad to hear from you! You are definitely a huge inspiration for all us!!! Hugs!

[Butterthebean 8,146]

You've done a great job. Very impressive physique.

[tjloser 62]

Thanks BlackBerryJuice for the example of what you eat. I seem to always be hungry and thought that I can only eat 3 times a day. But your example gave me an idea of how to incorporate more food without overdoing it.

[favoredone 590]

Awesome job Lady!! So proud of you!!! Keep up the excellent work Doc!!!

[windycitymom 60]

BBJuice,

Thanks for the honest and detailed update!

It's great to see at any stage of the recovery process. I'm in the honeymoon phase and the eat whatever you want and still maintain a loss, so your post is eye opening and has Enlightened me that it can't be this way forever

You are truly an inspiration so thank you once again. Keep up the great work!

Lisa

[windycitymom 60]

BB juice,

Can you share your Vitamin routine with us?

WCM

[sunset 2]

Thanks for sharing your story. Did you have a personal trainer? I if so, how many months out? Also, I don't see your incisions. How many did you have and how did you care for them? I am less than a week out and worried about how my incisions will heal and look like.

[ladydeenj 132]

Haven't been here in a while! I still keep getting PMs through my email' date=' so I figured I'd drop by. Been pretty busy with school/work lately (I'm a few months away from finishing medical school). I remember how few people still stick around the boards once they've maintained their weightloss for a few months, and how much the newbies love to see people who are a few years out.

For those who are not familiar with me, I joined these boards in June 2010 and had my VSG with Dr. Aceves on Aug 9, 2010 at 208 lbs. I reached my original goal weight of 150 lbs within 5 months; my lowest weight to date has been 135. I'm maintaining around 140 now (I'm 5'5" and have a large frame). I had a fairly simple and stress-free recovery and consistent weightloss with no major stalls. My weight has bounced up on a few occasions since my surgery, but I always catch myself after I notice a few extra pounds and change up my eating.

I went through a phase where I ate anything I wanted and maintained my weight, but back in the spring I became interested in the paleo/primal diet - which is actually fairly similar to our post-WLS diets in that it's relatively low-carb. However, you are not allowed ANY grains and NO processed foods at all. The diehards will also avoid soy, peanuts, and dairy. I personally still eat dairy, but I choose full-fat versions. I eat as much meat/fish/chicken/game as I want, all fruits and vegetables, nuts, full-fat dairy, and occasional low-sugar treats such as dark chocolate (80-85% usually), etc. I've completely lost all interest in grains and a lot of treats taste very sweet to me now. pizza, etc just tastes like I'm chewing flour; I found some artisan ice cream that's quite low in sugar, but even that's a little too sweet, so I think I'll be getting my own ice cream maker soon and make low-sugar ice cream. I eat about 2500 calories a day on average. I eat about 7-8 times a day. I can eat enough that no one notices I eat small portions.

Today, I ate:

Meal 1: 4 strips thick bacon

Meal 2: about 1/2 pint strawberries with double cream

Meal 3: lamb chop, 2 small cucumbers

Meal 4: kohlrabi and apple slaw with homemade dressing

Meal 5: 3 strips thick bacon, several squares dark chocolate

Meal 6: handful of almonds, cheese curds

Meal 7: roasted figs with goat cheese wrapped in prosciutto

I took 2 months off from the gym recently because of work, but I still biked about an hour 3-4 times a week and tried to run about 30 mins 2x a week. I'm coming back to the gym this coming week. I do Crossfit, so I have a very varied routine with lots of bodyweight exercises like pull-ups and burpees, explosive cardio such as sprints, and heavy weightlifting.

I'm attaching pix of me from the day before surgery and some pix from this summer (I haven't really changed much since).[/quote']

You look phenomenal thank u for sharing

[It's all new 453]

You look fantastic and it sounds like life overall is going really well for you. Your arms... I covet them. I want my biceps/triceps to grow up and look like that!

[rdoactv 218]

BBJuice,

Thank you for sharing. Your success is a HUGE inspiration for me. Im a short (5'0) presleever. Surg 3/2013.I was always a strong, muscular gal when younger albiet with atleast a little fluffy cover lol and thought I had no hope of returning to that. Yours were some of the first posts I saw upon joining VST. You gave me hope and you remain a major inspiration..so don't disappear completely! ; )