Almost 3 years out and lovin' my sleeve

[NtvTxn 1,262]

A friend of mine got banded years ago....and she wanted me to follow suit. No way would I ever have WLS, there was no reason medically, I was healthy as a horse. I did feel down after I HAD to go shopping when I HAD to have something new. I did always feel like the biggest girl in the room, I did hate to have my picture taken....but I was healthy, I had a husband who loved me big or small. No way, hell would freeze over first.

Well three years passed and my friend had lost 60 lbs and she had not died. Ok, positive things, but still.

At 2 o'clock one morning, I got up to go to the bathroom and my tummy was in my lap.....right then and there, I made the decision to do it. Yes, I think clearly and come up with great ideas in the middle of the night, some times I'm in the bathroom, sometimes I just wake up and something comes to me.

The next day, I told my husband I'd made this decision. I was firm about it, not wishy washy. He was not on board with fixing something that was not broken. I had no health issues, I wanted to have fun shopping and feel good about myself while I was younger (49 yrs) and while I was still healthy. Vanity and preventive maintenence, priorities rule!!

That was Dec 2009, my DH wanted me to do research. I did, I read every single thing I could come across. I found a support group and started attending, and so did he. This guy became my biggest cheerleader!! He attends all my group meetings, even asking questions and taking notes when need be.

I found a doctor in Texas, our 'home'. We were at that time living out of state, but I knew I wanted someone in Dallas or Houston to take care of me. I knew we would be moving back at some point. I first thought I'd get a band, but the more I read and heard, even though my friend did ok and did not die......it wasn't the best choice for me. I chose the sleeve procedure after days upon days of talking to different doctor's offices, and after obsessively reading everything I could find. I attended the seminar in Dallas in April and in June 2010, six months after that fateful 2 AM decision, I did it.

I never, ever, ever regretted it. Not one minute of buyer's remorse. I've loved every single second since I woke up in recovery!!!! It is a wild ride and the most fun I've ever had!!! Clothes started falling off me, people started to ask if I'd lost some weight, which can be uncomfortable some times. A saleswoman called me LITTLE. LoL I have bones and my mom was wrong all those years, I am NOT big boned!!! I love my collarbone!!! It's my favorite NSV to this day. I'd wake up and all of a sudden have hip bones and my shoulders feel so boney now days!!!

I finally got use to going to the Missy dept instead of the Women's. That was hard and it is STILL difficult to get a size that fits. I tend to want a size larger. It takes a long time for your head to catch up with your body!!!

I'd read on this forum somewhere that we should get a disposable camera prior to surgery. Have someone take a picture the day before or day or surgery, then once a month on the date of your surgery. I did that, and then after my 1 year anniversary.....I got it developed. Wow, those pictures laying side by side from the previous year, I saw my transformation. I highly recommend doing this!!!

I reached my doctor's goal in just under five months. My goal, five lbs less, a month later. My total loss is anywhere from 81 - 84 lbs, depending on the day. I lost 23 of those lbs prior to surgery. I have been maintaining for over 2 years now. I had a hard time stopping the weight loss....is this possible???!! Yes it is! I added calories and gained back to where I was comfortable.

Would I do it again....in a New York minute! Forced Portion Control, that is what I needed. I still make choices, but I don't feel deprived at all. I'm not hungry, my new hunger is an empty feeling, which makes making wise choices much easier.

I weigh myself every single morning, first thing. I've done this from the beginning. I log my food on line and I weigh and/or measure my food when I'm at home. This is part of my life, it's like a game. I love it, it also keeps me aware of what's going on with my body. Even if it isn't the wisest choice, I am aware of everything that goes into my mouth. No more mindless eating.

I need 1150 - 1275 calories per day to maintain. I do not exercise, not really, so I knew that I'd have to make life changes I could live with, that would allow me to accomplish what I wanted. I get anywhere from 60 - 95 grams of Protein per day, almost without fail. It's all been pretty easy for me.

I think I eat pretty much like a naturally thin person. This is my new life, it's fun. I feel good. It is possible to lose all you want, still enjoy food and maintain, but this is not a magic bullet. You can't have 85% of your stomach removed then eat chips, ice cream, drink alcohol, milkshakes and eat food from a drive through, and expect to be successful. We still have to make good decisions.

'Nuff said!!

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

NtvTxn

always great to hear from you "ol timers"

nice for "us" to hear that "good" life after being sleeved for one year, 2 years plus DOES/should happen

obviously you still have to be diligent, but the sleeve will always work, as long as you work with it

can't lose the weight, sit back on your laurels (msp) with your feet up happy you are at goal

be happy...........but you MUST continue the proper drinking, eating, Protein et al

all the good eating habits must stick around for the rest of your longer, healthier, happier life

I'm a "newbie" at being a veteran!!!!

15 months post WLS

4 months since GOAL

i'm just in the beginning, continueing stages of my maintennance - but i WILL do this -

for the rest of my longer, healthier, happier life!!!

"we" can all do this

sleevers unite!!!! (corn)!!!!

continued good luck to all of us

and NtvTxn, thanx for the great post

[Oakleygirl 53]

I just love these "veteran" stories b/c when all the newness of the sleeve is gone, it still can work for you if you work with it! You have given yourself an amazing gift! I hope I can be as successful! Thanks for sharing!

[RareGold3000 185]

Such an uplifting and informative post, thanx for all you wrote, it's very inspiring. I think we all wonder what it will be like beyond a few weeks, and then months and then year out from surgery and beyond. So, we need these stories to help us realize how it will be. It's nice to know if 'we' work our sleeve, our sleeve will 'work' for us!! Have a great weekend and congrats!!

Karen

[NtvTxn 1,262]

Thanks Karen and OakleyGirl!!!

It's great to hear from both of you. I hope your weekend has been fantastic!!!

[NtvTxn 1,262]

NtvTxn

always great to hear from you "ol timers"

nice for "us" to hear that "good" life after being sleeved for one year, 2 years plus DOES/should happen

obviously you still have to be diligent, but the sleeve will always work, as long as you work with it

can't lose the weight, sit back on your laurels (msp) with your feet up happy you are at goal

be happy...........but you MUST continue the proper drinking, eating, Protein et al

all the good eating habits must stick around for the rest of your longer, healthier, happier life

I'm a "newbie" at being a veteran!!!!

15 months post WLS

4 months since GOAL

i'm just in the beginning, continueing stages of my maintennance - but i WILL do this -

for the rest of my longer, healthier, happier life!!!

"we" can all do this

sleevers unite!!!! (corn)!!!!

continued good luck to all of us

and NtvTxn, thanx for the great post

Four months at goal - isn't it a wonderful feeling??!!!! Congrats again and again!!!! Thank you for the kind words, I love to share my story with others, I know when I was just starting out or when I'd just reached goal....I loved every word I could find from others further out than I was. It's reassuring to hear that it won't just stop, go away and we wake up one morning with 40 additional pounds, or whatever!!!!!

Supporting each other.....it's helpful, NOW I look for people who are four or more years out. It gets harder.

Take care and keep in touch!!

[Houston17 115]

Thank you so much for sharing your story! Very inspirational!

[Colemon70 87]

Thank you sooooo much for taking your time to tell your story!

[jgirl75 156]

Glad to hear from someone that is three years out. I hope to be in the same boat as you the further along I get! Congrats on your loss and maintenance.

[NtvTxn 1,262]

All y'all are welcome!

[NJGurl19 50]

Your story is amazing Congrats!!!

[NtvTxn 1,262]

Thank you!

[The Travel Guru 40]

Loved that you shared your story, this is what I inspire to do. Thank you for making a dream a reality.. Congrats!

[NtvTxn 1,262]

Loved that you shared your story, this is what I inspire to do. Thank you for making a dream a reality.. Congrats!

If I can do it, I am certain you can!! Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was possible. Hold on and enjoy, the ride is wild and fun!!

[vlb4vols 16]

What a great story! Thank you