Two-year anniversary (sleeve-iversary): 100+ pounds lost

[RehabNurse]

I was sleeved two years ago, on April 20, 2015. I did not create a one-year anniversary thread last year because I had not met my goal. However, this is obviously my two-year thread.

I was 218 pounds on the day of my surgery (I am 5'1 tall). This morning I weighed in at 118.9 pounds. I slowly reached my goal of 130 pounds at 14 months out, then attained my second goal of 118 pounds at 17 months out. I have been in maintenance for about 7 months and, though I do not want to speak too soon, it has been going well.

My weight fluctuates between 117 and 119. I only weigh myself twice a month because frequent weigh-ins provoke anxiety for me. My two-year follow-up appointment with the bariatric center was this morning and all of my nutritional labs were within normal limits. I take over-the-counter vitamins rather than the overpriced bariatric supplements.

To keep tight control of my weight, I run an average of 30 miles every week. The vigorous exercise has enabled me to consume 2000+ calories per day without weight gain. Also, I am not on a diet, so I do not have cheat foods. If I want pizza or a cheeseburger, I eat it as long as it can fit into my daily caloric allotment. I also do not measure or track.

I do not like water, so I drink perhaps a 16-ounce bottle of it a day, usually after a workout. In fact, I've never come close to the goal of 64 ounces of water because it makes me urinate every 20 minutes. My favorite drink is unsweetened iced tea. I usually drink between 44 and 64 ounces of unsweet tea per day. I also drink at least three cups of coffee a day.

If anyone has questions, feel free to ask.

[Donald G]

Congrats on all your success.

[Christie13]

Way to go Rehab Nurse! I did not realize that you were a shorty like me. (Although you are taller by 2 inches!) Happy Sleeveiversary! Cheers to continued maintenance.

[Ann2]

RehabNurse, you are one of my favorite people here -- because of your mental commitment, your smarts, your medical training, your research skills, and your dedication to doing what needs to be done.

Congratulations to you. Again, I wish we lived closer to each other. I'd love to meet you one day.

[DesertGal]

RehabNurse you have done a superb job! Congratulations to you!

[sraebaer]

Congrats!

[TexasMama]

Your journey is amazing ! I am so happy for you too. My sleeve surgery is tuesday and I cant wait to start my "new" life. You give me hope for my healthy future. Thank you !

Beth

[Merry Mary]

Great job RehabNurse, seems like you found a plan that works for you. What a successful journey you've had.

[jamma]

I love that it took you a while to reach your goal, but that it DID happen. I am 5'0" tall and today my weight registered at 138.5. I am willing to take as long as it takes, time means nothing to me, because after I reach my goal, I have to stay there. The difference between you and me (and probably not the only one) is that I WILL weigh myself every day, because THAT will keep me grounded. I don't always like what I see, but it's information I need. Congratulations on your wonderful achievement!

[Shirl]

✨You RoCk! Keep doing YOU!✨

Thankful for your insight always!

[ghost_ryder]

RN, way to go! I'm glad you did not give up when your goal got harder than you thought. I dream of maintenance mode, 20 pounds to my ultimate goal and it feels like a lifetime away. You inspire us to keep fighting the urges so maintenance can be as sweet as yours.

[sraebaer]

Congrats on your success! You are awesome!

I too started back on regular multi-vitamins (3 years out) but when my nutritionist heard that she freaked! She said I need the bariatric ones for life. Said the generic ones have no iron, and I don't know what else. I caved and bought them. But seriously, we are able to eat so much more now I don't think we are vitamin deficient. Who knows.

[Pattimelt]

I was sleeved two years ago, on April 20, 2015. I did not create a one-year anniversary thread last year because I had not met my goal. However, this is obviously my two-year thread.

I was 218 pounds on the day of my surgery (I am 5'1 tall). This morning I weighed in at 118.9 pounds. I slowly reached my goal of 130 pounds at 14 months out, then attained my second goal of 118 pounds at 17 months out. I have been in maintenance for about 7 months and, though I do not want to speak too soon, it has been going well.

My weight fluctuates between 117 and 119. I only weigh myself twice a month because frequent weigh-ins provoke anxiety for me. My two-year follow-up appointment with the bariatric center was this morning and all of my nutritional labs were within normal limits. I take over-the-counter vitamins rather than the overpriced bariatric supplements.

To keep tight control of my weight, I run an average of 30 miles every week. The vigorous exercise has enabled me to consume 2000+ calories per day without weight gain. Also, I am not on a diet, so I do not have cheat foods. If I want pizza or a cheeseburger, I eat it as long as it can fit into my daily caloric allotment. I also do not measure or track.

I do not like water, so I drink perhaps a 16-ounce bottle of it a day, usually after a workout. In fact, I've never come close to the goal of 64 ounces of water because it makes me urinate every 20 minutes. My favorite drink is unsweetened iced tea. I usually drink between 44 and 64 ounces of unsweet tea per day. I also drink at least three cups of coffee a day.

If anyone has questions, feel free to ask.

Congratulations RehabNurse! You're an inspiration to me and many others! I have a feeling I will lose slowly, so I will think of you and your journey, and how you persevered. I'm only four days out, so I have a LONG journey ahead!

[Jboogie80]

Thanks for this update. I am going for the surgery on May 25th and it's nice to hear that you do live normal. I am afraid of what the new normal is going to be and having to maintain all the requirements, i.e. water intake, protein, etc.

I agree with the vitamins, it seems they overprice the ones for bariatric. Do you buy normal vitamins from places like GNC and are able to swallow them?

Thank you again!

[RehabNurse]

I agree with the vitamins, it seems they overprice the ones for bariatric. Do you buy normal vitamins from places like GNC and are able to swallow them?

To me, GNC is expensive for supplements...

I buy my multivitamins from Walmart and Walgreens. I use either the Centrum or two Flintstones complete multivitamins with iron. I've always been able to swallow my supplements without any issues.