Lissa

Alexleni, What a great idea! I'll try it!

I used to say "Don't get between a fat girl and her food. It's dangerous". I was the one always making jokes about my weight while, inside, I was dying of embarrassment. I'm still big, but I don't make fat jokes anymore. It's not funny and, SOOON, I will be at a good, healthy weight. I feel so much more alive now than I did before!!!

So, when I first started my journey, I met a gal at the support group wearing a super cute dress. A few days later, I ran into her during my post op at the surgeon's office and she was wearing the same dress, so I told her it was cute. She offered me the dress and I said Thanks, but no thanks. I told her it would never fit me, but she told me to have faith that it would! At last week's support group meeting, she told me she had the dress in her car for me. I tried it on today, with absolutely no hope/thought that it would fit today. Well, it does!! LOL I think it's too young for me, and it's definitely too low cut, but I'm posting the picture here, among friends as proof that the dress fits! Nope, I'm not at goal, but I'm crying because I never in a million years thought this dress would fit me and it does. THIS is a true NSV!!! Maybe in another 20 or 30 pounds I'll feel differently, but right now, I will not be wearing this dress in public. I'm pumped, though, to see real, tangible results of all the treadmill, exercise, and recumbent bike time I've put into me! Happy Dancing Today!!

Lucill, You have the answer right in your signature line: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think... This journey requires us to believe in ourselves and to do the work required to get there, but OH, what a great feeling to finally start being successful. I'm 5 months post-op tomorrow and I've lost 81 pounds, so I'm halfway to goal. Yes, It's been pretty easy so far, but I do have to eat right and exercise to keep losing. I am amazed every day at my improved energy level and ability to move, bend, twist, get up and down off the floor, walk up and down stairs, in short...I have a new life and a new outlook on it. Yeah, sometimes I wonder if I'll ever actually reach my goal, but that thought soon flees when I think about how far I've come in only 5 months. Just before surgery, I was so sick and out of shape that I could barely walk from my front door to my car. Now I walk 2+ miles on the treadmill at a time, ride 6-8 miles on the exercise bike, lift weights, walk the length of the mall FOR FUN and, in general, am much more active! So, while I still sometimes wonder if I'll get to my goal weight, I have hope that it will happen. To misquote an 80's song: My future's so bright, I gotta wear shades![/font] Teri, you've lost 42 pounds in two months and Lucill has lost 111 pounds in a year. Those are AMAZING numbers and they show that both of you are rocking your sleeves! Even if neither of you believe it, *I* have faith that you will both reach your goals. Good luck!! :smile1:

Chrissy, I get what you mean about not wanting to throw up. I absolutely hate to vomit, even when I know it will make me feel better. One of my good friends had GB back in the 90's and she had horrible reflux problems. She's be eating and fine for a couple of bites, then one tiny bite too many and she'd be running for the bathroom. I thought that was disgusting and my exact thought was "I'd rather be fat then getting sick all the time". It was one of my real worries about having the sleeve cause I sure didn't want to be sliming or getting sick all the time. I was sleeved Aug 30, 2011 and have never slimed. I really work hard to under eat my sleeve, take small bites and chew very well. I also have been sure that I take a tiny bite of a new (after sleeve) food and let it sit for a few minutes before I try any more. That's how I found out I can't do very spicy food yet. I have vomitted once and that happened recently. I went to Carraba's with friends and we all shared a couple of appetizers. I even ate a small piece of their bread with olive oil and spices, yum! Right before we left, I took a quick sip of my drink because my mouth was dry. By the time we got to the car, I had to find a bush and be sick. Luckily, only the drink and bread came up (sorry, TMI?), but I learned that I REALLY cannot drink immediately after eating, especially if it's carbs. Don't be afraid of food. Once you're back on solids, make sure you try something new at least every few days, even if it's only 1 or 2 bites. Be adventurous so that you don't end up in a rut of only drinking Protein shakes or eating Protein Bars. You had this surgery to improve your life, so take advantage of the opportunities it will open for you! I know that right now you feel bad and you're probably frustrated by not being able to eat much and have very little variety. It will get better. May I say that I think you are very brave to seek therapy for food issues! I think it's even braver to admit that you know you need help and are asking for it! I believe that most obese people could use some therapy to deal with our food issues, but I think it's especially important for WLS surgery patients to deal with those issues to prevent regain. I'm sure you'll talk to your therapist about your fears about being sick as well. I hope that the therapist is well-versed in bariatric issues and can give you some real help there! Good luck and please stick around so we can watch your journey to a new you!!

Wow!! I agree that most of the commenters seemed to blame the patient. I wish those people who say this is "easy" would read these (or any WLS) boards for a day or two. While this does make weight loss easier in the beginning, we all know that we must continue to do the work in order to reach our goals. I feel sorry for the girl and her family.

I think you answered your own question. Your Lady says that she "hates the fact that (you) have to eat ice cream, etc. to maintain (your) weight". To me, it sounds like she's worried about YOU and it is causing her stress. She knows that you should be eating healthier foods and that eating slider/junk foods is a slippery slope back to being overweight. I think the advice to talk to a nutritionist is right on point. Perhaps you could add complex carbs or more Protein calories to your diet to help maintain your weight. Using "better" foods would also keep the bad stuff out of the house so it doesn't tempt your woman. The added benefit is that your son would not have those foods in his diet and will learn healthier dietary habits from watching you. I agree with Teri who said to never say anything to your woman about her weight, even if you think it's constructive criticism. THAT is a huge NO NO. A couple of guys might say to one another "Hey, you've gained a couple of pounds. Too much beer?" but two women would NEVER say that to each other. And if a man ever said that to me, I'd be letting him talk to my back as I walked away. It's sad but true; we women are highly sensitive to even gently-worded comments about our weight! You sound like a great guy who is trying to keep himself healthy for his family. I admire that. I hope that you'll come back and let us know that you have talked to a Nut to find a way to maintain in a healthy manner. I also hope that you and your Lady can work through this. You really should reassure her that you love and care for her and your son and that you are not going anywhere. Maybe hold her hand more in public, make sure you are bestowing that smile upon HER more often and that she sees and hears your admiration for her whenever you are together. I bet she'll be like a flower turning it's face toward the sun and you'll see HER smile and admiration more often, too! Good luck!!

Yee Haw!!! That's a great NSV! Congrats!!

(((Sleeve4Me))) I have no words, but you're in my prayers.

Jess, You'll be so happy with Dr D! He's an amazing person!! And an even better surgeon than that!

I like that "running to my grandkids" line. Great motivator!!! I don't have any yet either, but my cousins all have several and they are adorable!!

Congrats to all of you!!!

I get that same darn message every single day from MFP. MFP also lies to me daily, telling me that I'll weigh some ridiculously low amount "in 5 weeks". @@ I have my calorie goal set at 1,000 and seldom meet it. You'll also notice that MFP adds your exercise calories back into your available to eat calories. Just ignore the messages and keep working your plan. I look to make sure I've met my Protein goals and Water goals daily and don't worry about the calories or carbs. Good luck!! I'm Lissa912 on MFP, if you'd like to add me.

Great job!! It's inspiring to read a post from someone who has been so successful with their sleeve! Please, don't be a stranger!!

Ladies, I SO get what you all mean by wanting to turn to food. While you're on mushies is a great time to address this issue, although it would be nice if our SO's wouldn't do some stupid things while we're trying to heal! Sheesh!! I see a therapist to work through food (and other) issues, and it has helped tremendously. She's really great about pointing out to me when I'm not looking at things properly. I really wanted to do find my old buddy food at the beginning of the month, but I managed to get through the event without doing too badly. It's a tough road. The doctors sleeve our tummies, not our heads. It's up to us to do the head work and VST is a great place to get some support to help you through. If it's not enough, then it's time to think about talking to a professional. We're all only human, but we are trying to accomplish something great by losing our excess weight! It's definitely a lot of work, and a lot of that work IS mental. I wish us all luck!!

I've been eating nuts for a long time, too. I love almonds these days! Guess I should have asked about that at my last visit!!

Congrats!! I'm amazed that you could post so soon!! Sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk. You know the drill! Scooting over::::::::::::::::::::::::::

chicken broth was my favorite. Depending on what your surgeon recommends, you could be stuck with true liquids, or you may be able to add in Protein shakes, SF Jello and SF popsicles, that kind of thing. Ask your doc or nut to give you specifics on what they allow. Good luck on your journey!!

Wow!! I have no better advice than what Longer Life just posted, but I wanted to express my sympathies at having to deal with the in-laws this soon after surgery! Good luck!!

Lilu, I had blood in my urine and kidney stones in my pre-op testing. I was prescribed extra Water and an antibiotic. My surgery was pushed back two weeks because of blood clot issues. I DO understand how frustrating it is to feel like you're bouncing between doctors. I was totally frustrated when told I'd have to have a surgery before my VSG and another after my VSG to install, then remove, a filter in my Vena Cava. However, I did get sleeved within 2 weeks of my original surgery date and I made it through both of the extra surgeries. When they pulled the filter, it HAD caught two clots, so those extra surgeries saved my life. My point here is that the doctors are trying to make sure they have protected you as much as possible before they do your sleeve. Yeah, it's a PITA to have to keep jumping through hoops, but it WILL be worth it when you make it through surgery and start dropping weight. (((Lilu))) Hopefully you will feel better tomorrow and your doc will call with news that makes this all seem somewhat easier. Good luck!!

Shannon, I waited until 2 weekends ago for my first adult beverage. It went down fine. I have no idea if I got tipsy faster than before because I might drink six drinks a year. I'd be more worried about the tomato juice than the vodka, though. I still can't handle tomato juice at 5 months out. It makes me really gassy. My doc recommends waiting six months to a year for alcohol. Six weeks might be a tad early for alcohol, so, if you are going to drink, take small sips and wait a few minutes before the next, just like you would do with any new food or liquid. Good luck!!

Sleeve of Steel, I think you already look great, so whatever weight you choose will be perfect for you. BUT, may I suggest that maybe you're short-selling yourself? I know you can reach a lower weight/BMI than your stated goal. I know that because YOU are one of the most determined, self-aware sleevers on this board. Are you setting the goal weight that high because you're afraid you won't make the other goal or is it REALLY that you think you'll look better there? I understand the reasons you've given, but I think that you can get all the way to 135/140 and that you might find the lower number a better one when you get there. I haven't seen a full body picture of you, and I'm not asking for one. But, you will have to determine how you want to look and feel when you reach 165. Maybe then you'll decide you do want to continue; maybe you won't. I think the reason this struck a cord with me is that I just readjusted my goal weight upwards 20 pounds and I've been asking myself a lot of the same questions. I moved mine based on my doctor's advice, but I'm still wondering if I can't actually go lower. And, the same is true for you. You can always go lower than 165 when you get there if it's not really where you want to be. Good luck either way!!

Debi, I started at 352, and the first thing I lost was my undies. That took a little over a month to happen. Then it seemed like forever before my clothes started getting really baggy. I dropped a pants size at the end of December, and bought new pants two weeks ago. I'm really glad I didn't go crazy on buying clothes, though, because those pants are already baggy on me. I haven't lost/gained anything since a 10 pound dump early in the month, but my pants are getting way too big. I'm at 271 now and I'll be buying new pants in the next two weeks...or at least new to me pants. You will probably follow the same pattern, with weight dropping but not sizes until you hit a "stall" for a few days, then you'll walk out of your pants, or have a shirt fall off your shoulder. It's irritating, but thrilling, too! Good luck, although you're doing great!!

That's one symptom I haven't had at all. I hope it gets better for him, but maybe he can find a way to make a joke out of it... Something like "Oops, time to refill!" Is he on an acid reducer? That might help a little bit. Good luck to him!!

Congrats to you!! You're doing an awesome thing for your health and your vanity! You'll feel so much better because of both! Here's hoping that insurance approval comes through very quickly!!