Hi, everyone! I haven't posted in a long time, but I have been reading lots of posts and replying when I thought I could offer some encouragement or insight.
I thought it might be helpful to some of you who are relatively new to the process to see what life is like for someone who is getting close to two years post-surgery. I had my surgery May 2, 2011, so it has been 21 months for me.
I had so much weight to lose when I started, and it came off pretty quickly the first 6 months. I had very few issues during that time, just a little dehydration a few weeks after my surgery because I was lax about drinking my water. When I realized what I had done to myself, I said, "DUH!!!" and got back on track with the water, and haven't had any problems with that since. Like most people, I had some pretty significant hair loss around 4 months, but I and my hairdresser jumped on it and took care of it, too.
So, here I am, 21 months post- surgery, and still a long way from my goal. I got discouraged seeing so many people who reached their goal weight so quickly. Still, very few of you had as much weight to lose as I did. Also, one good thing is that I haven't gained it back (and the way I had been eating lately, I sure could have!) You were probably much better than I was about what and how much you ate, too. I keep telling myself that I will get there, and not to be worried about it coming off so slowly now, but I know deep- down that I am not "working the sleeve" as I should, or I would be much further along than I am.
The first year, I was really good about keeping track of what I ate. As time went by, I could eat a little more, but I was still losing, just not so quickly. A year ago, I joined the Y and started working out with weights and water aerobics. My weight loss slowed down, but I knew I was putting on muscle, which is denser than fat, so I wasn't too concerned. I think I allowed myself to become pretty complacent with that, and so I was eating more and more. It doesn't help, I have recently realized, that My Fitness Pal lets you have more calories when you exercise, so even though I was logging all my wonderful exercise and my food, I was still increasing what I ate. Then, I stopped tracking the food because it just got to be too tedious.
Please don't get me wrong, I love my sleeve, and I still think it is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I am so thankful for all the weight I have lost, and the improvement to my health as a result. I love having people who haven't seen me since my surgery tell me how great I look. I love how much better I feel. I have said before, if I never lose another pound, I am still so much better off than I was.
Still, I am not ready to be finished. I am now down to the weight so many others started at. I need more. I need to get to Onederland. So, I have recommitted myself to regular exercise, to tracking and cutting down on my food, to being good to myself, because I want this and I DESERVE THIS!!!
One of the things I have noticed on this forum is that everyone wants to share their successes and even their frustrations, but few share their failures. So, I am sharing mine with you wonderful people in the hope that you can learn from my mistakes. But I also want to say that I have not given up! I will get there someday, with the help of my wonderful family and of you dear people on the forum.
I am sorry this is such a long post, but I just wanted you guys to know what it will be like further down the road. And to tell you what I have learned from the past two years. Mostly, "Never give up! Never surrender!" ((((HUGS))))
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