century club

Thank you!

Congrats!!!   Way to rock your sleeve!!  

Thank you! Yes she rocks! Big Time!!

OMG!!!  That is fantastic!  You are doing so great!  Any advice you can give?   I am still 2 weeks out from surgery, my date is 10-12. 

Here are some posts from veteran members that have helped me. They are lengthy but the reading is worth it.

When I joined this forum two and a half years ago there were perhaps 20 posts a day and maybe one or two people being sleeved per week and it was possible to read every post and respond to many. Since that time the sucess and popularity of the vsg has exploded. This is a good thing as its an excellent procedure and is life saving for many of us.

So while I focus on the vsg maintenance group (which all are invited to join regardless of status or type of surgery) I do try to read as much as I can on the main board and respond to posts when I think I have something to offer.

So in a nutshell here is what I can tell newer people as my recipe for a successful vsg surgery and weight loss:

Research the heck out of your surgeon. Find out his/her credentials, read their publications, find patients of theirs here on OH and ask questions. Go to more than one of their seminars and write down your questions and get them all answered. Also research the heck out of your procedure to make an informed decision.

Get your head in the right place. Be prepared to eat differently for the rest of your  life. Have a few food funerals if you must but say goodbye to that way of eating. Put it behind you so that after surgery you are less likely to revert to old bad habits. Use a counselor to do this if you need to but say your goodbyes to food before your surgery so you are not greiving for it afterwards. Consider it a new deal you are making - trading away twinkies and donuts for a slim body and a healthy longer life. A good trade in my opinion.

Once you have your surgery, follow your doctor's instructions to the letter. If they don't give good or complete insturctions, then follow one of the university developed guides that is available on line through OH.

Accept that you will have a few stalls and setbacks but know that you will lose your weight if you stick to the program, get your protein in and drink plenty of fluid. Don't worry that others seem to lose faster than you. Everyone one is different and it takes how long it takes. I was a slow loser and my doctor did not think I would get to goal. But I kept at it and I did and then some. And it feels great.

Don't think that if you are not losing fast enough that you need to increase calories. This is just not correct. You may need to increase protein but not calories. Keep your carbs low during weight loss phase. And food journal eveything with calories, carbs and protein. I used a little notebook (still do in maintenance) but an on line tracker is fine but just use it faithfully.

Exercise is good but following eating requirements is more critical in weight loss phase.

Use your weight loss phase to develop new eating habits that stay with you for life. Don't try to think of ways to get around your program by eating some candy or chips here or there. These are destructive habits that need to be broken right from the get go. After some weeks or months of healther eating habits, you don't miss that junk anymore but you will if you eat some here and there. A clean break is best.

This is not just another diet even though it sounds like one. After surgery your appetite,ability to consume food  and ultimately your relationship with food is profoundly changed forever. Its hard to understand until you have experienced it but the sleeve makes it immeasurably easier to stay with a severly calorie restricted program.

Protein drinks can suck but find a way to get them down in the first few months. Read the tips posted by Sublimate for newbies on how to make them taste better,

Utilize whatever support group you can find as studies show those who have them are more successful. And take the time to pay it forward and help someone else when you can. Surround yourself with supportive friends and distance yourself from the jealous nay-sayers. Who needs them.

Hope this helps. VSG is the third best thing I have ever done, the first being marrying my husband and the second being my education. Its been life changing and I know life extending.Best of luck to all of you starting your journey.   Diane

Yep - I crossed another threshold this week - I'm down a whopping 153 lbs. since having my VSG the day before Thanksgiving.  It's been an intense, focused, sometimes difficult, but exceedingly rewarding 7 months.  (New pix on profile page)
Truth is, I lost 24 pre-op and the rest since.  I'm now a zealot about the benefits of WLS (VSG in particular) and the amazing outcomes that are possible - I've lost diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and all the other aches and pains that went with morbid obesity.  Here's a brief re-cap of how I've done it:
SUPPORT:  First, thanks to all the OH'ers who have been on this journey with me.  Your candor, humor, wisdom and inspiration have helped propel me every step of the way - (hint to the newbies - the more support you can muster for this journey the better off you will be - yes, we're doing this for ourselves, but the reality is that support provides incentives and rewards along the way.)
DETERMINATION:  When I/we (wifey and I) made the final decision to have WLS, I also made a "contract with myself."  It goes something like this:  "I agree to be on a surgically-assisted, medically-supervised program of rapid weight loss and intense exercise for an 18-24 month loss-window and then begin a lifetime program of mindful maintenance."  I have followed that contract every day pre and post op.
I eat on an exact schedule - 4 mini-meals per day @ 4 hr. intervals and I rarely snack.  (If I'm golfing or traveling, I may have a cheese stick or a few (like 6 or 8) almonds; that's it.)  My daily calorie intake is between 1100-1400, sometimes a bit more, sometimes less.  I followed the necessary pre and post op diets and now eat a reasonably normal menu.  Wifey (not a patient) and I eat about 90% the same diet - I just eat a lot less than she does.  I read food labels carefully - I avoid high-sugar or high-fat items, and don't eat a lot of processed foods like bread or crackers.  But I'll have a min-bagel w/peanut butter once in a while; or 5 saltines w/chili or soup.  I eat a lot of chicken, seafood and some red meats on occasion.  I eat a well-balanced diet w/ lots of fruits and veggies.
ACCOUNTABILITY:  I religiously record EVERY bite I eat - I know exactly how much I've consumed at the end of the day and I know if I've been "good" or not - mostly I'm good.  I don't lie to my computer the way I used to lie to myself about how much I eat or drink.  I gave up all alcohol for 7 months and now drink a ****tail when I feel like it - but like everything else, alcohol goes into my computer and I can see exactly how many "empty" calories I've enjoyed.
SECRET WEAPONS:  My "secret weapons" in the nutrition area have been protein shakes (I prefer Unjury) and almonds.  I drank a double-scoop protein shake w/ 8 oz. of 1% milk every single day for breakfast for six months post-op.  It provided the major a.m. protein boost (48 g) that I needed and it meant I had no food decisions to make in the morning.  I now do single shakes 4/5 days per week for breakfast.  (Newbies, disregard anyone who says "the body can't use that much protein at one time"  The double protein shake regimen worked for my friend (145 lbs. lost last year) and it's worked for me - my dietitian loves the idea).
Almonds are my go-to "crunch" food - I eat no more than 25 in a day, but I eat them about 5 days a week. 
I EXERCISE EVERY DAY - EVERY SINGLE DAY - No fancy machines (I use my treadmill when it rains) or expensive clubs or classes - I just walk my ass off to walk my ass off.  I started by walking a half-mile pre-op, then a mile, then another.... I now walk a brisk 4 miles daily in my hilly neighborhood on days when I'm not walking the golf course.  If I'm traveling and can't exercise, I double-down the next day to make up for it.  I burn a minimum of 500 aerobic calories daily; if I'm not sweating at the end of my walk, I haven't walked hard enough.  If I hurt, I take a pill.  I EXERCISE EVERY DAY - oh, I said that already - so I must think that's important, huh?
SUPPORT:  I'm indebted to all those who love me who have been so supportive of my journey - my family, my neighbors, my golf buds, everyone has been so great; what a wonderful thing to share with all of them. 
I believed 100% in the program that I signed up for - the surgery, the nutrition, the exercise.  I also believed that 95% of the "program" was in my hands once I left the hospital - so I took charge of my life and made it happen - every single day.  I'm thinking as I read this forum and others, look, I'm 65-years-old - if I can do this weight-loss thing, then I'm pretty sure most people who have WLS can also reach their goals.  It takes discipline and consistency and support and hard work and sweat; a lot of sweat.  It's not easy.  It is worth it.
Got to go to bed now; tee-time is 6 a.m. tomorrow - that will be another 7+ mile walk in the woods - bought new driver today and I'm anxious to test it out.  Life is good for this ol' geezer.
Pop-Pop (pix on profile)

10 Best Strategies for Long-Term Weight Loss Success What Really Works to Keep the Weight Off Forever -- By Jennipher Walters, Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor   So, you don't just want to lose weight, you want to lose the extra weight forever. Ta-ta. Sayonara. Good riddance. While losing weight does take focus and dedication, it's important to remember that losing weight isn't really a start-and-end process. Sure, you have a weight-loss goal to reach, but once you get there, you don't just stop eating right and working out. No way! You keep it up because it's a healthy lifestyle that's livable and lovable—and it makes you feel great.

Despite this, when you make the transition from losing weight to maintaining weight, you have a little more wiggle room in your diet and workout plan because you don't need to create a deficit of calories anymore—you just need to take in as many as your body needs in order to not gain or lose. (For more on how many calories you need, be sure to update your weight and goals regularly on SparkPeople.)

So whether you're just starting out on your weight-loss journey or if you've reached your goal weight, follow these top strategies to keep the weight off for good.

Get Moving and Stay Moving
Being active is extremely important for keeping weight off—not to mention it has a slew of other great health benefits, including helping cholesterol ratios, reducing blood pressure, improving mood and well-being, and strengthening the heart. Be sure to get active doing something you love; whether it's dancing, walking, biking, or playing sports—life is too short to do something you don't like! Shoot for at least three days of cardiovascular exercise a week and two days of resistance training. Sessions should be at least 20 to 30 minutes each (which can even be broken up into smaller segments) with your heart rate up to 60 percent to 85 percent of its max. Not sure how to figure out your training heart rate? Check out this resource that shows you how.

Journal
Multiple studies show that people who track or journal the foods they eat lose more weight and keep it off for the long haul. In fact, the National Weight Control Registry, which tracks more than 3,000 people who have lost an average of 50 pounds and kept it off successfully for five years, has found that logging foods is one way to stay on track well after they've lost the weight. In another study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, those who used a food diary while dieting lost twice as much weight as those who didn't.

Eat the Foods You Love
If you love cheesecake and chocolate but have a food plan that restricts you from eating them, chances are you're going to feel pretty darned deprived. And that's never a good thing (and typically backfires). To have a truly livable healthy lifestyle, you should include small treats (always eaten in moderation) in your diet. You can scour SparkRecipes for revamped and better-for-you versions of your not-so-healthy favorites!

Drink Enough H20
Ask any successful weight-loss maintainer and I guarantee they do one thing—drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Water helps support your metabolism, aids in removing fat from the body, can help cut cravings and is just darn good for you. So drink up!

Get Support
Whether it's a friend, family member or buddies on SparkPeople, having a support system is key. Another study that looked again at the National Weight Control Registry found that those who lost weight and continued going to bi-monthly support group meetings for a year maintained their weight. Those who didn't go to support meetings regained almost half of the weight they lost. Support doesn't have to come from a face-to-face interaction, so if you can't make it to a meeting there is hope for you too. Another study shows that online socialization and weight-loss support works, too!

Keep Challenging Yourself
Even if you're already at your goal weight, never stop setting smart goals. Whether it's adding more weight to your strength training routine, walking or running a bit faster, fitting more fruits and veggies in your diet or simply saying "no" when Aunt Myrtle tries to guilt you into having that second piece of pie, keep setting weekly, monthly and yearly goals to keep you focused and challenged. And be sure to reward yourself (go see a movie, get a pedicure, enjoy a massage, buy new workout clothes, etc.) with good stuff when you reach your goals! Rewards can sometimes be the best motivator of all.

Switch Things Up
Make a point every month to try something new. Whether it's a new exercise class, a change in your workout, a different recipe or a food you've never tried, changing things up regularly will keep things fun and engaging. After all, no one (not even those fitness nuts who love to work out) likes to eat the same meal or do the same workout day after day.

Remind Yourself
I encourage many of my personal training clients to place a photo of themselves at their heaviest or unhealthiest somewhere that they can see it. You don't have to look at it every day, but once a week it's good to remember where you were and how far you've come. Keeping a photo of your past self in your wallet also comes in handy when you're tempted to skip a scheduled workout or tempted to make an unhealthy option while dining out.

Track Your Weight
About three-quarters of all successful long-term weight-loss maintainers from the National Weight Control Registry report that they weigh themselves weekly to keep the extra pounds at bay. While sometimes the scale can be a beast of burden (especially when you're gaining muscle and losing fat), it's important that you continue to monitor and track your body to see if the weight is coming off and staying off. Whether it's the scale, measuring body fat, making sure you can fit in a certain pair of jeans or using a measuring tape, track your size regularly.

Embrace the Lifestyle
After a few weeks of eating right and working out, you shouldn't just look better. You should feel better, too! Losing weight is about improving your life, not restricting it. So be sure that you're focusing on the positive and embracing your healthy choices each day. After all, it is a choice—and you've chosen to be healthy and happy!

Some folks on here may know that I am pretty hard care with my food choices. I have not eaten a single bite of anything that wasn't low carb since January 2010.  I know some may find my mindset annoying, strange or consider me a freak.  Some people may think I must have will power of steel (I don't).

I do this because a long time ago I took a good look at what I was getting from eating "party" foods, and a good look at what I was getting from that bargain.  Essentially I did a cost/benefit analysis.  I looked at the pleasure I got from foods, how long that lasted and how much enjoyment I got from the foods, and compared it side by side with the consequences of eating those foods.

I wrote this all down on a piece of paper, with my favorite foods on one side, and all of the things I hated about being fat on the other side. I read my list and I saw how things lined up for me.  One one side of the paper was ice cream.  On the other side was being able to play with my son.  Talk about clarity of priorities in life!

I even closed my eyes and imagined the things I wrote down on my cost/benefit analysis. I thought about eating my favorite foods like fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, sourdough bread and baklava. I imagined the 5-10 minutes it would take me to eat those foods (I eat fast!) and the pleasurable experience that would be.

Then I imagined all the consequences for those few minutes of pleasure.  Walking in pain. The aches in my body.  Not being able to be comfortable sleeping.  Never having nice clothes. Having to send my son to Disneyland and not being able to go with him.  Feeling ashamed of my size. Avoiding going out. Missing out on so many things in life.

In that moment everything for me became crystal clear and my attitude towards food was forever changed.  I realized how the food that gave me such a short time of pleasure really robbed everything else from my life.  I could never trust myself to have just a little bit.. one bite was too many and a thousand bites were never enough.

But since that moment when my mind set changed, I have NEVER once felt deprived. I am always clear about all the things I am choosing OVER party foods.  I have never once forgotten what I am giving up if I make the choice to eat a cookie.

To me that was a TRULY deprived life. I TRULY felt deprived at 388 pounds.. now I feel liberated from food. I know some people consider that deprivation won't work for them and I understand that.. it wouldn't work for me either.  What I do works for me because I do NOT feel deprived at all.

When my mindset changed and my relationship with food changed, my value for party foods left me.  I do not feel deprived because I do not value party foods or desire them.. my life is whole and complete without them.

I had the VSG to help me with the endless hunger and volume eating issue I had.. and it has been incredibly helpful to me.  But my changed relationship with food is still a huge part of me and I absolutely love feeling freedom from party foods.

I know everyone will not understand or agree with my post.. and that's OK.  I am sharing this in the hopes that some people may be able to relate or understand my point of view and find something for themselves in what I have learned.

hugs..

Way to go!!!! You are doing great!

Thank you! Looks like you are off to a good start too!

Great job!

Thank you! Looks like you are doing well too!

Your friend

Rich

Amazing!!!!

Congrats!!!

Lindsey