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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member AnnieG's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Annie
    Surgery date
    10/05/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Ryan Heider
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Last Activity
    11-29-2020 11:18 AM
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    1,572
    Said "Thanks" 3,565 Times
    Was Thanked 1,143 Times in 760 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 271 Times
    Blog Entries
    2

    Cool One Year Appointment Completed!

    MY ONE YEAR JOURNEY :

    http://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/...sing-68-pounds

    A year ago on October 5, 2018 at the age of 65, I had VGS. I began investigating my insurance in August, found out we'd have to be self-pay...so from first consult to surgery was only 2 weeks, all of which were pre-op Optifast 800 days! A year ago I was sleeved at age 66.

    Fast-forward to this morning, my first surgiversary. I weighed in at 122 pounds with a BMI of 21.4 at my annual appointment.

    I feel fabulously, physically and mentally. I look so much younger (I’ll be 67 in May). And I truly feel like I’ve been reborn. Down from 17 meds daily to 4 (plus vitamins) No more diabetes, no more uncontrollable angina, no more high cholesterol. Only down side – stress of second surgery caused lots of hair loss, but its on its way back!

    Planning/Preparing

    Remember when we were preparing for surgery? How many meetings, classes and such did we attend? We were told the more prepared we were the better our chances were for success. And they were right. Go through the house, car and work place and get rid of trigger foods. Stock up on foods that will keep you on track. I removed every bad carb/sugar temptation and replaced it with lots of protein, veggies, grains and fruits.

    Food

    • Minimum amount of protein—at least 70 grams to start
    • Protein first at every meal
    • Drank 8 glasses of water daily (or at the very least 8 glasses of liquids daily); Dehydration slows weight loss and makes you feel like crap.
    • Gradually added healthy (colored) veggies, then non-starchy fruits, then whole grain*
    • Took my vitamins/minerals and Rxs daily and on schedule
    • Ate 5 small meals a day – I could not get enough calories in doing 3 and my doctor said it was fine, as long as I didn't “graze” all day
    • Chewed my food well and ate more slowly
    • Didn’t drink 15 minutes before or 30 minutes after a meal
    • Avoided / minimized highly processed, high-carb foods and slider foods like potatoes, white rice, white breads, crackers, cookies, chips. I did eat (and tolerate) small amounts of air popped popcorn
    • Moved more than I used to move and gradually kept moving even more
    • Tried to sleep at least 7 hours a night; my natural rhythm is early to bed/early to rise and I live with a late to bed/late to rise husband and 2 dogs
    • Minimized stress—for me, this meant I stopped feeling like I could fix everything for everyone, including my “adult children”. I found it was good to surround myself with people who were basically kind, and eliminating a few toxic relationships, and avoiding over-scheduling myself with projects and commitments.

    Journal

    I have always journalled. It helps me identify when you feel like eating, stress factors and any triggers in your life. Once you identify these factors, this will help you put tools in place to keep you from eating. It became clear I was not taking time for me anymore. I purged my home I have to eat clean as there are no other options LOL, but retained some of my husband/family's favorites and just realized they were not for me any more.

    Use a tool to track you're eating and exercise. I use MyFitnessPal. Once I started to track ever bite and drink it became clear why I do better some days than others.

    Goals/Rewards

    Make a list of goals for yourself. Make them realistic and small. Some of mine were move more, purge all junk from my home, eat more protein. If you didn't make a Weight Loss Surgery bucket list when you first had surgery do it now. GREAT reminder of all the things you can enjoy in life after losing weight.

    MOVE!
    Starting slow to avoid injury by walking and using some of the workouts on my Demand TV. Find something you love to do and it won't feel like a pain in the *** to do daily. I wear a FitBit and my goal is low (5,000 steps) but I exceed it most days.

    Support

    If it's an option "run" don't walk to a support group. Come here for support and participate in one of the food threads. It helps you be accountable and also great ideas for food prep.

    Unsolicited Advice:

    • Don’t overeat, but don’t starve yourself either. As your healing continues, eat more healthy food and raise your calories gradually. My maintenance calories (because I'm not very active) is between 1200-1300 calories; I make sure 90 grams of protein is in there!
    And continue to visit and support this awesome, wise group of people on the same journey.
    [I]HW: 240 lbs SW: 199 lbs GW: 140 lbs

    1 MO = 167.0 2 MO = 156.4 3 MO = 148.4 4 MO = 140.6
    5 M) = 136.0 6 MO = 130.0
    1 YR = 122.0 2 YR = 140.00 2.5 YR = 139
    Happy with my weight; happy with my size; over-the-moon with my health!


  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member Ann2's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Ann2
    Surgery date
    08/18/2014
    Surgeon
    n.a.
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    6,630
    Said "Thanks" 5,839 Times
    Was Thanked 5,052 Times in 2,720 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3,616 Times
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    Annie, YEA!!!!!

    And this is a great post. Very explicit. Very clear.

    Many people will find this thread incredibly useful.



    Consult: 235 lbs
    My and doc's preop diet: 216 -19 lbs
    M1 postop 205 -30
    M2 193 -42
    M3 184 -51
    M4 174 -61
    M5 167 -68
    M6 162 -73
    M7 156 -79
    M8 151 -84
    M9 148 -87
    M10 146 -89
    M11 144 -91
    M12 143 -92
    M13 142 -93
    M14 140 -95
    M15 139 -96
    M16 137 -98
    M17 135 -100

    First Surgiversary post

    Second Surgiversary post

    Third Surgiversary post

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  5. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    04/10/2018
    Surgeon
    DR Halstead
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Last Activity
    11-01-2021 08:04 AM
    Posts
    362
    Said "Thanks" 143 Times
    Was Thanked 257 Times in 184 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1 Times
    Blog Entries
    26

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    Annie, well done. You are an inspiration and you look fantastic.



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  7. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member AnnieG's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Annie
    Surgery date
    10/05/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Ryan Heider
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Last Activity
    11-29-2020 11:18 AM
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    1,572
    Said "Thanks" 3,565 Times
    Was Thanked 1,143 Times in 760 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 271 Times
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    Quote Originally Posted by Ann2 View Post
    Annie, YEA!!!!!

    And this is a great post. Very explicit. Very clear.

    Many people will find this thread incredibly useful.
    Thank you Miss Ann! I want to be you when I grow up!
    [I]HW: 240 lbs SW: 199 lbs GW: 140 lbs

    1 MO = 167.0 2 MO = 156.4 3 MO = 148.4 4 MO = 140.6
    5 M) = 136.0 6 MO = 130.0
    1 YR = 122.0 2 YR = 140.00 2.5 YR = 139
    Happy with my weight; happy with my size; over-the-moon with my health!

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  9. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member KiwiGal's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Lisa
    Surgery date
    09/04/2017
    Surgeon
    Stephanie Ulmer
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Last Activity
    05-24-2021 09:49 PM
    Location
    Auckland New Zealand
    Posts
    1,417
    Said "Thanks" 797 Times
    Was Thanked 909 Times in 702 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 750 Times
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    Woohoo Annie. Happy 1 year surgiversary!
    You have really embraced and run with this wonderful tool that we have.
    So much great information in your post - and all your other posts. You are so very supportive of everyone in the group.
    You are the best!



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  11. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  12. #6
    sraebaer
    Guest   Change Avatar!

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    So proud of you! You have had health obstacles in your life but never used them as an excuse. You are a champion!!

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  14. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member Christie13's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Christie
    Surgery date
    11/03/2016
    Surgeon
    Dr. Wright
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Last Activity
    09-12-2019 04:13 PM
    Posts
    5,169
    Said "Thanks" 978 Times
    Was Thanked 2,940 Times in 2,192 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1,465 Times
    Blog Entries
    97

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    Love your post and love your post on obesity coverage as well. I always think it's so brave when people put it out there like that. You rock Annie!!



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  16. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member Pudsley's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/02/2018
    Surgeon
    Professor Bulbuller
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Last Activity
    03-05-2020 11:13 AM
    Location
    Turkey
    Posts
    237
    Said "Thanks" 145 Times
    Was Thanked 166 Times in 104 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 35 Times
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    You are a star!

    An amazing achievement in a year to have accomplished so much with so many benefits for your health and life itself.

    Truly inspiring to read and humbling too!

    Look at You!
    A Beautiful lady with an Angelic face.

    I am so happy for you!



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  18. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member Dutchie's Avatar
    Name
    Simonne
    Surgery date
    01/03/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Pablo Enriquez Valens
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last Activity
    07-05-2020 12:35 AM
    Posts
    1,494
    Said "Thanks" 1,206 Times
    Was Thanked 1,222 Times in 797 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 365 Times
    Blog Entries
    8

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    Congratulations Annie, you did it!
    You are a beautiful woman, inside and out.
    On to the new adventure called maintenance.
    English is not my first language anymore, so I may and do make mistakes in my spelling, or say things oddly. Please ask me, if you want any clarifications.



  19. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member kenson's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    01/13/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Karl Strom
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    06-29-2023 07:07 PM
    Posts
    1,354
    Said "Thanks" 43 Times
    Was Thanked 726 Times in 509 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 51 Times
    Blog Entries
    27

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    Congratulations!



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  21. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member GlennA18's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Glenn
    Surgery date
    08/14/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr. Holder-Haynes
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Last Activity
    01-06-2019 10:32 AM
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    165
    Said "Thanks" 132 Times
    Was Thanked 134 Times in 87 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 9 Times

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    You're an inspiration. I hope to enjoy the same success as you!

    Thanks!



    * High Weight = 339 * * * Surgery Weight = 276 *

  22. #12
    Gastric Sleeve Member Kristi7928's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Kristi
    Surgery date
    09/27/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr. Bradley Thaemert
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Last Activity
    04-17-2022 02:53 PM
    Location
    Sioux Falls
    Posts
    173
    Said "Thanks" 72 Times
    Was Thanked 134 Times in 78 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!

    Happy 1 year Mama A! Congrats on all your success. I am so glad I have met you through this journey! I love you!! <3
    HW: 245.4 SW: 243 CW: 160 GW: 135


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  24. #13
    Gastric Sleeve Member Rexcom's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Rex
    Surgery date
    11/13/2018
    Surgeon
    Christopher D. Joyce
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Last Activity
    01-31-2019 09:39 PM
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    90
    Said "Thanks" 158 Times
    Was Thanked 60 Times in 43 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 11 Times

    Default Re: One Year Appointment Completed!



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