missymellie33

Warning: I just wrote a book...LOL!!!
I have all those issues as well. I was sleeved last week and I will tell you what everybody has told me...EVERYTHING CHANGES!!!!!!
My work issues...I've decided not to care anymore. My blood pressure is lower now (I didn't start blood pressure meds until I started this job). I used to worry if I was going to lose my job everyday and I'm the best damn employee in my department. I'm over it and I only care about my check. If I lose my job, I always bounce back and find something better within a month and on a positive note, I have more experience to add to my resume.
My Kids...Yesterday we sat down and reorganized our way of doing things at night (bath-time, checking homework, getting ready for the next day, etc.) If I want to be a better person, I want my kids to be better little people too.
My boyfriend of 8 years (never married)...I decided its time to drop the dead weight next month. I don't care if I'm single for the next 20 years, I am a better me when he's not around. I've put up with so much it's ridiculous. It is taking him way too long to grow up. The final straw was seeing how much he 'cared' about my recovery. He hasn't done anything for our household. Hasn't cooked a meal, cleaned, asked me if I needed anything. I returned to work today. I don't need him now. I was just amazed at the level of support he gave me, which was NONE.
And last but most certainly not least, self-esteem...You are fabulous and guess what, you will be even more fabulous after you have the surgery and start losing weight. I've only lost 10lbs since surgery last week, but I lost myself when I gained all that weight. I want me back.
Those issues will resolve itself. You just keep being the best you, you can be and it will all fall into place. If you ever need to talk, I'm here.

I to had Gerd prior to sleeve. My, surgeon did an egd to make sure there was no damage to my esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Once that was ok it was submitted to insurance for sleeve and got approved. I have to take a ppi for 3-4 months post op and then maybe try to get off them a d see how I do. Hope you get it figured out.

I am only a month out, but I am thinking of my new relationship with food sort of like breaking up with a bad boyfriend. We had our good times, but "he" hurt me and was not good for me, so I am moving on. The new relationship with food I am now experiencing is so strange to me. I am not hungry at all, but sometimes wish that I was hungry. I do miss the pleasure that food used to bring to me, because now it does not really bring me pleasure. I just eat because I know I need to. Very strange feeling. As I am beginning to lose weight (21 pounds so far), I am beginning to see my mourning for food as a trade off for the weight loss. I believe as I lose more and more I will care less and less about the feeling that food used to bring me. It's really hard to explain. Even though I am experiencing this mourning for food right now, I still have NO regrets. Every time I am able to take a good, deep breath (which I could not a month ago) I am thankful for my decision.

I am just over 3 months out. I see the foods that I love and am completely satisfied after taking just 1 bite! I never believed this would happen for me.
Last night a friend (who was sleeved on Oct 30) and I went to the support group meeting. It is about 1 1/2 hrs away so we went out to dinner afterwards. We ordered the shrimp appetizer. It had 8 medium sized shrimp. We each ate only 4 and were stuffed. As we saw plates going by with mountains of food we both commented on what an incredilble amount of food it was and it was hard to believe we ever ate that much!
My problem has always been Portion Control and the sleeve has absoultely solved that problem for me. This is the best decision I have ever made!
Keep a positive attitude and just follow the directions of the bariatric team. I have never thrown up or felt sick. It has been so good for me. I am so happy and wish I would have done it long ago!
Good luck to you.

At over three years out, I can honestly say I have not once regretted this surgery. I feel better, I look better, I am healthier and my confidence has improved ten fold. What was important for me was to really change my mindset. I was very much a volume eater. Sure, there were and still are times when I turn to food in response to stress, depression, etc. But, in being honest with you and myself, my main problem was I just love food, especially the yummy tasting, not so good for me foods. So, I have had to retrain myself. I have had to work on tracking every bite I put in my mouth. I love my sleeve because with it I can eat anything I want. However, I don't allow myself those special "wants" until I have eaten a healthy amount of Protein, dairy, fruits and vegetables for the day. And when I am eating something I especially love, and feel a bit jealous because others are able to eat more, or upset because I want to eat more even though I know it will make me miserable, I just have to remind myself that it's okay, I had some, I enjoyed it and now I can stop because I know I will be able to enjoy this food again another day. I don't have to binge on it, because it isn't like this is the last time this food will ever be available to me.
In the first six months to a year, aka "the honeymoon phase" I really had no interest in food. I never thought that would be possible, but it does really happen. There were times I actually forgot to eat! Holy moly, me, forget to eat? No way! But, I did. Food no longer held the same power over me. Now, at my present stage, I can honestly say I still don't experience what I believe to be real hunger, just the old demon of head hunger. I think I want something, even though I'm not hungry. When that happens, I drink a glass of Water or eat a piece of fruit and that usually satisfies me.
So, yes, no regrets and my sleeve is till working for me at over three years out and I happily and confidently recommend it to anyone considering weight loss surgery.
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17+ months out here. This is a common question. How do you fundamentally change your relationship with food just by having a surgery? Yes, you can limit your intake, but it takes awhile for the mind to catch up. Yes, there is some mourning which occurs after awhile, but then you see the scale move and the pants slip off your hips and things begin to just get better.
There is a change, for sure, but for me, I wanted a change. Needed a change, so I was ready for it. I don't regret my decision in the least. It was exactly what I needed because I, too, loved to eat large quantities and snack constantly. I love the feeling of being full and that feeling is still satisfied with the sleeve. It just occurs much quicker than it did before. I can eat whatever I want. Last weekend I went out with the wife and had lobster tail, asparagus and scalloped potatoes. Very limited quantity, but I was completely sated. It was great. Had more for lunch the next day.
When I am out with friends or co-workers, I ask for a to-go container when I order. As soon as my meal arrives, I quickly toss in no less than two thirds of the portion and spread the remaining around my plate. I gingerly eat my meal and nobody notices a thing. It has never been a problem.
I no longer crave food and snacking is not a part of my life anymore. I know ... sounds crazy, but it is true. I eat to live, not live to eat.

YES, YES, and YES! Your question is very valid and very important. I've had my sleeve since July and I'm still adjusting to a lifestyle that is different than any other I've had before. I have envied others at the table who are eating everything they ordered. Although no one has commented on my eating habits being odd. They envy what they thought was my self-control. I have been disappointed after preparing a wonderful, albeit small, meal and only being able to eat a few bites. When I'm stressed, I miss the relief and comfort I got from food. But since my pre-op diet in May, surgery in July, I've lost 80 pounds. I exercise and eat properly and I've never been happier. THIS is why I had the surgery. We never get it all, do we? And we tend to mourn lost relationships, even ones not good for us. So it's a matter of priorites and this is what I wanted more than the relationship with food. My only regret is not having done it years ago.
Good luck to you and welcome to the forum.

I did feel an immense sadness in the weeks immediately following surgery. My mind felt on fire with thoughts of wanting to eat. I also ate mostly for comfort and it took me many weeks to adjust psychologically to the fact that it is not physically possible to fill my emotional needs with food now. I did try several times to over eat with the same result, vomiting!!! I can't tell you for sure when the head hunger eased for me but I am 9 months out today and I have a totally different relationship with food. I would totally do this again. The weight loss is awesome but for me the ability to have food be in its proper place in relation to everything else the world has to offer is priceless.

Congratulations on your loss, you must feel amazing!
WOW! That is a lot of clothing....I am pre-op but I sell a lot of stuff on ebay and my local craigslist. You might want to try those options, because you will get a small percentage back from the consignment shop. Hope all goes well!

Just had my egd and it was the easiest thing ever! The only weird thing is that I was aware the whole time. I got to see my stomach on the monitor, that was pretty cool. So if you're having yours soon, don't worry, it's a piece of cake!