What is life like after having WLS
Hi Amalia,
Well congratulations to you. It does take work and effort on our part to make this a success. We each do it the way it works best for us. Walking has really helped me --that is my form of exercise. I am thinking about doing some water exercise too--just something different.
Keep doing what you are doing. I always get so excited when I hear about other success. You are soooooo right, we look at ourselves different. I guess the main thing that has changed for me, is my back and legs doesn't hurt anymore and I really am more active.
Hugs and take care,
Suzanne
Well congratulations to you. It does take work and effort on our part to make this a success. We each do it the way it works best for us. Walking has really helped me --that is my form of exercise. I am thinking about doing some water exercise too--just something different.
Keep doing what you are doing. I always get so excited when I hear about other success. You are soooooo right, we look at ourselves different. I guess the main thing that has changed for me, is my back and legs doesn't hurt anymore and I really am more active.
Hugs and take care,
Suzanne
Suzanne B
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
I am still losing weight so for me 2+ years out it is still work. But I have to say I love it. I am losing weight slowly but surely. I am excited to be in 16's again (almost 14's...I can get them on but not zipped). I never thought that was possible. I started at a size 30. I can do groceries without sweating like a pig. Heck, I can run a mile now...of course I do sweat like a pig when I do that. I can cross my legs. Sit in any chairs I want. I am healthy and happy. I can't wait till I am in the maintenance phase of this journey but for now I will focus on what I have accomplished so far...I lost 150 lbs so far. I am almost in ONEDERLAND!!!!! Which is no small accomplishment especially with the Band.
I'm with you, I wonder why I didn't have this sooner. When I see a heavy person now two things go through my mind. First I think back to when that was me and bad memories flood my brain. The next thing I want to do is run up to them and show them my before and after pictures and tell them they don't have to live like this....but I don't do that....but I would love to.
Hi,
Boy you made me smile. When I see an overweight person (fat) I say that with kindness because we were fat. I want to run over to them and say, I have the answer for you on how to change your entire life. It does take longer with a lapband to lose the weigt I hear. Congratulations on losing 150 pounds--I am so impressed with your accomplishments. Way to go. You are doing an excellent job. I carry around my before and after "fat" pictures, because I have had people say to me "now way did you need to lose 105 pounds."
You have so many things to be thankful for like--crossing your legs, I remember the feeling I got when it was easy to cross my legs. And sitting in chairs and all the other things you mentioned. They seem small to other, but to us, we really notice them. NEVER forget those feelings.
Hugs,
Suzanne
Boy you made me smile. When I see an overweight person (fat) I say that with kindness because we were fat. I want to run over to them and say, I have the answer for you on how to change your entire life. It does take longer with a lapband to lose the weigt I hear. Congratulations on losing 150 pounds--I am so impressed with your accomplishments. Way to go. You are doing an excellent job. I carry around my before and after "fat" pictures, because I have had people say to me "now way did you need to lose 105 pounds."
You have so many things to be thankful for like--crossing your legs, I remember the feeling I got when it was easy to cross my legs. And sitting in chairs and all the other things you mentioned. They seem small to other, but to us, we really notice them. NEVER forget those feelings.
Hugs,
Suzanne
Suzanne B
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Life is amazing after my WLS. Before - 501 pounds, weeping sores on my legs, cellulitis, edema, HBP, pretty much felt like I was dying everyday. After - 170 pounds, no comorbidities, just finshed college, been with my fiance for over two years, and loving being able to move, breathe, eat yummy stuff and LIVE!
Hi,
I want to HUG you!!!!!!!!! You are doing an amazing job. You inspire me! Way to go and I am so very proud that you wrote this on my thread. WOW! You have changed your entire life and also saved it at the same time. You are WORTH all the work you have done to be where you are today.
Please stay in touch.
Hugs,
Suzanne
I want to HUG you!!!!!!!!! You are doing an amazing job. You inspire me! Way to go and I am so very proud that you wrote this on my thread. WOW! You have changed your entire life and also saved it at the same time. You are WORTH all the work you have done to be where you are today.
Please stay in touch.
Hugs,
Suzanne
Suzanne B
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Hi Suzanne!
You're amazing! I read this blog and saw myself ... especially the part where you talked yourself in and out of weight loss surgery for 2 years. I've been thinking about and researching surgery for years. Right now I'm the closest I've come to it. I've been through the first steps, have insurance approval, and actually will probably have a date of June 21st according to the dr.'s office. Just need one last test and clearance from the cardiologist. But I'm STILL talking myself out of it, then into it, then out of it, then into it. It's crazy! I'm 60 years old and that's one of my hang ups about it. Am I too old? I'm still telling myself I'll go to Weigh****chers and get a trainer. Sound familiar??? When I saw my cardiologist last I told him about my doubts and he said "So, how long have you been overweight?" I said 40 years. He said "and what all have you tried to lose weight?" and I rattled off the long long list. He said, "well, so it's pretty safe to say it's unlikely you'll be successful at this point without the surgery...and honestly, your risks of a shortened life are WAY greater staying at your weight with the stress on your heart and your severe sleep apnea, and diabetes being in your family than they are if you have the surgery". That pretty much summed up why I'd been thinking about the surgery in the first place!
Anyway, I saw that you had the surgery in your 60's also and that inspires me! Your success inspires me! Congratulations for making the brave decision and changing your life for the better!
Helen
You're amazing! I read this blog and saw myself ... especially the part where you talked yourself in and out of weight loss surgery for 2 years. I've been thinking about and researching surgery for years. Right now I'm the closest I've come to it. I've been through the first steps, have insurance approval, and actually will probably have a date of June 21st according to the dr.'s office. Just need one last test and clearance from the cardiologist. But I'm STILL talking myself out of it, then into it, then out of it, then into it. It's crazy! I'm 60 years old and that's one of my hang ups about it. Am I too old? I'm still telling myself I'll go to Weigh****chers and get a trainer. Sound familiar??? When I saw my cardiologist last I told him about my doubts and he said "So, how long have you been overweight?" I said 40 years. He said "and what all have you tried to lose weight?" and I rattled off the long long list. He said, "well, so it's pretty safe to say it's unlikely you'll be successful at this point without the surgery...and honestly, your risks of a shortened life are WAY greater staying at your weight with the stress on your heart and your severe sleep apnea, and diabetes being in your family than they are if you have the surgery". That pretty much summed up why I'd been thinking about the surgery in the first place!
Anyway, I saw that you had the surgery in your 60's also and that inspires me! Your success inspires me! Congratulations for making the brave decision and changing your life for the better!
Helen
Hi Helen,
How many more days of your life are you willing to give away because you are overweight (or as I call it fat????????) I was FAT and had all kinds of nice words to call it--but lets face it, I was fat. I gave away too many days of my life because I wasn't willing to do something for just ME. I had spent most of my life taking care of EVERYONE else.
OK Helen, the time is NOW. Stop finding an excuse or a reason or letting fear control your life. Take control over your life, you are beautiful, so now lets become healthy too. You are going to do something for a change that YOU want. This is ALL about you and NO one else. You are NOT too old. I was 63 when I had surgery and I am 65 now and will be 66 in August. I was a FOOL to wait this long. PLEASE don't wait any longer.
I am hear ever step of the way for you, if you have fears and questions. So I say go for it!
Hugs,
Suzanne
How many more days of your life are you willing to give away because you are overweight (or as I call it fat????????) I was FAT and had all kinds of nice words to call it--but lets face it, I was fat. I gave away too many days of my life because I wasn't willing to do something for just ME. I had spent most of my life taking care of EVERYONE else.
OK Helen, the time is NOW. Stop finding an excuse or a reason or letting fear control your life. Take control over your life, you are beautiful, so now lets become healthy too. You are going to do something for a change that YOU want. This is ALL about you and NO one else. You are NOT too old. I was 63 when I had surgery and I am 65 now and will be 66 in August. I was a FOOL to wait this long. PLEASE don't wait any longer.
I am hear ever step of the way for you, if you have fears and questions. So I say go for it!
Hugs,
Suzanne
Suzanne B
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Thank you so much Suzanne!!! You brought tears to my eyes! If you knew me, you'd know that I am THE CARETAKER of everyone around me. I have a 26 year old disabled son (in a wheelchair) who I have taken care of his whole life, 3 other grown children and grandkids whom I've taken care of while they work, and aging parents who need my help.... sooooooo yes, when you say I need to do something for myself you are SOOOOO RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!! It's hard when you have so many people around you who need you. I mean, I am so totally blessed by my family so I'm not complaining, I've just sort of set myself up to let everyone count on me so much, and I've put myself at the bottom of the list.
I think most of my fears about the surgery are not that I won't wake up but that it will be the beginning of a series of complications that will make my life even harder than it is alread. I've probably read tooooooo much of the negative things on the board, and it's hard to sort out. My husband and kids are supportive of the surgery and want me to be healthy... however I have other family members who are very vocal about the fact theyy think I've lost my mind to let someone cut out my stomach. Everyother person seems to know someone who died..... you know how it is, everyone has an opinion and they let you know.
Anyway, thanks again! I'm glad to have you as a friend and I will definitely keep in touch! :)
I think most of my fears about the surgery are not that I won't wake up but that it will be the beginning of a series of complications that will make my life even harder than it is alread. I've probably read tooooooo much of the negative things on the board, and it's hard to sort out. My husband and kids are supportive of the surgery and want me to be healthy... however I have other family members who are very vocal about the fact theyy think I've lost my mind to let someone cut out my stomach. Everyother person seems to know someone who died..... you know how it is, everyone has an opinion and they let you know.
Anyway, thanks again! I'm glad to have you as a friend and I will definitely keep in touch! :)
Hi Helen,
Why do I know you so well? Ask yourself--because I was just like you--the CARE TAKER! I am not going to give up on you so easy. So ALL these ignorant people you have in your family and that are your so called family and friends--where did they get all this great education from about weight loss surgery??? I am willing to bet that it is NO more than gossip. Do they know the difference between lapband, bypass, or the sleeve? Start asking them questions, insead of they telling you what they THINK THEY KNOW. They are very uneducated when it comes to WLS. I am NOT. Send them to me, I would love to educate them!!!!!
99.9% of the people who have sleeve surgery do not die, they DO NOT have complications of any kind, they have nothing going on that holds them back or makes their life worse after they have "Sleeve" surgery. It make it about 20 times better in just a few short months. So Helen do you want to believe these uneducated people or someone who has had it done and is close to your age--like me?
I even went back to Mexicali about 6 months after I had my WLS and took my best girlfriend down there to have the same surgery I had. She is 64 now and lost 80 pounds and looks and feels amazing too. Come on give me a break. If you want to read some positive things about people who have had sleeve surgery, check out these two sites. I went to Dr. Aceves and he has a site, I know it looks like it is for lapband people, but 90% of us are "sleeve" people. I just want you to have the chance to hear some good things so join the site--it doesn't cost a thing, you don't have to do anything but read the posts. If you want to ask question jump in and ask away.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Dr-Aceves-bandsters/
Try this site out too. You will find a LOT of good information at this site too.
http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/index.php?
You are allowing other uneducated people when it comes to WLS to make choices for you. Don't hide behind their fears. Some people want you to stay fat right along with them. STOP giving away your power, take it back and be your own INDEPENDENT THINKER. If you husband is 100% behind you then that is all you need. I would suggest that you not tell everyone in your family when you make the choice to go ahead. You don't need the kind of pressure they are already giving you. GO have it done then when you are alive, well and healthy, they won't have anything to say.
I am always amazed at how we allow other people to make life saving choice for us--and we are so willing to let them do it--I used to be like than, but no more. Be YOUR OWN PERSON. Do this for HELEN. You deserve to have the best quality of life you can. You will add 20 years on to your life because you will be healthy.
Helen, they have been taking parts of people's stomachs out for over 80 year--some people had cancer, some people had ulcers, and so they removed that part of their stomach. This isn't new surgery--this is surgery that they have prefected. They never thought about doing to for weight loss until about 15 or 20 years ago. So next time one of your uneducated people have something to say--toss that one at them.
I have lived this whole thing of being over 60 having 85 % of mu stomach removed and I am a healthy happy, thin person now. My doctor is thrilled and tell some of her patients about me and has me talk with them. Now if my own doctor here in the US thinks this is the right thing, where are these people you know getting their information??? I am a real person and I HIGHLY suggest this is your answer to allowing you to accomplish your goal of losing the weight and being healthy and feel GREAT about yourself. WLS is only a tool to allow you to do this. You have to put work an effort into it along with some exercise too.
Hugs,
Suzanne
Why do I know you so well? Ask yourself--because I was just like you--the CARE TAKER! I am not going to give up on you so easy. So ALL these ignorant people you have in your family and that are your so called family and friends--where did they get all this great education from about weight loss surgery??? I am willing to bet that it is NO more than gossip. Do they know the difference between lapband, bypass, or the sleeve? Start asking them questions, insead of they telling you what they THINK THEY KNOW. They are very uneducated when it comes to WLS. I am NOT. Send them to me, I would love to educate them!!!!!
99.9% of the people who have sleeve surgery do not die, they DO NOT have complications of any kind, they have nothing going on that holds them back or makes their life worse after they have "Sleeve" surgery. It make it about 20 times better in just a few short months. So Helen do you want to believe these uneducated people or someone who has had it done and is close to your age--like me?
I even went back to Mexicali about 6 months after I had my WLS and took my best girlfriend down there to have the same surgery I had. She is 64 now and lost 80 pounds and looks and feels amazing too. Come on give me a break. If you want to read some positive things about people who have had sleeve surgery, check out these two sites. I went to Dr. Aceves and he has a site, I know it looks like it is for lapband people, but 90% of us are "sleeve" people. I just want you to have the chance to hear some good things so join the site--it doesn't cost a thing, you don't have to do anything but read the posts. If you want to ask question jump in and ask away.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Dr-Aceves-bandsters/
Try this site out too. You will find a LOT of good information at this site too.
http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/index.php?
You are allowing other uneducated people when it comes to WLS to make choices for you. Don't hide behind their fears. Some people want you to stay fat right along with them. STOP giving away your power, take it back and be your own INDEPENDENT THINKER. If you husband is 100% behind you then that is all you need. I would suggest that you not tell everyone in your family when you make the choice to go ahead. You don't need the kind of pressure they are already giving you. GO have it done then when you are alive, well and healthy, they won't have anything to say.
I am always amazed at how we allow other people to make life saving choice for us--and we are so willing to let them do it--I used to be like than, but no more. Be YOUR OWN PERSON. Do this for HELEN. You deserve to have the best quality of life you can. You will add 20 years on to your life because you will be healthy.
Helen, they have been taking parts of people's stomachs out for over 80 year--some people had cancer, some people had ulcers, and so they removed that part of their stomach. This isn't new surgery--this is surgery that they have prefected. They never thought about doing to for weight loss until about 15 or 20 years ago. So next time one of your uneducated people have something to say--toss that one at them.
I have lived this whole thing of being over 60 having 85 % of mu stomach removed and I am a healthy happy, thin person now. My doctor is thrilled and tell some of her patients about me and has me talk with them. Now if my own doctor here in the US thinks this is the right thing, where are these people you know getting their information??? I am a real person and I HIGHLY suggest this is your answer to allowing you to accomplish your goal of losing the weight and being healthy and feel GREAT about yourself. WLS is only a tool to allow you to do this. You have to put work an effort into it along with some exercise too.
Hugs,
Suzanne
Suzanne B
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Eugene, OR
Dr. Aceves
10/21/2008
Start lbs 225
Now 120
Suzanne!!!!! You should be a motivational speaker!!! I really like having you in my corner. You are, of course, sooooo right about everything. Even with the doubts, I have gone forward with everything I need to do to get my surgery date. So I don't think I am going to back out. I love hearing from you! I will check out the 2 sites you recommended for sure.
And my new motto is going to be "Just Do It"!!! :) I'll talk to you soon!
And my new motto is going to be "Just Do It"!!! :) I'll talk to you soon!
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