Sugarlovernomore

I'm sorry to hear that, but Good Luck.

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.

How many of you out there were told by family and friends, "you don't need that surgery", "why are you having that surgery", "why not lose it the natural way", or "you aren't that big"? I have made the conscious decision not to share my decision to have the gastric sleeve surgery with people for that very reason. I have only shared the news with my sister and brother in law. It's amazing how critical people can be. I am scheduled for surgery Nov. 13th and I start my clear liquid diet tomorrow. I never thought I would be so excited to start a clear liquid diet. Please share how family and friends reacted to learning of your decision to have surgery.

Along with all the great advice already given, I'd like to add, make sure you are well hydrated. Stop softeners & fiber need Water to work properly. If you are not fully hydrated your body will try to retain all the Water it can. I'm sure you can figure out what affect this will have on your BM.

i was taking prilosec but it wasnt working for me i was still very hungry i dont take them any longer i dont get heartburn or anything so why take it, it does nothing for me.

"I switched from the band to the sleeve Aug.29th. So far I feel like a failure. I have only lost 17lb. since then but was expecting to lose more like 45lb. It is much better than the band because I'm not throwing up all the time. I'm being very careful not to over eat & drink as much Water as I can every day so what can be going on? I go back to my surgeon Nov.28th but I'm almost ashamed to go. Has anyone else had this problem & if so does the loss ever kick in?"
Pauline--- I post this in the most supportive, caring manner- - - - Read what you wrote, I dont feel your a failure- - you didnt gain 17# in such a short period- -your expectations are wildly inappropriate. Good for others who lose faster- -your body is REELING in shock- you can hardly take in enough to stay off starvation- - your body is holding on for its life- - cut yourself some slack and do a reality check. You are on track, you are different from others, stay the course and it will happen. It took me 6 yrs to loose 105# and I AM NOT A FAILURE!! I do not need surgery for excess skin, i dont look old and it was healthy slow and frustrating- - - I didnt get fat over night - - I didnt get thiin over night- - Tears, hungry and lots of discipline got me to goal- - - HANG IN THERE IT WILL Happen!! Forget the comparisons - - its like saying my kids are cuter than his kids- - who cares it is what it is. Sorry to sound like debbie downer or reality crasher but you are on your own journey and it cannot be compared, or judged against others or your expectation. Reset both and you will be successful.

Sounds like you need to do something to shock your system. Check out this site that I got from another member (butterthebean) on here. It really helped me not to lose my mind during plateaus. http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

I found that if I don't pay attention to my liquid intake, I stall... the more liquid, the faster the scale starts to move.. You are less than three months out I take it? That's normal...

I would tell her:

I THANK GOD everyday that I live in a world where I can have lasix surgery to improve my eyesight. (Permanent re-formation of cornea, can't be reversed)
I have had a few teeth removed, several moles and a growth removed from my nether regions which was causing me issues. Don't want anything back.
I have had friends have their tonsils, appendix, spleens, ovaries (and associated parts) removed when they aren't working for them anymore, and they are better for it. (Permanent removal of organs, don't want them back)
I have also had 85% of my stomach removed so I can have a tool to restrict my intake and help me lead a healthier life and be there for my family and friends.
I know God intended babies to come out the way they went in, but it is good to know these smart men and women are there to help with surgeries.
I also know these same smart men and women do surgeries for vanity purposes, and I am glad God put them here to help those who feel they need it.
What class of people do you think God would look down on more, those getting surgeries for vanity or those trying to improve the quality of their lives? My 2 cents

Oh, man. I am literally less than 12 hours away from surgery. I am having a few butterflies in the stomach, not gonna lie. To all of my fellow October 1 sleevers, Good Luck! I am so excited for all of us!!!

Okay October 1st sleevers! Let's get this started. We're on our way to a healthier and thinner life. Woo Hoo!
I have to be at the hospitl at 8:30 and I'm nervous as heck. But, I know that God had my back and all that I'm working toward is not in vain.
We'll chat on the other side of surgery. Best of luck my fellow sleevers!

Praying for all October 1st sleevers put your trust in God he has it all in control

Good Luck to all the Oct 1st sleevers!!! You will do great!!!

October sleevers for those one the first week best of luck. I will have all of you in my thoughts. I wish all of you a speedy recovery.

Good Luck everyone getting sleeved tomorrow. My surgery day is Tuesday and I can't wait. Today was the 1st day of my clear liquid diet and it sucks. I cooked a huge batch of jambalaya last night and my family is eating the leftover while I drink white grape juice :/ Thankfully I'm allowed to drink a Protein Shake if I need it and I've had 2 today because my blood sugar wasn't liking the simple carbs. I wont know my surgery time until tomorrow but I'm praying it's first thing in the morning.

To all tomorrow's octosleevers I'm wishing you a fast and speedy recovery!!

I am one of those who got the band back in 2005. The sleeve was not even offered at that time. The band was sold to you as the CURE for obesity ( I'm a nurse and I believed it) it was told to me that it was a life time thing, yes you have to have fills, but it can stay in you for a lifetime...WOW what a wonderful thing, I can have this put in and get/be skinny for a lifetime....NOT
Last year I had the worst pain in my lifetime that lasted what seemed to be forever, but when it was over I discovered I had no restriction, I was sore for about a week but that was it..before I new it I had gained all my weight back, but also I knew I didn't feel all that well anymore. I started to look at getting it out but I had gone to Mexico to have it put in because of my low bmi. Through all of this I discovered the VSG and said HEY thats for me... so simple...get this thing out of me and get the sleeve, so after 6 months of research on June 26th that's what I did...BUT... when I woke up I only had the band removed because my band had eroded...sigh...I was devastated!!! What happened to the LIFE TIME BAND???? I have to say I can not believe they still put those things in people here in the USA?
everyone I know who has it has nothing but trouble/damage from that d$*m thing.
Not all is lost because on Oct 22 I am going to be the proud owner of my new stomach called Chiquita!!!
I am going to beg you to not get the band its a waste of money and when you have to have it removed...yes I said when YOU have to have it removed...you will remember my post and say why didn't I listen to everyone who tried to WARN ME...WARN ME........WARN ME.......WARN ME.......WARN ME..........,WARN ME...........WARN ME.....

I also researched the band but heard so many negative things about it and in my area there was no where to go to be the band adjusted. I went with the sleeve and don't regret it for a minute and don't have to go anywhere to get it adjusted! It has only been 16 days for me but I already know I made the best decision of my life - down 22 lbs. in 14 days!

I did the same thing when I was free to eat what I wanted. I'm a sugar addict and I had a few things I shouldn't have had but I had this surgery so I wouldn't have to give up too much just as long as I didn't eat a lot of it. I'm losing the weight (albeit slowly) but I am getting there.
Much success on your Journey!!

Morning of surgery: 247
Six week weight : 203
Goal: 160

Happy Birthday Minkywinks!!! Mines Oct 15th and I'm having one great Birthday myself this year!
To all of you Oct 1st surgery people you will be in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and a
healthy new start to your lives

Me too! Same age...nervous as h*ll too! Almost was going to chicken out yesterday but today I am a bit better! We can do it and be a lot better off for our families!! PS I didn't tell anyone just like you. Keeping it quiet for now!

I'm scheduled for Oct 1st and I'm getting nervous. I'm 42, married and have 3 boys. I only told my husband and therapist. Yes I decided to see a therapist to help me because I know It's going to be a MAJOR life style change.

You can talk to us. We will be your support. That is what is so nice about this forum. You can feel accepted without being judged. I don't plan on telling anyone about my surgery except for my husband and kids. I did tell one other friend and right away she was trying to tell me how to lose weight without surgery. She has always been thin so she just doesn't understand what it feels like to carry around excess weight. It is not her fault, but she just isn't the person I can talk to about this experience. Keep your chin up. October 22nd will be here before you know it.

Kind of sad tonight & in need of some positive reinforcement. I finally found the right time (over beer & pizza) to tell my best friend - so close that we can finish each others sentences - that I'm having the surgery.
About 12 or so years ago, before I knew her, she was overweight (not obese). She lost the weight via weight watchers & working out. She has maintained her size 6/8 figure by being vigilant about going to the gym & watching her Proteins & veggies. Her response to my news: "You're messing with mother nature. You just need to change your eating habits to how you'll be eating after the surgery & work out - and stick to it."
Heavy sigh.
I knew she wasn't going to be happy about my having surgery, but I thought she'd at least understand my struggle. "I've TRIED all of those ways," I tell her, but she just shakes her head. "What are the side effects of the surgery?" she asks. "Less risk than my remaining morbidly obese," is my reply. Again she says that it just seems too drastic. She says I'm not going to be able to drink beer anymore. In my head I think "that might not be a bad thing, considering beer has contributed to this weight!" but I assure her that I will be able to drink socially but I just won't be able to drink beer & eat at the same time - it's going to be an either/or. Then she says "well then you're going to be malnourished from not eating..." I just need to change how I eat & exercise more, she says again as she's smoking her 3rd or 4th cigarette of the evening.
Of course it didn't dawn on me until I got home to compare my struggle with losing weight to her struggle to quit smoking. But I'm kind of glad I didn't go there. I know she wants to quit & I even defend her to her long-time boyfriend who tries to guilt (bully?) her into quitting & harps on her all the time about it. But I can't help but think that I wish I had used her not being able to quit smoking to compare to my "not being able to stick to a diet."
Any words of wisdom out there from my fellow Octo-sleevers? I could really use a supportive word or two right about now....