CoolBreeze

This is a blow and I understand your disappointment. Take a minute to let it get to you...... Now that the minute is up, make your plans for losing the 20 pounds. Before my surgery, I joined Weight Watchers and lost more than 20 pounds in a few months. You can stay on the liquid diet. Weight can be lost any number of ways, it's the keeping it off that is tough and you won't have to go through the agony of trying to keep it off once you've had the surgery.
So get up and keep going for the golden ring. You made your decision; now you have to make it happen.
Please keep us updated on your progress.

Due to all my "train wreck" issues , i started my process in a wheelchair, (motorized chair in house) for the past 4-5 years.
I have had 2 back surgeries and am still in constant pain. I also have arthritis and doctors want to replace 1 hip and both knees. (already had joints in hand fused to try and stop the joint pain). I have asthma, diabetes and depression... so my weight is a contributing factor.
I had the sleeve done on May 2, 2012... my diabetes is now controlled by diet only (i was taking 3 medicines daily).. I no longer use motorized chair in house and with the help of a walker, i am able to weed the flowerbeds for the first time in 15-20 years...
do i exercise? not in the way most people do...but i am able to walk...cook meals...do laundry... All these things bring my heart rate up and make me sweat! So for me, they ARE exercise...
I have gone from 294 to 244 (-50 lbs) and a total of -50 inches... Went from pant size 28 to 16 (stretch jeans) 18 (non-stretch) from top size 4-5x to 1x...
so yes, you can lose weight without exercising... good luck

That's what I love about the "Y". There's every age and body type, from a 70 year old grandpa to a 20 year old young co-ed. Seriously though, those grandmas are a beast when it comes to water aerobics, they're "cliquish" too. You have to be a part of the "Cool Kids Club for Seniors".

Yuck! You must go to a Planet Fitness! They ARE judgmental if you don't lift weights like they do and look like they do. That's a bunch of marketing BS on their part if you ask me. I got a temporary (one month) membership there close to home over the Christmas/New Years break last year. I usually workout on my lunch break and it's out of town given that I work out of town. Since I was off a few weeks for the holidays, I figured I'll just get the one month membership at Planet Fitness and pay a little extra just because I was just starting back after my surgery and it would be important to get off on the right foot out of the gate post-op. Mistake on my part! Not for exercising, just exercising at PlanFit. My second trip there (and my last), I barely made a tad bit of noise setting the weights down.....off goes the Lunk Alarm and everyone stops what they are doing and looks at me! What a load of crap! When lifting, people should give "effort". When giving "effort", I pretty much go to failure, that's the only way I get benefits from lifting. So when I put some weights down after giving "effort", it may be difficult to place it on the rack ever so gently.....shame on me! I get it that people don't like the guys that yell and clank weights with every rep....and I don't like it either. But they have gone way overboard with their Lunk rule. Also, way too many people at my local PlanFit that are orange and fake looking. So I left and told them this just isn't the place for me. I just stick with my great gym close to work now and may just take a couple of weeks off this holiday season. Sorry, I had to chime in once I read that part of your post and I may be a little bitter towards Planet Fitness and their absurdity. Carol, keep up the good work and do whatever you need to do to motivate yourself at the gym, and you will be just fine!

I hated going to the gym, at first. What made it better, was I put on headphones, with some really upbeat music, and lip synced to every song! I'm in my own little world, if someone chooses to judge me, I know that they have NO IDEA where I started, and how much weight I have lost.
Most people are so concerned with themselves, that they are not judging you. They may have something, that you don't even notice, that they feel you are judging because it is so noticeable to them.
Plus...the endorphin rush after a good workout, is AMAZING!!

Not one day has gone by and not one will that I regret having been Sleeved. You will go thru anxiety, nervousness, being scared all of that. The thing to remember is why you're doing this in the first place (your son, your health, YOUR LIFE). Don't worry, you are not alone, you're here and we support you. God Is Good, you are in exellent hands. Stay focused. Stay strong. Believe

Not one day has gone by and not one will that I regret having been Sleeved. You will go thru anxiety, nervousness, being scared all of that. The thing to remember is why you're doing this in the first place (your son, your health, YOUR LIFE). Don't worry, you are not alone, you're here and we support you. God Is Good, you are in exellent hands. Stay focused. Stay strong. Believe

Not one day has gone by and not one will that I regret having been Sleeved. You will go thru anxiety, nervousness, being scared all of that. The thing to remember is why you're doing this in the first place (your son, your health, YOUR LIFE). Don't worry, you are not alone, you're here and we support you. God Is Good, you are in exellent hands. Stay focused. Stay strong. Believe

Not one day has gone by and not one will that I regret having been Sleeved. You will go thru anxiety, nervousness, being scared all of that. The thing to remember is why you're doing this in the first place (your son, your health, YOUR LIFE). Don't worry, you are not alone, you're here and we support you. God Is Good, you are in exellent hands. Stay focused. Stay strong. Believe

I did it. I finally joined the gym at my job. Can't figure out why this make me giddy :wub: , but it does.
I am truly looking forward to starting a program and sticking with it. The center is staffed from 6:30a - 7:30p but members access it 24/7. I'm ready now, it's on!!! I see ONE(derland) coming soon. Ok, why am I THIS EXCITED!! Is it the sleeve? Alright, I'll take that.
Now, can I get some advice on what I should be doing before / after workouts? What to wear...yes this is a serious question on my part because I don't know if I should wear something special because of being Sleeved.
Thank you my fellow Sleevers.

I did it. I finally joined the gym at my job. Can't figure out why this make me giddy :wub: , but it does.
I am truly looking forward to starting a program and sticking with it. The center is staffed from 6:30a - 7:30p but members access it 24/7. I'm ready now, it's on!!! I see ONE(derland) coming soon. Ok, why am I THIS EXCITED!! Is it the sleeve? Alright, I'll take that.
Now, can I get some advice on what I should be doing before / after workouts? What to wear...yes this is a serious question on my part because I don't know if I should wear something special because of being Sleeved.
Thank you my fellow Sleevers.

I did it. I finally joined the gym at my job. Can't figure out why this make me giddy :wub: , but it does.
I am truly looking forward to starting a program and sticking with it. The center is staffed from 6:30a - 7:30p but members access it 24/7. I'm ready now, it's on!!! I see ONE(derland) coming soon. Ok, why am I THIS EXCITED!! Is it the sleeve? Alright, I'll take that.
Now, can I get some advice on what I should be doing before / after workouts? What to wear...yes this is a serious question on my part because I don't know if I should wear something special because of being Sleeved.
Thank you my fellow Sleevers.

I went thru that anxiety myself in June. One side was "Am I doing the right thing"? The other side was "will the scalple slip from him hand"?
I know I was doing the right thing, I tried every diet there is and nothing worked, so that wasn't it...They don't use scalples anymore (unless they ABSOLUTELY have to), not to mention I had complete confidence in my surgeon, and still do, so that wasn't it either. I was nersous, its to be expected - It is major surgery after all. And since this was my first in surgery in 16 yrs, yes I nervous as hell. After awhile I calmed down and was looking forward to what the future will hold for me. And with the Good Lord Above, the future looks brite.
You will be alright. Stay focus.

Have you tried putting a paket of splenda in it - I did because it was the only way I could get it down.
On the other note:
give yourself time, it's only been a week. You'll get thru it. If you can drink milk, try muscle milk lite - chocolate, vanilla, strawberry flavors, not sure of other flavors. Or you could try whey Protein isolate, it comes in a few more flavors than just choco,van, strawberry.

:wub: Don't think you're alone in this because you're not. You have the VST community behind you. You get support, encouragement, helpful advice. We are here for each other and I find that so wonderful because sometimes we can feel like we are in this by ourselves. I know I did..at least until I came upon this web-site. Here, WE ARE NEVER ALONE
Keep up the great work. You can do it.

I went thru that anxiety myself in June. One side was "Am I doing the right thing"? The other side was "will the scalple slip from him hand"?
I know I was doing the right thing, I tried every diet there is and nothing worked, so that wasn't it...They don't use scalples anymore (unless they ABSOLUTELY have to), not to mention I had complete confidence in my surgeon, and still do, so that wasn't it either. I was nersous, its to be expected - It is major surgery after all. And since this was my first in surgery in 16 yrs, yes I nervous as hell. After awhile I calmed down and was looking forward to what the future will hold for me. And with the Good Lord Above, the future looks brite.
You will be alright. Stay focus.

Dude, I was 5'6" 373 pounds. 56" waist, 28" inseam. 5-6x shirt. I also had hbp, irregular heartbeat, sleep apnea, and a host of other comorbs.
They were able to do mine without going open, out of the hospital day after surgery.
I was sleeved on June 4. I'm at 258 now, wearing size 44-46" waist and a 2x shirt.
Get up and walk the halls as soon as you are able, that will help with your gas pains, and get you feeling normal quicker. You can do this buddy. Only a complete idiot would go into this without a little anxiety.
Here's to your new life buddy. Good luck on your journey

I just posted (in fitness & exercise) how I get winded after walking and trying to figure out why. Kudos on stopping smoking...you did that, you can do this. I stopped on Aug. 21, 1998 and never looked back.
I sometimes need to push myself into exercising because I was nevery into it like that.
With WLS I was able to walk a mile in 2 days (1/2 mile ea day) but kept getting winded.
This is something we all need (bypass/sleeve/band), exercise. I walk at work on my break, I walk when I get home. Walking is one form and I would like to able to do more...in the gym. At some point that will happen too.
As for Sleeve vs. Bypass - I joined this site so that should tell you , I am not a fan of bypass surgery. Have 2 friends having too many complications with it. Got 2 friends/acquaintances who were sleeved and loving it. I chose being sleeved and have no regrets.
Which ever one you choose I wish you the best and much success. Let us know how things turn out for you. We will be here to lend support.

TO THE CENTURY CLUB???!!!!!!!!!!
I ranted on here a little bit the other day about not hitting 100 pounds before I went back to school... well it finally happened 2 days later! I waited out the 2+ week stall before taking pictures and now I attached some below. Before is February 2012, 4 1/2 months before surgery.
I should be over the moon but it's just so surreal to me... I guess I'm just a pessimist and still see myself as fat (which I am). I had a bit of a breakdown this morning when I posted one of these pics on Facebook because I was embarrassed and humiliated of my before picture. Don't get me wrong, I know I'm gorgeous and I was quite confident 100 pounds ago but when I look at those pics now I think "how in the hell did I think I was attractive?" This milestone has made me feel guilty for what I had done to my body. I am disgusted now, even though I wasn't then. I haven't felt overly emotional through this journey but I think it's all hitting me now... all of the NSVs, no clothes that fit, announcing it on FB, etc.
Anyway, I still have a long way to go... but I appreciate all of the knowledge and support I get here everyday.
Next stop... twonderland!!!!!! (Did we ever come up with a better name for that?)

WOW!! You ate 8oz's of tuna...the whole thing . Straight? As a salad?
I do not believe being Sleeved is a wait of time but I think you should give yourself time.
I agree with Nate maybe a scale is what is needed here. Weigh each item, eat slowly and CHEW, CHEW, CHEW before swallowing. That may help you feel fuller... longer.
Give it time. You could be rushing results way too soon.

Heres the backdrop. Started at my highest 550lbs start of liquid diet may 1 i was 518lbs surgery date may 21 479lbs and today After not being able to weigh myself for 3 weeks (420 at the time, 05-18 )im now at 395. Im a very pessimistic guy when it comes to positive things happening to me and evn though i lost more than 100 lbs in a short time i still thought it just wouldnt work. But im believing now and eating healthier than ever lately, i havent started excercising yet but im starting to get some enrgy and im getting an itch too to get my weight loss on a fast track to 299. I just wanted to share !!!

That is really great! You are doing really well. When I was where you are, I was such a baby, I just curled up and rested. CONGRATS! And welcome to the big loser's bench.

I am soo happy to report that I am doing well. Been walking, even cleaned my hospital room. Staff is amazed at my progress. God is soo good!!