Suzannesh

Hi Everyone, So when are you going to have weight loss surgery? Don’t waste one more day of your life being unhealthy or unhappy with the body you are stuck in. I am almost 66 years old. 3 years ago I started to investigate the idea of having weight loss surgery. I had struggled for about 40 years of playing the same games that all of you have done—tried all the diets, had some success, and would lose it and then gain it back again. I was pretty good about losing, but just couldn’t keep it off—It was my fault I know for gaining it back—I never would change my lifestyle. Now life is so different and I know that I will ALWAYS keep it off for the rest of my life. I want you to know my greatest regret was that I didn’t do this much earlier in my life. I believe that things happen in your life for a reason. I think why I didn’t have weight loss surgery earlier was I needed to have my head in the right place and to find a doctor that I believed in and trusts. I found all of those things, and went for it. Believe me I asked hundreds of questions and did a lot of research before having this surgery. I had sleeve surgery on Oct 21, 2008 and Dr. Aceves was my doctor. I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful he is along with his hospital. I am writing this because there are sooooooooooooo many of you who are sitting out there thinking—here comes another summer and I am going to be fat AGAIN this summer, YOU ARE THINKING ALL THESE THINGS PLUS A WHOLE LOT MORE: I can’t enjoy all the things my family and friends want to do. I am the one who is taking the pictures instead of being in the pictures. I hate the summer clothes that I have. I want to be able to buy what other people are buying—you know all those cute little clothes. I am short of breath and don’t feel very good because of my limitations with my weight. Ok if you are one of these people there is a world of support for you here on this board. Some have already done weight loss surgery, some are about ready to have weight loss surgery and some just can’t make up their minds yet. If you are lurking out there and can’t make up your mind talk to us! We are a wealth of information and support. For the first time in your life, put YOURSELF first. Make this summer be ALL ABOUT YOU AND NO ONE ELSE. You will be shocked at how much your life will change in just one short year. Hugs and NEVER give up on yourself—you are WORTH every bit of effort it takes. Suzanne 105 pounds less of me-not bad of on old lady! I sure don’t feel old at ALL and that is the best part!

Hi Deborah, Special Ed takes a very special person to be able to do that all school year. I admire you for being able to teach this. Sounds like your head in getting to be in the right place. I know it is difficult to go walk, but honestly just a short walk is better than sitting all day. I am retired as I said, but I have been going back and working part-time at an Alternative High School. I just love these kids--most everyone has given up on the--not me, and when they graduate and see that they can be successful then I am thrilled. I gave 3 of the scholarship to start college, that is how their life is going to change. I have been teaching them 1st Aid and CPR. I did that for the entire staff and coaches when I was working. My main job was that I was the Secretary for all the nurses in the school district. It was a good job,but I love working and being around the kids more. Being retired is the BEST job I have ever had. I know that this is a struggle and when you don't feel good it is hard to exercise. I used to come home from who with every intention of going for a walk. Then I would sit down and that was the end of me. Now I am much better about it. Just do the best you can---stop beating yourself up. You are headed in the right direction. Relax a little and eat healthy if you can, if you don't it is OK. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Well, I can relate to how you are feeling. I worked for a local school district for about 25 years and retired 3 years ago. I did just what you did and that was try to talk myself into losing weight before I had to go have surgery--just do the best you can and that will be OK--don't panic or worry about it. I managed to lose about 15 pounds. It was hell doing it. For your depression try taking small walks, honestly walking did help me years ago when I had depression. Spend more time on the computer just taking and reading people's posts too--it puts your mind some place else sometimes and that may help. Find a book and lose yourself in the book. Look at a catalog and dream about some of the new clothes that you want to buy 6 months from the date of your surgery. You know all the right intellectually things to think, but sometimes our brain just doesn't connect with what we know to be the right thing to do. I am only an E-mail away, keep talking to me and telling me how your are feeling. It really might not be depression. I went through all kinds of feeling and emotions before I had weight loss surgery. I was anxious, scared, happy, sad, frustrated, asked myself a million time was I doing the right thing? So I want you to know this is quite normal. The closer you get the harder it might become. Talk to your doctor about a little medication for help--there is nothing wrong in asking for help. This is the best thing you could ever do for yourself. You are on the right track for the first time in a very long time. You are going to be OK, and this is the surgery that is going to save your life. One day you will look back on this and wished you had done it sooner. NEVER give up on your dreams, you can do anything if you want it bad enough.:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: Hugs, Suzanne :D Sometime you will strugle with sleeping, I finally gave in and asked my doctor for some meds, they work well for me.

Hi, I love the sound of your surgery date 7/11/11. Perfect date to change your life and all for the better. I want you to know I had all the same feeling you had happy, sad, scared, anxious, second guessed myself to death. I went by myself to Mexicali and I thought OH my gosh am I nuts?????? It was the very best thing I could have ever done. I was at peace once I was at the hospital. So, it is really NORMAL to have all the same feelings and all at the same time. Just keep telling yourself this is the right thing to do. The 1st month will be the hardest month that you are going to ever have to do. YOU can do anything for 30 days. After that it just keeps getting better. You are young and beautiful so hold on to your hat and enjoy the ride. The first time someone calls you skinny, you are going to look around and think are they talking about ME???? Enjoy that moment and hug who ever says it. It is a moment you will always remember. Keep me posted, Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, This is great news. 6 weeks will go sooooooo fast. A year from now you will be sooooooooooo amazed at how much your life has changed. You have so much to look forward too. I am excited for you. I always love to hear success stories, so please keep me posted. It is NORMAL to have all kinds of feelings and emotions before you have the surgery. Those of us who have been there ahead of you can tell you that we had all kinds of feeling. Just hang in there and talk with us if any of us can help we are here for you. Congratulations on making a BIG change in your life. :P Hugs, Suzanne

Hey Sarah, I am excited that you love your new sleeve. And you can notice in just 3 short weeks. This is amazing. My husband will still ask me aren't you hungry???--I always think to myself--NO I don't feel hungry. It is such a nice feeling to get used too. And as time goes on it get easier because you will be eating a lot of the same things your family does, only much smaller amounts. There will be small chanlenges along the way, but I am always right here if you have a question. Hugs and keep up the GREAT work! Mama Sleeve

Hi, I think those are GREAT reasons. Congratulations on doing this. I have been teaching in an Alternative High School. And I always show the kids my "fat pictures". I want them to know that I can relate to those who struggle with their weight.

Hi Everyone, Here is a list of reason that various people have stated why they lost weight. I think we can all relate to them! 70. So I don't crave wintertime, so I can hide under big jackets and sweaters. 71. So I don't think mean thoughts when I see skinny women. 72. So my doctor will never say, "you really need to lose some weight" to me ever again, but instead says nothing more than "see you next year". 73. So no one will ever again ask me "when is your baby due", and I'm not pregnant. 74. So people in the supermarket don't look in my cart when they think I'm not looking, to see what a "fat person" eats. 75. So I look lean, mean and powerful. 76. So I can say my weight out loud with pride. 77. So the old pictures of the fat lady at the circus don't look like me. 78. So I can say to other people who are overweight, hey, I was there once too, and maybe help them get to where they want to be. 79. So I don't wonder if people are saying, "what is HE doing with HER "? (My honey is skinny and can eat anything) 80. So I don't have to worry about my bathroom scales breaking. 81. So I am in control of what exercise I choose and not what I am able to do as of being so over weight. 82. So I don't have to give excuses for being over weight. 83. So I can shave my legs in a shower without gashing myself because I can't see around my fat. 84. So I can ride a horse again! 85. So I can go out fishing with friends, and not be scared to walk inside the boat because I'm so heavy I will tip it. 86. To be able to go canoeing, and my end doesn't sink real low while the other person is almost in the air. 87. So my Grandchildren never remember me as fat. 88. So I can stand up in a boat again, with balance and grace, instead of hanging onto the sides and wondering how I'll get back in if I fall out. 89. So I can boat out to the middle of a lake and go swimming, and be able to pull myself back in the boat. 90. No more "beached whale" comments, anywhere. 91. So I can go into public and not care what type of looks I get. 92. So I can sit on a bar stool and I'm actually sitting ON it, not on it and around it too. 93. So a regular towel goes all the way around me, and maybe even looks cute. 94. So my socks pull all the way up. 95. So I can hug my knees to my chest again, and it’s comfortable. 96. So I can sit on a chair, and have my feet on that chair too, and not be sitting on them. 97. So I can wear a low cut sweater and my collarbones show. 98. So I can wear a light blouse or sweater, and there aren't dents where my bra straps are. 99. So I don't have to worry about arthritis or joint replacement when I get older. 100. So furniture doesn't groan when I sit on it, or wear out long before it should because I'm too heavy. 101. So I never have to look at someone else with envy again, thinking, "Wow, I wish I was that thin". 102. I want to lose weight so that my breasts stick out more than my stomach and not the other way around. 103. I can sit comfortably in the lawn chair all the way instead of sitting on the edge and the arms pinching me. 104. I can fit into the theatre seats comfortably. 105. I can sit at the booth OR table in the restaurant. I don't have to be embarrassed because I need a table. 106. I can look straight down and see my toes instead of bending over to see them. 107. I can bend over comfortably to tie my shoes.

Hey Sarah, For you I can! 1. To feel better about myself. 2. To increase my feelings of self worth. 3. To be able to run and jump without worrying about hurting myself. 4. To look good in a tight dress. 5. To be able to wear shorts in the summer. 6. To be able to go swimming without being self-conscious. 7. To feel I can go swimming at all! 8. To be able to run with my grandchildren 9. To be healthier. 10. To not have fear going to the doctors, because he'll make me get on a scale. 11. To be able to wear a bra that actually fits. 12. To not worry about lawn chairs breaking. 13. To not worry about where to sit at a picnic or on an airplane. 14. To not get "those looks" at a restaurant, even when eating normal food. 15. So my ankles don't puff up and look like there's half a tennis ball on each side. 16. To be able to use a public washroom comfortably. 17. To be able to go into any store, and buy the clothes I like, not just the ones that fit. 18. To not feel awkward about going clothes shopping, or shoe shopping. 19. To be able to order clothes from a catalogue without worrying if they will fit. 20. To be able to wear something that doesn’t say PLUS on it. 21. To reduce my blood pressure. 22. So I can feel comfortable. 23. So I can run on the beach in a bathing suit and feel proud. 24. So taking a bath is a luxurious thing, instead of taking a shower so I won't risk overflowing the tub. 25. So my pants won't wear out between my legs while the rest of them are still in good shape. 26. I want to be able to read the scale by just looking down, straight down. 27. I don't ever want to feel my fat jiggle again! 28. So I can look in the mirror from the neck down and like what I see. 29. To feel strong and fit again. 30. So I can show off my muscles, instead of just feeling fat. 31. So I can play with my dog again! 32. So I can drive my car and feel comfortable. 33. So I don't feel like I'm always leaning back while sitting in a chair, because of my butt. 34. So I can walk up a flight of stairs and not feel winded. 35. So I can wear tight jeans. 36. So I can get up and dance and not feel weird. 37. So I can go on rides at amusement parks again, without stuffing myself into the seat shamefully. 38. So I don't have to worry about the maximum weight an exercise machine can take before I use it. 39. I want to deprive my cats of a perching spot on my chest because it’s too small. 40. So I don't get that pitying look when I go to a gym to work out. 41. So I can lay outside and suntan on my front lawn if I want. 42. I want to wear underwear that looks cute and dainty, not something industrial. 43. So I can buy lingerie that fits, and looks good. 44. So I can buy lingerie without getting weird looks from store clerks or other customers. 45. I want to be able to at least consider entering a triathlon and have it be a possibility. 46. So getting dressed every morning is a joy and not a dreaded chore. 47. So I can pick the haircut I really want and not just one that is for fat people. 48. So I'm when people start talking about weight loss, I don't feel they mean me. 49. So no one ever calls me "a big girl" ever again. 50. So I'm not embarrassed to have my picture taken. 51. So when my photo is taken with my family I don't have to groan inside myself as I know how terrible I am going to make the family picture look. 52. So I don't get those indents on my thighs from the arms of the chair I'm sitting in. 53. So I can cross my legs. 54. So I can walk in heels without fear. 55. So I can put my jeans in the dryer, have a shower, get out of the shower, walk to the dryer and just pull my jeans on, instead of waiting to really, really dry off and then fight to get the zipper up. 56. So I can put my clothes in the dryer and forget to check the timer, and not worry about them fitting. 57. So my bras don't stretch on the sides, or get pulled seams. 58. So I can crawl around on the floor hooking up computer cables without wondering how bad I look. 59. So I can look in a full-length mirror with pride, instead of despair. 60. So I can get up from the floor in one smooth move and not a grab and hold on to something move. 61. So I can get on with my life!!!!!!!!!!!! 62. So those stupid gowns at the doctors or chiropractors not only fit, but also are too big. 63. So I can show off my legs, instead of monster ham thighs. 64. So I can look good in a business suit or a short skirt, instead of always wearing loose clothing. 65. So my back doesn't hurt so much. 66. So I can lie in bed, look down and see my toes without lifting my head off the pillow. 67. So I don't have to worry about what fits in the closet and what doesn't. 68. So I don't have to worry about the seasons changing, and will my summer/winter clothes still fit. 69. So I don't fear the onset of summer and light clothing.<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break">

Hi, Once you have been downthe road and have some experience and feel comfortable, you will be able to mentor people. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, I loved your "To Be Thin 2011" Great name to go by. I just want people to have some idea what they are in for. It is all good, and I wouldn't trade any of the days it took for me to be where I am now. My only regret was that I didn't do it 10 years ago. But 10 years ago I don't think I would have known much about the sleeve, and honestly this is the way to go. It just fits my lifestyle so much better. And I never feel deprived. I wish you nothing but success. Hugs, Suzanne

What are you able to eat the 1st month? I have said over and over that the 1st 30 days after having weight loss surgery are the very hardest to do. I think there are several things that make it so hard. The first is we were used to chewing a lot of food at one time and then swallowing it. Now you are on Clear liquids. I got bored with them. The 1st 10 days was the worst. Then the creamy stage came along and I loved being able to have creamy Soups. Remember now you can add your Protein drinks that are creamy to this stage—you will be able to get some good quality protein. When I got to the mushy stage this was a bit of a challenge for me. (My husband and his great sense of humor suggested Gerber baby food.) Believe me I considered it. I made some chicken Soup and put it in the blender and it was chunky—it was good and I was getting some protein too from it. I also made a big pot of veggie soup and mashed it up in the bowel when I ate it. If you make a big pot of Veggie soup everyone in the family can eat it. The last 10 days are when you are learning to take that tiny baby bites and then swallow. :P I suggest that when you get to the mushy stage that you start to practice taking tiny, small baby bites of food. For most of your life you have been inhaling your food, barely chewing it and almost swallowing it whole with 2 or 3 bites. That will NO longer work for you once you finish the 1st 30 days. That was my biggest problem when I started to eat regular food again. I still sometimes have to set my fork down and chew and chew and chew. It is a learning lesson. During the 1st month after WLS, your brain is still thinking in the mode of where you used to be before WLS. PLEASE remember that our brain really could convince us before to eat and eat and eat. We ate for all the wrong reasons. We ate when we were bored, upset, hurt, scared, or anxious. I am sure there was many more reason why we ate. NOW you are going to have to learn to listen to your stomach and know that you are full. Some signs are hiccups or runny nose—pay attention to those signs. The brain plays tricks on us—many of us call this “head hunger.” The brain really will try to tell you that you are starving and you should eat more. Those are “head hunger games” and you need to learn the difference between do I NEED to eat or do I just WANT to eat. SO WHAT DO I EAT STARTING THE 2ND MONTH I started with what I will call soft or easy to chew Proteins. 1. Soft Boiled eggs or scrambled eggs cooked in a pan with PAM spray. 2. Chicken breast with NO skin—baked, grilled, broiled, steamed, boiled, or roasted. Look for a cookbook that shows you 100 different ways to fix chicken. 3. Fish no skin no bones it is worth getting it this way—Grilled, roasted, steamed, broiled, or in a pan cooked with PAM spray—dip it in a little egg for more protein. 4. Turkey breast with NO skin—baked, grilled, broiled, steamed, boiled, or roasted. You can also cook it in a pan with PAM spray. These proteins can be cooked so many different ways. At first I would cook them pretty simple and use different “rubs” on them for flavor. Fresh squeezed Lemon or Lime really added a lot of flavor to them. I eat very little RED meat. I was a lover of red meat in the past, but I no longer eat much of it. I try to keep my carbs down to about 25 or 30 carbs per day. I use WHOLE GRAIN carbs and not whole wheat. It takes time and effort to plan what you are going to eat. It takes a while to adjust your lifestyle to eating like this. This is NOT A DIET, but a lifestyle change that will last a life time. I also exercise at least 5 days a week. I ate fresh veggies and usually steamed them or had them raw and a small amount of fresh fruit helped too. You are only going to be able to eat small amounts of protein—maybe 1 oz. per meal and ¼ of a cup of veggies this second month. You will look at your plate and think is this all I am going to get—then you eat and figure out pretty quickly that you are full. I still eat these same foods 2 years and 8 months later, only I now eat a little more of each of them. I also STILL drink my Premier Protein Drink for Breakfast every day. It has 30 grams of protein and it just works for me to drink it—that is all I have for breakfast. I have some small Snacks during the day too, and they consist of nuts or veggies. Yes, I have a something sweet now and then, but in small amounts and NOT every day. A sliver of cake—not a big piece, or 1 cookie, not 5 or 6. It is more about the taste, and once I have satisfied the taste, I am ok and I don’t feel deprived at ALL. As time goes on you will become more creative with what you are cooking and will find what tastes good to you. Take some of your old recipes and reinvent them to something that you can eat now with you new and improved stomach. :D If you have any questions just E-mail me.:smilewinkgrin:

Hey Holly, I am glad that you have notice how his life has changed. Yours can too. NEVER give up on getting rid of the weight. You will feel so much better once it is done. We all have a lot of fears and emotions when it comes to having the weight loss surgery. The sleeve is the best, but that is because I have one and love it. It is pretty normal to be scared and excited and uncertain all at the same time. Just know that this is your answer--just look at him. I am thrilled that he is going so well. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Yes, I can explain this. When you have sleeve surgery your new smaller stomach can only hold 6 to 8 oz and it knows when it is full--you need to pay attention to that. And right after sleeve surgery, your new stomach is swollen and will only hold about the amount the size of your thumb. Your head is where your "brain" is. The old thinking "brain" has been in control for all your life,and it is used to eating and eating and eathing. Now with the sleeve you will need to learn the difference between do I need to eat or do I just WANT to eat because that is how you lead your life for so many years. We call this "head" hunger." Your old briain is thinking like your old habits. You need to TRAIN your old brain to think like your new stomach. You will be sure that you are staving and aren't getting enough food because your old brain is still doing your thinking. In time they start thinking a like. So that is what they are talking about when they said they had surgery on ther stomach and not their head. I hope that helps. It takes time and effort on your part to not allow the OLD thinking brain to be in control. Hugs, Suzanne

What is stopping you? What are the reasons that are stopping you from having WLS? So many of us contemplate what our lives would be like if only we could only lose the weight and keep it off. That is the KEY—KEEP IT OFF. I would say the fear of having the surgery is the biggest factors that stop so many of us. There is always a risk with ANY kind of surgery. So how do you overcome that fear? I think the best thing you can do is to educate yourself and figure out what type of weight loss surgery is best for you. For me it was the sleeve (VSG). I rules out the Lapland right away after talking to my PCP. And I knew very little about the sleeve until I did a lot of research and I knew it was best for me. I had my surgery done 2 years and 8 months ago. I had hoped that my insurance would pay for it. That was NEVER going to happen. So I figured out that I was going to have to pay for it all on my own. So, I think that is the next obstacle the most of us have to deal with—insurance our self-pay. Since mine was self-pay and I had a very close friend who had WLS and she was self-pay, I started to ask questions. She is a Nurse Practitioner and I trusted her judgment implicitly. But she encouraged me to check out all the possibilities of what Doctor I was going to pick to do my WLS. We picked the same doctor by the way. I think the next obstacle is telling our family and friends that we want to have WLS. So many of them have horror stories about people who have had WLS and died or had complications, and honestly this is mostly gossip that they are repeating. It used to be looked on as that you were weak and this was something everyone kept quiet about and didn’t talk about having WLS. It just was a NO, NO. Honestly; I think our families love us and are scared and they get on the Internet and get all the wrong information. We have the fear of “what if I am the ONE person this isn’t going to work on?” WLS is your tool and you have to learn how to make your tool work for you. So if you are sitting out there on the fence or lurking and reading everyone’s post, I wanted to share with you that about 99% of us have had to deal with most of these feelings and obstacles. I want you to know that you can overcome these fears and feeling. We are here to support you. Answer questions for you and just help in any way we can. I was lucky enough to have the top of the line team of doctors and support staff that was there to answer all my questions before and after the surgery. I had Dr. Aceves and Dr. Compos in Mexicali, Mexico. Now there was another thing that was an obstacle too—the thought of going to Mexico to have this surgery done. Well, I will tell you that this was the best choice I could have made. Their facility was incredible along with their staff. The hospital cleaner than any US hospital I have ever seen in. I can only speak about my experience, because that is all I know about. Hugs, and I am here if you want to talk or have any questions.

HI, Thanks for the GREAT post. It takes ALL of us to be able to help one or more than one person on this site. Just because someone doesn't respond to you doesn't mean that they didn't get something from your post. I loved all the things you said and you said them so well!!!! Congratulations to you for making the RIGHT choice and changing your entire life. You will never regret it. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, We are so very lucky that there are doctors who have made WLS possible for all of us. Each and everyone of them shoud be applauded for helping us become healthy and happy again. I know this is a BIG step for you to take, but honestly you are doing something that is going to save your life. I have felt all the feelings and emotions that you are feeling. I am very proud of you for making the choice to change your entire life. I am here if you have any questions along the way. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi Thanks, I think that it is important that we give back if we have the time and we are willing. I want others to become successful too!. Hugs, Suzanne

Hey, Not a problem at all. My goal after having weight loss surgery was because I had all the same feelings and emotions that you are having was to help people along the way. I felt I was good with people and I have walked the walk, and talked the talk. So I hope that I can help others overcome some of these things and emotions that they are having. They are ALL very normal feeling and emotions to have by the way. It is the fear of the unknown for most of us. So always know that I am just an e-mail away. I try to read my E-mails daily. So if you are having a melt down, I am here and I am always posting stuff all the time. By the way you have made some smart choices and this time it really is going to happen for you. I am very proud that you are putting yourself first this time. This is ALL ABOUT YOU AND NO ONE ELSE. Don't you ever forget that. You are worth this. Hugs, Suzanne

Hey Sweetie, You are one of those success stories, and it is only going to keep getting better. I have somehing that I wanted you to have. I wrote it some time ago. But it is about the 1st months. I am here if you have any questions. Some things that you may have happen in the 1st months. When some of these things started to happen to me, I thought WOW am I the only one that this is going on with. Well, let me tell you NO, I wasn't. So I made this list and try to post it at least once a month for the new people who have just had surgery, about to have WLS,or someone who is just sitting quietly out there reading these posts, trying make up their mind if they want to do this or not. You have just had surgery and for a lot of you, you have read all the things everyone has posted on Dr. Aceves Web Site. They are helpful and encouraging. I spent some time with a lovely lady yesterday on the phone because she was sure I would have some of the answers for her. I hope I did and I think these are things that all of you can hear and use if you have just had weight loss surgery. So I will post this from time to time for all the NEWBIES. I am sure you have heard me and others say MANY times over "the 1st month is the most difficult month you will do." You have also heard me say that your brain will work extremely hard at play tricks on you. You read it and think oh sure, I can deal with that—and some of you are sure that this will never happen to you. It will happen to so many of us and we aren't even aware it is happening. This person was absolutely positive that she was just starving and was really hungry. She told me what she had been eating. She also said she was weak. I asked if she had been drinking her Water and her answer was just like mine was that 1st month. "Well, I can't begin to drink all that water"—remember your new stomach will only hold about 2 oz when you are trying to drink all this water. And like me she was having a difficult time getting in the amount of Protein she should be having 70 grams—no wonder she was feeling weak. After your stomach has healed most new stomachs will hold 6 to 8 oz of food or water. That is what we wanted a permanent restrictions so we can lose weight. So I will say this again, you MUST SIP on your water all day long when you are awake and the same goes for the protein that you are using—drink what you can and then sip the rest until you get it down. You need the protein to help your body recover. Your new stomach has experienced surgery and is swollen and will only hold liquids about the size of your thumb. This is our relearning time, and for most of us we have developed some extremely bad eating habits. Our OLD thinking brain tells us that we need to be eating more food, and we are not used to Clear Liquids for 10 day and creamy liquids for 10 days and then mushy foods the last 10 days. I want you to tell yourself this is only for 30 days and you can do anything for 30 days. It gets better as time goes one, I promise you. If you think you are hungry and you are positive that you are having physical symptoms of hunger this is YOUR OLD thinking brain playing those tricks we have talked about. You now have to start learning to educate this OLD brain into being your NEW thinking brain. Ask yourself do you just "want to eat" or do you really "need to eat" because it has been 3 or 4 hours since you have eaten anything. It is amazing what our brains can and will do to sabotage our old eating habits. You may be challenged by this OLD brains way of thinking for many years. For me I just have to have some self talks with myself. We have an addiction and our happens to be food. There is no way around avoiding food, so we need to find the set of skills that will allow us to change our lifestyle. I eat to live, I NO LONGER live to eat! Food is not my main focus in life. It does take some time to retain yourself in eating and I know that first month it is such a process just trying to get all the food in that you need to get in because of your new restrictions. In time it does get a lot easier. Some people morn the loss of food, because you will NEVER EAT the quantity of food that we used to eat---YEAH that is how we are going to lose the fat and maintain that goal weight that we want to have for the rest of our lives. These are the things that you will deal with in that FIRST MONTH and I am trying to be fair and honest about them.<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break">Hugs, Sara ASKA to Sara as Mama Sleeve!

Hi, Yeah and congratulations to you. Way to go. I was very lucky that I didn't have any complications really. Each days just gets a whole lot better. I wish you great success. :P Hugs, Suzanne

RAMDON THOUGHTS ABOUT WLS When you are thinking about having WLS I want you to think about just a few things. 1. Saying yes means you will do something new, meet someone new most likely and make a difference in your life. 2. Be true to yourself. It is you, your authentic self, the one you were in the first grade, before you leaned to massage your personality into a form that would suit others. 3. Sometimes it is hard to hear the message because of all the external voices and they are so loud. 4. Voices that are loud are always meant to bully. DO NOT BE BULLIED. 5. So carry your courage in an easily accessible place. Be your OWN authentic person when it comes to Weight Loss Surgery. This is ALL about you and NO one else. 6. Last you don’t need the approval of the Bully. You know what is right for you, follow your heart and go for it. Hugs, Suzanne