Darla5060

I'm thrilled with where I'm at ten months out!

Whoo hoo!!!! Such a good feeling! Congratulations!!!!

I started way early, too, the day after surgery! You're right, it's a wacky hormone thing. I've heard a lot of people say that they started early after surgery.

It's hard to tell you what to do if you're not ready for surgery, but I can tell you that it's the best thing I ever did for myself! I'm grateful I took the step. Good luck with your decision!!

When I first had surgery, about 20 minutes...now, I can drink a cup in under 5 minutes.

Totally normal!!!! I concur with Spatters!

Joe and Ronlee...this is the best thing I've ever done for myself! My husband had the surgery, too, five months after me, and he's doing great, too. Don't be nervous about what you can't eat - you most likely won't even want to eat that food anymore anyway! I did have regret for a couple of days after surgery, but it went away...it's just such a life-changing thing that I feared the massive changes. It took me a month to get my head in a good place after surgery, and it's been smooth ever since. I love having lost 100 pounds! I would never trade this for any food in the world. Good luck, and have fun on this new and exciting journey!

It took me two weeks to go back to work, then about another two weeks to have more energy...I would go to work and be fine, but be wiped in the evenings. After four weeks, my energy level was incredibly high!

Hi! I was required to track my protein before surgery, and without trying very hard, I was eating 100 grams of protein a day. I'm not sure if eating high levels of protein will be necessary when we're maintaining (that would be good for me to know!), but I do notice that I crave protein more than anything else, so I lean toward protein when I eat.

Hi there! I'm 9 1/2 months post-op, and my husband is almost four months post-op, so I can answer your questions from our experiences...I understand your fear of death, but neither my husband nor I had any complications, if that helps. Six weeks seems like a long time, but do whatever your dr. tells you to do...it will, like you said, make the surgery go easier on you. My husband lost 25lbs. before surgery and he recovered much better than I did (I only lost 11lbs.). The more you can do to prepare before surgery, the better! I can't really answer about the ins and outs of the liquid diet - I only had to do that one day before my surgery, and it was Protein drinks and water only. I've heard the liquid diet is hard. My one day was pretty hard! Someone posted some advice on this site I held onto and found to be true - "The first month sucks." The first month was really hard because you're recovering from surgery! You won't feel good for about a week or two, then have less energy for another week or two, then you'll be fine (please remember that I'm just basing this on my experience - everyone's experience seems to be so different! But my hubby's experience was very similar, although he did bounce back quicker and easier than I did). I did feel regret the first few days, but I really think that's because my whole world had changed - food was such a big part of my world, and it was gone! The "head" part of surgery was a bit of a struggle for me, and after a couple of days, that feeling of regret was gone. My hubby never regretted it. I waited three months, but now I drink coffee and alcohol (alcohol only occasionally). I haven't tried beer or soda because of the fizz - I hear the fizz does not feel good. My hubby drank a beer about a week ago, and he had to drink it really slowly, and couldn't finish it. So you can drink those things, but you may not want to. We eat tiny portions...we like fish, so we'll pan fry some salmon and I can eat about 2.5 oz and he can eat 2.8ish...it's fun and amazing how little you can eat and feel full! I just hit 100lb weight loss, and after almost four months, my husband has lost 50lbs. It will be the best thing for your family that you're doing this! Good luck, and if you have any other questions, I'd be happy to share!

I was SO excited to see that I had lost 100 pounds! It took nine months and one day. The sleeve is the best thing I've ever done for myself, and I feel so blessed!!

Thanks, everyone!! I'm ecstatic! I've been shopping in the "regular" clothes part of stores! It's bizarre! I'm thankful to the support and love I get from everyone on the VSGtalk boards. XO!

Way to go! You look amazing!!!

That's awesome! That made me smile! It's a much better place to be in, for sure.

So happy for you!!! Hang in there when it gets tough - it's gets SO much better and it's the best thing I ever did for myself!

That was an awesome article!! They picked a perfect person to profile!!

Kirstyn, that AMAZING! I'm so happy for you!!!! We'll be thinking of you and you'll be in our prayers!!

Sophia, thank you for everything!! It was wonderful to see you, and to see everyone. What a wonderful, loving group! See you soon. Hugs, Darla

I just hit the seven month mark and I'm happier than I've ever been! I'm so glad I did this for myself. I feel so much better, I'm healthier, I have more confidence and I've lost my obsession with food. I'm so grateful for this surgery!!

Thanks, Kathy! It's set to record.

Awesome! Thanks for the heads-up!!

That's AWESOME!! Congratulations!!!!!