giogirl

I had my band removed last year and I'm going for sleeve next week, I'm so happy to hear this because I hated getting stuck w the band, I felt like eating healthier foods were harder to eat than crappy food to get down.

This is definitely temporary. I'm almost 9 months out, wow just realized that, and love eating! I love making something delicious and satisfying not just something to put in my mouth. I love being full on a small portion and knowing my surgery is working for me. I don't know about you, but when I thought I loved food before, I also have to remember all the over eating and discomfort from that. All the times I wished I could stop eating. Hope that helps :-)

First.....Please understand that what I'm about to say is not real complaining. I just need to get it off my chest and I don't think any of my friends or family can possibly understand. Also, I DO NOT regret surgery. I'm 2.5 months in and have lost 54lbs! I'm working on my issues that lead me to my surgery weight of 338lbs, and overall...my life is really good right now. It's hard, but good.
But.....oh how I miss food! I miss being hungry, eating a good meal, then being satisfied. Eating is still work at this stage. Tracking, counting, measuring and all the rest. Then, when I finally get to the eating part...I'm full after 5-8 small bites (I'm only able to tolerate about 1.5 ounces). I swear I can hear the 'wa wa waaaaaaa' horns in the background. Lol. I know small meals are a good thing. That's the whole fricken point of surgery! But it's definitely not satisfying. And I miss that.
However I don't miss walking 10 feet and being a sweaty mess, not fitting in seats, not fitting in clothes, going to dr apt after dr apt for my increasing poor health, and a million other things that I am working to leave behind. The good definitely outweighs the bad. But still....I miss enjoying a satisfying meal.

Sure I will share my journey. I struggled with my weight once I married and started having children. I would lose on fad diets i.e. Atkins x 2, Weight Watchers, Low calorie and low fat, then I would gain it all back plus some. I decided the only way to lose it for good was to have surgery, so after much research I decided to do it. I had my 1st appt. Jan. 12, 2017, was told that I would need a psych. eval, nutrition class, and endoscopy. I was able to complete those very quickly and had Gastric Sleeve surgery Feb. 28th, 2017. Pre-op was no fun but bearable, mine was weeks long on just liquid. I was in hospital for 1 night, I had no issues. I have had laparoscopic surgery before when they took my gallbladder out and this was about the same. I walked, walked, and walked some more during my stay in the hospital (the narcotics are like caffeine to me). Walking and getting up to move is vital for a quick recovery. Lots of burping in the beginning, before during and after eating but that goes away. Learning to "eat" again has been a balancing act, but it is so easy now. Post surgery I had a week of full liquids, then pureed for 2 weeks, soft food for 2 weeks and then to regular food. During the pureed, I ate baby food and Protein Shakes. I have apparently a tough stomach as I did not have issues eating. My bariatric surgeon recommends a Mediterranean diet, fish fruits and veggies. I eat what I am supposed to eat and do not cheat with food that is no good for me. Everything you put in your mouth after surgery should be something that is vital for you body to have, because you won't have room to waste on stuff that won't give you any nutritional value. You WILL have stalls after and wonder why you aren't losing when you are really barely eating anything but this is not a bad thing, if you lose too fast you are most likely burning muscle mass and not fat. I don't exercise religiously but I do try to get in a little weight training or walking several times a week. I HATE exercise!! This has been a relatively easy process for me because I am 100% committed to being healthy!! Nothing will make me eat like I did before, its not an option in my opinion. I never want to feel that way again because being healthy feels so much better. Good luck on your journey!! Feel free to ask anything else!

I had problems getting Water down, but I was good with ice chips. I ate so much ice the first few days, by the end of the 1st week, I was drinking much better. I'm now 2 weeks out, and I can take 2 or 3 gulps at a time with no problems. But, I can only drink SUPER COLD water.

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That was an amazing post. Truth and funny at the same time. 😊 Blessings to you on your journey hon!!!!

This is a really temporary thing. As you heal life becomes more normalized and food is definitely satisfying.

I had my band removed last year and I'm going for sleeve next week, I'm so happy to hear this because I hated getting stuck w the band, I felt like eating healthier foods were harder to eat than crappy food to get down.

I tried sugar free popsicles and it seems that they give me dumping syndrome directly after. It's pretty weird. My broth does taste pretty salty but I assumed it's my new taste buds.

On June 21st I made the decision to get the gastric sleeve! I had maybe two bad days but most the time I feel super great especially during the day but at night I feel kinda like crap until I finally sleep. I know it'll be a long journey but I'm happy I did this!

Well I am excited and nervous about this next chapter in my life. I weight 200 lbs last Wednesday and today weigh 192.... I am getting my life back! 2017 and beyond is going to be my life journey to get healthy and happy and Less stressed.

So happy to see this question, I am schedule to be sleeved next week and I'm 31 BMI and One of my main concerns is stabilizing when I'm at my desired weight. You both have mad amazing progress in a short time!

This is also a concern of mine. I understand it takes sometime to have a drink and probably can't handle as much but I'm goin follow this thread because I don't know first hand but interested to know

Well I am almost 6 months out from surgery. I am 159 lbs and my goal weight is 150 lbs. I am posting updated pics just so you can see my progress. Good luck to everyone that's still working hard , including myself . First pic in black dress I wa 242 and on left side I was one week out of surgery . The other pics are recent pics of myself.

I have a question. I work in NYC in the fashion industry. I am constantly invited to happy hours and social events and everyone drinks like a fish in ny. How do I handle it now when I'm invited to a happy hour that I really cant refuse like my bosses birthday or a coworkers birthday? I am really nervous about this and dont want to be rude but I wont be able to drink ever again after the sleeve correct?

Hi all, I'm new and about to get sleeve next week! Yay! I'm pretty active, can you tell me how long it took to get back into you workouts full strength after sleeve? Also, did you ever get your full strength back? I'm worried about my energy levels with so little calories. Tia!

I AM SCHEDULED FOR MY GASTRIC SLEEVE ON JULY 8TH IN Tijuana, MEXICO WITH DR. GUTIERREZ AT MI DOCTOR HOSPITAL...
WITH A LITTLE OVER A MONTH TO GO, I AM STARTING TO HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS..
I AM 5'9, WITH A BMI OF ABOUT 31-32. IT IS A LOWER BMI, BUT STILL OBESE ACCORDING TO STANDARDS. I HAVE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE TELL ME THAT I AM CRAZY AND "DO NOT NEED IT"... IVE HAD THOSE TELL ME THAT IM JUST THICK OR "BIG BONED" (THATS CRAP, WE ALL KNOW IT.. OUR BONES ARE ALL THE SAME) AND THAT I JUST NEED TO WATCH WHAT I EAT. WELL, I HAVE. IVE SPENT YEARS BEING "BIGGER" (THE FAT GIRL), AND WHILE ATHLETIC AND MUSCULAR, COULD NOT GET THE EXTRA WEIGHT OFF. I'VE TRIED CLEAN EATING, supplements (HEALTHY AND NOT), AND ENDLESS HOURS AT THE GYM. MY BODY WOULD GET TO A CERTAIN WEIGHT AND STOP. NOT JUST A MONTH LONG PLATEAU.. 1 YEAR OF MAINTAINING THE SAME REGIMEN, AND NO CHANGE. FRUSTRATED, TIRED, AND OVER IT, BINGE EATING WOULD COME AND GO.
SHOULD I BE ASHAMED TO BE GETTING THIS SURGERY JUST BECAUSE IM "NOT FAT ENOUGH", BUT STILL FAT? MAYBE IM TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BEFORE IT GETS WORSE? IM SURE THERE ARE THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE THAT UNDERSTAND THAT NO AMOUNT OF "YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL'S" IS GOING TO CHANGE GENUINE UNHAPPINESS WITH YOUR OWN BODY. AND LET ME CLARIFY.. I DONT WANT TO BE SKINNY.. I WANT TO BE FIT. IVE SPENT YEARS BUILDING AMAZING MUSCLE TONE THAT IS OVER SHADOWED BY RELENTLESS FAT STORAGE THAT I CANNOT GET RID OF. RUNNING HAS BECOME A HARDSHIP ON MY KNEES BECAUSE OF EXCESS WEIGHT, AND BACK ISSUES TO FOLLOW. IVE NEVER BEEN ONE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THOSE THINGS, BUT IT IS PAINFUL. I WILL BE 28 YEARS OLD JULY 14TH, HAVE NO KIDS, AND AM PLANNING A WEDDING FOR NEXT YEAR TO THE MOST AMAZING MAN IN THE WORLD. (HE ALSO SAYS HE LOVES ME EXACTLY THE WAY I AM BUT WANTS ME TO BE HAPPY AND SUPPORTS MY DECISION TO DO THIS). I WANT TO FIND MYSELF, THE ABSOLUTE BEST ME, BEFORE MY LIFE REALLY GETS STARTED.
I AM EXCITED, SCARED, NERVOUS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. MEXICO?? WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY?? IS THIS REALLY A GOOD IDEA??
ANYONE ELSE STRUGGLED WITH THESE THOUGHTS? SUCCESS STORIES OF LOWER BMI??

HELP!

I am scheduled for surgery the end of July and being selfpay it's happening a lot faster than I expected. I'm relatively new to all this and was hoping to find a good book to read about the surgery and how to take care of yourself and diet afterwards. Any suggestions welcome!

Top photo - April 21, 2016 with my daughter at her junior prom. 271.5
Bottom photo - May 25, 2017 with my daughter before senior prom - 173
Would do it again in a minute. Have another 20-25 to go before I'm done. Surgery was 8/23/16

 

I've always loved a relaxing bath with a good book and can soak for ages... However, I did that less and less over the years as the tub had to hold more of me and less water!
As I sat in the bath today, I noticed I don't fill the width of the tub!
By the time I reach goal weight, there will be room for two

I'm almost 55 years old. Been battling my weight for nearly 30 years. My BMI is 31, far lower than many who opt for this surgery, but not what I want for myself. I am so tired of this battle! I've decided to go for the surgery and I am scheduled for one week from today. No, I'm not huge, but I'm not what I want to be either. Once in the past 30 years I was at goal weight---after carrying a 50-pound backpack on my back and sleeping in the woods for 6 months while hiking the Appalachian Trail. I came home and at first even my own family didn't recognize me! I looked and felt amazing, but as soon as the trail life ended the weight came back. I am hungry every single day and I just don't like this existence. So even though there are many who think I shouldn't go for it at my size, I'm doing it. I'm tired of feeling tired, lethargic, and fat. I don't want to become my mother, who is morbidly obese and uses a scooter and oxygen tank to get around.
I'm 5'1" and busting out of a size 16. I weigh 180 and my best weight is 110. Don't know what will happen but it's got to be better than this.

Witch place did u go for surgery in Mexico

I was BMI of 29 when I got my surgery in Mexico. I am a year and 4 months out, and it has been the biggest blessing. I am actually almost underweight now (I am 5'8.5" and average 125 lbs). I am extremely active. I just couldn't seem to lose those 50 lbs that were keeping me down physically and mentally. I was lucky and rarely stalled, probably because I was active very soon after surgery. Anyway, most people don't know I got it, because I know they would judge me harshly. I don't regret it for a second! Good luck to all of you with upcoming surgeries!

Hi everyone,
I was approved for surgery and the date 7/5/17 is around the corner. I've researched a ton of information and I feel ready. Although, I'm getting a little nervous deep down inside. Just wanted to express myself on a forum where people have experienced what I feel. Everyone has been a big help and I can't thank you enough.

Hi been out of surgery a month now I have lost 44 pounds and lets say their have been some ups and downs that made me question myself if this was the right choice one was bad acid reflux which my doctor gave me pills started working out Monday going real good I been swimming twice overall I'm happy just can't wait to get back to the normal things