POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery Reviews
62 Yr. Old Houston Female, 100 Lbs. Overweight - but Not for Long!
UPDATED FROM ChattyCathy
2 years post
2 Years Post Op
WORTH IT$25,000
Haven't been on site in so long but life has been busy and hard over the past year. I lost my father last fall and my mother earlier this month. Mom was disabled and required daily care but she was the glue of our family and will be so missed. I pray my four siblings and I stay close as I've heard some families don't stay as close after both parents have passed. None of us are so close geographically that we see each other all the time so I will make an extra effort to continue family get togethers at holidays and so forth. This has also affected my eating habits. I am not as conscious of what I choose as I once was and have found I definitely have a sweet tooth now. Now that I have more free time, i plan to get back to more physical exercise. My lowest weight post op was 157 lbs and a size 8 pants and medium or size 10 tops. Sadly I have regain and now weigh 177 and wear a 10 -12 pants and large or 12-14 tops. I always said if I went back up just one size, I was going to get back to basics and here I am so I will go back to drinking 4 protein shakes per day and an evening meal of protein and non-carb veggies with no more than 800 calories per day. That is the plan that allowed me to lose 61 lbs on my own before the sleeve surgery and hopefully it will work again. I have learned it is truly just a tool and we must be cognizant of our choices every single day. Will let you know how things are going.
ChattyCathy's provider
UPDATED FROM ChattyCathy
1 year post
14 Months Post Op
Just posting a new pic. Not much to report...weight stays between 160 and 170. Will increase my exercise when cooler temps set in to stay and hopefully get into the 150s. Finding I can eat more and can tolerate sweets now without any problem. Have to watch that. Wasn't a sugar craver before surgery, now I am. My weakness was always breads. Now can't hold bread as it expands and causes discomfort in the sleeve. I still have to eat every few hours or my stomach gets empty and growls really LOUD!! and sometimes hurts too. I haven't been drinking enough lately so will try to increase liquid intake and see if that helps the between meals hunger. Still have blood pressure problem with the top number due to scarring on my left kidney from the hemorrhage I had last year. Dr. is suggesting I have a stent placed in the main vessel of that kidney to open it back up from the scarring and hopefully will take care of the high pressure problem. Not looking forward to another surgery but been on 5 different meds and none of them are controlling it. Doing great otherwise. Did not have to have a skin graft for the cancer on my leg last spring after all and no further problems there but have to watch it for several years to be sure as it was a stage two. Will update again at 18 months post op and let you know how I'm doing. Pray all of you are having success on your journeys.
Replies (2)
November 3, 2015
HOT DAMN....look at you sexy mama! I almost didn't recognize you in the pics. You look fabulous!!!! I defiantly can't wait for mine now...
November 3, 2015
Well Cathy you got it going on! I am so happy to see the success you are having. I am 63 in January so we are in the same boat. Funny I too had a little battle with the cancer bug but it was found in time and removed. I am a low BMI person. I got my sleeve done Oct.8 so I will be one month on Sunday. I have gone from 215 to 195 and it just seems to hold but I will continue to fight. I get to exercise starting on Sunday and hope it will jump start my goal to reach 135 to 145. Because I like to life weights I may weigh more but in dress size I am looking for a 10 to always fit!!! We will see. There are still a few tricks up my sleeve lol. thanks for sharing I will watch for your next post.
November 10, 2015
You are doing great for the first month. Keep it up. Now that you can begin to exercise, you will see more come off. You got this! Post some pics so you can SEE your progress. It helps when you have stalls, etc.
UPDATED FROM ChattyCathy
6 months post
6 Months Post-op Tomorrow
Seems I am stuck at 160 lbs and wanted to be at 150 by now. I am happy with my pant size 10 but wanted to be in a medium top and usually have to wear a large. Oh well. No guarantee the remaining 10 lbs will come off the top anyway. I am still having problems with my top blood pressure number which is too high but that is due to the hemorrhage I had after my surgery. Everything else looks good according to my last labs. I have lost a substantial amount of hair but can see it is beginning to come back in a few places. I continue to take my biotin (10000 mcg) and get in 80 - 100 grams of protein per day. So glad I did this surgery and not a single regret.
Replies (5)
March 7, 2015
Lovely to read an update from you ChattyCathy, you have been one of my 'carrots' from the start, having your op a couple of months before me and at a similar age, you lead my confidence to do this. I'm still experiencing hair loss and I'm not sure if there is new growth, or if I'm imagining it. I've been very creative styling it yet I've notice a couple of times people looking up and not in my eyes when chatting. Still, no regrets, not a one here. I'm on 169 lbs, and at 5'8", that feels fine but off for my labs next week to make sure my body is doing as well as I think. Is 150 lbs your own/surgeons goal and right for age and height estimate? I'm so glad you did this surgery too, because you gave me hope.
March 8, 2015
zen I just started taking 7,500 mcg of biotin and I think the hair lost is lessening. hopefully it is true. because it's passable right now. I am down to 173.3# now. losing a little slower than you but that's okay I feel a lot better. being that you are 5'8' and only 169# I bet you look beautiful, (not that you weren't before)
March 8, 2015
haha Maryella1, I haven't bothered with biotin as I could not find any research that supported any benefit but I think I'll get over that and try it anyway now! I'm never a beauty but what I am now is comfortable in my body, and confident that I have this for the rest of my life. I look less for external comforts (food, spending, presenting image) and find peace and security from being 'acceptable'. There just a few pounds between us and I notice less difference the closer I get to the surgeons goal, in just 4 lbs less. I never 'try' to lose weight, I just eat how I feel like eating and I leave it to my body. It's a wonderful time!
March 8, 2015
i'm sure not keeping close attention to calories, carbs and protein and water. but I think I am doing pretty good. I have paid attention to my steps with a up band and I am doing decent, almost reached a full 10,000 steps one day (not the norm) I just try to eat as much protein that I can get in, drinking isopure, and shakes and paying attention to how my urine look's when I void.
March 9, 2015
Zen lady, 150 lbs is MY goal. The doctor says I should be at 135 - 140 so my BMI will be at 25, but everyone says they think I look just fine where I am and that will be too small. I kind of have a small stature on bottom (thin legs and small hips) and have always been broader on top and through the shoulders. I suppose that's why I had an apple shape when I was so heavy rather than a pear like most women. I've always carried most of my weight from the waist up. Belly fat and large breasted rather than a big bootie and wide hips. I have lost most of the breast fat and they sag just awful but can be camouflaged in a padded, well supporting bra. I have skin that sags under my arms and on my torso spilling over the sides of my bra but nothing I can do about that except for surgery and doubt I will ever have that. I might have a tummy tuck so my pants fit properly and to stop skin irritation under the apron of loose skin. It's not too bad now, but I know come summer it's going to be a battle to keep it dry under there in the Houston heat and humidity. The doctor says if it gets out of control, that some insurance companies will pay for it to be removed. We shall see. I just had a spot removed over my right shin by the dermatologist and it came back cancer so now h ave to see a plastic surgeon as I will probably need a skin graft as there is so little fat and tissue over the shin bone now. (Wish this had happened before the weight loss so I would not have needed the skin graft.) They will take skin from the excess on my abdomen to do the graft. I pray they get it all and it hasn't gone to the bone. I appreciate everyone's prayers for a good report.
March 10, 2015
prayers go out to you cathy and I know what you me about the loose skin. I said from the beginning I won't have the skin removed, but the stomach skin is a problem. take care.
March 10, 2015
Good luck Chatty you have done well!! Good thoughts for ya!!! I have upper legs little belly sag as well .Not sure tucks are in future lol
March 8, 2015
I too am still on bp meds also, I am only 4 mos. out and haven't been to see the dr that did surgery since January due to go back in april. so I have to get my blood work done. I have to go pc before that so maybe she will take me off of bp meds. I just started taking 7500 mcg of biotin I was only taking 2,000 mcg a day.
March 10, 2015
Hi Maryella, went to pharmacy for biotin but they don't carry it, hoping health shops do and will try there tomorrow. GP said she didn't think it helped today, but I'll give it my best dosage. GP said it passes after 9-12 months, lady I might be bald by then haha!
March 11, 2015
i know what you mean, it's amazing how much hair comes out each time I wash my hair and comb through it. I don't know if it's wishful thinking or if it has slowed down. just look up other vitamin sites and you might find it cheaper. I couldn't find it at Walmart or anywhere else in the higher strengths own. I ordered the large strength of biotin on puritan pride online, they were running a special of buy two bottles get three free.
March 9, 2015
I'm 4 days post op and feeling major regrets. I would love to talk to you if possible. My email is bgmiller1416@gmail.com. If you'll send me and email I will email you my phone number. I'm feeling very anxious, thanks.
March 10, 2015
bgmiller, I'm so sorry you are feeling regretful. I'm not sure who you want to email and call you but I hope you get the support you need. Your surgeon or his/her team might be somewhere you can go. Thinking of you.
March 17, 2015
bgmiller, I am so sorry to hear you regret having the surgery. You did not go into any details as to why so not sure how to reassure you except to say it is early in the post op stage and it was tough for me also, especially since I had a kidney hemorrhage right after my surgery. Nothing tasted good and I struggled to get down fluids. Good thing I was in the hospital as I was getting IV fluids or I'm sure I would have been dehydrated. Please know it gets better. By week 3, I was doing much better and could drink my fluids although my taste buds were sensitive for another few weeks and I had to be very careful and only drink and eat a little bit until I was sure I could handle it. About 6 to 8 weeks out, I was feeling much better and at 8 weeks I began to eat solids again. Do not push yourself. Do what you can do and by all means let your doctor know if you are struggling with keeping liquids down and he can give you something for nausea. Remember to sip and when you get on solids to take VERY SMALL bites and chew VERY well and SLOWLY. I am 6 months out now and eat normally, but still have to work on eating slowly and small bites, especially when I get busy and am over hungry because I waited too long between meals. My taste buds returned to normal finally and now I can handle the sweet taste. Meat cooked in the crock pot is moist and tastes best so I eat alot of slow cooker meats and I enjoy soups. Don't have alot of room for veggies after I finish my protein but try to eat a bite or two of non carb veggies when I can. I also eat protein bars for mid morning and mod afternoon snack to help me get my protein in. I also have a protein Chai Tea Latte from bariatriceating.com every morning, and some evenings before bedtime. Love that stuff! I recently tried Supreme protein bars in the chocolate caramel with 15 gms protein. I could not have eaten that early on after surgery as it tastes sweet like a candy bar, but now it tastes wonderful. Things will get better as time goes on and you will need to experiment with various protein products to find what you like. Don't give up. Also, if you had a psyche eval before surgery and are still struggling emotionally, try to make an appointment with your psychologist and they may be able to help you deal with the emotional changes. Ask if your doctor has a support group for post ops and go and meet some other post ops as it will help you to not feel alone in this and you will get ideas and resources from them. I made a list of all the reasons I wanted to get healthy again and what I would do and reviewed it often and especially on the hard days. Sorry I did not see your post sooner. I changed my account preferences to get a weekly notification instead of daily and just got your comment. I will email this to your email address as well. Hang in there! Yo can do this.
March 10, 2015
My prayers are with you ChattyCathy. You haven't gone thru all this to have a cancer scare, so it just has to be fine, but I'm sure it's a huge worry. I do have a laugh at my wrinkly bat wings (others call them arms) but 3/4 sleeves mostly keep them under jiggerly control. I had an apronectomy 15 years ago during a low weight period so that area never returned to fat, but I've got enough thigh skin for three and can make some amazing skin folds on the upper area below my breasts but hidden in tops and fitted trousers, I'm just fine. I dislike surgery and doubt I'll consider cosmetic help at this age. I've never been a beach goer, so really even summer clothes hide the loose skin baggage well enough for me. It's funny how low Drs think is needed for some of us, I think I'm lucky with mine who set a target just over 4 lbs away. I'll be a nice size 10 USA, both top and bottom at that weight, being 5' 8", (or a 12 AUS sizing), and I certainly know that's enough at 62 years of age!
March 13, 2015
I'm glad that you're doing well. I'm 5'5" and currently at 182#, down 55#, 6 mos. at VS surgery. I'm lucky that I did not lose any hair during this time. I've never had much trouble with blood pressure but did have high sugar & cholesterol which are both much better now. I will take meds for cholesterol no matter how thin I am. I'm happy for your great progress. I do not have any goal numbers, as long as I feel good & look good so I may stay at 182# forever or may work my way down another 10#....time will tell.
March 14, 2015
Happy with Smaller, 55! That's just brilliant, congratulations! Hair loss/thinning is certainly not something I'm happy with but I'll take it along with weight loss. I read it gets better and I'm hoping that happens soon but still no regrets here. Again, lovely to read your loss and common sense approach.
Replies (2)