Story time! Are you willing to share??
Today is such a great day and I have had a lot of encouragement today. I came on OH this morning and there were so many pictures and success stories... what a great way to motivate people who need it (ME, LOL).
I am still in that phase where I think, "WHAT DID I DO???". I started out just over 3 months ago. I was 256 (and I was 227 for the last 4 years but hubby deployed for 15 months and I think I really took my stress out on food and by the time he was gone 10 months and it hit me that he was coming home, I realized I gained 30lbs!!! in 10 months!!! That was my "WAKE UP" call....). That is when I decided to seek help and get WLS because I was never good at "dieting" and I tried them all. TO me, I was a failure because everytime I started pmsing, 2 weeks before my period, I would end the diet because I had no will power to fight those cravings and hunger pains.
So that brings me to my WLS. I finally went through with it and I feel like I am sick often and not losing enough so I get discouraged sometimes. I look in the mirror and I can see a little bit of weight loss, but for the most part, I still see "that fat girl". I know I went from a size 16/18 to a 14 and I dropped 53lbs, but I don't see it and I still get frustrated. I see people who are 3 months out (yes- I KNOW, everyone is different, but it sticks in your head) and have lost 70lbs or more.
Sooooo.......what is YOUR story? How was your first year? Did you feel the same way? Did your weight keep "FALLING" off as I hear? Did you have ups and downs? How did your weight fall off? My weight seems to go in 2 week sessions... I lose for 2 weeks, then nothing for 2 weeks, then I lose for 2 weeks, then nothing....etc,etc, etc. Did you get sick? Did you regret surgery? Anything you want to share to inspire those hanging on!!!
Thank you all!!
Mommy to Ethan Lane 12/3/03 weighing 4lbs 11oz 17 3/4"
& Zachary Logan 5/12/07 weighing 3lbs 4oz 16"
& Gavin Liam Due 3/18/11 born 2/3/11 weighing 3lbs 15oz 17"
I LOVE MY PREEMIES!
You will get there. My weight NEVER just fell off. I did in the beginning lose 20 pounds in less than 20 days and it was the worst time for me. I felt awful during that time. My body didn't know how to handle that much weight loss that fast.
Start trying on smaller clothes and see if that will help you see you are getting smaller. Don't forget to measure yourself. I tried to measure every 4-6 weeks or when I was in a stall. Those were things that encouraged me the most.
I hope this helps some.
I keep trying to do more because I keep thinking I am doing something wrong and that is why I am not losing. I get frustrated. But what you said makes sense. Maybe I can "chill" out a bit. LOL.
Thank you for sharing!!!
Mommy to Ethan Lane 12/3/03 weighing 4lbs 11oz 17 3/4"
& Zachary Logan 5/12/07 weighing 3lbs 4oz 16"
& Gavin Liam Due 3/18/11 born 2/3/11 weighing 3lbs 15oz 17"
I LOVE MY PREEMIES!
Michele - I'm happy to share my story. I'll try not to make it too long.
I was 19 when I had my first WLS in 1992. I was 369lbs and had my stomach stapled, the old Vertical Banded Gastroplasty. Back then there was no aftercare, no support, and no education. The process was go in for surgery, get your staples out, and then you're done. I thought the surgery would "fix" everything. I lost around 100lbs in the first year, then stopped for about 3-4 years. After that I started putting weight on like no body's business. I absolutely refused to consider another surgery since "obviously surgery didn't work".
In 2006, at 35 I got married to my wonderful husband at my highest weight ever, 514lbs. I couldn't walk, couldn't stand for more than a couple of minutes, had to use a wheelchair to do anything. I had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, awful joint and back pain and lived with pain every second of every day. At my wedding I had to take 2 pain pills to "stand" up for the 20 min ceremony (I actually had a stool to lean against), then spent the reception in my wheelchair. After I saw the wedding video I realized how bad my health had gotten and the reality that I likely would not live much longer finally made an impact on me.
March 22, 2007 I was wheeled into surgery and my third chance at life started. I was blessed with a very competent surgeon who was willing to not just take on a revision, but to take on a super morbidly obese patient and had an excellent staff to help care for me. I don't remember exactly how much weight I lost the first year (I'd have to look it up at home), but the weight literally fell off at an amazing rate. I had one bout of gastritis around 8 weeks post-op, but other than that had no complications, very few food intolerances and was able to progress to trying different foods right on schedule.
By Aug/Sept 2007 I wasn't using my wheelchair anymore. In Dec I donated it to a charity and that was the most amazing feeling. In Dec 2008 I had lost 235lbs and had a panniculectomy done to remove 19lbs of abdominal skin. In April 2009 I walked my very first 5K. So in 2 years I went from wheelchair bound to walking a 5K. I can't imagine a better way to celebrate my weight loss. I have currently lost 254lbs and know that I can continue to lose weight and get healthier.
Debbi
You have come so far! I can't beleive it! That is so amazing! I bet you feel great! 5k!! WOW!! You are such an amazing and strong person! Thank you so much for sharing! That is what this board is about! I am getting pumped, LOL. My story will never be as amazing as yours but I hope to follow in your path of victory!
Thank you for sharing and providing hope!
Michele
Mommy to Ethan Lane 12/3/03 weighing 4lbs 11oz 17 3/4"
& Zachary Logan 5/12/07 weighing 3lbs 4oz 16"
& Gavin Liam Due 3/18/11 born 2/3/11 weighing 3lbs 15oz 17"
I LOVE MY PREEMIES!
Youre doing great. I had some issues in the hospital, and puked the first three months My mom kept asking me 'are you gonna do this the rest of your life!??" I knew there had to be life at the end of the tunnel :)
Im 3.5 years post op, and am just now able to try chicken, in really small amounts, cooked to death etc. I have a VERY small sugar tolerance (thank the lord) and can dump just looking at sweets lol. It took me losing 65lbs before i had to even change clothing size or before anyone even noticed the difference.
I have had 2 strictures to get dialated, (no big deal) and we all know i burp like a redneck trucker after a 12 pack if i eat something that the pouch doesnt like or if the wind blows wrong etc lol.
However, i have lost over 210lbs, gone from a 34W to a 10/med/lg. Yes its all worth it I havent had plastics, YET.. hopefully one day.
You will get thru this.. keep posting, we have all been there ;)
i have tons of energy now, mom says im 'more hyper now ' lol. Right now im chasing after 5 kids and having fun.. I was self pay and it was worth every penny
Liz
When I was born, I cried and the world rejoiced. Now i wanna live my life so that when I die, the world cries and I rejoice
Mommy to Ethan Lane 12/3/03 weighing 4lbs 11oz 17 3/4"
& Zachary Logan 5/12/07 weighing 3lbs 4oz 16"
& Gavin Liam Due 3/18/11 born 2/3/11 weighing 3lbs 15oz 17"
I LOVE MY PREEMIES!
I kept going 'where is this spurt of energy everyone is talking about..' then one day.. there it was :)
I stil have days where i want to sleep (but i cant lol) but it does get better. I think the first 3 months are the worst - your body is healing, you are malnourished from the lack of nutrition, getting used to the new tummy, new way of eating but your head is still the same. At 3.5 years out i still have days where i do dumb things.. but it does get better :)
Keep posting, especially when things are hard, it does get better
Liz
When I was born, I cried and the world rejoiced. Now i wanna live my life so that when I die, the world cries and I rejoice
LOL... I could always use energy! 
I'm 4 years, 9 months out. It's hard to remember the first year anymore! It's all on my profile in detail but I mostly keep my profile to just a few friends but I do have this recorded in my profile that summarizes my weight loss in the first year and beyond.
Remember, you are an individual. We all have a different thumb print so we're all going to have a weight loss journey that is individually equivalent.
Weight Loss History
Highest weight known:252
November 3, 2004- Starting weight: 237
November 12, 2004: 223.5
December 3, 2004: 209.5
January 3, 2005: 189.5
February 3, 2005: 177
March 3, 2005: 170
April 3, 2005: 165
May 3, 2005: 163.5 (I remember here that I was a size 10.)
June 3, 2005: 155 (size 8)
July 3, 2005: 150 (size 6-8)
August 3, 2005: 140 (size 6) Holy Toledo, Batman!
September 3, 2005 135 (size 6)
October 3, 2005 130 (size 6 falling off)
October 23, 2005 128 (I need to gain a few pounds. The scale is going the wrong way!?!?!)
In Depth discussion/description:
Highest Weight: 252
Weight at Surgery: 237
I reached my surgeon's goal of 163.5 by my 6 month checkup.
My loss goes as follows:
November 3, 2004- Starting weight: 237 - 15 pounds / 15 pounds from highest
November 12, 2004 (9 days out): 223.5 - 13.5 pounds / 28.5 pounds from highest
November 17, 2005 (2 weeks out): 220 -3.5 / 17 pounds / 32.0 from highest
December 3, 2004 (I month): 209.5 - 10.5 pounds / 27.5 pounds / 42.5 from highest
At the end of November / beginning of December I became ill with my gallbladder which required removed. I stayed at a 30 pounds loss for some time. I never considered this a plateau but rather a result of being ill, having surgery, IV fluids, etc.
January 3, 2005: 189.5 (2 months) - 20 pounds / 47.5 pounds / 62.5 from highest
February 3, 2005: 177 (3 months) - 12.5 / 60.00 pounds / 75.0 from highest
March 3, 2005: 170 (4 months) - 7.0 pounds / 67.0 pounds / 82.0 from highest
April 3, 2005: 165 (5 months) - 5 pounds / 72 pounds / 87.0 from highest
May 3, 2005: 163.5 (6 months)-1.5 / 73.5 pounds/ 88.5 from highest (size misses 10)
June 3, 2005: 155 (7 months) -8.5 / 82 pounds / 97.0 from highest (size misses 8)
July 3, 2005: 150 (8 months) -5.0 / 87 pounds / 102.0 from highest (size misses 6-8)
August 3, 2005: 140 (9 months) -10.0 / 97.0 / 112.0 Holy Toledo,
Batman! (size 6)
Sept 3, 2005: 135 (10 months) - 5.0 / 102.0 / 117.00
Sept 30, 2005 130 (11 months) -5 /-107.0/122.0 - size 6s are falling off and have to wear a belt to keep them up. *Sigh*
October 23, 2005 128 (almost 1 year) -2 / -109.0/124.0 I need to gain 10 pounds. *sigh* What a problem to have!!! :-o
I stopped weighing for a while as I got very scared of losing too much weight and had to break a lot of rules to put weight back on. I didn't record much but I do know that
March 2006 133 pounds at Bariatric Surgeon appt (new doctor for followup).
June 2006 Internal hernia surgery / adhesions removed dropped to 125.
September 2006 135 pounds
November 2006 small bowel obstruction repaired / 2nd emergency surgery followed -- follow up appointment mid - Nov 148 (13 pounds of fluid build up)
December 2006 132
Since, I have bounced in a ten pound range from 130-140. I have always fluctuated by 10 pounds during the month just b/c I am a woman! LOL
When I am weighed (only at doctor visits), I usually weigh 133 or 135 -- sometimes I wear boots and a jean jacket if I think I might be lower (I can "feel" my weight now) so that I won't be grilled. LOL My last weigh in was beginning of March 2006 - boots and jacket = 133.
I have gained an inch. It appears that I did this by my 6th month mark if I recall correctly (it may be noted above). I suspect this is due to posture. I feared I'd get shorter from losing fat off the bottom of my feet! Haha!
I wear a size 4 jeans/pants if they are with slight stretch material. A size 6 otherwise.
I wear a size XS - S depending on the store brand. If I buy a suit off the rack of internet I order and fit in a size 6 but sometimes have to have the sides of pants/hips/waists taken in. I am still 5'5" short!
August 2009
I had a bounce back that I needed. I've been steady between 140 - 150 wearing size 4/6s and XS/S tops with an occasional M until the last 2 months where I have dropped weight again and I'm weighing between 127-133. Stress. I lose weight with stress now. I'm trying to not get below 130.
Forgive me of any typos -- I have a migraine the size of Australia and I'm NOT proofing! LOL
You'll do great! It takes time for the mind to catch up with the body and vice versa! Really!
Try to see all the positives and enjoy it! :-)
on May 6, 2007 3:33 pm
Published
I have two sides to my brain - a right side and a left side. The trouble is sometimes there is nothing left in the right side and nothing right in the left side.
Post-Op RNY 6.5 years
HW 252 GW 140 CW 140
