wannalise

Thank you so much for the kind comments! My starting weight was 300lbs (I had peaked at 307 once) and my current weight is 200.6 lbs. My first several months I followed the gold standard of 60-70g Protein, 600-800calories, and less than 30 g carbs. I am more relaxed on the carb aspect than I used to be, but everything else is pretty much the same. I know that monitioring your carbs closely really does make for some the weight come off more quickly and I know for me that the big thing with carbs is that when I am eating carbs I seem to crave lots more food, but this summer I also came to peace with the fact that if this is to be my life and I want to live it in a healthy way I am not going to avoid strawberries and other whole foods. I know of others who stuck with the really low carb through their whole losing phase and lost all their weight and lost it quickly so once again it is something you have to decide with your surgeon and your NUT and yourself.

How awesome! Don't be disheartened at the pace, you are close to goal, no longer one of those numbers that sounds impossible. Your attitude towards this long term seems very healthy and even if you lose slower than others you are setting yourself for keeping it off long term. Good for you! And dang, a size 8 how amazing is that?????

As I sit here and try to say what the last six months has been for me it is really hard to formulate into words. A few years ago I remember watching shows where people had WLS and feeling like they took the easy way out. Mind you I would watch these shows at 200 then 250 then 300 lbs. Telling myself all along that when I was ready I would be able to buckle down and lose weight. I have since learned that weight loss surgery is not the easy way out. Many talk about this being effortless for them and that has not been my experience. I am doing it, my mind and heart and body are changing every day, but this has not been easy. It is hard to go from a life where you are able to find peace or pacify your feelings with a soda, a treat, or with the feeling of being so full that you are distracted from all other feelings. After surgery I was confronted with all new feelings. I was forced to feel discomfort, and I have realized that without discomfort we don't grow. I feel like I was a generally happy person preop. I had a healthy outlook on life. I thought I was attractive, always had friends, had a man in my life who I loved and who loved me. Now I feel like a fog has been lifted. Every aspect of my life is better and it was already good. Six months ago when I headed to Mexico to get surgery I felt like I was going in my own rebellion. Those around me loved me and wanted to support me, but many didn't understand, had seen me struggle to lose weight in other areas, or were afraid that I didn't understand what this would mean in my life. I listened to all those opinions and then trusted myself. I knew what I needed and that it was time. I went alone to get my surgery and my days there are a strange fog. I remember staying in the hotel the night before surgery with a strange excitement knowing that my life would never and could never be the same. Those who were worried and struggled to support me have been my biggest cheerleaders. I have since had 2 other friends get surgery and we are all on this weird journey together. I don't want to sugar coat this whole experience, I have dreams about drinking soda (something that in my waking life I have chosen not to do) I have had mini tantrums in my head when I can't eat the volume that I was accustomed to. I still have to be very mindful of why I am eating. I have discovered that if I am not careful I can still be eating out of boredom, or other emotions. I used to tell myself that was okay as long as I was eating healthy foods, but I have experienced what it is to trust myself and be in control of my actions and know that it isn't about what I am eating, but why. I have learned to enjoy food more. I eat such small quantities that I refuse to eat things I won't enjoy. I still have treats, but I am aware of myself when I do and I savor them. To those of you considering having this surgery, it is not easy, and I know that in my case I will always have some of the same struggles mentally about keeping a healthy relationship with food. But, I will also say this, my knowledge of myself has increased. I feel like as my booty shrinks I grow. I have enjoyed loads of NSV's. I have collar bones, my cholestorol is down 70 points, my feet don't hurt, I am energetic, I have no need to take antidepressants because my hormones are in check, the jeans I buy don't have to come just from Lane Bryant or online. I can walk into Old Navy and grab jeans off the shelf. I am happier and more at peace than I have been in years. The first pic is preop/The second is from my recent trip back to Mexico with my friend who also had surgery. I had just gotten out of the pool and was jumping on a hotel bed so please excuse the crazy, but please note the happy! Anna

Thank you!!! I am in love with these ideas. I needed some new ideas, I get foods that work well for me and I get super stuck! This will definitely mix things up.

Any other crock pot chicken ideas? Chicken is one of my preop favorites, but now unless it is really moist or really crisp I can't do it.

Hi I am going to pipe in and add to what ouroborous said (mostly cuz I am a fan of his posts) but not only do we have the 5 years of studies on this surgery used as a stand alone, there are the years prior where this surgery was used as a first step to those too obese to have bypass. This is also almost identical to the surgery that patients who have stomach cancer get and there are stats out there (look it up in the search, most posted by tiffykins) about their quality of life and health. Health wise you are dodging a bullet. Honest! The health changes I have experienced have been amazing. (within the first three months my cholestoral went from 249 to 181) and that is one of many examples. Good luck, the emotional stuff can be hard sometimes, but hang in there!

NSV's are the best! So glad you are having such success. Anna

I went from being a huge Diet Coke fiend who'd literally tried to quit a hundred times, to someone who just doesn't care for it anymore, almost overnight. Oh I wish I were you! I haven't had it in almost six months (drank several in MX the night before surgery.) I still dream about drinking it occasionally and have clients that I buy soda for and it takes all my strength to not rip it from their hands and guzzle!

We all have different full signals, if you eat really slowly you will begin to sense what your full feels like (and don't eat to fullness, there is a place that is literally a bite before fullness and if you can stop there you will be more comfortable.) My full signal is sneezing! Anna

I followed the rules to a tea and just like clockwork at three months my hair started falling out and now at as I am hitting month 6 it is slowing way down. Bald skinny girls really are all the rage! (It was very frustrating to me, but it will slow down and grow back!) Anna

I had loads of naysayers, they have all shut the hell up now that I have lost nearly 100lbs. Results speak louder than any defense you can make, and you needn't make any apologies for your choices, you are an adult and I'm sure like the rest of us "kooks" who went to Mexico you did your homework and found the surgeons you were comfortable with. Go you! Anna

Mine was whackadoo for a while and things are normal now. Loads of trauma to your body as well as fun changes in hormones. Your body will come back to normal! Anna

Super normal, but thank heavens it goes away. Preop I could eat the spiciest of foods and adored it. The first few months post op I found mild salsa overwhelming! (and it made me mad.) But now I am able to eat most of the things I ate preop and enjoy them. Hang in there! Anna

Okay, I am the other side of the coin, but for different reasons! Even when I have been at goal for a long time and won't be so worried about restiction I know that diet coke (which is truly a nectar of the God's) is something that became too habitual for me, and was a trigger for me to eat crappy food too. I associate diet coke with enchiladas, burgers, cheesecake....(yes there is a pattern here.) I know it is something I need to avoid and post op it has been the most difficult thing for me. It is your call and not all surgeons agree on this one, but this forum already has three of my favorite success stories that I have watched for months, so do what works for you! Best of luck my dear. Anna

Totally normal. Things were even funky for me for a while post op, but (and I am sure you are dying to know...) as long as I stay hydrated things keep "moving" just as they should. Hang in there, that preop stuff really is difficult (mostly the mental part for me) but it rapidly becomes worth it! Anna

Emma, Welcome to our quirky little family. There are many of us from different walks of life, but the commonality is this, we tried everything, we missed out on years of experiences because our bodies (or our worries of judgement) held us back. I am so thrilled that you are taking charge at a young age. There are a variety of different weights people have started at, but as long as you willing to use your sleeve as a tool, follow your surgeon and NUT advice, and find support here and anywhere else you may need it, YOU WILL REACH YOUR GOAL! I could not wrap my head around having to lose 160 pounds. It felt impossible, my original goal for myself was that if I could reach 200lbs I would be satisfied and know that I had made changes for better health, both physically and spiritually, but I know that now I am stronger than I ever realized, I am capable of things I didn't know I could do, and I have a cute ass. Who knew? Keep posting and let others support you as you support them. We can all get to where we dream of being and not waste anymore time on being obese. Best of luck to you! Anna

Welcome aboard. First of all, no need to give a disclaimer on who your surgeon was, I am glad to hear you had a great experience. It seems we all find the place that works best for us, and I'm glad that was the case for you. There really is a wealth of information here and a lot of people ready to answer your questions and support you along the way. Keep on posting! Anna

I am another one of those who was severely obese, but had no comorbidities. But...I was headed there. One of the biggest reasons for me to get surgery was to prevent diabetes and any of the other diseases that can come from obesity (which by the way every major disease has its risk increased by obesity.) Why wait? The sleeve has been amazing, there were health issues that I wasn't even recognizing where related to my obesity. My energy was crap! After those first 50 lbs it was night and day. I have been on a low dose of an antidepressant for about 5 yrs. I don't need it anymore, and not because I am a happier person, because the hormonal changes (we store estrogen in our fat) have allowed me to not need additional help chemically to feel like me. And what a huge blessing that you will be able to do this as a team. I am so excited for you!!!! Anna

There are loads of us who have been to Dr. Aceves and he is absolute heaven, and I really found his post op diet to be succesful for me as well as manageable. If there is anything I can help you with please PM me if you need. Good luck on your journey! Anna

Welcome! This board was a lifeline for me both pre and post op (still is actually), there is really a lot of information, but mostly you can take great comfort in the fact that even though the rest of the people in your life will try to be supportive, they can't fully understand what you will experience unless they have been there. Please keep going and know that you've got lots of cheerleaders right here to support you. Anna

This is a HUGE transition not only for yourself, but also in your relationship. I would want to be honest with my partner and then (this may sound manipulative) let it go and allow her to support you. Step back and then ask her for help in simple ways, ex. I've noticed that you are really great at getting your exercise in, do you think you could support me in that? I love the meatloaf you make, do you think you could help me tweak that recipe so that I still love it, but so that it fits in with my goals. Acknowledge her worries and her shortcoming and then know that even the best intending spouses/partners will not understand this unless they've been here. Best of luck! Anna

It will work for you, it is an excellent tool, but ultimately it is you that will get you and keep you to your goal and you will be surprised to realize that with some support you are much stronger than you ever knew. And on the days when you need a little extra strength we are here for you! Anna

I went alone and was relieved not to have to worry about someone else being bored or sitting there staring at me. That being said, I had a lot of nausea post op because of one of my seizure medications intensifying all the anisthetics, etc. I ended up staying there an extra day and I had an emotional meltdown when Dr. Aceves told me he really felt like it would be in my best interest. Because of this and how difficult I found the airport I wish that I had taken someone. I went a week ago with my best friend and it did help her experience. The staff there are amazing and will do anything for you, but there are still all those little things that having someone there that you love is very comforting. (Also while I was there I was able to get my teeth whitened on the CHEAP, BONUS!!!!) Best of luck with your decision. Anna

I agree, but obviously am not an insurance rep! Most of the preop things that are of concern are the things that would affect you specifically in the surgery itself, i.e, issues with respiration or your heart. Hopefully things go very well for you. Keep on posting! Anna

Miralax. It works way more naturally and doesn't give you cramps. BTW the boards are so smart that just above what I am typing....an add for senokot! Good luck, and MONDAY! It is almost here, I bet you are so excited!!!!!