Best Decision Ever Made

[peachee213 67]

I hate the camera--at least right now I do. I will post a before pic on the day of my Pre-Op, the Day of Surgery and going forward. I want to make sure I have a something to remind me of how far I've come.

[longercurlz 49]

You will regret it if you don't take a "before" picture. I hated the camera too! Im very excited for you and thanks for adding me as a friend.

Also, I tried every diet (like most of you have) and the only other "diet" that worked was Weight Watchers. One thing that stuck from them was when they told us to bring in a BEFORE picture and tape it to the end of a straw...and we called it our "last straw." I still have that thing!

B

[peachee213 67]

You will regret it if you don't take a "before" picture. I hated the camera too! Im very excited for you and thanks for adding me as a friend.

B

I'm going to keep it as a reminder of sorts. This is a new beginning on life for me, so I'm excited. Thanks for your post and sharing your story. I don't know if there are too many other members who are as far post op as you. You'll be able to provide a lot of insight.

Also, I tried every diet (like most of you have) and the only other "diet" that worked was Weight Watchers. One thing that stuck from them was when they told us to bring in a BEFORE picture and tape it to the end of a straw...and we called it our "last straw." I still have that thing!

B

I like the idea of the last straw. I may have to try that.

[longercurlz 49]

Oh and save an outfit, too! Save a pair of pants and a shirt. I even saved a pair of my underwear...big, ole granny panties made out of that gross, shiny nylon material. YUCK. But, so glad I saved them.

[peachee213 67]

Haha @ granny panties! I think I will save a complete outfit too.

[snow25 188]

LongerCurlz,

Thank you for sharing your story. It is great to see you have maintained weight loss for 12 years! I had my decision visit last Friday and now waiting for insurance clearance so I can get my date! I am amazed at your work out schedule. I must admit it seems unrealistic for me... And probably most folks. I am trying to get some walking in before work and then something more strenuous after work... Run, basketball, etc. as a single mom I am constantly balancing my time between work and my son. I'm trying to add a piece for just me, too. For exercise and health. Congrats on your fantastic journey. You look amazing!

As a vegetarian, what Proteins do you eat? Beans, tofu?

[longercurlz 49]

Hi Snow,

My life is unrealistic to MOST, so you're not alone. Believe it or not, Im a corporate professional and have been a single mom for 12 years. Unlike my peers, I don't sit in the lunchroom during lunch but I take a 1.5 mile walk. Also, during my 15 minute brakes, I walk down and back up this hill..which takes no more than ten minutes. I pick up my son from school, get him home, usually have something cooked in the crockpot or made the morning, so I can feed them both quickly (16 and 20) and then I go to the gym. Yes, it's very busy but I enjoy the gym and I won't miss it. I think ANY exercise is good, to be honest.

What do I eat? Well, I eat a lot of Protein...eggs, Beans, tofu "based" foods..veggie hot dogs are my favorite. The good thing is that I live in San Diego where we have a lot of vegetarian options in terms of restaurants and markets. Also, I don't eat sugar at all...my body rejects it to this day. Milk is also out of the question although it used to be my favorite beverage (along with COKE)...

Have you had surgery yet or getting ready to start the process?

Betsie

[snow25 188]

I am a teacher so I'm hoping for Christmas break. Surgeon said that would most likely work out fine. Fingers crossed!

I was a vegetarian for many years. I was raised vegetarian and have gone back to it on occasion as an adult. Now i eat meat, but try to

Stick with organic as much as possible. You have inspired me to start to add some stair climbing to my planning period at school. I'm trying to

Do a lot now, so I will be able to get moving as quickly as possible after surgery. I was a member of a gym last year, but dropped it because I felt

Guilty about picking my son up from pre school and then asking him to the gym nursery. Now I'm trying to do things together. We just got back from a 5.2 mile hike. Feeling excited for surgery!

Mile

[sissy 14]

Hello...I have posted some pictures of before and after. Now that I'm on my laptop' date=' I'm a little more computer literate! Love my Iphone but wow that screen is tiny and I'm blind :-)

To answer some of your questions..I work out every day and I never miss the gym. I do a core workout at 4 AM, walk during my lunch on the hills and go to the gym every night. I am also a very careful eater, basically I eat for FUEL. You need to train yourself to eat like that, too. I make sure i get my Protein first thing in the morning because that's when I'm the hungriest. Also, pay attention to dumping syndrome..it's a very real thing and you will not eat garbage again once you experience it.

To this day, people say I took the easy way out..how is it easy? I can't eat more than a cup of food, I cannot eat what I want and I've had to change everything about my life because of the surgery. Don't let people discourage you. Take a long, hard look at them..how they eat, how they live and you will see that they're jealous.

What do I eat? Well, I am a vegetarian because that just works for me. I gained 40 lbs of my 200 back and I have since lost 60. I contribute my diet and my workouts to my tone body and not having to get surgery to remove skin. I am a size 8 now (was a 30/32 from Lane Bryant) and even lost a shoe size.

I am so excited for all of you who are about to get this surgery...truely excited. It's life changing and, although you will still struggle with food decisions, you will feel so good about yourself. Get ready, you will literally melt and that's why exercise is so important. Even if you do about 10 minutes up and down your street every day.

I have nightmares that I have been dreaming that I am thin...I have to pinch myself sometimes![/quote']

Hello Longercurlz, This is very good information. I am new here and I am trying to find out as much information as I can. Great post!

[TinyMamiOf3kids 1,280]

Congratulations glad you maintain your weight lost. I was also planning on becoming a vegetarian. I wanted to know when does the weight stop coming off?

[longercurlz 49]

It started to slow a lot after about 9 months...I actually got that gaunt look that you see some GB people get a about 9 months and that was because I wasn't getting my Protein and not only did the color start coming out of my skin but my hair thinned! Just know that after a year, you will be half your size.

[TinyMamiOf3kids 1,280]

It started to slow a lot after about 9 months...I actually got that gaunt look that you see some GB people get a about 9 months and that was because I wasn't getting my Protein and not only did the color start coming out of my skin but my hair thinned! Just know that after a year' date=' you will be half your size.[/quote']

I started at 211 size 18 lost 15lbs before surgery got to size 16 then after surgery from 197 to now 139 (gonna check scale tomorrow) 5 months now size 5/6 was happy size 7 but my body wasn't since it went down more. My hair is also thin. If I should be half my size after a year it would make me size 9 but I'm much smaller but I don't want to be size zero. Why couldn't I stay lucky 7? That's the size of my dreams Lolz

[longercurlz 49]

Wow..you're tiny! Is that a healthy weigh for you? My healthy weight would be 150 but I work out so much that my muscle weighs more than fat. Is your doctor concerned about your weight? 12 years ago I couldn't imagine a damn size 14 let alone 8!!

[TinyMamiOf3kids 1,280]

Wow..you're tiny! Is that a healthy weigh for you? My healthy weight would be 150 but I work out so much that my muscle weighs more than fat. Is your doctor concerned about your weight? 12 years ago I couldn't imagine a damn size 14 let alone 8!!

According to BMI 125lbs is the weight I should be. My surgeon will see me again almost the end of December.

[Uniqueladybug 80]

I lost 200lbs 12 years ago and the best decision I ever made. I workout every day and have been a vegetarian for 5 years. Several of my friends have gained most of their weight back... Don't let that happen. This is no "easy way out" because you MUST change your eating habits or you will get sick. Message me if you want to talk....

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for joining the forum and for sharing your story! You really are an inspiration to us all! It's soooooo hard while we are going through this but to see and hear your story gives us that little push we need to keep going! I really need to start working out. I have an "addictive" personality so I would probably use exercise as my coping mechanism. I can't wait to see what the future looks like for me. Thank you again for the inspiration!

Jess...Surgiversary 9/19/12