BigGirlPanties

amazing isn't it... I wish I had taken a picture of myself every month so really see my progress... I can't even figure out how to post pictures here

I am 7 weeks post op. I was going thru my pictures looking for a certain picture for a Christmas present. Well I came across a picture of me and my daughter from a baby shower about a month before my surgery. And I was comparing it to a recent pic on my phone I took. I was amazed at the difference!!
I hope they come across this is the first time I am adding two pics at once.
 

LOL.... you are going to open that can of worms?!?
It really comes down to YOUR choice... the surgeon will explain the varieties and why they may be good for you, and then you (or your insurance) decides.
Some insurance companies still don't cover the sleeve.
Personally, the sleeve felt like the best for me... I liked the idea of keeping my insides in tact so the nutrients stayed in my system, etc. I know several people that had the bypass 10+ years ago and said if they could do it over, they would have chosen the sleeve.
Your co-morbidities, gerd, and other factors will play in to your decision.
Good luck (glad you are not considering the band...just MY opinion)

I did it!
48 hours removed from my Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery, and I honestly don't know how much more smoothly it could have gone.
I had nerves up until they wheeled me in, but when I became conscious again, I was shocked at how good I felt. Sore, for sure, in the stomach, but certainly manageable. The scars from the laproscopic surgery (There were five of them) were so small they were covered each by little bits of surgical tape. When my chest hair grows back, the scars wouldn't even be visible if they never healed!
I had two 60 second session of dry heaves, but no vomiting, no acid, no nothing. Started walking a couple hours after the surgery with NO problems (although the sore stomach made it a little slower getting up and down, the actual walking was no problem).
I tried to just sleep and walk as much as I could the first day.
Day two brought the gas pains, which actually were worse than any of the surgical pain. They came on hard and sharp, and lasted anywhere from 2-5 seconds. I understand this is normal, but thought that since my first day was so trouble-free that I might not have to deal with them. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case. The gas pains came and went during the night last night, but while uncomfortable, it certainly wasn't awful.
Long story short: If I could guarantee my initial recovery story for anyone else getting the surgery, a LOT of people's worries would be put to rest.
I know that this is a life-long game, and I just came out of the chute, but I can tell you that my procedure and initial recovery experience has been VERY positive. We'll see where it goes from here!

If you have lost 75# in 3 months or so... well, maybe your body needs to sort of readjust and stabilize. To me that sounds like VERY FAST weight loss for a woman, so I would say just keep working the sleeve and don't stress about it.
I didn't quite lose 100# in 6 months. It took me 14 months to lose 150 and get to my official goal. Seems to me you are on track...

So, I have been reading some of the stories on here and reflecting on them and my own story and have come to a very very basic conclusion.
I think we need to choose an authentic life for ourselves. I believe God intended for us to be coupled, but here in the modern world, that just isn't so important anymore. I would rather be living an life authentic for me, than coupled with someone just for the sake of having a man in my life.
There are a lot of fish in the sea, and they (like us) are terribly flawed and imperfect. The question is - is there someone out there who you can have a real relationship with, where you make each others lives better - while still living the life you want.
I personally sometimes have sadness over the DECADES I compromised to obesity. It is like a drug addict who wakes up and says "what have I done? How have I wasted so many very good years on not fully living?" I didn't see it that way when I was obese, but I do now.
I am seriously, seriously, seriously, going through a lot of thoughts about my life right now and what I want it to be going forward. I am dating someone I am pretty crazy about, but i have this little hesitation... like... is this the path that will allow me to remain authentic, physcially fit, active, emotionally healthy etc. It is nothing against him - super good guy - but I just need to think very hard about those questions because my tolerance for just accepting "good enough" is pretty non existent.

OMG!!!!!!!!! Is there anyone on here that would like to countdown with me 12/22/14 8am. I am super excited about this and also very nervous any helpfully comments would be nice right now.

Honey, you're talking mostly to people who don't drink like 25-year-olds anymore.

The most alcohol I've had post-op in a 24-hour period was 5 ounces of wine, which I nursed all night. On a few other occasions, I've had vodka neat or single malt scotch.
Most of us have been cheap dates for several decades.

I haven't had a drink yet. Just not interested. I think if you are careful everything but the shots would be okay. Just be mindful that you may get drunk quicker & it's empty calories any way you slice it.

Mine was my daughter , I had my 2 nd child when I was 38, I'm 39 now , and I want to be there for her, I want to be able to be active for her and my son . I am nearing 40 and I had this great need that I wanted to make a major change in my life, I want to be the grandma that zip lines :-) not wheelchair bound because of her weight .

Hi RJ, you are still my hero and I do not say that in jest. When I first came here and saw your stats (even with your complications) that told me that hey....maybe I really can do this. Since then you have been so supportive of me and so many others. I'm sorry your friend doesn't "get it". But you are an icon here and you best not go anywhere! We will find you! LOL (((HUGS))).
In terms of the doctor I think he might be looking at it from a statistical viewpoint. With your complications you are not the poster child for success that they want to show the world but that does not mean you are not a success! Look at what you have done!! When you see the dietitian I doubt they want to see you gain weight and I know you will let him/her know how important this is to you.
I want you to be happy and healthy. I believe in you!

I have ZERO control when it comes to chocolate so even a little in my house will mean the whole bag gone in 10 min. I did however, just find a tea selection of chocolate teas, go to the website for The Republic of Tea and try the banana chocolate and the coconut cocoa one as well. And they are low caffeine and I also have the cinnamon vanilla flavor too, caffeine free and they seem to satisfy my sweet tooth but no sugar. I add 1 packet of stevia in the raw and viola a nice warm feeling. Oh, they have a chocolate sampler box too! Yummy non cheat treats!

My ex husband told me constantly through our 7 years together and two pregnancies and two beautiful children, from 140 lbs to 240 lbs, that I need to lose weight, that I was to fat for him. That he hated the way I walked so loud, was lazy, I need to get active, he just wanted the best for me and to be healthy! He said he was embarrassed of me, said he pretended is was still pregnant to cope with my body, said my clothing disgusted him.
I finally, after years trying to lose weight ( which he would constantly sabotage with a plate full of cookies) asked him what he thought about me having wls. He said if I ever did he would downright leave me because it was cheating and taking the easy, lazy way out.
So guess what? About half a year ago, I dropped him like the stone of shit he was and NEVER LOOKED BACK.
I had wls surgery this month and I am so happy I did. And him? He texts me at least once a week begging for me to come back!! Which I will never never do.
Life is long. Love should not be about settling. Pick a person who brings out the best in you and supports your life and has your happiness truly at heart. Love should be about more than a persons body.
And there are so many fish in the sea!!!

I guess I am one of the "lucky" ones as well...my hubby is the sweetest man alive! He is always there for me...we were together when I was 350 pounds and he never felt me feel "less" than beautiful...tho I regularly tell him to get his eyes checked!!! As seen by our wedding picture on my home page where I was just after surgery and down 50 pounds... we were together for 8 years before we got married...and I really didn't care if we did or didn't...he wanted it more. ...at our age, I didn't really care anymore.
He is always taking care of me in more ways that there are letters in the alphabet...he is supportive and loving ... so I do believe it is all about who you are on the inside... if you are in a good, healthy relationship, you can weather any storm, including bariatrics!
Find your own voice.

Love those things...so simple...put in whatever you wish and "just add eggs" LOL
The lasagna muffins are made with a wonton skin, pressed in to the pan...then I add my ricotta mix, top with a bit of mozzarella and Tomato sauce, and bake off... yum!

I guess I am one of the "lucky" ones as well...my hubby is the sweetest man alive! He is always there for me...we were together when I was 350 pounds and he never felt me feel "less" than beautiful...tho I regularly tell him to get his eyes checked!!! As seen by our wedding picture on my home page where I was just after surgery and down 50 pounds... we were together for 8 years before we got married...and I really didn't care if we did or didn't...he wanted it more. ...at our age, I didn't really care anymore.
He is always taking care of me in more ways that there are letters in the alphabet...he is supportive and loving ... so I do believe it is all about who you are on the inside... if you are in a good, healthy relationship, you can weather any storm, including bariatrics!
Find your own voice.

@@BigGirlPanties when I had my first round of plastics I had a makeover done at sephora and ulta. Now I need to try Mac. There are some awesome tutorials on YouTube (some awful ones, too, LOL).

Great list! I think those of us addicted to processed and "diet" foods got fatter and fatter through physical addiction. I just love that 14 months out I am eating delicious, real food and still losing weight. Just goes to show you that food in its natural state is the best for us. Keep up the good work and thanks for the post. I also bought a crockpot and make lots of delicious meals with legumes and all kinds of vegetables so it's waiting for me when I get home from work, rather than picking up something quick on the way home.

I see a make over in your future!
I love to have that done and write down everything they used... I try it out for the day and go back to buy...so I can see different lights and how it wears on my skin.

I guess I am one of the "lucky" ones as well...my hubby is the sweetest man alive! He is always there for me...we were together when I was 350 pounds and he never felt me feel "less" than beautiful...tho I regularly tell him to get his eyes checked!!! As seen by our wedding picture on my home page where I was just after surgery and down 50 pounds... we were together for 8 years before we got married...and I really didn't care if we did or didn't...he wanted it more. ...at our age, I didn't really care anymore.
He is always taking care of me in more ways that there are letters in the alphabet...he is supportive and loving ... so I do believe it is all about who you are on the inside... if you are in a good, healthy relationship, you can weather any storm, including bariatrics!
Find your own voice.

These were my surgery scars at 2 weeks post-op.

These are my scars now at 12 months post-op. Barely visible.

I guess I am one of the "lucky" ones as well...my hubby is the sweetest man alive! He is always there for me...we were together when I was 350 pounds and he never felt me feel "less" than beautiful...tho I regularly tell him to get his eyes checked!!! As seen by our wedding picture on my home page where I was just after surgery and down 50 pounds... we were together for 8 years before we got married...and I really didn't care if we did or didn't...he wanted it more. ...at our age, I didn't really care anymore.
He is always taking care of me in more ways that there are letters in the alphabet...he is supportive and loving ... so I do believe it is all about who you are on the inside... if you are in a good, healthy relationship, you can weather any storm, including bariatrics!
Find your own voice.

Couldn't have said it better myself! I'm 30 years old and I'm 2 weeks post op. I have been over weight since the age of 8 and have gone through all the cycles of losing gaining etc. My health started to take a turn gor the worst about 10 years ago when i was diagnosed with PCOS and honestly my 20's were a whirlwind of health issues and weight gain. But i have never hated myself because of my weight nor have i blamed my weight for what happened to me in life good or bad. The one thing i do recognize is that alot of my health issues were related to my obesity. Like my diabetes for example. I was diagnosed last year and was an insulin dependent diabetic (haven't had to use insulin since the pre op diet phase ) but again i have a girlfriend who didn't have health issues except being over weight and got the surgery done because she expected her whole life to change once she lost the weight she expected her husband to come back and everything to be just peachy. Well she has lost the weight and looks amazing but her husband didn't come back, her job didn't get any better, and honestly isn't even enjoying the attention she is getting from other men because they only want to sleep with her or use her. So is losing weight which ever way ypu accomplish it the answer to all your problems no it is not! I have been married for 7 years and have had peaks and valleys like most marriages I'm happy right now because my husband who is not overweight never has been, has been very supportive through this process just like all my other health issues I've gone through. My husband has never put me down verbally about my weight or anything else that's just how he is. Have i joked that I'm gonna leave him once the weight comes off, yes i have but i noticed about the 3rd time I said it (Which i wouldn't because I love him and habe no desire to be with anyone else) that he did kind of believe it and he seemed hurt so i will no longer joke about that. I guess I'm lucky that my weight has never been an issue in our marriage at least that he has ever ever showed me. We have been together for 12 Years and married for 7. I'm hoping this journey only brings us closer. But again who knows how he might feel or see me once the weight is off. Best of luck to all of us taking this courageous journey and best wishes to all your marriages.

It's not a far-fetched theory but I will tell you my experience. My husband married me when I was about 40 lbs overweight. That is quite a bit for 5'1 person. We were friends first and he admitted he wouldn't have answered an online profile if I had one with my height/weight listed because he didn't think he would have found me attractive. Well, my highest weight since our marriage 11 years ago was 80 lbs more but that man never once made me feel less than, not attractive or not desirable. Even at 220 he told me he likes "showing me off" and meant it. My food issues were a combination of many things but not self-loathing that made me consume an extra 2,000 calories a day. I do not hate myself and most of the people I went through the classes with had the surgery for health reasons. My surgeon said that should be the primary reason. If you hate yourself, losing 100 lbs isn't going to make you fall in love yourself. Get some therapy now, before your surgery. This is a tool to lose weight, not reframe your mind entirely.

@@HawaiianTexan there are many reasons why. Sometimes it is as simple as the person who looses the weight changes. They have new interests, maybe working out, actives like that, and have shed their old couch potato and foodie lifestyle. Whereas the partner has not changed and may not want to change. S/he may miss the former life had with the spouse. There may be jealousy issues.
Sometimes people just fall out of love.