FIRST SURGIVERSARY: Hullo, good life. Buh-bye, 92.6 pounds!

[carollee57]

Hi Congrats, I have a question, I am eating 1200 calories after some weight regain, did you eat back any of your exercise calories? If I walk off 600 calories should I be sticking to 1200

[Ann2]

I'm an old-fashioned girl. I'm in the "you gotta eat less than you burn up to lose weight" camp.

So if you've want to lose weight, don't eat your exercise calories. That would be my advice. Naturally, you have to follow all the other WLS rules, too -- eat protein, eat protein first, avoid/minimize sugary/starchy foods, drink ALL your water, take ALL your supplements, etc. You know the drill.

BTW, we burn only 100 calories/mile of moderate walking.

[okieatheart]

Your unsolicited advice is great! You said that very well. I had my sleeve in 2013 and lost 103 lbs. I am currently down 79, so I've gained and am working very hard to get it off. I did the things you said not to do and you are so right! I went through a grazing stage and you do not want to go down that path. There are no foods that make me sick, so I can eat anything, but that doesn't mean I should. I would love to have that feeling again that I have in the first few weeks where I literally didn't care what was for my next meal and I didn't think about food at all.

Having said that....I would definitely have the surgery again. I have never regretted it. If I hadn't had it, I wouldn't be down 79 pounds and able to play with my granddaughter without being so worn out. I can move so much easier and feel so much better. The sleeve is a wonderful tool and I'm very grateful to have been able to have the surgery!

Best Wishes!

[Connie4]

ditto to unsolicited advise
thanks

[xtalbling]

Very inpsiring! Thanks for sharing!

[WANAGL]

I'm so grateful to you, Anne2 for posting this. And for the link in your signature.

I read and reread many times.

It inspires hope to this newbie!

[Triple love]

I just signed on to this support group today! Your post was exactly want I needed. I am 66 and I thought I was the oldest person around to have gastric sleeve. I Had surgery on June 27, 2016. I have lost about 30 lbs so far and my world has changed entering this new stage of life at my age! I am going to save your post or print it out or something to read everyday. Thanks so much.

[Mattorioso]

Great success!!!!

[Ann2]

Yesterday, August 18, 2016, I posted my "Second Surgiversary: Loving My Life. Goodbye, 100 Pounds!" thread. It describes my second year post-op and how I lost another 8 pounds, reached 135 pounds, and have maintained that weight for the last seven months.

http://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=62687

After two years, I could not be happier with my sleeve and its ability to help me become healthier and happier.

I send out very best wishes to everyone who's on this journey.

Disclaimer: As always, your mileage may vary.

[Oshun99]

Following ur secret ,it sounds good ,having a little issue with plain water but once I added some no sugar iced tea or other tea I' m good . Still measuring my food intake n try to follow the post op diet . Let c how it will go so far I started with 204 now down to 164.feelin ok but the flashes are killing me , my PCP re star me up with my meds for flashes . Hope the helps. Going to see doctor soon .

[Vanessa7]

WOW! Great informative overview! First off, I want to say CONGRATULATIONS on your successful journey! Amazing and inspiring. Next, I want to say THANK YOU for giving us some insight on your tips and tricks. This will come in handy

[Linda51]

Ann,
I know you made this post over a year ago, but as a newbie to this site, I find it very inspiring! I am 65 years old with a weight loss record that looks like a yoyo. I am so glad to hear from someone of our "vintage" who has had such wonderful success. I love all your advice. I don't have a date for my surgery yet, but hope that it will be in the next couple of months as I am about finished jumping through all of Medicare's hoops. Thank you again for your inspiration!
Linda51

[Ann2]

Linda, very best to you!

I honestly think we older folks have an advantage -- we know how to persevere and, having tried absolutely everything else that didn't work yet, know that this is our last chance to get it right. That's some pretty powerful motivation.

Honestly, looking back through the rose-colored glasses of (fingers crossed) long-term success (I'm now 2.5 years post-op and have maintained my weight at 135 pounds for the last 13 months), this really hasn't been all that hard. All I've ever done is what I had to do to be successful.

What this whole trip has really taught me is how much control I actually have. After all, it's not like I'm battling cancer or got hit by a semi! It turns out that controlling what I put in my mouth and how much I move is now something that I really can control.

[Emmeraldas]

Ann, I have read your posts before, this one popped up in the latest activity tag because of the previous reply. I am so glad it did. I am copying it as a text to remind myself of your plan. Of what works, when I get those "off" days.
One facet of the online world is that in text we are anonymous, genderless, ageless. Your persona is the reader's interpretation of what you type. I would have never guessed your age by your texts. You "sound" energetic and youthful, like the avatar you have chosen. Congrats! I am hoping to follow in your footsteps, Sensei.

[Ann2]

Emmeraldas,

Ah, gee ... thanks! I actually DO have a lot of energy.

BTW, know who else is 71 years old? Debbie Harry.

Very best to you!

Ann