Mell

Whats weird is every person I've read has had their tummy taken out on the left, mine was taken out on the right!

You eat so little of anything early out! I say use the regular stuff that doesn't have toxic fat free junk in it. That's been my secret-- enjoy the small portions, make it taste great and satisfying. I made goal at 8.5 months that way. I still use regular everything and skip the fat- removed sugar added crap.

Hello fellow sleevers! Its my 3rd day out of surgery ( Aug 22 sleever) and I am feeling better. Some background info on me because I am not sure where to even start!
I am 30 years old from NJ/NYC. Around Feb I weighed a staggering 517lbs. I was walking around disney world in FL thinking, hey, where are all the people my size? I'd like to think Im the type of person who doesnt even know hes fat, until its too late. ( what do u mean this bar on the haunted mansion ride doesnt go down???). Around that time when I came home from FL I realized that while on my vacation I slept noticably better. I blamed me no longer drinking coffee and sugar as the reason I felt so great on vacation, and quickly lost 10lbs from this alone when I came home. One day while staying late at work ( an accident , as I am a bus driver ) a co worker walked by me. I couldn't recognize him at all! He explained to me all the details of his sleeve, and a few other of my co workers had gone with him. Not wanting to be rude, I said I would atleast check out the info. A few weeks pass, and I promise to atleast check out the seminar my dr was having. It was kind of funny looking back because it was at a local gym, the last place i wanted to be seen, let alone walking up to the info counter and asking hey "wheres the meeting for fat people ?" ( sorry to offend just at my weight i throw the term around). I remember thinking to myself, I hope i just have to ask where, and i get pointed to a room. As luck would have it, the lady was so busy she couldn't hear me and I had to ask 3 times. She wasnt really sure and had to call around to find out where it was, getting atleast 3 other people involved, at which point I wanted to run and hide in my car! Fast foward a bit, I found the place, met the surgeon and told him i would make an appointment if i thought I was serious. A week later I made the apointment which is kind of strange, I guess i went in thinking I was going to be bamboozled or tricked into, and left thinking man I WANT THIS!
My surgeon, Dr. R Sadek of Somerset NJ was fantastic. He told me I had to lose atleast 30lbs before the surgery to slim down the stomach area. At first I thought this was impossible. But I quickly lost 10lbs again. I purchased a treadmill and began chugging away 30-40 minutes a day, eating better and BOOM 30lbs! The worst part of the surgery for me , was the dreaded pre op diet. OMG. The crazy part is as you progress from full liquids, to clear only, you wish you were able to have some of the stuff you had on full liquid! About halfway into the 2 week liquid, I met my co worker again who confessed to me he had mcdonalds two days before his surgery. This was awful I thought! How could he? And it got to me. I wish I could sit here and say no I didnt cheat on my 2 week pre op. But I did. Honest here ? You bet. I had two slices of pizza. I didn't feel bad either about it too, but I knew I had to get back on track, and finished the last 6 days strong. My insurance, blue cross blue shield sent in the letter of approval literally days before the surgery but picked it up 100%. Infact the only thing they wouldn't pay for is for me to see a nutritionist. But they will be for my surgery? Go figure!
My surgery on Aug 22 was at Robert Wood Johnson in NJ. I have to admit everyone was so nice and friendly at the hospital. I guess its me being from NY always thinking people will rush or be angry with me? They couldn't find my vien in my arm using a sonagram, so they had to put a "central IV" in my neck. This was painful and had I known this I would have said NO! It was very messy without TMI or grossing anyone out but an IV in your neck is not very pleasant.
After waking up from my surgery, I felt terrible. I had to wait a bit to get pain killers because I was feeling nauseous and apparently you have to wait a bit if you feel this way. After I had my morphine I spent the rest of the day snoozing, off and on. ( and realizing I had a cathoder which kind of liked, kind of hated?). I was not allowed to drink anything till the Xray the next day. The next morning I had my x ray , no leaks, and was given an amazing amount of clear foods I could never eat . Bowl of chicke broth, Jello, ice tea, waterbottle, italian icee. I think I had about two sips of the tea and felt full. I could not believe it!
So, around 1pm, roughly 24 hours later I was given the OK to go home. I was pretty good, I mean I walked to the car myself and felt like someone punched me in the stomach, but I thought it would have been much worse. Pain killers for the win?
Yesterday ( first full day out of the hospital) I spent mostly sleeping on the couch watching cartoons and semi talking to people who called to check on me, until they realised I really couldnt pay attention. Day 3, I feel great. Im amazed how long it takes me to drink a cup of Water. I have no hunger at all, which I always thought was just plain BS when people say on this on boards, but I have no desire to eat at all. I don't mean this in a bad way of course, but looking around I can't wait to try some of the recipes you guys have posted, IE a pumpkin latte or bean cup cake recipe I saw posted!
So here I am, day 3 post op, feeling good. Started at 517 , 461 at surgery, and 456 right this second. I am Phillip. And I'm a sleever. =)

I agree with you! No one at work could tell I had lost weight and I was just like you down about 43 lbs. I bought me 2 shirts that were 2 sizes smaller than I wore before surgery...and they fit!!! I wore one to work on the next Monday and everyone was coming up to me saying...wow, how much weight have you lost. There is even this one guy who calls me Skinny Minnie (he is a hoot). It makes me feel great! This weekend I bought a pair of straight leg jeans 2 sizes smaller and didn't try them on....I told my husband that even if I couldn't wear them now I could in a few weeks..he agreed. We got home and they fit great in the waist (I was so surprised I could get them on at all) and were too big in the legs and hips. So please try a smaller size...you might have a clothes swap at your local Wellness Center or YMCA check to see! You have done amazing and I am so proud for you!!

Thats my birthday! So obviously everything is gonna work out great cuz it's an awesome day keep us posted on how youre doing!

Awesome gman! Lol youre in better shape than this 32 year old! And lorna, I love love love hearing from people that are a few steps ahead of me. Keep me posted on your progress! Can you favorite people on here?

Lol silly phylly, I can't wait to hear about how things progress for you! You sound so fun. Good luck!

Thats why I love this place. everyone is going through the same things and you guys know just what to say. I am so looking forward to actually wanting to go on vacation.

You go girl. This yr. I did not even want to go on a vacation. I plan to
have alot more get up and go next summer.

With you sweetie! Sat through my seminar saturday and cried the whole time. I was happy for the opportunity to actually take charge of my health, I pictured myself a year past surgery, I rejoiced with those that had already made their decisions and achieved success! While Doc was giving the pep talk for those that were still unsure, I was mowing over people to be one of the first in line for my initial doc appointment. Because I am BCBS of Alabama I am required to go through 6 months of physician monitored weight loss program. I am going to be fit to be tied before it is over! I can't wait! I know it will be one of the hardest things I have ever done, but oh so worth it! Been planning a trip to Alaska for a couple of years and I am determined that I am gonna hike Denali National Park and be able to keep up with my firefighter husband that is 5 years younger and my preteen daughter! I hope with my surgery's help I can make it happen next summer too! Got to jump these insurance hurdles first! Ughhh! God is good and He will see us through girl!

Lol it cracks me up how excited I get for people I don't know! Good luck, keep us up to date!

Just got back from a short vacation in port huron, and if nothing else the trip made me a little less anxious about the upcoming surgery. I was reminded why I want to get this weight off, thats for sure. I was hot as hell, couldn't keep up with anybody, had sore legs from walking in the sand, was self conscious on the beach and in front of all my skinny cousins, and couldn't dance at the wedding cuz I was to sore from all the other activity. Couldn't hardly sleep either. My nervousness about having this done has turned into impatience. I want to get this going, everyones success stories on here have me so hopeful. So hoping it works well for me, I want next summer to be fun!

Just got back from a short vacation in port huron, and if nothing else the trip made me a little less anxious about the upcoming surgery. I was reminded why I want to get this weight off, thats for sure. I was hot as hell, couldn't keep up with anybody, had sore legs from walking in the sand, was self conscious on the beach and in front of all my skinny cousins, and couldn't dance at the wedding cuz I was to sore from all the other activity. Couldn't hardly sleep either. My nervousness about having this done has turned into impatience. I want to get this going, everyones success stories on here have me so hopeful. So hoping it works well for me, I want next summer to be fun!

Just got back from a short vacation in port huron, and if nothing else the trip made me a little less anxious about the upcoming surgery. I was reminded why I want to get this weight off, thats for sure. I was hot as hell, couldn't keep up with anybody, had sore legs from walking in the sand, was self conscious on the beach and in front of all my skinny cousins, and couldn't dance at the wedding cuz I was to sore from all the other activity. Couldn't hardly sleep either. My nervousness about having this done has turned into impatience. I want to get this going, everyones success stories on here have me so hopeful. So hoping it works well for me, I want next summer to be fun!

Just got back from a short vacation in port huron, and if nothing else the trip made me a little less anxious about the upcoming surgery. I was reminded why I want to get this weight off, thats for sure. I was hot as hell, couldn't keep up with anybody, had sore legs from walking in the sand, was self conscious on the beach and in front of all my skinny cousins, and couldn't dance at the wedding cuz I was to sore from all the other activity. Couldn't hardly sleep either. My nervousness about having this done has turned into impatience. I want to get this going, everyones success stories on here have me so hopeful. So hoping it works well for me, I want next summer to be fun!

Just got back from a short vacation in port huron, and if nothing else the trip made me a little less anxious about the upcoming surgery. I was reminded why I want to get this weight off, thats for sure. I was hot as hell, couldn't keep up with anybody, had sore legs from walking in the sand, was self conscious on the beach and in front of all my skinny cousins, and couldn't dance at the wedding cuz I was to sore from all the other activity. Couldn't hardly sleep either. My nervousness about having this done has turned into impatience. I want to get this going, everyones success stories on here have me so hopeful. So hoping it works well for me, I want next summer to be fun!

I am right there with you! I was originally scheduled for July 24th but had to change the date, which is fine. But I vacillate between being realyl excited and then the next minute, really nervous. I'm at peace with my decision, even if family members aren't, and I know that this is going to be the best thing for me in the long run, but jsut knowing that it's irreversible, life changing surgery is a tad bit nerve racking. But let's be excited together!

Congratulations on getting your surgery date! You will do fine! I am anxious to hear back from you post surgery! (I am still awaiting my date)... good luck and be well!

Hi Mell. Congratulations on starting your journey, and what a great journey this is going to be. Every single one of your thoughts and questions are completely normal, and I believe we have to ask ourselves those questions in order to move forward.
Like FutureSkinnyPants mentioned, there is a thread for all us August sleevers. Come meet us. We are a great crowd that you can lean on when needed, cry with, cheer with, and understanding.

If you need support, i started a thread for august sleevers
http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/38113-august-sleevers-where-yas-at
congrats, and dont be afraid....this is going to be a great thing

I'm 10 days post surgery. I've lost 33 lbs and I feel fine! Everything's going to be alright! (and I'm not lying)