2012 Sleevers! How ya doin?

[Ree]

I had my sleeve surgery in June, 2012 and must say I am very happy! I reached my goal weight pretty early on, and am (pretty much) keeping it off. I fluctuate 5lbs or so. How are the rest of you doing?

[tinman]

Had mine in August of 2012. Lost 265 lbs in 14 months and have kept it off ever since. Like you, I gain and lose the same 5 lbs month in and month out.

For the newbies reading this, keeping the weight off is simple but requires a little discipline. You can definitely gain a portion of your weight back if you aren't vigilant about your eating habits. I'm definitely not advocating any dieting what so ever. Eat what you want, when you want and made just the way you like it.

Just don't over eat.

Know when you are full and step away. This takes a little discipline, but, with practice, you'll adapt and never think about it.

[shparks]

I only lost weight during the first year after surgery. I lost a lot, but I also still have a lot left to lose. I am irritated with myself for letting my weight creep back up. I am now working on trying to lose again.

[Mbenson5]

June here! It has taken me awhile, but I am still working on getting to my final goal. I just need to be more vigilant about a low carb stretch of time, but I let things, mainly stress, get in the way. Glad you checked in!

[Mbenson5]

I only lost weight during the first year after surgery. I lost a lot, but I also still have a lot left to lose. I am irritated with myself for letting my weight creep back up. I am now working on trying to lose again.

Glad to see you on here again!

[StephO]

Wow, hello familiar people!

I haven't logged in here in ages, and login to find this. I've been struggling, not even going to lie. I lost 135lbs, and it was going amazing. Then, life got in the way, and I haven't done a great job at fighting off the stress and taking care of myself (my grandfather passed away, we moved halfway across the country back to my hometown, lived with my grandmother who had dementia, dealt with difficulties in my marriage, and the end of last year my grandmother passed away). Needless to say, it's been a doozy.

I'm very frustrated with myself for not focusing on me, and letting too much weight creep back on. I'm upset that I can't seem to find that motivation that I held onto for so long, and for some reason I just can't seem to get back into a good swing of things. This new year has started out with the idea that I was going to get back to taking care of myself, and focus on building a better self (and build up my business).

Has anyone dealt with anything similar? I know it's a heavily mental circumstance, I'm sure. Any suggestions? What worked for you?

[Mbenson5]

SOOOO glad you checked in, Stephanie! Boy, you have had some tough times for sure! My stresses are nothing compared to what you have experienced! Mine are more like the day to day, and I went back to school for another degree, so I am sitting a lot now. When I am working on a project, like a paper, I find myself wanting to munch to stay more alert. Then when I am done, I want to have a treat, because, you know, I worked so hard! lol. I had skin surgery in June, and got down to 135. Today I am 143 and the scales are not budging. It is frustrating, but it is ultimately up to me to make the commitment. Please keep in touch! I sure could use some encouragement too!

[Ree]

I also struggle to keep the motivation that I had in the beginning. Cannot lie. I was peddling my ass off (literally ) on my stationary bike at least 3-4 times per week. Right now it is sitting there, kinda dusty. I know that I have to re-motivate myself because the sleeve is just a tool. It know it is up to me to not go backwards into the nightmare that I felt I was trapped in. I am thankful every day that I made the choice to have this done, and I respect the fact that if I don't reinstate those healthy life changes that I took on in the beginning, I can undo the work I have done. Hell, I even took up pole dancing for fitness - at 50! I felt so good when I was exercising and am determined to get back to it. I'm so glad you guys have checked in. It has been a little while for me being back on this site, but every time I am, it reminds me to never get lazy.

[Ann2]

It's awesome to see so many *real* veterans assembled here who were sleeved 4 years ago. Really appreciate all your comments and candor. Hope to learn more from you all.

[ladyvm]

I have had a struggle since recently losing a loved one. I haven't gained weight but my calorie intake is normally 1200-1500 and for the past week it has been like 1800 (way too many carbs).

[itsmytime]

February 2012 here...just officially passed the four year mark. Still maintaining a normal BMI. Thrilled about that. Did have a hiccup where my weight went up 8 pounds due to a major stressful family event and issues but that 8 pounds is back off now. I'm amazed i only let it go up 8 lbs with all the stress I was dealing with. It was way beyond any stress I'd ever had in my life and I had a very hard time dealing with it. I realized after the fog lifted that i was so used to eating a bariatric diet that it didn't even cross my mind to eat differently when I was stressed out. I kept on eating healthy for the most part. I consider that a raging success. Good luck to everyone! I do have to stay motivated on the workout front. When I was stressed out my workout routines went way down and were much more infrequent. I'm back to at least 3-4 days a week workouts.

[Mbenson5]

It is really good to see you on here again, Misty. I tend to come and go, but try to keep paying it forward for what it's worth. I I still want to lose 16 more lbs and have just started walking again. I already notice a difference. Glad everyone is doing so well!

[shparks]

A new Gold's Gym opened at my local mall on Thursday. I was there on day one, on Friday, and on Saturday. I took Sunday off. But I am planning on going again Monday.

[caileag26]

Hi! Dec 2012 First I lost too slow, then too fast, then not at all. Now By three years out, I'm back where I started. It was all mental issues. I've been working on getting my head straight, now it's time to finally buckle down and let my sleeve do its job instead of fighting it! Half hope I'm not the only one who gained it all back because I feel like such a failure over it, and half hope I am because I don't want anyone else to have to feel that way! I reset my ticker to where I was when I started tracking again last month. So far, down 11lbs in five weeks! I know I'm three years behind everyone else but hopefully I can catch up soon!

[LaffeyTaffey]

Omg there's SO many of you posting on here that I haven't heard from in years! I finally got my surgery in September of 2015 guys! We all came on here around the same time and unfortunately I had to wait a few years so I'm a "newbie".
*sigh* Still, I'm especially happy to see Steph on here again!