I had my one year appt at the surgeons office yesterday. I have lost 138 lbs so far.  My starting weight was 354 lbs, today i weigh 216 lbs.  I was in a 32 jean, today in a 16 jean. No more med's for type 2 diabetes and no more high blood pressure med's. 

The surgeons assistant sat me down and did the math.  He said I have lost 66% of my excess weight so far (this was figuring me at 351..the starting weight they had me down at..and ending at 150 lbs..which would be a normal BMI for me).

I didn't think 66% was very good.  For some reason I expected more.

To put it into perspective, he sat down and wrote out some stats of the other surgery types for me.  He said with the Lap Band, within 3-5 yrs..they lose 40-50% of their excess weight.  He said with the DS within 18-24 mths they lose 85% of their excess weight..and with the RNY within 18-24 mths they lose 60-80% ...and again he pointed out that I have lost 66% in 12 mths..so he is very pleased with my progress (plus he pointed out that I don't have the risk of malabsorption w/my sleeve). So I am very happy.

My weight loss has slowed down alot.  I'm only getting in 600-800 calories a day.  The nutritionist showed me a plate of food as an example of what we should be eating at this point.  It had a small chicken breast on it, a small serving of green beans and a 1/2 small baked potato.  I told her that I would only be able to eat may 1/2-3/4 of that small chicken breast..and that would be it (I can only eat 2.5oz and I am done).  She told me i need to eat every couple hours during the day, so I can get in at least 1,200 calories.  Right now she wants me to eat as often as I need to to get in 1,000 a day for the next two weeks and see if that jump starts the weight loss again, if not, move up to 1,100 a day for two weeks..then up to 1,200 a day until the weight starts coming off again more steadily.  I just have to tell myself that eating more will NOT make me gain..I still tend to think that way.

My calcium levels, parathyroid and vitamin D are all normal..yay!  I have to take Iron along w/vitamin C, my B1 levels were low, B12 is recommended, and they want me taking Folic Acid.  I bought Folic Acid and when I got it home from the store it says something about for women of child bearing age on it.  Does anyone know what our bodies need Folic Acid for? Because I'm 40 yrs old..and not having any more babies..LOL

Over all I very good appt.  Am happy, and they are happy.

This last year has been life-changing.  I would definitely recommend to others to take charge of their life and do something about their weight sooner rather than later.  I wish I had done this years ago.

Thanks for sharing, Dawnie. Keep us updated on how the eating more often works out. I am interested.

I don't care what the percentage says, 138 lbs is a huge deal. Your body is so much happier without carrying around that weight for every step of every day. I have seen your pictures and the change is amazing.

What a great year you've had!

Here's to an awesome 2nd year to come!
Lindsey

I think you have done an amazing job! I understand about not wanting to eat. I am only six weeks out and am very dependent already on my protein drinks. I don't want to switch to food because I am afraid I will eat too much. I guess I need to learn to trust myself and my sleeve.
Congrats on the work you have done to get this far!

I found that increasing my caloric intake really did boost my losing.  the body just needs change to trick it into thinking that "This isn't normal....I should react to it".  Just like changing our exercise routine.  I do the basic every day (walking outside or treadmill),  but I increase my speed and incline each day and don't always walk the same length of time.  On upper body strength exercises, I alternate daily to keep things changing. 

I'm eating between 1400 and 1600 calories a day now and am still losing.  It's hard to believe, and I'm losing slowly, but losing.  I'm less than a pound from goal, so not too worried about how long it will take to get that last 8/10 of a pound off. 

The key?  Exercise.  I can eat more, but still have major restriction.  But exercising allows me to have an occasional treat (like I ate a couple of Reeses peanut butter eggs at Easter). 

This is what I want from this.  To live like a normal person.  To have the occasional treat - not daily - just occasional.  My daily treat is feeling better, looking better and being the healthiest I have been in over 40 years!

Congratulations on your weight loss so far.  You are doing great! Now, I'm going to go eat some cantaloupe

 Thanks, Wanda, for the post.  I needed to hear that.  I'm battling the last 10 pounds and I have gotten the same advice - to increase my calories but have been so afraid to.  Now I will give it a try and see if I can't shake up this weight loss and reach my ultimate goal.

Believe them when they tell you that eating more will help you lose weight. I was getting between 500-700 calories a day and upped to 800-1000 and lost 3.25 lbs the first week doing that. I have to force myself to eat more often to get those calories in daily, but it worked for me. Who would've thought?

You are doing remarkable and will still be doing great in the future. You have a great attitude and are very inspirational.

You should be happy!! You've done amazingly well! I can't tell you how seeing someone starting off in the range you did although I was heavier when I started gives me the inspiration and helps me to believe that I can do this too! Right now I could not imagine being in a 16 but it is something that I hope will happen eventually. 138 lbs is a great loss no matter what the percentage!!!! I look forward to hearing how your calorie increase benefits you......good luck!!

I agree with your surgeons assistant. I think you did a great job. My Dr. said he considers over 50% to be a success.

and to think...You're not done yet!!!

Awesome Job!!!

All I can say is WOW! 

You have down awesome and should be so proud of yourself!  GREAT JOB

I agree this sleeve is life changing in so many good way.

Please keep us posted on what happens when you up your calories.  I think they are right..I seems like sometimes when I eat more and am afraid of the scale..it moves.  go figure!

Keep up the great work.

Patty

You are doing awesome! I hope I can do just as well as you!

As far as the folic acid, it helps to produce normal red blood cells and prevent anemia so it's a good thing for everyone to take. One of my migraine meds interferes with folic acid and B12 so I've been supplementing it with a super B complex vit and a B12 supplement since surgery.

Congrats on your amazing success!

What awesome news, I'm all kinds of happy for you. To no longer be diabetic and need meds is a real victory that you should be very proud of. 138 lbs is like losing a whole person, you must feel so much better now. I bet your joints are loving you for it ;)  Congrats to you Dawnie, you've done us sleevers proud!

As far as folic acid goes I too only knew preggos had to take it, sorry

WOW,,Way to go! Your story give so much motivation for me.. It's the success stories just like this one that has me saying "i want this" I can do it!  I thank You for sharing...:-)
Keep up the fantastic Job!

Great job Dawnie and thanks for the informational post.  Congratulations on your successes so far and in the future.  You're rockin' it!

dawnie-
you are doing amazing and are an inspiration. You may have expected more of a loss but believe the doc when he showed you how amazing your progress has been.

as far as the folic acid women of child baring age need it to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus in the first 3 weeks of conception. Women older than "child bearing age" need B12 and other B vitamins for proper blood cell function, body function, and heart function.

freakin vitamins.

anyway, keep posting pics, we love to see them!!

my surgeons assistant was very pleased with the fact that my vitamin D, para-thryoid and calcium are all great..he said those are the most important to him.  I did show low on B1 and I've always been low Iron (for many years before surgery), so it's not surprising that I'm still low.  I wasn't low on B12..but they said they just started recommending sleeve patients take it as other patients have shown a deficiency in it. So far I'm good.

Thanks for all the info you shared above..and for the compliments!

Thank you everyone for ALL your comments!!

So excited for you!  I know you left that office smiling and I have come to believe that long term smiling is good cardio!!  Keep it up, darlin.

  Congratulations on such stunning results!  It sounds like you are well on your way and will continue that pattern if you follow those dietary instructions.  I wish you well, and continued losing until you hit goal!  Best wishes along the journey,  Viv 

WAY TO GO  Dawnie!

I was at GHP on Monday for my three month check up. I  have been holding steady with my loss at about an average of 3 1/2 to 4 lbs a week. The dietician bumped up my calories to 1000 now. It is scary to eat more but it does make sense to boost metabolism. I am becoming more active, so my body needs more fuel.

I am sure you will begin to see your weight loss start again with the boost in calories. You have done very well.

I am glad that I decided to have the sleeve vs the DS, as I believe we can see the same results if we put the tool to work. It looks as if your numbers are as good as the other two surgeries considering the percentage of excess weight you lost in twelve months. I believe this is do-able for all fellow sleevers if they use their tool appropriately :)

I hope to get to the support group either this next Monday evening or the following, perhaps I will see you there?

GREAT JOB on your weight loss!

Michelle Wohlfert