Seven Years Anniversary--10 Things I've learned.

I am a few days late, but this year marks seven years since my sleeve surgery. Where has the time gone and what have I learned?

1. As I've always said, the sleeve is not "the miracle" you still have to do the work.
2. At some point, the "honeymoon phase" will be over and then the real work begins. Hopefully, by then you will have figured out and know how much you can and cannot push the sleeve.
3. I've learned that gaining weight is a part of maintaining. We all know how to lose weight, we've done it in the past, but maintenance is a whole different ballgame.
4. I've learned that just because I've had sleeve surgery, I still have to keep my eye on the prize, which is to keep my eye on and maintain this way or weigh of life that I've come to love post sleeve surgery.
5. Don't forget your reasons why you wanted to have sleeve surgery to begin with. No piece of pizza or pastry is worth going back to the life you had before your surgery.
6. Do I eat sweets, do I eat pizza, do I indulge? Hell yeah, but I put it all in perspective and I don't eat that way every day.
7. Find those things that will help you stay on track. If that means weighing yourself every day, joining WW (Weight Watchers), weighing and measuring your food, tracking, keeping a journal, etc. Do the things that will continue to make you successful.
8. Remember, everyone's journey is different. What works for you might not work for someone else. You do you!
9. Stay consistent, stay committed. It's hard in this life of Covid, but don't lose track of your goals. Keep your eyes on the prize!
10. Get out there and continue to enjoy your life. Sleeve surgery is the gift that keeps on giving!

Congrats on 7 years! Proud of us who have succeeded after many years!!

Congratulations on seven years!

Thank you for continuing to contribute to this forum Kenson.
You and the other veterans that keep us in check are invaluable to a site like this.

Fabulous words of wisdom in your post.
You are truly an inspiration to us all.

Oh well done!

7 years amazing and you still are focussed which is good, It is a struggle when the honeymoon phase wears off!
I am coming to 3 years and the last 2 months have been insightful!
I stopped exercising because I was so busy and I mean busy!
Having to work 2 jobs sometimes 3 to keep all juggling.
I know it is temporary and I am aware I need to reset my focus to what is important to me, which is I am comfortable with the weight I was at 132 lbs not comfortable with it being 140 lbs!
This is not how I want it to be!
Sometimes we have to swap one hat for another but I really need to go back to my routine of exercise and more careful regular meal times.
I am not drinking enough water either I am drinking coffee which just adds to the thirst!

So I am delighted to read your post and congratulations on 7 years and Thank you for the tips that you have shared on here.
Any advice on bringing off these extra pounds would be great too!
Regain is new to me!
I will get back into proper exercise - another month and I can brave the cold - and I have now got some time to do this.
But how to get the pounds off in one's diet would be super helpful.
I do write everything down, which helps!
But I think some tips to get it kick-started would be so helpful.
Thanks so much for a great and inspiring post as you always do!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gastric Sleeve Pal

Oh well done!

7 years amazing and you still are focussed which is good, It is a struggle when the honeymoon phase wears off!
I am coming to 3 years and the last 2 months have been insightful!
I stopped exercising because I was so busy and I mean busy!
Having to work 2 jobs sometimes 3 to keep all juggling.
I know it is temporary and I am aware I need to reset my focus to what is important to me, which is I am comfortable with the weight I was at 132 lbs not comfortable with it being 140 lbs!
This is not how I want it to be!
Sometimes we have to swap one hat for another but I really need to go back to my routine of exercise and more careful regular meal times.
I am not drinking enough water either I am drinking coffee which just adds to the thirst!

So I am delighted to read your post and congratulations on 7 years and Thank you for the tips that you have shared on here.
Any advice on bringing off these extra pounds would be great too!
Regain is new to me!
I will get back into proper exercise - another month and I can brave the cold - and I have now got some time to do this.
But how to get the pounds off in one's diet would be super helpful.
I do write everything down, which helps!
But I think some tips to get it kick-started would be so helpful.
Thanks so much for a great and inspiring post as you always do!

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Thank you so much for your kind words. One thing I learned from Weight Watchers (WW) is to be kind to yourself. That is my suggestion to you. Be kind to yourself. To get those stubborn pounds off, go back to basics. Protein first. Go back to doing those things that you know are successful. I am a few pounds more than I'd like to be as well, its a part of learning how to maintain. Keep your eye on it. The moment we let our guard down, the pounds come back. Congratulations on rocking your sleeve for three years!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KiwiGal

Congratulations on seven years!

Thank you for continuing to contribute to this forum Kenson.
You and the other veterans that keep us in check are invaluable to a site like this.

Fabulous words of wisdom in your post.
You are truly an inspiration to us all.

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Thank you so much!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sraebaer

Congrats on 7 years! Proud of us who have succeeded after many years!!

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Thank you for continuing to inspire and encourage me all these years later!

Thank you for continuing to post. I visit often as I'm new to the "sleeve" community. I look forward to your posts, as there aren't too many chiming in these days. Congratulations on your 7 years! May you have great success for many more!