2 Years!

[sraebaer]

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It’s been two years since surgery. What a ride! I lost 75 pounds in about 9 months, and have kept if off since. So all the cute clothes I bought last fall fit me this fall! (From someone who had to buy new clothes every season, I got up to a size 20, as I kept needing bigger sizes.) I own nothing from 2 years ago, even shoes got too big. Don’t even talk about my expensive wide-calf boots, because I no longer have wide-calves.

There is no way to describe how my life has changed in two short years. I’m confident. I’m healthy. I’m happy. Life is good! (Isn’t that a tee-shirt?) Probably my favorite NSV is fitting in an airline seat with plenty of room to spare as I’m always on a plane. I run, hike, ski, kyack, SUP, body pump, and even zip-line. I wear a swim suit in public. And people call me small! Crazy. I guess it takes the mind longer to catch up with the body. I am not skinny, at 5’3½” and 140 I am at the high end of the “normal” weight range, but it’s perfect for me. I wear a size 8.

I have two secrets to success. Attitude and activity.

I have had a positive attitude through the whole experience. Every stage was fun. I even spent a weekend with friends at their lake house before surgery, drinking shakes while they were dining on gourmet food and fine wine. I enjoyed “shopping” for food each week after surgery, adding new foods on the list. I enjoyed eating out and discovering new, healthier choices. My first meal out was tuna tartar. YUM! I still order that often.

Activity is my second secret. I walked, walked, and walked. I joined the gym and did the weight classes. This past winter I started running with “baby steps.” Now I can actually run. My weight loss support group is having a step contest, and I plan on WINNING. I typically run 3 miles before work and hike in the woods 3 miles after work. Plus as a teacher I’m on my feet all day long.

I am not on a diet. While I follow the protein first rule, I am not the perfect eater. But with my exercise, I maintain. I’m a rebel, I drink diet soda and wine. If I want something, I’ll have it in moderation, like one piece of pizza or one taco. I have never counted anything except protein and liquids.

People say this is so hard, that the sleeve is just a tool. I don’t believe that. This was EASY. I have tried to lose weight all my life, and always failed. This time I succeeded without much effort at all. The sleeve is AMAZING. I'm 58, so I have tried for years and years and years.

Disclaimer: I have had no medical complications, I have never been sick (thrown up from eating), so my experience may not compare to yours. I just did everything the surgeon told me to do and it worked! If they told me so much protein and so much liquid, I did it, no excuses.

So for all you newbies, enjoy the ride! This will be the best time of your life!

[Merry Mary]

Congratulations sraebaer on the positive attitude and maintaining your weight loss. I also believe being active plays a huge roll in successful weight loss.

[linzispeedo]

This is so encouraging to read and exactly what I needed. I am on Day 12 post-op and starting to get a little bored with my liquids/purées. I'm going to make sure my attitude is in check. Thank you for your update. It means a lot to us newbies.

[Ann2]

Huge grins for you here, sraebaer. Your exercise regimen is so awesome. And your story is so wonderful. I look forward to being where you are a year from now -- wearing the same clothes I'm wearing now.

And I'm even thinking of starting running -- at this late date. After all, I'm walking so damn fast at this point I might as well just go ahead and jog. Thanks for being such a positive role model.

[thenewmetoday]

Great share and good on you. You made me realize something that I had not thought about.....I have been wearing the same size since April 2013 and that has never happened to me before.

Like you I only counted protein and water, the rest was and is lifestyle.

Thanks again, so good for the newbies to read these longer success stories.

[cathbas]

great post! Thank you and congrats!

[klecko]

Great job. I am a few months shy of you, and I absolutely agree with the get active part. I'm not as strict on the eating part, but I make sure I always get my protein for the day. I need to focus more on the fuel going in. I am well best my goal. If anyone wants to jump start their loss move around. Start light and baby steps. Good luck and continued success.

[didi100]

I love hearing success stories, thank you very much for sharing your experience and your tips. Congratulations on feeling and looking so good, and for being so positive!

[Bguarneri]

That is amazing! I am so happy for you. I am 8 years post op and have gained weight back and i am just sick about. If i get back on track do u think my sleeve will work again like after surgery? Whatever you do please dont change what you doing to stay on track because take it from me it is easy to gain wt back. You have an awesome positive attitute. Thanks for posting your progress!

[Donny]

Hey this is so inspiring! Quick question for you: did you have any stalls and how often did you weigh yourself?

Anyways congrats, and thanks for sharing!

[sraebaer]

I only stalled right in the beginning, and it did freak me out. I couldn't understand how it was possible to consume so little and not lose weight. But my nutritionist calmed me down, saying it was very common, just our body's way of adjusting.

I weighed myself daily. I know that's not good, but I did realize my weight would fluctuate. I wrote down my weight once a week, every Monday. And I measured myself before, during, and at goal. Now I'm amazed when I put the tape measure where my waist used to be.

[sraebaer]

How much weight did you gain back? If you eat dense protein like chicken or steak, do you feel restriction? But yes, I know regaining will be easy, because I can eat things like chips or cookies with almost no restriction. Good luck!

[Kindle]

Great post! I'm just 2 months behind you and couldn't agree more with your evaluation. A good attitude goes a LONG ways. I, too, have had fun through the whole thing and I've thought it was pretty darn easy as well. Maintenance gets a bit tedious and is certainly harder than losing, but it sure beats being fat!

I feel bad for the folks that obsess and grumble and whine about every little thing. They make it hard by creating drama and making themselves miserable at a time that they should be celebrating every single day! I am certainly not an upbeat, "glass half full" kind of person (in fact, grumpy bitch just about covers my personality) but I never saw the point of wallowing in self pity. If it sucks, change it....WLS gives us that opportunity in so many ways.

Congrats and thanks for sharing!

[sraebaer]

Love you Kindle!

[Numbers]

Thanks, our stories are SOOOO similar!!!!