dooter55

On a scale from 1-10, how difficult are the lifestyle changes after acclimation? I think about all the time, effort and self-hate that goes into my day now (what foods I should eat, which I shouldn't, am I really hungry or just emotionally hungry?, exercise, weight gain, guilt, etc). I know it will be a lot of work post-op but I hope the self-hate and constant disappointment subside, at least a little.

Thanks, CaliKat. I've got some work to do. Emotional work is the toughest because I don't feel like I can "fix" it...change the way I think and react to situations. Let the fun begin

holy cow! you are amazing! is my math right? did you lose 70 lbs in 4 months?? Any tips for a pre-sleever? I am 5'9" and about 220 right now.

good luck! make sure to pack your heating pad, chapstick and biotene spray. I've heard they are life savers.

Wow! Congrats! You must feel so proud of yourself and all of your effort!

I have cut some spanx in the past. Cut the legs off (can create undies) and tuck the top into my bra, like normal. Otherwise you could cut the bottoms off completely but you may need to sew some thing on the bottom (rubber stripping) so it will stay down. I haven't seen anything commercial. That is one thing I will be excited about when I reach goal - maybe I won't need to wear spanx EVERY day. Ugh...they are hot in the summer but at least I don't get a rash from my legs rubbing together....the joys of being fat.

Dooter55 - August 18th

The other dooter said that biotene mouthspray was a life saver for that first day when you have cotton mouth. Others said an extension cord so you can keep your phone by your bed charging. Maybe a book or some magazines too? Good luck! See you in the other side!

Wow! What an ordeal! I'm glad you came out the other end for the better and in good spirits! 50 lbs in 2 months is amazing! Congratulations!

thanks, Susie. Do you drink the shake until 1-2PM or do you drink 1 to 2 per day? Thanks!

Ugh! I would be devastated! Hang in there. I am so sorry!!

yah! have fun on your second date!

Here are the diets I have tried and failed: Starvation and exercise Weight watchers (multiple times) Jenny Craig Atkins LA Weightloss Southbeach Diet HcG Blood Type diet Paleo Diet Xyneodrine/Hydroxicut pills SlimFast Dexatrim Failed on all of them. Lame. Excited to finally lose for GOOD! I've never been able to say that. I have always lost weight with the intention and hope of never gaining it back but always have. I can't take the perpetual feeling of failure and disappointment anymore. This surgery is my reward for getting my MBA recently (I wanted a new car at first but I will drive my P.O.S. into the ground if I can sustain weightloss and get healthy with this surgery).

Congrats! I love the "pounds gone forever"! I have been on this weightloss boomerang too long and am excited to have this surgery so I can say it will be gone forever too!

How long did it take you to get to goal? Do you find maintenance manageable or are you still doing Protein shakes all the time? Thanks!!

I'm pre-op but I think people add the unflavored protein powder to broth and crystal lite.

My sister had the sleeve almost a year ago and doesn't tell anyone she had it done. Do you folks tell people or just tell them diet and exercise? I'm have my sleeve done by dr. Alvarez on 8/18! Can't wait!!

Yikes! I have had nightmares about the same thing. My surgery is in about a month and I thought "what if this doesn't work either?". I am interested to see what folks say.

Hi All, I am presleeve (and August 18th can't get here fast enough) but I have been reading online and watching a lot of youtube about people that get the sleeve and are still unhappy - not unhappy with the sleeve but unhappy that they still have other life issues. I'm trying to get into the right mindset prior to surgery and set my expectations. Currently, I think a lot about food, my weight and have a lot of self-hate and guilt. I have cycled through DEBG: deprivation (diet), elation (excited to lose weight), binging (life happens and throws me in a tailspin) and guilt (for not being strong enough to keep the weight off) for the last 15 years. In my head, I don't think that the sleeve will make me happier (the other stresses in life -work, money, family, etc aren't going away). I guess my hope is that it will give me some quantity control and relieve some of the self-hate and guilt around my weight and lack of control with food. I know that I will still be thinking about food constantly but I imagine it will be different (did I drink enough Water? did I get all my Protein in?). I use food as a coping mechanism and need to find something to fill that void. What do post-sleevers that have used food as comfort do to fill that emotional void? Exercise? A new hobby? Prior to deciding on the sleeve, I did a couple rounds of hcg, which requires a hormone injection daily and a 500 calorie diet. I found that I was much more emotional during these rounds (mourning food) and it really tested my self-control. While I lost weight with the program, I have gained most of the weight back (surprise...surprise). I finally decided on the sleeve, after seeing my twin sister have success, because I don't think I can go through the DEBG cycle again. I don't want to develop a cross-addiction or get divorced post-sleeve, so I was hoping that I could start working on some of the issues now - understanding that it will be an ongoing battle. If you have gone through this or have any thoughts, please share with me.

Thank you guys for your tips and support! I hope that I too am able to shift the way I think about food and learn to savor it instead of trying stuff myself to feel better or feel that I need to finish my plate. So excited to get started!!