Lissa

No, that's not true. You haven't learned how to eat without drinking. You have to relearn habits and it takes 21 days to establish or break a habit. It's really important and helpful for your weight loss to not drink with your meals. I had a tough time with this guideline right after surgery too, but it's old hat to me now. If I drink too soon after eating, I feel bloated and sick. A couple of sliming episodes convinced me. You will find your way.

I'd add the following: Don't compare your journey to anyone else's journey. Celebrate where you are today instead of being unhappy that you haven't made it to goal yet. Talk positively and think positive when discussing your journey. You didn't get fat overnight and you won't get skinny overnight either. And, to steal from The Help: You is good. You is smart. You is important. Treat yourself that way!

I take Biotin daily and have since about 2 months post op. The most important thing is to make sure you get your Protein goal daily. Mine got fairly thin on top, but it's growing back in well now.

I was afraid I'd die when I had my sleeve. With the pre-existing complications and conditions I had, it was a real possibility. My first word when I woke up from my sleeve was "What?" I also had a panic attack about 7 months out thinking that I'd starve to death because I wouldn't be able to eat enough to stay alive. I squelched that thought process really fast! Be careful what you think, but deal in reality. If there is a true risk, your doctor will discuss it with you beforehand. Mine did. We had an honest "come to Jesus" conversation about what could happen and I decided the risks were worth it. Good luck on your journey!

My doctor included it as part of my 2 weeks Clear Liquids phase. I discovered I am intolerant post op and feel much better now that I am NOT drinking milk. Every one is different so I hope you have better luck than I did.

I'd add the following: Don't compare your journey to anyone else's journey. Celebrate where you are today instead of being unhappy that you haven't made it to goal yet. Talk positively and think positive when discussing your journey. You didn't get fat overnight and you won't get skinny overnight either. And, to steal from The Help: You is good. You is smart. You is important. Treat yourself that way!

In 1999, with our first baby born, we went to get life insurance. Because of my weight, I had to get a physical first. I was 362 lbs. Thus began the decade-long journey to lose weight.
I gained, lost, gained, lost, and finally, in December 2011, at 348 lbs, I decided to look into surgery.
I was 301 when I was cut.
Now two months out from that surgery, I stepped on the scale this AM, and was 261. A miracle. Never imagined this day would come, although it's on my bucket list. One hundred pounds gone. Thanks to all of you who have provided the support, help, advice, good ideas, bad ideas ( ), etc. since I joined this forum in the fall.

Yeah, that painful feeling is automatic portion control! Congrats on being sleeved and on your weight loss so far!

Christen, I freely admit that I couldn't have done this on my own. Does that make me a failure? NO. It makes me a woman who was smart enough to see that I was dying and brave enough to take a chance. My reward is that I rolled double sixes and I now have a new life that I get to make as wonderful as I'll let myself make it. I'm happy and content and that shows to other people in ways I'd have never imagined before surgery. I did this for me, but it wasn't easy. I double dog dare anyone to tell me I took the easy way out. And then I'm going to wake that person up at six am every morning to go to the gym with me, make them track their food and Water intake daily, make them weigh every morning, lift weights while they drive down the highway, do yoga stretches for flexibility, and, in general, try to keep up with ME!

Let's see. I'm 18 months+ post op, down over 120 pounds, feeling and looking fantastic. Do I feel like I've accomplished any less because I had surgery rather than doing it the "traditional" way? Nope. I've still had to watch my food intake, drink Water, get in my 70g of Protein daily, exercise and do the head work required to accept myself as I am rather than some idealized version of myself. In other words, I've worked just as hard with surgery as I'd have worked without surgery, possibly harder because I couldn't use food to cope with the mental aspect of weight loss, so I had to actually work through my issues. The big advantage is that I had a tool to jump start my loss and I have a tool to help me maintain my weight loss. Would I do this surgery again? HELL yes. For me, that's all there is to it. Good luck on your journey.

Salmon is one of my favorites these days. The poor fish guy at Publix always gives me a funny look when I order 1/4 pound of salmon, but that's more than I can eat at one sitting and it's just me eating here. I like the frozen patties, but they are hard to break up when they are still frozen.

Christen, I freely admit that I couldn't have done this on my own. Does that make me a failure? NO. It makes me a woman who was smart enough to see that I was dying and brave enough to take a chance. My reward is that I rolled double sixes and I now have a new life that I get to make as wonderful as I'll let myself make it. I'm happy and content and that shows to other people in ways I'd have never imagined before surgery. I did this for me, but it wasn't easy. I double dog dare anyone to tell me I took the easy way out. And then I'm going to wake that person up at six am every morning to go to the gym with me, make them track their food and Water intake daily, make them weigh every morning, lift weights while they drive down the highway, do yoga stretches for flexibility, and, in general, try to keep up with ME!

Heck yeah!! A good pedi is one of my favorite treats! Bonus for me, it helps improve my circulation in my legs and I count it as a medical expense because I had such horrible swelling and discoloration in my legs pre-sleeve from the edema caused by my DVTs.

Puja and Aussiegirl, Those feelings are exactly why my weight loss journey is an open book. I offer up a copy of my "fat pictures" anytime someone asks me about my weight loss and I'm always happy to send someone here to read. I'm a walking testimonial to WLS, especially the sleeve! I've seen quite a few people who have started their own diet and exercise/WLS journey since I have had such amazing results and it humbles me to think that I might have had a small part in that. Two of my girlfriends are having surgery this month, one with the same group of doctors I used and the other in Mexico. I've received a few private messages on Facebook from people who tell me that I inspired them to start their own weight loss journey, or to get back into the gym. Those messages outweigh the sister in law who won't speak to me because my posts about my workouts, weight loss, or food goals offend her. BTW, one of the gals going for WLS was one who was mad at me for awhile because she said I had attitude. She's now picking my brain for info about the surgery. I'm glad to have her back in my life and thrilled that she's being proactive for her health.

BEST thing I've ever done after the sleeve! I'm about a month post-op on my gallbladder removal and I'm amazed at the pain it eliminated! Have it out. You won't regret it.

I have to give you kudos for your pre-op weight loss. If the doc makes any comment, explain to him/her what happened. No one is perfect, not even my friend up there, Proudgrammy. If you don't stumble, how will you appreciate your victories later?
Good luck! You will do great with the sleeve!!

Lissa, that's so wonderful!!! I initially became interested in surgery because an acquaintance of mine was open about her WLS on Facebook. It helped so much to be able to talk to her, and her openness helped me realize this was something to be proud of, not ashamed of. I'm much happier telling people about it, rather than keeping it a secret.
You are an inspiration!!

Puja and Aussiegirl, Those feelings are exactly why my weight loss journey is an open book. I offer up a copy of my "fat pictures" anytime someone asks me about my weight loss and I'm always happy to send someone here to read. I'm a walking testimonial to WLS, especially the sleeve! I've seen quite a few people who have started their own diet and exercise/WLS journey since I have had such amazing results and it humbles me to think that I might have had a small part in that. Two of my girlfriends are having surgery this month, one with the same group of doctors I used and the other in Mexico. I've received a few private messages on Facebook from people who tell me that I inspired them to start their own weight loss journey, or to get back into the gym. Those messages outweigh the sister in law who won't speak to me because my posts about my workouts, weight loss, or food goals offend her. BTW, one of the gals going for WLS was one who was mad at me for awhile because she said I had attitude. She's now picking my brain for info about the surgery. I'm glad to have her back in my life and thrilled that she's being proactive for her health.

Let's see. I'm 18 months+ post op, down over 120 pounds, feeling and looking fantastic. Do I feel like I've accomplished any less because I had surgery rather than doing it the "traditional" way? Nope. I've still had to watch my food intake, drink Water, get in my 70g of Protein daily, exercise and do the head work required to accept myself as I am rather than some idealized version of myself. In other words, I've worked just as hard with surgery as I'd have worked without surgery, possibly harder because I couldn't use food to cope with the mental aspect of weight loss, so I had to actually work through my issues. The big advantage is that I had a tool to jump start my loss and I have a tool to help me maintain my weight loss. Would I do this surgery again? HELL yes. For me, that's all there is to it. Good luck on your journey.

Take smaller bites and chew every bite at least 30 times. Especially when you're eating meat. I also try to eat slower when I'm eating dense meat like chicken or steak because the full feeling will sneak up on me when I'm in the middle of chewing a bite and then my choices are to spit the bite of food out or risk sliming. Good luck!

Salmon is one of my favorites these days. The poor fish guy at Publix always gives me a funny look when I order 1/4 pound of salmon, but that's more than I can eat at one sitting and it's just me eating here. I like the frozen patties, but they are hard to break up when they are still frozen.

Haven't read the whole thread yet, but I'd say no to the frozen yogurt right now, even sugar/fat free versions. I became (and still am) lactose intolerant after my sleeve. I can't eat any dairy except cheese without having horrible diarrhea and cramping. I cannot imagine having that happen this soon post-op. You may be luckier than me and not have those issues, but I'd be very cautious simply because many people apparently have lactose intolerance for some period of time after the sleeve. I was hoping mine might be related to my gallbladder, but nothing has changed since it was removed a month ago.

I've always been a really boring eater. I will eat the same thing over and over again just to eat..
It was about the "filling the hole" more than pleasing the palate..
We don't go out to eat much, but when we do its ALWAYS sushi ( what can I say I have weird kids)
And I love the taste if salmon sashimi. So there is a little bit of a "foodie" in me

Let's see. I'm 18 months+ post op, down over 120 pounds, feeling and looking fantastic. Do I feel like I've accomplished any less because I had surgery rather than doing it the "traditional" way? Nope. I've still had to watch my food intake, drink Water, get in my 70g of Protein daily, exercise and do the head work required to accept myself as I am rather than some idealized version of myself. In other words, I've worked just as hard with surgery as I'd have worked without surgery, possibly harder because I couldn't use food to cope with the mental aspect of weight loss, so I had to actually work through my issues. The big advantage is that I had a tool to jump start my loss and I have a tool to help me maintain my weight loss. Would I do this surgery again? HELL yes. For me, that's all there is to it. Good luck on your journey.