Four Years Out!

Four Years Out - I can't believe it!

Hi old friends!  I miss you all so wanted to come check in and say hello.

I used to think it wouldn't work for me.  I was in total awe of those who were successful.  I was always a great diet/exercise person but I couldn't get the weight off.  My doctor recommended that I get WLS in November 2009 at 249.8.  My surgery was February 17, 2010. Surgery went great. I was back to work 6 days later.  I remember being on the treadmill on Day 5 feeling so grateful.  I still could not believe that I would lose weight.  my dream was to weigh 149 and maintain it.

My weight loss was a big struggle. At six months out I was put on thyroid meds. I had to really fight for those last 25 pounds.  I was so jealous of everyone that dropped the weight effortlessly. I always said, let's all meet in 5 years and see where we are.     I have a loose 40f sleeve.  I was one of the first patients at my  kaiser to gets sleeve.   I live with a Primal/paleo food plan. I have had to count calories, carbs etc since surgery day.   If I take a break from tracking for the holidays I put on weight and had to get it back off.  Carbs don't work for me.  My plan is 1000-1200 calories a day for maintenance.  Carbs are 25 most days, 50 on special occasions.  I don't eat white stuff and I'm pretty much off fruit.  Lots of salads, cooked veggies, protein and full fat dairy.  I can eat a lot now.  Wi**** wasn't true but it's my reality so I deal with it.  I was always hungry before WLS so I'm no stranger to it.  My snacks are celery and mini Tri colored peppers. I do eat breakfast everyday.  My emergency food that I keep in my desk, car and purse is a Quest Chocolate Brownie. I never have an excuse to eat crap. If I do, it's a choice that I make.  No excuses.   I've come to love exercise. I walk to work everyday. I try to never drive during the week.  30 minute mandatory walk daily.  Pilates Reformer 4-5x a week at a studio on the same block as my office. At least 1 or 2 five k walks each week. I was unemployed in 2012 for 11 months and walked/hiked 40 miles a week. Loved it!   I was lucky to have full body Plastics in December 2012 with Dr. Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico.  He did a great job for me.  I'm 63 and I will never have the body of a 40 year old but I look great considering everything I put my body through.   I love to travel and its so possible with VSG.  At four months out I went to Provence and the French Riviera. They have food, just like we do. It's all about making good choices.  The following year was travel across Spain.  This past year was three countries in Eastern Europe.  There is great food everywhere. Don't ever feel like you can't travel because of your WLS.   I go to weigh****chers once a week, not for the food plan but for the accountability of getting on the scale.  It keeps me from getting out of control with emotional eating.  I need the structure!    So about those my stats. I always wanted to read them. I started at  249.8.  This year my weight ranged from 144-149.  My old jeans were 22/24. Now my jeans all say 6 or 8 depending on the brand.  I'm happy and healthy and depend a lot on my local WLS friends to keep me honest.  I found my 149 and I cheri**** but I feel best down 5. My goal is to be under 149 for every anniversary.   I hope you're all doing ok.  I'd love to trade LW maintenance stories sometime. xox    

Lee!!    Happy surgiversary, babeeeeee! 

Aww Gina, hugs right back at ya!  How have you been?

Lee, so good to hear from you.  Yes, it is a daily battle but one we can do.  Good for you.  We miss you, babeee!!! 

Hi Price, it doesn't even feel so much like a battle as just a way of life.  Wearing 24 jeans and not being able to drop a pound even on strict low carb, now THAT was a struggle!

I miss you too!  I will come around more often.

Happy surgiversary, Lee...miss seeing you here.

Thank you!  I hope you've been well.

Oh Lee it is soooo great to read your post! Happy Surgiversary!!!!  I think about our LW's that haven't posted for awhile and wonder if they have kept their weight off.  Thank You for sharing your success story!!!!! 

 

Roz, it's to good to see you. Are you still having fun with the cheering squads?

DD's teams have been VERY successful the last couple of years.  She has almost 300 girls now.  DH and I don't go as often because her boys (age 5.5 and 2) keep us busy.  Our DGD cheers now so we go to the local ones to watch her. We are going to a big one FL in April and she is taking the boys so that should be fun.