Prissy

-I confess that I am only 9 days post op but everyday since surgery I've thought I made the wrong decision. ;-(
-I confess that I am hungry EVERY SECOND of the day!
-I confess I constantly think about food, and am so sad to watch TV because of the commercials(I just want some pizza so badly!) ;-(
-I confess that I thought I was mentally prepared for the surgery, since I had been researching for over a year!
-I confess that I am worried that being skinny will not make me as happy as I thought. ;-(

-I confess that I am only 9 days post op but everyday since surgery I've thought I made the wrong decision. ;-(
-I confess that I am hungry EVERY SECOND of the day!
-I confess I constantly think about food, and am so sad to watch TV because of the commercials(I just want some pizza so badly!) ;-(
-I confess that I thought I was mentally prepared for the surgery, since I had been researching for over a year!
-I confess that I am worried that being skinny will not make me as happy as I thought. ;-(

Thank you so much for the enlightening us on some great tips! That was something I really needed to read! I've been feeling alone with the whole process, even though I have been on this site everyday, it's so hard when you realize your the only one out of your family doing this. I am only 8 days post op and I keep going back and fourth with my emotions. At first I was so upset with myself and was telling myself, "I messed up!" It is getting easier with every passing day but it still plays with my emotions a bit! So THANK YOU for all the knowledge and insight! ????

I was searching for the same. Someone recommended egg white powder. I tried the plain by Jay Robb, It has only a slight taste. When I add it to a smoothie, I barely notice it. You do want to mix the powder in a blender, if you add it to liquid.

-I confess that I am only 9 days post op but everyday since surgery I've thought I made the wrong decision. ;-(
-I confess that I am hungry EVERY SECOND of the day!
-I confess I constantly think about food, and am so sad to watch TV because of the commercials(I just want some pizza so badly!) ;-(
-I confess that I thought I was mentally prepared for the surgery, since I had been researching for over a year!
-I confess that I am worried that being skinny will not make me as happy as I thought. ;-(

WOW! I have not been on here in about 4 months. Life just got a hold of me, then summer hit with a vengence. Now the kiddos are finally back in school.
I have just returned from my check up. Hard to believe I am only 4 months away from my one year anniversary. The doc is very pleased with my progress and so am I. At my one year mark he has agreed to give me a referral to see the plastic surgeon for body contouring. I have a lot of excess skin around my butt and thighs. So I am very excited about that. He is pretty sure the insurance will cover it so double bonus. My goal is to be 140 by 12/28/13 which is my one year mark.
This journey has been so life changing. This summer I wore tank tops, summer dresses, went down a Water slide with my kids and even wore a bathing suit almost all summer! I even wore my first little black dress while in Vegas as you can see from my profile pic. I am at this moment down 107lbs from my heaviest point and down 76lbs since the surgery.
My food cravings come and go but I find myself craving "refreshing" foods like fruit or fish. Strangest thing. If I eat sweets, I get a case of dumping syndrome. I start to sweat and feel nauseous so I just stay away from those foods now. I do not drink soda or beer. On occasion I have a piece of toast. I am able to eat a bit more than before. But according to my doctor I need to make sure my portions stay small, eat a little more often if need be as long as I am eating the right foods, but small portions. Otherewise, you can run the risk of stretching your sleeve. I did not come this far to have that kind of a problem. There was a point around 5 months post op when I was dealing with heartburn but I got that under control. I am dealing with Hair loss which is very sad. So even though I am getting my Protein in I am suffering through my loss of hair. I am trying a couple of products to see if I can grow it back. I will keep you posted on that. My stomach gurgles a lot. I am so used to it now though. When I am getting full I start to burp a little. I call that my full meter I still have a tendency to be an emotional eater so I try to stay aware of that. Guess that is just life at this point!
My activity level is through the roof! I have so much energy, I sleep better, I have more patience and am a lot calmer. This procedure not only saved my life, it gave me a life. :wub:
Only a few people know that I have had the surgery and I personally like to keep it that way. I was given a tool but like any tool it will not work if I don't use it! So I don't want to hear people say I took the "easy way out". I may have to punch them. So I just don't say anything.
Anyway, I hope all of you sleevers out there who are newbies are doing well, hang in there it gets better and all of the seasoned sleevers are keeping on. I love this board and have missed seeing what the December sleevers are up to.
Take care!

Had my surgery July 30th and I wanted to give an update. I am feeling 100% myself again....i struggled about whether i would ever feel normal again and the answer is YES! I am on soft foods and i've lost 18lbs so far. I hope everyone is doing well.

-I confess that I am only 9 days post op but everyday since surgery I've thought I made the wrong decision. ;-(
-I confess that I am hungry EVERY SECOND of the day!
-I confess I constantly think about food, and am so sad to watch TV because of the commercials(I just want some pizza so badly!) ;-(
-I confess that I thought I was mentally prepared for the surgery, since I had been researching for over a year!
-I confess that I am worried that being skinny will not make me as happy as I thought. ;-(

First let me say I feel fabulous! I've lost over 70 pounds in just over 5 months. I went from a 22 to a very comfy 12. The road has not been easy and for all you newbies...here is my list of amazing highs...and of not so sunshiny lows.
Disclaimer: This is my experience...it may not be yours.

It will be uncomfortable for a few days post op
I was not hungry for weeks after surgery
I was scared to eat or drink and I didn’t drink enough...thus Constipation and weakness
I didn't feel normal for about 6 weeks. I needed naps and I took them
The weight literally falls off...seriously I was looking for pools of fat in bed when I woke up in the morning
I hit the 4 week stall and it lasted two weeks. Expect it and don't stress
On day three, I had a massive freak out…seriously threw a four year old fit…pissed off my stomach was gone.
No one noticed for months and that irritated me.
EVERYONE notices now and it's all they want to talk about.
Don’t tell anyone you are going to Mexico to have your stomach cut off unless you trust them completely.
I threw up alot...just slime mostly...while I was learning my new tummy. It will scare you and if you are like me…it will happen a lot when you transition to solid foods.
food addiction does not magically go away...if you have a problem before..you will still have it. I think about food all the time, but I finally have a way to resist it. I am a sugar addict. I never crave carbs, but I crave sugar like a mad woman.
Going out to dinner is awkward. I hate watching people eat
Put the lotion on the skin! My skin got really dry.
I’ve lost half my hair at 4.5 months post op. Mine came out in chunks. Freaked me out! Our Golden Retriever and I are in a competition for shedding. It will be ok. Take your Vitamins and buy Nioxin. It doesn’t help my Hair loss, but I feel like I am at least doing something about it.
Don’t take a powerful laxative when you are constipated…especially before your child’s school performance. It may say “See results in 2-4 hours” but it means 30 mins and then you’re stuck on a mini toilet with both legs numb, crying to everything holy to save you.
Shopping is amazing! I still feel like people are looking at me like I don’t belong there…but that’s all in my head.
My shoes no longer fit. they are too wide now!
Your pre WLS Spanx will look huge in a couple months
Trust me…put some Granola bars in your glove box and a few packs of mixed nuts. Sometimes your hungry and there is nothing that you can eat.
Handy meals from the market or gas station when you didn’t plan ahead. Single string cheese, an apple, mixed nuts, readymade hard boiled eggs, The inside of California rolls- no rice, campbells Soup at hand or ready made Soup in a coffee cup.
Handy items at fast food places that sit ok on my tummy include: Taco Bells refried Beans or the inside of a chicken taco. Wendys chili, McDonalds oatmeal, McDonalds yogurt parfait
I feel guilty in front of my heavier friends. I always try to wear a sweatshirt so I don’t rub the weight loss in their faces.
You get drunk really fast...like a half glass of wine. Be careful...it sneaks up on you...and before you know it, you’re waiting for your hubby to pick you up...from less than a glass. Its crazy. I don't really even try anymore to drink.
I crave raw fish, cooked fish, broiled fish, grilled fish...any fish really and it feels amazing on my tummy.
I cant eat steak
I love that I have collar bones
I update my Facebook pictures and secretly love the compliments
I own a woman's North Face now
I can buy bras at Victoria's secret
I pack all my food for work in snack bags and the little tupperware containers for salad dressing.
I can still have M&M's...its just like 9...instead of the king size bags
Take heartburn medicine everyday...don’t wait until you get heartburn.
Buy stock in Maalox
You can have a full meal at Costco- samples + WLS = Cheap Date!
Food Portion jokes get really old
Fast food burgers makes me want to vomit.
At 5 months...salad is wonderful. I can eat about a cup of greens...which takes me a while and I feel a tiny bit normal.
Post-op, If you can swing it, buy a Vita-Mix blender and make your own soup. Canned soup was nasty right after surgery. Freeze them in 4oz canning jars. It will be two servings.
Quit Smoking before surgery. I waited and it slowed my healing. It also gave me terrible heartburn. I am 5 weeks smoke free
You don't have to "confess" you had WLS. It's ok to say thank you for the compliment and not feel guilty. I'm just now starting to accept that I had a little something to do with this insane loss. I tell people when they ask now how I lost the weight, that i exercise and use Portion Control.< br /> People will treat you different. Salesladies ask if I need assistance, men hold open doors and the skinny girls at work talk to me now. It's shallow and pisses me off, but it's nice to not be invisible anymore.
WLS is very difficult. For me, it’s not physical, but the mental. Sometimes I just want a cheesecake like before. It goes away very quickly, but it still comes and goes. Sometimes I get angry at my sleeve because I can’t eat something I see others eating. Most of the time I have to hide my expression when I see people shovel food in the way I used to. It’s shocking to see when you’re on the other side of WLS. I used to inhale my food like a tiny food thief was going to come in and take it away from me.
You will have to say no to your family when they all want to go to a Chinese buffet. I’m still not ready to walk in and be near a buffet.
It feels awesome to give your clothes away, however, do not offer them to your heavier friends. It’s insensitive and they won’t return your calls for a week.
Last one...I played laser tag this past weekend with a bunch of 9 year old boys. It was soooo Much fun!!!

Please feel free to add any other thoughts or tips...

People like to have opinions about things they know very little about. This is true of the general public, which includes our friends, coworkers, family members, and maybe even ourselves. How many years have we all suffered being obese because we had our own stigma about having surgery? I know I'm guilty of that, and as a result I've wasted years of my life that I'll never get back.
This surgery isn't something you do for anyone else. It's something you are doing for YOU - and that's the only opinion that matters. Be smart and make informed decisions and you'll always be a success.
Good luck to you! Weight loss is not easy - no matter what road you take!

I have a lifetime of stories that remind that the one thing more mortifying then feeling invisible because you are fat is feeling like everyone is laughing at you--because you're fat. I started writing some of my personal stories down and what is sad, is that I can remember the names of each one of those jerk bags...but can't remember the names of many of the countless people who have treated me with unsolicited acts of kindness. I hate that I have allocated so much emotional space to those merciless monsters.
But, I wanted to end on a light note-->the bigger your a$$ is/was the more of it there is for all the bullies to kiss.

To my fellow low BMI'ers....you will lose weight! I started out at a bmi of 31.1 and now I am 19.5! Hips went from 50 to 38 inches. I averaged 10lbs a month the first few months and then slowed down from there. This will work! Just follow your doctor's guidelines and let it play out! You will not regret it. And so what if it comes off slow? Better than gaining!
Went from a 18/20 pant to a size 8
Tops XL to Medium
Happiness meter went from a 3 to 10 plus!!!

For the first two weeks i couldnt even lay on my back...the pain kept me from being able to get into that laying position plus i got really sick when i layed down flat. I slept in the recliner for two weeks then was able to sleep on the couch which i was able to still be in an inclined postion. i was able to sleep on my side but the cushions supported my stomach so that it didnt hurt like just laying flat on my side. I am now at 26 days able to sleep on my sides and my stomach. The right side still hurts some when i lay on it...everyone is different and it will get better one day...it seemed to me that it would never feel any better eventhough i knew that was silly....good luck and just take it one day at a time

This is such a great topic! I am also at the very beginning and I've already noticed how I am craving saltiness. All the Protein Shakes and liquids we can have all seem so sweet. I had veggie broth yesterday and it tasted like the best thing in the world! We will get through it, it's just tough at the beginning because our bodies are craving the carbs and wanting all the bad stuff for us!
The timer thing is such a great idea! I was having the same problem with not knowing how often to sip.

I was sleeved on the 6th and am not even allowed Protein until 7 days out, do don't worry about it. Just stay hydrated. With this surgery once you get dehydrated you can't drink enough to catch up and you'll end up back in the hospital with an IV. I drink warm herbal tea and broth since my sleeve isn't tolerating cold fluids or plain Water. Hang in there.

Hi Ladies, I had my surgery on August 2nd and I AM THE SAME WAY! I am about to throw these Protein Shakes out the window. Geechee girl, It was funny because when I read your post you sound exactly like me. I am in socal and my surgeon is a little more lax and said if you feel up to it you can start the soft things a little earlier than the 14 day mark, but I am a little apprehensive and I think I may stick to the plan. I have been having a hard time getting all of the Protein in because I don't really know how fast I should be sipping. How often are you guys sipping? and what exactly is a sip to you? Pre surgery I was a big gulper so I just want to make sure I am not over sipping. Thanks!!!

I tell them the truth. I don't care what others think. I did all if this for me. And it took a long time to get to that point. But I am there now.

Thank you, everyone! I know it takes time to heal, I was just wondering if it was normal and if I'd eventually be able to sleep on my side again. So thank you for the responses! It does make me feel a lot better because these past few days have been extremely hard. It is getting easier and easier as each day passes though. I knew it was going to be a hard journey still but it was a little more than I had anticipated. I am still happy to see results eventually as time passes. I know I will get there but it will take time. So thank you everyone!!!

Do you cry when you look in the mirror? Do you have to wear pants with elastic waist? These are a FEW things that got to me and I literally could go on and on and on. The battle physically and mentally of being obese is horrible. I have one thing to say. NEVER question your decision to have this surgery. I literally talked myself out of the operation TWICE. I'm 14 weeks post op and I'm still adjusting to my new tummy but my life has made a 360. I'm falling in love again and the best thing about it. It's with MYSELF. Do this it will be the best thing for u

My surgery is 8/7 too! I'm surprisingly calm and "zen" about it. I'm going to keep positive, do everything they tell me to do, and clean my house really well
I keep remembering what the psychologist said about my after-surgery life, and she's a European trained pastry chef. Savor good food in small bites and portions--smell the food, really look at it, chew it well and eat slowly--you will be eating like you are French! I can buy the very best quality, healthy foods because the quantity will be SO much less. I am SO excited and ready for my post-surgery life!
Please let me know if you need anything!

Hello everyone!
I came on here to get feedback on what to do before surgery and what to do after surgery. My surgery is only 3 days away! I am excited, scared, nervous, happy. It's like a rollercoaster! Lol! I've been heavy my whole life, so it's crazy to think of every door that will be opening for me!
Being that I have always been heavy I never realized what I really looked like when I would gain a few pounds. Then people would take pictures and I would be like "that's not what I look like, something has to be wrong there!" All of my clothes start to slowly get bigger sizes and before you know it, my bum was getting too large to sit on theme park rides. I feel winded and exhausted when I go somewhere for a day with my husband. I'm only 25 and I have no energy!! That's pretty bad!
I am overly ecstatic for my surgery, for the sleeve on 08/07! I feel that I have tried to prepare myself as much as I can, but any feedback for what I can expect would be much appreciated!

I am so emotional and so nervous. I'm actually starting to second guess myself and getting doubtful. I feel like my insides are knotted so tight that I can't think straight. I didn't do as well as I would have liked on my liquid diet but I couldn't tolerate the Protein Shakes, I kept saying I have time and now it's tomorrow. Oh my gosh, I always dreamed of being thin and healthy and now that time has come. God bless to all those with upcoming surges. May you all have Godspeed in your recovery!
Here's to seeing less of of you and Me!! <3

I am excited that reached 198!!! However, not as excited as I thought I would be. I have no cause for celebration, no back flips, no celebratory sugar/fat free cheesecake. I just feel like a little fire has been lit under my ass. Like I feel like- hey I CAN DO THIS! I am so f-ing driven to get to my goal! To the people that are 1 month or less out from surgery- it gets better, much better. I was depressed too- but that number on the scale and my sexy ass outfit I wore to a party yesterday ( I am lucky to have a real coke bottle shape) solidifies my choice. GO VST!!