VSG Maintenance Group
Recent Posts
on 4/12/25 9:21 am
Cold weather powerwashing sounds dreadful! Cold mist. Blech.
I reached out to my "friend" one last time yesterday and left a voicemail saying I missed her and could we talk. Crickets again. Even when I was in the wrong, I have never had someone I considered a very close friend be so unyielding and frankly unkind. So now to move on to trying to reframe this in my mind that I am better off without such a person in my life.
Yesterday I had lunch with my other friend and we hd a lovely time. No drama. She knows my neighbor too (I introduced them). I have sought her advice about this and she has been very supportive. Her comment after this final reaching out was "All that tells me you have given the grace... I not so secretly hope she gives you the love you deserve. She needs the grace you're delivering, let's just hope she knows.
But if you can at least know, in your heart, that you have had the best intentions all along, and tried your best to do the right thing, you might be able to get some peace from that. Because you have and you did."
So I have wonderful friends who would never do this to me even at my worst. At 53, I am too old for "friends" like that.
Today I am chatting with my UK friend and our other CA friend at 11. Lots of cleaning needed as my bff and his new boyfriend are coming for lunch tomorrow. And I am supposed to go to my next door neighbor's to see their house and have ****tails (they haven't moved in yet, but are soon to). My former friend was invited too, though I hope she decides not to go. She often backs out of invitations. But it's not my new neighbor's issue, so I will be pleasant and just steer clear.
I think that's it for me. Wishing you all a happy day!
Ugh Liz, that sounds the opposite of fun. Chores that get you wet outside on a cold day, it's hard to spin anything positive out of that. I hope it's over quickly, and that Justice continues to have fun.
I agree that our group has some amazing mojo. Despite struggles with regain, I feel like my sleeve has been an incredible tool, and truly changed the trajectory of my life. The thing about regain: it does not mean you are not a successful sleever. Regain is totally expected, and the medical definition of a successful outcome is to maintain a 50% loss of excess weight.
Speaking of weight, mine was up by about 3 pounds when I came back from vacation. It really surprised me because even though I typically eat indulgent foods on vacation, I simply cannot eat enough for it to really have an impact and I'm generally not snacking. But something in my formula went wrong, because here I am, and the weight hasn't fallen off like it normally does in the week after. So I'm going to need to be more intentional (loathe to say diet). Step 1: I will go back to the normal dosing schedule for my Wegovy. Step 2: Goodbye ****tails. Step 3: No to treats. Continue with focusing on protein. Losing 3 pounds will probably take a month. Sigh.
Another factor: I think the new med I'm taking in place of Tomaxifen is messing with me. In addition to weight gain, it has some other side effects that I am experiencing. I am obsessed with the idea of going off this med. Typically it's 5 years of treatment. Combined, I'm at 4 years. I was stage 1a, which has a very high survival rate. I personally know one person who was diagnosed with the same grade, at the same time, and she chose not to take the meds at all. My question has always been, if I didn't take them, and I had a recurrence how would I feel vs. if I do take them and I have a recurrence, how would I feel. Early on, dealing with the side effects won. At this stage, dealing with the side effects is losing. If I did stop taking them after over 4 years of treatment, I think I would fall on the side that another 6 months wasn't going to change the outcome. (Rightly or wrongly). I could deal with the outcome. Because recurrence is always possible no matter what. I do believe I've lowered the chances, but I'm to the point where the risk vs quality of life is tipping. Anyhow, it may or may not be the cause of some weight gain, and an up tick in my blood pressure, but I really want to be done. I see my oncologist in June, and unless she has some really convincing data, I will discontinue this treatment. In the meantime, I diet. :(
On that note, I am on my way to coffee in a moment. :)
119 - not sure if the scale here reads similar to the scale at home. I guess we shall see...
It is windy and rainy here. A very raw looking day and the last thing I want to do is power wash outside. I don't even like doing that when it is warm out and have hired people to do it when it is extensive. DH sees this as a bonding experience. On my 3 hours of sleep, it is the last thing I want to do. Couldn't fall asleep, then dogs were up and down all night and DH up at 5 am.
Justice is happy though. He likes it here even though he loves the Florida warmth. Lots of new, interesting smells outside.
Have a sweet Saturday!
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
At least your next phase is outside the house so hopefully you won't have to move out. Will need pictures on TT when you are done. What a lot of work!
Yes, we are a resilient lot. The fact that we all hit goal after VSG actually puts us into a somewhat unique category. But most of us have dealt with regain and then lost again successfully. And that regain wasn't back to where we were originally. This group has been incredibly supportive and educational for me. And somehow we all mesh well on so many other issues.
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
I always get a chuckle with the line of walkers in the dining room hallway at my Mom's assisted living facility. Looks like a biker bar but instead of Harley's lined up there are walkers!
5' 4" tall, HW: 242, SW:215.4 Weight Loss - pre-op: - 26.6, M1: -15.4, M2: -16, M3: -11.4, M4: -11.2, M5: -12.2, M6: -7.4, M7: -7.8, M8: -2.0 Goal of 130 lbs. reached at 8 months, 2 days post-op!
Yes, the floors are hardwood. I'll post a few pix on TT soon, although with no furniture and boxes everywhere it still requires a lot of imagination.
ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22
POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.
Saggy skin stinks and I think it just gets more saggy with age, not just weight loss.
I wi**** was 60 here - 45 when we walked the dogs which felt really cold when we were walking into the wind.
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
Amazing how quickly you can see after eye surgery. The FB pictures are on my own account.
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
Greetings all
Somewhat cloudy today but no rain. This morning was eye follow up which went well Dr. says all looks perfect and indeed I feel I can see quite well and no issues. So we stopped at Walgreens to find some readers at the level recommended. Also scored some Fairlife milk and a few other things. DH is off to his Romeo lunch at this really dumpy dive bar that has good food. Unsure what he will bring home. Meanwhile I get tv control. I am engaged trying to figure out these glasses. Looks like I need them at the computer and reading but not for tv or other stuff. Guess I will become a person with glasses on the end of nose (Chuck Schumer) or on top of my head. It truly is amazing how this works. Had I known I would have paid out of pocket earlier rather than wait until medicare would pay.
So yeah Ann, our group is certainly a factor in our success. I say "our" even though I do not feel very successful right now having had some regain and not really addressed it. Seems like our common thread is realism, willingness to explore options, perseverance, and being nimble at the game of life. Yay for us. My brother's wife (he had vsg and did well) but she did not. She seems to just let life happen to her and not seek out what is needed. She "aged out" of vsg or so she said, I think meaning she got to medicare age and at the time it would not cover it. Anyway there is a can do spirit among this group and it shows.
Liz I could not find your pictures on TT. They will probably show up eventually. Sounds like a great time and great food. Travel safe.
Yeah Paula that chair can always be resold. Demand is high among older people. I was struck today at the eye doctor with all the old people there - a virtual parade of walkers. Same at Walgreens. Made me grateful that I can walk around without one and reminded me that I need to get back to the treadmill soon. Probably Sunday.
Yow Ann what a major remodel you have going on. Red Roof is not bad (recalling from my dog show days). Hoping your DH can get some back relief. And that your palace is finished soon. Curious about your floor finishes. Hardwood?
T-minus 45 days or so for Peps and DD. Yay
Diane S
Join US On The VSG Maintenance Group Forum!!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/VSGM/discussion/
125.4. Good bathroom day! Yay!
I did get that lift chair off Facebook! Good investment and I can resell when done with it!
Sunny and a little warmer today. I hear the birds chirping outside, so Spring must be near! It is actually going to be close to 60 over the weekend so DH has begged me to grill out. Thawing out burger for that right now.
Got back on the treadmill today and did upper body resistance training with hand held weights. I?m beginning to see muscle peeking out of my somewhat loose skin! I had my arms and boobs done after VSG and both are sagging just a bit but not enough to consider having a revision surgery just yet. I guess the implants have a 10 or so year lifespan so if I need to replace them at some point I will do a lift again at that time (if retirement finances allow).
Making pepper steak for dinner tonight with rice.
Liz, your party last night looked like so much fun and the food you described and showed on FB looked delicious! Safe travels up north and try to stay dry and warm.
Ann, your remodel almost sounds like a complete redo! I will be anxious to see pics when it is all done. Hoping DH?s health issues get sorted out and he feels in tip top shape soon. I agree, our little group is a tribe of badass warriors. We have had awesome success and deserve self congratulations!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
5' 4" tall, HW: 242, SW:215.4 Weight Loss - pre-op: - 26.6, M1: -15.4, M2: -16, M3: -11.4, M4: -11.2, M5: -12.2, M6: -7.4, M7: -7.8, M8: -2.0 Goal of 130 lbs. reached at 8 months, 2 days post-op!
