Half~of~Bri

Hang in there hun, I'm sure it will get better. Just try to remember to keep your eyes on the prize! Take it one minute (and sometimes second) at a time. I know I'm not sleeved yet but I'm doing a pre-op diet that eliminates all of my favorite foods..I've been doing it for 3 1/2 weeks and have 2 1/2 weeks left 'til surgery. Try not to get discouraged, just remember this is short term sacrifice for long term gain! Take some deep breaths, go for a walk, listen to some music or relax and write all your thoughts in a journal. Sending you hugs, thoughts and prayers. <3

Congratulations! That is amazing, I'm so happy for you! Keep rockin' that sleeve!

Totally understood. My daughter, who I had at 17, was also abandoned by her father. I'm now married to a wonderful man who my girl thinks of as her Daddy, and he's in the process of adopting her. I totally get where you're coming from.

Good luck!! Sending thoughts and prayers your way! Keep us posted!

Our stories are eerily similar. I, too weighed around 150 in high school. I was also in a very verbally, physically and even sexually abusive relationship for 6 yrs with my high school sweetheart which led to me becoming a mother at 17. It's been 7 years since I ended the relationship and I'm still dealing with PTSD, depression and anxiety as a result. Counseling has helped a lot with that and I've come along way but I know that my past baggage is what got me 292.7 lbs. I know it may seem like I'm sharing a lot of heavy stuff to many people but I'm putting this out there as part of my healing process and learning that I can't be ashamed of my past and what I've gone through is not my fault. If you ever want to talk to someone who can relate to what you've been through I'm here.

WOW! What an amazing victory! Congratulations!

I felt the same way in the beginning. I went back and forth - every time I thought "Ok, I'm going to do this!", I would start the process and inevitably back out thinking maybe if I tried one more time I could do this on my own. I would cry to my husband that I was ashamed and embarrassed that my life had come to this. I did this back and forth game for a year and a half! Now that I'm only 2 1/2 weeks from surgery and I realize I could have been living my dream much sooner if I would have just admitted to myself that I need help. I thought if I admitted to my family and friends (besides my parents and husband, who knew I was going through the process) that would be like admitting that I've failed at my own attempts at weight loss and couldn't do it. I was also afraid of receiving criticism from others. I'm not a very assertive person so the thought of that intimidated me. I didn't want to have to explain all my reasoning for having the surgery if they weren't supportive anyway.That feeling was embarrassing for me so I decided to tell only my parents, brother, in-laws and grandparents. I chose to tell those specific people because I tried to think of how I would feel if they had major surgery without telling me first. I waited until I had my surgery date to tell everyone other than my mom and husband. As my surgery has gotten closer and I've grown more excited I've realized that this is a decision I should be PROUD of. It's hard to come out of denial and admit that you couldn't do it on your own, but making a decision to have a tool to help you through makes you a stronger person, not a weaker one. I've now told some extended family and my best friends. Mostly anyone I talk to on a regular basis that will certainly notice my weight loss (at that point, I'll probably end up telling them anyway, so why wait?) EVERY SINGLE PERSON that I've told has been 100% supportive and excited for me. Nearly everyone told me it made them so happy that I'm doing this because they know I've struggled with my weight for a long time Only YOU can decide if this surgery is right for you. If you know in your heart that it is and you're just embarrassed or ashamed, please talk to a family member or friend who you know will be supportive and can keep a secret. (Or you can talk to me, too.) You can tell as many or as few people as you would like, but please don't let a fear of being criticized hold you back from sharing this dream come true with others. Good luck sweetie <3

This seriously made me laugh out loud!

On surgery day, did you have to have a catheter? For some reason I've had a little fear of them (even though I've had one before, about 10 yrs ago) and I just want to prepare myself ahead of time. Thanks!

On surgery day, did you have to have a catheter? For some reason I've had a little fear of them (even though I've had one before, about 10 yrs ago) and I just want to prepare myself ahead of time. Thanks!

On surgery day, did you have to have a catheter? For some reason I've had a little fear of them (even though I've had one before, about 10 yrs ago) and I just want to prepare myself ahead of time. Thanks!

I'm non-liquid, just following a very low sugar, low carb, low fat, low sodium diet with no white foods (potato, noodles, rice etc.). I have my pre-op appointment with my surgeon and the hospital on July 30th so I'm sure I'll get more info then about the days prior to surgery. I'm hoping to do only liquids for a few days prior also. Only 3 weeks left!

Hey all...my surgery is August 13th. It's possible I may need to fly out of state for a week-long business trip 2- 2 1/2 weeks post-op. The business trip doesn't involve any physical work or anything, but I'm nervous about leaving town so soon after surgery. I'm worried about what stage I'll be at in my diet (pureed food or mushies I'd imagine?) and how I'll work around that while out of town, and also about being uncomfortable on the flight. What do you guys think? I have no idea how I'll be feeling or the kind of energy I'll have at that stage. I have to make a decision soon so travel arrangements can be made. Do you think it's reasonable to make a trip like this so soon after surgery?

Hi there! We're date twins! I'm getting sleeved here in NC with Dr. Bauman on August 13th. I'm from the Charlotte area. What part of SC are you from? Good luck to you!!

I'm an August Sleever! August 13th for me. I'm so excited and ready! Nice to meet y'all

My pre-op diet consists of eating low cal, low fat, low sodium, low carb, no white food (pasta, noodles, potato, etc.) stay at around 12-1500 calories/day, and drink 60 oz. of water. I've also been replacing a meal or two a day with a protein shake to try to get used to being on liquids. I'm following all of the guidelines I've been given, it just doesn't seem like the weight is coming off as much as I thought it would from seeing others' stats on their pre-op weight loss. Now I'm worried because I've got to get some weight off before my surgery next month, and I'm worried it may not happen. If you didn't do a liquid diet prior to surgery, about how much weight did you lose before surgery day?

I just got a call from my surgeon's office telling me I've been approved for my sleeve!!!! I'm so excited to start this new phase of my life. I can't wait to have a second chance at life!!! SURGERY DAY IS AUGUST 13th!!!! P.S. Any other August sleevers out there?