I_did_it!

First I will say that I feel like no matter how hard you prepare yourself before the surgery, it is still nothing like you expected afterward. I have said this before but it is kinda like having children...you think you know what your in for, or you think you know what the love will be like...but when it actually happens - totally different. I thought I was mentally ready for this surgery...but I was not. I have had lots of "buyers remorse" and even some depression.
The surgery forces you to change your emotional relationship with food, and I have had a tremendous struggle "breaking up" with food. I was just crying yesterday because I was at a party with tons of food, you know, the typical summer picnic, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, potato salad, cole slaw, Desserts etc....all the stuff I used to love and now cannot have. I was able to find a couple chunks of watermelon and some baked Beans...woo hoo! I was so upset. I wound up going for a long swim until everyone was pretty much done eating and then I re-joined the party. This definitely helped take the edge off, but it was still very tough. This surgery forces you to change your mental connection with food, but it does not come easy.
I was heavy my whole life, and I like others had tried every diet from cabbage Soup to atkins to weight watchers, and of course crazy amounts of excercise. And I too would lose 40,50 or 60 pounds, and then I would plateau. And at that plateau I would tell myself, 'damn, I am looking pretty good, I can eat this...or that', and before you know it I was back up the weight I had lost...plus a few more pounds. I am 5' tall and my highest weight (which was just before my surgery) was 248 pounds. My wake up call came when I measured my hips and they were 59'' around. And just to put that into perspective, I am 60'' tall... I said holy ****...okay, something has to be done. I did think about trying to do it on my own again, but I knew that was a temporary solution and it would only be a matter of time before I was back up to that weight, plus a few more pounds. I decided to apply a permanent solution this time with the surgery. I am now down (my ticker is wrong cause I need to update it) 37 pounds, and I can't believe that I am 11 pounds away from "onederland." The last real time I was there was at 25 years old before I got pregnant with my second child. At age 28 I was up to 240 and I went on a super kick and lost all the way down to 199, but that only lasted for like a day, and then I was right back up to 205 and then up and down over the next five years till now!
I am five weeks post-op today, and I have not started excercising yet, but I am about to start doing pilates. My doctor has just okayed it. In terms of excercise there is no magic button in my head. I have never really liked to do the eliptical or treadmills or bikes or any of that hard core sweating cardio. I prefer step-areobics and yoga and I am now going to give pilates a try, because I have met tons of people who swear by it!
The surgery is changing my mental outlook in terms of the fact that I now know that I will be around for many more years than I would have been had I stayed on the path I was on. Food was my enemy. It was literally killing me. And although I am still struggling to get energy I definitely feel more healthy than before. I can't wait to go shopping in regular stores, and buy tons of cute clothes that look just as cute on as the do on the rack. And of course I look forward to my first victoria secret something...ever!!
I absolutely hate the liquid diet, the Protein Shakes and the 3 oz. of food I can eat. This is another one of those things that I thought I was ready for pre-op, but turned out to be completely different post-op. It's kinda weird. I hate the fact that I have to force myself to eat. I have this very strange relationship with food right now. Everything looks good and sounds good and I think I want it - but when it comes to putting it in my mouth it is a totally different story. Sometimes I will chew food until its mush and then spit it out, because I just can't bring myself to swallow.
My doctor, along with hundreds of people who have had the surgery, say that it does get better. I am still waiting for this moment. I am waiting for the day when I wake up feeling normal. Until then, I am just doing the best I can to get in my nutrition and focus on the positive things in my life, like my husband and children, and how I am going to be around to see my grand children, and hopefully even great grand children one day!!
Best of luck to you determinedgirl...I am sure that you will do what is right for you.

Same here SleeveNoob. Every other time I have lost weight my boobs were the first to go...but not this time. I too am losing evenly! And my feet have shrunk too...my dress shoes are all getting too big...shoe shopping here I come!!

I told everyone I came across! I wanted as many opinions, and stories, as possible to help me make my decision! The only thing that sucks about it now is that every single person now asks me, every time they see me, "how much have you lost now?", "how are you feeling?" It really sucks actually. Sometimes I feel like screaming out....JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!

Excellent piece Carla. Prior to surgery I only thought about all of the good results that WLS would bring. I had never even thought about the intense food mourning that I would experience - and am still experiencing now. Anyone who says that WLS is an easy way out is wayyyyy wrong. They have no idea! This is by far the hardest thing I have done in my entire life.
CLK thank you so much for this post - and all of your posts for that matter. You give me hope!
Good luck to everyone!

Excellent piece Carla. Prior to surgery I only thought about all of the good results that WLS would bring. I had never even thought about the intense food mourning that I would experience - and am still experiencing now. Anyone who says that WLS is an easy way out is wayyyyy wrong. They have no idea! This is by far the hardest thing I have done in my entire life.
CLK thank you so much for this post - and all of your posts for that matter. You give me hope!
Good luck to everyone!

First, I would like to say Karen2012 you are definitely not alone. There are tons of posts on here about the same exact thing. (Search "mourning food") I was sleeved on 6/11 and I can tell you that I went to three parties with tons of food during my pre-op diet and have been to 3 parties post-op. I have cried at almost every single one. Plus I live with 2 adults and 3 children who are allllwayyyysss eating! I am totally frustrated too! You have to remember that it's early, our stomach have to heal and our heads have to catch up! I too was able to have refried Beans, salsa, sauce and sour cream 3 weeks post op...eat up...but I do miss the tortilla chips myself...two and a half weeks and I can have them!!!!! I can't wait! It is getting easier day by day!
@Benjamin - I have a couple of things to say. First, you must remember that everyone has different relationships with food, and for that matter cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, etc. Some people get over addictions easier than others. Next, she is early out...don't you remember what it was like those first few weeks? Speaking as a woman who is 5 weeks out...I am still having a very difficult time "breaking up" with food. Perhaps gender even makes a difference? After all, men are from mars...
Good luck to you Karen2012. I am learning that it does get easier!

First, I would like to say Karen2012 you are definitely not alone. There are tons of posts on here about the same exact thing. (Search "mourning food") I was sleeved on 6/11 and I can tell you that I went to three parties with tons of food during my pre-op diet and have been to 3 parties post-op. I have cried at almost every single one. Plus I live with 2 adults and 3 children who are allllwayyyysss eating! I am totally frustrated too! You have to remember that it's early, our stomach have to heal and our heads have to catch up! I too was able to have refried Beans, salsa, sauce and sour cream 3 weeks post op...eat up...but I do miss the tortilla chips myself...two and a half weeks and I can have them!!!!! I can't wait! It is getting easier day by day!
@Benjamin - I have a couple of things to say. First, you must remember that everyone has different relationships with food, and for that matter cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, etc. Some people get over addictions easier than others. Next, she is early out...don't you remember what it was like those first few weeks? Speaking as a woman who is 5 weeks out...I am still having a very difficult time "breaking up" with food. Perhaps gender even makes a difference? After all, men are from mars...
Good luck to you Karen2012. I am learning that it does get easier!

First, I would like to say Karen2012 you are definitely not alone. There are tons of posts on here about the same exact thing. (Search "mourning food") I was sleeved on 6/11 and I can tell you that I went to three parties with tons of food during my pre-op diet and have been to 3 parties post-op. I have cried at almost every single one. Plus I live with 2 adults and 3 children who are allllwayyyysss eating! I am totally frustrated too! You have to remember that it's early, our stomach have to heal and our heads have to catch up! I too was able to have refried Beans, salsa, sauce and sour cream 3 weeks post op...eat up...but I do miss the tortilla chips myself...two and a half weeks and I can have them!!!!! I can't wait! It is getting easier day by day!
@Benjamin - I have a couple of things to say. First, you must remember that everyone has different relationships with food, and for that matter cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, etc. Some people get over addictions easier than others. Next, she is early out...don't you remember what it was like those first few weeks? Speaking as a woman who is 5 weeks out...I am still having a very difficult time "breaking up" with food. Perhaps gender even makes a difference? After all, men are from mars...
Good luck to you Karen2012. I am learning that it does get easier!

MsKendraHL you are georgeous! No need to lose 20 more pounds. You are so lucky that you kept your boobs!!! I hope that mine stick around too! I am only 5 feet tall and according the BMI charts my "normal" weight is 116...I have no desire to be that small! I too like my curves and 138 is my goal. I chose it because once upon a time for about one year of my life, when I was 18 I bounced between 135 and 145 and I was very content with my bod. I picked 138because on an episode of biggest loser a gentleman had said "I feel sexy strong and great at 168" and I liked it...so I decided that I would feel sexy strong and great at 138!! Right now though...I am looking forward to onederland! 11 pounds to go!
Good luck to everyone on their journey to goal!

MsKendraHL you are georgeous! No need to lose 20 more pounds. You are so lucky that you kept your boobs!!! I hope that mine stick around too! I am only 5 feet tall and according the BMI charts my "normal" weight is 116...I have no desire to be that small! I too like my curves and 138 is my goal. I chose it because once upon a time for about one year of my life, when I was 18 I bounced between 135 and 145 and I was very content with my bod. I picked 138because on an episode of biggest loser a gentleman had said "I feel sexy strong and great at 168" and I liked it...so I decided that I would feel sexy strong and great at 138!! Right now though...I am looking forward to onederland! 11 pounds to go!
Good luck to everyone on their journey to goal!

32 pounds the first month. I am 5 weeks out now and down 37!

Hello -
I was sleeved July 2nd and have been SOOO looking forward to some soft foods. I made this and ate one for Breakfast today!! Who says you can't have crab for breakfast?! My goal is 60-70g of Protein a day, and if I can do that without drinking a shake - I am all for it!
1 can/jar fresh picked crab (mine was 12 oz) HEB Plus carries some good stuff!
1 egg
2 TBLSP Cream cheese
1/4 C. fresh SHREDDED parmesan
4 Ritz crackers
1 tsp. Old Bay spice
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper (I like spicy - leave out if you don't!!)
Mix together - weigh out 3 oz portions
heat a TINY bit of olive oil i a pan, put crab into pan, flatten out and let sizzle - about 3-4 minutes on medium, then flip for another 3-4 minutes.
Sauce:
I cup sour cream
i small/medium avacado - add into sour cream
1/4 cup diced cilantro (leave out if you are one of those unfortunate souls that doesn't like it!)
juice of one lime
(can even add some capers if you like)
Serve on side of your crabby Pattie - I can eat about 3/4 of one patty - and I am hitting about 22g of protein -
YUM!!!!

You are definitely not alone. I am 5 weeks out and I miss food sooooo much. When I sit down and eat with people I find myself going through a wide range of emotions, from sadness to jealousy to anger. I have shed many tears in the past month thinking about all the stuff I will never have again. The things I miss most are sushi and burrito's. I am counting on the fact that later on down the road I will be able to have these things again...it will just be alot less than it used too be...I will never be able to gorge myself again. And isn't that the reason I did this...cause once I start I don't stop until I am miserable; I miss that feeling too. Is that weird? Anyway missmachine, you are not alone and as everyone says (and I like to believe) it will get better...its just a matter of how long it takes. My doc said I should start feeling better and return to full energy within a couple more weeks, as long as I keep getting my protein in. Best wishes <3

I have always been heavy...but proportionate. I too have always thought I looked good though. I was very confident, and I knew I was pretty. It didn't help that my husband loved me just the way I was and would, and still does, tell me how hot I am every single day! But then, the same thing, I would look at pictures and say, OMG, look how fat I am, holy crap...I don't look that fat in real life, lol! I am not sure what it is, but I definitely understand it. I have even actually used the term a couple of times that "I am a skinny girl trapped in a fat girls body"...and that is how I truly felt...and part of the reason why I had the surgery...yet also the main reason why I think I am having "buyers remorse" right now. I am still trying to tell myself that I looked good and there was nothing wrong with me, so why did I do this?. But at the same time I know what kind of damage can be caused by the fat resting on my vital organs, joints and bones, and I have to remember that health is the main reason why I had this surgery. Good luck to you!

Both of you MGM & Gramaof4 are amazing women to have held it together for so long without the support of your husbands! You are both going to do great with this surgery & have extremely happy lives no matter what happens. Of Course I want everuthing to work out for you but sometimes it just doesn't work. My mother has been divorced twice! Both of them were jerks!
Patrick- Your wife is extremely lucky to have you! You gave great advice to these ladies!'
And for those of you that are having a coronary about people having a laugh, get over it, these ladies have no problems with anyone having a good time, nobody was making fun of anyone's situations.
Johnathan

Yeah, I'm sure there's a logical, caring reason why a spouse would throw a bunch of candy bars on his recently-sleeved wife's lap.
Sent from my iPad using VST

I am the total opposite, I wish I could get to 1200 calories a day....I might eat 750, maybe 1000 if I have an extra protein shake. I wish I could eat more...I am four weeks out and still eating about 2 oz., possibly three if its like soup or applesauce, and I only eat like 3-4 times a day. I am going nuts because I feel like I am not feeding my body enough food. I also have bad acid reflux and throw up almost daily...I am going insane. I do drink tons of water though...in fact, it seems like that's all I want...I have to force myself to eat actual food, and I am misrable over it.

Sorry to hear this, I feel going to stay with your parents may be the way forward. You need them right now and I'm sure they want to help you xxx

Do this for you son you dont need a man

Hello everyone! I have been reading posts on here for the last couple of days, and I am soooo thankful to see that many others are going through some of the same stuff I am! I even recognize of a couple of you from you tube as well! I must have watched like a thousand videos before my surgery!!
I am 11 days out and feeling pretty good, but still adjusting to how little food I can actually consume; 1-2 oz. max. I find it incredibly difficult to get in my Protein, but I am having no trouble getting in my fluids. In fact, I would just drink Water all day if I could! I have pretty much been heavy my whole life, and pre-surgery, I was at my top weight of 248 for the second time in my life - only this time I decided to make a permanent change, and I can't believe I actually did it!!!
I am a 33 year old wife, mother of three, graduate student, and professional, who wants to be the healthiest me that I can be!! I am soooo excited for what my future holds!
Good luck everyone! I look forward to sharing in this journey with you!