enigmachik

I confess that this journey is both harder and easier than I thought it would be.
I confess that in public situations I finagle things to make it look like I've eaten more than I have.
I confess that it makes me sad that I might never be able to consume a large sandwich with big ol' slices of homemade bread again (like I need it).
I confess that I occasionally use a straw.
I confess that I haven't told anyone about my sleeve and I don't plan on it. I don't need your negativity or opinions.

I confess that this journey is both harder and easier than I thought it would be.
I confess that in public situations I finagle things to make it look like I've eaten more than I have.
I confess that it makes me sad that I might never be able to consume a large sandwich with big ol' slices of homemade bread again (like I need it).
I confess that I occasionally use a straw.
I confess that I haven't told anyone about my sleeve and I don't plan on it. I don't need your negativity or opinions.

I live alone and did my entire recovery alone. I had absolutely no problems. If you are very independent like me, you may be happier and find your recovery more peaceful without other people around. If I had to do it all over, I would do it exactly the same way.
That being said, if you decide to take care of yourself make sure you have a back-up plan just in case your recovery is more difficult than you expected it to be. Good luck!

PS. I was sleeved over a year ago. You want to talk about a slow loser? I'm a slow loser. But guess what, I may be going at a snail's pace, but I'm still losing. That's what matters, not how fast it goes. I figure the slower it comes off, the more likely it stays off

PS. I was sleeved over a year ago. You want to talk about a slow loser? I'm a slow loser. But guess what, I may be going at a snail's pace, but I'm still losing. That's what matters, not how fast it goes. I figure the slower it comes off, the more likely it stays off

Umm, six weeks is 42 days. You're averaging almost half a pound a day! When did you ever lose half a pound a day, every day, for 42 straight days?!? And you're not gaining it back?? My my my, those are some impressive losses, keep it up!

Umm, six weeks is 42 days. You're averaging almost half a pound a day! When did you ever lose half a pound a day, every day, for 42 straight days?!? And you're not gaining it back?? My my my, those are some impressive losses, keep it up!

My first confessions. Here goes...

1. I confess that I am afraid to take pics of myself yet because I am afraid that I won’t see in a pic what I see in the mirror. I really like what I see in my mirror for once.

2. I confess that as much as I want people to comment on my weight loss, the attention is sometimes extremely overwhelming and I want to hide from everyone.

3. I confess that even though first and foremost I had this surgery to have a healthy future, one of the biggest incentives for me to lose weight was to fit into roller coasters again. My poor husband has had to ride alone for the last 6 years.

4. I confess that even though I am more than halfway to goal in 3 months I am terrified that any day now I will stop losing.

5. I confess that after I tried on my wedding dress from 14 yrs ago AND IT FIT!!!, I stayed in it all night while I vegged out on my couch and watched TV.

I confess that this journey is both harder and easier than I thought it would be.
I confess that in public situations I finagle things to make it look like I've eaten more than I have.
I confess that it makes me sad that I might never be able to consume a large sandwich with big ol' slices of homemade bread again (like I need it).
I confess that I occasionally use a straw.
I confess that I haven't told anyone about my sleeve and I don't plan on it. I don't need your negativity or opinions.

I confess that this journey is both harder and easier than I thought it would be.
I confess that in public situations I finagle things to make it look like I've eaten more than I have.
I confess that it makes me sad that I might never be able to consume a large sandwich with big ol' slices of homemade bread again (like I need it).
I confess that I occasionally use a straw.
I confess that I haven't told anyone about my sleeve and I don't plan on it. I don't need your negativity or opinions.

Ladies.
60 year old married man here.
Some observations:
The majority of women in America are overweight. American men date and marry.
You are ahead of the curve, you are losing weight in a very tanagable way.
Ok I know it is fiction, but, I am reminded of an episode of Always Sunny in Philadelphia.. Mac is dating a Pre- op trans- sexual. His friends say " dude she has a penis"
Mac says " yes, but she is getting rid of it eventually"
You are getting rid of the lbs. We men are not that sensitive.
Remember the scene in Eat, Pray , love. Where she tells the Sweedish girl that just gained15pounds.
" if you are in bed With a guy he is thinking 1 thing. " OMG! I won the lottery"
I have seen 3 friends ( that I thought would never date-- all in their 60's-- 70s) just meet someone. 2 online, 1 at a neighborhood party. They are soooooo Happy, and I an soooooo happy for them.
You are young and taking control of your lives. You are in the best possible place!
Go for it.

I confess that I never forget my calcium because even though it's chalky, it's chocolate flavored,
Yep I'm that desperate

Hey all! I already wrote this and thought I posted it, but I guess it didn't work! Hate it when that happens!
So I had the surgery this morning at 7 am. It took 4 hours. My implant size was 457 cc's . That sounds like a lot, but they ended up being only slightly bigger then my original ones. They are so full! Pain is minimal compared to what my Tummy Tuck pain was like. They are so perky! I am so thankful for Percocet!!! Well if there is anyone out there who needs/ wants to know anything just message me! Good luck to you all! Hope everyone can come out of their surgeries as well as I have!

Lol!! Ummm.... I think she is trying to say,
(I) Went out(, now I'm) in trouble(. There was) no cheating (, but) he is still mad ( at me.) ( I think it might be) time to buy sex toys (.)

I thank everyone for ur support. It was a horrible experience and I just needed to vent. I know others didn't like my post but I felt it needed to be said. Posting it has made it better for me even if it bothered others. I know it is rare so I just had to know if anyone has experienced it. I wish the best for everyone still waiting for their day of surgery.

Recycled - You say the post was inconsiderate, I say your response was inconsiderate. Where is your compassion for what the poster went through? They went through hell and have every right to post their experience. It is a valid post because it is an experience that can happen when you get anesthesia. It has nothing to do with the sleeve per se, but it does have to do with surgery.
My mother had this exact experience when she had jaw surgery. She felt and heard them sawing through her jaw bone and cutting through tissue and couldn't do anything to let them know that she felt all of it. She describes it as the most excruciating and terrifying experience of her life. She had some feelings of depression and even PTSD afterwards. This poster did the right thing by sharing their experience because they can be validated that they aren't alone in experiencing this and it also helps those who haven't had surgery yet to know that this is a risk and something they can discuss with their anesthesiologist before they have their surgeries.
To the poster - I'm so sorry you went through this. I know it must have been horrifying. It might help you to talk to a councilor about it if it is still affecting you. If you ever need another surgery in the future, be sure to let your surgeon and anesthesiologist know you went through this so that they can take steps to help prevent it in the future. My heart goes out to you. Try to remind yourself that this is not because of the sleeve and that once the weight starts falling off and you are getting happier and healthier, you will be glad you were sleeved. Hang in there!

Recycled - You say the post was inconsiderate, I say your response was inconsiderate. Where is your compassion for what the poster went through? They went through hell and have every right to post their experience. It is a valid post because it is an experience that can happen when you get anesthesia. It has nothing to do with the sleeve per se, but it does have to do with surgery.
My mother had this exact experience when she had jaw surgery. She felt and heard them sawing through her jaw bone and cutting through tissue and couldn't do anything to let them know that she felt all of it. She describes it as the most excruciating and terrifying experience of her life. She had some feelings of depression and even PTSD afterwards. This poster did the right thing by sharing their experience because they can be validated that they aren't alone in experiencing this and it also helps those who haven't had surgery yet to know that this is a risk and something they can discuss with their anesthesiologist before they have their surgeries.
To the poster - I'm so sorry you went through this. I know it must have been horrifying. It might help you to talk to a councilor about it if it is still affecting you. If you ever need another surgery in the future, be sure to let your surgeon and anesthesiologist know you went through this so that they can take steps to help prevent it in the future. My heart goes out to you. Try to remind yourself that this is not because of the sleeve and that once the weight starts falling off and you are getting happier and healthier, you will be glad you were sleeved. Hang in there!

Recycled - You say the post was inconsiderate, I say your response was inconsiderate. Where is your compassion for what the poster went through? They went through hell and have every right to post their experience. It is a valid post because it is an experience that can happen when you get anesthesia. It has nothing to do with the sleeve per se, but it does have to do with surgery.
My mother had this exact experience when she had jaw surgery. She felt and heard them sawing through her jaw bone and cutting through tissue and couldn't do anything to let them know that she felt all of it. She describes it as the most excruciating and terrifying experience of her life. She had some feelings of depression and even PTSD afterwards. This poster did the right thing by sharing their experience because they can be validated that they aren't alone in experiencing this and it also helps those who haven't had surgery yet to know that this is a risk and something they can discuss with their anesthesiologist before they have their surgeries.
To the poster - I'm so sorry you went through this. I know it must have been horrifying. It might help you to talk to a councilor about it if it is still affecting you. If you ever need another surgery in the future, be sure to let your surgeon and anesthesiologist know you went through this so that they can take steps to help prevent it in the future. My heart goes out to you. Try to remind yourself that this is not because of the sleeve and that once the weight starts falling off and you are getting happier and healthier, you will be glad you were sleeved. Hang in there!

Recycled - You say the post was inconsiderate, I say your response was inconsiderate. Where is your compassion for what the poster went through? They went through hell and have every right to post their experience. It is a valid post because it is an experience that can happen when you get anesthesia. It has nothing to do with the sleeve per se, but it does have to do with surgery.
My mother had this exact experience when she had jaw surgery. She felt and heard them sawing through her jaw bone and cutting through tissue and couldn't do anything to let them know that she felt all of it. She describes it as the most excruciating and terrifying experience of her life. She had some feelings of depression and even PTSD afterwards. This poster did the right thing by sharing their experience because they can be validated that they aren't alone in experiencing this and it also helps those who haven't had surgery yet to know that this is a risk and something they can discuss with their anesthesiologist before they have their surgeries.
To the poster - I'm so sorry you went through this. I know it must have been horrifying. It might help you to talk to a councilor about it if it is still affecting you. If you ever need another surgery in the future, be sure to let your surgeon and anesthesiologist know you went through this so that they can take steps to help prevent it in the future. My heart goes out to you. Try to remind yourself that this is not because of the sleeve and that once the weight starts falling off and you are getting happier and healthier, you will be glad you were sleeved. Hang in there!

Well if you're opinion is that we should only post the sunny happy stories and never mention the negatives, failures or complications.... I have to disagree. That would make this website a total lie. In spite of the fact that everyone wants to get "support" from VST....it's still a huge research tool for most new people (whether that's good or not is another story) and it should reflect the whole ugly picture and not just the successes.

This is a much debated topic of conversation here. You will get opinions from every side.
I can only give you mine. For me, I am a private person and have never discussed my health, weight or many other personal issues. It's just not up for discussion. My husband (who is my rock) and our youngest son know and that is all. Period. It's no one's business.
When people ask me how much weight I have lost, I reply with "a good amount" or "a bunch." If they ask me how I have done it, I simply say " a lot of hard work." All are true. If they persist, I will give one more polite reply. After that, my good graces are gone. It doesn't happen often but when it does, I will say something to the tune of "Wow, you sure are asking a lot of personal questions." They get embarrassed and will stammer something like "well, I was just curious." To which I reply, "yes, I can see that." I will usually walk away at that point.
I guess I'm just at the age where I don't feel like I owe the world an answer to any and all questions asked. Just because someone asked, does not in any way, shape or form require an answer of me. I just was raised in a way that personal things were just that, personal.
Do what feels right for you, and if you want to keep your private life private, do it and don't feel bad. You don't owe anyone an explanation. This is your journey and it's not an easy one. It's by no means the easy way out. Do it whatever way you think is best for you.
Good luck to you, you will love your sleeve and it will change your life! I was self pay and for me it was the best money I have ever spent on my health and quality of life!
I wish the same for you!

I didn't tell anyone that I went to Mexico. I'm not necessarily recommending anyone else go that route, but it was the right decision for me. I had made up my mind and did not want negative opinions thrust upon me.

I'm back!. I was sleeved in Nov 2011, so I will Celebrate two years being sleeved. I started my journey at 330 pounds. When I found out I was going to be a first time grandma, I knew I couldn't keep up with a two year old at 330 pounds. Having tried to lose weight for years to very little avail, I decided WLS was the way for me. Of course it was initially tough. The mandatory 6 months pre op, was tough cause I wanted to get started. Then the surgery was actually a breeze. The few months afterwards was really tough. Was so terribly weak for a while, thought I had made a mistake. However, once my body got used to the situation, I started losing and it was great. Eventually lost 75 pounds. Went from a size 24 pant (some times a 26) down to a size 18. Oh. I really thought I was cute!!. My hubby was really happy with me before and didn't want me to lose any more weight. I maintained at that size 255 for two years. Glad to have the tool that helped me eat smaller portions. Glad to have the control to follow the high Protein, low carb lifestyle for eating. During the past two years, I find that I can eat anything I want, I can sometimes eat larger portions (though still smaller than normal). During the past two years I've often had periods of tracking my food and not tracking my food. During the past two years I've not gained any weight (beyond the occasional 3 - 5 pound swing). During the past two years I've been very happy with myself, my weight lose and life in general. Now.. not sure why.. I want to move on down. I want to continue my general to a better goal. Most recently I've started the 5:2 method for eating. That is eating regular for 5 days and 2 days to decrease the calories. Theory is by reducing calories for two days will overall reduce your calorie intake and thereby cause weight loss. Theory for this life style is other science that I'm not clear on or actually sold on.. that giving your body a resting period from eating is supposed to be good for you. Let me say right up front.. THIS IS NOT FOR FIRST TIME WLS PATIENTS. you MUST MUST MUST MUST follow the directions for eating from your surgeon. You MUST MUST MUST MUST.. follow the advice from others in your same situation. A 2 year sleeve is much different from a new sleeve. My 2 year journey is mine and its different for everyone. Over the past two years I've been reading the posts and blogs from this forum and it has helped to keep me focused and on track. I use this forum to get good tips on staying motivated, good food tips, reciepes, protein advice etc. This is an awesome forum. At this point I want to begin posting and replying in the Vet forum, and to do that I must post at least 100 times. I consider myself a sleeve VET, because I've lived this life for 2 years, especially if you include the pre-op time. I'm looking forward to now actally joining the discussions instead of simply reading about them. Now that I want to use my tool to continue my journey its time to get back in the game.

I didn't tell anyone that I went to Mexico. I'm not necessarily recommending anyone else go that route, but it was the right decision for me. I had made up my mind and did not want negative opinions thrust upon me.