*Shell*

Hello everyone I am new to this, so i'll start from the beginning. In October of 2011 I went to a new doctor for my high blood pressure, after my exam she asked me was there anything else I wanted to talk abour, I said yes my weight. At that appt i was 489 and BMI of 67.7. I am now down to 455. She referred me to Dr. Tran at Howard University. My first visit was in Jan. At first I wanted the LapBand, but with my weight ,I wouldn't get much weight loss, so he suggested the sleeve. I have BC/BS and I had to di a six month weight management program. I have now completed and I got my surgery APPROVED on Friday. I will find my surgery date on Monday. The only thing I still have to do is have a IVC filtet placed to prevent clots.
I am very anxious, nervous and excited all in one. I know a few people who have had wls but not the sleeve. I guess I'm ready to have the life I know I should have. I want to be able to ride a bike, go skating with my girls, be able to fly in a airplane, eat at a resturant at a booth, little things.
I have DJD in both my knees and it hard for me to walk everyday like I want to. I have to get this weight off of me so I can start living a happy and healthier life for my and my kids. I'm glad I camw across this app to hear other people's stories, the good and the bad, so any suggestions or helful ideas would be grateful, keep u posted for the date

You're not lost anymore! You found us! Welcome home! We'll be here for you whenever you need us.

Hello julyers! I was sleeved July 3rd. Here is an update:
Preop weight 315
Surgery day 310
Today 252
I am still not getting enough Protein because I pretty much only eat yogurt, Cereal, and a few fruits. But, I'm feeling great and couldn't be more happy with my progress. I've never once gotten sick... I'm just really turned off by food right now. I'm so happy I chose this surgery... I don't feel like I have an early expiration date anymore!

My relationship with my husband hasn't changed. We have always been best friends. The only thing that has changed is the frequency of sex.

Thanks butterthebean, I feel I'm doing ass I'm suppose to and I do track and log everything on my fitness pal. I'm staying at about 700-800 calories per day.
I'm not really bummed just didn't know how I am doing compared to everyone else.

Hi,
I read a post on here the other day that summed up my life and feelings about doing this. I'm pre-op but would have never considered this just a few years ago. Fear of surgery I guess. I wish I could remember the posters name because it made an impact on me. Being fat has stolen my life. And I mean that literally. EVERY single choice I've made for 30 years has been influenced by fat. High School, college, career, hobbies, sports, dates, clothes, vacations, love/hate food, relationships...EVERYTHING. Every single thought I have is filtered through fat and self loathing. I go to sleep with thoughts of being fat. I worry if I die they will find my fat ass and the medics, coroner would have to lift my fat ass. I think about how humiliating that would be --- I can even be humiliated DEAD. I AM DONE WITH THAT. I am 49 years old -- I want to LIVE my life, not just exist and watch everybody else LIVING. Screw it! If I die during surgery, well, it was meant to be for some reason. I have a serenity about it, which is really amazing to me. If I could do this today I would. And if I'm successful (please God, let this work) I plan to use my 401k for plastic surgery. I want the last half of my life to make up for the first half of being a shell of who I really am.
I want to thank everyone on this board who takes the time to respond and help everyone else, even when they are past their crisis or struggles. This board is an amazing resource of hope and help!
Thanks everyone!
Dana

I wrote this and posted it here a while back. I still believe it and thought it might help some newbies.
We all have them, and yes they can be infuriating. Currently I have been on an extended slow losing run for 6 weeks. Yes I get down, want to say to heck with it and just eat whatever and sometimes do. So here are some things that help my sanity. :-) feel free to add yours.
Remember your body is in shock and completely new territory and is adjusting. This requires it to go against most of it's normal processes. So remember that at your caloric intake it can not last, it will eventually break the set points and natural ability to conserve resources. And you will lose.
You made this choice for the remainder of your life, while we all want to wake up tomorrow at our sexiest weight and physically be able to do anything we want, it is a process and that will come. We are in for the long term benefits. Enjoy the ones that are already here and set some smaller goals so all progress is celebrated!
Tied to that one above, remember sexy is a state of mind as well as physical
While I'll admit what straight man doesn't like Angelina Jolie?
A woman that is confident in her body and carries herself with passion and determination is crazy alluring!!!
We all have that passion and determination by the very choice we make, I am a sexy man now *confident smile* and it is only gonna get better! Woot, *cue "hey Micky he's so fine" with a remake inserting Pasquini in place of micky*
Stay focus on your eating plan. It will work, make sure you are writing everything down!!!!! Those carbs add up quick. I use daily burn on my iPhone the free version. This is huge!!!
When the scale isn't cooperating, try to notice how your clothes are fitting, are they loser. Wile I have only lost 6lbs in 6 weeks i am wearing some med shirts and can't wear the xl's I bought 6 weeks ago.
Tape measures are helpful here measure!
Ladies remember you have your lovely hormones that fight you like Apollo creed in the first rocky movie! They do not work in your favor. But they do make you captivating to us men, well 3/4's of the time .
Remember in rocky 2 Apollo got his a$$ kicked! Your gonna beat those pesky hormone into submission.
All loss is progress!
All stable weight is progress! It means your not gaining!
As we lose we are becoming the total package! All those years heavy lets me think my personality is so much better than hers/his. Well we still have that and are on our way to the healthy body to match.
And as someone else on here says
Nothing Tastes As Good As Thin!!!
Stay focused enjoy the ride and make it happen.
Love you beautiful people!
And yes I am single
Pasquini
Last weeks 5k with the 4 heartbeats

fellow sleevers
getting smaller
cool looking new haircut/ hairstyle
Got my 1rst tatoo
3 grandkids initials w/three little hearts
right wrist
healthier
happier
self-confidence going through the roof
head up high reaching past the stars
sky is the limit
what is next?

Kimberlee, if your surgery is that close, part of what you are feeling is fear. Does any of this sound familiar to the voices going on in your head: Am I doing the right thing.. omg I'm scared... what if this happens... what if this doesn't happen.... what about my love for food, how is that going to change.
C'mon EVERYONE.. give the girl a break. We can all say that was a bratty moment if that's the wording you wish to use, but stop raking her over the coals. I know my arse has had quite a few of such moments.... especially right before surgery and especially whenever I've lost so much weight too fast and my body hasn't realized it and is making wayyyy too much estrogen. So here's what I got for you! What you are feeling.. it's NORMAL. I believe these co-workers can probably understand some of that too if you are close like you said you are, so they surely blew it off.
All I can do is this - encourage you. Please do NOT worry too much... your surgery and recovery will go fine. Just FOLLOW THE DR'S ORDERS. Do not rely on this board to give you all the right answers or directions. All of our dr's are different in some sort or fashion in the diets they use, views they express but they are the ones that know best (due to experience and years in medical school).
What I can provide for you is this - if you ever need a friend, pls know you have one right here in Dallas, TX. (You can always reach out to me if needed.)
Remember this mantra - you will need it for the next several weeks: THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Reach into your depths of emotion and find your inner strength ... this journey will make you find it, several times. It IS NOT easy. It IS NOT a magic wand. But one thing you have to remember - rejoice that you have the blessed opportunity to change your life because THIS WILL change your life. So no fears my dear ...... just hope. You got me?
Prayers and blessings wished for you as I wrote every single long winded word (and continue to do so) .... hang in there! xx

Sorry, YOU are the one that should leave if you can't handle others eating certain foods. I don't mean to sound harsh, but that is the reality. They are NOT responsible for YOUR issues with food! Perhaps you were just a little irritable that day. At any rate, I would curb the attitude or you will be eating alone for the duration of your time with that company!

Hello everyone! First of all, I just cant believe that it has already been a year since my new begining! It really does go by fast once you finally get your surgery. This has been a life saver for me. I am so thankful everyday that I did this incredible thing for myself and for my family. I have lost more then 130 pounds! I am so happy, and I feel so wonderful.

I don't expect the world around me to ever change. I am the one that chose to have this surgery and the world is going to stay as it was. I am the one that is going to have to deal with my eating issues in this world.
I hope this doesn't come across mean as that is not how I mean it. I just know 5months out I had battles bigger than I ever could imagine before surgery and they all came out after and I was slef medicating for everything with food.

Hi...I recently joined as well. I'm considering going to Mexico to get the sleeve surgery so I have the added worry of not being home (in Colorado) and not having a surgeon close by if something goes wrong and I have complications. My husband and I are self employed and self paid for medical insurance. Needless to say the insurance wouldn't even think of paying for this so Mexico here I come.
I'm very nervous and I think that is normal. It's a major change and we should be concerned and nervous. I've thought about this for 3 yrs as well. I have a friend that lost 127lbs with the band.
Yep it's scary but I'm going for it! Because I'm tired of having the internal conversation of "I hate being fat". Kudos to you for losing weight a couple of times. Yeah you gained it back which is a bummer but with the wls you probably won't this time.

8 days for me and no soreness or issues at all. Hadn't seen hubby in 3 weeks though so as soon as he arrived back home from overseas, he pounced

8 days for me and no soreness or issues at all. Hadn't seen hubby in 3 weeks though so as soon as he arrived back home from overseas, he pounced

When people give me a put-down wrapped in a compliment I give them one back:
"Thank you for noticing! Yes, I have lost a lot of weight and during the process I have discovered a lot of new, emotionally mature and understanding friends".

Hi friends, I just had to post some vegas vacation photos. I haven't taken photos that I was happy about in years so here I go. What a difference from my "fat days"

It would be impossible to put into words how absolutely fabulous I am feeling. I will let my pics explain!
Pre-op: 368
Today (5 months po): 358
For all the pre-sleevers, I went through days even weeks when I got so discouraged. The scale had times no matter how I stood on the scale it wouldn't move. I promise though, before you know it, it's dropping again!

I can understand worrying about that. But I seriously want to be one of those girls people look at and tell to eat a cheeseburger :-)

Hello EVERYONE! I have been lurking for awhile learning a lot about the surgery while jumping through all the prereq's...finally completed everything; submitted to insurance and approved in 8 hrs...(guess they think I need it bad...)my bmi is 40 with severe sleep apena diabetes and high blood pressure....I was 314..lost 19 on self imposed diet prior to surgery...now comes the hard part getting my mind set this is actually going to happen....waiting on surgery date......wally

The first couple of weeks are miserable, a fact that, time and time again, people here forget.
I went for my two week post-op with my doctor and NUT yesterday and was telling them about some of the stuff that goes on here. They both read some of these boards and basically said to ignore people, that it seems like people get sleeved, lose a little weight, and suddenly become experts who have nothing better to do than be on the Internet all day criticizing people.
I wanted to hug them both for that. Some of the people here can make you feel even worse than you already do, it was nice to get some validation from people who really matter.

It never ceases to amaze me how many absolute judmental jerks post on this board. Everyone here has a problem with food, so you would think that would bring people together and they would have sympathy for eachother. The point of the board is to SUPPORT one another. Instead I see post after post from people that get up on their high horse and talk down to those that are having a tougher time than they are. That isn't helpful it is hurtful. Didn't your mothers ever teach you that if you don't have something nice to say then keep your mouth shut? Izuri - you could have made the exact same points you wanted to make, but in a supportive way, instead you sound like a stuck up, know it all, that clearly never did anything wrong ever in your life. You are not the worst one on here, so I am sorry for singiling you out, but you are the last I will read. I am through with this site, and will find one that is actually supportive. I hope for the sake of new people that come here looking for help, that you people realize how detremental you are being to those in need.

My surgery was July 19th. I am 16 pounds down. I am so ready to eat food. I hate being on this liquid stage. Today I had some mashed potatoes mixed with half and half just to be able to eat with a spoon rather than drink from a bottle. I probably shouldn't have done that, but I can't take this liquid crap anymore! I am keeping up with my protein, water intake, and exercise.

Two years ago I went to Sturgis Bike Week in South Dakota. I weighed about 250-257. We are going again this year and I currently weigh 176. I was looking at the pictures from last time and I couldn't believe them. The pictures this year will be so much more fun to take. I can't wait to post them here. I was buying XL or 2XL t-shirts last time and now I will be buying large. Even though the weight loss has really slowed down, it's still exciting to see the changes. Here's a picture from 2 years ago and one taken just a few weeks ago. I will post more after vacation.

Don't get on here much anymore but I wanted to share my success with a before and now bathing suit shot. My friends don't even get to see this but y'all can cause I don't know any of you!! I still have about 45 more to go but I'm happy with my success so far. Good luck to all of you in your journey!!
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