1 year out

I'm a little late in posting this but I am just over 1 year out and wanted to write about my experience so far.

I was so unprepared for all the changes that happen to you after this surgery,  I am in a situation where it was offered to me and I jumped at it without doing all the research I should have.  So my biggest suggestion is to learn everything you can about life after surgery!  I didn't know I would never be able to take NSAIDS again and that has been an issue because I have inflammation pain in my joints.  I also didn't realize about the alcohol effects and that I can now go from 0 to stupid drunk to sober again in a couple hours - I don't drink a lot anymore which I guess is a good thing.  I also didn't realize that there are a lot of side effects if you don't have the proper nutrition, this is something that I still struggle with now - if I don't have enough natural sugars or carbs I get very dizzy and foggy headed.  I am also at a disadvantage though as I have no access to a Nutritionist and when I asked my doctor for a nutritional plan he handed me something he found on the internet.  I have had a lot of help from the people on this board though and I thank God for them all!

Regardless of all this, I am so happy that I had this surgery.  As of today I am down 113 lbs and feel absolutely amazing about myself.  My self esteem has skyrocketed and I'm out enjoying things that I never did before.  I no longer worry about going places and having people stare at me or going in a car and wondering if the seatbelt will fit! What a relief this has been.  People who have never had a weight problem do not understand but these little things really tormented me and I am so happy that I am not worrying about them anymore.

My journey has been up and down - I seem to stall for a long time (2 months in one case) and then lose a bunch in 1 week.  I weigh myself everyday and do worry if I see it go up a pound but I think that is something I will probably do for the rest of my life.  I still struggle with the urge not to emotionally eat or munch because I'm bored but I just look at my old pictures and that helps.  I do not dump so I have to be vigilent and not let the sweets back into my life and I have an 8 oz pouch so I am also fearful about eating too much. 

Even though I'm not at my goal and I don't know if I'm on track or not to meet it, I am happy where I am right now.  I love that I have so much new energy and am looking forward to an exciting future!

 Congratultions on your 1 year 113 lbs is amazing! I cn't wait till i'm able to say that! Is there not a nutritionist around where you live that could help? 

Right now I live in Italy so I have asked my doctor for a nutritionist but because I would need one who knows about the surgery and also speaks English (my Italian sucks!) I haven't been able to locate one.  There are some amazing, knowledgable people on this board though!

You and I are very simiklar I too also experience long stalls about 2 months at a time, my loss in my opinion has been slow I am now about 220 and would love to see 190 even 200 but it does not wnat to come off i also noticed I have been eating things I should not and also do not dump any suggestions?

You are right, we are very similar!  I definitely think I'm a slow loser and there have been a few times where I thought I was done losing and tried to resign myself to being that weight.. that is when it seems to start again.  I have really not found a way to successfully break a stall - I have tried varying my diet and my fitness schedule (which isn't very good to be honest) but nothing seems to work consistantly.  I do know that I was driving myself crazy in watching what I was eating - I was obsessed about the carbs and fats and it actually got to the point where I had to go to the doctor and was put off work with orders to eat every 2 hours as my body was shutting down from the lack of proper nutrition.  After that it scared me enough that I backed off the carb craziness and decided to relax and live instead of obsessing. 

I would suggest you take note of what changes have happened to you, try on some of your old clothes and watch how they sag!  For me that helps to recharge my spirit and  keep me on the right path most of the time and away from the sweets - Lord knows I'm not perfect but no one is.  I have a lot of pictures of my old self too and it helps remind me how awful I felt and that I don't want to go back there.   

Good Luck with your journey!  You will see 190, it just might take a little longer   

You are doing great!  Congratulations!  I've lost 55 pounds since surgery and 80 I think before surgery.  Its wonderful not wondering if I am going to fit in a booth at a restaurant or a seat at a movie theater!  Enjoy your new life!

Thanks for your honest review for us newbies.  Congrats on the awesome weight loss.  You should be very proud.

Andrea.

I will be a year out Feb 16th.  I spent 4 months on this site before the surgery as was recommended by my surgeon.  I would have been lost without it.  Nik, Kelly, Laura, Lady taz, etc were so helpful.  I knew to expect stalls so didn't spaz when I had one cause I was following the plan.  I knew I would lose some hair,  that has finally stopped.  I did not rely on the scale to measure my sucess, my clothes told the story.  I had trouble getting in the fluids and still do. I wasn't sure I would survive the first three months.  I have never thrown up so much in my life. As I got farther along I found myself craving  things and figured out ways to substitute a healthy alternative.  So I do have a little rice (like 1/8 a cup) but it is a brown & wild rice blend.  If I want spagetti I make it with soba noodles and not more than 1/4 c.  Every night for a treat I have 2TBPS of 60% dark chock chips and 1TBSP dried cranberries.  It satisfies my sweet craving and isn't horribly bad.  I have lost 130#, 40# before the surgery.  The doctor wanted me to be at 155#  I am now at 140# and want to be at 135#.  Other than I don't know that I really see the loss and I should, I went froma 5X to a 12.  Bra from a 56D to a 38C.  I feel great.  My family was so supportive.  I would do it over in a heartbeat.

congrats!! thnx for the encouragement...always good to hear ! :)