Izuri

It's a big decision to make. I had never had surgery before either and I was scared outta my mind there for a while, but everything worked out well. I made a list of pros and cons and realized that many of the cons were things that I could help reduce the risk of after surgery. For example, you can help decrease your risk of leaks by following your doctor's plan strictly, you can decrease your risk of blood clots by walking often, and you can decrease your risk of pneumonia by using your incentive spirometer often. I didn't want to end up with diabetes in a few years and I know that's the road I was headed down because it runs rampant in my extended family. The risks of having diabetes are incredibly high too - sores that don't heal, losing your eyesight, hurting your kidneys. For me, the risks of surgery were not as high as the risks of letting myself continue at my weight. I'm only a few weeks out still, but even through the hard days I am thankful for my sleeve. I feel like I'm starting to be able to really get back and active in my life without the low energy and weight holding me back as much. It's a hard road, but well worth it. I hope that you find the answers you are looking for and are able to figure out what works for you.

I'm so happy for you! What a great feeling to have everyone noticing =)

You guys are doing awesome! =) I was able to fit into a 26 pants this week without having to lay on the bed and suck my stomach in. I can walk almost 2 miles at a decent pace and not feel like I'm going to die after.

This sounds sooooo good! I will have to try it sometime soon =) Thanks for idea.

I used to fall asleep in minutes, now it takes much longer. I had never had any sleep problems prior to surgery. Benadryl helps but makes me foggy the next morning. I am kinda bummed about it, but I'm hoping after I get back to work and everything that I'll start sleeping better again.

I always have heard Twoterville on any weight loss site I've been on.

I am wondering if this is in response to the fat on fat hate thread. I actually thought it brought up a really interesting discussion, because it's true, some people do judge others who are overweight. I think it was a good topic to bring up and talk about so that we can be aware of the things that may be going on in our heads that we don't realize until we hear another person admit it. I honestly think she was brave for admitting that she does, no matter how awful it might be, because getting it out maybe she can realize what is at the core of it so she can work through it. I will say as I did there that sometimes I feel embarrassed for other people who are very obese, mostly because of embarrassment I've felt myself before in similar situations. It seems like to me the majority of the time when people do this that it's they dislike their former self or something of the like. More like anger at yourself directed outward to others that remind you of it. Projecting, I guess? I agree with you though, it's important to remember no matter what weight we end up, we all started in the same place and a little kindness can go a long way. I don't know about other people, but I do think that personally I will continue counseling throughout this process, because I have a lot of unresolved issues with food, weight, and self-image. The sooner we can identify the things we feel and our faults, the sooner we can go about being better, more accepting people. =)

That's some good advice. You are doing awesome =) And those weeks of liquid and pureed will go faster than you know it, even if it seems like forever while you're doing it.

Looks beautiful! I wish I could do makeup like that. I have tried tutorials and stuff and I'm not sure if it's my eye shape or what, but it never comes out all that great =p

Yay!!!!! It sounds like a long process, but it finally paid off in the end. Proof that persevering is worth it.

You look great! Keep it up and you will be hitting that 100lb mark in no time! =D

I didn't get a referral from my PCP because I didn't need one, so the clinic just faxed her information regarding my procedure and has continued to send her my follow-up appointment notes. I haven't been seeing my PCP that often though. I still haven't seen her since, because we never seem to have the same schedule of availability. Other doctors in her office have been supportive though, so I don't think she will have an issue with it. If I did need a referral I think I would bring some of the information I've gathered and just let them know that I have looked into other options and had little success. Then I would just list the reasons I want the surgery - mainly, my health, what they are there to be monitoring/helping with. If they turn you down, there is no reason you cannot switch PCPs, you want one that will support you throughout this journey. I hope things go well!

It took me over a week at home to get completely off my pain meds. I was definitely not one of those people 2 days out with no pain. Walking helps because you get rid of some of the built up gas and maybe try some Gas-X strips? You will feel better soon, hang in there!

I struggled with this too. I was not a big fan of the pureed food stage. The whole idea of pureed food sounds kinda icky to me anyway. The only thing I had that I really enjoyed a lot was chili with ground turkey. I made a chicken salad that wasn't too bad too. I stuck with a lot of cottage cheese and yogurt with flavored protein powder. My tastes seem to have come back a little now that I'm on soft foods, but there's still a lot that seems unappealing.

I have been stuck recently too, and am trying my best not to be frustrated. This is the dreaded 3-4 week stall! It happens to most people and if you just be persistent your weight loss will eventually start up again. It just takes time. Do you measure? Maybe you are still losing inches.

I had to do this the first few nights home too. Sometimes it felt like I'd never feel better. But I do! Hang in there - it will get better soon =)

Most people lose a lot initially because they are losing fluids. During/after surgery they pump a whole lot of fluids into your body and it takes a while to lose them. You also have some swelling going on that will lose Fluid over time. Good job though - I'm sure it feels great to see 12 pounds down =) I switched up the types of liquids I was having, different flavors of strained Soup, added a little food coloring to my Protein shakes so at least it looked different, mixed stuff in yogurt, made smoothies. It was still a little boring, but it goes pretty quick.

So far: Favorite - Being able to fit into a smaller size of pants without having lay on the bed to do it. No matter how many times I've worn them it never gets old Least favorite - Having to eat every 2 hours when I'm not hungry/not interested in food. I agree completely with Tracey, food is feeling like a chore lately. But it's still worlds better than eating everything in sight like I did pre-surgery!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

I was scared about anasthesia awareness too. Thankfully, I didn't have it and it felt like no time at all and I was awake in the recovery room. It's a scary thing, but I'm sure you will have everything go fine. Good job on eating only 25%! It's so difficult when you're around people who are eating more. Maybe you will feel more comfortable at a gym when you've lost a bit =)

It will get better! I just recently started feeling comfortable enough with my body (this was pre-op) to get some capris. I have kinda adopted the mindset that I can only do so much and I'm not gonna suffocate myself in pants and a long shirt when it's 90 degrees out. I sometimes still have embarrassment when wearing them but I remind myself that if they don't like it they can look somewhere else. Soon enough you will be flaunting a pretty bathing suit =)

Good job being persistent even through struggles. You can get back on your exercise routine, it's just tough. And a pound could be water weight, clothes, etc. I'm sure next week you'll have dropped it right back off and maybe it will take a few more with it. Have fun with the mojo ; ) Just starting to get mine back and seriously - watch out!

You are kicking butt! And sooo close to onederland - I bet you will reach it next week, maybe even be below just hitting it. You should check Groupon, I know that the power house gym in my area is having a good sale on there for a few months of gym time. Maybe there are some in your area too? Congrats on the NSV! Sounds like a lot of people are noticing.

Congratulations on your surgery date ! September is just around the corner. Maybe your guilt is in part that you don't feel like you deserve this? You do though! If you're like me, you've tried the diets, the medical stuff, the shakes and the meals and the so on. And it hasn't worked. If we want to be healthy people, we need to make a change, and being fat is much more risky than having one surgery. Think of the % chance that you'd get diabetes being 100lbs overweight for 20 years. It's probably worlds higher than the 1% risk of leak, etc. Good luck on the pre-op diet!

I am looking forward to people treating me better. I am tired of having my weight be the first thing people notice about me. It is sad though that people are affected so much by it, and I will try and remember this when I'm thinner. I don't wanna turn into the same person that has been ignoring me for years because of my weight =p