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Healthy_Life2 is giving some really solid advice and feedback. I appreciate her comments. I am only 2 months out so can't comment on weight regain. I can say that I have made a complete 180 in my lifestyle choices. I am extremely diligent in following my post-op dietary plan. I track daily caloric intake using the MyFitnessPal App and then go over my macros in the evening to make sure I am on target. I wouldn't even call it a diet--because that's such a temporary thing. I am looking at this as a new lifestyle. I have deviated from the standard plan provided by my doctor (I did discuss it with him and my nutritionist) and I am following a very low carb keto style plan (although too high in protein intake to be a true keto diet). This type of lifestyle provides me with very clear guidelines of what I can and cannot eat--which makes choosing foods easy, I do track calories too and set a limit to how many calories I can consume in a day, but this isn't hard since I am usually very satisfied sticking to my plan. Even if my ability to eat more increases, I feel like I can make good choices that may increase the volume of food that I eat without causing me to over-consume. When they say the sleeve is only a tool, they do mean it. Losing weight post-op is still a lot of work and requires a lot of discipline. The big difference is you are no longer fighting against your high set point, so instead of heating a plateau and suffering terrible hunger and cravings, you don't have that set point fight against you. The volume restriction is also helpful, but as Healthy_Life2 said, you can eat more frequently and undermine this process. I also now get up early in the morning to hit the gym before work and I love that "me" time. Even though this new and still "exciting" for me, it's a lifestyle that I can be happy with for the long term. I do not miss sleeping in late or eating carb heavy foods. I hope I still feel this way 2 or 5 or 10 years from now, but I am definitely happy right now. I can say that you need to be mentally prepared to make major lifestyle changes after you have the surgery (before as well!!). You need to have a healthy lifestyle plan in place and be 100% committed to following it through after surgery. I think the people that commit to following a healthy lifestyle plan will be successful long term. The people that only follow the post-op plan "most of the time" and "only cheat a little" are probably not following the plan very much at all and are cheating a lot!! I have gone to a few support group meetings and there are so many people that show up that can't understand why the weight isn't coming off them, while their friends lost so much. After talking more, it turns out that, as a result of surgery, they cut down their portions of crappy processed fast foods and other junk foods, but they continue to eat the same crap they ate before surgery (just less of it). That's not how you get down to a 25 BMI!!! You have to use this opportunity not only to cut down on your portions, but change your food and lifestyle choices. The people that make these changes and stick to it don't seem to have issues with regain (other than the normal 5-10 pound fluctuations that should be expected).

I am so speechless at this picture. My work had an event at a Disney Hotel on Saturday night! When i saw this PIC.. I look totally like a different person.. Besides being dressed up LOL! The first one is me before surgery, and the second is Sat night! My first post op pic share!

I'm telling EVERYBODY about my weight loss surgery. I know everyone has to make their own decision but here's the reasons I came to mine. First off it seems like it will be so much easier to tell the whole truth. Second- I want to help other people in my everyday life understand how much this surgery can help someone instead of having it stigmatized. Third- EVERYONE already knows. Believe me. Any time I was at work, when someone had a weight loss procedure done and didn't tell anyone or claimed they were working out and eating, right, after they left the room people would say, " Why don't he/she just tell the truth?" "It's obvious he/she had surgery ". People are not stupid. Especially ones you've worked with for years. Is it anybody's business? NO! Not at all. That's why I absolutely agree and see why some choose not to tell. It's your own business so you have every right to keep it to yourself. This is just my decision.

I had this issue for several months and a family member had it for over a year. Chronic cough that is not attributable to other ENT conditions is very typical of GERD. In my case, the only way to be sure was endoscopy with biopsy and brush samples sent for laboratory interpretation. This will also rule out more serious issues as well (Barrett's esophagus, neoplasm, etc.) What about trying different GERD medications? In the past Rabeprazole (Aciphex) worked for me, but I was switched to Pantoprazole (Protonix) which has been much more effective.

Thank you so much!

You are totally right (but I may be biased, too - LoL - also a counselor!), we lost our #1 coping tool and have to start feeling "all the things," probably for the first time in a really long time. For me, it was like being an addict (who am I kidding, I am an addict) jonesing for the next hit so I could "numb it all away." For some of us (yes, us - even some therapists), we will always need medication. I look at it like this - the meds are like my life raft - but it's still up to me to paddle if I want to get anywhere. ~SW: 278 CW: 165~ RNY 1/5/2005 "What got you here won't get you there."

Update! I called my medical group to check in and they said I’ve been approved!!! Glad I didn’t wait to hear from the Surgeon’s office 🙄

Medical professionals : why do you do the work you do? Why did choose to work with Bariatric patients? OMGOSH, the responses have been amazing. From family and personal experiences you learn so much. I met nurse, who attended an Ivy League school, who has been practicing for two years and loves work with people. On two occasions, she grew her hair and donated the hair to organizations that make wigs for children. So, I challenge you in the midst of your discomfort, to focus on people around you - so they see understand that Bariatric patients are individuals who want to live, love, dance in the rain, and focusing on this experience to share with others. Man, could we focus on the bad things but I am focusing on the great things awaiting me on the other side! Thank you Lord!

I was blessed to have a recovery room nurse that shared her before/after WLS photos with me, she'd lost 109 pounds and she kept me preoccupied from feeling nauseous and sick while recovering from the surgery.

I am right there with you! Absolutely terrified, and my surgery is just in 4 days! (Well, less than now, technically!) I keep thinking of literally every worst case scenario (thanks, anxiety!) But in general, these surgeries are pretty safe overall. Just have to watch out for complications and be vigilant about taking care of ourselves afterwards. If you ever want to talk about your fears, feel free to message me (cause I completely understand and feel much the same worries!) Take care!