Neese

I do mention it in passing when it fits the conversation, but I never push it or tell anyone it would be a great for them. For someone who is not ready, it would not be great for them. Some people do gain all the weight back after this operation. It happens. If someone isn't ready for the operation, my opinion is they will have a harder time complying with the requirements and dealing with recovery issues.
I have a friend who was scheduled for RNY, decided not to have it, then decided to go through with it when she heard I was getting the sleeve. She didn't follow through. Now it is a year later and I am at goal weight, She just had her other knee replaced. It breaks my heart, but it is her body, her life, and her decision.
I don't just throw it out there if someone is overweight, but I always mention it if appropriate, just to get the word about surgery out there. For example, when a waiter/waitress asks if I didn't like the food because I ate very little, I'll say "it was really yummy. I had weight loss surgery and it just doesn't take as much to fill me up now:" I told my fav bartenders why I couldn't have a drink for six months as I sipped a still Water with splash of cranberry and hubby enjoyed a mai tai. Also when people complement me on my weight loss, I always mention the surgery.
For me, I don't have an issue with letting anyone know my choice. If they have a stupid reaction I just move on. I feel I am helping get the word out that surgery can make a difference if you are ready for it.
I started investigating the surgery after my step-daughters' aunt had it done. I had never heard of the sleeve and thought there was only the band or RNY.
Lynda

I see people all of the time that I am compelled to say, "there is a better way to live your life". Out of respect, I don't. I do share with anyone that askes though. A few months back at my support group, a woman came up to me and said I was the reason she had VSG. I talked in front of the information session and answered their questions about my journey and what to expect. I have to admit, it felt so good to be a positive inspiration.

Wow, you are rocking that sleeve!! I see a major difference in your stomach area and your arms are slimming down quite nicely!

Don't set yourself up for failure by stressing over that stupid scale. This surgery is about getting our lives back, getting our health back. A number won't make you happy in the long run.
You HAVE to remember, you JUST went through MAJOR surgery, seriously, it's that major. You just had the bulk of an organ cut out of you. Your body will be angry and might hold on to weight until it gets with the program. You will retain Water from the surgery too, it takes time to work that out too.
Please, do not let yourself stress over your weight. And do NOT compare yourself to others, we are all different, we all heal different and we all lose at different rates. STress can destroy your health so just give it time and roll with it.
THese surgeries are so much more mental than physical and it takes a long time to adjust so hang in there and smile.

3 years out here and still can only eat 1 slice of pizza, no more then 6-7oz of food at a time. . still slime like a maniac if i eat too fast or too much, still can't gulp drinks, always have to ask for a to go box when eating out. . . haven't gained weight, don't exercise or really watch my diet. . .i am maintaining wonderfully between 200-210lbs. . .lost 150lbs, surpassed my doctors goal for me which was 212lbs and finally love myself and am at peace with myself. . . what a wonderful feeling that is ! good luck!

I would sit down with him and read through this site...have him go with you to see your dr. I'm willing to bet (not knowing him-but hearing others posts about this same thing) his concerns have more to do with fear of things going wrong, or changes in you, or even what foods he will have to give up). Ask him to be honest with you about all the things he is thinking. Just keep talking about it!

Capt Derel, Good to see a picture of you!
I ate Easter dinner at my aunt's last weekend...and I planned it so that I could eat what I wanted. Holidays are one day where I don't worry about Protein or about whether or not something is going to fit into my eating plan. I had some turkey, ham, a devilled egg, a bite of sweet potatoes, green Beans, and mashed taters, and much later a little bit of cheese cake for dessert. I was SO full afterwards that I walked around the block to help things go on through.
One of my other aunts made a comment about not wanting to be so restricted that she was forced to eat a single bite of each thing, then walk it off. I thought that was insane because I had plenty of food. I actually stood in the kitchen to eat and watched what everyone else put on their plates and ATE. My thoughts were "No wonder we're all fat!"
A cousin made my mom's recipe for carrot cake and was (I heard later) offended that I didn't eat any of that. So, let me get this straight, now I'm offending you because I DIDN'T eat something? @@
It's a never-ending circle and some people will be offended no matter what we do. We have to make the choices that fit our lives and our sleeves.
The upside is that apparently I was THE topic of conversation whenever I was not in earshot. Everyone is speculating on whether I'll actually "get skinny" and how long it will take me to gain it back. But, for the first time ever, I was smaller than all my aunts and all but one (very young) cousin.

Thank you for all your replies. I am doing much better today. A little cramping in my calves. I am increasing my Fluid intake. This is a life time change. Let us Rock our sleeves to the max. LOL.

Yep!! LOL... You look very young and beautiful!!

Glad you're ok! I was 2 weeks out and my stomach hurt and every time I ate or drink it hurt worse. So I just ate and drank as little as possible and felt so weak and sick. I had my check up w my surgeon and they sent me straight to the hospital overnight. 3 bags of Fluid later I felt much better and had more energy. I was even able to eat! I was so dehydrated my skin wouldn't go back into place if you pinched it. The surgeon said I was probably slightly dehydrated and then when I stopped eating and drinking it dehydrated me to the point that I'd have to have fluids. Lesson learned!

I had surgery on March 26. Everything has been going very well and I am down 21 lbs! The day I got home from the hospital I threw my scale out because I didn't want to become obsessed with it, so this was the first time I weighed myself since surgery. Woo hoo! After I got home I started trying on the 10 pairs of pants that are hanging in my closet that I have not worn in sooooo long. Happy to say a couple of them fit! Today I am wearing a pair of capris that I haven't worn for a couple of years, and am ok with showing some leg now!

So, I went in today for my six month check up with my doc...even though I'm already 7 months plus post-op. He gave me a graph of my BMI and weight loss since my first visit with him. The graph was eye-opening! I think I'm stalled, but his graph shows that I'm losing steadily.
After I asked my questions, including for a copy of the video of my surgery, he asked me a few questions. He gave me some samples of different brands of bariatric Vitamins for me to review for him and asked that I let his office know if I like them. I'll do that over the next month.
Then he asked me if I'd mind answering a few questions online for him. I thought he was asking me to take some kind of online survey at first, but as he went on I realized that he wants me to answer questions for visitors to his website! WOW! I'm so flattered to be asked and, of course, I am more than willing to do that!
From what he said today, I've already exceeded his expectations for my weight loss and fitness level and he mentioned that I'm staring 100 pounds in the eye. He expects that I will be well over 100 pounds lost when I go back at the end of July for my 1 year check up. My anniversary isn't until the end of August, but to accomodate both or our schedules, I have an appt nearly a month early.
I've mentioned before that I think my surgeon is the bomb and he proved it to me again today! In just that short appointment, he managed to make me feel wonderful about my progress insteadof the frustration I've been feeling for a few weeks. He also explained a few different things to me about what to expect going forward. That really made me feel better about the next stage of my journey.
I was worried that I am out of the "losing" stage and now am into the "have to work really hard at it" stage. I want to be his poster child for the sleeve and he assured me that I already AM a poster child for the sleeve because of the loss I've had so far and how hard I am working at my weight loss. He also told me to expect big losses over the next few months, both because of the sleeve and because of my newly formed exercise habits.
I'm feeling pretty awesome tonight, especially for a sleever who went in fully expecting to find out that my results are disappointing. I'm actually pretty far ahead of the curve!

What Is Your :
weight before sleeve?: 298
weight After Sleeve?: 247
How many weeks is your sleeve?: 8
did you start to gain weight already?: no

I agree with you 100% , thanks for sharing, no flaming from me!

I was trying to wait to post Picts at an even 50 lbs but I am 49 and in a "short" dress for Easter so I thought I'd share my before to now. . I can see it in the photo not as much in the mirror.

I always wanted to tell them, "No, It isn't an easy out, just like your learning to mind your own business isn't easy, either."

I think you would be better to buy fruit cups and actually eat and swallow them (when it's time) than to chew and spit. But, like others have said, just ask your surgeon or nutritionist.
I doubt you are getting any real nutrition from chewing and spitting, even citrus fruits. And, it's a habit that you probably don't want to start.
So much of eating is about the head, not the stomach, so just be careful and take care of you!

the hardest thing has been the head hunger. Im thankful for the restriction of the sleeve. I've said I'm physically full, but mentally starving!!

YAY congrats! Hope you celebrated! its a frinkin big deal!! My husband marked the day by buying me a 50$ gift card from Victoria Secret, (im saving it for our beach vacation in May) it was only 2 and a half weeks ago for me but i am still excited about it. its weird, about the 50 pound mark is when people start noticing how much weight youve lost. Enjoy it its only going to get better! Hope i get a 100 gift card when i hit the 100 pound mark haha.

Congrats on the weight loss!! Both of you!!

It really depends on your NUT and surgeon's suggestion for how much you should be eating. Hopefully a plan was made personalized around how much you can intake. If not, and you are able, try to visit the NUT and you can go over what you eat and how much you should be eating.
As for Vitamins, per my surgeons orders, I take:
a one a day complete Multivitamin
sublingual (under the tongue) B12 once a day
Calcium citrate 3x a day
Iron
Hope this helps! Im about two months out as well. Great weight loss, keep up the amazing work!

Ps. some days i feel as if i eat more than others. however, if you are in tune to your body it will send you clues so as long as you're eating on track and not overdoing it i think youre fine. dont get frustrated and if you really r that worried make an appt [:

As Rootman said in another thread: "At least wait until you're out of the recovery room."

Absolutely normal Enjoy your journey as Lissa said. We ALL surrender to our cravings every now and then but the key thing here is not to make a habit out of it .. and that's why we are all here now to break our bad food habits
Good luck

Lilee, There's nothing wrong with one small slice of pizza sometimes. I have eaten pizza a couple of times and, just like you, I didn't eat the crust. Heck, I bought whole grain tortillas today with the express purpose of making a couple of "pizzas". You're not on a diet. This is for life, so LIVE. Yes, you're trying to lose weight; most of us are trying to lose weight. But, you should enjoy the journey, because this is the start of a whole new way of life. Once you're in maintenance you are not going to want to avoid everything food-wise. I think it's better to learn how to integrate the foods you love into your diet in a smart way now rather than try to learn yet another new way of eating once you get to maintenance.
Maybe I'm wrong, but, so far, it's been working for me. My weight loss has slowed down some, but it's still moving in the right direction.
I hope you enjoyed the heck out of that pizza! That's what you are supposed to do! Besides, I agree that, after walking 10 miles at Disney, you deserved that pizza.

I felt the EXACT same way and the morphine just made it worse, see if they can give you liquid lortab along with anti-nausea meds. The first few days are the worst and I was completely miserable, just sit back relax and breathe. We'll get thru this, welcome to the losers bench