LLuce

Wow! I can totally relate. I had the same exact feelings that you have with food. I was so scared to part with food. I mean it was always there when I needed it in the good times and the bad. I could go on and on. It was my best friend! I knew I wanted to get healthy but i didn't know if I could emotionally handle not having the food whenever and wherever I wanted it. I lost a lot of sleep over it.
I had my surgery in Mexico 6/27/12. From the start things moved very quickly. Since you don't have to jump through all the hoops that people w/ insurance do. So when I started the process it only took 2 weeks to have my surgery and that was because I had to do the pre-op diet to shrink my liver. The closer the surgery got the more nervous I got. There was no turning back.
Here I am 6 weeks out. I am so happy that I didn't let my so called "best friend" keep me from making one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I am a cafeteria manager for a local elementary school. I had my surgery this summer. I've lost close to 45 lbs since school let out. This was the first week back. I was walking around the cafeteria at lunch talking to the kids asking them how lunch was and how their summers were. When a student said Ms. Luce you look like you've gotten taller. LOL Priceless!!!
Just thought you might enjoy a little laugh.

Right now your body is trying to adjust to everything. I know my weight loss started off in those first day kinda slow. You still have water retention and swelling from the surgery. And 9 pounds in 2 weeks??? That's 4 1/2 pounds a week. That's fantastic. If you would've lost 9 pounds before, would you not be celebrating? Look at it that way. We didn't gain it all at one time, so we can't just lose it all at once. The sleeve is a tool that allows us to control our portions. So 2 things you can do to continue this success... Make sure you get your fluids in. I know when I don't, my weight loss is slower. And the second, walk. Anything to burn calories. It takes 3500 calories burned to lose a pound. The more active you are, the faster it will come off. Oh and one more thing... Take the word "ONLY" out of your vocabulary when talking about weight loss. You will lose a lot some times, then you may stall for a month. Just relax, breath, and know that it will come off if you are following your diet properly. Congrats on surgery and your 49 lbs weight loss thus far.

I hope those thoughts are normal, because I thought them ALL THE TIME pre-surgery. Post surgery I have not regrets. I look back at the things I was worried about and I realize that after only 11 weeks any changes to my past lifestyle are so worth it and I really do not miss my old ways. I do miss a beer in a frosty mug once in a while, but not enough to trade it for already undoing over ten years of weight gain! I still enjoy gatherings with friends and family even if they are centered around food. I have my small portion and enjoy the company. Like OTRSleever said, my view of food has shifted to one of noursishment and is no longer a great source of pleasure or comfort. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy flavors and an occasional treat, but food no longer rules me. It is amazingly liberating.

can you deal with this one? It's the only one that is really true
I'm 3 months out, and I can confidently say that nothing is permanently off the table except overindulging.
I can also say post-op you will view food totally different than you do now.
Now food is a treat, it's a comfort, it's fun. Post-op food is nourishment, it's even kind of a chore
I equate it to fueling the car. I don't like doing it, but if I want to drive, I got to.
There will be some cravings the first week or 2, but those are fairly easy to deal with, and they fade pretty quick.
Don't sweat it. It's a good ride.

I am a cafeteria manager for a local elementary school. I had my surgery this summer. I've lost close to 45 lbs since school let out. This was the first week back. I was walking around the cafeteria at lunch talking to the kids asking them how lunch was and how their summers were. When a student said Ms. Luce you look like you've gotten taller. LOL Priceless!!!
Just thought you might enjoy a little laugh.

[ATTACH]4310[/ATTACH]
I cant believe how much ive lost in my face. I had to share my excitement!! :-)

The first number on my scale this morning was a 1, yay!!!! It has not been a 1 in five years so I'm super happy today! My weight loss hasn't been as quick as some others but I am so happy with the progress I have made. I love my sleeve!
I weighed 260lbs 1 week before my surgery, 251 on the day of surgery, and 199 today. My weight loss slowed after the 2nd month, I now lose about 8 pounds a month (which I will gladly take!!!)
I did have a ton of hairloss but it has stopped or at least slowed greatly. I do take my Vitamins everyday along with Biotin and Iron. I feel like my weight loss is coming off differently than in the past when I've slimmed down before having kids. I am holding a ton of weight in my belly still. I don't really notice a ton of sagging skin but my eyes have more wrinkles from where my face has lost fat. Oh well!
I try to get my fluids and Protein in, it's getting harder since I get more food than Protein drinks, but I try for at least one Protein Drink per day. I really like EAS myoplex, Adkins, and Slim Fast protein. I hate the juice protein drinks. I hope to lose another 60 pounds by next March. Good luck all!!! Happy losing!

Sorry I accidentally hit the post button to soon.
I wanted to tell you my relationship with food is totally different now. I have control not the food. The sleeve is a tool that helps you take control back. I look at food totally different. The way I feel about is so different. It's been said before on here "I eat to live now and I don't live to eat" anymore.
Good luck on your journey and don't let your so called "best friend" scare you off from making the best decision of your life.

Wow! I can totally relate. I had the same exact feelings that you have with food. I was so scared to part with food. I mean it was always there when I needed it in the good times and the bad. I could go on and on. It was my best friend! I knew I wanted to get healthy but i didn't know if I could emotionally handle not having the food whenever and wherever I wanted it. I lost a lot of sleep over it.
I had my surgery in Mexico 6/27/12. From the start things moved very quickly. Since you don't have to jump through all the hoops that people w/ insurance do. So when I started the process it only took 2 weeks to have my surgery and that was because I had to do the pre-op diet to shrink my liver. The closer the surgery got the more nervous I got. There was no turning back.
Here I am 6 weeks out. I am so happy that I didn't let my so called "best friend" keep me from making one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Wow! I can totally relate. I had the same exact feelings that you have with food. I was so scared to part with food. I mean it was always there when I needed it in the good times and the bad. I could go on and on. It was my best friend! I knew I wanted to get healthy but i didn't know if I could emotionally handle not having the food whenever and wherever I wanted it. I lost a lot of sleep over it.
I had my surgery in Mexico 6/27/12. From the start things moved very quickly. Since you don't have to jump through all the hoops that people w/ insurance do. So when I started the process it only took 2 weeks to have my surgery and that was because I had to do the pre-op diet to shrink my liver. The closer the surgery got the more nervous I got. There was no turning back.
Here I am 6 weeks out. I am so happy that I didn't let my so called "best friend" keep me from making one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I think I may have ate to fast. It tasted really good. I was excited because the fish had 20 Protein in it. I've been getting most of my protein from shakes and greek yogurt so I thought this would be a great way to get my protein in. I will try it again next week.
I still have to figure out my signal.
As far as portion sizes it really just varies on what it is that I'm eating. I can eat a cup of greek yogurt. This morning I ate 1 cup of chex Cereal and 1 cup of milk. On the other hand I made the ricotta bake and I could only eat 1/4c-1/2c. Refried Beans same thing. I can eat 1 string cheese which fills me too. Yhanks for the responses!

I had my surgery in Tijuana Mexico with Dr. Garcia. It was a good experiance. Normally he charges $5000.00 but he had a special ($4700.00) during the time I schduled my surgery. I went through Ready 4 a Change. Check it out on the web. ready4achange.com

I paid $4700.00 for surgery (self paid) plus 2 plane tickets for a total of $6030.00.

Has anyone else had a PULLED ABDOMINAL MUSCLE? The nurse thinks that's what it is; on the left side but down further than my stomach. My guess is that I started sitting up out of bed too soon, really could have been anything. I also had a few hard sneezes while sitting down. Going to lay low this weekend due to lots of pain; the exception is going to the store. After 2 weeks of clear liquids I've been advanced to full liquids, finally going to get some real nutrition!
Wishing you all well,
Rachel

Here is a link to my diet from my Doctor - http://www.northwestobesitysurgery.com/pdf/sleeve-gastrectomy-diet.pdf
It sounds like your progression with a little more detail.
During my full liquid stage it was SF pudding, cream/milk based Soup, Jello, Water, Protein, protein, protein in the form of shakes or broth. I also have unflavored protein and added it to my soup and pudding.