Stronger1

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Hi everyone...I am not on ObesityHelp as much as I used to be, I hang out over at myfitnesspal a lot though...I'm StrongerNC if you want to friend me!!  I just wanted to check in, because this site was a HUGE support to me for years before and even now after my surgery.  This is the best thing I have ever done for myself!! I thought that I did not have the strength, or willpower, or nerve to ever do this, but I am so happy.  I have not lost as fast or easily as some others, but as of today I am down 122 lbs, and I am overjoyed.  I am so proud of myself.  I have a goal to lose about 20 more lbs...and then my goal will be to maintain.  I will never be "skinny"...and I'm ok with that.  Just the fact that I can go shop in a 'regular' store, or not be afraid of folding chairs, or run up steps...those things make me happy. 

Look, I'm no VSG superstar, but this is what I've learned along the way: 

The VSG to me was the best choice for me, because losing this weight was not automatic after the first few months...you can still eat what you want.  There's no dumping.  You can cheat by just eating every hour.  Or eating small portions of crap.  It just cuts your portions.  And you can handle a lot more at 3 mos...then at 6 mos...then at a year.  So it takes changing your mindset, and some self control...so it's important to use those initial months to re-learn HOW to eat...this surgery alone will not do it for you.   I still do not drink soda or alcohol, and I do not use straws or drink for 30 mins after a meal.  I think success with VSG is 90% YOU making an effort every day to make good choices. 

I've learned that for me, tracking my food (I use Myfitnesspal - LOVE that community) is CRUCIAL. It helps to keep you accountable and to have an idea of what a meal should actually look like.  I don't measure all the time now, I can mostly eyeball it, but at times I still do.  Exercise is VITAL.  I started off with a goal of running...which I still do at times but I find it boring.  I have started weightlifting/strength training...and I LOVE it.  I love feeling strong.  So when it comes to exercise...I do what makes me happy and keeps me consistent. 

I've learned that no two VSGer's journey's are the same!! So use this site as support, but don't get discouraged when what others do doesn't work for you...try something else...and keep trying.  Don't give up.  Stalls will happen...but they always break, if you stay on plan. 

So to all who are thinking about having the VSG...I say go for it.  It is not the easy way out...you will sacrifice...but you gain soooo much more. 

 

Hi fellow sleevers!  Just checking in.  I am 8 months out and while I have certainly not had the fastest weight loss, I'm happy with my progress.  I have lost just over 50% of my excess weight and still working hard on it!!!  One thing I have learned and sometimes still struggle with "getting" is that the sleeve is not a one size fits all surgery.  What I see working well for others has not worked for me in many cases, and I'm still learning what MY body wants and needs.  When I first came on here I was seeing so many people hitting their goal inside a year and I hoped that I would one of those following a similar plan.  Clearly at this point, that will probably not happen.  I am able to eat a lot more than some people on here, and quite frankly, I NEED to eat more than some people on here.  I was struggling and stalling constantly eating at 600-800 calories a day...at my 6 month visit I was told by my doc I should be eating more like 1000 to 1200 calories a day.  I followed this advice (somewhat, I eat at around 1000 calories a day now), while at the same time decreasing my carb intake, and my weight loss has been steadier and I have more energy.  My resting metabolic rate is 1598, so I could potentially eat up to that (but I wont) and still lose weight.  I probably eat a little more fat that many folks here, but this seems to work for me. 

I have learned to learn more and pay attention to my body.  I have PCOS and insulin resistance and I believe this contributes GREATLY to how I lose weight and what and how much I need to eat.  I have learned that how my body responds to insulin/sugars/carbs throws the calories in/calories out equation to losing weigh out the window.  I am also coming to terms that I will need to stay off the 'drates for life.  I have learned that 90% percent of the struggle post surgery is my thinking and my attitude.  On days when I start feeling sad that I can't eat a big meal out with friends, I make bad choices.  On days when I have planned well and exercised, there isn't a Snickers bar in the world that could tempt me!  I still come here for support on days when I feel "off"...and I'm always encouraged.  I also continue to track my food everyday on myfitnesspal, even the crap I've eaten, and I keep my diary public to friends, so I can be accountable (I'm Jastrong78 on MFP, if anyone wants to add me).  I am learning that I've been doing too much cardio and have begun to replace it with more strength training, and I'm seeing better results with this.  I feel stronger and healthier and even though I still have a small child to lose, I feel like I will reach my goal. 

This has been an amazing journey for me and I hope it will continue to be.  I went from telling no one about surgery to telling anyone who asks me!!  I thank God every day that I had the courage to do this and I still pray for the courage to continue.  Best wishes to all of the OH family for success and health!!
 

I think I had and may still have unrealistic expectations with this surgery…I will be 12 weeks out in 2 days and I’m lamenting over the fact that I’ve “only” lost 50 pounds…sheesh, when have I ever lost that amount of weight in less than 3 months?? I guess I’m seeing people reaching goal in 6 months, 8 months, less than a year and I’m thinking, I’m so behind, I have another 100 pounds to lose!!! I’m trying to keep in mind that before this surgery, I could diet and exercise like a champ, and still lose nothing, so this is definite progress. I’m going to have to reset my expectations and count my successes in other ways…like being able to walk up stairs now without breathing so hard, getting the side eye from guys when I’m out and about, having energy to take my nieces to the park, being able to sport my new short hairdo with more confidence, being able to complete an entire Zumba workout…when I look at it like that I feel so much better about what I have done so far. I have absolutely no regrets with this surgery, now I just have to work on me and my attitude. The weight will come off. I’m determined. Slow and steady wins the race!! 

OK, so I am feeling better.  I have my one month follow up appointment today and hope all is well.  I feel really good except for weird twinges of pain...or a strange heat on the back of neck...what is that?? Anyway, I will ask my doc today at my one month follow up.  I'm 4 weeks out today!!  I've stopped worrying so much about what can happen and am trying to live in the moment and enjoy the fact that for once in my life, I followed through and actually even did the surgery even though I was scared to death to do it.  Now it's up to me to work it as hard as I can.  Doing better with protein, trying to learn more tips and tricks to get more in.  Today I should be progressing to soft foods!! YAY!!!

I'm feeling really sorry for myself right now, and I hate that, because I know I really have no right to.  Compared to some my recovery is going well...but being a pessimist I'm always looking at the worst case scenario.  I'm having weird pains in my body and I'm getting myself sick with worry, crying all the time, stressing out myself and my family, and I feel like the one outlet I had is gone (food).  I'm not really sad that I can't eat...I just want to stop stressing out and being scared that I'm doing the wrong thing or that things are going wrong....What if I eat too much and bust my staples?? What if I have a leak?? How will that affect my family?? What will I do financially?? What if I don't make it?? What if I fail at this surgery??  What if this does not improve my life but makes it worse?? Will I ever enjoy food again??  These questions are constantly going through my head and i'm so tired of even thinking.  I just want to fast forward through time a little bit to a point when this gets better. 

I am three weeks and 1 day out today and I have hit the much lamented "3 week stall"...right on time.  I read about it on the message boards,  and I'm sure like others, I thought since I'd been losing about a pound a day since surgery that it might not happen to me.  But when I hopped on the scale this morning I was actually up a pound...How does that even happen?  I'm barely eating anything.  Anyway, thanks to OH I knew what to expect.  So I'm not upset, just looking forward to when the scale starts going down again...and I know it will.

So far this journey is going better than I thought it would.  I am a pessimist by nature and part of me is still waiting for the other shoe to drop...but thus far, it hasn't, and I'm so grateful.  I'm so grateful that I even got a chance to have this surgery.  A part of me never thought I'd get here.  And even being so grateful, I'm still thinking, what have I done?  I will never be able to eat a regular plate of food again  What was I thinking??  But each time I see the scale go down...my resolve is strengthened.  Right now, I'm still glad I did this...and my family is finally on board.  So I'm happy. 

Had a great pre-op appt today, down 6 pounds since starting liquid diet!!!  I can't wait for surgery next week and I am praying for an uneventful recovery!!! I have absolutely no will power, so the fact that I am succeeding at this liquid diet is actually suprising me...but I have my goal in mind and I am focused this time.  It is time for me to finally get healthy, and I'm ready for all the changes this will bring to my life. 

I can't believe this!!! I started this process in 2008 and I am finally getting surgery and the surgery I want!!! I cannot wait to start my new life...my new birthday...December 1, 2011!!