Better late than never...

Well, it's been over 3 1/2 years since I had my sleeve done now, and I'm still very happy with my decision. I suppose that's partially what inspired me to come back and add something, because it's all well and good to follow the blog of someone in the honeymoon stages of being sleeved... but what about a few years later? There's the possibility of regaining the ability to binge-eat, there's potential regains in weight, potential health-related dramas... so I wanted to add a little more info about my life now, as a long-term sleever.

I'll start with the usual stats. I can't remember what my measurements were last time I checked in, but I'm fairly certain there's been no real difference.

Current weight: 67.2kg
Bust: 39 inches (99.5cm)
Waist: 27 inches (68cm)
Hips: 39 inches (99.5cm)

And, even though I loathe this measure of health, my BMI is now 26, which is JUST in the "overweight," category. I don't class myself as overweight, and not sure too many other people would either if I'm honest, so I'm not too bothered with that at all. 

I'm mostly wearing size 10 clothing in almost everything I buy, with the exception of a few items. I recently purchased a pair of jeans after never really being able to fit properly into pants (even the pairs I have owned have never fit too well) due to gaping around my lower back. Turns out I potentially just have no idea when it comes to fitting jeans, and for some peculiar reason I let the sales assistant actually assist me (I never usually allow this), and the size 10 I had on were apparently much too big. I always assumed certain crinkles were due to my lack of height but perhaps it was just I was trying on too-big jeans. So... size 8 jeans for the win.

Now, let me just address the fact that not EVERYONE will be 3.5 years post-op and be in a size 8. Some of it is due to being sleeved, some of it is due to the changes I've made in my life post-op and some of it is down to nothing but pure luck. My sleeve restriction seems to be quite strong compared to many who are as far out as me... but there are plenty of people doing just as well as I have this far along too. It's a bit of a luck of the draw issue, though I'm sure that some people have played a part in their own success, as well as their choice of surgeon and other professional helpers, that comes into it.

I've found that my health has been quite good... though I have discovered that I have low iron (very common in women in general, so the sleeve isn't necessarily to blame... though having a restricted stomach capacity would potentially limit the amount of iron I can consume) and low Vitamin K which is due to me disliking the sun and spending most of my day indoors due to choice and/or work environments. They are really the only health issues I've had to face since being sleeved, and they're fairly easily remedied if I'm honest... so the sleeve, for me at least, hasn't wreaked any havoc on my body at this point in time. It's cleared me of terrible blood pressure and has rid me of crippling plantar fasciitis, so being low on a few things (I was low on iron pre-op too, mind you) is not of great concern to me.

Naturally, I'm still very impressed with my results and very happy with my decision to have had gastric sleeve surgery.

Let's talk life though. SO MANY THING have changed for me post-op. I'm not the same person I was. Some may see this a bad thing, but for me it's only been positive.

Pre-op, I was a stay-at-home mother, who didn't work, who didn't have friends, who had just given up on a uni degree... I was fat and bored and lonely. I was shy and quiet in real life, and really had no inclination to go out and meet people. I was scared of life, scared of the reactions people might have to me and my obesity and just generally a bit of a hermit. I acted like I had given up on life and was just waiting for it to hurry along. I was also ridiculously insecure in my relationship and this would often cause fights... borne from my own lack of self-esteem.

Now, 3.5 years out, where am I?

Look, I'm not going to tell you I'm the CEO of some amazing company or anything far-fetched like that... it's not like I lost weight and became a millionaire or some such thing. Since my op though...

*I've furthered my education and gained more qualifications
*Near the end of my study, I became employed. I have been a full-time worker ever since (with the exception of 3 weeks as I ended one job and went to another).
*I became a valuable asset in both of my 2 most recent jobs, and I know that I'm currently not too far away from a promotion.
*I'm not shy! In fact, I'm considered quite assertive and dominant (though in a good way, apparently) within my workplace. Never would I consider myself dominant beforehand!
*I was independant enough (previously I've always been very reliant on others) to fully financially support my family (partner and daughter) for over a year on my own.
*I'm not insecure. Look, I have moments of insecurity, like most people, but all in all, I'm quite secure in who I am and how I look.
*I drive. Not a big one for many, but I was mid-20s before I got my license... for me, it was a huge deal.
*I have plenty of friends and while I don't have that much time to socialise, it wouldn't be a struggle to think of people to socialise with if need be.

They're just a few of the massive changes to my life since my op. They're not HUGE things, but to me, they've made a world of difference. The person I am now is so much different to the person I was, and it's been something I really regret not having done sooner. I wish I could have been this person for longer... I would have had a much easier/happier life!

Food is another thing people often wonder this far out - what can you eat? Well, what can't I eat? I can eat everything... just in small quantities.

On an average day at work I might eat...
Breakfast: Up n Go Energize on my way to work (I don't like eating in the morning, I never have)
Morning Tea: Small skinny latte
Lunch: 1/2 Sumo Salad OR 2 sushi rolls OR a small tin of tuna and crackers OR half a ham and salad pita etc.
Afternoon tea: Rarely occurs
Dinner: About 3/4 cup food.
After dinner snack: An apple OR a few cubes of chocolate OR a protein bar etc.

That's roughly my daily intake... at times it might look more like I'm living off 2 minute noodles or tinned soup or something... and other days I'll look like I'm barely eating. It really varies... but the quantities are always similar.

I suppose now, this is where I share pics. I always loved looking at before/afters pre-op and early into my op to see how far I might be able to come too, so I've always thought it important to share.

Not the best photos, but they show a difference all the same... my middle used to be 101cm. That used to be the smallest part of my torso. It's now wider than ANY part of my torso, including my bust/hips.

 Again, a side on pic that isn't perfect, but it's still a hell of a lot smaller than I used to be. Also more tanned.

My face has changed in size. Tried to choose photos from a similar angle with my head angled the same way. My boobs have certainly gone down a bit though.

Tried to get some non-selfie posed full-body shots. 

     

Bathroom selfies to show off new items of clothing have certainly changed as well. That's one thing I'm really really happy with - my figure has certainly kept some curve to it as I've lost weight. My bust has gone down quite a bit in size, but I'm really glad that I've still got my curves. 

Till next time...