Sleevie WonderLand

have you been tested for sleep apnea? I was diagnosed with it prior to being sleeved. I'm proud to say that after losing approx 75 lbs, I'm snore free and no longer in need of my cpap machine!

I'm actually down to 184 now, and still losing inches. I'm wearing a size 10, and can fit into some 8s! I'm as happy as a lamb, saggy skin and all.

There are many adjustments that have to be made as a sleever. Depending on who you decide to tell about your decision for surgery, you may have to turn down a lot of offers for food and drink while out on the social scene. Usually when I go out I get comments on the small amount of food I eat, and I casually remind those commenters that if I want to keep my weight off, I have to eat like a bird. What Ive found is that most of the people I hang with have all cut back on the amounts of food they eat because they are actually a little embarrassed to over eat in front of me!

My family knows the situation. THey've adjusted to my bird eating, and my not eating at all sometimes. Cooking hasnt changed either, except my family has been eating a lot more seafood than before because thats what I eat a lot of now. I find that seafood is easier for me to digest, and its so much quicker and easier to cook too! (but it costs). There have been slight changes to my entire family's eating habits i.e, no one eats while drinking anymore. It was a tactic I used with my young children before my surgery to get them to eat their food. I found that when I gave them a beverage with their food they would finish the beverage then not eat, so I would always encourage them to eat before drinking. It's the BEST way to get them to finish those veggies. My husband used to eat and drink, but to support me during my transition he stopped eating and drinking, and now it's the norm for him too.

If you look at these changes you'll have to make as positive ones that are for your betterment, you're less likely to have a hard time making them. If you b***h and moan about them, then the adjustment will be harder. If you don't try to adjust and make changes, you'll suffer. It's as simple as that.

I wish you the best of luck! If I had one suggestion for you before you go in for surgery it would be to enjoy a nice meal because it will be quite sometime before you are able to eat really savory foods again. That pre-op diet is a killer and I harbored so much resentment because it was 6 frickin weeks before I could enjoy something as simple as eggs...lol

Update!

Wow. I just re-read my post from October and had the best laugh. All my grief and bit chin was hilarious, but the process was definitely worth it. YES, i'd do it all over again.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for sure! Just be patient with yourselves and make note of the journey along the way.

Oh yeah, the extra skin...my arms, thighs, stomach... I hate it. If I could get rid of it, I'd probably be 20 pounds lighter than I am now. I've tried everything, nothing is really working for me. I can feel my muscles underneath the skin firming up, but the skin is just hanging on.

Update:

Hairloss slowed down tremendously.

Wearing size 10, sometimes 12 clothing. Oh, and I can wear my shirts tucked in to my pants and not look like the michelin man!

Still not taking vitamins the way I should, but I'm doing better than I was.

Just about at goal weight, I like the way I look in my clothing.

Still hitting the glute machine in the gym. Now my booty is firming up but its still flat as hell. smh

my boobs have turned into prunes with raisins on the ends as nipples.

I finally weigh less than my husband. What an awesome feeling to not feel like I'm gonna smother him.

I started telling people that I do weight watchers. Its' easier for them to believe you when you tell them that because they compare the weight loss to Jennifer Hudson. When I was telling them before that I changed my eating habits, for some reason it was harder for them to comprehend. Try the weight watchers story, they'll leave you alone.

Use the next 90 days to condition your mind and body to get used to the change that's about to take place. Start a mild exercise regimen. Begin taking vitamins if you don't already. Start eating with smaller utensils and smaller plates. Try not to eat and drink at the same time, and continue to scour through the posts on VST for any questions about this procedure and what life is like after being sleeved. Read the good and bad posts...It's a BIG life change and preparing for it before it comes will make the transition much easier for you.

Wishing you the best of luck!

I get my Syntrax Chocolate Truffle from Bariatric Pantry. Although I don't drink it now cause it grosses me out (post sleeve) I used to really enjoy it during my pre-op diet. My daughter loves the strawberry flavor as well.

I can't wait to hear what your co-worker says a month after you've been sleeved and she sees those pounds melt off you. I bet she'll be asking you a lot of questions, and will probably be on the internet like the rest of us doing her own research before she ends up sleeved!

If you can tolerate them, I guess so, but I would check with my surgeon or nutritionist.

I had no doubts about getting sleeved. Of course on the day of surgery I was nervous as they wheeled me down that hallway to the operating room, but I knew all along that I was going to go through with it because it was the only way I could lose weight, become healthier, and keep the weight off. Don't get me wrong, the recovery stage wasn't easy; getting adjusted to this new way of eating and fighting to get protein in is a pain in the neck for the first month or so until you get used to it, but it's so worth it in the end.

Good luck with your surgery. Best decision ever.

I usually order from the kids menu or have soup depending on the restaurant.

I'm biased - Love my sleeve! However, you should attend an information seminar at a local hospital or bariatric center that offers weight loss surgery. You can get all the information you need to help you decide what is best for you.

By the way, good luck with your surgery. It was rough for me at first, but it's still the best decision I've ever made for ME.

I only told my husband and my older children. I also told my mother because well, she's my mother and I knew she wouldn't betray me by telling people about it.

I say keep it to yourself, but be prepared to answer questions like "how'd you lose the weight?" and "What's your secret to weight loss?". You're going to lose weight rapidly, so the drastic change always gets people's attention.

I find myself getting a little uncomfortable when asked these questions, so I give my usual answer of "Oh, I been drinking protein shakes and I cut back on my portions in addition to going to the gym". So far it's kept people at bey, but I do feel a little guilty at times because I have friends who want to know what kind of shakes I'm on and want to follow my food plan to the tee. smh

It's good that you've been reading all the posts. You won't have a false sense of "this'll be a breeze" in the beginning when you first get sleeved. Everyone's experience is different, but at least you won't be blind-sided if things are a little rocky in the beginning. The good news is that once you're healed up and get into the swing of things with your sleeve, you'll be happier, healthier and on your way to your new you!

I wish you all the best on your pursuit!

I have the biotin, will look into the Nioxin. Thanks for the info!

@Kuntry, as with everything, it all gets better with time. To have to have liquids for 3 weeks to enable you to have a lifetime of better health is definitely a small price to pay. Once you get over it, its not so bad, its the going through that drives you crazy! I just want to encourage you to hang in there. Even when you want to throw that shake or soup or whatever it is that's in front of you, just keep in mind that it's temporary and that the good food will be coming your way soon and that you'll be losing weight in the interim!

First off your booty looks Ah May Zing! lol

Congrats on the "zero" accomplishment. You are definitely a hero to a lot of us here on VST!

You've invested in your physical health, why not invest in your mental health. See a therapist. One session couldn't hurt. You never know, it might help you get to the root of your "cloudiness". Just a suggestion.

Congrats, and best wishes for a safe surgery and easy recovery!

I started with some soft scrambled eggs, yogurt, and cottage cheese. I would even suggest some soup, and if it has stuff in it, puree it so that it thickens a bit. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

I call my sleeve "Ms. Sleeve" cause she demands my respect! Ms. Sleeve does not play, and I do my best to woo and coax her with warm tea which she seems to love!

I wish I had that drive! I get up every morning and walk 15 minutes and will gradually add more time and distance to that walk. I think it's awesome that you are motivated enough to do it 3 times a day. You've inspired me to take a walk around my building at lunch time today.

Work that sleeve!