browneyes72

Malisima69, I know what you are feeling as I felt the same, as many above have mentioned. But, if you are dedicated and you are diciplined as it sounds you are prepared to be, you will not fail the surgery. I, just like you had a few months to prepare and I took every word the doctor and nutritionist said to heart and listened to them! And, I am getting the results to prove it with 95 lbs lost and I am 2 months into my surgery. I lost 50 from March to July and then 45 since the end of July when I had surgery. I am 40 lbs from goal and feel great.
Now, there were times I felt like I was failing because, as I have always done, I weigh myself daily, usually 2x a day (morning and night). I will go a week at a time with no weight loss and then 5 lbs drops off over 2 days. This is how I have been the entire time. Initially, I lost 10 lbs in the first week after surgery then went 2 weeks w/o losing a pount. I felt like I was going to be the failure you fear, but that broke and I started losing again. I lost 20 in the first month, and then 20 in the second month, and now another 5 in the past week. Like I said, nothing for about 4-5 days, then 5 lbs drops over 2 days. Then another stall for 4-5 days and then another 5 lbs off. It goes in spurts for me and can be a little frustrating at times. But, I am measuring it based on how my clothing is fitting me, how I look in the mirror, and how I feel. Even when the lbs are not coming off, my clothes continue to fit looser and looser so I know I am losing inches. It is a mystery to me as to where it is going if I am not losing weight other than to attribute it to muscle gain through extra physical activity (walking and biking)....but I dont care as long as I look and feel better. If I stay at 220 lbs and my waist gets smaller and my legs get smaller and I look and feel better, so be it!
Trust that it will work and do your part to help it work and you will have great success with it. You can't fail if you do your part to make it work for you. I can attest to this as I went on vacation 2 weeks ago and knew for sure I would gain a little back as I was not careful as to what I ate or how often I ate. I did find that I just couldnt eat to excess and came home from the beach with a 2 lbs weight loss. AMAZING difference from past experiences with vacation.
TRUST IT! TRUST IT! TRUST IT!!!!! DO YOUR PART AND IT WILL WORK!

You won't fail. The sleeve works almost like magic for the first few months. By then, you'll be so motivated that you'll do what's necessary to get you there. I usually write LONG posts, but instead I'm going to attach two pictures to give you and idea of what's possible... and so you know that you will not fail. If I can do this, anyone can!!

southernchic01 you ARE doing great - everything you are doing is right on target - we all have these stalls through our journey - search "stalls" and you will see other peoples comments too
you are walking,drinking, Protein - doing terrific
as far as the scale is concerned - always a popular topic here
your DH did you a favor by taking the scale away. as long as you weigh yourself daily - and don't see a lb loss - you will think you are at a stall
only weigh once a week, or every other week etc. its hard to do, but start slow, don't step on the devil for maybe three days, then continue to increase
your weight loss is great
keep doing what you are doing - seems to be working for you, really
don't be a slave to your scale
we are all your cheering section
RAH RAH RAH

Your weight loss is great! You must be doing something right. Thanks for the encouragement! I see that most people experience the stall in this stage but I just hope it doesn't last long. I really started walking 2 weeks ago and just pushed myself to walk. I walk about 1 /12 miles on my lunch break. I can get that in about 30 minutes...I guess that is good. And then I walk with my hubby when we get home from work for about 30 minutes....It has not been easy this week, but I'm gonna keep on doing it!
I hope you have a great weekend as well!

I have been at goal for several months now. I am 14 months post. I still have excellent restriction and can not see myself overeating at this point or anytime soon.
The sleeve is different from the band and RnY. The stomach is smaller and you really can't stretch it back to a point where you can overeat.
You still have to make good decisions, of course. I could eat a bowl of ice cream 5x a day. If I make bad decisions, I will have problems with weight loss for sure, but for me, one aspect of this journey was being able to examine my relationship with food. Everything has changed with the sleeve and that includes my thinking.
Good luck!

I was sleeved on 8/17 and so far about the same as you. I measure the portions and can tolerate between 1/4 to 1/2 cup. So far have been really fortunate no n/v, and no abd pain. If I do start to get full start to have hiccups. lowfat ricotta cheese and pizza sauce is good as well.

You eat so little of anything early out! I say use the regular stuff that doesn't have toxic fat free junk in it. That's been my secret-- enjoy the small portions, make it taste great and satisfying. I made goal at 8.5 months that way. I still use regular everything and skip the fat- removed sugar added crap.

Thats wonderful!! You go girl !!!

I was sleeved on 8/17th the first week was a little tough but then it gets a whole lot better. just remember to drink your fluids. Best wishes!!

Thanks for sharing!! Your beautiful and inspirational !

It's funny because when you are going through it during the first couple weeks post op, it seems like an eternity and that you will never be the same again. I loved my first ahah...I feel good moment. I am glad you are feeling better and enjoying life!

I don't remember where I found this - if it was here on this site or another site but I wanted to share. It answers a lot of the questions I see asked on here frequently. Now, of course it is no replacement for your own surgeon's instructions but it does help clarify some of the stages and also answers some of the "why" questions.
I printed a copy for myself and my husband today and the information is great to have. I am scheduled for September 4th but haven't had my pre-op visit yet. I don't know if my surgeon's office has his own manual.
Happy reading!
Gastric-Sleeve-Patient-Manual.pdf

I didn't keep my surgery a secret. I told all of my family, friends and co-workers. The reason I didn't keep it a secret is that I have known several morbidly obese woman who have told me through the years that they were huge their entire lives. Then, all of a sudden, they become skinny within a year and keep it off. I feel they had to have done a form of surgery because to struggle your entire life and then to claim to lost it all in a year or less and keep it off seems suspicious. I just wanted it out in the open because I feel there is no shame involved. Getting a sleeve is just a tool I needed to help me.

I have told anyone who will listen about this surgery. Someone shared with me when she had it and that's how I really knew about it. I am so thankful that she did. Since my surgery I have 2 cousins and a good friend at church that have also had it in large part to my telling them about it.

My first piece of advice is to stay away from any "horror stories." Only look at success stories. I was sleeved on May 21st. It has changed my life in so many ways in such a short time. I am off all blood pressure and acid reflux medicine. I am only 2 lbs. away from a 50 lb weight loss. Post op recovery was easier than I thought. The more you walk, the better you will feel.
Here is a quick fact I learned before I went in for surgery (and I was very nervous like you). Weight loss surgeries are so common now, that they are considered safer than having your appendix removed. Also, I was freaked out that I was going to die. My therapist said, at the weight you are at you are going to die, so getting this surgery isn't that big of a risk is it???? Wow! Good point. Focus on the good, pray a lot, and trust your body to heal and transform. Good luck!!!

Ok, so I go to my surgeon's support group and last night someone said something that struck me emotionally. A lady was talking about how she wants the sleeve and her husband, who was with her, was against it. After she was done talking another lady, who also didn't have the sleeve yet, said ".... but you're not that big".
Seriously???? We're at a sleeve support group and you bring that out??? Yes, the lady who said that was larger than the one with the unsupportive husband, and I think that maybe this lady was just trying to make the other feel better (compliment??), but I got so emotional and had to call the lady out on what she said.
I was told alot by friends and family that they didn't think I was big enough. I'm sure they thought of it as a compliment but really it hurt because I could never talk to them about the sleeve beyond their accusation of my size. I was 290 before I got sleeved and had tried and tried and tried and wanted to be able to diet and exercise SO BAD but I couldn't do it mentally. I came to the conclusion to do it for ME because I KNEW I needed a tool to help me, and asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness. Its a very personal decision that everyone makes to have it, and to hear someone say "you're not that big" now not only hurts but pisses me off.
So I guess what I'm saying is for people who may not be 350+ or who wear it well, don't listen to the ignorance when people try to tell you you don't need the surgery when you know in your heart that it is the right decision for you.

When your clothes start going into Goodwill bags and your energy returns like a long lost cherished friend you will understand that the price paid now is a small one.
The feeling I have is that I have beat the crap out of a long time bully who stole my lunch money and shoved my head in a toilet every day. Overeating and being overweight were the bane of my existence. The dictator is dead! Viva la revolution!!!

This thread was/is very helpful for me. I'm on a pre-op diet and have cheated just about every day. <slaps hand>
But reading this, 1) I realize I'm not alone in feeling this pre-op is HARD WORK, and 2) I definitely wouldn't want the surgeon to decide not to operate because my liver is too large. Perish the thought!!!
So I'm renewing myself and sticking to my pre-op diet so I can be successful. I have to do 2 weeks of liquids because of my BMI. That's HARD for me, but not impossible. I'll appreciate it, once my surgery goes smoothly.

Today was awesome. Got a good workout in los of Water. Mcds salad for dinner with grilled chicken 3 Protein shakes. 850 cals + burned another 400 working out.
I'm excited to keep this up. I know it will be worth it.

This is the best secret no one buys. I hate Protein Powder, but GNC has a pre-made shake called Lean Shake. It sits in the front of the store, because it sells so good. It has 25g of Protein, lactose free and is YUMMY! By the way, it is pre-made. I knock one down driving to work every morning after walking two miles. I will have another for a mid-morning snack. Check out my blog, if you want to know what they look like. I drank these pre and post op. Awesome!

My dear aunt that some of you have heard me speak of in the past, has given me a great little tip& I wanted to pass it on! Get a small pkg of SF Jello (I bought the store brand/50cents) and mix it up according to directions and drink while its warm! Its 20cals and 4gr protien! It works great for in between meals to calm those pre op grumbles in your tummy! I know jello is on most of our pre op diets and it is more like a sweet treat. I found that eating the jello in the classic form wasnt as satisfying. Give this a try, and keep it in mind, for post op, by drinking half and refrigerating the rest for a classic treat later. I had heard of adding protien to jello, but it never occured to simply mix and drink warm! Enjoy!

"Success is falling nine times and getting up ten."
Jon Bon Jovi
Slips are gonna happen, you had a couple of 2500cal days while on a pre-op diet that is self imposed. I seem to remember you stating a typical day would have been in the 5K calorie range.... You're 2day slip still left you 5000 calories lower than you would have been a couple weeks ago. You've done great, better than I ever would have on sheer will power.
You will get back up, you will succeed, because with the willpower & strength you have, failure is not an option