1Bumblebee

I use calorie counter by fatsecret. It is a free app and is awesome. If you have a smart phone, if a food item has a UPC #, you can use your phones camera to scan it and most foods' nutritional facts are already there for you. Awesome awesome awesom.

My surgery is on the 9th. Read someone else's thread and realized this is my last weekend as a full stomached gal. Ahhhhhhhh!

I have a completely different situation. No liquid diet for preop. I lost the weight by downloading an app on my smart phone called calorie counter. It was free and I maintained a 1200-1500 calorie diet. I can't do much exercise because of plantar faciatis but my lower calorie intake has helped me lose about 30 lbs. I'm 6 days away from my surgery and I'm really struggling with this diet. I've struggle d with the thought of surgery since I was losing on my own, however, I'm feeling like I usually do every time I go on a diet. I know I need this surgery to help me make this life change. Hope this helps.

Yippeee! 6 more days. Anxiety is working its way back in. I'm sure these feelings are all normal.

Sorry I haven't had my surgery yet. I have spent tons of money trying all sorts of shakes. The Isopure was the only thing I could find that I liked. Not sure if it will keep us full until I have my surgery. I'm just glad that I found something that was not a shake. My surgery is scheduled on the 9th. Yippeeee!

Isopure in the glass bottles. They have 40g of Protein for a 20 oz bottle. Different flavors and not a shake. They are like gatorade that are premade and can be sipped on throughout the day. You can get them at GNC and on line. Good luck.

You look great. Its stories like yours that gives people like me hope for a happy, healthy future. Thanks for sharing. I love this forum.

Im starting to get more excited than scared. Took measurements and pictures today. That was the exact reality check i needed.

Hoping all went well for you. I'll keep you in my prayers.

March 28. I just found out today <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Congratulations! Let's stay in touch.

I'm the 7th. I was literally awake all nite last nite. Having second thoughts. But ive come to far to turn back now. Just keep reading positive posts. We gonna be alright. See ya on the losers bench.

Thank you finally4me. I will keep you in my prayers. Just keep thinking positive. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you guys. Just what I needed.

Bumblebee' date='

I don't have my sleeve yet either. I understand you being excited and nervous, I'm already feeling that way. I just keep thinking how this surgery is a gift. We will need to use the loss of appetite we will experience after surgery to make healthy changes that will last our entire lives.

I can only imagine how proud we will feel after the first 20 pounds are gone.

Can't wait to hear your surgery tale as you post your story to this site!![/quote']

Thanks. I will keep you posted. When is your surgery?

We must be having surgery on the same day (March 9)! I am excited and nervous as well.I have been keeping my self busy by trying to prepare everything for when I get home after surgery. I am traveling to Mexico on the 8th and will be gone for 6 days. I have also been reading all the forums and watching youtube videos every spare minute. I just keep thinking.....skinny by summer.....skinny by summer.....lol. Good luck to you! We will do great!

Meeee toooo. Skinny by summer. We should become sleeve buddies.

Need some more positive talk.

Having surgery on the 9th would like to hear comments.

How did you lose the weight? How long did it take? I just started a reduced carb diet. Im 5"6. Trying to lose 20 by July

Not sure if you were asking me. The 30 lbs I have lost have been by reducing my portion sizes (been extremely difficult). I can't wait to be sleeved but am very nervous too.

I am having my surgery on March 9 and I went from 298 to 268. Sure wish people would list their height. I'm 5'7 3/4" and would kind of like to know what others my height have lost in 6 mo postoperative.

Congrats! Keep up the good work.

Hi Sleeveme81, I too have a husband that can't seem to be sensitive when I need. I know my husband loves me however some of my past baggage which leaves me needing special attention sometimes I don't blame him for. You need to find an outlet like this board to help you through some of the tough times.

You guys are all so awesome. Thank you sooooo much for your support and advise. I really can't imagine not having all of you out there.

It's important to remember that every surgery carries risks' date=' and this surgery is no exception. However, as far as I can tell, in the array of WLS available, sleeve is one of the safest. I know, that seems weird; they're cutting your stomach in half! But remember that scar tissue and a reduced stomach size is something your body can deal with; it's a "natural" result of -- say -- an injury. On the other hand, cutting off your digestive tract and rerouting it around your stomach (gastric bypass) or implanting an artificial item in your body (lap band) are NOT things that your body has natural healing mechanisms to deal with, and these two surgeries (which are, IIRC, the most popular alternatives to the sleeve) seem very likely to cause lifelong complications. With the sleeve, once you're past the first three months (to be conservative; for most, it's past the first month) you're pretty much out of the woods. There are exceptions and horror stories, of course, but again -- those exist with EVERY surgery.

If you have a good, competent doctor and supporting team (how many people know that one of the most important members of your surgical team is your anesthesiologist? And yet, nobody ever thinks to check up on THEM...), and if you follow the doctor's pre- and post-op advice to the letter, your chances of successful recovery (IE, no complications) are in the 95%+ range. And your chances of losing a TON of weight and keeping it off are extremely high (I don't remember; it's something like 75% or more... probably higher but those statistics are always conservative).

When you compare those (very good) numbers against the (very bad) numbers for weight loss "the old fashioned way" (diet and exercise), and when you remember that unlike the surgery, obesity will almost certainly kill you (not to mention making your quality of life horrible in the meantime), well... you have to make up your own mind, but when I did the math, it was far more dangerous NOT to get the surgery.

It's still a scary prospect -- any major surgery is. But you have to be realistic about the outcomes, and the realistic outcome from sleeve surgery is, frankly, very, very positive.[/quote']

I know what I have to do. It's just the emotions and fear that has me questioning. I have a wonderfully supportive husband who is trying hard not to tell me how he feels about my having the surgery. I can tell that he is scared so I'm trying to stay positive for both of us which is getting harder and harder as my surgery date comes up.

We all have had concerned relatives and friends that something might happen in surgery like complications or just us getting thinner and then there would be a change in relationships because we feel better about ourselves and are actually happier. I had to come to my own terms on whether or not to do the surgery. Intuitively I knew that I needed this surgery to improve my over all life style and health. I had just been diagnosed as diabetic. I had watched my dad and brother in-law struggle with this disease and was fearful for my life. I had no energy' date=' I got tired all the time, I also had IBS which was totally a pain in the a....... My daughter would constantly tell me I didn't need this surgery. She wasn't living in my body, I was. I didn't feel good about myself, couldn't shop in regular stores and I looked like the Goodyear blimp!

This is the best decision I've ever made for myself. I'd do it over in a heart beat! I would stop stressing on others because we are all totally different. Hand in and I honor any decision you come too. Let us know how your doing. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

THANK YOU soooo much for your input. I'm so glad to have a place to talk to others who are/have been in my shoes.

I know how you feel. I have 140 lbs to lose also' date=' only 10 down so far on my own. I know I can lose more on my own. Last time I started dieting I lost 55lbs but still had at least 60 more to lose. I got off the ban wagon after getting pg with twins. I gained all back plus 15lbs more. I have played with all those same feelings you are having. I just started my journey of going to see the nutritionist and wil hopefully have the surgery may/June. I ask myself.....

Can I do this on my own? Never have before

Can I keep the weight off? Couldn't even keep off less then half when I lose it.

Do I trust myself with food? Right now NO

These answers make me realize I can't do it on my own and i never had. I want to be heathly for my kids. not sure if this is helpful but know your not alone with second guessing yourself. I know I'm not alone after reading your post.

[/quote']

Thank you for sharing.

Thank you everyone. You're really helping me through a very difficult time. Don't be surprised if I reach out another 14 times before my surgery (lol)