Any old timers still lurking the boards??

Hello!
Just wondering how many long timers are still active on this board.  I had my VSG on September 19, 2007.  It was a life-changing experience that I'm so grateful to have had.  This board and the people on it were integral in getting me to my decision to go with a VSG (instead of the lap band), and was my life line for months before and following surgery.  I will be forever grateful to the people who shared their experiences for the benefit of myself and others.

As I approach my 2 year anniversary, I'm reflecting on my journey.  Some of the old habits have creeped in.  Mostly in my thinking.  The joy of losing has given way to self criticism, and I dwell not on the 70 pounds I lost, but the 8-10 pounds I've regained.  I'm looking forward to using my second anniversary as an opportunity to resume my journey to goal.  I never got there.  I was about 30 pounds shy at my lowest weight, but I was so happy to be where I was, I didn't really care.  It was just so nice to not have to think about dieting anymore.  But, now it's time to get back to basics.  Back to the rules that helped me use my tool effectively.  Back to the positive thinking that kept me motivated and energized.

For anyone considering this surgery, do not hesitate for a minute.  You can live your life comfortably with a smaller stomach.  The results will change your life.  And you will only be sorry you didn't do it sooner!  

xoxo
Jen

Hi Jen. I am about 6 months behind you and I guess would be considered an old timer. If I miss checking in for two or three weeks it seems I hardly know anyone. That is great because that means more and more people are learning about this surgery.

I am doing well at almost 17 months out. I've finally reached my final goal and just want to maintain now. I find it really interesting to hear from others further out than I am to see how they are doing.

I know we must continue to be diligent and never let our guard down. It does become very easy to slip back into old habits. Just remember what it felt like to finally be a "normal" size person, and the feelings of misery that you probably felt as an overweight one. Maybe that will help you to get back to the old ways of thinking. I think it is easy to forget our old bodies and how we felt once we get used to a normal weight.

Hang in there and keep in touch here on OH. You will still find the support you need.

Funny you posted this now.  I still occaisionally pop in to see what's being discussed.

I had my VSG almost three years ago.  And, though I never got down to what MY goal for me was, I was within about 10 pounds of my doctor's goal for me.  Another thing is that I have had a few pounds creep back on in this last year (about 15 pounds, and that's even after having my plastics!)

Bad habits have returned, and I stopped going to my local Curves because I decided to walk more around my farm.  Problem is, it's SO easy to say "it's too hot," or "I'm too tired."  One thing I wish is:  I wish I could figure out how to get that momentum back, to get these 20 pounds and hit the doctor's target weight, and even better, get to my goal for me.

Too, I wonder, is there anyway to make our stomach as small as it was immediately post surgery?  I've noticed my pouch now holds about one cup solid, about 1-1/2 cup soft, and I had a 42 french bougie (size.)  White meats and beef do not sit well in my sleeve, and (oh, what a horrible thing to have!) seafood is the most easily digested.  I have begun to eat carbs occasionally, and they don't make me dump (which *is* disconcerting.)

Sandy
(Three years out, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!)

Were you told that carbs would make you dump?  I was told when investigating the vsg that there most likely wouldn't be dumping.  I do in fact sort of dump occasionally but only when I eat a fair amount of something really really sweet and rich and drink coffee.  99% of most carbs don't make me dump at all, but my sister who has an RNY doesn't dump either.

FYI - I think most docs are making the VSG smaller now, like mine is a 32 bougie.  Not sure if it will make any difference long term.  I can't imagine it's that big a difference that you'd want to have your sleeve made smaller or if it is even something that a doctor would do but since you were wondering...

In any case sounds like you've done great, keep on keeping on working your tool and thanks for checking in we love to hear how the ole timers are doing.

I was sleeved in july 07 and have lost 142 pounds and kept it off. I had a 34 bougie. All of the research I find claims that the smaller bougie is important not only for weight loss but also for maintenance.

I'm over three years out and I left here for a long while but posted regularly on other boards at OH.

As I've written very often since returning, I got to within 20 pounds of my current weight when everything got very difficult - at about the 6th PostOp month.  It took another four months to lose 10 of those 20 and then it really got hard on the last 10.  It took two years of yo-yo dieting - five up and five down pretty consistently before I made some more lifestyle adjustments to get down to my current goal weight of 138 (loss of 92 pounds total). 

I never had a rebound in the typical sense.  Following surgeries, I went up as a result of anesthesia, drips and inactivity - maybe eight pounds in the worst case.  This weight came off easily. 

I have really worked on my mental self throughout this process, working through my triggers and my personal issues in order to keep everything else on plan.   I've also made lots of adjustments along the way with both diet and exercise.  When things didn't work, I came here as well as consulting with my surgeon for advice and tried other approaches and throughout this long process figured out a diet plan for life and an exercise routine that fits me and my lifestyle.

Most of all, I needed to have goals and dreams to stay motivated to the end.   For me, I wanted to fulfill a life-long dream of wearing cute clothing, which in my view, is the stuff that ends at size 6.  After my initial weight loss from my VSG, I would go to the mall when I was a size 10 and dream of wearing the cute, smaller stuff from the boutiques and I kept working hard until that day finally arrived and I was able to fit into a size 6 skinny jean for the first time in my life. 

Never give up.  Anything is possible. 

Donna

I'm sorry for busting in since I'm not an "old timer" yet, but I just want to tell you ladies how important it is for those of us newer sleevers to hear from you.  I need to know that I could regain some, I need to know the realities of what I've done and the long term successes are of course so motivating!  I'm 5 months and a week out and I could thank you enough for your openness and honesty and cheerleading you provide to this board.  Please don't just lurk, post!  Oh, and congratulations to all of you beautiful woman!

FANTASTIC POSTS!!!!

Thank you all so much!   

Thank you all for coming back on, it's really nice to hear how well you've done, sharing your strengths and struggles along your journey.

Smiles,

Nadine

Thanks for popping back in!

Honest posts like this, and my knowledge of human nature are what make me know that I am not at the end of a journey just because I've reached goal weight. I do know that I will need to continue to be "careful" with my choices to keep the weight off. Hopefully keep up exercising which is actually barely moderate. I'll continue to weigh every day to keep gains in check. 

Watching intake of simple carbs and prepared foods are a focus for me.

I hope to see that our stats in the future will blow those away in regard to regain (compared to RNY). We "know" we absorb all of our calories so I think this makes us more mindful of our choices.

You look wonderful!!!

Meg