makemyownluck

It's natural to be nervous. Let it keep you focused on the future. The changes are considerable, but honestly, post op life feels completely natural to me. I'm 3 months out and have lost 58lbs in 3 months. I'm exactly 100lbs down from my highest weight in November 2012. It took me 6 months to lose 42lbs pre op, which included a lot of suffering through depriving myself of food and pushing myself on exercise.Now post op, I've lost 58lbs in 3 months and I never feel deprived. I can eat what I want, just a LOT less. I have to REMIND myself to eat all the time, especially if I have a busy day. And when I'm lazy at home, I'm not grazing constantly. Food is THE LAST thing on my mind. In my experience, it's all felt very natural. And I love it. I love it when people ask "Oh, is that all you're eating?" YES. Yes it is. And I'll enjoy it and be happy with just these few bites... and as far as exercising post op - i do it, but not religiously. I feel more desire to be active now that I've lost weight - so I go walking with a friend a few times a week or I do crunches and leg lifts on the couch when I'm watching TV. None of it feels like effort to live this life... you're going to be so happy - just know the first few days after surgery are the worst and it ONLY gets BETTER AND BETTER AND BETTER. Good luck!

LOVE premier - super jealous that you have the resealable kind because my local Costco just has the pull tops that aren't resealable.

That said, the chocolate is fantastic. I have some vanilla ones to mix with other things - but they are a little too sweet for my taste on their own. However, mixed with some fresh berries, or peanut butter, or SF Chai powder, they taste great. Same cal/protein content as the chocolate.

I've been using these since pre-op, my NUT gives them 2 thumbs up!

OH NO!!!! Ha, I woulda been doing the exact same thing trying to get out all the salt! :( That stinks, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day! ((HUG))

I'm a week post op today, and the pre-op diet was harder than anything I've experience post op!

But try to keep your eye on the prize... it will be worth it in the end, and by day 3 or 4 of my pre-op diet, my hunger was completely gone - and hasn't returned yet!

good luck, you will make it! DON'T CHEAT! I know you didn't say you did, but cheating, even a little, keeps you on the hunger train... The trick is to cut out your processed sugars and carbs so that you aren't feeding the beast and still feeling hungry all day. You can do this!!

enjoy Vegas! I know I found it hard not to indulge in everything since it felt like "the last time". I think that's normal, and good to get it outta your system!

I'm a singer, too. Funny that I worry that I won't be able to sing as powerfully without my weight backing me up. I've read about opera singers who can't perform the same way after losing weight... and I was classically trained in opera, so even singing popular music, I use the same techniques! I'm hoping for more confidence to get out there and share my gifts with others as well! I wanna re-do all my youtube vids and actually SHARE them with people!

Welcome! I'm pre-op, having surgery on Thursday. I've been in "the process" of getting this surgery approved since July of last year, so I've also had a lot of time to think about what it will be like on the other side...

The best I can tell you is that when you choose the sleeve, you're choosing an "as normal as possible" life post-op. Yes, you'll be tender and have a hard time bending over for a few weeks, and the stages of diet post-op are probably going to be a challenge, but ultimately, we will be able to eat the things we want, just much, much less of it. Some people do develop food sensitivities after surgery, but it's not as common as it is with gastric bypass.

I've been dieting since July and honestly, my tastes have already changed. I went through major carb withdrawal, but now a giant bowl of pasta doesn't even sound good to me - and I used to eat pasta nearly everyday! But even if my taste for pasta was still there, post-op I simply wouldn't not be capable of eating as much, so even if I do "indulge" in it, it won't be in the amount I was doing before! I'm looking forward to being able to have a small portion of anything and being satisfied. I've lived too long as the person who can EAT THE WHOLE THING (whatever 'thing' that may be).

The combo of being excited and scared is interesting, isn't it?? From what I've seen around this forum, it's totally natural!

Welcome to the board, I hope you get a response from Medicaid soon so you can schedule your surgery!!! Good luck!

I don't think you'll ever be able to forget your pre-sleeved self... but it definitely doesn't hurt to record how you're feeling for posterity! I'm getting sleeved on May 2nd, so it will be cool to see how you progress. I wish you great success and a speedy recovery! Your future self is just gonna wonder why you waited so long to do this! (My future self will be saying the same thing, I'm sure of it!)

You ARE obsessed with this topic. But you explain it so hilariously, I don't mind.

MOM is my friend as well. I'm glad it helped clear you out like you've been wanting!

I got back on my feet, you will too. But I haven't trusted a man since. I don't know how I'll really feel about male attention as I lose the weight... I always got it when I was late-teens/early 20s, even tho I was big then (but way smaller than I am now).

I just feel like I'm in for a helluva ride, basically! Can't wait to see where it goes...

I am pre-op, too. Day 10 of the liquid protein 14-day diet. As an older woman (60's) and married, I just want to tell you that you are the only one in your life who can make you happy. Concentrate on taking care of yourself. Get to know yourself. Find a therapist/counselor that you can relate with, and talk your head off. For depression, medication is sometimes needed.

I don't know that surgery itself will solve any problems. But the weight loss will allow you to more easily indulge in any activities that you enjoyed when you were thinner. What did you enjoy doing then? What made you happy as a child?

Try to take care of yourself in all ways: physically, socially, spiritually, intellectually. Indulge yourself in a massage, or taking a class, learning something new. These take you out of yourself and open you to the opportunities out there.

Thank you so much for the advice. I so appreciate the wisdom of people older than I am - life experience counts for so much. I do definitely realize with my rational mind that being thinner doesn't guarantee a better life, that I need to work on myself toward being happier. You're suggestions are great, I'll definitely be trying them out. I believe being thinner will help my self-esteem, so I can get out there more and fulfill my emotional needs. As I am now, I shy from social events because of how I look, and that's not my true personality. I'm a Leo! I'm supposed to Shine!! lol

I'm almost 4 months post-op and have used my weight as the blame for a lot of things. I'm a singer and so it's easy for me to blame rejection (not getting a role/part/solo) on being fat. People don't take you seriously, or think you're smart, or find it easy to bully/dislike you because of the weight you carry around. Well now that it is going away (the weight I mean), here's the test!! Now it's all up to my talent...can't blame fat butt any more.

I'm a singer, too!! I've actually wondered if losing weight will affect my singing voice. Only for the better, I hope!

I am by far no expert on anything , but you bring up alot of legit questions , and your not alone. But one thing I have learned in my life is if you dont or cant love yourself , how do you expect someome else too? Example a decent man. Your scheduled for surgery so thats a major plus , you will be given a chance to improve yourself in many ways , take the opportunity and run with it!!! Dont waste it with thoughts of self sabatoge, you are worth this and you can do this!! Take it from a self sabbatoger im trying my hardest to get out of it , I am my own worst enemy. I am going to try to change my whole being with this surgery my thoughts my eating habbits , everything. For once I want to be a winner. If you ever need to talk I m around feel free.

I think a lot of my weight issues got worse because of a bad relationship, if I'm being honest. Don't get me wrong, I've always been overweight. But I feel like I just never recovered from an exceptionally horrible relationship. This terrible relationship ended years ago, and I've not dated anyone seriously since. Haven't even been on a date in probably 5 years. My self-esteem is to a point that I just don't want people to look at me. I mean, I've actually said to myself "Of course you're single. Look at you!".

I've got some numbers of counselors I want to see after my surgery. I'm not ready to really talk about my dark thoughts right now. But I know I need to, and sometimes I wonder how "in control" I am. Trying to just focus on the positive right now, I think starting counseling on these issues pre-op would just fill me with more worry because I'll be thinking of these things intentionally... IDK - I feel like anything I write on this subject just makes me sound crazy. I appreciate that you get it. Loving yourself isn't always easy. I want to change my whole being, too!! Feel free to PM me any time for you as well. have you had surgery?

I'm POSITIVE that I bought more than I'll actually need! In fact, I'm really HOPING I don't need half this stuff! However, I live alone. I'll be staying with my parents for a night or two after I'm discharged, but I definitely prefer to be in my own home so I'll be on my own within 3-4 days post op. I'll have to be prepared for anything and everything because I don't have anyone who lives with me that's available to run out and pick something up for me when I need it. I have my parents and plenty of friends to help, but I don't wanna be having diarrhea and trying to call someone to bring me imodium, ya know?

I just figured best to be safe than sorry!

Good luck!! Keep us updated!

I haven't been sleeved, but when I had by gall bladder out, the hospital gave me a binder that I didn't use. it seemed to irritate my incisions more than anything else. But the pillow idea works. I also used a heating pad after I walked, it helped the soreness. It wouldn't hurt to try it out and see if it helps you!

Are you scheduled for surgery? Congrats on getting everything done!! The preop testing and insurance game felt like torture to me!

I'm scheduled for May 2nd. I start my liquid diet tomorrow, tho I sort of started on Sunday already. It's been going well. I've lost 7lbs since Sunday! I was also menstruating on Sunday and that might be part of the loss, but I don't care HOW it happened, I'll take a 7lbs loss in 4 days!!

I'm anxious about the not being able to chug water. Also the chewing to a pulp will be a big change, too. Sometimes I catch myself eating like a teenage boy - taking huge bites and barely chewing. It's amazing I haven't had digestive issues in my life because of this!! I've definitely calmed that down, but it's still hard for me to "practice" these behaviors. I think that once we're post op and our stomachs literally can't handle all of that, we'll catch on.

Good luck to you!! I'm rooting for you to get back on track and lose, lose, lose!

THANK YOU for the tips on the coffee flavored drinks. I've been using a RTD vanilla shake in lieu of creamer for now, but it's not ideal. I got this case of these shakes and I don't particularly like them, so this is the best way I can use them without wasting the money! I'm going to try the sample pack from Big Train.

Syntrax Nectar makes an unflavored powder also, I got mine on Amazon. They offer a lower price if you sign up to have an auto shipment - and you can specify if it's every month, 2 months, 3 months, and so on. I think it's $16 or so for a 1lb tub. They offer all the Syntrax flavors as well.

I also get Body Fortress brand from Walmart. $16 or so bucks per can. They have a tasty chocolate peanut butter flavor. I also like their strawberry powder mixed with crystal light lemonade. I just ordered some liquid biotin that I'll be adding in with this drink also. It's cherry or berry flavored (not sure which), and I got that from Puritan's Pride.

Thanks for sharing all your ideas/tips and things you've learned!

Walking supposedly helps with gas pain. Or you can try Gas-X strips.

I'm pre-op myself, so I'm really just sharing what I've read around these boards.

Hope it helps!

She obviously doesn't get where you coming from, but I can kinda see her as trying to be your ally... I mean, you were having a conversation about something she had also done, but for different reasons. Keep in mind that people rarely see themselves the way others see them. Like you said, you look at yourself in the mirror and think "not bad", then look at those pictures of yourself and say OOF. Well, she may not see a beautiful person when she looks in the mirror. She sees herself gain 4 pant sizes and she feels fat/unattractive/sad, whatever. I mean, we'd be sad if we gained 4 pant sizes, so the fact that she went from size 2 to 6 shouldn't mean she's not entitled to feel like she needs to do something about it.

But I get it. We, as big people, know that she's not being looked at as or treated like a fat person is treated. She doesn't understand where you're coming from completely because the world doesn't treat her the way big people are treated. But that doesn't mean she doesn't struggle with it internally or that you both couldn't learn something from each other.

I can totally understand where you're coming from feeling hurt by it. But I think you should try just a little not to let your emotions get the better of you. I think from her perspective, you come off looking selfish. I'm not saying you ARE, I'm just saying that might be how she's feeling. Like she shared something with you and you snapped at her. After all, she's not trying to get in shape to make you mad - she's trying to improve herself just like you are. I think if you can get this little bump straightened out, she might actually be a good friend to have as she can help you with exercising more...

Anyway, you definitely need to be careful when you share the news of surgery. I'd rather keep it a secret that risk someone saying something that would piss me off - cuz I'd probably react just as you did. I'm only good at seeing both sides when I'm not on one!!

You can take a taxi home from the hospital.

The surgeon said I HAD to have someone to take me home. He said they absolutely will not release me to take a cab.

Thanks for the rational thinking, everyone. It's really hard to put things in perspective when you're in the midst of an argument, so I do appreciate you all for both seeing where I'm coming from and offering practical advice for the situation. Now that I've slept on it, I realize we are both super anxious about what is happening. I'll do what I have to do to make sure my mom can be there for the surgery and hope that insurance doesn't force me to push it back. I've never been a patient person - I'm impatient to a FAULT most times, and this is a prime example. Does putting it back a week or two make a big difference? No, not really. I'm just, as usual, eager to do it as quickly as possible. I mean, if I've been going through these steps since July, a few more weeks isn't that big of a deal... (that's me rationalizing this to MYSELF, lol)

I'm going to call my insurance and make sure they have they got my request from the surgeon. So at least I can have some peace of mind that we're moving forward in some way. Then I'll call my mom and apologize for being a monster and hope she can do the same (I wasn't the only one yelling, after all).

I also realized that my surgery is on a Thursday and my surgeon said I'd probably be in for 2 nights. So that means I'll get discharged on a Saturday. So, if for some reason I can't get a ride from my parents, finding a friend who can pick me up shouldn't be as difficult as I was imagining.

It's also good to know that I won't really need the help once I'm discharged. I'd really rather be at home anyway, so maybe I can reassure my mom that I won't be totally helpless if she has other things to do. I do understand that she has a life of her own and she needs to go on these trips in May so she'll know how to do her job. I don't fault her for that. And I don't want her to think she's failing me because she can't be at my bedside 24/7, especially when I don't really NEED her to be there. While it's convenient to have help, I will be able to do it on my own.

Thanks so much for the feedback, guys. I appreciate it!

Thanks mokee. I've been most nervous about being alone and having some sort of accident. I didn't want to really spend more than a few nights at their house anyway (I much prefer my own home), I'm really most concerned with the ride home. The hospital specifically told me they will NOT release me without someone to take me home. Can't go home in a cab - must have someone present to escort me home. And since discharge is in late morning/early afternoon, everyone I know will be at work. Just trying to think who I should ask, is all... disappointed that I'm having such drama with my mom when I'm finally getting close to what she knows I've been working for since last year. :/

But I'll figure it out. I always do!

Well, that was incredibly helpful, Melissa.

I live alone. I'm in my 30s. What this has to do with my post, I'm not sure.

I'm not postponing my plans.

I know I'll be able to walk and stuff.

I was just counting on the help. And now I don't have it. It's frustrating and taxing to go through the stress with my mom.

I know I'm selfish. If I don't put me first, who else will?

The first rule of Fight Club is 'don't talk about Fight Club'

I just reread that book this week, so this seems extra funny to me.

Personally, I don't know that I'll E V E R want to show my tummy to anyone, so I don't know that I'll need an excuse.

I don't see my family often throughout the year at all, and am really looking forward to having something like this happen to me. I'm hoping for surgery in May and I probably won't see many of my family members til Thanksgiving time. Plenty of time to take off a bunch-a-chunk!

Congrats on all you've done so far. nothing like a boatload of compliments from people who really love you to keep you on track!!

the only thing better than a good BM, is a good BM at work. nothing like getting paid for that! hahaha