Bedhead

Well that's easy- we all get the surgery because we obviously do not have the will power to walk away from food without having a surgical tool in place. I imagine after you have your sleeve in place it's easy to forget what a nightmarish existence we non-sleevers live in having to fight ourselves. We KNOW what we need to do, but doing it is a totally different story.

And that, folks, is one part of why health care in the US is so expensive and so many of you had to leave the country to get surgery.
Malpractice- being put to sleep expecting a VSG and waking up with a full hysterectomy when you're only 24.
No malpractice- having a frustrating but fully disclosed complication from an elective surgery after which various doctors and other medical professionals attempt to work together to solve and make right.
Only in America.

I can't help but feel compelled to comment on this. Truth is an interesting concept, because each and every one of us will have our own truth. I think that the truth most members of this forum live is that this surgery has changed their lives for the better and they would do it again in an instant.
Ja's truth is scary to read about for sure, but the risk of these things happening are SO LOW. You are more likely to suffer severe complications from obesity than you are from this surgery. I certainly don't want to minimize what Ja is going through, because it's seriously awful stuff- but please keep in mind that she's not telling the 'truth about how awful this surgery is".... she's just telling her story of complications that are quite rare.
I hope that you spend more time reading this forum and see how many wonderful success stories are here of people who are so happy with their results in order to make a more balanced decision.

I'm 4 weeks out now and things are getting better. I can drink fresh, cold Water now instead of lukewarm flavored water. I don't have to sip, I can gulpgulpgulp (but only 3x, if I go for a 4th gulp it will be uncomfortable for a few minutes).
I'm having a LOT of trouble getting all of my water and Protein in. I think the best I've done so far is to get 30G of protein and maybe 40oz of water. I really really need to work on that.
But I can eat pretty much anything! My surgeon and NUT ok'ed me to move onto regular foods as long as I chew chew chew and they don't bother me. So I've gotten to eat all sorts of foods and am feeling less and less deprived each day. Over the weekend I had a "Protein Taco" which was basically 1/4th of a low carb wrap with refried Beans, ground beef, cheddar cheese, greek yogurt in place of sour cream, and a tiny dribble of mild salsa. I'm pretty sure it was the most incredible thing I have ever eaten. Granted it took me nearly an hour to eat most of it and I ended up giving the last bit to my daughter it was still so incredible. All of the flavors and textures totally thrilled me- and I'm guessing there was at least 15-20g of protein.

I spent my first 6-7 weeks feeling like I was on the cusp of death. I couldn't eat. I couldn't drink. I couldn't stay out of the hospital. I regretted it with my whole heart and soul. I cried. I was so mad at what I had done to myself.
Now, I am 13 weeks out and I don't even feel like I ever had surgery! I eat less. That's it. I can take 3-4 big gulps of Fluid, wait about 20-30 seconds, and take 3-4 more big gulps... and that's how I drink now. I can drink icy cold Water with no sweetners or flavorings in it.... it's heavenly! I never thought I would be to this place but I'm SO HAPPY I got the surgery! I've only lost around 47lbs so far... but that's an average of 3.6lbs each week. I NEVER could have done that myself!

Sleeved 2/6, 30-something lbs down, had so many complications that I spent almost the entire month of Feb in the hospital. I regretted it then. Now that I feel great, have energy, and can eat like a normal skinny person I wouldn't change it for the world.

Sleeved 2/6, 30-something lbs down, had so many complications that I spent almost the entire month of Feb in the hospital. I regretted it then. Now that I feel great, have energy, and can eat like a normal skinny person I wouldn't change it for the world.

Awwww maturity FTW!

I spent my first 6-7 weeks feeling like I was on the cusp of death. I couldn't eat. I couldn't drink. I couldn't stay out of the hospital. I regretted it with my whole heart and soul. I cried. I was so mad at what I had done to myself.
Now, I am 13 weeks out and I don't even feel like I ever had surgery! I eat less. That's it. I can take 3-4 big gulps of Fluid, wait about 20-30 seconds, and take 3-4 more big gulps... and that's how I drink now. I can drink icy cold Water with no sweetners or flavorings in it.... it's heavenly! I never thought I would be to this place but I'm SO HAPPY I got the surgery! I've only lost around 47lbs so far... but that's an average of 3.6lbs each week. I NEVER could have done that myself!

This is a letter that I wrote from my overweight self to my skinny self. I thought that since we're all on this crazy roller coaster together, you guys may get something from it so I decided to share.
Dear Skinny Bedhead,
I don't know what we look like, what we're up to, or how long the winding road was for us, but I do know this- there are a few things that I want to say to you.
It seems like we've been fat since the Dawn of Time... or at least since the age when body images start to really matter. Through all of these years there have been so many excuses: Injuries. Surgeries. Pregnancies. Illnesses. No more excuses. Excuses are easy to make. Changes aren't. But it doesn't matter anymore because the biggest change (surgery) has been made, and since I'm writing to my skinny self- I have to assume that we finally stopped using excuses as protection.
Remember all of those nights sitting on the couch in front of the TV eating ice cream and Jax? Remember spending hours on Pinterest pinning outfits that we loved and wanted to wear someday but never really thought we'd be able to? Don't ever let us go back to that again. Don't dream about a life instead of having a life. I need you to be stronger than me, even though we're one in the same. I couldn't do it, no matter how many times I lost the weight, so I need you to be strong and never turn back like I did all of those times.
Don't get discouraged by stretchmarks, sagging skin, or hair loss. Right now none of that matters. What matters is getting healthy and being able to to comfortably get on the floor to play, to go on rides at the fair, to ride the stupid warhorse at the Ren Fest. The kids. The kids are what matter. Being healthy and full of energy & life for those amazing little people who deserve so much more than a fat, lazy, tired, depressed mother. I'm ok with saggy skin and Hair loss if I get all of those wonderful moments instead.
Take pictures. Take a LOT of pictures, every chance you get. For years we've hidden behind the camera and there are thousands of pictures of daddy with the kids, but almost none of mommy with the kids. Change that. Smile huge, loving smiles.
Teach the kids (our daughter especially) to love their bodies and treat them right. Make sure not to ever give them self esteem issues, but at the same time be sure to teach the absolute importance of living healthy. Do not ever let them become what we became. Be their support, their guidance, their teacher, and their friend. Don't be the voice of their self-hate.
Never forget that we were fat. Don't ever look at an overweight person and judge them. Don't ever be cruel or snide or hateful. Not everyone can or will make this journey for a myriad of reasons that are nobody's business but their own. Always remember how much it hurt. Always remember the rude glances, the harsh words, and the utter desolation of obesity. Don't take this amazing gift for granted. It so easily could have not happened for us. We're lucky. Most people aren't so lucky. Be a candle in the darkness for those people. Uplift them, support them, love them unconditionally.
But most of all, uplift, support, and love US unconditionally. Don't hate me for what I did to our body. Don't look back with bitterness or scorn. We learned so much through our battle with obesity that even though I hate the toll it has taken, I'm glad it's a burden we had to carry. Look forward toward all of the beauty, wonder, and awe this life has to offer. Grab it by the reigns and don't let go. Live life, don't let it slip away.
Be the mother, daughter, sister, and wife we were always destined to be- Because it's better late than never!
With so much hope,
Your Fat Self

This is a letter that I wrote from my overweight self to my skinny self. I thought that since we're all on this crazy roller coaster together, you guys may get something from it so I decided to share.
Dear Skinny Bedhead,
I don't know what we look like, what we're up to, or how long the winding road was for us, but I do know this- there are a few things that I want to say to you.
It seems like we've been fat since the Dawn of Time... or at least since the age when body images start to really matter. Through all of these years there have been so many excuses: Injuries. Surgeries. Pregnancies. Illnesses. No more excuses. Excuses are easy to make. Changes aren't. But it doesn't matter anymore because the biggest change (surgery) has been made, and since I'm writing to my skinny self- I have to assume that we finally stopped using excuses as protection.
Remember all of those nights sitting on the couch in front of the TV eating ice cream and Jax? Remember spending hours on Pinterest pinning outfits that we loved and wanted to wear someday but never really thought we'd be able to? Don't ever let us go back to that again. Don't dream about a life instead of having a life. I need you to be stronger than me, even though we're one in the same. I couldn't do it, no matter how many times I lost the weight, so I need you to be strong and never turn back like I did all of those times.
Don't get discouraged by stretchmarks, sagging skin, or hair loss. Right now none of that matters. What matters is getting healthy and being able to to comfortably get on the floor to play, to go on rides at the fair, to ride the stupid warhorse at the Ren Fest. The kids. The kids are what matter. Being healthy and full of energy & life for those amazing little people who deserve so much more than a fat, lazy, tired, depressed mother. I'm ok with saggy skin and Hair loss if I get all of those wonderful moments instead.
Take pictures. Take a LOT of pictures, every chance you get. For years we've hidden behind the camera and there are thousands of pictures of daddy with the kids, but almost none of mommy with the kids. Change that. Smile huge, loving smiles.
Teach the kids (our daughter especially) to love their bodies and treat them right. Make sure not to ever give them self esteem issues, but at the same time be sure to teach the absolute importance of living healthy. Do not ever let them become what we became. Be their support, their guidance, their teacher, and their friend. Don't be the voice of their self-hate.
Never forget that we were fat. Don't ever look at an overweight person and judge them. Don't ever be cruel or snide or hateful. Not everyone can or will make this journey for a myriad of reasons that are nobody's business but their own. Always remember how much it hurt. Always remember the rude glances, the harsh words, and the utter desolation of obesity. Don't take this amazing gift for granted. It so easily could have not happened for us. We're lucky. Most people aren't so lucky. Be a candle in the darkness for those people. Uplift them, support them, love them unconditionally.
But most of all, uplift, support, and love US unconditionally. Don't hate me for what I did to our body. Don't look back with bitterness or scorn. We learned so much through our battle with obesity that even though I hate the toll it has taken, I'm glad it's a burden we had to carry. Look forward toward all of the beauty, wonder, and awe this life has to offer. Grab it by the reigns and don't let go. Live life, don't let it slip away.
Be the mother, daughter, sister, and wife we were always destined to be- Because it's better late than never!
With so much hope,
Your Fat Self

This is a letter that I wrote from my overweight self to my skinny self. I thought that since we're all on this crazy roller coaster together, you guys may get something from it so I decided to share.
Dear Skinny Bedhead,
I don't know what we look like, what we're up to, or how long the winding road was for us, but I do know this- there are a few things that I want to say to you.
It seems like we've been fat since the Dawn of Time... or at least since the age when body images start to really matter. Through all of these years there have been so many excuses: Injuries. Surgeries. Pregnancies. Illnesses. No more excuses. Excuses are easy to make. Changes aren't. But it doesn't matter anymore because the biggest change (surgery) has been made, and since I'm writing to my skinny self- I have to assume that we finally stopped using excuses as protection.
Remember all of those nights sitting on the couch in front of the TV eating ice cream and Jax? Remember spending hours on Pinterest pinning outfits that we loved and wanted to wear someday but never really thought we'd be able to? Don't ever let us go back to that again. Don't dream about a life instead of having a life. I need you to be stronger than me, even though we're one in the same. I couldn't do it, no matter how many times I lost the weight, so I need you to be strong and never turn back like I did all of those times.
Don't get discouraged by stretchmarks, sagging skin, or hair loss. Right now none of that matters. What matters is getting healthy and being able to to comfortably get on the floor to play, to go on rides at the fair, to ride the stupid warhorse at the Ren Fest. The kids. The kids are what matter. Being healthy and full of energy & life for those amazing little people who deserve so much more than a fat, lazy, tired, depressed mother. I'm ok with saggy skin and Hair loss if I get all of those wonderful moments instead.
Take pictures. Take a LOT of pictures, every chance you get. For years we've hidden behind the camera and there are thousands of pictures of daddy with the kids, but almost none of mommy with the kids. Change that. Smile huge, loving smiles.
Teach the kids (our daughter especially) to love their bodies and treat them right. Make sure not to ever give them self esteem issues, but at the same time be sure to teach the absolute importance of living healthy. Do not ever let them become what we became. Be their support, their guidance, their teacher, and their friend. Don't be the voice of their self-hate.
Never forget that we were fat. Don't ever look at an overweight person and judge them. Don't ever be cruel or snide or hateful. Not everyone can or will make this journey for a myriad of reasons that are nobody's business but their own. Always remember how much it hurt. Always remember the rude glances, the harsh words, and the utter desolation of obesity. Don't take this amazing gift for granted. It so easily could have not happened for us. We're lucky. Most people aren't so lucky. Be a candle in the darkness for those people. Uplift them, support them, love them unconditionally.
But most of all, uplift, support, and love US unconditionally. Don't hate me for what I did to our body. Don't look back with bitterness or scorn. We learned so much through our battle with obesity that even though I hate the toll it has taken, I'm glad it's a burden we had to carry. Look forward toward all of the beauty, wonder, and awe this life has to offer. Grab it by the reigns and don't let go. Live life, don't let it slip away.
Be the mother, daughter, sister, and wife we were always destined to be- Because it's better late than never!
With so much hope,
Your Fat Self

Bumping for newer users so that maybe you can write a letter to your skinny self too

I buy the 4 packs of Breakstone 4oz cottage cheese containers. I can sometimes eat all 4oz, but usually not.... so I'm going to guess that my capacity is right around and sometimes just under 4oz.

This is a letter that I wrote from my overweight self to my skinny self. I thought that since we're all on this crazy roller coaster together, you guys may get something from it so I decided to share.
Dear Skinny Bedhead,
I don't know what we look like, what we're up to, or how long the winding road was for us, but I do know this- there are a few things that I want to say to you.
It seems like we've been fat since the Dawn of Time... or at least since the age when body images start to really matter. Through all of these years there have been so many excuses: Injuries. Surgeries. Pregnancies. Illnesses. No more excuses. Excuses are easy to make. Changes aren't. But it doesn't matter anymore because the biggest change (surgery) has been made, and since I'm writing to my skinny self- I have to assume that we finally stopped using excuses as protection.
Remember all of those nights sitting on the couch in front of the TV eating ice cream and Jax? Remember spending hours on Pinterest pinning outfits that we loved and wanted to wear someday but never really thought we'd be able to? Don't ever let us go back to that again. Don't dream about a life instead of having a life. I need you to be stronger than me, even though we're one in the same. I couldn't do it, no matter how many times I lost the weight, so I need you to be strong and never turn back like I did all of those times.
Don't get discouraged by stretchmarks, sagging skin, or hair loss. Right now none of that matters. What matters is getting healthy and being able to to comfortably get on the floor to play, to go on rides at the fair, to ride the stupid warhorse at the Ren Fest. The kids. The kids are what matter. Being healthy and full of energy & life for those amazing little people who deserve so much more than a fat, lazy, tired, depressed mother. I'm ok with saggy skin and Hair loss if I get all of those wonderful moments instead.
Take pictures. Take a LOT of pictures, every chance you get. For years we've hidden behind the camera and there are thousands of pictures of daddy with the kids, but almost none of mommy with the kids. Change that. Smile huge, loving smiles.
Teach the kids (our daughter especially) to love their bodies and treat them right. Make sure not to ever give them self esteem issues, but at the same time be sure to teach the absolute importance of living healthy. Do not ever let them become what we became. Be their support, their guidance, their teacher, and their friend. Don't be the voice of their self-hate.
Never forget that we were fat. Don't ever look at an overweight person and judge them. Don't ever be cruel or snide or hateful. Not everyone can or will make this journey for a myriad of reasons that are nobody's business but their own. Always remember how much it hurt. Always remember the rude glances, the harsh words, and the utter desolation of obesity. Don't take this amazing gift for granted. It so easily could have not happened for us. We're lucky. Most people aren't so lucky. Be a candle in the darkness for those people. Uplift them, support them, love them unconditionally.
But most of all, uplift, support, and love US unconditionally. Don't hate me for what I did to our body. Don't look back with bitterness or scorn. We learned so much through our battle with obesity that even though I hate the toll it has taken, I'm glad it's a burden we had to carry. Look forward toward all of the beauty, wonder, and awe this life has to offer. Grab it by the reigns and don't let go. Live life, don't let it slip away.
Be the mother, daughter, sister, and wife we were always destined to be- Because it's better late than never!
With so much hope,
Your Fat Self

It annoys me that the word q uee r is blanked out like it's a swear word.

I totally could have written this post myself! HELLO!! Bow chicka wow wow.
And I've learned not to bother with toys that run on disposable batteries. I splurged on high end version that you can plug into the wall to recharge. I have saved so much $$$ on replacing batteries.

I totally could have written this post myself! HELLO!! Bow chicka wow wow.
And I've learned not to bother with toys that run on disposable batteries. I splurged on high end version that you can plug into the wall to recharge. I have saved so much $$$ on replacing batteries.

Graze. That is absolutely what could defeat me. One bite every 5 minutes and I could eat all the live long day.

Just don't. It would be a damned shame to have a life altering operation to extend your life only to go back to smoking again and shorten it back down again.

I can't understand why you aren't on a PPI already!! I started mine immediately when I got home 20mg of Prilosec 2x a day. That could be a lot of the pain you're still feeling.
I'm so sorry you're feeling regret. I was in your shoes not too long ago- I had some complications and spent a good but of Feb in the hospital- but I'm 2 months out today and life is back to normal!! Just a few weeks ago I was sobbing in my husbands arms because I had ruined my life and now my brother saw me for the first time since before surgery and he told me "OHMYGOD!! You have lost so much weight!" and he has no idea that I had surgery.

Sleeved 2/6, 30-something lbs down, had so many complications that I spent almost the entire month of Feb in the hospital. I regretted it then. Now that I feel great, have energy, and can eat like a normal skinny person I wouldn't change it for the world.

Sleeved 2/6, 30-something lbs down, had so many complications that I spent almost the entire month of Feb in the hospital. I regretted it then. Now that I feel great, have energy, and can eat like a normal skinny person I wouldn't change it for the world.

I was sleeved almost 2 months ago (2/6/12) and I just realized today that I hit a huge milestone!!
I plugged my height/weight info into a BMI calculator and my BMI is now 38.8. When I got my surgery my BMI was 43.8! I am no longer in "Very Severely Obese" and am now just "Severely Obese". I no longer qualify for surgery with my insurance company!!!! Thank goodness I already got it
In just 24 more pounds I will be under a BMI of 35 and be classed as "Moderately Obese"
HORRAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was sleeved almost 2 months ago (2/6/12) and I just realized today that I hit a huge milestone!!
I plugged my height/weight info into a BMI calculator and my BMI is now 38.8. When I got my surgery my BMI was 43.8! I am no longer in "Very Severely Obese" and am now just "Severely Obese". I no longer qualify for surgery with my insurance company!!!! Thank goodness I already got it
In just 24 more pounds I will be under a BMI of 35 and be classed as "Moderately Obese"
HORRAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!