Murk

Two years out as of 7/11 and I thought I'd check in. I was the slowest loser of the July 2016 group, I think. However my loss continued for about 18-20 months. My highest was 301 and my lowest I hit several months ago was 206, for a total of 95 lbs down. But then I found out I had breast cancer, caught it early, had surgery, radiation etc... And now I'm on a sucky medication that causes weight gain. (Arimidex) I have to take it for 5 years, which stinks but hey, I'm alive. As a result, I ended up gaining 15+ lbs but I'm fighting back. I'm trying Keto right now - and I walk 2-3 miles a day. I didn't come all this way to give up. One thing I want to stress - many people on multiple forums suggested that lumps in the breast are a normal part of weight loss. That may be the case, but don't ignore them - get them checked out anyway. I almost ignored mine and it could have cost me my life had I continued to do so. My cancer did NOT show up on a 3D mammogram either - it took an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. 1 out of 8 women will get breast cancer. I did not know that. One thing I am surprised at, is how very little restriction I have two years out, but it still prevents me from going overboard. I don't go for seconds, they won't fit, and that works for me. I now eat what I would consider normally and without the vicious hunger that plagued me every day, all day. I think I will even post photos soon. I never wanted to do that here, because I hated myself too much. These days I like what I see, despite the saggy skin. I still aim for One-derland and I will never give up until I get there.

Great video - I am 21 months out and still losing very slowly and with much effort. This video points out some great information and ideas. FYI - I have a 40 bougie and would do it again, just because it reduces the chances of reflux. The extra weight loss from a 36 wasn't worth the increased odds of reflux.

I just wanted to follow up on this post because it's been about a year and a half since my VSG and I also just recently had an ultrasound to check the size of my fibroids. Basically zero change for me, they stayed the same size, which I am thankful for. I was surprised to see over 700 views on my original post so I couldn't have been the only one with this question. So for anyone who was wondering the same thing, zero effect in my case. Your experience may be different.

Wow Eileen! You look fantastic!! I need to take some after pics to post as well. I didn't fare as well as you. My restriction at this point is not what I'd hoped it would be. I don't know if the 40 bougie is the problem or if there was some failure with the procedure. Is being able to eat 6-8 ounces of chicken or beef comfortably normal at this point? Maybe perimenopause is the culprit? Well, it is what it is. Here's my stats: HW: 301 SW: 286 CW: 231 GW: Hell, I'd be happy to hit 220 at this point but the loss has stopped since around April/May. So I'm down 70 from my heaviest and 55 from surgery. It was a lot of money to pay out of pocket for 55 pounds but my knees feel so much better and there's so much more I can do now that I couldn't before. Still, when comparing my results to others, I can't help but feel like a failure. The restriction is not what I had hoped for, even when eating protein. My sister is like 6 years out from a RNY and she still can only eat 1/3 of what I can and weighs 1/2 of what I do, although she's much shorter than I. I'll just keep following the plan best I can, maybe a little more weight will come off. I hope the others who haven't reported in yet are doing great! Hope to hear about your results!

It was good to login today and see more discussion on this thread that I started over a year ago. I think a lot of people struggle with the issue of whether or not to tell people at work. So now that I'm 11 months out from a sleeve, I thought I'd offer some feedback to those who are new to the surgery and questioning the same things I did as to whether or not to say anything. Nobody at work knows about my surgery - including one of my brothers who I work with. I eat less and they notice that and so they think I am dieting and that's how I lost the weight. In their minds it all makes perfect sense and so they don't question anything. I can participate in work potlucks and I put a "normal" amount of food on my plate and nibble on a variety then throw out the rest. Nobody is analyzing my food intake like I had imagined. I'm honestly very glad that I didn't tell anyone about my surgery because I feel like I'd be under a different kind of scrutiny had I done so.

I am still a size 11, but my shoes are no longer tight across the top anymore.

Checking in at around 7.5 months. Down about 50lbs since surgery and 63.5 from my heaviest, and I try to stay around 1200 calories. I am somewhat disappointed with my results but I'm hoping with warmer weather coming soon that I can get outside more. I feel so much better with the weight off, but I wish my doctor had used a smaller bougie because I don't have the restriction I thought I would. Perhaps menopause is the culprit in causing slow weight loss. We'll see where the increased activity gets me once it gets warmer out, but in Wisconsin that could be May. My weight loss went as follows M1 -18 M2 -6 M3 -6 M4 -6 M5 -2.5 M6 -3 M7 -3 I am hoping I will be one of those who loses for 18 months rather than 12, that would get me where I'd like to be.

Congrats to you! Hoping to get there myself someday. Way to go!

Here's to a perfect surgery and a new you! Best wishes!

Looking good, I bet you are feeling great!

I have lost my appetite for sure. If I get busy doing things, I can completely forget to eat! But I do suffer from wanting to eat out of boredom. Foods still taste good, so just because you don't have an appetite doesn't mean you don't want to eat. But no appetite sure helps. I think if I had been strictly liquids like you are, it would have been really HARD due to the hunger sensations. But tough it out, it will jump start your weightloss and it doesn't last long. Cream of wheat and yogurt will really help I think, once you are able to eat that. Let us know how you are doing as time goes on!

Are you on liquids only right now or are you allowed purees? I was allowed purees on day 3 and I noticed that certain purees helped stop the hunger sensation better than others. Notably chili, cottage cheese or refried beans. If you are on liquids only, I can totally see why you are starving and that will improve with purees! Hang in there!

Well, I assume your top-of-the-line doctor never had surgery? I have. I'm almost 6 months out. I had the same hunger after surgery. REAL, stomach-growling, genuine hunger. Like you, I was disappointed! But guess what? It only lasted 2-4 weeks (I can't remember how long anymore) My personal theory is that maybe it takes awhile for ghrelin to work its way out of our systems. Or perhaps that's when the inflammation subsided. I was afraid to ask anyone, because every thread (elsewhere) I read said "Oh, it's head hunger." Well, it wasn't. I can tell the difference between those now. I've read about a lot of people having the same issue early out. Let me just reassure you that it goes away. If you are allowed purees at this stage, chili was a life saver. I just want to reassure you that what you are experiencing is normal and it will go away! The first two weeks were a pain but it's temporary. You are on your way to better health, you got this! It will subside!

Wow, Jason you look amazing!! You give me the courage to post mine soon! You must be so happy with the results! I bet you can chase those boys of yours around much better now too! Way to go!

So I thought I'd check in and post my update. I am still the slowest loser of the July 2016 group I guess, but I'm feeling great and am much more active. I am down 41 lbs since July 11th. I lost 17 the first month, then 8,5,5 and 2. I've lost 4 so far in December. I have NEVER lost weight in December before. Ever. Yay! I won't lie, I did indulge this month. But it is now the day after Christmas and that's it. My husband is taking all the junk to work with him, none of it will be staying here. And I didn't go crazy like past years. Instead of gorging on sweets, I mostly stayed with the protein treats like cheese and sausage or the denser sweets that I couldn't eat much of, like cheesecake. So I enjoyed myself but I was mindful of the choices. I am picky now since I have less room. No wasting room on junk I really didn't like to begin with. My doctor said he expects me to lose 80-90 lbs post surgery and it seems at 5.5 months I'm on pace to do that. He used a 40 bougie on me which means I can eat more than some, and I lose at a slower pace. But I feel in the long run it was a safer option with less complication risk for me. Yes, I wish I would lose as fast as the rest of you have but I still would do this surgery in a heartbeat, given the results I have so far.